Stories for December 24, 2008

• Police seek help locating missing man

  In News, City A 66-year-old north Spokane man hasn’t been seen since Monday night, and the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office is asking for help finding him

• City of Spokane declares emergency

  In News, City The City of Spokane declared an emergency Wednesday in hopes of tapping state and federal money to help with plowing efforts.

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  Calves delivered after mother’s death

  In City An injured dairy cow at Washington State University had to be euthanized today, but not before her twin calves were delivered by Caesarian section. 3

• County reaffirms decision against disaster declaration

  In City Spokane County Commissioners met in a special meeting Wednesday, but decided not to declare a disaster emergency that could tap any available state funds to help dig out from last …

• STA slogging through

  In City Spokane Transit Authority has buses running at full force most places, though delays are common. 5

• Grocery stores restocking

  In City Safeway and Albertson’s grocery stores have been slow getting supplies, but officials are telling shoppers not to fret. 5

• Be prepared for possible power outages

  In City With more snow coming and warmer temperatures expected Sunday, Avista officials are suggesting residents be prepared for possible power outages. 3

• Travel window open, snow coming

  In City, Idaho The Inland Northwest remains under a winter storm warning with heavy snow arriving tonight. And so far, travel was moving along. 1

• Has the weather changed your holiday plans?

  In City Did you cancel a family gathering or party because of the weather? Postpone one? Are your children or grandkids stranded out of town by icy runways or frightening roads? We’d … 1

• Trooper narrowly avoids being hit

  In News Traffic is again hazardous today. Interstate 90 is moving slowly due to crashes and slideoffs between Coeur d’Alene and Spokane.

• Deicer fumes affect Sea-Tac passengers

  In Region SEATAC — Fumes from a chemical used to de-ice airplanes got into the passenger cabin of an Alaska Airlines plane today at Sea-Tac Airport and irritated the eyes of passengers …

• Avista gift helps fund blow past its goal

  In City on Page A1 Donations of $20,000 from Avista Corp. and its employees and $6,125 from the Fernwell Building tenants helped the Christmas Fund bounce well past its goal today. “This year has been …

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  Medicare gap has patients, lawmakers calling for reform

  In Nation/World on Page A1 WASHINGTON – Master toolmaker John McClain built machine parts with details so small they couldn’t be seen with the naked eye. Then a lump on his neck turned out to …

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  Former fighter finds peace at last

  In City on Page A1 Chewie of St. Louis has found a permanent home. The scrappy black-and-white pit bull rescued from a Spokane dogfighting ring, held as evidence in a criminal trial in February, stolen …

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  State targets women’s prison in Medical Lake for closure

  In City on Page A1 OLYMPIA – Citing the state’s budget crisis, prison officials want to close the Pine Lodge Corrections Center for Women, Washington’s only women’s prison east of the Cascades. As early as …

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  Obama to take oath of office on Lincoln’s inaugural Bible

  In Nation/World on Page A2 WASHINGTON – President-elect Barack Obama will use the same Bible at his swearing in that Abraham Lincoln used for his first inauguration in 1861. Obama will be the first president …

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  Economic team refines stimulus package

  In Nation/World on Page A3 WASHINGTON – Amid a drumbeat of grim economic reports, President-elect Barack Obama’s top economic advisers met Tuesday to refine plans for a massive stimulus proposal, promising the money would not …

• Drug pairings often risky, study warns

  In Nation/World on Page A3 CHICAGO – At least 2 million older Americans are taking a combination of drugs or supplements that can be a risky mix – from blood thinners and cholesterol pills to …

• Appeals court reinstates Clean Air rules

  In Nation/World on Page A3 WASHINGTON – A federal appeals court reversed itself Tuesday and temporarily reinstated regulations aimed at sharply reducing smog and soot from power plants in 28 Eastern states over the next …

• Report clears contact with Blagojevich

  In Nation/World on Page A3 WASHINGTON – White House Chief of Staff-designate Rahm Emanuel spoke “one or two” times with Illinois Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich and “about four” times with the governor’s chief of staff …

