Stories for March 12, 2012

Engine trouble forces return of Ore. flight

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- A Dallas-bound American Airlines flight returned to the Portland, Ore., airport 25 minutes after takeoff early Tuesday morning.

Timing unclear on charges in Afghan shooting

WASHINGTON (AP) -- U.S. military officials say it's unclear when charges might be filed in the case of the weekend massacre of 16 Afghan villagers allegedly by a U.S. soldier.

Public invited to Olympic Stadium opening

LONDON (AP) -- Olympics organizers are inviting the public to join a special event to officially open London's new Olympic Stadium in May.

NFLPA questions suspension of 2 Broncos

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The NFL Players Association is questioning the process followed by the NFL before the league suspended two Denver Bronco players for violating the policy on performance-enhancing substances.

No injury in Hoquiam school bus accident

HOQUIAM, Wash. (AP) -- No one was injured when a Hoquiam school bus went into a ditch off Highway 101.

Lantern light surgery at Portland animal shelter

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- When a wind storm knocked out power at the Oregon Humane Society in Portland it hardly slowed down pet surgeries.

Lamar, Vermont square off Wednesday in First Four

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) -- Vermont is not playing the angry coach so much as his hot team.

Springfield School Board says no to charter school

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) -- The Springfield School Board rejected a charter school proposal Monday night from a group of parents who wanted to lease an elementary school the district had closed last year.

Lincoln County DA plans to prosecute 2 in killing

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- The Lincoln County district attorney says he plans to prosecute a couple accused of a killing a man near Toledo, although at least one suspect already faces a life sentence in Washington.

Boyd delivers as Timbers win opener

Designated Player scores go-ahead goal in victory

A memorable debut for a pair of newcomers and the coming-out party for a second-year player turned the season opener into a celebration for the Portland Timbers and their fans.

Peterson faces Khan in rematch of contested fight

LONDON (AP) -- Lamont Peterson says he's ready to defends his WBA and IBF light-welterweight titles against British challenger Amir Khan in a rematch of their disputed fight last year.

Panetta: Awaiting plans to draw down surge

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Tuesday he was awaiting plans from Gen. John Allen, the top commander in Afghanistan, to bring home the remaining 23,000 troops sent to Afghanistan during the 2009 surge.

Snow follows high winds in western Oregon

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Snow has followed high winds into western Oregon.

NJ's capital to make emergency toilet paper buy

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- Officials in New Jersey's capital say they've resolved a fight over toilet paper.

Toilet paper running low in NJ's capital city

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- Toilet paper is at the center of the latest battle of Trenton.

WWU student treated for meningococcal infection

BELLINGHAM, Wash. (AP) -- Ten friends of a Western Washington University student are being treated with antibiotics after it was confirmed he has a meningococcal infection.

Federal jury upholds Pasco police in injury arrest

PASCO, Wash. (AP) -- Pasco city officials are pleased with a federal jury's verdict that four police officers did not violate the rights of a paraplegic man when they arrested him five years ago.

Boeing employment in Washington highest since 1999

SEATTLE (AP) -- Boeing's payroll in Washington has risen to more than 82,000 workers.

Firefighters combat Battle Ground garage fire

Family escapes harm; students on bus escorted from scene on foot

BATTLE GROUND -- A midafternoon fire that started in the garage of a Battle Ground home on Monday forced a mother and her three children out in the light rain and sent up a column of smoke visible for a couple of miles.

Boston police clamp down on slam dancing

BOSTON (AP) -- Add slam dancing to activities banned in Boston.

Released sex offender arrested in Seattle

SEATTLE (AP) -- A sex offender is back in custody one week after his release from Washington's Special Commitment Center on McNeil Island.

Newer states spawn unique names

Study finds that they tend to have the greater share of children with off-the-beaten-path monikers

When Washougal residents Kyle and Dianna Curtis had their first daughter, Brooklynn, they wanted to give her a unique name that would epitomize her personality.

IOC: US to provide files on Hamilton doping case

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) -- The IOC says U.S. anti-doping officials have agreed to turn over files on American cyclist Tyler Hamilton's doping case so the Olympic body can decide whether to readjust the medals from the 2004 Athens Games.

Deaths barred in Italian village

ROME (AP) -- Since the start of the month it has been illegal to die in Falciano del Massico, a village of 3,700 people some 50 kilometers (30 miles) from Naples in southern Italy.

