Stories for October 8, 2009

• Teacher at Shaw wins national award, $25,000

    In City An unsuspecting Spokane middle school teacher received the surprise of her career Thursday – a prestigious national award and a $25,000 check to go with it.

• Polar front bringing wind, record lows

  In City, Idaho Wind, blowing dust in the Columbia Basin and potentially damaging cold are expected Friday across the Inland Northwest as a polar front sweeps into the region and hangs around through … 16

• Montana suspends wolf hunting near Yellowstone

  In Outdoors, Region Montana wildlife officials suspended wolf hunting near Yellowstone National Park on Thursday, after nine kills in just three weeks pushed the area’s wolf harvest close to its season-long limit. 1

• Meissner won’t compete in Spokane

  In Sports Former world and U.S. champion Kimmie Meissner will not be competing in Spokane for the U.S. Nationals in January.

• Arrest at Sea-Tac Airport yields huge cocaine bust

  In Region SEATTLE — Officials from the Port of Seattle say they have made the biggest drug bust ever at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

• Police nab father accused of taking toddler

  In Idaho LEWISTON — Police say they have apprehended a Lewiston man accused of taking his 2-year-old son without permission. 1

• Senate Democrats reach deal on extending benefits

  In Nation/World Senate Democrats said Thursday they have reached a deal to extend unemployment insurance benefits to the nearly 2 million jobless workers across the country who are in danger of running …

• Moscow woman dies of complications from swine flu

  In Idaho A Latah County woman has died of complications from swine flu.

• EWU sets enrollment record

  In City Eastern Washington University has a record number of students this fall.

• Driver smashes through store for cigarettes

  In City A man backed a pickup through the doors of a West Plains convenience store this morning and stole money and more than 100 packs of cigarettes.

• Drunken bragging reveals burglary suspects

  In City A tip that originated from drunken bragging gave Spokane Valley police officers the information they needed to bag one burglary suspect and develop probable cause to book another one. 2

• Bonner County police logs, Oct. 6 and Oct. 7

    In Idaho Read the Bonner County law enforcement log for Oct. 6 and Oct. 7, 2009.

• Spokane police chief applied for new job

  In City on Page A1 Spokane police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick on Wednesday downplayed suggestions that she is actively pursuing work outside Spokane, but she acknowledged applying for the top cop job in San Francisco and … 8

• Eye surgery business grows more robust as Americans age

  In City on Page A1 Dr. Barbara Smit finished her fourth eye surgery by 10 a.m. Monday and began preparing for another. It’s a typically busy morning at the Spokane Eye Clinic’s new surgery center. …

• Rules clear paths for snow plows

    In City on Page A1 After two harsh winters in a row, Spokane leaders are implementing new parking and shoveling rules to help maintain a clearer city. If a storm brings 2 inches of snow … 4

• Legislation gets clean bill of fiscal health

  In Nation/World on Page A1 WASHINGTON – Congressional budget analysts gave an important political boost Wednesday to a Senate panel’s health care overhaul, projecting that the $829 billion measure would both dramatically shrink the ranks … 1

• Gershwin tunes placed in Beach Boy’s hands

  In Nation/World on Page A2 LOS ANGELES – In a surprise union of two quintessentially American composers from different eras – one the 1960s mastermind of “Good Vibrations,” the other the Jazz Age creator of …

• Levi Johnston to bare all in Playgirl

  In Nation/World on Page A2 ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Levi Johnston is going for the ultimate exposure – the 19-year-old father of Sarah Palin’s grandchild will pose nude for Playgirl, his attorney said Wednesday. To get … 1

• World’s Muslims near 1.6 billion

  In Nation/World on Page A3 The global Muslim population stands at 1.57 billion, meaning that nearly 1 in 4 people in the world practice Islam, according to a report Wednesday billed as the most comprehensive …

