Stories for March 7, 2005

• Drug-coated stents allowing more people to avoid heart bypass surgery, doctors say

  In Nation/World on Page A1 ORLANDO, Fla. – A new generation of tiny drug-coated metal scaffolds that prop open arteries has transformed heart care in just a few years and is allowing a growing number …

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  Drought looking likely

  In Idaho on Page A1 In March 1999, scientists could not reach a snow-measuring gauge on Roland Summit, a mile high in the mountains near Lookout Pass, Idaho. Deep powder – a record 178 inches …

• Syrian pullback to begin today

  In Nation/World on Page A1 BEIRUT, Lebanon – Lebanese officials said Syrian troops will start moving toward eastern Lebanon today in a pullback that will take two or three days, while Syrians – not unexpectedly …

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  Prison overflow strains limits at some county jails

  In Idaho on Page A1 In a Shoshone County jail cell surrounded by black iron bars and filled with bunks, Gary Crider lounges on a mattress with a novel. One bunk in the cell is …

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  Journalist challenges U.S. claims

  In Nation/World on Page A1 ROME – Left-wing journalist Giuliana Sgrena claimed American soldiers gave no warning before they opened fire and said Sunday she cannot rule out that U.S. forces intentionally shot at the …

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  Selma march over voting remembered

  In Nation/World on Page A2 SELMA, Ala. – Aging civil-rights-era figures and a bipartisan congressional delegation walked across an Alabama bridge with a throng of thousands Sunday to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Selma …

• Leading Republican wants raise in Social Security retirement age

  In Nation/World on Page A2 WASHINGTON – A leading Republican senator is proposing to raise the Social Security retirement age from 67 to 68, while Democrats maintain their opposition to the president’s plan to overhaul …

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  Mideast peace overture

  In Nation/World on Page A3 JERUSALEM – Israel will hand over the West Bank town of Tulkarem to Palestinian control this week, a senior Palestinian commander said Sunday, marking a resumption in confidence-building measures halted …

• Toxic spill forces mass evacuation

  In Nation/World on Page A3 Salt Lake City A railcar leaking toxic chemicals sent plumes of gas into the air Sunday and forced the evacuation of more than 6,000 people. Authorities evacuated a half-square-mile area …

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  Pope offers blessings from hospital window

  In Nation/World on Page A3 ROME – Pope John Paul II looked frail but alert as he silently waved from his hospital window and made the sign of the cross to a cheering throng, marking …

• Iran says it had no choice but to keep nuclear secret

  In Nation/World on Page A3 TEHRAN, Iran – Iran on Sunday blamed U.S. sanctions and European restrictions for denying Tehran access to advanced civilian nuclear technology, forcing it to keep the program secret in its …

• Skin test may help detect heart disease

  In Nation/World on Page A3 ORLANDO, Fla. – A quick, inexpensive test that measures cholesterol in the skin without the need for drawing blood can detect heart disease in middle-age people, according to a study …

• Iraqi politicians set to convene for historic parliamentary session

  In Nation/World on Page A4 BAGHDAD, Iraq – Iraqi politicians set March 16 for the opening of the country’s first democratically elected parliament in modern history as a deal hardened Sunday to name Jalal Talabani, …

• Seems young sweethearts go a-roaming

  In Idaho on Page A5 Almost all students at North Idaho College cheat on their significant others. The gals more than the guys. This according to Heather Dorrell/NIC Sentinel reporter. In a recent column, Heather …

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  PC manual for beginners may be slowly catching on

  In Idaho on Page A5 If anyone offered a Ph.D. in hairdressing, Chris Paulus said she would have easily qualified with three decades in the business and years of specialized training. But when she traded …

• County says it will choose a single logo

  In City on Page A5 Spokane County workers call one of the county’s logos “Disneyland.” It features a picture of the courthouse tower emerging from a semi-circle rising sun and looks like Cinderella’s castle.

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  Airline’s ‘adoption’ program brings aviation down to earth

  In City on Page A5 What happens when a bird flies into a plane’s engine? That’s the question fifth-grader Jonathan Jones shot at Southwest Airlines pilot Neil Begalman last week.

• Vietnam-bound medical team could use doctors, dentist

  In City on Page A5 A medical team preparing to provide health care to an orphanage and villages in Vietnam in May could use some help, especially if you happen to be a pediatrician or …

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  A green winter for golf courses

  In City on Page A5 The same fickle weather that melted the snow-skiing season bestowed a radiant glow on area golf courses, which were packed with summer-like crowds over the weekend. While the greens weren’t …

• Spokane Valley: a city in search of a nickname

  In City on Page A5 A “city without a heart” is what San Francisco-based consultant Michael Freedman called Spokane Valley last Tuesday as he met with elected officials about ways to jump-start withering Sprague Avenue. …

• School bond measures on Tuesday’s ballot

  In City on Page A5 Voters in Spokane, Whitman, Stevens and Pend Oreille counties will decide a variety of financial measures Tuesday, including a bond measure to modernize and expand Deer Park High School. The …