Battle Ground apartment burglarized while residents sleep

Battle Ground police arrested a man they say took advantage of an unlocked door and committed a burglary while the residents were asleep.

Gambia set to install new FA despite FIFA warnings

BANJUL, Gambia (AP) -- Gambia appears determined to defy FIFA and install a new national soccer association despite warnings from the sport's world governing body about government interference.

Highway 520 bridge provides little insight to CRC officials

Traffic patterns on tolled Seattle span have fluctuated

When tolling begins on the Interstate 5 Bridge, at least some drivers will head for Interstate 205 -- opting to tack a few more miles onto their commute rather than pay the extra charge to get to work. That’s a given.

Macaroni Grill operator files for bankruptcy

VancouverThe Vancouver-based operator of Romano’s Macaroni Grill restaurants in the Portland area, as well as the Seattle and San Francisco areas, has filed for bankruptcy, the Portland Business Journal reported Monday.

Auditor plans annual Pre-St. Paddy’s Day party

The Committee to Re-Elect Greg Kimsey will be hosting its 13th annual Pre-St. Paddy’s Day event 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Club Green Meadows, 7703 N.E. 72nd Ave.

First lady will lead US delegation to Olympics

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The White House says Michelle Obama will lead the official U.S. delegation to the opening ceremonies of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London.

Alaska Airlines seeks Portland-D.C. link

If approved service from PDX could begin by late August

Alaska Airlines on Monday applied for federal approval to offer nonstop service between Portland International Airport and Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., as well as from San Diego to Reagan National. The airline also lined up heavy-hitter support from members of the Washington and Oregon congressional delegations and launched a campaign on its website that urged customers to write letters to the U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood in support of its application.

World's tallest man may have stopped growing

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) -- Thanks to treatment by researchers at the University of Virginia Medical Center, the world's tallest man may have reached his peak.

World's tallest man may have stopped growing

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) -- Thanks to treatment by researchers at the University of Virginia Medical Center, the world's tallest man may have reached his peak.

Northug skipping World Cup finals with stomach bug

OSLO, Norway (AP) -- Norwegian cross-country star Petter Northug has pulled out of the World Cup finals this week because of a stomach infection.

Konietzka, 1st goalscorer in the Bundesliga, dies

ZURICH (AP) -- Timo Konietzka, who scored the first goal in the Bundesliga, has died. He was 73.

Al Wasl goalkeeper banned for 17 matches

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) -- A goalkeeper for Diego Maradona's Al Wasl club has been banned for 17 matches after attacking an opposition coach following a 1-0 loss to Al Alhi in the Etisalat Cup semifinals.

Suspected US drone strike kills 6 in NW Pakistan

DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan (AP) -- Pakistani intelligence officials say a suspected U.S. drone strike has hit a vehicle in a tribal region near the Afghan border, killing at least six militants.

Outdoors blog 3/12

No meeting today to consider gillnetting in the lower Columbia River

Afghan man recounts U.S. soldier’s shooting spree

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — An Afghan man recounted Monday the harrowing tale of how an American soldier on a killing spree burst into his home in the middle of the night, searched the rooms, then dropped to a knee and shot his father in the thigh as he emerged from a bedroom.

World Trade Organization upholds ruling on illegal Boeing aid

GENEVA -- Boeing subsidies from the United States and individual states damaged rival Airbus by more than $5.3 billion, World Trade Organization judges said Monday as they upheld an earlier ruling and agreed with Airbus the harm was well above that amount, though the panel didn’t name a figure.The WTO’s Appellate Body backed a March 2011 report finding the U.S. provided aid to Chicago-based Boeing through federal research grants and state support in developing aircraft including the 787 Dreamliner. Airbus parent European Aeronautic, Defence & Space Co. has said the aid to Boeing cost it $45 billion in lost sales from 2002 to 2006.

Voting in Alabama, Mississippi could clarify race

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) -- Mitt Romney is working to seal his status as the Republican presidential front-runner with a thus-far-elusive victory in the Deep South.

Obama warns China against 'skirting the rules'

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama says he's putting China and America's other economic competitors on notice that they won't get away with "skirting the rules" on international trade.

Obama, Cameron to attend NCAA tournament game

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Basketball fan-in-chief President Barack Obama is showing British Prime Minister David Cameron some March Madness, taking his U.K. counterpart to an NCAA tournament basketball game in Ohio, an election swing state.

