Stories for October 20, 2009

• Homicide victim ID’d; home searched

  In City Investigators searched a home in north Spokane on Tuesday where they say a man found dead near Green Bluff lived. The body of Jesus J. Torres Valdovinos, 25, was dropped …

• Pesky bug infestation an ‘environmental wonder’

  In City The smokey-winged ash aphid – that little gray-blue critter flittering around tree-lined residential areas in the Inland Northwest this month – is a harmless but sometimes annoying insect that typically … 4

• High court blocks release of R-71 names

  In City The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday temporarily blocked Washington state officials from releasing the names of people who signed referendum petitions to bring expanded rights for gay couples up for … 30

• Deaconess’ owner strikes deal to buy Rockwood Clinic

    In City Community Health Systems, the owner of Deaconess and Valley hospitals, said today it has struck a deal to take over Rockwood Clinic, the region’s largest health clinic.

• Idaho prepares to shutter wolf hunt in 3 zones

  In Idaho Wolf hunters in some parts of Idaho are nearing their quotas, prompting state wildlife managers to prepare to shutter the season there once the legal harvest limit has been reached. 4

• College tuition is up sharply amid recession

  In Nation/World With the economy struggling, parents and students dared to hope this year might offer a break from rising college costs. Instead, they got another sharp increase. 1

• Bonner County police logs, Oct. 16-19

    In Idaho Read the Bonner County law enforcement log for Oct. 16 to Oct. 19, 2009.

• State’s first wolf tag fetches $8,000 at auction

  In Idaho State wildlife officials say the first wolf hunting tag ever printed in the state has sold for $8,000 to the highest bidder.

• Fog cuts visibility this morning

  In City, Idaho A dense fog advisory was issued this morning by the National Weather Service for reduced visibilities on the higher bench and plateau elevations of the Inland Northwest.

• Vintage steam train continues journey through Spokane

    In City on Page A1 Rail fans converged on downtown Spokane on Monday with the arrival of a historic steam locomotive on its westward journey to its home in Portland. The locomotive is pulling a … 1

• Feds back off medical marijuana

  In Nation/World on Page A1 WASHINGTON – Attorney General Eric Holder directed federal prosecutors Monday to back away from pursuing cases against medical marijuana patients, signaling a broad policy shift that drug reform advocates interpret … 1

• Dozens more planets discovered

  In Nation/World on Page A1 WASHINGTON – European astronomers have found 32 new planets outside our solar system, adding evidence to the theory that the universe has many places where life could develop. Scientists using … 2

• Candidates’ home addresses become issue in judicial race

  In City on Page A1 The single contested race for Spokane Municipal Court judge has somehow morphed into a battle of addresses rather than qualifications for the job. Judge Tracy Staab, who was appointed 10 … 3

• Federal changes won’t affect local cases

  In City on Page A1 New orders from the U.S Justice Department to end federal prosecution of state-authorized medical marijuana patients and dispensaries will have no effect on cases in Eastern Washington, prosecutors said Monday. … 5

• Arrest made in fire probe

  In Nation/World on Page A2 LOS ANGELES – A homeless man was arrested and charged with arson for starting a tiny blaze in August near the spot where a gigantic wildfire erupted several days later, …

• Association expels octuplets doctor

  In Nation/World on Page A2 LOS ANGELES – The Beverly Hills fertility doctor who treated octuplets mom Nadya Suleman has been expelled from the American Society of Reproductive Medicine for what was deemed a “pattern …

• Accuracy watch

  In City on Page A2 For 10-20-2009

• Afghan votes tossed

  In Nation/World on Page A3 WASHINGTON – Obama administration officials said they expect President Hamid Karzai to announce today that he will accept a runoff in Afghanistan’s disputed election, following the invalidation of more than …

• Pakistan cuts deal with anti-U.S. tribes

  In Nation/World on Page A3 DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan – Pakistan’s army, in the midst of a major new offensive against Taliban militants, has struck deals to keep two powerful, anti-U.S. tribal chiefs from joining …