• Pakistanis balk at U.S. aid proposal

  In Nation/World on Page A3 WASHINGTON – The Obama administration’s strategy for bolstering Pakistan’s civilian government was shaken Wednesday when political opposition and military leaders there sharply criticized a new U.S. assistance plan as interfering …

• Barred from churches, sex offenders go to court

  In Nation/World on Page A3 RALEIGH, N.C. – Convicted sex offender James Nichols said he was trying to better himself by going to church. But the police who arrested him explained: The church is off-limits … 1

• Honduran political factions hold round of negotiations

  In Nation/World on Page A3 TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras – Representatives of Honduran President Manuel Zelaya and the de facto leaders who deposed him in a coup in June came together Wednesday in an effort to end …

• World in brief: Quakes rattle Pacific islanders

  In Nation/World on Page A3 Wellington, New Zealand – Thousands of panicked South Pacific islanders raced away from the coastline after three strong earthquakes rocked the region and generated a small tsunami today, just over …

• Wild horses and burros overpopulating the West

  In Nation/World on Page A4 WASHINGTON – The government plans to aggressively sterilize wild horses and transplant thousands to new public preserves in the Midwest and East as a solution to the nearly 40-year-old problem … 2

• Obama to name gay attorney as ambassador

  In Nation/World on Page A4 WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama plans to nominate an openly gay lawyer as the United States’ ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa, an administration official said Wednesday. David Huebner was … 1

• Nation in brief: Federal deficit triples in 2009

  In Nation/World on Page A4 Washington – The federal budget deficit tripled to a record $1.4 trillion for the 2009 fiscal year that ended last week, congressional analysts said Wednesday. The unprecedented flood of red …

• N. Idaho inventor gets national nod

  In City on Page A7 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Few people can say they’ve received a personal honor from the president of the United States. Fewer can say they’ve received two honors from two presidents in …

• CdA fashion show benefits environmental alliance

  In City on Page A7 The outfit Rebecca Patano designed is a testament to two of her loves: roasting coffee beans and working with metal. The hoop skirt frame evolved from an upside-down tomato cage …

• Doug Clark: At inoculation trough, babies hog the good stuff

  In City on Page A7 I had a depressing experience while getting my flu shot the other day. I asked the nice young woman who had just drilled my left shoulder when I could come … 1

• Region in brief: Observers invited for NASA moon crash

  In City on Page A7 A NASA mission to send a spaceship crashing into the moon early Friday while another ship analyzes the plume arising from the collision will be watched from Earth by a …

• County OKs settlement in Taser case

  In City on Page A8 A Spokane County reserve fund will pay some $112,000 to a man who was shocked three times with a Taser by a deputy during a traffic stop in 2005. County … 2

• Idaho records

  In City on Page A8 For 10-08-2009

• Washington records

  In City on Page A8 Spokane County Marriage licenses

• Idaho transportation funding shrinking

  In Idaho on Page A9 BOISE – The $54 million transportation funding compromise that ended Idaho’s second-longest legislative session this year has now shrunk to about $28 million – far less than Gov. Butch Otter …

• Region in brief: Man dies of injuries in dust storm crash

  In City on Page A9 A 29-year-old Wenatchee resident died Wednesday of injuries suffered in a car accident Saturday on Interstate 90. Another man may face charges in the crash. The crash occurred around midnight … 1

• Gregoire addresses Boeing fray

  In Business on Page A10 Gov. Chris Gregoire said Wednesday she talks daily with Boeing Co. and International Association of Machinists officials, but she remained mum about her efforts to ease the tension between the …

• Hard times drive many to direct sales careers

  In Business on Page A10 Amid rising unemployment, more Americans are selling cosmetics, vitamins, kitchen knives and other goods to their friends and neighbors. Or trying to, anyway. Industry figures suggest that as the ranks … 1

• Costco profits lower, but beat expectations

  In Nation/World on Page A10 PORTLAND – Costco Wholesale Corp. said Wednesday that a stronger dollar and higher employee health care costs helped drive its fiscal fourth-quarter profit down 6 percent, but the results beat …

