Stories for October 30, 2009

• Shots went through neighbor’s wall in Valley shooting

  In City A man has been taken to the hospital after an officer-involved shooting in Spokane Valley. His condition is unknown. 7

• Stocks swoon as worries about the economy return

  In Business Grim signals about consumer spending ripped through the markets Friday, sending stocks tumbling as investors raced for safe havens.

• Troopers who used fake diplomas will be suspended

  In City Eight Washington State Patrol troopers who used diplomas from fake schools to try and claim pay raises will be suspended, but not fired. 26

• Congressional ethics report leaks, revealing names

  In Nation/World, City Internal investigations into the conduct of over two dozen House members were exposed in an extraordinary, Internet-era breach involving the secretive process by which Congress polices lawmaker ethics. 5

• Wash. stimulus update show more than $1.4B spent

  In City More than $1.4 billion in federal stimulus money has been spent in Washington state, and the influx of cash has helped pay for tens of thousands of jobs, officials said … 1

• Spokane soldier killed in Afghanistan

  In City A decorated Spokane soldier was among the seven U.S. servicemen killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan this week, the Department of Defense announced Thursday. 6

• Military plane, helicopter collide off California

  In Nation/World The U.S. Coast Guard and Navy were still hoping Friday to find survivors of a collision between a Coast Guard plane carrying seven people and a Marine Corps helicopter carrying … 1

• Weather to bring more trick than treat

  In City, Idaho Halloween weather may be a little spooky as another in a series of Pacific storms moves toward the region late tonight, bringing wind gusts and a chance of showers by …

• Victims challenge robbers in two CdA incidents

  In Idaho Three women foiled two robberies within minutes of each other Thursday night in Coeur d’Alene when they challenged the masked gunman, according to police. 1

• Property taxes are due Monday

  In City Monday is the deadline for Washington residents to pay the second half of their property taxes.

• Internet buzzing with support for expelled Mead student

  In News Hundreds of Mead High School students and others are sticking up for a classmate expelled and arrested this week after allegedly threatening to kill a teacher as a joke, saying … 27

• County boots raceway operator; debts remain

  In City on Page A1 Spokane County commissioners Thursday fired the company they hired less than a year ago to operate the county’s Raceway Park, their controversial purchase near Airway Heights that drew crowds this … 14

• Woman offered reward for capture of ‘strange specter’

  In City on Page A1 If the ghost that haunted Elizabeth McLanahan at her Cheney home in 1909 is still around, he’s not doing much harm. Unless you’re concerned about needlessly depleting the water supply. 1

• Women’s tourney returns in 2011

  In City on Page A1 It has become commonplace for Spokane to host NCAA basketball tournament games, but on Thursday the NCAA upped the ante. Not only will Washington State University and the Spokane Arena …

• Some of the chill coming out of Avista bills

  In City on Page A1 A steady decline in natural-gas prices will mean lower energy bills for Avista Utilities customers in Washington and Idaho. Effective Sunday, Washington residential and small-business customers will see natural gas …

• Per capita water use drops in U.S.

  In Nation/World on Page A2 FRESNO, Calif. – Americans are using less water per person now than they have since the mid-1950s, thanks to water-saving technologies and a nationwide push to safeguard dwindling supplies. A … 2

• Accuracy watch

  In City on Page A2 For 10-30-2009

• Pelosi unveils House’s health reform proposal

  In Nation/World on Page A3 WASHINGTON – Democratic leaders Thursday invoked the spirit of generations of party heroes to rally their members of the House of Representatives behind a new health care plan – but …

• Lawmakers face ethics probe

  In Nation/World on Page A3 WASHINGTON – Nearly half the members of a powerful House subcommittee in control of Pentagon spending are under scrutiny by ethics investigators in Congress who have trained their lens on …

• Obama honors fallen Americans

  In Nation/World on Page A3 WASHINGTON – Hours after a personal encounter with the grim cost of war, President Barack Obama said Thursday the sight of 18 flag-covered cases holding the remains of Americans killed … 1

• In brief: Senate confirms surgeon general

  In Nation/World on Page A3 WASHINGTON – The Senate on Thursday confirmed Dr. Regina Benjamin to be the U.S. surgeon general, elevating a well- known Alabama family physician to be the nation’s top doctor. Benjamin, …

• Clinton frank during Pakistan visit

  In Nation/World on Page A4 ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton expressed doubt Thursday over Pakistan’s failure to locate top al-Qaida leaders in the eight years since they escaped over the border …

• Sailing British pair captured by pirates

  In Nation/World on Page A4 MOGADISHU, Somalia – Paul and Rachel Chandler, a retired British couple who sailed to exotic locales aboard their 38-foot yacht, said in one of their last cheery messages they would …

