Stories for October 5, 2009

• Ex-GSL coaching great dies

  In News, Sports High school basketball in Spokane has had defining figures for every era of its evolution – and Dave Robertson indisputably set the standard in his. The hall of fame coach, …

• Police end search for suspect near Granite Falls

  In City, Idaho If it was the notorious teen burglar, he got away again. 1

• KMC changes visitors policy to stave off flu

  In Idaho Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d’Alene announced Monday immediate changes to its visitor policy as part of a wider effort to stem the spread of influenza.

• Bonner County police logs, Sept. 30-Oct. 4

    In Idaho Read the Bonner County law enforcement log for Sept. 30 to Oct. 4, 2009.

• Livingston to step down at CCS

  In News Head of community college system and former superintendent of Spokane Public Schools credited for raising system’s profile here and in Olympia

• Couple in $800,000 fraud get prison

  In City A woman and her boyfriend who bought a trip to the Super Bowl and other luxury items with more than $800,000 in embezzled funds from a Spokane business will spend … 1

• Government finds higher autism rate: 1 in 100

  In Nation/World Two new government studies indicate about 1 in 100 children have autism disorders — higher than a previous U.S. estimate of 1 in 150. 1

• CdA motorcyclist dies from crash injuries

  In Idaho The Oregon State Police says a motorcyclist from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, died Monday from injuries sustained in a Sept. 18 crash on Interstate 5 between Salem and Portland.

• Resort employee rescued after day on Silver Mountain

  In Idaho A Silver Mountain Ski Resort employee was rescued after spending Sunday lost on the mountain.

• Pot-smuggling pilot gets nearly 4 years

  In City, Idaho A Canadian helicopter pilot who brought about 150 pounds of marijuana into North Idaho faces nearly four years in prison. 1

• Preservation group seeks votes to win contest

  In City The Spokane Preservation Advocates organization is asking for help to win a national photo contest on preservation.

• K-9 Maximus scores first arrest this morning

  In City A man and a woman were arrested early today after residents living in the 2400 block of West Dean Avenue reported that a Honda automobile was being stripped of its …

• Washington hop crop a little too big

  In City The hops crop in Washington this year is big — a little too big. Some farmers told The Tri-Cities Herald they’re leaving part of their crop on the vine because …

• Clear northerly flow to bring frost

  In City, Idaho Cool, dry weather is replacing the gusty winds that whipped across the Inland Northwest Saturday night and Sunday, and forecasters are warning that a northerly flow is all but certain …

• Baseball wrap-up: Tigers, Twins to tangle Tuesday

  In Sports The chase for the A.L. Central championship is going to extra innings.

• Downtown Spokane post office marks 100 years

  In City on Page A1 The U.S. post office building in downtown Spokane opened on Oct. 4, 1909, at the height of the city’s explosive population growth in the early 20th century. The architectural jewel …

• Change coming to U.S. Supreme Court

  In Nation/World on Page A1 WASHINGTON – Justice David Souter never danced the salsa in public. Justice John Paul Stevens doesn’t sing in karaoke bars. And Chief Justice John Roberts hasn’t thrown out the first …

• Trees along I-90 set to come down

  In City on Page A1 Landscape trees along Interstate 90 east of Division Street are coming out. Planted nearly 40 years ago, the trees have grown to a size that makes them a safety hazard. 1

• One in 10 births are premature, report finds

  In City on Page A1 WASHINGTON – They call it kangaroo care: A premature baby nestles skin to skin against mom’s warm chest. In Malawi, mothers’ bodies take the place of too-pricey incubators to keep … 1

• Billboards, TV part of census campaign

  In Nation/World on Page A2 SEATTLE — Next April, a questionnaire from the U.S. Census Bureau will appear in your mailbox – and government officials really hope it won’t get tossed in the junk pile. …

• Singer Sosa gave voice to Argentina’s voiceless

  In Nation/World on Page A2 WASHINGTON – Mercedes Sosa, an Argentine singer who emerged as an electrifying voice of conscience throughout Latin America for songs that championed social justice in the face of government repression, …

