Stories for October 26, 2009

• Homicide victim linked to drug ring

  In News The man found shot to death near Green Bluff last week had been involved in a large marijuana operation for several years and had just paid off an $85,000 debt … 5

• Seventh-grader honored for helping deliver sibling

  In City Spokane firefighters Monday honored a 12-year-old’s courage and calmness in helping with her baby sister’s birth. 1

• Power restored in Coeur d’Alene

  In Idaho Power was restored about 4 p.m. for 2,500 electrical customers northwest of Coeur d’Alene who were without power for about two hours, according to Avista Utilities.

• Snow possible for lower elevations Tuesday

  In City, Idaho Snow levels are expected to drop from the mountains to the valley floors Tuesday morning, creating the possibility of the first snowfall of the season at lower elevations of the …

• Venezuela closer to seizing Spokane company’s mine

  In Business The Venezuelan government has moved closer to seizing a gold and copper claim owned by Gold Reserve Inc., which last week asked an international arbitrator to determine the amount of …

• N.J. union takes lead in Ambassadors lawsuit

  In Business A Spokane federal judge has approved a New Jersey electrical workers union as lead plaintiff in a securities fraud suit filed against Spokane education travel business Ambassadors Group.

• School vaccinations delayed in N. Idaho

  In News, Idaho Delays in production of the vaccine that protects against H1N1 flu virus has led to smaller than expected amounts of the vaccine reaching North Idaho.

• Sebelius: Ample flu vaccine will be available

  In News WASHINGTON — Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said today the swine flu vaccine “is coming out the door as fast as it comes off the production line.” But …

• Body found near Hope, Idaho

  In News, Idaho The Bonner County Sheriff’s Office has identified a body found floating in Lake Pend Oreille near Hope, Idaho, as a woman from Troy, Mont. 2

• Wayward pilots were working on their laptops

  In News WASHINGTON — Two Northwest Airlines pilots have told federal investigators that they were going over schedules using their laptop computers in violation of company policy while their plane overflew their … 1

• Spokane Police logs, Oct. 12 to Oct. 25

    In City Read the Spokane Police activity and service logs for Oct. 12 to Oct. 25, 2009.

• UI student recovering from fraternity house fall

  In Idaho A 20-year-old University of Idaho student who fell from a window of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity house in August has been released from the hospital.

• Man crashes after falling asleep while driving

  In City A 63-year-old Spokane man was injured today when he fell asleep at the wheel and went off U.S. Highway 195 near Spangle, according to the Washington State Patrol.

• Fire marshal says change smoke alarm batteries

  In City The state fire marshal’s office reminds Washington residents that the end of Daylight Savings Time on Sunday is a good time to remember to change smoke alarm batteries.

• Bonner County police logs, Oct. 23-25

    In Idaho Read the Bonner County law enforcement log for Oct. 23 to Oct. 25, 2009.

• Woman found in New York once lived in Colville

  In City An 18-year-old who turned up in the heart of New York City two weeks ago with apparent amnesia is a Kitsap County woman who was reported missing Oct. 2, according …

• Ski bums sought for Canadian winter adventure

  In Awayfinder destinations Kootenay Rockies Tourism just kicked off “The Powder Highway Ultimate Ski Bum Blow Your Mind Contest” which invites skiers of all ages and skill levels to submit a 90-second video …

• Parents pressured to buckle

  In City on Page A1 One in four children was not buckled in properly last week when they arrived by vehicle at three elementary schools in the Spokane area. Spokane police Officer Teresa Fuller said … 1

• New wheels for free meals

  In City on Page A1 Each year, more than 700,000 free meals are served to the hungry in Spokane, according to the director of a nonprofit agency that gleans leftover food from area restaurants and … 1

• School grant program boosts Gates’ influence

  In Nation/World on Page A1 WASHINGTON – The real secretary of education, the joke goes, is Bill Gates. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has been the biggest player by far in the school reform …

• Obama sidestepping Chamber of Commerce

  In Nation/World on Page A1 WASHINGTON – The Obama White House, stepping in where other Democrats feared to tread, has launched a potentially risky fight with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce – attempting to bypass …

• ‘Yuppie 911’ calls frustrate rescuers

  In Nation/World on Page A2 FRESNO, Calif. – Last month two men and their teenage sons tackled one of the world’s most unforgiving summertime hikes: the Grand Canyon’s parched and searing Royal Arch Loop. Along …

• Bombings shake Baghdad’s core

  In Nation/World on Page A3 BAGHDAD – A pair of suicide car bombings Sunday devastated the heart of Iraq’s capital, killing at least 147 people in the country’s deadliest attack in more than two years. …

