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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 18, 2009

Sarah Palin signs her autograph at Barnes and Nobles during the first stop of her book tour in Grand Rapids, Mich. on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009. (Adam Bird / Fr104466 Ap)

Parting Shot -- 11.18.09 

Sarah Palin signs her autograph at Barnes and Nobles during the first stop of her book tour in Grand Rapids, Mich. on Wednesday. Palin will appear at Fred Meyer in Coeur d'Alene during the tour here. (AP Photo/Adam Bird)

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Hump Day Wild Card -- 11.18.09 23 

Another day ... more paranoia from the local conspiracy theorists re: the results of the Coeur d'Alene City Council elections (see: Spencer letter to Coeur d'Alene Press below). I've heard that Spencer and his shock troops are only one of several layers of Repubs, local…

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Panhandling Ordinances Under Fire 

Michael, a bearded panhandler beside a woman carrying cardboard “God Bless!!!” signs, pulls out a slip of paper stuffed inside his glove. It’s a citation — not having the proper business license — that he says carries $257 fine. “We ain’t been up here very…

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Eighth grader Darian McLevish waits for his turn to play during the Gathering of the Bands clinic at North Idaho College in Coeur d'Alene on Wednesday, November 18, 2009. He attends River City Middle School in Post Falls. About 300 eighth grade students from area schools participated in the clinics and performed in the concert at NIC's Boswell Hall Schuler Performing Arts Center on Wednesday night. (Kathy Plonka)

PM Headlines -- 11.18.09

Eighth grader Darian McLevish waits for his turn to play during the Gathering of the Bands clinic at North Idaho College in Coeur d'Alene on Wednesday. He attends River City Middle School in Post Falls. About 300 eighth grade students from area schools participated in…

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** FIRST IN A SERIES OF TWO PICTURES ** This bank surveillance video released by the FBI taken Monday, Nov.16, 2009 shows an elderly man, nicknamed the "Geezer Bandit," during his most recent bank robbery at a Bank of America branch in La Jolla,Calif. The FBI and local law enforcement agencies are seeking the public�s assistance to identify the unknown male bank robber who is responsible for holding up five San Diego-area banks since summer. (Fbi)

APhoto Of The Day -- 11.18.09 19 

This bank surveillance video released by the FBI taken Monday shows an elderly man, nicknamed the "Geezer Bandit," during his most recent bank robbery at a Bank of America branch in La Jolla,Calif. The FBI and local law enforcement agencies are seeking the public’s assistance…

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PM Scanner Traffic -- 11.18.09 

A drunken driver slammed into a school bus filled with children Wednesday, but no one was injured, according to the Idaho State Patrol. Julie Witlicki, 38, was arrested after her 1995 Volkswagen Jetta crossed the center line on Highway 95 near Worley and hit a…

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Katrina: But You Have To Care For It 

Ever since we bought our own house, the kids have been lobbying for us to get them a pet. Katie wants a talking bird. Caleb wants a dog. They’ve both used every tool in their arsenal of emotional blackmail to try to bend us to…

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Environmental activist Erin Brockovich mixes it up on a mat with toddlers during an appearance to promote a virtual Million Baby Crawl in New York, Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009.  The Million Baby Crawl is a grassroots effort to raise awareness about the nation's outdated chemical laws. Advocates hope to encourage Congress to pass stronger regulations against hazardous chemicals in household products. (Kathy Willens / Associated Press)

Erin Brockovich Crawls w/Babies 

Environmental activist Erin Brockovich mixes it up on a mat with toddlers during an appearance to promote a virtual Million Baby Crawl in New York, Wednesday. The Million Baby Crawl is a grassroots effort to raise awareness about the nation's outdated chemical laws. Advocates hope…

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Sali Plays Coy w/Eye On Boise 

While strolling across downtown Boise in the crisp fall sunshine a few minutes ago, I ran into none other than former Idaho Congressman Bill Sali. Of course, I had to ask him: Is he running again for his old seat in Idaho’s 1st District? “Stay…

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Dogwalk: Passing On Palin 13 

I'm going on record. I am not going to buy nor read Sarah Palin's book. She is coming to the Coeur d'Alene Fred Meyer store December 10th on her signing tour. I will be no where in sight. I must admit I considered going with…

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Stickman: Just Say No To Football 17 

Stickman: I never wanted my sons to play football just because of that issue. They played many other sports and excelled, and they have also not had any regrets about my one decision in their sports lives. They were and still are outstanding athletes, but…

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Are You Smarter Than A 2nd Grader? 10 

Idaho Dad/A Family Runs Through It has published the quiz of 50 questions that he gave his second-grade daughter this spring to complete her year of home-schooling. The list includes these questions: 1. What is the largest desert in the world?2. Rewrite this sentence correctly:…

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Eggo waffles are seen on display at Piazza's grocery store in Palo Alto, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009. Nationwide shortages of Kellogg's popular brand of frozen waffles are expected through next summer because of a double whammy at waffle plants in the South _ flooding in Atlanta and mechanical problems in Tennessee. (Paul Sakuma / Associated Press)

