Stories for January 2, 2007

• Hapless criminals keep Spokane police busy, amused

  In City on Page A1 Hollywood criminals are usually clever, graceful and debonair. But cops’ favorite stories are about crooks who are dense, clumsy and easily captured.

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  Mt. Spokane may expand

  In City on Page A1 Big changes planned for Mount Spokane State Park are driving an expansion of Spokane’s local ski resort, which may include new lifts, more terrain and additional guest buildings. On March …

• Bush pays respects, ponders Iraq plan

  In Nation/World on Page A1 WASHINGTON – President Bush opened the new year on a somber note Monday, returning from his Texas holiday break to pay tribute to former President Gerald Ford and to contemplate …

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  Sunnis protest hanging

  In Nation/World on Page A1 BAGHDAD, Iraq – Enraged crowds protested the hanging of Saddam Hussein across Iraq’s Sunni heartland Monday, as a mob in Samara broke the locks off a bomb-damaged Shiite shrine and …

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  ‘Star Wars,’ creator a big draw

  In Nation/World on Page A2 PASADENA, Calif. – A dragon atop a castle breathed fire, 200 storm troopers menacingly marched behind Ewoks swinging in trees and the Oakridge Boys led hundreds of thousands in song …

• Biotech cows not mad

  In City on Page A2 SAN FRANCISCO – Scientists have genetically engineered a dozen cows to be free from the proteins that cause mad cow disease, a breakthrough that may make the animals immune to …

• FAA skeptical of UFO report at O’Hare

  In Nation/World on Page A2 CHICAGO – Federal officials say it was probably just some weird weather phenomenon, but a group of United Airlines employees swear they saw a mysterious, saucer-shaped craft hovering over O’Hare …

• Indonesian plane crash kills 90

  In Nation/World on Page A3 JAKARTA, Indonesia – Rescuers found the smoldering wreckage today of an Indonesian jetliner that went missing during a storm, and officials said 90 people were killed but 12 survived in …

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  Though Islamists flee, peace eludes Somalia

  In Nation/World on Page A3 MOGADISHU, Somalia – Declaring an end to the warlord era, Somalia’s prime minister has ordered all fighters to surrender their weapons – delivering a wildly ambitious plan in a country …

• Stress disorder linked to heart risks

  In Nation/World on Page A3 CHICAGO – A groundbreaking study of 1,946 male veterans of World War II and Korea suggests that vets with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder are at greater risk of heart …

• Ex-regime backers bombing suspects

  In Nation/World on Page A3 Thailand’s military-backed government named supporters of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Monday as unofficial prime suspects in New Year’s Eve bombings that killed three people and wounded 38 in …

• Rivals clash in Gaza; journalist abducted

  In Nation/World on Page A3 GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip – Violence erupted in the Gaza Strip on Monday, with warring Palestinian factions firing at each other and kidnapping rivals, and gunmen abducting a foreign news …

• Jan. 1 marks new birth for many refugees

  In Nation/World on Page A4 CHICAGO – Baraka Kubaya celebrated his birthday on Monday. So did the Sudan native’s wife, co-worker and next-door neighbor. They all came to Chicago as refugees from Africa, and for …

• Diet articles unhealthy for girls, study finds

  In Nation/World on Page A4 CHICAGO – Magazine headlines entice teenage girls with promises: “Get the body you want” and “Hit your dream weight now!” But a new study suggests reading articles about diet and …

• Corps’ risk analysis slammed

  In Nation/World on Page A4 When the Army Corps of Engineers admitted last June that design flaws in the New Orleans levee system had caused most of the flooding during Hurricane Katrina, it seemingly left …

• Nation in brief: Spitzer takes office as N.Y. governor

  In Nation/World on Page A4 Democrat Eliot Spitzer, who built an international reputation fighting corruption on Wall Street, took office as New York’s governor Monday, calling for an end to “the politics of cynicism and …

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  Gov. Romney ready to file for 2008 bid

  In Nation/World on Page A5 BOSTON – Gov. Mitt Romney this week will submit the necessary paperwork to form a presidential exploratory committee, but not until funeral services for former President Gerald R. Ford have …

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  Democrats to cut GOP clout in new Congress

  In Nation/World on Page A5 WASHINGTON – As they prepare to take control of Congress this week and face up to campaign pledges to restore bipartisanship and openness, Democrats are planning to largely sideline Republicans …

• WSP makes 39 DUI arrests over weekend

  In City on Page A6 The Washington State Patrol arrested 39 suspected drunken drivers over the weekend in Eastern Washington, Trooper Jeff Sevigney said. The arrests were part of the agency’s holiday patrols, which began …

• New Year’s babies ring in 2007

  In Idaho on Page A6 Kootenai County’s first baby of 2007 made her mother wait – and then kept her awake until the wee hours of New Year’s Day. But the debut of Kahlei Christine …

