Stories for April 8, 2011

• Blanchette: Benched Wilson on hot seat

  In Sports At least it didn’t take six weeks into the season and a clubhouse nap by the franchise icon for things to unravel. 1

• Mariners routed in home opener

  In Sports Travis Hafner had an RBI single and hit a three-run homer that nearly reached the third-deck of seats as part of Cleveland’s 10-run fourth inning, and the Indians won their … 5

• Congress reaches deal, shutdown averted

  In Nation/World WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says a last-minute deal with congressional leaders to avert a government shutdown happened because “Americans of different beliefs came together.” 22

• Spokane, Tri-City open their playoff series

  In Sports It would seem like the stage is set for another epic series as the Spokane Chiefs and Tri-City Americans square off in the Western Hockey League playoffs.

• Recent attacks prompt CdA district to form task force

  In Idaho, News Coeur d’Alene School District’s superintendent is pulling together a task force focused on student behavior. The decision comes in the wake of two knife attacks at district middle schools. 1

• Bergum: County, city golf-fee structure confusing

  In Sports Just a few minutes of trying to comprehend the rate structure for Spokane County’s three public courses – as posted on the county’s website – my head exploded. 1

• DNA catches up to convicted rapist

  In City, News A Spokane man was sentenced essentially to time served Friday for a sexual assault in 1999 that remained unsolved until DNA caught up to him. 1

• Black Sheep squadron lands at Pappy Boyington Field

  In Idaho, News Two fighter jets from the U.S. Marines’ famed Black Sheep squadron landed today at the Coeur d’Alene Airport/Pappy Boyington Field, coming at long last to recognize the airport’s renaming in … 2

• Manny Ramirez announces his retirement from baseball

  In Sports Tampa Bay Rays slugger Manny Ramirez told Major League Baseball on Friday that he is retiring after being notified of an issue that arose under MLB’s drug policy. The commissioner’s …

• Otter signs ed reform bill, referendum filed to overturn it

  In Idaho Idaho Gov. Butch Otter signed the third major school reform bill into law on Friday, and a parents’ group immediately filed the paperwork to launch a referendum drive to overturn … 4

• Time’s about up: Shutdown looms without agreement

  In Nation/World On the brink of a painful government shutdown, the Obama administration readied furlough notices for hundreds of thousands of workers today as Republican and Democratic leaders accused each other of … 42

• Pasco family survived Snoqualmie snowslide

  In Nation/World Tana and Kent Parker were driving home from Seattle over Snoqualmie Pass on Wednesday when a snowslide slammed into their Nissan Pathfinder. It smashed their windshield, covered them in ice …

• Obama could address grads in tiny Washington school

  In City, News President Barack Obama might deliver the graduation commencement speech at a tiny rural school in north-central Washington, the White House said today. 32

• NW today: Zoo chick swap tricks rare condors

  In Region Keepers at the Oregon Zoo have pulled off a California condor chick trick. An inexperienced pair of the endangered condors got rough with a freshly hatched chick last weekend, and … 1

• Three stabbed at underage drinking party

  In City Two teen-agers and a young adult were stabbed early today at an underage drinking party in the Indian Trail area of northwest Spokane. 13

• Weather clearing for Saturday into Sunday

  In City, Idaho The weather through the weekend should be a little bit sunnier, a little bit drier and a little bit warmer than it has been in recent days. 1

• Political war puts troops’ pay at risk

  In Nation/World on Page A1 WASHINGTON – The threat to U.S. troops’ paychecks during a government shutdown has rattled military families and others sympathetic to young soldiers, sailors, air crews and Marines fighting distant wars. … 32

• Budget standoff down to the wire

  In Nation/World on Page A1 WASHINGTON – The threat of a government shutdown at midnight tonight ticked closer Thursday night as White House and congressional budget negotiators again failed to reach a deal. But as … 8

• Efforts bring higher graduation rates at area high schools

  In City on Page A1 Fewer students in Spokane are dropping out of school. Spokane Public Schools improved its on-time graduation rate by 8 percentage points in 2010, state data showed Thursday, and officials credit … 8

• Idaho Legislature finishes ‘difficult’ session

  In Idaho on Page A1 BOISE – The Senate killed a hard-fought energy compromise by one vote, the House speaker booted two moderates out of their committee chairmanships, and Idaho’s wild 2011 legislative session ground … 6

• City ready to toss Expo-era sculpture

  In City on Page A1 When noted Pacific Northwest artist Charles W. Smith was creating a sculpture in what became Riverfront Park, he was often asked what it represented. “Nothing,” he told a Spokane Daily … 6

