Stories for April 25, 2005

• Syrian troops quit Lebanon

  In Nation/World on Page A1 BEIRUT, Lebanon – Flatbed trucks hauled tanks toward the border on Sunday while soldiers loaded ammunition, burned documents and knocked down the walls of an old base in eastern Lebanon, …

• State gas tax to head higher

  In City on Page A1 OLYMPIA – Breaking a legislative logjam on Sunday, state lawmakers approved a 9.5-cent increase in the state gasoline tax that will start with a 3-cent rise in July. Much of …

• Shiites close on Cabinet

  In Nation/World on Page A1 BAGHDAD, Iraq – After nearly three months of negotiations, Iraq’s major Shiite bloc has decided to form a Cabinet without members of interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi’s Iraqi List party, …

• ‘Three strikes’ fills jails, prisons

  In Nation/World on Page A1 WASHINGTON – Growing at a rate of about 900 inmates each week between mid-2003 and mid-2004, the nation’s prisons and jails held 2.1 million people, or one in every 138 …

• Alzheimer”s research targets gene therapy

  In Nation/World on Page A2 WASHINGTON – The first attempt at gene therapy for Alzheimer’s patients appeared to significantly delay worsening of the disease in a few people who have tested it, scientists reported Sunday. …

• Space crew returns safely to Earth

  In Nation/World on Page A2 ARKALYK, Kazakhstan – A space capsule carrying a U.S.-Russian-Italian crew landed safely on the steppes of northern Kazakhstan early today following a mission aboard the international space station. Search-and-rescue helicopters …

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  Huge rally marks support for mayor of Mexico City

  In Nation/World on Page A3 MEXICO CITY – Hundreds of thousands of people jammed downtown Mexico City on Sunday in a display of support for Mayor Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, the leading candidate in the …

• Japan aims at China”s books

  In Nation/World on Page A3 TOKYO – Japan opened another front in its dispute with China on Sunday by criticizing Beijing’s history textbooks, signaling continued friction between the Asian powers despite diplomatic moves to quell …

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  Hubble has been in space 15 years

  In Nation/World on Page A3 Washington The Hubble Space Telescope today celebrates 15 years of service as astronomy’s most renowned instrument. The anniversary comes amid renewed hopes for the survival of Hubble, which has fans …

• Social Security debate may be stalled

  In Nation/World on Page A3 WASHINGTON – Near the end of his 60-day cross-country campaign, President Bush appears to be further from achieving his signature goal of transforming Social Security than when he began. Support …

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  Train derailment leaves dozens dead in Japan

  In Nation/World on Page A3 TOKYO – A crowded commuter train derailed and plowed into an apartment building in western Japan today, turning passenger cars into twisted metal. At least 49 people were killed and …

• Research targets adult stem cells

  In Nation/World on Page A3 LOS ANGELES – Several recent studies suggest adult stem cells can produce a range of tissues, reviving prospects that benefits of embryonic stem cells could be realized without accom- panying …

• Democrats use muscle to pass $26 billion budget

  In City on Page A4 OLYMPIA – Racing through the final day of this year’s legislative session, state lawmakers Sunday approved a two-year, $26 billion operating budget that steers money toward schools, public employees, health …

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  Road warrior logs his millionth mile

  In City on Page A5 As he drove over the Montana state line April 7, Michael Roe had one eye on the odometer of his Chevrolet Cavalier and one on the rock piles along the …

• Fast track bankruptcy urged

  In Business on Page A5 The Roman Catholic Diocese of Spokane is spending in excess of $325,000 a month to pay bankruptcy lawyers and fund operating costs, a burn rate so taxing that it has …

• Judge set to hear more testimony in Raceway suit

  In City on Page A5 The legal battle over control of Spokane Raceway Park returns to the courtroom today when a judge resumes a hearing to consider appointing someone to oversee the motor racing facility. …

• Garden Avenue may bloom

  In Idaho on Page A5 COEUR d’ALENE – Old-fashioned lamp posts and perennial flower beds could spring up on Garden Avenue to spruce up the neighborhood and increase pedestrian traffic on the street. Garden is …

• Major Third Avenue work starts Tuesday

  In City on Page A5 Third Avenue’s long-awaited makeover begins Tuesday. The $4 million overhaul includes installing a new water main, replacing signals and repaving Third Avenue from Division Street to Inland Empire Way and …