• Sudan policy seeks middle ground

  In Nation/World on Page A3 WASHINGTON – The White House on Monday unveiled a new Sudan policy that seeks a middle ground between punishing the country’s defiant regime and appeasing it, a step away from …

• As talks begin, Iran threatens to retaliate

  In Nation/World on Page A3 CAIRO – Iran threatened to accelerate its uranium enrichment capabilities if talks with world powers that began Monday in Vienna don’t reach a compromise on an international plan to provide …

• World in brief: Philippines preps as typhoon nears

  In Nation/World on Page A3 MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines put seven northern coastal areas on alert today for fast-approaching Typhoon Lupit as the church offered prayers that the storm will spare the battered country …

• U.S. accuses scientist of spying

  In Nation/World on Page A4 WASHINGTON – A scientist credited with helping discover evidence of water on the moon was arrested Monday on charges of attempting to pass along classified information to an FBI agent …

• It’s beetles vs. butterflies in Mexico

  In Nation/World on Page A4 MEXICO CITY – Authorities who have struggled to stop illegal logging in Mexico’s famed monarch butterfly reserve now are cutting down thousands of trees themselves to fight an unprecedented infestation …

• Public option has solid support, survey finds

  In Nation/World on Page A4 As Democratic congressional leaders and White House officials work to shape health care bills that will go to the House and Senate floors, a new Washington Post-ABC News poll shows … 1

• Baby food pouches recalled

  In Nation/World on Page A4 WASHINGTON – Plum Organics of Emeryville, Calif., is recalling some of its apple and carrot portable pouch baby food because of concerns over possible botulism contamination. The product was sold …

• Nation in brief: F-14 pilot heads Pacific Command

  In Nation/World on Page A4 CAMP H.M. SMITH, Hawaii – A fighter pilot who headed the Navy in the Pacific and made a cameo appearance as a Tom Cruise foe in “Top Gun” has taken …

• City Council backs strong police oversight

  In City on Page A5 The Spokane City Council sent a message Monday to Mayor Mary Verner: Push for stronger independent oversight over police. In a unanimous decision, the council requested that Verner negotiate with … 11

• Lakeland Village staff rally

    In City on Page A5 Employees and supporters of Lakeland Village protested a cost-cutting recommendation to close the residential facility for the developmentally disabled to all but the most acute-care patients by 2017. A few …

• Yanks for the memories, fellow Pinstripe lovers

  In City on Page A5 I took the winners of my Pinstripe Passion contest to lunch Monday at the Spokane Club, where we were treated to good food and a flash of unexpected baseball magic. …

• Region in brief: Police say men aided robbery

  In City on Page A5 Two Deer Park men have been identified as accomplices in a pharmacy robbery police linked to a 20-year-old woman. Jed L. Boles, 31, and William E. Higgins, 21, face charges …

• Justice blocks release of R-71 petition names

  In City on Page A6 WASHINGTON — Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy has temporarily blocked Washington state officials from releasing the names of people who signed a ballot measure on gay rights. Kennedy’s ruling Monday …

• Man with seizures says boa is his service animal

  In City on Page A6 SEATTLE – When Daniel Greene has a seizure coming on, he says a hug can help stop it. As he walks through the small Agate Store near Shelton, a nearly …

• Budget, taxes focus of Post Falls races

  In City on Page A6 All three incumbent Post Falls City Council members tout that the city held the line on taxes this year in the face of difficult economic times. Despite that fact, challengers …

• Judge undoes Idaho deal with sheep rancher

  In City on Page A6 BOISE – A federal judge has ordered a western Idaho rancher to keep his sheep off his family’s traditional grazing ground on public land to protect wild native bighorns. U.S. …

• Region in brief: Oil spills from Avista powerhouse

  In City on Page A6 A light sheen of oil was visible Monday downstream of Upper Falls Dam on the Spokane River after lubricating oil was spilled at the dam’s powerhouse. Approximately 50 to 100 …

• Series of holdups may be linked

  In City on Page A7 A series of robberies in the Inland Northwest continued over the weekend with three holdups in three days in the Coeur d’Alene area. A deli, a grocery store and a …