• INL has some 70,000 artifact sites

  In Idaho on Page A5 IDAHO FALLS – Archaeologists at the Idaho National Laboratory say there are about 70,000 locations on its 890-square-mile site where thousands of artifacts and fossils remain undiscovered. The artifacts range …

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  Rather’s journalism legacy still uncertain

  In Nation/World on Page A6 NEW YORK – As his final evening newscast approaches on Wednesday, Dan Rather is seeing the indignities pile up as quickly as the roses that were tossed in the path …

• ‘White Chicks’ shines, despite its age

  In City on Page A7 Watching John Ford Noonan’s 1980 period piece, “A Coupla White Chicks Sitting Around Talking,” is a lot like listening to Helen Reddy’s “I Am Woman (Hear Me Roar).” It’s entertaining …

• Stallings elected to lead Democrats

  In Idaho on Page A7 Boise Idaho Democrats have elected Pocatello City Councilman Richard Stallings, a former congressman, to lead the state party. Stallings was elected at the Democrats’ annual Frank Church Banquet in Boise …

• Nissan steers toward new smart-car system

  In Business on Page A8 To make driving safer, Japanese automaker Nissan Motor Co. is developing a car that swerves back into its lane on its own and features a video system that makes parking …

• Bread crumbs

  In Business on Page A8 A Web site navigation technique. Bread crumbs typically appear horizontally near the top of a Web page, providing links back to each previous page that the user navigates through in …

• File-sharing case offers unlikely alliances

  In Business on Page A8 LOS ANGELES — Religious and other conservative groups have shown little love for Hollywood or the recording industry over the years, decrying everything from explicit rap lyrics to Janet Jackson’s …

• HOT SITES

  In Business on Page A8 Entertainment This elegant and addictive application charts the popularity of hundreds of American boys’ and girls’ names since the turn of the last century.

• Maptech Outdoor Navigator

  In Business on Page A8 www.maptech.com Price: $19.95

• Tech Q&A

  In Business on Page A8 Q: My laptop says I’m in range of Wi-Fi hot spots, but how do I connect to them using Windows XP? A: Right-click the Wireless Network Connection icon in your …

• Fraud, hassles may put Net in not-worth-it mode

  In Business on Page A8 CHICAGO — Anyone wishing to contact Theresa Lipa can send her a letter or make a phone call. Forget e-mail. Since her computer began spewing pornography in November, the machine …

• 2008 may be the year of the woman

  In Opinion on Page A9 WASHINGTON – Here are two observations on the snowy road to spring. First, 2008 could be the year of the first American woman as the presidential nominee of a major …

• In their words . . .

  In Opinion on Page A9 “Someone held up as a hero all over the world, then in his declining years can’t get medical coverage. … No one should have to go through that.” — Marilyn …

• Hotels right to feel slighted

  In Opinion on Page A9 The Spokane Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau has committed an embarrassing gaffe. For reasons that have been attributed to deadline pressure, creators of a promotional brochure for the expanded Spokane …

• Canadians being unreasonable

  In Opinion on Page A9 Living next to the world’s only superpower must be frustrating for the folks north of the border who don’t share our views, values and fears. Yet the idea that Canada …

• Appreciate growth as spring starts

  In Features on Page B1 I don’t know what’s going on in your garden, but mine thinks it’s spring. Tender green shoots are pushing up through the mulch and carpet of last autumn’s leaves. Tiny …

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  Dragons & diversity

  In Features on Page B1 NEW YORK — Max and Emmy have a new neighbor, and with the addition of Enrique to the cast of “Dragon Tales” comes a renewed focus on the Hispanic roots …

• Sharing secret of her attack a healthy sign

  In Features on Page B2 Dear Annie: Recently, my 13-year-old daughter, “Ellie,” told me she was raped two years ago by a boy who also was 11 at the time. I had no idea, since …

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  Christina calls ‘Be Cool’ a one-in-a-million opportunity

  In Features on Page B2 Christina Milian is never at a loss for laughs. As her infectious giggle fills the empty hotel bar, it’s hard to figure where she gets the energy to be so …

• Businesses lack expert operators

  In Features on Page B2 The cry of lost souls echoes through the electronic wilderness: “I can’t reach a human being! I have to talk to an actual person! What can I do to reach …

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  Rx youth

  In Features on Page B3 Ryan Smith remembers the night, during his junior year of high school, when a friend gave him his first Vicodin. “It felt so incredible. I remember thinking, ‘I am going …

• Happy birthday to a couple of perfect examples

  In Features on Page B3 The month of March has often received bad press – just think of “The Ides of March” or “March comes in like a lion,” but the positive side for me …

• Showtime’s ‘Fat Actress’ really awful

  In Features on Page B4 It would be easy to call “Fat Actress” (10 p.m., Showtime) one of the worst new shows of the year. But that would not be fair. It might just rank …

• Idaho calendar

  In Features on Page B5 For 03-07-2005

• Spokane calendar

  In Features on Page B5 For 03-07-2005

• COMMUNITY TV

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

• ‘Idol’ spawns fantasy game on the Web

  In Features on Page B7 To borrow from Shakespeare, if music be the food of love for “American Idol,” play online. That’s the idea behind Idolroo, a free, online fantasy game based on Fox’s search-for-a-pop-superstar …