• Gore set to headline Boise conference

  In Idaho on Page A6 Former Vice President Al Gore will speak on global warming at Boise State University on Jan. 22, and tickets will be available to the public starting Wednesday. Gore’s talk is …

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  Spokane newborn rings in 2007

  In City on Page A6 Owen Beckham Armstrong is the son of two teachers, so it should be no surprise that Spokane’s first baby of 2007 earned an “A” for promptness. The 8-pound, 8-ounce boy …

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  New Year’s Day tradition not for the coldhearted

  In Idaho on Page A6 Hundreds of revelers started the new year with a dip in Lake Coeur d’Alene – an icy baptism that stole breath from lungs and numbed fingers and toes. The temperature …

• Wal-Mart revives plans

  In Idaho on Page A6 In the first official movement in nearly three years, Wal-Mart has asked the state for permits to start work on improvements to U.S. Highway 95 and Honeysuckle Avenue for a …

• Spokane annexation hearing on tap

  In City on Page A7 A controversial annexation by the city of Spokane is expected to take another step today when City Council members hold a public hearing on annexing a 134-acre tax-rich commercial strip …

• Scientists study meth smoke effects

  In City on Page A7 MISSOULA – A University of Montana researcher is exposing laboratory mice to methamphetamine smoke to try to determine the long-term effect of the illegal drug on children who live in …

• Schweitzer hosting kids ski contest

  In City on Page A7 Schweitzer Mountain Resort will host the 2007 Sports Illustrated for Kids Next Snow Search qualifier Saturday. The entry fee is $25. The athlete chosen to represent Schweitzer at the finals …

• MySpace users make tempting targets

  In Business on Page A8 LOS ANGELES — MySpace devotee Kary Rogers was expecting to see a gut-busting video when a friend from the popular online hangout messaged him a link. First, though, he was …

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  Town isn’t out of the woods

  In Business on Page A8 SCOTIA, Calif. — Along with the scent of freshly cut redwood, an air of uncertainty hangs over this idyllic Northern California logging town. Mel Berti feels it from behind the …

• Now it’s renters’ turn to gloat

  In Business on Page A8 The housing slump has been painful for millions of people who work in real estate or recently bought a house. For Patrick Killelea, however, this year has been one long …

• Our view: Make it predictable

  In Opinion on Page A9 Washington businesses and most workers will get a deferred Christmas present in six months if the Department of Labor and Industries adopts a “rate holiday” proposed by Gov. Chris Gregoire. …

• ‘Blood Diamond’ tarnished

  In Opinion on Page A9 Critics are touting the movie “Blood Diamond” as a part of a growing genre of socially conscious Hollywood productions. But the film’s good message is drowned out by the many …

• I’m their dad; they have 2 moms

  In Opinion on Page A9 “Do you have any kids?” It sounds like a simple question. But at the risk of sounding like Bill Clinton, it depends on what the meaning of “have” is.

• Duke case all about votes

  In Opinion on Page A9 In the wake of recent bombshell revelations in the Duke University “rape” case, even some of District Attorney Michael Nifong’s supporters have started backing away from him. It was not …

• TV station’s office in Baghdad closed

  In Nation/World on Page A10 BAGHDAD, Iraq – The Iraqi government Monday ordered the closure of the Baghdad office of a Dubai-based television station whose newscaster wore black mourning clothes while reporting on the hanging …

• Fast Break

  In Sports on Page C1 For 01-02-2007

• Norman Chad: ‘Reverse coach’ candidates already canned

  In Sports on Page C1 NFL Coach of the Year? That’s easy – the Saints’ Sean Payton took a team without a home a year ago and brought it home with the NFC South title. …

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  Two-trick Broncos

  In Sports on Page C1 GLENDALE, Ariz. – Boise State proved it belonged in the BCS. After tying it with 7 seconds to go in regulation, the No. 9 Broncos stunned No. 7 Oklahoma 43-42 …

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  Red Raiders give Knight 880th win

  In Sports on Page C1 LUBBOCK, Texas – Bob Knight won 880 games doing things his way. And he sure celebrated it his way. Long appreciated for his strategy and long questioned for his methods, …

• Cougars getting no respect

  In Sports on Page C1 Washington State hasn’t quite grabbed the attention of the outside men’s college basketball world yet, as was made clear when the newest Top 25 polls came out Monday. But if …

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  Trojans rout Wolverines

  In Sports on Page C1 PASADENA, Calif. – Even before his uniform had come off Monday, Dwayne Jarrett’s teammates were lobbying him to wear it one more year. After the day he had in the …