• Firm audited over Iraq billing

  In Nation/World on Page A4 WASHINGTON – A defense contractor that supplied vehicle parts for the Iraqi army sought reimbursements from the U.S. military far in excess of the cost of the items, according to …

• In brief: Honduran leaders said to sign deal

  In Nation/World on Page A4 TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras – A top official said negotiators for Honduras’ interim and ousted leaders have signed an agreement that allows for the possible return of deposed President Manuel Zelaya. Organization …

• UI settles with ex-workers

  In City on Page A5 The University of Idaho has settled a lawsuit with two former employees who claimed they were punished for reporting concerns that a high-profile researcher was using university resources to benefit …

• Biker in fatal crash had killed two

  In City on Page A5 The biker killed in a crash Wednesday had been a member of the Ghost Riders motorcycle gang and served time in prison for killing two people. Michael W. Fraser, 51, … 5

• Last walk-in flu clinic held

  In City on Page A5 Parents and children stood in a chilly mix of rain and snow Thursday afternoon outside of Shiloh Hills Elementary School for the last walk-in swine flu vaccination clinic. Though there …

• In brief: Spokane soldier died in crash

  In City on Page A5 A decorated Spokane soldier was among the seven U.S. servicemen killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan this week, the Department of Defense announced Thursday. Chief Warrant Officer Niall D. …

• Mead teen gets online support

  In City on Page A6 Hundreds of Mead High School students and others are sticking up for a classmate expelled and arrested this week after allegedly threatening to kill a teacher as a joke, saying … 1

• Idaho Max marks milestone

    In Idaho on Page A6 BOISE – Idaho’s maximum security prison marked its 20th anniversary Thursday, with two of its units sitting vacant. It’s not that Idaho doesn’t have enough prisoners – it’s short on … 1

• County jail lieutenants make contract concessions

  In City on Page A6 Spokane County jail lieutenants have agreed to contract concessions wiping out their cost-of-living raises, overtime and comp time in 2010. The agreement with the county, which comes as most departments …

• Medicaid patients dying from painkillers

  In City on Page A6 SEATTLE – Washington Medicaid patients are nearly six times more likely to die of a prescription painkiller overdose than others in the state, according to a study of death statistics. …

• Three men questioned in string of robberies

  In City on Page A6 Three men arrested after an armed robbery Wednesday night are being questioned about a string of robberies in Spokane County in the past month. Nedzad Mesanovic, 20, of Spokane; Miroslav …

• Grants offer relief to poor in region

  In City on Page A7 The region’s impoverished received help Thursday from public and private sources to ease the effects of the economic downturn. Spokane County received a $622,278 federal grant to help people on …

• Schools initiate nicotine screening

  In City on Page A8 BURLEY, Idaho – The Cassia County School Board says its schools will begin testing some student athletes for nicotine in an effort to measure tobacco use. The board voted this … 1

• Idaho records

  In City on Page A8 For 10-30-2009

• Washington records

  In City on Page A8 Spokane County Marriage licenses

• College crowd keeps growing

  In City on Page A9 Community colleges’ enrollment traditionally increases with unemployment rates. A record high of about 11.5 million Americans ages 18 to 24, or nearly 40 percent, attended college in October 2008, according …

• Data confirm growth

  In Business on Page A10 WASHINGTON – The U.S. economy roared to life this summer as an array of government actions led to the strongest quarter of growth in two years. The Commerce Department reported …

• Paper flower purveyor opens downtown shop

    In Business on Page A10 After running her business for seven years out of a studio attached to her house, Mary Eberle has moved her handmade paper flower store into RiverPark Square in downtown Spokane. …

• Local companies report mixed earnings

  In Business on Page A10 Clearwater Paper Corp. on Thursday reported third-quarter results bolstered by the strong performance of its consumer products operations. Clearwater said net income reached $46.2 million, or $3.92 a share, compared …

• In brief: Expedia reports rise in bookings

  In Business on Page A10 BELLEVUE, Wash. – Bookings are up at online travel company Expedia Inc., pushing its profit up despite prices for flights and hotels holding or softening. The company said Thursday that …

• AmericanWest bank reports loss, stabilization

  In Business on Page A10 AmericanWest Bancorporation on Thursday reported a third-quarter loss but progress toward stabilizing operations at the Spokane-based institution. The loss was $28.4 million, or $1.65 a share, compared with a third-quarter … 1

• Amy Goodman: To stem suicides, end wars

  In Opinion on Page A13 U.S. Army Reserve Spc. Chancellor Keesling died in Iraq on June 19, 2009, from “a non-combat related incident,” according to the Pentagon. Keesling had killed himself. He was just one …

• Smart grid will put our energy use in fast lane

  In Opinion on Page A13 When a group of tech-savvy people gathered for a conference in Spokane last April, there were plenty of ideas about how to make the nation’s electrical grid “smarter.” Dangling in … 1

• Yankee blasts knot Series

  In Sports on Page B1 NEW YORK – Pedro Martinez, who often has thrived on being the pitcher New York Yankees fans love to hate whether he pitched for Boston or the New York Mets, …

• Mead clinches No. 1 in GSL 4A

  In Sports on Page B1 Two stout defenses clashed for a half Thursday, limiting yardage opportunities for both on the ground. But the Mead Panthers had their way through the air in defeating Central Valley …

• Coug TV: Dial or No Dial?