• Ex-trooper suspected in Dallas shootings

  In Nation/World on Page A3 DALLAS – A man suspected in a series of rush hour shootings near Dallas is a former Utah state trooper wanted on burglary and robbery warrants who apparently shot himself …

• Military group declares Guinea coup

  In Nation/World on Page A4 CONAKRY, Guinea – A military group seized control of the airwaves in mineral-rich Guinea and declared a coup Tuesday after the death of the West African country’s dictator, one of …

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  Iraq transition plan still lacking key players

  In Nation/World on Page A4 BAGHDAD – Most of the committees created to guide the transition from U.S. to Iraqi control of security in the country have yet to appoint members, let alone convene, the …

• EU nations warm to idea of taking in detainees

  In Nation/World on Page A4 LONDON – When the U.S. government asked years ago that countries take in detainees freed from the Guantanamo military prison, only tiny Albania answered the call. The rest of Europe …

• Parliament OKs security pact after speaker’s resignation

  In Nation/World on Page A4 BAGHDAD – The Iraqi parliament approved a security agreement Tuesday allowing British troops and other non-U.S. foreign forces to stay when a U.N. mandate expires on Dec. 31. The vote …

• Investor duped for $1.4 billion found dead in suicide

  In Nation/World on Page A5 NEW YORK – He was a distinguished investor who traced his lineage to the French aristocracy, hobnobbed with members of European high society and sailed around the world on fancy …

• World in brief: Israeli strike kills three Palestinians

  In Nation/World on Page A5 Israeli forces killed three Palestinian militants on the Gaza border Tuesday, the military and Israeli media said, in the deadliest clash since a truce between Israel and the Islamic Hamas …

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  Weather wreaks havoc, wrecks plans nationwide

  In Nation/World on Page A6 CHICAGO – On one of the biggest travel days of the year, hundreds of Amtrak passengers bound for holiday destinations hunkered down in waiting rooms – some for nearly 24 …

• Children abused at Zion Ranch, report says

  In Nation/World on Page A6 SAN ANTONIO – A dozen girls were sexually abused at a polygamist group’s ranch targeted in a high-profile raid last spring, and parents neglected more than 250 other children living …

• Army drops wound treatment after warning

  In Nation/World on Page A6 WASHINGTON – Until more testing can be done, Army medics are being told to stop using a new product just sent to the war front to help control bleeding among …

• Nation in brief: Man killed after nabbing boy

  In Nation/World on Page A6 A camouflaged gunman was killed and a 6-year-old hostage was shot in the leg during a two-hour standoff with police Tuesday afternoon that began when the man snatched the child …

• Man who armed Israel pardoned

  In Nation/World on Page A6 WASHINGTON – In a gesture of forgiveness for a decades-old offense, President Bush on Tuesday granted a pardon posthumously to a man who broke the law to supply aircraft to …

• India seeks worldwide pressure on Pakistan

  In Nation/World on Page A7 NEW DELHI – India’s prime minister signaled Tuesday that his government would not act unilaterally against the extremist networks allegedly behind last month’s Mumbai terrorist attacks, attempting to ease tensions …

• ’Tis the season for another test of Christmas knowledge

  In City on Page A8 We’ve survived the 2008 election, the War on Christmas and the War on the War on Christmas, which can only mean one thing: It must be time for the Spin …

• Experts say no need to shovel roofs, yet

  In City on Page A8 Despite a record snowfall and more on the way, most homeowners don’t need to worry about clearing their roofs of snow. Not yet, anyway. Local building codes require new buildings … 3

• Eagle events are canceled

  In Idaho on Page A9 The Eagle Watch Week activities scheduled to start Friday at Lake Coeur d’Alene have been canceled. With the accumulation of snow, more on the way and declining numbers of bald …

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  West Side moving again after snow

  In Region on Page A9 SEATTLE – Crowds of stranded travelers at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport were drastically reduced, Amtrak trains and Greyhound buses were running, and motorists found easier going Tuesday in a lull between …