Strong 4Q helps Nautilus to profitable 2011

Vancouver maker of fitness equipment had struggled since 2006

Bolstered by new and revamped fitness products, Nautilus Inc. on Monday vaulted into territory that has long eluded it: profitability.

OHSU Brain Awareness Season lectures scheduled

Oregon Health & Science University Brain Awareness Season continues with a lecture March 19.

Former All Blacks captain Jock Hobbs dies, aged 52

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) -- Former All Blacks captain and New Zealand Rugby Union chairman Jock Hobbs has died of leukemia, the union said. He was 52.

Marbury denies hitting fans after playoff loss

BEIJING (AP) -- Former NBA star Stephon Marbury has denied hitting a fan after a testy playoff loss in a Chinese Basketball Association game.

UPDATE: Sheriff's office recommends no criminal charges in hazing incidents

Heritage High School baseball players were allegedly tied up

The Clark County Sheriff’s Office recommends that no criminal charges be filed against members of the Heritage High School varsity baseball team involved in a Friday hazing incident.

Winds knock out power to thousands in W. Oregon

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Powerful winds have ripped trees from the ground and toppled power lines across much of western Oregon, knocking out power to about 50,000 customers at the height of the storm.

Couture lifts Sharks past Oilers 3-2

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) -- Logan Couture scored a tiebreaking goal early in the third period and the San Jose Sharks snapped a five-game slide with a 3-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Monday night.

Robbins, Brown, Bannan released

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- The St. Louis Rams released three veterans a day ahead of free agency, center Jason Brown and defensive tackles Fred Robbins and Justin Bannan. The release of a fourth veteran, defensive end James Hall, was being finalized.

Pepperdine athletic chaplain found dead on beach

MALIBU, Calif. (AP) -- A man who works as chaplain for the athletic department at Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif., has been found dead on a nearby beach.

2010 1st round pick signs entry level contract

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- The St. Louis Blues signed forward Jaden Schwartz, a first-round pick in 2010, to an entry level contract. Schwartz will join the team Tuesday in Chicago for a game against the Blackhawks.

Grieving Jefferson leads Jazz past Pistons 105-90

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Al Jefferson scored 33 points just 24 hours after his grandmother's death and the Utah Jazz defeated the Detroit Pistons 105-90 Monday night.

Crossing guard, 12, hit on way to school

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) -- Spokane police say a 12-year-old boy on his way to school for his job as a morning crossing guard was hit by a truck and rolled more than 60 feet through an intersection.

Driver cited for suspected DUI, speeding on Lewisville Highway

A Vancouver man was cited on suspicion of DUI and speeding after he nearly hit a Clark County Sheriff’s Office deputy’s vehicle on state Highway 503 late Sunday, officials said.

Health Dept. closes WA bay to shellfish harvesting

EDISON, Wash. (AP) -- The Washington state Health Department says Samish Bay in Whatcom County has been closed to commercial shellfish harvesting due to high levels of fecal bacteria.

Weiland looks sharp as Astros top Yankees 4-3

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Kyle Weiland threw four hitless innings and the Houston Astros beat the New York Yankees 4-3 on Monday night.

Most commented stories on Columbian.com last week

Fireworks and the latest CRC developments dominated discussion last week

Fatal Portland, Ore., crash kills 2; injures 2

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Portland police say two people have died after a car hit a tree and went into a ditch. Two others have been hospitalized.

Court hearing for man charged in threat letters

TACOMA, Wash. (AP) -- A Vancouver, Wash., man charged in connection with threatening letters containing white powder that were sent to members of Congress and some media organizations has agreed to be moved from a Washington state detention center to a Portland, Ore., jail.

Woods says he hopes to play next week at Bay Hill

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) -- Tiger Woods says his left Achilles tendon is mildly strained and he's hopeful he can still play next week at Bay Hill.

WSU names new Vancouver chancellor

He’s currently a provost at college in New Hampshire

The second-in-command of a New England liberal-arts college will head up Washington State University Vancouver starting in July. Mel Netzhammer, the current provost of Keene State College in New Hampshire, will become chancellor of WSUV, the university announced Monday. Netzhammer will have the job formerly held by Hal Dengerink, who died Sept. 14 after a two-year battle with brain cancer.