• Solo career came sooner than expected for B2K singer

  In Features on Page B7 Former B2K lead singer Omarion hadn’t expected to go solo just yet, but when the teen-sensation quartet splintered while on tour last year, he knew it was time to go …

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  City with a following

  In Features on Page B7 PRESTON, Idaho – Talk to a Preston resident for any length of time and you’re likely to hear the town’s new mantra. “There’s a little bit of Napoleon in all …

• Send us details about your summer camp

  In Features on Page B7 It’s time to send them camping. We will publish our annual Summer Camp Guide on April 3, so now is a good time to get your information to us. We …

• Show us your Peeps treat as work of art

  In Features on Page B7 It’s time for the first ever Spokesman-Review Marshmallow Peeps as Art Contest. In the great Spokane tradition of art walks and craft stores, MAC shows and galleries, we’re challenging our …

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  Gonzaga levels Toreros

  In Sports on Page C1 SANTA CLARA, Calif. – With the grinds of the regular season in the rear-view mirror, Mark Few normally eases up on his Gonzaga Bulldogs heading into the West Coast Conference …

• L.C., U-Hi have work cut out

  In Sports on Page C1 Despite their glossy records – a combined 47-3 mark with all losses coming against each other – nobody said it would be easy for the University and Lewis and Clark …

• Bulldogs still have hope for ticket to dance

  In Sports on Page C1 SANTA CLARA, Calif – There has been a temptation through Gonzaga University’s recent rise in the women’s basketball world to note any and every parallel with a certain men’s program …

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  Sonics go cold from outside, fall to high-flying Suns at home

  In Sports on Page C1 SEATTLE – Joe Johnson tossed balls through the hoop with ease. Amare Stoudemire slammed buckets in the lane. And Steve Nash ran the controls from the point, driving the fleet …

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  Broncos shock Bulldogs

  In Sports on Page C1 SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Suddenly, there is a chance the West Coast Conference will not be sending its best women’s basketball team to the NCAA Tournament. And the league has …

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  Smoltz starts strong

  In Sports on Page C2 John Smoltz leaned back in his locker and threw the most sarcastic strike of spring training. “All those experts were right,” he deadpanned. “I’m not going to be able to …

• On the air

  In Sports on Page C2 For 03-07-2005

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  Wheldon takes IRL season opener

  In Sports on Page C2 Celebrating in Victory Lane after an overpowering victory Sunday in the IRL IndyCar opener at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Dan Wheldon was hoping for a similar scene at another racetrack later this …

• Today’s menu

  In Sports on Page C2 For 03-07-2005

• Warner agrees to deal with Cardinals

  In Sports on Page C2 PHOENIX — Kurt Warner agreed Sunday to a one-year, $4 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals, the two-time MVP’s third team in three seasons. The 33-year-old quarterback, who lost his …

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  A new No. 1?

  In Sports on Page C3 The end of Illinois’ run at a perfect season turned out to be just one part of a wild Sunday for the top three teams in the Associated Press’ college …

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  Northwest connection spurs ASU rally

  In Sports on Page C3 Post Falls High School graduate Aubree Johnson scored six of her 14 points and made a key steal in the final 46 seconds Sunday as Arizona State defeated Oregon 54-47 …

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  McHale revisits Boston with win

  In Sports on Page C3 Kevin McHale’s coaching debut in Boston was a success, thanks to Latrell Sprewell. Sprewell hit a running jumper with 0.9 seconds remaining to lift the Minnesota Timberwolves over the Boston …

• 13-16 Wagner one win from NCAA tourney

  In Sports on Page C3 WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – Freshman Mark Porter scored 18 points and sixth-seeded Wagner overcame the loss of its best player and an early 11-point deficit to stun top-seeded Monmouth …

• Lady Vols claim SEC tourney title

  In Sports on Page C3 GREENVILLE, S.C. — Tennessee coach Pat Summitt moved within a game of Dean Smith’s career victories record, and the Lady Vols beat top-ranked LSU 67-65 on Sunday for their first …

• NO HEADLINE

  Baseball MLB Spring Training

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  Tiger wins close duel at Doral

  In Sports on Page C4 Tiger Woods returned to No. 1 in the world Sunday. Phil Mickelson made him earn it.

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  Altidor-Cespedes picks perfect time to shine

  In Sports on Page C5 SANTA CLARA, Calif. – He may never allow himself to be the star, but Pierre Marie Altidor-Cespedes at least allowed himself to be something else Sunday night. A difference maker.

• Medical Lake boys, Chewelah girls up early at 2A

  In Sports on Page C6 A pair of Great Northern League teams drew “Egg McMuffin” State 2A basketball tournament morning openers and another, the “David Letterman” nightcap, unenviable for two reasons. The tournament begins Wednesday …

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  Croatia tops U.S. in Davis Cup play

  In Sports on Page C6 CARSON, Calif. – The United States remains in a Davis Cup slump. Ivan Ljubicic beat Andy Roddick in a taut, five-set marathon Sunday to give Croatia an insurmountable 3-1 lead …