Stories for October 12, 2009

• Without wage concessions, Verner says 22 cops will lose jobs

  Spokane Mayor Mary Verner’s annual State of the City Address on Monday made a dire prediction about the likelihood of winning police concessions to prevent job losses next year. “In … 3

• McMorris Rodgers calls for incremental health care reform

  In News The federal government should reform health care in steps, rather than through one major overhaul that would be as hard to change as it’s going to be to pass, U.S. … 7

• Spokane Symphony triumphs with Beethoven mini-festival

  In City The Spokane Symphony staged a Beethoven mini-festival over the weekend with two excellent concerts at the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox.

• Utah band teacher who died in crash called heroine

  In Idaho A Utah music teacher killed while trying to prevent the crash of a bus carrying dozens of her students was hailed as a heroine.

• Flood of last-minute cash against Wash. I-1033

  In City There’s a flood of last-minute cash pouring into the campaign against Initiative 1033 to limit government spending. 4

• At least seven dogs killed in Spokane County blaze

  In News, City At least seven dogs were killed this morning in a fire at a rescue shelter for dachshunds in northwest Spokane County. 3

• Municipal Court to offer Saturday hearings

  In City Spokane officials announced today that Spokane Municipal Court will begin hearing cases on two Saturdays a month starting in December.

• Spokane Police logs 10/5/2009 to 10/11/2009

    In City Read the Spokane Police activity and service logs for Oct. 5 to Oct. 11, 2009.

• Idaho tops $500 million in unemployment payouts

  The state has paid out nearly $504 million in regular, extended and supplemental unemployment insurance benefits so far this year. 1

• Wash. DOT assessing landslide near Naches

    In Region Experts with the state Transportation Department are evaluating a landslide that obliterated a section of highway and rerouted the Naches River over the weekend.

• Health district swamped with swine flu calls

  In City The Spokane Regional Health District has been overwhelmed with calls from people seeking to make appointments for swine flu vaccines, the agency said this morning. 1

• McMorris Rodgers hosting town hall meeting tonight

  In City U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers will hold a town hall meeting on seniors’ issues Monday afternoon in the Spokane Valley.

• Holiday mainly affects federal offices

  In City, Idaho Columbus Day, a federal holiday commemorating the explorer’s landing in the New World, is closing few other offices today.

• Robber hits two coffee stands early today

  In City Two espresso stands in northeast Spokane were robbed at gunpoint this morning, apparently by the same person, police said.

• Pacific moisture could bring snow, sleet Tuesday

  In City, Idaho The cold arctic air that brought record cold temperatures to the region isn’t going to go away without a parting shot.

• Insurers bash care reform

  In City on Page A1 WASHINGTON – After months of collaboration on President Barack Obama’s attempt to overhaul the nation’s health care system, the insurance industry plans to strike out today against the effort with … 1

• Sprague gets finishing touches

  In City on Page A1 A large project to fix Sprague Avenue’s aging pavement through Spokane Valley is wrapping up with striping of the newly smoothed lanes. Workers from a Spokane company pushed an extruder …

• Medicare’s shortcomings have some seeking revamp

  In City on Page A1 About a month ago, Nita Jensen visited the Rockwood Clinic to make an appointment for a physical. Her physician there had just retired, and she wanted to find a new … 5

• Ice melt opens Arctic frontier

  In City on Page A1 NOME, Alaska – Most days in Nome, you’re not likely to run into anybody you didn’t see at the Breakers Bar on Friday night. More than 500 roadless miles from … 3

• ‘Forensic accountants’ peruse George Washington’s books

  In Nation/World on Page A2 WASHINGTON – One day in 1791, President George Washington received a bill for 60 pounds, 1 shilling and 7 pence from his friend Dr. James Craik, who regularly made the …

• Pakistan bombs tribal area

  In Nation/World on Page A3 KHAR, Pakistan – Pakistani fighter jets bombed suspected militant hide-outs today in a tribal region where the military had previously declared victory over the Taliban, killing eight alleged extremists a …

• Gay rights activists hold rally in D.C.