  In Sports on Page B1 What does Notre Dame have that Washington State doesn’t? Other than a 28-point Vegas handicap on Saturday? That’s easy. A TV network.

• Sterk was dying to play Irish

  In Sports on Page B1 PULLMAN – Jim Sterk was in Seattle’s Virginia Mason Medical Center in 2004, recovering from surgery. Asleep one day, the Washington State University athletic director opened his eyes to see …

• Jayhawks No. 1; Huskies No. 14

  In Sports on Page B1 For the second time in its storied basketball history, Kansas is No. 1 in The Associated Press’ preseason Top 25. The Jayhawks of coach Bill Self (pictured above) were a …

• In brief: Anthony leads Nuggets past Trail Blazers

  In Sports on Page B2 NBA: Carmelo Anthony scored 19 of his 41 points in the fourth quarter and the Denver Nuggets were helped by Portland’s trouble at the free-throw line for a 97-94 victory …

• Scoreboard

  In Sports on Page B2 Baseball World Series

• Today’s Best

  In Sports on Page B2 Alex Ovechkin Scored twice to add to his NHL-leading total, lifting the Capitals to a win over the Thrashers.

• Newsmakers

  In Sports on Page B2 Injured NHL scoring champion Evgeni Malkin will be lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins for two to three weeks because of a strained right shoulder. Malkin had been attempting to play …

• Cougs pegged for 8th

  In Sports on Page B3 The games don’t start for a couple of weeks yet, but the Washington State Cougars know what the West Coast media thinks of them. Not all that much. 1

• Sounders, Dynamo scoreless in Seattle

  In Sports on Page B3 SEATTLE – Blood, noise and yellow cards outnumbered scoring chances as the expansion Seattle Sounders debuted in the MLS playoffs with a 0-0 draw against the Houston Dynamo Thursday night …

• Plucked Eagles hit bottom of heap

  In Sports on Page B3 So what if college officials have rejected proposals for a Bottom Ten Bowl game that would be played in Flushing Meadows, N.Y.? Just Saturday, two winless non-powers collided in a …

• Vandals set sights on Porter

  In Sports on Page B3 MOSCOW, Idaho – Late in fall camp, Idaho defensive coordinator Mark Criner was tending to last-minute Week 1 details when his phone buzzed. On the line were members of Auburn’s …

• Tatupu’s season finished

  In Sports on Page B3 RENTON, Wash. – Seattle’s fourth fallen star had his season end Thursday. A team spokesman said three-time Pro Bowl middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu went on the injured reserve list while …

• Heels give Hokies the boot

  In Sports on Page B3 BLACKSBURG, Va. – Casey Barth kicked a 21-yard field goal on the final play and North Carolina stopped No. 14 Virginia Tech all night in a 20-17 football victory on …

• On the air

  In Sports on Page B4 For 10-30-2009

• Today’s menu

  In Sports on Page B4 For 10-30-2009

• Post Falls stymies Vikings

  In Sports on Page B5 The Post Falls football team kept its faint state playoff hopes alive with a 13-7 win over Coeur d’Alene in a 5A Inland Empire League game Thursday. Now Post Falls …

• Lakeside rules district meet

  In Sports on Page B5 Behind individual champions Ryan Rojeski and Evangeline Rehwaldt, Lakeside’s boys and girls captured team titles in the District 7 1A cross country state-qualifying races at the Chewelah Golf and Country …

• UI volleyball climbs into tie for second place

  In Sports on Page B5 Sarah Conwell had 12 kills and 10 digs to spark Idaho to a taut 3-1 win over New Mexico State in a Western Athletic Conference volleyball showdown in Moscow Thursday. …

• Idaho State cross country

  In Sports on Page B5 When: Saturday Where: Circling Raven Golf Course, Worley 1

• Hunting + fishing

  In Sports on Page B6 Salmon and steelhead If you haven’t planned a steelhead trip for this year, you’ll be kicking yourself come spring barbecue time as we’re not likely to see another run of …

• Steve Martin will mix banjo, laughs at The Fox

  In Features on Page C1 It should come as no surprise that Steve Martin has sold out the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox for a show on Monday. He’s one of the most popular …

• Pieces in place for Civic Theatre’s ‘Chess’ production

  In Features on Page C1 Love? Intrigue? Chess? Those three concepts are compatible in the musical “Chess,” by the ABBA team of Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson.

