Stories for January 1, 2013
Lead stories
Stories
Jaime Herrera Beutler statement on her fiscal cliff vote
Jaime Herrera Beutler Statement on the Fiscal Cliff Agreement
Son of LA Clippers owner found dead in Malibu
MALIBU, Calif. (AP) -- The son of Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling has been found dead of a possible drug overdose in Malibu.
‘Fiscal cliff’ deal protects Washington sales-tax break
OLYMPIA (AP) -- U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell says the “fiscal-cliff” tax bill that passed the Senate and the House on Tuesday includes the sales-tax deduction for taxpayers in Washington and a half-dozen other states.
Some B.G. district schools to open 2.5 hours late Wednesday
Due to icy conditions on many of the narrow, hilly, winding roads in north and east Clark County, some Battle Ground schools will start 2.5 hours late Wednesday
Li Na defeats Julia Cohen of US in China
SHENZHEN, China (AP) -- Top-seeded Li Na advanced to the Shenzhen Open quarterfinals with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Julia Cohen of the United States in the second round on Wednesday.
Woman struck and killed on train tracks near Ridgefield
A freight train struck and killed a woman outside of Ridgefield early Tuesday morning.
Barcelona coach Vilanova visits training session
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) -- Barcelona says coach Tito Vilanova has returned for his first visit to the club after having throat surgery to remove a tumor.
British javelin thrower gets 4-year doping ban
LONDON (AP) -- British javelin thrower and coach Ian Burns has been banned for four years for multiple doping violations.
US routs Czechs 7-0 in junior ice hockey quarters
UFA, Russia (AP) -- John Gaudreau had a hat trick, Riley Barber scored twice and the United States beat the Czech Republic 7-0 to reach the semifinals of the world junior ice hockey championship on Wednesday.
Election's final days saw cash flow freely
Some candidates made final push, others put cash into surplus accounts
Last-minute automated phone calls, fundraisers, bonuses for campaign managers and transfers into surplus accounts were just some of the expenses incurred by politicians in the week leading up to the Nov. 6 general election, and in the election's aftermath.
Blazers withstand Knicks on the road
Portland wins 105-100
Nicolas Batum scored 26 points, Damian Lillard had 21 points, six assists and five rebounds, and the Blazers beat the Knicks 105-100 on Tuesday in New York.
Djokovic loses to Tomic in Hopman Cup
PERTH, Australia (AP) -- Top-ranked Novak Djokovic lost to Bernard Tomic 6-4, 6-4 on Wednesday, allowing Australia to take a 1-0 lead over Serbia at the Hopman Cup.
Car theft suspect plunges into icy Spokane River
A suspected car thief ran from police and jumped into the Spokane River to evade capture on Tuesday.
Boy dies when pickup slides off I-84 into river
Oregon State Police say divers have recovered a boy’s body from a pickup that slid on icy Interstate 84 in the Columbia River Gorge, crashed through a guardrail and plunged into the Columbia River.
'Less-lethal' weapons gain local law agencies' favor
They aim to gain compliance by using lowest force possible
It looks a bit like a grenade launcher and fires sponge batons at speeds similar to baseballs thrown by a major league pitcher. And, it's one of local police agencies' options to stop people who are potentially armed and not following police commands.
Clark County families welcome first babies of 2013
Boy surprises by arriving early; girl, mom doing well
A Washougal couple on Tuesday welcomed the first baby born in a Clark County hospital in 2013.
Sofia, Mason most popular names in Washington
EVERETT — So you think the baby boomer-era hippies gave their kids unusual names? Well, it's happening again.
Stanford wins Rose Bowl
Cardinal defense strong in 20-14 win over Wisconsin
Stepfan Taylor rushed for 89 yards and an early touchdown, Kevin Hogan passed for 123 yards, and No. 8 Stanford won its first Rose Bowl since 1972, beating the Badgers 20-14 on Tuesday.
Camas trio's escape pod offers refuge from peril
Tsunamis inspire invention; TV shows take notice, provide exposure
Andy Lehto seemed comfortable peering out from inside the chest-high, orange object, which looked a bit like the offspring of a Christmas ornament mating with a Coast Guard buoy.
Local hospitals welcome first babies of 2013
A Washougal couple on Tuesday welcomed the first baby born in a Clark County hospital in 2013.
Local runners start 2013 on the right foot
Nearly 200 brave cold weather for Hangover Run
Shana O'Brien and Cassie Leonard made a pledge to be more active in 2013, getting back into running. Day one: so far, so good. The two Vancouver residents were among more than 200 participants in Tuesday’s Hangover Run, an annual New Year’s Day event put on by the Clark County Running Club.
Victims identified in fatal crash near B.G.
Authorities have identified the woman killed in Monday’s crash on state Highway 503 as 33-year-old Jennifer Swartz of Battle Ground. The crash sent four others to the hospital.