• Accuracy watch

  In City on Page A2 For 04-08-2011

• Military’s ‘don’t ask’ training going well

  In Nation/World on Page A2 WASHINGTON – Training for the repeal of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy that prohibits gays from serving openly in the military is going better than expected, military leaders told … 2

• Arizona lawmakers OK guns on campus

  In Nation/World on Page A3 PHOENIX – A proposal to let people have guns while driving or walking through state university and community college campuses cleared its final hurdle in the Arizona Legislature on Thursday. …

• Gunman kills 12 students in Brazil

  In Nation/World on Page A3 RIO DE JANEIRO – A gunman roamed the halls of an elementary school in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday and killed 12 children, lining them up against a wall and …

• Wisconsin judicial race turns on error

  In Nation/World on Page A3 A conservative Wisconsin Supreme Court justice is likely to keep his job after a county clerk announced Thursday that she found 7,500 more votes for him, putting the incumbent ahead …

• Terror alerts to be simpler

  In Nation/World on Page A3 WASHINGTON – Terror alerts from the government will soon have just two levels of warnings – elevated and imminent – and those will be relayed to the public only under … 1

• Prince settles for smaller mansion

  In Nation/World on Page A3 LOS ANGELES – A Saudi prince who outraged residents of a posh Los Angeles neighborhood by applying to build an 85,000-square-foot compound there has withdrawn the proposal and will instead …

• Blackout strikes much of Venezuela

  In Nation/World on Page A4 CARACAS, Venezuela – A blackout hit a large swath of Venezuela on Thursday, darkening street lights, shutting down the Caracas subway and forcing President Hugo Chavez’s government to resort to … 1

• Airstrikes blamed on NATO hit Libyan rebels; four killed

  In Nation/World on Page A4 BENGHAZI, Libya – Four Libyan rebel fighters were killed in airstrikes Thursday that the opposition’s top general blamed on NATO. The incident followed the death of 13 rebels last weekend …

• Citizenship given to Syrian Kurds

  In Nation/World on Page A4 BEIRUT, Lebanon – The Syrian president granted citizenship Thursday to thousands of Kurds, fulfilling a key demand of the country’s long ostracized minority and making another overture amid extraordinary anti-government …

• Aftershock jolts northeast Japan

  In Nation/World on Page A4 SENDAI, Japan – A strong aftershock ripped through northeastern Japan, killing two, injuring dozens and piling more misery on a region still buried under the rubble of last month’s devastating …

• Vestal: Partners find formula for success in Kenya

  In City on Page A5 It’s the babies that get you. When Stacey Mainer and Sandy Ivers talk about the work they do in rural Kenya, it rings with all the sadness and all the … 4

• Public to pay for GOP suit

  In Idaho on Page A5 BOISE – Idaho lawmakers rushed through a bill to pay $100,000 to the Idaho Republican Party – to which 81 percent of them belong – in the final days of … 4

• In brief: Woman, 31, killed in crash on interstate

  In City on Page A5 A Western Washington woman died after a one-car rollover crash on Interstate 90 near Ritzville on Thursday. Marisa M. Morgan, 31, died at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center after being …

• Jim Kershner’s This day in history

  In City on Page A5 From our archives, 100 years ago Spokane was in the grip of Theodore Roosevelt fever.

• Repairs to River Queen cruise boat will keep it moving

  In City, Idaho on Page A5 Visitors to North Idaho almost were deprived of a popular tourist attraction this summer – a Mississippi sternwheeler replica that offers cruises on the Spokane River from June through September. …

• Protesters march through Capitol

  In City on Page A6 OLYMPIA – Sixteen protesters were arrested in Washington’s Capitol outside the governor’s office Thursday in the third day of demonstrations over proposed cuts to state spending. Fifteen, including three from … 8

• Judge rejects request to unseal FBI affidavit in Harpham case

  In City on Page A6 A federal judge ruled Thursday that preserving a fair trial for domestic terrorism suspect Kevin W. Harpham outweighs the public’s right to know what evidence the federal agents gathered to … 1

• Idahoans seek loans to save homes

  In City, Idaho on Page A6 BOISE – Some 250 Idaho residents facing the loss of their homes have requested applications for an emergency home loan through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development program …

• In brief: Grandson held in disappearance

  In City on Page A6 The grandson of a woman missing from Kamiah, Idaho, has been named a person of interest in her disappearance. Justin M. Hietala, 27, was arrested on suspicion of burglary on …

• Public murky about Lake CdA quality

  In Idaho on Page A7 When it comes to water quality in Lake Coeur d’Alene, local residents are pretty savvy. They think the lake is cleaner now than it was 40 years ago. That’s generally …

• Idaho records

  In City on Page A7 For 04-08-2011

• Washington records

  In City on Page A7 Spokane County Marriage licenses

• Consumer borrowing rises

  In Business on Page A8 WASHINGTON – U.S. consumers borrowed more money in February to buy new cars and attend school, but they cut back on using their credit cards to make purchases. Borrowing increased …

• Briefcase

  In Business on Page A8 GE to expand into solar market NEW YORK – GE is taking aim at the world’s biggest solar company in a bid to expand into a fast-growing renewable energy market.