Vancouver human resources firm repurchases $60M in stock

Action apparently ends bid to shake up board

Barrett Business Services Inc. has reached an agreement to buy about 2.5 million shares from the estate of the late William Sherertz, who had been the Vancouver human resources company’s CEO, in a deal valued at nearly $60 million, the company said Monday.

Penn St gets No. 4 seed, headed to Baton Rouge

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) -- Resurgent Penn State celebrated its most successful season in eight years with a No. 4 seed in the NCAA tournament.

FIFA concludes visit to World Cup host cities

SAO PAULO (AP) -- FIFA has completed a visit to six of the 12 host cities of the 2014 World Cup.

Florida State lead Coaches vs. Cancer field

NEW YORK (AP) -- Florida State, Notre Dame, BYU and Saint Joseph's have been selected as the host schools for the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic, which will play its championship at the Barclays Center.

Blatter to meet with Brazilian president on Friday

SAO PAULO (AP) -- FIFA chief Sepp Blatter will meet Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff on Friday to discuss the 2014 World Cup preparations.

49ers tender 1-yr contracts to CB Brock, LB Grant

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) -- The San Francisco 49ers have tendered one-year contracts to exclusive rights free agent cornerback and special teams player Tramaine Brock and restricted free agent linebacker Larry Grant.

Indians pitcher strikes deal with DR prosecutor

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) -- Dominican Republic prosecutors say Cleveland Indians pitcher Roberto Hernandez has agreed to a deal to have false identity charges against him dropped in return for completing a work program in his Caribbean homeland.

Bulls missing Deng, Hamilton, Watson vs Knicks

CHICAGO (AP) -- The Chicago Bulls are missing three players, including two starters, against the New York Knicks.

Djokovic wins at Indian Wells

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (AP) -- Top-ranked Novak Djokovic defeated Kevin Anderson 6-2, 6-3 to reach the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open on Monday, improving his match record to 12-1 this year.

Lady Vols get No. 2 seed, Tennessee-Martin in NCAA

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Tennessee has drawn a No. 2 seed in the NCAA tournament and will face No. 15 seed Tennessee-Martin, coach Pat Summitt's alma mater.

Duke women draw No. 2 seed in Fresno Regional

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) -- Duke might face another true road game in its path through the NCAA women's basketball tournament.

Baylor No. 1 overall seed in women's tournament

WACO, Texas (AP) -- Brittney Griner and undefeated Baylor are the undisputed No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA women's tournament.

Mets bullpen catcher charged with DUI crash

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) -- Authorities say New York Mets bullpen catcher Eric Langill has been charged in a drunken driving crash in central Florida.

Gatt joins initial US group for Olympic qualifiers

CHICAGO (AP) -- Molde defender Josh Gatt is among 19 players on the initial U.S. roster for men's Olympic soccer qualifying this month.

1 person dies after train-vehicle crash in Montana

TIBER, Mont. (AP) -- Railroad officials say one person has died after a crash between a freight train and a vehicle at a crossing in northern Montana, about five miles west of Chester.

Rivera, Dodgers tag Weaver, beat Angels 9-1

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) -- Juan Rivera and Justin Sellers homered and the Los Angeles Dodgers tagged Los Angeles Angels ace Jered Weaver in a 9-1 romp Monday.

Rockies beat Padres 11-2

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- Jeremy Guthrie pitched four solid innings, Willin Rosario hit a three-run homer during Colorado's eight-run seventh inning and the Rockies beat the San Diego Padres 11-2 on Monday.

Panetta: Death penalty possible in Afghan shooting

ABOARD A US MILITARY AIRCRAFT (AP) -- Defense Secretary Leon Panetta says the death penalty is a consideration as the military moves to investigate and possibly put on trial a U.S. soldier suspected of gunning down 16 Afghans.

UConn women earn a No. 1 seed for the 15th time

STORRS, Conn. (AP) -- Connecticut is a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament for the 15th time and will begin its quest for an eighth national title in Bridgeport against Prairie View.

Okla St loses bid to regain $33M from fundraiser

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) -- A federal judge has denied Oklahoma State's bid to get back $33 million it spent on premiums as part of a fundraising scheme built around buying $10 million life insurance policies on about two dozen donors to the athletic program.

Raiders tender contracts to 4 free agents

ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) -- The Oakland Raiders have tendered one-year contracts to four potential free agents.

Stanford heads East to face Hampton in NCAA opener

STANFORD, Calif. (AP) -- With Stanford not hosting the NCAA tournament at home in Maples Pavilion this March, coach Tara VanDerveer hoped to hit the road and head East.