House passes fiscal cliff bill
WASHINGTON — America’s not going over the fiscal cliff, as the House of Representatives Tuesday approved the last-minute deal to pull the nation away from the brink of economic chaos. Third District Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Camas, voted "yes."
Blaze sparked by fireworks causes major damage at Battle Ground home
An early-morning fire destroyed a Battle Ground home and damaged two others before multiple agencies managed to contain the blaze Tuesday.
Florida St junior CB Rhodes says he'll turn pro
MIAMI (AP) -- Florida State cornerback Xavier Rhodes says he'll forgo his senior season and turn pro this year.
AP source: Price, Rays agree on 1-year deal
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- A person with knowledge of the deal says AL Cy Young Award winner David Price and the Tampa Bay Rays have agreed to a one-year contract worth just over $10 million, avoiding arbitration.
Presbyterian routs Montreat 77-35
CLINTON, S.C. (AP) -- Joshua Clyburn 16 and William Truss 16 points apiece Tuesday night to lead Presbyterian to a 77-35 victory over Montreat.
Sky High Gal wins Blue Norther at Santa Anita
ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) -- Sky High Gal held on to win the $75,000 Blue Norther Stakes for 3-year-old fillies by a nose on Tuesday at Santa Anita.
Woodson cleared to play for Packers
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) -- Charles Woodson has been cleared to play again, and the Green Bay Packers are counting on the defensive back to provide a lift in Saturday night's playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings.
JJ Watt building off big moment in 2011 playoffs
HOUSTON (AP) -- With one mighty swat, J.J. Watt knocked down Andy Dalton's pass, intercepted it and returned it for a touchdown in last year's playoff win over Cincinnati for one of the biggest plays in Texans' history.
Stoudemire returns, Anthony back in Knicks' lineup
NEW YORK (AP) -- Amare Stoudemire is making his season debut and Carmelo Anthony is back in the starting lineup for the New York Knicks against Portland.
Cardinals interview Horton, could meet with Reid
PHOENIX (AP) -- The Arizona Cardinals have interviewed their defensive coordinator Ray Horton for the head coaching job.
Indians, RHP Brett Myers agree to 1-year deal
CLEVELAND (AP) -- The Cleveland Indians have agreed to terms with free agent right-hander Brett Myers on a one-year contract.
Nicole H, Arena Elvira win Big A stakes
NEW YORK (AP) -- Nicole H and Arena Elvira, a pair of odds-on favorites, kicked off the new year at Aqueduct with victories Tuesday in $75,000 stakes for fillies and mares.
AP Source: 49ers sign kicker Billy Cundiff
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- A person with knowledge of the deal says the San Francisco 49ers have signed kicker Billy Cundiff to compete with struggling veteran David Akers.
No. 24 Texas A&M women beat Rice 80-57
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) -- Kelsey Bone had 24 points and 14 rebounds and No. 24 Texas A&M beat Rice 80-57 on Tuesday.
Gantt, FAU pull away from Hofstra 61-57
BOCA RATON, Fla. (AP) -- Greg Gantt posted his fifth straight 20-point game and hit a late 3-pointer to help Florida Atlantic hold off Hofstra 61-57 Tuesday in the final nonconference game for the Owls.
Aresco: Big East 'unwilling' to accommodate Boise
NEW YORK (AP) -- Big East Commissioner Mike Aresco says the conference was "unwilling" to cut Boise State the deal the Mountain West did to lure the Broncos back.
Maryland beats IUPUI 81-63
COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) -- Freshman guard Seth Allen scored 13 points and Maryland completed its non-conference schedule on a 12-game winning streak by beating IUPUI 81-63 Tuesday.
Blazers leave comforts of home for trip
After 15-14 start to season, Portland hits road to begin 2013
Before the Trail Blazers left their home base for the last time in 2012, the team locker room buzzed with the energy of a family reunion.
Rubio won't travel with Wolves to Utah, Denver
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio will not travel with the team for a two-game road trip to Utah and Denver this week because of back spasms.
Weather Eye: 2012 ends with a snowy surprise for Clark County
Surprise, surprise, surprise! What a way to end 2012 — with a nice, white snowfall!
New year means Little League signups begin
Most local Little Leagues offer online registration
Weather conducive to playing baseball and softball is several wet months away, but now is the time to start thinking about the 2013 season for area Little Leaguers.
Sowell: Republicans allow prophecy of failure to be fulfilled
The beginning of a new year is often a time to look forward and look back. If there are any awards to be given to anyone for what they did in 2012, one of those rewards should be for prophecy, if only because prophecies that turn out to be right are so rare.