• U.S. tested scenarios in Afghan war

  In Nation/World on Page A3 WASHINGTON – The Pentagon’s top military officer oversaw a secret war game this month to evaluate the two primary military options that have been put forward by the Pentagon and …

• Violence erupts in Jerusalem

  In Nation/World on Page A3 JERUSALEM – Israeli police firing stun grenades faced off Sunday against masked Palestinian protesters hurling stones and plastic chairs outside the Holy Land’s most volatile shrine, where past violence has …

• World in brief: Inspectors visit Iranian nuclear site

  In Nation/World on Page A3 TEHRAN, Iran – U.N. inspectors entered a once-secret uranium enrichment facility with bunker-like construction and heavy military protection that raised Western suspicions about the extent and intent of Iran’s nuclear …

• Health mandate may be ignored by many

  In Nation/World on Page A4 WASHINGTON – People are more likely to buckle their seat belt than follow the speed limit, even though the penalties for speeding are higher. They are more likely to go … 1

• Nation in brief: Fire in mountains prompts evacuations

  In Nation/World on Page A4 WATSONVILLE, Calif. – California officials say a wildfire in the Santa Cruz Mountains has prompted mandatory evacuations of about 60 homes. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection spokeswoman Cherie …

• Regional health officer discusses battle against swine flu

  In City on Page A5 The first mass vaccination clinic against the H1N1 virus, or swine flu, may be over, but the community is still wrestling with illness and trying to ensure that the people … 1

• Three things we’ll be talking about this week

  In City on Page A5 1. People from all walks of life will be recognized at Wednesday’s YWCA Women of Achievement Luncheon. The guest speaker is Alison Levine, team captain of the first American … 1

• Weighing in

  In City on Page A5 The news that the U.S. Supreme Court has temporarily blocked the release of the names of those who signed referendum petitions to put expanded rights for gay couples up for … 2

• Forests, warming studied

  In City on Page A6 GRANTS PASS, Ore. – A new study suggests warming temperatures over the next century could boost tree growth on Northwest forests, but less so at lower elevations where most of …

• Residents near landslide stock up

  In City on Page A6 YAKIMA – Residents in the area around a landslide in central Washington that wiped out portions of a highway are being told to stock up in case they become isolated …

• Flamenco flavors a night at the Fox

  In City on Page A6 How often does a symphony orchestra present a guitar soloist? Rarely. Spokane Symphony’s audiences at the Fox had an opportunity this weekend to hear Manuel Barrueco. The Cuban-born American guitar …

• Quiznos robberies suspect described

  In City on Page A6 Police are looking for a suspect in the armed robberies of two Quiznos sandwich shops in north Spokane on Saturday night. The man was described as white, between 5-foot-7 and …

• In brief: Police describe Quiznos suspect

  In City on Page A6 Police are looking for a suspect in the armed robberies of two Quiznos sandwich shops in north Spokane on Saturday. The man was described as white, between 5-foot-7 and 6 … 1

• Cast make ‘Pearls’ a real gem

  In City on Page A8 Michele Lowe’s “String of Pearls” fits neatly into several tried-and-true – if not clichéd – theatrical categories. It’s a women’s issues play. The cast and characters are all female.

• Montana looks back for new license plates

  In City on Page A8 HELENA – Montana is redesigning its basic license plate design for the first time in five years and is looking at a retro-inspired design that harkens back to the plates …

• Region in brief: Libby soldier died in crash

  In City on Page A8 FORT BRAGG, N.C. – Military officials have identified the soldier killed when a Black Hawk helicopter crashed on a Navy ship during training off the Virginia coast. A statement by …

• A nation of fame junkies

  In Opinion on Page A9 Minneapolis Star Tribune, Oct. 20: Tom Wolfe, the novelist who so well captured modern mores of 1980s American society in “Bonfire of the Vanities” and the 1990s in “A Man …

• Incivility? No, that’s democracy in action

  In Opinion on Page A9 There is much gnashing of teeth and rending of cloth these days about the death of civility. Apparently, like Cupid with his arrow or a pixie with fairy dust, some … 1

• Yanks return to Fall Classic

  In Sports on Page B1 NEW YORK – Alex Rodriguez, welcome to the World Series. The New York Yankees are back in baseball’s big event. The sport’s top spenders finally cashed in with their first …

• Saints come roaring back

  In Sports on Page B1 MIAMI – Drew Brees emerged from the locker room with a fresh cut under his chin and another between his eyebrows. He made the Miami Dolphins look worse.