• Washington Records

  In City on Page A10 Spokane County

• Idaho Records

  In City on Page A10 For 12-24-2008

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  Housing, economy post declines

  In Business on Page A11 WASHINGTON – The longest recession in a quarter century is snowballing, and some analysts warn that economic activity could plunge as much as 6 percent this quarter, which would be …

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  As prices grow, supply wilts

  In Business on Page A11 CHESHIRE, Conn. – Just about everything is on sale for Christmas this year – except poinsettias. Record energy prices last summer drove up the cost of heating greenhouses and fueling …

• Weather can’t cool heating oil deliveries

  In City on Page A11 Deliveries of heating oil and propane were slowed by the recent snowstorms, but there were no reports of homeowners waking up to empty tanks and frosty breath. Spokesmen for Banner …

• Stores make last-minute offers

  In Business on Page A11 With just one Christmas shopping day left and snow hampering sales in Spokane, retailers are trying to entice buyers today and for post-holiday shopping. Holiday sales could be the worst …

• Wednesday focus: The workplace

  In Business on Page A11 There’s a good chance Ann Collins will deliver a baby on Christmas. Mickey Buffaloe will sell buckets of popcorn and boxes of candy, just like any other day. Amanda Gelo …

• Our View: Snow’s exciting, but how about that voter turnout?

  In Opinion on Page A15 The Inland Northwest’s historic snowfall has diverted our attention from the record avalanche of votes cast by Washingtonians last month in the 2008 general election. The weather will produce more … 1

• Trudy Rubin: Iraq teetering on stability

  In Opinion on Page A15 BAGHDAD – Ambassador Ryan Crocker was holding his last meeting in the grand marble rooms of Saddam Hussein’s former palace, before the U.S. Embassy formally moved into new quarters and … 1

• Froma Harrop: N.Y. process parallels Illinois scandal

  In Opinion on Page A15 Suppose in 2002 the Kennedys (or another “political dynasty”) had a son or daughter or cousin they wanted to slip into Illinois’ contested U.S. Senate seat. You know the arguments: …

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  TCU ends Boise State’s perfect season

  In Sports on Page C1 SAN DIEGO – After getting a pregame pep talk from LaDainian Tomlinson, the TCU Horned Frogs went out and promptly fell behind Boise State 10-0 midway through the first quarter. …

• WSU’s Bemis has to bow out

  In Sports on Page C1 The most valuable player on Washington State’s team is retiring midseason. Effective immediately Brynn Bemis is turning in her uniform.

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  Driven Vikings stun Zags

  In Sports on Page C1 As his team waited Monday night for a charter bus that was already an hour late, Portland State men’s basketball coach Ken Bone was roughly 20 minutes from calling Gonzaga …

• Fast Break

  In Sports on Page C1 For 12-24-2008

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  Mora focused on job at hand

  In Sports on Page C1 RENTON, Wash. – As the Seattle Seahawks began their final week of game preparations on Tuesday afternoon, head coach Mike Holmgren stood in the middle of it all with his …

• Today’s best sports performers

  In Sports on Page C2 Rodney Stuckey Scored 40 with four assists, four steals to propel Detroit Pistons to 104-98 win over Chicago Bulls.

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  Celtics set team record with 19th straight victory

  In Sports on Page C2 The Boston Celtics set a franchise record with their 19th consecutive victory Tuesday night in Boston, getting 18 points apiece from Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo to beat the Philadelphia …

• Others got to be talk of the tour

  In Sports on Page C2 THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Tiger Woods posed next to the trophy on the 18th green, a familiar scene with a rare twist. It was Sunday, and his clothing did not …

• Yanks’ big spending doesn’t recede in recession

  In Sports on Page C3 NEW YORK – The big, bad Yankees are flexing their mighty checkbook, and the rest of baseball isn’t happy. While the recession has many teams cautious about spending, the Yankees …

• Highlanders rally, top CV

  In Sports on Page C3 A clutch 3-pointer by Shadle Park’s Lindsay Niemeier with 1 minute, 30 seconds remaining put distance between the Highlanders and Central Valley in a key Greater Spokane League girls basketball …