• Iran attitude shift reported

  In Nation/World on Page A3 TEHRAN, Iran – The visiting head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog set Oct. 25 as the date for his inspectors to check Iran’s newly revealed uranium enrichment site and struck …

• U.S. general chided over surge call

  In Nation/World on Page A3 WASHINGTON – A top U.S. commander’s public plea for more troops in Afghanistan prompted a mild rebuke Sunday from the White House national security adviser, as the administration heads into …

• Waves of funding cuts imperil nursing homes

  In Nation/World on Page A3 HARTFORD, Conn. – The nation’s nursing homes are perilously close to laying off workers, cutting services – possibly even closing – because of a perfect storm wallop from the recession …

• World in brief: Death toll from floods in India rises to 205

  In Nation/World on Page A3 NEW DELHI – Medical teams rushed Sunday to flood-devastated southern India where five days of torrential rain have left at least 205 people dead and 750,000 displaced, authorities said. The …

• Somali president blasts terror recruiting

  In Nation/World on Page A4 ST. PAUL, Minn. – The president of Somalia on Sunday denounced the recruiting of young men from Minnesota’s huge Somali community for terrorist activity in his war-ravaged homeland, and said …

• Blaze threatens California town

  In Nation/World on Page A4 WRIGHTWOOD, Calif. – Firefighters waged an aggressive ground and air assault Sunday against a wind-fanned wildfire that erupted in the San Gabriel Mountains and threatened a popular resort community. Crews …

• Spokane teacher talks about working with beginning band students

  In City on Page A5 Spokane Public Schools recently distributed 1,500 instruments to fifth- and sixth-graders preparing for a year in band or orchestra. Tammy King, who teaches music at Linwood and Lidgerwood elementary schools, …

• Three things we’ll be talking about this week

  In City on Page A5 1. Return to Spokane’s “age of elegance” starting Wednesday as the Campbell House at the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture reopens.

• Weighing in

  In City on Page A5 A decision by Kootenai County sheriff’s deputies to shoot a pug running loose on Interstate 90 prompted a flood of reader comments at spokesman.com last week. Authorities said they tried …

• Winds bring dust, blackouts

  In City on Page A6 A dust storm caused several accidents in Central Washington and closed Interstate 90 in both directions west of Ritzville on Sunday, while gusting winds brought scattered power outages to areas …

• Hypothermia death trial set to start

  In City on Page A6 BOISE – Eleven-year-old Sage Aragon and her older brother set out in the snow on Christmas Day, hiking along a frigid, desolate stretch of Idaho highway on their way to …

• In brief: Man suspected in wife’s slaying

  In City on Page A6 A 68-year-old Marcus, Wash., man is expected to appear in court today on charges that he shot his wife to death over the weekend. Craig Raymond Cosby was arrested Saturday …

• Outside Voices: Let Polanski face the law

  In Opinion on Page A7 Dallas Morning News, Sept. 29: Fugitive film director Roman Polanski learned over the weekend that you can’t outrun the long arm of the law. Swiss police nabbed the confessed sex … 1

• Leonard Pitts Jr.: Fox has surrendered its claim to credibility

  In Opinion on Page A7 Perhaps you are familiar with an old saying: even a broken clock is right twice a day. I’ve found that maxim valuable as I wade through the recent hand-wringing and … 3

• With losses, Seahawks’ season starting out like ‘08

  In Sports on Page B1 INDIANAPOLIS – As he had done on each of the previous two Sundays, Jim Mora presented a positive message after a Seahawks loss. And pep talk No. 3, which followed …

• Griffey’s future uncertain as M’s finish season

  In Sports on Page B1 SEATTLE – Ken Griffey Jr., the man who carried the spirit of a resurgent Seattle Mariners team that won its 85th game Sunday, rode the shoulders of his teammates on …

• Cougars try to regroup

  In Sports on Page B1 PULLMAN – Five games into his second season, coach Paul Wulff had to stand on the sideline at sold-out Autzen Stadium on Saturday night and watch as his Washington State …

• Rubber match goes to Stewart

  In Sports on Page B1 Tony Stewart didn’t have time for a debate. He had one last chance to grab the win at Kansas Speedway, and it came down to one critical decision. Two tires, …

• Golf roundup: Haas passes Watson

  In Sports on Page B2 Jay Haas charged past Tom Watson on Sunday to win the Senior Players Championship by a stroke, birdieing the 18th hole to match the course record with a 6-under 64 …

• Vettel wins in Japan

  In Sports on Page B2 SUZUKA, Japan – Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel won Formula One’s Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka late Saturday to revive his championship hopes. Vettel finished ahead of Toyota’s Jarno Trulli.