• Wulff wants Cougars to get faster starts

  In Sports on Page B1 PULLMAN – As any husband knows, when your wife starts talking to you about something, it’s probably time to listen – and make a change. “When I got on the …

• Hamlin cruises at Martinsville

  In Sports on Page B1 MARTINSVILLE, Va. – Denny Hamlin didn’t need to do anything funny to exact his revenge from Jimmie Johnson at Martinsville Speedway. He just drove right by him. And then he …

• Sports in brief: Prugh earns PGA Tour card

  In Sports on Page B1 Golf: Spokane’s Alex Prugh (Ferris, University of Washington) was one of 25 Nationwide Tour players who secured a 2010 PGA Tour card Sunday at the season-ending Nationwide Tour Championship at …

• Sports in brief: Playoff holes decide winner of PGA event

  In Sports on Page B2 GOLF: Recovering from a late collapse, Troy Matteson birdied the second playoff hole to beat Jamie Lovemark and Rickie Fowler in the Frys.com Open on Sunday at Grayhawk Golf Club …

• Today’s Best

  In Sports on Page B2 Carson Palmer Bengals quarterback completed 20 of 24 passes with five scores in 45-10 win over the Bears.

• Scoreboard

  In Sports on Page B2 Baseball ALCS

• ‘D’ lifts Boise

  In Sports on Page B3 Jeron Johnson’s eyes said it all. The Boise State safety had the words “NON” and “STOP” on his eye black stickers. And that’s exactly what Johnson and the Broncos defense …

• Cougar women clip Cal

  In Sports on Page B3 Kiersten Dallstream’s penalty kick goal in overtime gave No. 20 Washington State a 2-1 win over No. 23 California in a Pac-10 women’s soccer match Sunday in Pullman. Jacquelyn Roth’s …

• California 49, WSU 17

  In Sports on Page B3 High point For the second consecutive game we highlight a hookup between freshman quarterback Jeff Tuel and junior Johnny Forzani, the latter with less football experience than most freshmen. Trailing …

• Steelers thwart Vikings

  In Sports on Page B4 Brett Favre, Adrian Peterson and the Minnesota Vikings were anything but perfect.

• Gibbs says he won’t return to Redskins

  In Sports on Page B4 Hall of Fame former Washington Redskins coach Joe Gibbs said Sunday he has no plans to return to the struggling team. Gibbs laughed when asked at Martinsville Speedway about rumors …

• On the air

  In Sports on Page B5 For 10-26-2009

• Today’s menu

  In Sports on Page B5 For 10-26-2009

• Yoga can be an effective therapy for children with special needs

  In Features on Page C1 As she stands on her tiptoes – stretching her arms and legs and lengthening her entire body – 9-year-old Samantha Carlson takes a deep breath and smiles. “Stretch out high,” … 1

• The Slice: Let’s hope she doesn’t toss that mink coat on the floor

  In Features on Page C1 A colleague announced that his 17-year-old daughter had landed a job as a coat-check girl at an upscale Spokane establishment. “Which is ironic,” he said. “Because she never hangs anything … 1

• Pregnancy strengthens women

  In Features on Page C1 When most moms think of pregnancy, they have memories of food cravings, weight gain, fatigue, maybe stretch marks and bloated ankles. As much as I loved being pregnant and feeling …

• Life’s a circus for Carnie

  In Features on Page C2 Carnie Wilson is opening up her life as a working mom in a new reality TV series. “Carnie Wilson: Unstapled” is set to debut in January on GSN, which also …

• Annie’s Mailbox: Make effort to get out more, be social

  In Features on Page C2 Dear Annie: I am very antisocial. I don’t go to parties as often as most teens, I hardly ever invite friends over, and the few friends I do have no …

• Horoscope

  In Features on Page C2 For 10-26-2009

• Feeling glum? Get saucy

  In Features on Page C3 It wasn’t exactly a pretty picture when an unexpected snowfall blanketed the Twin Cities during the Oct. 10 weekend. We simply weren’t ready for cold temps and a whiteout of …

• Mr. Dad: Teen shouldn’t be family’s provider

  In Features on Page C3 Dear Mr. Dad: I’m 17, and my father walked out when I was 9. Since then it’s been my three younger brothers, my mom and me. But my relationship with …

• Things to do

  In Features on Page C3 Tuesday

• E-mail from undergrads get failing grade

  In Features on Page C5 DEAR MISS MANNERS: You could assist an entire profession if you would advise undergraduates on how to compose e-mail messages to their professors. Like my colleagues, I’ve received peremptory messages … 1

• Childproofing tips help prevent playground-related injuries

  In Features on Page C5 Every year, more than 200,000 children younger than 14 are treated for playground-related injuries nationwide. Here are tips for creating a safe play space from Dr. Jim Schmidt, co-founder of …