• Law officers to be taught winter skills

  In Idaho on Page A5 PRIEST LAKE, Idaho – Constable Kim Bloy and two other Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers on snowmobiles were following tracks across the border into northern Idaho when their machines became …

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  Manito koi get the gift of cleanliness

  In City on Page A5 If fish could talk, then the koi living in the Japanese Garden Pond in Manito Park would surely say “thank you.” Not only did they get health check-ups and their …

• Homes not cheaper on other side

  In Idaho on Page A5 How hot is property in North Idaho? Cis Gors/ From A Simple Mind reports a strange rumor about the Sandpoint area housing market. Seems an owner wanted $150,000 for a …

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  Majority leader defends anti-filibuster effort

  In Nation/World on Page A6 WASHINGTON – Majority Leader Bill Frist said Sunday it was not “radical” to ask senators to vote on judicial nominees, as he hardened his effort to strip Democrats of power …

• Ballet Spokane mixes genres gracefully

  In City on Page A9 Ballet Spokane served up a delectable variety of dance genres Saturday evening in a program that incorporated ballet with tasty morsels of modern dance, jazz, ballroom and hip-hop created by …

• Idaho records

  In Idaho on Page A9 For 04-25-2005

• Men force woman to hide in bed during theft

  In City on Page A9 A South Hill woman was ordered to keep her bedcovers over her head early Sunday while intruders stole her valuables. The woman, who lives on West Seventh, was awakened about …

• Hot sites

  In Business on Page A10 Religion The Vatican’s official site provides comprehensive information on the late Pope John Paul II, including a look at the astonishing amount of work accomplished during the last three months …

• Lawsuits pulled Internet2 into the open

  In Business on Page A10 More than 400 college students are being sued for allegedly swapping pirated music files over a super-fast computer network called Internet2. The Recording Industry Association of America, the music industry …

• By the numbers

  In Business on Page A10 2,600 Estimated annual number of deaths caused by the use of cell phones while driving, according to the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis; about 330,000 injuries each year are attributed …

• Encarta will be open book to would-be editors

  In Business on Page A10 It happens all the time: You read an entry in an encyclopedia or other reputable source and think, “That’s not right” or “They forgot this!” Microsoft Corp.’s Encarta encyclopedia is …

• Moved to Atlanta

  In Business on Page A10 A reference to Web pages that disappear and leave only “404 File Not Found” errors in their place; 404 is Atlanta’s area code. So, Web pages that produce 404 errors …

• Five-Language European Translator

  In Business on Page A10 Price: $20 www.franklin.com

• Experts wonder whether parents should limit gadgets for their kids

  In Business on Page A10 Are American children losing the ability to concentrate when they are exposed to more than eight hours of TV, video games, computers and other media per day — often simultaneously? …

• Public colleges need smart plan

  In Opinion on Page A11 It’s likely that college presidents around the world had a dollop of surprise along with their morning coffee recently when the Times of London released a global ranking of the …

• In their words . . .

  In Opinion on Page A11 “It is now open season on the wallets of Washingtonians.” — Bob Williams, president of the Evergreen Freedom Foundation, an Olympia-based think tank, after Gov. Christine Gregoire signed a bill …

• I-601 has no role in the real world

  In Opinion on Page A11 Initiative 601 is dead, for now. Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a bill on Monday that allowed for taxes to be raised by a majority vote for the next two years. …

• Military learns what”s needed in Iraq

  In Opinion on Page A11 Despite last week’s bad news, things have gotten better in Iraq. A lot of the reason has to do with the success of the Jan. 30 election and the growing …

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  Flower power

  In Features on Page B1 WHAT IS IT ABOUT the sunflower – the bloom that Vincent van Gogh immortalized, that Kansas bestowed state honors on, that the avian crowd treats as a neon welcome mat …

• Power of touch soothes life”s many aches

  In Features on Page B1 Down with a nasty stomach virus, my daughter was tired and unhappy. She turned her miserable little face up to mine and said, “Just pet me, Mama.” When she doesn’t …

• Horoscope

  In Features on Page B2 For 04-25-2005

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  For Gotti, it was an offer that she simply couldn”t refuse

  In Features on Page B2 This soprano is actually a Gotti. As she stands alongside her vocal coach, her impossibly blond hair cascading down her black-as-midnight knit top, Victoria Gotti sings the scales.