• Grocery tax credit hike may be held

  In Idaho on Page A7 BOISE – Idaho Gov. Butch Otter would consider delaying a scheduled increase in the state’s grocery tax credit, possibly saving the state from another $15 million-plus in budget cuts next …

• Washington records

  In City on Page A7 Spokane County Marriage licenses

• Idaho records

  In City on Page A7 For 10-20-2009

• Amid silver’s steady rise, sides fight over mine lease

  In Business on Page A8 Nine months after the Sunshine Mine’s operators filed for bankruptcy, a court battle is heating up over control of the historic silver mine. Sterling Mining Co. reopened the Sunshine Mine …

• Jobs recovery will likely take years

  In Business on Page A8 WASHINGTON – Even with an economic revival, many U.S. jobs lost during the recession may be gone forever and a weak employment market could linger for years. That could add …

• Home financing agencies get fresh government aid

  In Business on Page A8 WASHINGTON – The Oba–ma administration on Monday unveiled a new program to support state and local housing finance agencies. The plan will help the agencies finance mortgages for first-time homebuyers …

• Don’t put your goals at risk over impulses

  In Business on Page A8 What is it about human behavior that we so easily give in to impulse? Why is it that we don’t hesitate to spend $4 on a cup of coffee or …

• Business in brief: IBM suspends exec charged in scandal

  In Business on Page A8 SAN FRANCISCO – IBM Corp. put a top executive on leave Monday after he was charged in an insider trading scandal for allegedly leaking secrets about IBM’s earnings and financial …

• AIDS vaccine’s success marginal

  In Nation/World on Page A10 Fresh results from the world’s first successful test of an experimental AIDS vaccine confirm that it is only marginally effective and suggest that its protection against HIV infection may wane …

• Cal Thomas: ‘Less is more’ needs revival

  In Opinion on Page A11 “That’s just the way it is. Some things will never change …” (Bruce Hornsby song lyric) The Washington Post headline sounds as if a comedy writer, or someone fluent in …

• Editorial: Library ballot measure checks out

  In Opinion on Page A11 The Kootenai-Shoshone Library District has been through half a dozen consolidations, but for Post Falls voters, the ballot proposal facing them on the Nov. 3 ballot will be a new …

• Angels beat Yankees on Mathis’ walk-off hit

  In Sports on Page B1 ANAHEIM, Calif. – After 261 minutes, 14 pitchers, six homers and several big blunders all led to a winning hit by a backup catcher, the Los Angeles Angels finally handed …

• Rollins rallies Phillies past Dodgers in ninth

  In Sports on Page B1 PHILADELPHIA — They were one out from defeat. A moment later, Jimmy Rollins put the Fightin’ Phils within one win of the World Series. Rollins lined a two-run double with …

• Interviews highlight Zags DVD

  In Sports on Page B1 “After seven years as a professional, you realize it’s never like that again.” – Matt Santangelo

• It’s time to survey the ‘wasteland’ of sports advertising

  In Sports on Page B1 At its core, sports on TV is simply a prop for beer sales. The viewer essentially must answer the question: What’s more important to you, Coors Light’s “cold-activated can” or …

• Sports in brief: Tatupu’s season not finished yet

  In Sports on Page B1 Seattle Seahawks middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu’s season might not be over after all. Coach Jim Mora said Monday that further tests showed the muscle and tendons of Tatupu’s injured pectoral …

• Johjima leaving Mariners, will play in Japan

  In Sports on Page B2 SEATTLE — The Mariners’ Kenji Johjima opted out of the final two years of his contract, allowing him to sign with a Japanese team. In April 2008, Seattle had signed …

• Calling Bingo to calling plays

  In Sports on Page B2 Sherman Lewis is taking over the favorite part of Jim Zorn’s job. With a pained expression, Washington Redskins coach Zorn announced Monday that the front office “strongly suggested” that he …

• Special teams lead Broncos past Bolts

  In Sports on Page B2 SAN DIEGO — Eddie Royal became the first player in Broncos history to return a kickoff and a punt for touchdowns in the same game, leading undefeated Denver to a …

• Scoreboard

  In Sports on Page B2 Baseball ALCS

• Today’s Best

  In Sports on Page B2 Jimmy Rollins Rallied the Phillies to a 3-1 series lead over the Dodgers with a two-run, two-out walk-off double.