Leggo Of My Eggo 10 

Eggo waffles are seen on display at Piazza's grocery store in Palo Alto, Calif., Wednesday. Nationwide shortages of Kellogg's popular brand of frozen waffles are expected through next summer because of a double whammy at waffle plants in the South _ flooding in Atlanta and…

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Memorial Misspelling To Be Fixed

Killed on Nov. 23, 1951, Pfc. Wilbur John Robinson was one of just seven Yellowstone County residents to die in the Korean War. In 1997 the Veterans Memorial Wall was dedicated on the south lawn of the Yellowstone County Courthouse to honor local men and…

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Tara: Staying Fit When Snow Flies 

I worked out this morning for the first time in a looooong time. It was only 10 minutes, but hey, that’s not bad. Baby Henry and I spent the summer burning calories with long walks all over town, but now the rain and snow are…

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Trib: Going Rogue w/Taxes In Nampa 

For those who have been skeptical of the Idaho charter school movement, the day of judgment is here. When they predicted years ago that charter schools would become a ploy to spend tax dollars on private, religious-based instruction, they were ignored if not ridiculed. Vindication…

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Idaho Gov. Butch Otter speaks at the Associated Taxpayers of Idaho conference on Wednesday, warning of a tough legislative session ahead in January with looming budget cuts Wednesday, November 18, 2009. (Betsy Russell / The Spokesman Review)

HBO's Inland Northwest -- 11.18.09 

Idaho Gov. Butch Otter speaks at the Associated Taxpayers of Idaho conference on Wednesday, warning of a tough legislative session ahead in January with looming budget cuts Wednesday. (Betsy Russell/SR)Idaho dad gets closure after seeing daughter's killer executed/KTVBPoll: Montanans unhappy with Obama/Helena Independent-RecordIdahoans are (reasonably)…

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FILE - In this Sept. 27, 2009, file photo, St. Louis Rams linebacker David Vobora leaves the field after the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers in St. Louis.  "The only thing I remember is coming out of the tunnel at the beginning of the game. And then _ a big gap," Vobora said about a concussion he got this season.  "But I played the whole game, until the last series, when I started asking guys questions, and they looked at me like I was crazy." (Tom Gannam / Fr45452 Ap)

High Noon: Concussions 

New Orleans Saints tight end Jeremy Shockey (88) after Shockey fumbles the ball after he was hit by St. Louis Rams linebacker David Vobora (58) during the first quarter of an NFL football game in St. Louis. "The only thing I remember is coming out…

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KEA Tracks Comp Plan Process

Kootenai Environmental Alliance has been tracking the Comp Plan’s public process for several years now. Our interests, of course, are in the protection of the public health, protection of the natural environment, and the promotion of sustainable development in Kootenai County. As of this week,…

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AM Scanner Traffic -- 11.18.09 

11:40 a.m. R/P reports a large amount of smoke coming from the hillside, on the south side of the Spokane River, across from Millview & Canal/CdA.10:50 a.m. Local business is concerned that a employee who is distraught re: IRS issues hasn't shown up for work…

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Todd Shaffer, 38, of East Lansing, Mich., in foreground, waits in line with hundreds of people at a Barnes and Noble bookstore Wednesday morning Nov. 18, 2009 for a wristband that would give them a chance to have Sarah Palin sign their copies of her new book, "Going Rogue," at a book signing that evening in Grand Rapids, Mich. Shaffer described himself as a Palin supporter who wanted a chance to meet the 2008 Republican vice presidential candidate, whom he says has been a pioneer for women in the party. (James Prichard / Associated Press)

Lining Up To Buy 'Going Rogue' 

Todd Shaffer, 38, of East Lansing, Mich., in foreground, waits in line with hundreds of people at a Barnes and Noble bookstore Wednesday morning for a wristband that would give them a chance to have Sarah Palin sign their copies of her new book, "Going…

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Spencer Goes ACORN 18 

"Was this election stolen? I think it may have been. That is why I have encouraged Jim to pursue a challenge, rather than just a recount that others around him were pushing for"/Larry Spencer, in comments section of Coeur d'Alene Press, beneath his regular Press…

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Sisyphus: Minnick And GOP Trap 13 

Minnick is getting the same bad advice on taking Democrats for granted. There are many Idaho Democrats who desperately seek our next Church or Andrus to lead the party from the wilderness to the wealth of great ideas that, not only solve problems, but are…

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HBO Poll: Newsweek's Palin Cover

Today, Newsweek's Editor Jon Meacham has responded to critics. "We chose the most interesting image available to us to illustrate the theme of the cover, which is what we always try to do,” Meacham said. "We apply the same test to photographs of any public…

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SR: WSU's Prescription Drug Abuse 

The rise of Adderall-addled college students continues the trend of prescription drug abuse in this country. Sunday’s Spokesman- Review article by three Washington State University students took a detailed look at young people popping pills with disturbing nonchalance. Though Adderall is designed for people with…

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Huckleberries Online

D.F. Oliveria started Huckleberries Online on Feb. 16, 2004. Oliveria's Sunday print Huckleberries is a past winner of the national Herb Caen Memorial Column contest.