• You can forgive, continue to set refined example

  In Features on Page B2 Dear Annie: After 35 years of marriage, I got divorced, and am now dating a man who is warm and good to me. “Tom” and I are attractive people in …

• Reserve your hugs for loved ones

  In Features on Page B2 Astonishing new testimony has come to light in connection with the issue of socially promiscuous hugging. Miss Manners had always understood the difference of opinion to be whether embraces should …

• Eat ice cream cake for a good cause

  In Features on Page B3 WORLD’S LARGEST Ice Cream Cake Social, celebrating the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s 25th anniversary of making dreams come true for chronically and terminally-ill children takes place today at Cold Stone Creamery from …

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  Higher (water) education

  In Features on Page B3 McHENRY, Md. – When they got to the river, they turned off the Phish song shaking the Garrett College van and tugged two fat rafts down for class. Matt “Jeep” …

• Stay calm, cool and collected

  In Features on Page B3 Jennifer Roberts was changing her 3-year-old daughter, Ella, out of a leotard after gymnastics class when the toddler arbitrarily decided she didn’t want to get dressed. Little Ella’s commitment to …

• ”Penn & Teller” offers humorous take

  In Features on Page B4 Cable’s crankiest contrarians return with the third season of “Penn & Teller: Bull!” (10 p.m., Showtime). In their show, with a title unprintable in family newspapers, the witty illusionists take …

• Spokane calendar

  In Features on Page B5 For 04-25-2005

• Idaho calendar

  In Features on Page B5 For 04-25-2005

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  Jan Kinsella receives governor”s award

  In Features on Page B5 Jan Kinsella, a volunteer communications specialist with the Inland Northwest Chapter of the American Red Cross, received the Governor’s Award of Excellence for Outstanding Volunteer Service during an April 18 …

• Did you get that?

  In Features on Page B5 It used to be that TV guffaws were punctuated by the sound of a grating laugh track and a pointed pause. But with a wink-wink and a nudge-nudge, inside jokes …

• Nick, Jessica entertain troops on ABC special

  In Features on Page B5 Their MTV series is done, but ABC is hoping that Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson haven’t faded from the public consciousness yet. On May 23, the network will unveil the …

• Reunions

  In Features on Page B5 General Leopold and Amalia (Fetzner) Wolf Family Reunion – July 16, 12:30 p.m. at the Latah Community Center. Contact Jane Eberle at (509) 284-2237; Valerie Hughes at (509) 443-1158; or …

• Community TV

  In Features on Page B5 This week’s Community Program Schedule for Comcast Cable Channel 14: Today

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  Freshman dramas offer lots of mystery

  In Features on Page B7 By correctly guessing who killed her alter ego’s best friend, “Veronica Mars” star Kristen Bell won a little money in an office pool – and received the satisfaction that she …

• Many viewer faves moving to cable TV

  In Features on Page B7 The impending move of “Monday Night Football” from ABC to ESPN provides a sharp reminder that the millions of viewers who can’t afford cable or satellite TV are increasingly outcasts …

• Share your wedding-mom photo

  In Features on Page B7 Have you ever been the mother of the bride – or groom? Do you have the photos to prove it? We’re honoring that rite of passage this Mother’s Day. It’s …

• Tell us about a beautiful house

  In Features on Page B7 We are getting ready to launch a new home and garden section in May, and as part of that exciting process we’ll be running some new weekly features, among them …

• Sleeping Sonic sees the light

  In Sports on Page C1 SEATTLE – The knock against Seattle SuperSonics center Jerome James has always been his inconsistency. James insists it’s part of his plan. “I would just call it my role,” he …

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  Singh holds off Daly in playoff at Humble

  In Sports on Page C1 HUMBLE, Texas – Vijay Singh waited patiently for a break in the final round of the Shell Houston Open. John Daly finally gave him a big one on the first …

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  Moyer baffles Indians

  In Sports on Page C1 SEATTLE – He throws his fastball about 15 miles per hour slower and stands 11 inches shorter. On Sunday, however, Jamie Moyer measured up to Randy Johnson. Moyer beat the …

• Two more Cougars land in NFL

  In Sports on Page C1 The wait wasn’t great, but the end result was worth it for Calvin Armstrong. The former Washington State Cougar offensive tackle was selected by Philadelphia late in the sixth round …

