Nation in brief: Mom, girls drown in a Vermont brook

WARDSBORO, Vt. - A woman reported missing with her two daughters waded into a brook carrying one of them and eluded a rescue attempt before mother and child were swept downstream to their deaths, police said Sunday. The second child’s body was found later.

Searchers found the bodies of Nicole Waring and 6-year-old Dakota in Wardsboro Brook on Saturday. They found the body of 2 1/2 -year-old Grace on Sunday.

“For whatever reason, it was a deliberate action,” said Vermont State Police Capt. David Covell, who stopped short of calling the river plunge a suicide.

Waring, 40, was reported missing early Saturday after she disappeared from her parents’ Wardsboro house with the two girls, the state police said.

ATLANTA

Delta, Northwest link reported near

Delta and Northwest could announce a combination as early as Tuesday that would create the world’s biggest airline, but pilot contract issues still loomed and there was no guarantee the deal would move ahead, three people familiar with the talks said Sunday.

The people, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation, said officials were mobilizing for an announcement provided the boards of the two companies give final approval to a deal.

The boards of both companies have been having ongoing merger-related talks. They could meet today to discuss moving ahead with a deal, a person familiar with the talks said.

BERWYN, Ill.

Movie’s ‘Car Kabob’ for sale on eBay

A towering sculpture of eight cars made famous in the movie “Wayne’s World” is up for sale on eBay.

A suburban Chicago landmark, the Spindle features cars from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s skewered on a metal spike.

Bids open at $50,000, and the auction closes Thursday. The listing says it will cost $100,000 to ship the 50-foot structure.

The Spindle – also known as the “Car Kabob” and the “Eight Car Pileup” – draws fans of the 1992 comedy starring Mike Myers and Dana Carvey.