• Dealer must pay workers’ lost wages

  In Business on Page A10 On April 1, 2005, AutoNation Inc. changed the vacation policy for its Spokane and Washington workers. The result was that more than 500 workers statewide were denied at least one …

• Business in brief: Home sales down last month

  In Business on Page A10 Home sales in Spokane County last month fell 10 percent compared with September 2008 levels, and the pace so far in 2009 remains slow, according to the Spokane Association of …

• ‘Forest offsets’ would aid bottom line, report finds

  In Nation/World on Page A12 U.S. companies could save tens of billions of dollars by investing in efforts to combat deforestation in developing nations instead of cleaning up their own domestic carbon dioxide emissions, according …

• Kathleen Parker: Tweet belittled weight of loss

  In Opinion on Page A13 WASHINGTON – For those whose lives revolve primarily around real people in real time and real space, hurry, go hide. Here’s what you missed in the social networking universe the …

• Editorial: Visionaries helped shape University District

  In Opinion on Page A13 The Rev. Robert Spitzer’s retirement as president of Gonzaga University over the summer turns out to have been the beginning of a trend. Whitworth University President Bill Robinson and Community …

• Four-year Whitworth player helps solidify line

  In Sports on Page B1 Whitworth football coach John Tully was wrapping up his comments during an interview about Brandon Martin when he perhaps inadvertently summarized the senior defensive tackle’s four years in the program. …

• L.A. pitchers cuff Cards

  In Sports on Page B1 LOS ANGELES – Randy Wolf and the Dodgers’ bullpen bested St. Louis ace Chris Carpenter, earning Los Angeles a 5-3 victory over the Cardinals on Wednesday night in an N.L. …

• ASU’s Sullivan ducks detractors

  In Sports on Page B1 PULLMAN – Arizona State quarterback Danny Sullivan waited patiently for three years. He did the things people ask of a backup, holding on placements, protecting the fort when there were …

• Rich Landers: Brazell brought stability

  In Outdoors on Page B1 Rick Brazell packed his bags and departed the Colville National Forest last week, leaving forest users stunned and uncertain about years of effort invested in the wilderness debate. Since becoming …

• Sports in brief: Area athletes dot UFL rosters

  In Sports on Page B1 Football: Four area athletes will be part of the United Football League’s inaugural game tonight when the California Redwoods visit Las Vegas to play the Locomotives. Former Whitworth tight end …

• Mercury cool down Fever to force Game 5

  In Sports on Page B2 INDIANAPOLIS – The high-scoring Phoenix Mercury saved their season with defense. The Indiana Fever led the WNBA finals series 2-1 and had a chance to clinch their first title in …

• Stale air Jordan

  In Sports on Page B2 A city official has asked the PGA Tour to remind Michael Jordan that he can’t smoke cigars at San Francisco’s Harding Park during the Presidents Cup. Jordan, inducted into the …

• Newsmakers

  In Sports on Page B2 Ruled All-America wide receiver Dez Bryant has been ruled ineligible by Oklahoma State, four days before the 15th-ranked Cowboys’ first Big 12 game, at Texas A&M. The university announced Wednesday …

• Today’s Best

  In Sports on Page B2 Adam Thorne Broke a cross country course record at Ferris by 18 seconds to help Saxons sweep a four-way meet.

• Scoreboard

  In Sports on Page B2 Baseball American League

• In brief: Browns send WR Edwards to the Jets

  In Sports on Page B2 NFL: Cleveland Browns coach Eric Mangini has dumped dissatisfied wide receiver Braylon Edwards off on his former team. Mangini sent Edwards, a former first-round pick whose troubles have matched his …

• Junior breaks EWU scoring mark

  In Sports on Page B3 During the recruiting process, George Hageage saw Brittany Sparks as an athletically gifted – but raw – soccer prospect capable of eventually contributing at the NCAA Division I level. These …