Talking Points: NFL unemployment
What's the buzz from the world of sports? Here are some items that will have people talking: NFL coaches; Boise State; Charlotte Bobcats
Tournament of Roses: Pentagon float honors Korea vets
It’s a parade first for those whose service has often been overlooked
SAN DIEGO — It’s been almost 60 years since James McEachin returned home with a bullet still lodged in his chest, finding an America indifferent toward the troops who fought in Korea. Now he will get the homecoming parade he had expected.
Community scoreboard, Jan. 1
This week's bowling scores reported to The Columbian
Clark athletics report, 1/1
This week in Clark College athletics, Jan. 1
Letter: Media minimize, then fabricate
ABC personality George Stephanopoulos asserted that there is no bias in the U.S. media. Journalism has denigrated from ethical reporting to today's stilted reporting that leaves out facts in favor of expression of personal or network opinion.
Letter: Break the pattern of tax breaks
For all those people who don't read all of the newspaper, note the Dec. 24 "Washington, D.C., roll call" report on how the Congress voted. Regarding the voting on oil tax breaks, the House defeated a bid to cut tax breaks for the five biggest oil companies.
Cape Horn teacher returns to roots
She attended Washougal district grade school
WASHOUGAL -- Growing up on her family's dairy in Washougal, Erika Stauffer dreamed of being a teacher and even played "school" with her dolls.
Letter: More guns not the solution
Bryan Patterson's Dec. 27 letter, "Tighter control restricts citizens," maintained that shooters would think twice about going into movie theaters, malls, schools if more of the public could actually bear arms in public places.
Letter: Address the cause: mental illness
Again the hubbub about gun control. How many of you have friends who would buy a gun and then go out and kill innocent people? I suggest that only a mentally ill person would do so, someone without social skills who lives in a room with daily violent video games. Let's look at the cause rather than the result.
Letter: Grieving takes time and a lot of help
On the morning of Dec. 21, I gathered 26 candles from all over my house to crowd together on the kitchen buffet. Upon lighting each one, I kneeled in prayer for lives lost and their families and friends.
Letter: Good still found among strangers
After learning that my son's Vancouver home had been robbed of all their Christmas and wedding presents (there was a family wedding), we discussed the many bad people in our society. Then I told the story during a recent lunch at a local restaurant.
Scouts to haul away Christmas trees in annual fundraiser Saturday
A Christmas tree doesn't come with an expiration date. There is no "Best if used by ..." label on the trunk.
Raclette a sophisticated answer to fondue
A tradition of the Swiss Alps, it's catching on in U.S.
When Cowgirl Creamery breaks out the raclette on weekends in San Francisco's Ferry Building Marketplace, people float into the store almost trancelike.
Food calendar
A weekly listing of local wineries, food events and cooking classes.
Washington View: Energy wasted on opposing biomass
As we look ahead in 2013, the cost and availability of electricity will become more important to our families, farmers, merchants and factories.
Death notices
A daily listing of free death notices.
Stony Brook edges Manhattan 50-44
RIVERDALE, N.Y. (AP) -- Anthony Mayo was one of three Stony Brook players with eight points to help the Seawolves edge Manhattan 50-44 Tuesday in nonconference play.
Governor to sue NCAA over Penn state sanctions
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) -- Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett says he plans to sue the NCAA in federal court over sanctions imposed against Penn State in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky child sexual abuse scandal.
Seattle's playoff road history not a pretty view
RENTON, Wash. (AP) -- While they are one of the hottest teams going into the postseason, there's a lot of past playoff futility for the Seattle Seahawks to overcome -- nearly three decades worth.
Neureuther, Velez Zuzulova win parallel slaloms
MUNICH (AP) -- Felix Neureuther of Germany rode the support of the home crowd Tuesday to win a World Cup parallel slalom.
Germany's Bachinger gains 2nd round in Chennai
CHENNAI, India (AP) -- Matthias Bachinger of Germany upset 2010 Wimbledon quarterfinalist Yen-Hsun Lu of Taiwan 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 Tuesday at the Chennai Open.
Bachinger moves into 2nd round of Chennai Open
CHENNAI, India (AP) -- Matthias Bachinger of Germany upset seventh-seeded Yen-Hsun Lu of Taiwan 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 Tuesday at the Chennai Open.
Norway's Jacobsen wins 2nd stage of 4 Hills Tour
GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, Germany (AP) -- Anders Jacobsen of Norway edged defending champion Gregor Schlierenzauer of Austria on Tuesday to win his second straight stop of the Four Hills ski jumping tour.
Bears GM: Playoff misses did in Smith
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) -- Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery says too many playoff misses and the inability to develop a productive offense led to coach Lovie Smith's firing.
AP Source: Brandon moving up to Bills president
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) -- A person familiar with the decision says Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson is relinquishing his title as team president to CEO Russ Brandon. The move gives Brandon operational control of the franchise.