• The Slice: Would that make us preg-matists?

  In Features on Page C1 Maybe people everywhere think they have this ability. But according to my unofficial findings, seven out of 10 adults in Spokane believe they can tell at a glance that a …

• With this ring, I thee rob

  In Features on Page C2 Four people have been charged in connection with the theft of more than $3 million in luxury goods from Hollywood celebrities including Lindsay Lohan, Orlando Bloom and Megan Fox. More …

• Don’t shelter kids from facts of life

  In Features on Page C2 Dear Carolyn: My husband and I had a discussion on mourning practices, in particular my mourning my sister, who has been dead for 12 years. He said that when we …

• Horoscope

  In Features on Page C2 For 10-30-2009

• At a glance: Loggins and Messina

  What: Your mama probably will dance (and your daddy will rock and roll) to these reunited ’70s pop-rockers. When: Saturday, 8:30 p.m.

• At a glance: Fall Folk Festival

  What: Music, dance and other folk traditions from around the globe, presented by performers from throughout the Northwest. When: Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 5 …

• At a glance: ‘Michael Jackson’s This Is It’

  Footage from the late King of Pop’s rehearsals for his planned comeback shows in London. Running time/rating: 1:52; PG for some suggestive choreography and scary images

• At a glance: ‘Warren Miller’s Dynasty’

  What: The 60th annual offering from the master of ski movies, filmed on location from China to Alaska to Norway to Colorado to British Columbia to Washington’s Crystal Mountain, narrated …

• At a glance: ‘A Serious Man’

  Dark Coen brothers comedy about a physics professor whose formerly comfortable life falls apart. Running time/rating: 1:45; R for language, some sexuality/nudity and brief violence

• At a glance: Spokane Opera Gala Concert

  What: Celebrating the company’s first 24 years, featuring operatic and musical theater pieces performed by 15 singers including Seattle tenor Gregory Carroll, pictured above. When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.

• Wide mix rocks Knitting Factory

  In Features on Page C4 The Knitting Factory Concert House will be rocking to both extremes over the coming week, with a series of shows that range from hard to soft, from prog-metal to TV-soundtrack …

• Clubs

  In Features on Page C4 Annie Fannie’s Bar, Grill and Casino, 3827 E. Boone Ave.: Saturday, Halloween Costume Party with DJ Aphrodisiac (variety), 9 p.m., $5 cover. Baja Bargarita at Toro Viejo Mexican Restaurant, 115 …

• Coming Up

  In Features on Page C4 Unless otherwise noted, tickets are available through TicketsWest (TW; 800-325-SEAT, www.ticketswest.com) or Ticketmaster (TM; 800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com). Prices do not include service charges. Tickets for events at the Martin Woldson Theater …

• ‘This Is It’ shines light on Michael

  In Features on Page C5 “Michael Jackson’s This Is It” looks beyond the reconstructed face and spindly body of the late King of Pop and basks in his meteoric light. Culled from more than 100 …

• Coen brothers stay dark, solid with ‘Serious Man’

  In Features on Page C5 “A Serious Man,” the Coen brothers’ most explicitly autobiographical movie to date, may well come to be seen as the filmmakers’ urtext – a distillation of the themes, preoccupations and, …

• ‘Twilight’ to return in advance of sequel

  In Features on Page C5 Wanting to capitalize on the teen vampire movie craze it stirred last year, Summit Entertainment is planning to re-release “Twilight” in more than 2,000 theaters Nov. 19 – the night …

• Films

  In Features on Page C6 Capsule reviews with star ratings are written by reviewers for the Philadelphia Inquirer. Opening today:

• ‘Ice Age’ shows it’s time for extinction

  In Features on Page C7 “Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs” This is the third and barely-more-than-middling-funny installment in the series of animated features about the prehistoric adventures of Manny (voice of Ray Romano), Diego …

• Unrequested advice not advised

  In Features on Page C8 DEAR MISS MANNERS: A married couple, both good friends of mine, are going through a very rough time financially. Together, they made some bad decisions that led to their current …

• Ignoring plan fed unrest

  In Letters The big loser in the current debate over Envision Spokane’s Proposition 4 is the Comprehensive Plan, an outstanding document that neither side seems to respect.

• Civic spirit in decline

  In Letters According to polls taken regarding Initiative 1033, it seems projected to pass (45 percent yes versus 32 percent no, according to King 5/Survey USA). 2

• Can’t compare public, private

  In Letters Cal Thomas seems firmly embedded in the 19th century and given to much dreaming. Once again he has extolled the virtues of private schools and called for supporting an exodus …