  In Nation/World on Page A3 WASHINGTON – Tens of thousands of gay rights activists marched Sunday in Washington to show President Barack Obama and Congress that they are impatient with what they consider piecemeal progress …

• Priest who worked with lepers among newly elevated saints

  In Nation/World on Page A3 VATICAN CITY – A 19th-century priest whose courageous work with leprosy patients in Hawaii has been likened to the efforts of those battling the stigma of AIDS was elevated to …

• In brief: Man arrested in ’68 hijacking

  In Nation/World on Page A3 NEW YORK – A man wanted for hijacking a flight out of New York 40 years ago was arrested Sunday after arriving on a flight from Cuba, federal authorities said. …

• U.N. official defends flawed Afghan vote

  In Nation/World on Page A4 KABUL, Afghanistan – Days before the outcome of Afghanistan’s contentious presidential vote was expected to be announced, the head of the United Nations mission acknowledged Sunday that widespread electoral fraud …

• Rash of insurgent bombings may postpone Iraq elections

  In Nation/World on Page A4 BAGHDAD – A triple bombing aimed at a reconciliation meeting in Ramadi, the capital of Iraq’s Anbar province, killed at least 26 people and wounded dozens Sunday, highlighting fears that …

• Changes to WIC promote health, says coordinator in North Idaho

  In City on Page A5 A federal program that provides food vouchers and nutrition education to low-income women and children has made its first menu change in 35 years. Starting this month, participants can purchase …

• Three things we’ll be talking about this week

  In City on Page A5 1Health care, Social Security and other issues of concern to seniors will be on the agenda at a town hall meeting today with Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers in Spokane Valley. …

• Weighing in

  In City on Page A5 Commenters at Huckleberries Online went round and round about a decision by an Idaho judge to force the city of Coeur d’Alene to reveal the first names of all its …

• Enchiladas lead to D.C.

  In City on Page A6 It takes approximately 30,000 enchiladas to get to Washington, D.C. That’s how many were sold by Nez Perce County 4-H members to raise money for Citizenship Washington Focus, a 4-H …

• Backcountry residents await logging law

  In City on Page A6 DIAMOND LAKE, Ore. – When Sharon Karr’s cabin was built on the shores of this high mountain lake in 1928, there were few neighbors and little thought given to the … 1

• Region in brief: Cold weekend breaks records

  In City on Page A6

  Overnight temperatures will likely warm up this week, but that could mean rain – or even snowfall.

  This story ran in Monday morning’s paper. For updated weather information, click …

• Outside voices: Prize comes prematurely

  In Opinion on Page A7 Miami Herald, Oct. 10: “Who, Obama? So fast? Too fast – he hasn’t had the time to do anything yet.” Even some of the president’s admirers must have shared the …

• Unconstitutional isn’t necessarily wrong

  In Opinion on Page A7 Christmas is probably unconstitutional. I’m no lawyer, but the logic seems unassailable to me. Consider: Santa Claus aside, Christmas is an explicitly Christian holiday and the only holiday of any …

• Hawks stuff Jags, streak

  In Sports on Page B1 SEATTLE – All week long, the Seahawks talked about how big this game was. How critical it was to get a win and take a step toward improving to .500 …

• Phils move ahead

  In Sports on Page B1 DENVER – Jimmy Rollins scored on a sacrifice fly by Ryan Howard in the ninth inning and the Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Colorado Rockies 6-5 in Game 3 of their …

• Cougars’ bye week timely

  In Sports on Page B1 PULLMAN – A day later Paul Wulff’s thoughts hadn’t changed. The defense had played pretty well in the 27-14 homecoming loss to Arizona State on Saturday, Washington State University’s football …

• Johnson in Chase driver’s seat

  In Sports on Page B1 Jimmie Johnson is back in control of NASCAR’s Chase for the Championship. The three-time defending Sprint Cup champion easily pulled away from Jeff Gordon following a restart with three laps …

• Phillies cool off Rockies

  In Sports on Page B1 DENVER – Brad Lidge said many times in September that he expected playoff success to redeem his season, to render irrelevant the sour memories of his 11 blown saves. However …

• Sports in brief: Tide jumps Texas into No. 2 spot

  In Sports on Page B1 College football: Alabama’s steady rise in the rankings has left the Crimson Tide with a clear view of No. 1 Florida. Alabama jumped Texas into second-place behind top-ranked Florida in …

• Woods helps U.S. keep Presidents Cup

  In Sports on Page B2 SAN FRANCISCO – Tiger Woods provided a fitting conclusion Sunday to a perfect week at the Presidents Cup, for him and an American team that remains perfect at home. With …

• NBA GMs pick Lakers to repeat as champs

  In Sports on Page B2 Los Angeles Lakers fans weren’t the only ones surprised by the team’s offseason signing of Ron Artest. According to an NBA.com survey, the league’s general managers consider the Artest signing …

• Today’s Best

  In Sports on Page B2 Miles Austin Cowboys wide receiver had 10 catches for 250 yards and two scores in 26-20 win over the Chiefs.