• Sports in brief: Arrest likely in Connecticut stabbing

  In Sports on Page B2 College football: A Bloomfield man will be arrested in the stabbing death of a University of Connecticut football player, his lawyer said Monday night, as police continued to sort out …

• Newsmakers

  In Sports on Page B2 Awarded The world’s fastest man has received one of his Caribbean homeland’s highest honors. Usain Bolt received the Order of Jamaica award during Monday’s heritage celebrations in the capital, Kingston. …

• CV kicker sparked Bears’ win

  In Sports on Page B3 Kicker Jake Miller accepted his share of blame in Central Valley’s 13-12 non-league loss to Post Falls. But he gets the lion’s share of credit in Friday’s huge 34-31 victory …

• WSU at Cal

  In Sports on Page B3 Time: 1:30 p.m. (PDT) Saturday TV: None The records: WSU (1-5, 0-5 in Pac-10); Cal (4-2; 1-2)

• Today’s menu

  In Sports on Page B4 For 10-20-2009

• On the air

  In Sports on Page B4 For 10-20-2009

• WSU men rise in poll

  In Sports on Page B5 The Washington State University men’s cross country team is ranked sixth in the West Region latest Division I Cross Country Regional Rankings after having a strong seventh-place finish at the …

• Mirror miracles

  In Features on Page C1 Lipstick, moisturizer and a wig can’t cure cancer. But beauty – and beauty products – can help heal wounded self-esteem, which often takes a big hit as patients undergo cancer … 1

• Cut the cheese? Now that stinks

  In Features on Page C1 I’ve been thinking a lot about cheese lately. More accurately, I always think a lot about cheese. Cheese is my chocolate, the food I crave most, the one that always …

• The Slice: Some prefer to keep clutter to themselves

  In Features on Page C1 The Slice managed to track down and speak with the only house-dwelling family in the Spokane area that has never held a yard sale. To protect their privacy, I will …

• Starting out with a clean slate

  In Features on Page C2 Christian Slater remains calm during his staring contest with a menacing dog. While filming an episode of his new ABC crime drama, “The Forgotten” (Tuesdays, 10 p.m.), Slater, as former …

• Annie’s Mailbox: Ask co-workers to choose new place

  In Features on Page C2 Dear Annie: I am a recovering alcoholic with six months’ sobriety. Recently, I was hired at a new company. The job is everything I dreamed of, and my bosses and …

• Horoscope

  In Features on Page C2 For 10-20-2009

• Vicks rub subdues persistent cough

  In Features on Page C3 Q. I am a research scientist, so I like evidence. My husband is an architect who is a critical thinker and not about to fall prey to nonsense. He came …

• Having an MRI? Don’t expect pain

  In Features on Page C3 A trip to the doctor is a big enough hassle without having to deal with a fear of the unknown. Having a procedure for the first time can fill a …

• Health bulletin board

  In Features on Page C3 New listings Pre-Diabetes – Two-part series is Thursday and Oct. 29, 6-8 p.m. at Valley Hospital and Medical Center, 12606 E. Mission Ave., Spokane Valley. Cost is $30, preregistration is …

• Hepatitis C requires liver specialist

  In Features on Page C5 DEAR DR. GOTT: Everywhere I have looked, all I can find about hepatitis C is that it is fatal. I have not seen anything in your column about this condition …

• Spokane voters are lucky

  In Letters The question for voters choosing Spokane City Council members: Are we aware of how lucky we are to have the choice of such exceptional candidates as Amber Waldref in District …

• Give job to stakeholders

  In Letters Is it possible that politicians aren’t the best resource for redesigning our health insurance paradigm? The complicated machinations for taxing those who currently pay for, provide or receive medical care …

• Spokane is well represented

  In Letters Nancy McLaughlin is running for re-election to Spokane’s City Council: I’m voting for her because she’ll continue to serve our best interests. In addition, on a statewide level, her peers … 1