Olivo, Montero power Mariners over Rangers 6-4

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) -- Miguel Olivo hit a go-ahead three-run home run in the sixth inning, and Jesus Montero ripped a two-run double in the seventh to lead the Seattle Mariners to a 6-4 win over the Texas Rangers on Monday.

USA Cycling announces team for track worlds

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) -- USA Cycling will be sending the women's pursuit team that took silver at last year's world championship to the 2012 worlds next month in Melbourne, Australia.

Soriano hits fourth HR of spring, Cubs beat Reds

MESA, Ariz. (AP) -- Alfonso Soriano hit his fourth home run this spring and Paul Maholm pitched two innings in his exhibition debut Monday as the Chicago Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds 8-6.

Jaguars decide to bring back OT Will Robinson

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed offensive tackle William Robinson to contract, keeping him off the free agent market.

Deron Williams out again with strained right calf

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- New Jersey Nets All-Star point guard Deron Williams missed Monday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks with a strained right calf.

Duncan's 2 RBI help Indians beat Diamondbacks 3-2

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) -- Shelley Duncan visited with dad Dave, then drove in two runs to help the Cleveland Indians beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 3-2 on Monday.

Saints re-sign backup QB Daniel

METAIRIE, La. (AP) -- New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis says the club has agreed to terms on a one-year contract with backup quarterback and place holder Chase Daniel.

McKenna raises more than $250,000 over weekend

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) -- The campaign for Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob McKenna says he's raised more than $250,000 in just three days, the first time he's been able to raise money since the end of November.

Tigers release RHP David Pauley

LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) -- The Detroit Tigers have released reliever David Pauley after the right-hander got off to a slow start in spring training.

Saints owner, coach meet with NFL's Goodell

NEW YORK (AP) -- New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson and coach Sean Payton have met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who will decide the team's punishment for its bounty program from 2009-11.

NHL GMs expected to debate return of red line

BOCA RATON, Fla. (AP) -- NHL general managers are beginning three days of meetings with concussions again a topic of discussion, and a debate is expected about whether to reinstate the center-ice red line.

AP Sources: Cowboys, Redskins have cap reduced

NEW YORK (AP) -- Two people familiar with the decision tell The Associated Press the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins will lose salary cap space for the next two seasons for overspending on contracts during the 2010 uncapped season.

Wind knocks out power for some Clark County residents

High winds caused a few power outages throughout Clark County on Monday.

Wash. special legislative session starts at noon

Special session begins at noon, though most lawmakers aren't likely to be back to the Capitol until Wednesday.

Beltran, Wong lift Cards split squad over Braves

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) -- Carlos Beltran went 2-for-4 in his return following a bout with the flu, and Kolten Wong singled in the winning run with two outs in the ninth inning as a St. Louis Cardinals split squad beat the Atlanta Braves 5-4 on Monday.

Green aims to lead Michigan State to NCAA title

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- Michigan State's Draymond Green is the first player from one of the six major conferences to average at least 15 points, 10 rebounds and three assists since the 1996-97 season, when Tim Duncan did it at Wake Forest.

Shields works 4 scoreless innings for Rays

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (AP) -- James Shields took another step toward his opening day assignment for the Tampa Bay Rays, pitching four scoreless innings during a 2-1, 10-inning loss to the Minnesota Twins on Monday.

Sabres LW Ellis out indefinitely with knee injury

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -- Buffalo Sabres fourth-line forward Matt Ellis is out indefinitely after hurting his knee last weekend.

Basketball wasn’t always Blazers players' passion

Some Blazers started out in excelling other sports

So you’re in the locker room with Gerald Wallace, realizing you’re approximately 41,000 protein shakes behind him, when he blurts to an assistant coach, “Don’t get it twisted, basketball just fell into my lap, but the main sport in my family has always been baseball.”

Martinez: Too often we are fit to be tied

Ties. Don't like them. They're un-American, aren't they?

In Our View: Overtime in Olympia

Finger-pointing legislators wrestle their way into special session

Imagine a newspaper reporting that a Legislature “completed a 34-day session Monday night with a list of bills rivaling what they would normally pass in a session five times that long.”Alas, The Columbian is not that newspaper, and Washington’s Legislature is not that deliberative body.