• Smith, Jones anything but common

  In Sports on Page B3 The two most productive running backs in the Big Sky Conference will share center stage at Woodward Field on Saturday, when 21st-ranked Weber State and 14th-ranked Eastern Washington square off …

• Rocha sparks Pirates

  In Sports on Page B3 Kami Rocha finished with a double-double – 15 kills, 14 digs – to spark the Whitworth Pirates to a 25-12, 25-23, 22-25, 25-16 win over the Whitman Missionaries in Northwest …

• Pac-10 picks

  In Sports on Page B3 One of these weeks I’m going to learn to quit listening to those voices in my head. Last week I was all done, having picked Stanford to run over UCLA …

• On the air

  In Sports on Page B4 For 10-08-2009

• Today’s menu

  In Sports on Page B4 For 10-08-2009

• ‘Lil Chef’ keeps Cheney cooking

  In Sports on Page B5 Cheney soccer star Kellie Zakrzewski wears a sweatshirt that reads “Lil Chef.” The four-year starter (whose name is pronounced Zak-CHEF-ski) scores goals with an artistry befitting a French Cordon Bleu …

• Thorne sets course record

  In Sports on Page B5 The Ferris Saxons boys swept a Greater Spokane League cross country meet at home on Wednesday thanks to a record-setting effort by Adam Thorne. Thorne finished the 5,000-meter race in …

• Washington preps: Don’t count on polls for accuracy

  In Sports on Page B5 How do you quantify success? The issue about the accuracy of high school polls came up a couple of weeks back. I’m ambivalent about them, preferring to let the outcome …

• State meet will get back on course

  In Sports on Page B5 A streak will be snapped when the state cross country meets are held at Circling Raven Golf Course in Worley later this month. Have any idea what I’m talking about? …

• Jeter powers Yanks in new park

  In Sports on Page B6 NEW YORK – Derek Jeter got a big hit, just as he did in Octobers past at the famed ballpark across the street. CC Sabathia joined in the postseason fun. …

• Lee mows down Rockies

  In Sports on Page B6 PHILADELPHIA – Out in the Philadelphia Phillies’ bullpen Wednesday afternoon, the flags overhead were flapping in a stiff wind, and an occasional hot dog wrapper would come blowing through. But …

• Hasselbeck joins practice

  In Sports on Page B6 RENTON, Wash. – After sitting out two weeks’ worth of practice and a pair of games, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck was back on the field Wednesday and could play … 1

• Symphony presents two concerts in honor of Beethoven

  In Features on Page C1 Ludwig van Beethoven reigns. Still. It’s hard to name a form in classical music – instrumental music, anyway – that listeners do not associate with Beethoven.

• The Slice: Soon, they’ll start arriving left and right

  In Features on Page C1 Let the countdown begin. With just seven weeks until Thanksgiving, it’s time to start dreading that collision with the bilious social/political views of your extended family.

• Heart to heart for Liz fans

  In Features on Page C2 Elizabeth Taylor says she’s headed to the hospital for a heart procedure. The 77-year-old actress tells her followers on Twitter that she is to undergo a “very new” procedure to …

• Annie’s Mailbox: Tell boss actions hurting morale

  In Features on Page C2 Dear Annie: I work for a family company and am grateful to have a job in this economy. But while we employees have had benefits drastically cut, the owners have …

• Horoscope

  In Features on Page C2 For 10-08-2009

• CdA Symphony ‘Salute’ set for Saturday

  In Features on Page C3 The Coeur d’Alene Symphony Orchestra kicks off its new season Saturday with one of the best-loved works by an American composer – Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” – paired with one …

• Second Friday Art Walk

  In Features on Page C3 In Coeur d’Alene, Friday 5-8 p.m. Angel Gallery of Fine Art and Antiques - Lori Hintz will be demonstrating her clay art; Helen Stephenson will be featured with her nostalgic …

• Stage listings

  In Features on Page C3 Music WSU Student Recital - Jared Johnson, voice. Friday. 3:10 p.m., Washington State University, Bryan Hall Theatre, Pullman. Free. (509) 335-4148.