• Today’s Best

  In Sports on Page B2 Alex Rodriguez Yankees third baseman had two home runs and seven RBIs in one inning in 10-2 win over the Rays.

• Scoreboard

  In Sports on Page B2 Baseball American League

• In brief: Fever one win away from WNBA title

  In Sports on Page B2 WNBA: Tamika Catchings had 14 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists as the Indiana Fever moved within one victory of the WNBA title Sunday with an 86-85 win over the …

• Oregon 52, Washington State 6

  In Sports on Page B3 High point As Reid Forrest’s 45-yard punt seemed to drift back toward the Oregon goal line, inexperienced punt returner Scott Grady made the wrong decision. He tried to gather it …

• Patriots stuff Ravens

  In Sports on Page B4 FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Mark Clayton got open and waited for the fourth-down pass that could keep the Ravens’ chances alive. 1

• Lions’ Stafford leaves game with injured knee

  In Sports on Page B4 Detroit Lions rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford and receiver Calvin Johnson left during the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 48-24 loss to the Chicago Bears because of leg injuries. The Lions had …

• Mortensen rejoins A’s after night in jail

  In Sports on Page B5 OAKLAND, Calif. – Athletics pitcher Clay Mortensen rejoined the team Sunday after spending the night in jail following his arrest for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. Mortensen, …

• Roundup: Aggies rally to edge Vandals

  In Sports on Page B6 Idaho jumped out to a 2-0 lead 22 minutes in, but New Mexico State used a three-goal outburst in a 12-minute span of the second half to earn a 3-2 …

• On the air

  In Sports on Page B6 For 10-05-2009

• Today’s menu

  In Sports on Page B6 For 10-05-2009

• Opinions differ on devices to help babies start learning before birth

  In Features on Page C1 For the first half of her pregnancy, Suzanne Ling played classical music for her unborn child whenever she drove her car. She had heard about “the Mozart effect” from a …

• The Slice: Get out that AARP card for a discounted ticket

  In Features on Page C1 How do you react when you see that yet another oldies band is coming to Spokane? A) “Oh, good. Another chance to live in the past.” B) “What fresh hell …

• Parents blog: Disciplining other people’s kids

  In Features on Page C1 I try to mind my own business, but every once in a while, I can’t help but say something on the playground when a kid gets pushy or aggressive – …

• Lessons from out of Africa

  In Features on Page C2 She’s a Disney teen queen, a TV wizard and a rock singer. But 17-year-old Selena Gomez says what really blew her mind recently was a trip to the African nation …

• Annie’s Mailbox: Snubbing him would be justified

  In Features on Page C2 Dear Annie: I have been married to the perfect woman for 13 years. If I had to order a wife, it would be her. We have wonderful, healthy kids, and …

• Horoscope

  In Features on Page C2 For 10-05-2009

• Creative, economical gift

  In Features on Page C3 Say “cut and paste” to today’s tech-savvy kids, and they’ll think you are talking about rearranging and editing photos, images and documents on their computers. But to Northeastern University art …

• Mr. Dad: Day care has advantages over nanny

  In Features on Page C3 Dear Mr. Dad: My wife and I are expecting our first child and we’re on the fence about whether to hire a nanny or find a child care center for …

• Things to do

  In Features on Page C3 Today Modern Square and Round Dance Lessons - For ages 9 and older; must be accompanied by parents. Dress is casual with soft-soled shoes. 6-9:30 p.m., Harding Family Center, 411 …

• Blood bank

  In Features on Page C5 As of Friday: Type O+low supply