Obama: Afghan shooting is 'heartbreaking'

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama is calling the alleged slaying of 16 Afghan civilians by a U.S. soldier "absolutely tragic and heartbreaking" and that he is still "proud generally" of what U.S. troops have achieved in Afghanistan while working under "enormous strain."

Timbers MatchDay: vs. Philadelphia

Philadelphia Union at Portland Timbers

Editorial Cartoon: GOP candidates analyze Iran

March 12

Pitts: Conservatism’s woes run much deeper than Rush

If you think Rush Limbaugh is fatally wounded, think again.

Sherri McMillan's new-you workout: Week eight

This is the last week in Sherri McMillans' eight-week "New Year, new you" fitness program.

Open forum, March 12-18

An open forum for community discussion.

Talking Points: Huskies get a top seed

What's the buzz from the world of sports? Here are some items that will have people talking: Washington Huskies basketball, NCAA rankings, Greg Biffle

Prep sports schedule for week of March 12

High school sports schedule for week of March 12-17

WSUV professor first recipient of new grant

Michael Dunn will work with elementary school students

A researcher at Washington State University Vancouver is the first recipient of a new type of grant from the university’s College of Education.

Off Beat: Mapmaker’s kids measured up during family trips

Conversations can take off in unexpected directions, and a recent example involved a process that actually should keep people on course. It was a chat about mapmaking.

Vital statistics

Marriage dissolutions and licenses and court sentencings

Letter: Pitts' column misguided

It seems that, no matter what your political persuasion, many times those with opinion power are guilty of painting an opposing view with an overly wide brush.

Blazers Week Ahead: March 12-18

This week’s matchups

Blazers in Review: Week of March 5-10

A look back at the Blazers week

Death Notices

A daily listing of death notices.

Tuberculosis patients monitored via Internet

County officials say it’s crucial to complete prescription

Physicians always stress the importance of completing antibiotic prescriptions. Heeding that advice is particularly important for people with tuberculosis.

Letter: Pipeline is key to possibilities

I just do not understand President Obama’s decision not to approve the Keystone XL pipeline.

Letter: Coast Guard was on board early

The record of decision clearly shows Coast Guard and river commerce stakeholders were solicited, informed and understood project design considerations for years.

Letter: It takes a good neighbor

The Feb. 29 story, “Getting to know Arnada,” and March 1 editorial, “Arnada: proud & feisty,” complimented Arnada on efforts to provide a positive impact to the city and its residents.

Vancouver Adventure Boot Camp

Partner of the week

Exercise keeps brain healthy

Here is a no-brainer for you: as we get older or sicker, our cognitive functions gradually slow down. However, regular exercise helps prevent age- and disease-related brain deterioration.

Clark County business calendar

A weekly list of business-related classes and events

Regular exercise is a real brain teaser

Celebrate brain awareness week with a workout

The best way to exercise your brain, is to exercise your body.

NCAA provides $400,000 to study head injuries

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- The NCAA will provide $400,000 to help fund a study into the effects of head injuries in sports.

Chiefs re-sign DL Amon Gordon

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- The Kansas City Chiefs have re-signed defensive lineman Amon Gordon, a 30-year-old veteran who played in all 16 games last season.

Marysville cop on leave after daughter's shooting

MARYSVILLE, Wash. (AP) -- The Marysville, Wash., police officer whose daughter was fatally shot by a sibling last weekend has been placed on administrative leave for an investigation.

Marysville cop suspended over daughter's shooting

MOUNT VERNON, Wash. (AP) -- The Marysville police officer whose daughter was fatally shot Saturday has been placed on administrative leave for an investigation.

Vikings, Sage Rosenfels agree to 2-year contract

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) -- Backup quarterback Sage Rosenfels and the Minnesota Vikings have agreed in principle to a new, two-year contract.

Diamondbacks LHP Saunders leaves with leg injury

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) -- Joe Saunders of the Arizona Diamondbacks left his start against the Cleveland Indians after being hit in the left shin by a line drive off the bat of Carlos Santana.

Bears tender qualifying offer to RB Bell

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) -- The Chicago Bears have tendered a qualifying offer to restricted free agent running back Kahlil Bell.

Vizquel shines at third in bid to make Blue Jays

DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP) -- Omar Vizquel, the 44-year-old infielder auditioning for a utility job with the Blue Jays, made a couple of sparkling defensive plays at third base and hit a two-run single in Toronto's 4-1 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Monday.