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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Cheney treated for heart problem

Vice President Dick Cheney has had his heart returned to normal rhythm after experiencing an abnormal heartbeat.

The vice president, 67, underwent a cardiology procedure for the second time in less than a year Wednesday at George Washington University Hospital that restored the heart’s normal rhythm.

A spokeswoman says the procedure – an electric shock administered at the hospital – went smoothly and without complication. Cheney spent the morning at the White House before the procedure and is now home and ready to resume his normal schedule.

The condition forced him to cancel his attendance Wednesday at a campaign event for Marty Ozinga, an Illinois Republican who’s running for a seat in the House of Representatives, Cheney’s office said in a three-paragraph statement.

Cheney suffered the same condition in November 2007, and doctors administered an electric shock then.

Cheney has had four heart attacks, the first at age 37.

ORLANDO, Fla.

Girl’s mother appears in court

Casey Anthony made her initial court appearance on charges that she murdered her missing 3-year-old daughter, Caylee.

Anthony went before Judge John Jordan, who read the charges against her. Dressed in a blue jail jumpsuit, Anthony made no comment during Wednesday’s 90-second hearing. Her attorney, Jose Baez, declined comment afterward. She will be arraigned in about 30 days.

Anthony was arrested Tuesday on charges of first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse, aggravated manslaughter and four counts of lying to investigators about the disappearance of her daughter.

Caylee has not been seen since June, but wasn’t reported missing until a month later.

CHRISTIANSTED, U.S. Virgin Islands

Hurricane grows to Category 3

Hurricane Omar has strengthened to a monstrous Category 3 storm with with top winds of 105 mph as it barrels toward the U.S. and British Virgin Islands.

Schools, businesses and a large oil refinery have closed Wednesday on several Caribbean islands that could receive punishing winds from the storm. Heavy rains and winds have already begun to pummel St. Croix.

At 11 p.m. EDT, Omar’s center was located about 30 miles southeast of St. Croix and was moving northeast at 20 mph. Forecasters say the storm could still get stronger.

Hurricane warnings were in place for the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, Culebra, St. Maarten, St. Barts and Vieques.

LEESBURG, Va.

King aide given 15-year sentence

A top lieutenant to Martin Luther King Jr. has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for incest.

The Rev. James L. Bevel was a key architect of the 1963 Children’s Crusade in Birmingham, Ala., and other pivotal moments of the civil rights movement. He was convicted earlier this year of having sex 15 years ago with his then-teenage daughter in Virginia.

The prison sentence was the most severe the Virginia circuit judge could impose. Sentencing guidelines called for a term of probation.

The 71-year-old Bevel revealed during his testimony Wednesday that he was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He says doctors estimate he has six weeks to six months to live.

From wire reports