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

Newsmakers

From Staff And Wire Reports

Suspended Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Joselio Hanson was suspended four games by the NFL Wednesday for violating the league’s drug policy. Hanson’s attorney, David Cornwell, said in a statement that Hanson did not use steroids but tested positive for a diuretic after last year’s NFC title game against Arizona. While not specifying what product Hanson used, Cornwell said the player “felt ‘bloated’ after eating Chinese food and ingested a pill that turned out to be a diuretic.”

Staying Catcher Jason Varitek exercised his $3 million option to stay with the Boston Red Sox, choosing to remain with the team as a backup to Victor Martinez rather than become a free agent. Boston declined to exercise its $5 million club option Monday, and Varitek, 37, then had two days to decide whether to exercise his player option at the lower price.

Booked Officials say Mike Tyson has been released from a Los Angeles police station after being booked on suspicion of misdemeanor battery for allegedly hitting a photographer at Los Angeles International Airport. The paparazzo told police that Tyson struck him once. The photographer fell to the ground and was treated for a cut to his forehead. A spokeswoman for Tyson said the boxer was traveling with his wife and 10-month-old child when he was attacked by an overly aggressive paparazzo. He acted in self-defense to protect his child, she said.

Docked NASCAR has docked Kyle Busch 25 Nationwide points and fined crew chief Jason Ratcliff $5,000 after Busch’s No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota failed inspection before last week’s race in Texas. NASCAR also placed Ratcliff on probation through the end of the year for actions detrimental to stock car racing, using improper equipment and use of an improperly attached weight.

Died Former Genesee (Idaho) High School boys basketball coach Ozzie Kanikkeberg died Friday at the age of 83. He was best known as a small-school basketball icon, having won 660 games during his 46-year coaching career, with 42 of those seasons coming at Genesee. His career win total is likely a state record. Kanikkeberg won basketball state titles in three decades – 1964, 1971 and 1983. He retired after the 1996-97 season. He also coached football and baseball at Genesee.

Pleaded A Florida man who claimed he sold anabolic steroids to professional athletes, including members of the Washington Nationals and Capitals, has pleaded guilty with prosecutors in Treasure Island, Fla. Richard Thomas, 36, pleaded guilty to a single federal count of possessing anabolic steroids with intent to sell, according to court documents