• GSL race tightens

  In Sports on Page C3 The unpredictable world of Greater Spokane League boys basketball didn’t disappoint Tuesday night. Among the night’s games, Mead (3-2) moved up with a victory at North Central (4-2), and Lewis …

• On the Air

  In Sports on Page C4 For 12-24-2008

• Today’s menu

  In Sports on Page C4 For 12-24-2008

• Shock bring back Nikolao

  In Sports on Page C5 Defensive lineman Harrison Nikolao will return to the Spokane Shock for the 2009 af2 season. The team also announced Tuesday that defensive linemen Ben McCombs and Richard Clebert had been …

• Hurricanes blow into Bay Area

  In Sports on Page C5 SAN FRANCISCO – Although Jason Fox knew all about the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz prison from television, the Miami left tackle had never seen them in person before Tuesday, …

• Feast your eyes on this wild dinner

  In Food on Page D1 Ready to get wild in the new year? Tickets to the 10th annual Wild Game Feast are on sale through the North Idaho College Alumni Association.

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  It’s hip to dip

  In Food on Page D1 As families gather for celebrations of the season, there will be plenty of festive food. Impressive hams and holiday roasts anchor Christmas dinner, and the delicate desserts and once-a-year sweets …

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  Santa saves appetite for journey’s U.S. leg

  In Food on Page D1 Santa’s rounds in Europe can be hungry work. The jolly old elf can count on mince pies and sherry in Britain, but in Denmark the food is left out for …

• Selfless act shows true love

  In Features on Page D2 Hi, Carolyn: I’m falling in love with “Liz.” We dated for two months a year ago, but I ended it when it was clear it was becoming a committed relationship; …

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  Everybody look! Obama has abs!

  In Features on Page D2 What with all the major issues facing the country, you’d think that the media following President-elect Barack Obama would be concerned mostly with such problems as, say, the ongoing recession, …

• Horoscope

  In Features on Page D2 For 12-24-2008

• Culinary calendar

  In Food on Page D3 Women’s and Children’s Free Restaurant - Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 4:15-5:45 p.m. and Fridays, 12:30-2:30 p.m. with take-out from 1-3 p.m. St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 1620 N. Monroe St. (509) …

• Green Giant steamers quick way to get your veggies

  In Food on Page D3 Vegetable side dishes are minutes away with the new Valley Fresh Steamers from Green Giant. Food panel members liked the flavors inside the new microwave steamer bags, giving highest marks … 1

• Peppermint Crush a festive winter drink

  In Food on Page D3 The winter cocktail menu at the newly refurbished Pyramid Restaurant & Bar in the Fairmont Dallas includes this Christmassy cocktail that’s made even more festive with a frosting of crushed …

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  TV viewing will get better in 2009

  In Features on Page D4 There aren’t two worse weeks for TV than this holiday season fortnight. There are still some holiday specials and you can find a good bowl game or two, but most …

• Dinner conversation has a size limit

  In Features on Page D5 Dear Miss Manners: At what size table is it appropriate for guests to have conversations with the people sitting next to them, and when should a host/hostess expect that the …

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  Culinary tourist eats around the world around LA

  In Features on Page D5 Noah Galuten spent the past three months eating his way around the world – all within a day’s drive of his Santa Monica, Calif., apartment. The 25-year-old playwright was broke …

• Buses are basic

  In Letters Does the Spokane Transit Authority plan to shut down for the whole winter? If so, why not just shut down altogether so those of us who rely on them daily …

• A quiet, giving sailor

  In Letters Thank you for Sunday’s article by Alexandre Da Silva of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin honoring Navy veteran John Yoshikawa (“Navy veteran laid to rest in Hawaii”).

• Israel had provocation

  In Letters I found your headline “Israelis strike Gaza as truce ends” (Dec. 21) to be biased and a misstatement of the facts. It’s headlines such as this that show your anti-Israel …

• West Central neglected

  In Letters Dashing through the snow? That’s not the case in the West Central neighborhood. Folks around here are still homebound and heavily relying on the generosity of others for their livelihood.