• Scoreboard

  In Sports on Page B2 Baseball American League playoffs 1

• Sports in brief: Djokovic, Kuznetsova win titles

  In Sports on Page B2 Tennis: Novak Djokovic won the China Open with a 6-2, 7-6 (4) victory over Croatia’s Marin Cilic, and Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia defeated Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland 6-2, 6-4 in …

• Angels eliminate Boston

  In Sports on Page B3 BOSTON – Torii Hunter emerged from the visitors’ clubhouse at Fenway Park to spray champagne over the fans and family gathered there. Erick Aybar did him one better, handing over …

• Yanks end Twins’ run

  In Sports on Page B3 MINNEAPOLIS – In addition to possessing a plump payroll and plenty of power and pitching, the New York Yankees displayed more brains than the Minnesota Twins on Sunday night. That …

• Rocky Mountain low: 35 degrees ties record

  In Sports on Page B3 DENVER — Jimmy Rollins danced around at shortstop while trying to keep from freezing. Jason Hammel blew on his pitching hand in an attempt to restore some kind of feeling. …

• Sweep lets Yankees set up ALCS rotation

  In Sports on Page B3 MINNEAPOLIS – Next up, those pesky Angels. Seems only fitting the Yankees’ road to the World Series has to go through Anaheim, the team that eliminated them in 2002 and …

• Late TD lifts Bengals

  In Sports on Page B4 In a duel for first place in the AFC North, the Cincinnati Bengals found a way to win another close game.

• No gimmicks with Vick in traditional QB role

  In Sports on Page B4 The latest wrinkle in the Michael Vick experiment eliminated the gimmicks. Vick was back under center and yelling the signals like any other quarterback. For the first time in 33 … 3

• UW’s start is all about the finish

  In Sports on Page B5 SEATTLE – It was one of those coach-speak talking points that Steve Sarkisian repeated constantly when he took over as coach at Washington: No matter the situation, his team would …

• Arizona State 27, Washington State 14

  In Sports on Page B5 High point There can be only one choice. Trailing 27-7, the Cougars were backed up against their end zone, with the ball barely outside the goal line. Facing a second-and-14, …

• Roundup: Cougar women edge Seattle U.

  In Sports on Page B6 Ashley Johnson and Tiara Pittman scored quick goals in the second half as Washington State beat Seattle University 3-2 on Sunday in a non-conference women’s soccer match in Seattle. Maggie …

• The bands played on, and they’re in trouble

  In Sports on Page B6 The Southwestern Athletic Conference has reprimanded the marching bands of Grambling State and Prairie View for playing at inappropriate times during the schools’ Oct. 3 football game. Conference spokesman Duane …

• Today’s menu

  In Sports on Page B6 For 10-12-2009

• On the air

  In Sports on Page B6 For 10-12-2009

• Parents look to jump-start their baby’s language development through signing

  In Features on Page C1 Even before she could speak, Aria Hancock could already communicate with her parents. When she was about 9 months old, the little girl from Coeur d’Alene would let her mom … 3

• The Slice: The perfect time of year to go deep

  In Features on Page C1 I’m not really all that interested in college football this year. But I still like a nice Top 20 now and then. 1

• Parents blog: Translating parenting skills to the workplace

  In Features on Page C1 Moms and dads who spend a few years staying at home full-time to care for their kids sometimes worry about re-entering the workforce. First, there’s a gap in their resume. … 1

• A medal for Steven Spielberg

  In Features on Page C2 Award-winning filmmaker Steven Spielberg, long recognized for his artistic achievements, was honored with the Liberty Medal on Thursday for his compassion and humanitarian work. Former President Bill Clinton presented the …

• Annie’s Mailbox: Ask husband to get a checkup

  In Features on Page C2 Dear Annie: My husband’s self-esteem is so low these days that he blames himself for everything. Last week, I was having hot flashes that kept me awake so I slept …

• Horoscope

  In Features on Page C2 For 10-12-2009

• Frighteningly fun recycling

  In Features on Page C3 Invite a ghost, a monster and a smiling pumpkin into your home this month with this super-easy and, yes, just a little messy rainy-day craft project that kids and adults …

• Adopted baby will be adjustment

  In Features on Page C3 Dear Mr. Dad: My spouse and I adopted a 14-month-old baby boy. What can I do as a working father to build and cement a strong bond, since we have … 1

• Things to do

  Today Books are Fun Book and Gift Fair – Today through Friday. Benefiting the Second Harvest Food Bank. Monday, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Tuesday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; and Friday, 8 a.m.-3:30 …

• Miss Manners: Bible may not indicate ancestor’s marital status

  In Features on Page C5 DEAR MISS MANNERS: I discovered a Bible that belonged to my great-great-grandmother, and, as I have an avid interest in our family genealogy, I was thrilled! I am curious, however, …