• Bulldogs take series from Waves

  In Sports on Page C1 It seemed simple enough. Bobby Carlson’s line drive over a drawn in outfield with one out in the bottom of the ninth scored Darin Holcomb from third and gave Gonzaga …

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  Bulls pull one out

  In Sports on Page C2 The comparisons between Ben Gordon and Michael Jordan now carry some postseason credibility. The rookie scored 12 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter in the opener of the …

• NBC banking on Sunday night football

  In Sports on Page C2 NEW YORK – NBC says its re-entry into the business of televising NFL football is not an admission that it was a mistake to walk away eight years ago. “We …

• U.S. tops Belgium in Fed Cup match

  In Sports on Page C2 Lindsay Davenport and Venus Williams won in singles and the United States claimed the doubles match to sweep Belgium on Sunday in Delray Beach, Fla., and advance to the semifinals …

• On the air

  In Sports on Page C2 For 04-25-2005

• Spurs turn ice cold, lose to Nuggets

  In Sports on Page C2 SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Spurs couldn’t stop missing, and the Denver Nuggets walked off as winners. Andre Miller scored 31 points and Denver held San Antonio without a …

• Today”s menu

  In Sports on Page C2 For 04-25-2005

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  These guys are a bit green

  In Sports on Page C3 KIRKLAND – By the time the so-called draft experts put down their grading pencils, the Seattle Seahawks might find themselves on academic probation. Three offensive linemen, a couple of undersized …

• Plenty of intrigue as NFL draft concludes

  In Sports on Page C3 NEW YORK – Kyle Orton certainly looked like a first-round NFL draft pick when he was tossing touchdowns at a torrid pace and leading Purdue to a 5-0 start. Then …

• Draft-day success most often found in eye of beholder

  In Sports on Page C3 NEW YORK – In this draft more than most others, talent was in the eye of the beholder. Just look at Mike Shanahan, who took troubled running back Maurice Clarett …

• Raiders QB Gannon likely done playing

  In Sports on Page C3 ALAMEDA, Calif. – Raiders coach Norv Turner hinted Sunday that Rich Gannon’s career is over in Oakland, raising doubt the quarterback will play again after a serious neck injury. “Rich …

• Yankees place Wright on DL

  In Sports on Page C4 Jaret Wright was placed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday with yet another shoulder injury, and the New York Yankees’ right-hander will miss at least four to six weeks. Wright …

• Lawsuit claims Dykstra gambled, used steroids

  In Sports on Page C4 LOS ANGELES – Lenny Dykstra’s longtime friend and business partner has accused the former Philadelphia Phillies center fielder of using steroids and gambling illegally during his baseball career in a …

• Sunday’s games

  In Sports on Page C4 American League Red Sox 11, Devil Rays 3: At St. Petersburg, Fla., Jay Payton hit a grand slam and Manny Ramirez homered one pitch after nearly being hit by a …

• N.L. standings

  In Sports on Page C4 National League All Times PDT

• Cards almost steal triple play

  In Sports on Page C4 Around the horn The St. Louis Cardinals nearly got credit for a triple play in the sixth inning Sunday, although only two Houston Astros runners were retired.

• A.L. standings

  In Sports on Page C4 American League All Times PDT

• Robador wins featured race of $1.3 million day at Hollywood

  In Sports on Page C5 INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Long shot Robador got up in the closing strides to beat Lucky J.H. and win the $250,000 Snow Chief Stakes by a half-length Sunday on California Gold …

• NO HEADLINE

  In Features on Page C5 Baseball PCL

• States consider steroid testing for prep athletes

  In Sports on Page C5 TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – As professional athletes like Jason Giambi and Jose Canseco admit using steroids, state lawmakers around the country are looking for ways to dissuade high school students from …

• Vandals, Divilbiss nearing agreement on extension

  In Sports on Page C6 The University of Idaho and women’s basketball coach Mike Divilbiss have agreed in principle on a contract extension, athletic director Rob Spear said. Divilbiss will have two years added to …

• Beavers sweep Cougars

  In Sports on Page C6 The Washington State Cougars baseball team is running out of chances to get in the Pacific-10 Conference win column. The ninth-ranked Oregon State Beavers (30-7, 9-3) scored three runs in …