• Arts calendar

  In Features on Page C5 Auditions “Haunted House” – Pend Oreille Players Association, Oct. 12, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at Pend Oreille Playhouse, 240 N. Union Ave., Newport. Auditions will be improv-style format. Call (509) 447-2750 or …

• Gallery listings

  In Features on Page C5 Galleries with new exhibits and/or receptions are indicated with a . For complete listings, see www.spokane7.com. Please send information about upcoming exhibits to features@spokesman.com.

• Nonprofit restarts running programs

  In Washington Voices on Page N1 On a windy fall afternoon, dozens of children ran, shouting and laughing, across the lawn at Westview Elementary School, enjoying an exuberant game of tag. The kids had been separated …

• This year’s WSQ show includes mountain of quilts

  In Washington Voices on Page N1 It’s an art form born out of necessity. For hundreds of years, women created colorful quilts to keep their families warm. Nowadays, quilts are just as likely to be hung … 1

• Less snow, more rain in this winter’s forecast

  In Washington Voices on Page N2 As I’ve mentioned in previous articles, we now have an El Niño, the warmer-than-normal sea-surface temperatures in the south-central Pacific Ocean. For the past month, this El Niño has been …

• Deliberately intimate

  In Washington Voices on Page N4 Soulful and passionate, Stephanie Hatzinikolis caresses the keys on her keyboard. Her fingers flutter and dance across the black-and-white instrument and her voice, almost with a sense of urgency, fills …

• Orphans choir plans concerts

  In Washington Voices on Page N6 The Ugandan Orphans Choir, whose members live on the Ssese Islands in Lake Victoria in East Africa, plans to visit Northwest Christian Elementary School, 5104 E. Bernhill Road in Colbert, …

• Pumpkin Ball is benefit for children

  In Washington Voices on Page N8 Adults will be celebrating Halloween early, dressing up in ball gowns and tuxedos Oct. 24 for the sixth annual Pumpkin Ball to benefit the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery and Sacred …

• Makeover turns home into national contender

  In Washington Voices on Page N8 The granite house with the broad front porch and the spiked turret was built in Spokane’s Logan neighborhood in 1901. It’s a funky blend of architectural styles, and like so …

• family calendar

  In Washington Voices on Page N11 Today Toddler Storytime - For children 18 months-3 years of age. Library locations include: South, 3324 S. Perry St. (509) 444-5385; Shadle, 2111 W. Wellesley Ave. (509) 444-5390. 10 a.m. …

• Makeover at Manito pond

  In Washington Voices on Page S1 The water quality in Manito Park’s beloved duck pond had deteriorated to a point where Parks and Recreation Department staff had no choice but to round up some of the …

• Art quote of the week

  In Washington Voices on Page S4 “I have my own particular sorrows, loves, delights; and you have yours. But sorrow, gladness, yearning, hope, love, belong to all of us, in all times and in all places. …

• Horse slaughter leaves lasting mark

  In Washington Voices on Page S6 What many people consider one of the most brutal, inexplicable and traumatic acts in the mid-1800s war between the U.S. government and Native Americans of the Inland Northwest wasn’t about …

• neighborhood updates

  In Washington Voices on Page S14 •The Cliff/Cannon Neighborhood Council meets today at 7 p.m. at Roosevelt Elementary School, 333 W. 14th Ave. •The Latah/Hangman Neighborhood Council meets today at 7 p.m. at Trading Co., 4 …

• Speeding’s a drag

  In Washington Voices on Page V1 Rena Perez is furious: She has just about had it with a particular speeder in her neighborhood. Over the past month, she said she has watched the same late model … 2

• Plowing contract OK’d

  In Washington Voices on Page V1 The last major piece of a new Spokane Valley snowplowing operation slipped into place Tuesday night with a unanimous City Council vote. A plan to pay for that and other …