• Here’s the Dirt: Williams Seafood makes a big move

  In Business on Page A8 Williams Seafood soon will be fishing in a bigger pond. Owner Mike Offield said the 30-year-old business will move from its longtime location at 10627 E. Sprague Ave. to 2116 … 1

• To boost startups, Facebook opens server designs

  In Business on Page A8 PALO ALTO, Calif. — Facebook says it wants to help others build startups more easily and efficiently by sharing the technology behind the servers that power its massive online social …

• State Line Speedway bought by investors group

  In Business on Page A8 A group of investors based in Alaska has purchased State Line Speedway, the track’s manager said Thursday. The new owner is Competitive Edge LLC, which this week takes over managing …

• Editorial: New federal withholding tax needs swift repeal

  In Opinion on Page A11 Local governments and the businesses they deal with have a valid beef with a coming federal tax law that has already been delayed once but needs to be repealed altogether. … 3

• U.S. subverting its own law

  In Opinion on Page A11 On the same day President Barack Obama formally launched his re-election campaign, his attorney general, Eric Holder, announced that key suspects in the 9/11 attacks would be tried not in … 2

• Motorist protection neglected

  In Letters, Opinion on Page A11 The Washington state Legislature deserves an “F” this session for ignoring an opportunity to protect you and your families from repeat DUI offenders. One of the most important bills was … 3

• Mouse click’s a meek protest

  In Letters, Opinion on Page A11 Regarding “Afghan riots claim nine – Rage over Quran burning continues”: 2

• Salary sheds no light

  In Letters, Opinion on Page A11 Allan de Laubenfels’ letter of March 29 speaks prosaically of the “best and brightest” people. Does de Laubenfels actually believe all we need do to get better teachers is double … 3

• Annual Social Security statements going online

  In Nation/World on Page A12 WASHINGTON – Those yearly statements that Social Security mails out – here’s what you’d get if you retired at 62, at 66, at 70 – will soon stop arriving in …

• In brief: Video shows aides tormenting patient

  In Nation/World on Page A12 Philadelphia – Aides at an assisted living facility assaulted and mocked a half-naked dementia patient as the elderly woman struggled to flee her room and escape the torment, according to …

• Trump No. 2 among likely GOP voters

  In Nation/World on Page A12 LOS ANGELES – Donald Trump, the man none of the pundits took seriously as a presidential candidate, is sitting comfortably in second place, on the shoulder of the leader, in … 3

• Photo: Strange nestfellows

  In Nation/World on Page A12 Standing sentry: A deer watches over a goose nesting in an urn at Forest Lawn Cemeteries in Buffalo, N.Y., on Thursday. For the past week or so, the deer has …

• Ireland’s McIlroy, Spain’s Quiros take early lead at Masters

  In Sports on Page B1 AUGUSTA, Ga. – The flair of Rory McIlroy. The sheer power of Alvaro Quiros. These are but two of the fresh faces in golf who offered more evidence Thursday at …

• EWU guard Dean announces his intention to stay

  In Sports on Page B1 Glen Dean is staying. Eastern Washington University’s standout point guard and leading scorer announced Thursday that he will remain at Eastern after looking into the possibility of transferring in the … 1

• WSU sophomore cornerback Horton plays above size

  In Sports on Page B1 PULLMAN – Watch Damante Horton jog onto Washington State’s football field and you realize how small 5-foot-10, 160 pounds looks. Talk with Horton and you realize how quiet the sophomore …

• Chiefs recall classic playoff series against Tri-City

  In Sports on Page B1 There were three smiles, best explained by Tyler Johnson. “That series was epic, to say the least,” he said.

• In brief: Instant replay with Keefe

  In Sports on Page B1 Arena football: Spokane Shock coach Rob Keefe didn’t flinch when he faced a barrage of questions from fans in a live online chat Thursday afternoon. “With the time expiring at …

• In brief: Bulls defeat Celtics, close in on No. 1 spot

  In Sports on Page B2 NBA: Derrick Rose scored 30 points and the Chicago Bulls closed in on the top seed in the Eastern Conference by beating the visiting Boston Celtics 97-81 on Thursday. The …

• Today’s Best

  In Sports on Page B2 Jeshua Anderson WSU senior advanced to Saturday’s final of 400 hurdles in Texas Relays in a time of 50.94 seconds.