• Boxer dies after being struck by automobile

  In Sports on Page C2 Kemal Kolenovic, a middleweight boxer who emigrated from Montenegro, was killed outside a Bronx bar when he was struck by a car that drove onto the sidewalk, New York police …

• Blackwater earns Chiefs a victory

  In Sports on Page C2 KENNEWICK – Judd Blackwater tied the game in the third period then scored the shootout winner as the Spokane Chiefs overcame a two-goal deficit to defeat the Tri-City Americans 4-3 …

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  T’wolves top Bobcats

  In Sports on Page C2 Maybe Kevin Garnett’s slump really was caused by the NBA’s synthetic ball. Garnett had 32 points and 14 rebounds in the NBA’s return to the old leather ball, and the …

• Wolski, Sakic lead Colorado past Nashville

  In Sports on Page C2 Wojtek Wolski scored two goals and Joe Sakic added three assists to lead the Colorado Avalanche to a 5-3 win over the Nashville Predators on Monday in Nashville, Tenn. Milan …

• Crimson Tide knock off Sooners

  In Sports on Page C2 At 6-foot-10 and 230 pounds, Jermareo Davidson has always been tough to stop inside. Monday in Tuscaloosa, Ala., he displayed something that could make it even harder for opponents to …

• On the Air

  In Sports on Page C2 For 01-02-2007

• Today’s game

  In Sports on Page C3 Louisville vs. Wake Forest Where: Dolphin Stadium, Miami.

• Paterno gets 22nd bowl win

  In Sports on Page C3 TAMPA, Fla. – Joe Paterno insisted all along that he needed his players and assistant coaches more than they needed him in the Outback Bowl. Maybe the longtime Penn State …

• Auburn will take ‘ugly’ win over Nebraska

  In Sports on Page C3 DALLAS – Even though only Auburn managed to beat two teams playing in the BCS, Tommy Tuberville never thought he had a great team this season. Imagine how good the …

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  Badgers find a way

  In Sports on Page C3 ORLANDO, Fla. – Darren McFadden broke free on his first carry and raced into the Wisconsin secondary. Defensive back Jack Ikegwuonu did what few players have – he ran down …

• White rallies Mountaineers

  In Sports on Page C3 JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Patrick White was bruised and determined with the Gator Bowl hanging in the balance. The quarterback played through ankle, hand and neck injuries to lead West Virginia …

• Alabama appears to continue pursuit of Saban

  In Sports on Page C3 DAVIE, Fla. – Alabama renewed its courtship of Dolphins coach Nick Saban on Monday, and he declined to say whether he’ll remain with Miami. “I’ve got a rule that I’m …

• Is Quinn the man to get Raiders back on track?

  In Sports on Page C4 After setting a franchise record for losses in a season, it might be time for a new motto for the Oakland Raiders: “Just Quinn, Baby.” Owner Al Davis’ favorite saying, …

• Basketball scores

  In Sports on Page C4 Basketball NBA

• Broncos player killed in shooting

  In Sports on Page C4 DENVER – Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams was killed early Monday when his white stretch Hummer was sprayed by bullets after a nightclub dispute following a New Year’s Eve party. …

• Happy New Year: Green, Mora fired

  In Sports on Page C4 Dennis Green couldn’t get the Arizona Cardinals into contention. Jim Mora couldn’t keep the Atlanta Falcons in contention. Both are now unemployed. The first two coaching dismissals after the NFL …

• Today’s menu

  In Sports on Page C4 For 01-02-2007

• Gain resolve, lose pounds

  In Features on Page D1 Resolutions aren’t just for the new year. Just ask Michaelangelo Rosario of Lake Mary, Fla., who several times made – and broke – New Year’s resolutions to lose weight. He …

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  Affirming life: Residency program gives lessons on hospice and palliative care

  In Features on Page D1 In their training, doctors spend a lot of time learning how to take patient histories, how to make diagnoses, and how, of course, to treat disease. But there’s one thing …

• The Slice: Around here some things never change

  In Features on Page D1 Ring out the old, ring in the… Hey, wait a second. How can we ring out the old when there are unresolved issues?

• Cystic fibrosis and its symptoms

  In Features on Page D1 I had a friend whose first child was born at only six months gestation. Because he was premature, his lungs were not fully developed. My friend used to whack her …

• Horoscope

  In Features on Page D2 For 01-02-2007

• Hints from Heloise

  In Features on Page D2 Dear Readers: If you’re working on a lifestyle change for the new year, – for example, losing weight, quitting smoking or exercising more – there are things you can do …

• Road trip with wife, ex could turn south

  In Features on Page D2 Dear Annie: A number of years ago, my wife and I divorced after a long marriage. About a year later, I began dating “Marta,” a good friend of hers. It …

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  People: Courteney starts clean with ‘Dirt’