• Spokane Valley police study rankles sheriff

  In Washington Voices on Page V1 Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich wants Spokane Valley residents to read the fine print of a report that says the city could save $1.1 million a year by setting up …

• Pines are more than just a chore

  In Washington Voices on Page V1 Here I stand on my lawn, ankle deep in pine needles, raking. Again. And as I do so, ever more needles are floating down upon me as the wind releases …

• Accuracy watch

  In Washington Voices on Page V2 For 10-08-2009

• Write-in candidate seeks District 2 seat

  In Washington Voices on Page V4 When the filing period for the November elections ended in early June, it appeared that three West Valley School District members were running unopposed for re-election. Since then, however, Jeff …

• Liberty Lake moves closer on River District

  In Washington Voices on Page V4 Months of discussion came to a head Tuesday night as the Liberty Lake City Council made final decisions on several sticking points in the River District Specific Area proposed by …

• Chloe

  In Washington Voices on Page V8 Chloe is currently in foster care. She is a sweet girl who just wants to hang out with you. She is active, curious and makes a great couch companion. Chloe …

• Museum curator honored

  In Washington Voices on Page V12 The Downtown Exchange Club presented its 2009 Book of Golden Deeds Award to retired Navy Reserve Lt. Cmdr Bill Aller. Aller was honored Sept. 10 for his efforts in founding …

• Senior activities

  In Washington Voices on Page V15 For 10-08-2009

• Horse sense experts

  In Washington Voices on Page W1 Medical Lake High School’s FFA Horse Judging team is off to the national competition in Indianapolis to test their skills on Oct. 17. Students Ashley Holznagel, Laura Robinson, Samantha Williams, …

• Cheney planning its future

  In Washington Voices on Page W1 The city of Cheney is thinking about its future – primarily the next 20 years – and updating the current comprehensive plan will help the city set guidelines. But in …

• ML makes progress on sheriff deal

  In Washington Voices on Page W1 City attorney Cynthia McMullen updated the Medical Lake City Council Tuesday night on the progress of the city’s contract with the Spokane County Sheriff’s office. She said most substantive points …

• Your Voices

  In Washington Voices on Page W2 Q: Five people at South Hill coffee shops were asked: “Are you superstitious?”

• Airway Heights OKs fire pact with district

  In Washington Voices on Page W2 The Airway Heights City Council unanimously voted Monday night to approve a mutual agreement between the Airway Heights Fire Department and Lincoln County Fire District 4 to share resources. The …

• Center celebrates 50th anniversary

  In Washington Voices on Page W2 Immaculate Heart Retreat Center, 6910 S. Ben Burr Road, will celebrate its 50th anniversary Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. with a tradition from the ’50s and ’60s, Diocesan Mary …

• Letters

  In Washington Voices on Page W2 Spokane Youth Symphony hosted O’Connor I very much enjoyed “Still fiddling, just for the fun of it” in Thursday’s North Voice (Oct. 1) by Pia Hallenberg Christensen. It is inspiring …

• Horticulturist digs up some garden truths

  In Washington Voices on Page W3 We’ve all received the e-mail or junk mail piece promoting the product, process or plant will solve all our garden problems quickly and cheaply. Is it a myth or is …

• Lottery Winners

  In Washington Voices on Page W3 Sept. 28-Oct. 4 $10,000

• volunteer

  In Washington Voices on Page W4 For 10-08-2009

• Signatures should be secret

  In Letters The Spokesman-Review recently printed a news item telling us that our attorney general is sending lawyers to California to argue that the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reverse the …

• EPA beyond control

  In Letters I just read in the paper where Lisa P. Jackson, Environmental Protection Agency administrator, said she and EPA would act on their own if Congress did not do as she …

• Tax policy hurting America

  In Letters The economy in Spokane right now is shaky at best. Businesses are already struggling to make it in this fragile economy, yet the administration wants to increase taxes for American-based …