  In Features on Page D2 In the opening of Courteney Cox’s new television series, she’s seen as a red, satin-swathed colossus dominating the Hollywood landscape. In fact, Cox’s Lucy Spiller is wallowing in the gutter …

• Sleep-driving associated with Ambien

  In Features on Page D3 Q. I had a terrible experience with Ambien about a month ago. I took the drug at bedtime, then had hallucinations and got in my car to escape. I don’t …

• Bulletin board

  In Features on Page D3 New listings Prepared Childbirth – This five week class for expectant parents during the last trimester of pregnancy will discuss management of labor, breathing techniques, muscle toning and more. Meets …

• Reader says three cheers for prednisone

  In Features on Page D3 Dear Dr. Gott: I am a longtime reader and believer in your column. I must, however, take issue with your advice to patients with polymyalgia rheumatica – specifically, your advice …

• Cox cleans up as ‘Dirt’ devil

  In Features on Page D4 “Friends” star Courteney Cox returns to weekly television in “Dirt” (10 p.m., FX), an ambitious and often uneven series that is shocking, riveting and a little silly all at the …

• Spokane Calendar

  In Features on Page D5 For 01-02-2007

• Reunions

  In Features on Page D5 Schools Ninth Annual All Spokane School Reunion – Feb. 26. Contact Gary and Noreen Brown at (509) 467-1311; through March, (928) 342-4827 or e-mail poorgar@juno.com.

• Idaho Calendar

  In Features on Page D5 For 01-02-2007

• Blood bank

  In Features on Page D5 Bloodmobile locations Tuesday – Valley Hospital and Medical Center, 12606 E. Mission, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Wal-Mart, 810 N. Highway 305, Colville, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

• Contact us

  In Home on Page Z2 Editor Cheryl-Anne Millsap

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  Inside this week’s issue

  In Home on Page Z2 Straight from an old recipe Graniteware funnel has been in woman’s family since early 20th century.

• Welcome Home!

  In Home on Page Z3 We all like to put our own stamp on our homes. Paint color, window treatments and furniture style all play an important part in making a house into something unique. …

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  Funnel links to family’s past

  In Home on Page Z4 Last week I wrote about Nita Magnuson’s gingerbread cookies. Each December, when Magnuson bakes a batch of cookies, she uses her mother’s little red cookie cutter, and she remembers baking …

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  Games of character hold low value

  In Home on Page Z5 Dear Collector, I acquired these Walt Disney “character card games” at a garage sale a few years ago. The set of six is complete and in good condition, even the …

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  ‘House that hope built’

  In Home on Page Z6 Ann and Stephen Winterer met over a cup of bad coffee at church several years ago. They had both experienced painful divorces and neither expected to find love again. But …

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  Improve home’s interior look

  In Home on Page Z7 With wintry weather and low mortgage interest rates, this is a great time to upgrade the interior of your home. And few improvements will make your home look as plush …

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  Warmth of wood

  In Home on Page Z8 Jerry and Eliza Shotts found their dream home nestled within four wooded acres in Chattaroy. The couple looked at many newly constructed homes while house hunting in 2001, but Eliza …

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  Today’s project

  In Home on Page Z10 A favorite design for both home and workplace for more than 200 years, the roll-top desk first became popular in the late 18th century. It’s hardly surprising, considering its classic …

• Keep indoor garden healthy

  In Home on Page Z11 Gardeners who have house plants are lucky. In the dead of winter, while everyone else is going stir-crazy, we have our little green in-house therapists to listen to our rants …

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  A small price to stay warm

  In Home on Page Z12 It’s tempting to think of a fireplace as just another way to create ambience, like putting on music. But don’t be fooled. Users need to know how to operate and …

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  Give your old furniture new life

  In Home on Page Z13 In the eyes of furniture restorer Denise Karger, no vintage flea market find is too far gone for a 21st-century revival. Her advice for that Alvar Aalto armchair you scored? …

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  Pets need to watch weight, too

  In Home on Page Z14 Since our companion animals don’t need to quit smoking, save more money or become better people, let’s focus on the one big resolution that could improve their well-being in 2007: …

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  Dishwashers should clean, but not be heard

  In Home on Page Z15 Hear that? It’s the sound of dishwasher manufacturers lowering the machines’ noise levels. “As home plans become a lot more open, you want to be able to talk over the …

• Art of felting sees revival

  In Home on Page Z16 COLORADO SPRINGS — It’s like watching a sow’s ear transform itself into a silk purse before your very eyes. But in this case, it’s wool that magically turns into felt …

• Garden calendar

  In Home on Page Z16 Christmas Tree Recycling - Sponsored by Cub Scout Pack No. 304. Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Rosauers, 907 W. 14th Ave. $5. (509) 363-1882. 2007 Horticulture Class Series - The Washington …