• Scoreboard

  In Sports on Page B2 Baseball American League

• Spokane hockey player Venerus dies at 62 of liver cancer

  In Sports on Page B2 The Spokane hockey community lost one of its favorite sons on Tuesday when Novelli “Nels” Venerus died at the age of 62 following a yearlong battle with liver cancer. Venerus, …

• Newsmakers

  In Sports on Page B2 Hired Fresno State hired Rodney Terry as its new men’s basketball coach. Athletic director Thomas Boeh announced the move Thursday. The hire comes just weeks after Steve Cleveland stepped down …

• Roundup: Zags hope strong play continues into WCC season

  In Sports on Page B3 The preconference schedule has been productive for the Gonzaga Bulldogs. In their 26 games, GU has won 16, including 11 of its last 14, swept national power UC Irvine at …

• On the air

  In Sports on Page B4 For 04-08-2011

• Today’s menu

  In Sports on Page B4 For 04-08-2011

• Mariners open home slate tonight against Cleveland

  In Sports on Page B5 After nearly two months in Arizona and a six-game road trip to open the regular season, new Seattle manager Eric Wedge was ready to come home and finally enjoy a …

• Kopp’s retirement announcement came too soon

  In Sports on Page B6 When the racing community last heard from Mica’s Joe Kopp, he had plans to retire from competitive AMA motorcycle racing and start a new chapter in his life. “I guess …

• Hunting and fishing roundup

  In Outdoors on Page B6 Fly fishing Brooks Sanford at Clark Fork Trout and Tackle in St. Regis, Mont., said anyone who calls (406) 649-2538 before Saturday can book a guided fly-fishing trip for any …

• Friday night’s all right for Elton

  In Features on Page C1 The Inland Northwest has enjoyed a long and happy relationship with Elton John. At least, John should be happy with it, from a box-office standpoint. His show tonight at the … 1

• The Slice: A thief or not a thief? That is the question

  In Features on Page C1 Spokane isn’t the only place plagued with this problem. But the theft of bicycles is so common here that it seems fair to wonder if something like 49 percent of …

• Horoscope

  In Features on Page C2 For 04-08-2011

• Carolyn Hax: Husband’s lack of planning hurts

  In Features on Page C2 Hi, Carolyn: I love my husband dearly, and I do believe he loves me, too. I just don’t always feel it from him. It’s my birthday today, and he asked …

• Nightclubs

  In Features on Page C3 315 Martinis and Tapas Restaurant, Greenbriar Inn, 315 E. Wallace Ave., Coeur d’Alene: tonight, Stephen King (variety), 6-9 p.m.; Saturday, The Jazz Guys (jazz), 6-9 p.m.; Tuesday, Nick Schilling Trio …

• Whatever your genre, there’s live music for you

  In Features on Page C3 Leaving virtually no genre unturned, the coming week’s local live music highlights hit all over the musical map, covering West Coast hip-hop, Island-bred reggae-rock, East Coast Christian metalcore, Northwest junkyard …

• Coming Up

  In Features on Page C3 Unless otherwise noted, tickets are available through TicketsWest (TW; 800-325-SEAT, www.ticketswest.com); Ticketmaster (TM; 800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com); or TicketFly (TF; 877-4FLYTIX, www.ticketfly.com). Prices do not include service charges. Tickets for events at …

• Fifteen set to vie for ‘Got Talent Spokane?’ crown

  In Features on Page C3 Fifteen performers will compete in the final round of “Got Talent Spokane?” on Saturday at the Bing Crosby Theater. Those who made the cut through recent auditions include 10 singers/musicians, …

• Miss Manners: Facebook ‘friends’ bore with mundane matters

  In Features on Page C5 DEAR MISS MANNERS – What do you think about Facebook “friends” who post things that no one cares about, like “I took a nap today” or “I woke up feeling …

• Remake tarnishes ‘Arthur’

  In Features on Page D2 There’s not enough liquor on the planet to obliterate the memory of “Arthur.” This feeble remake is not just repugnant for its lack of humor, amateurish acting and lead-footed pacing, …

• ‘Your Highness’ may play in high society

  In Features on Page D2 The conversation probably went something like this: David Gordon Green: “I really enjoyed directing ‘Pineapple Express.’ It was so different from the rest of my miniature, character-driven dramas that no …

• Inspiring story lost in move to big screen

  In Features on Page D2 Watching “Soul Surfer,” the story of Bethany Hamilton’s comeback after a shark attack, makes you long for a vivid documentary on the subject instead – preferably one of those excellent …

• ‘Hanna’ offers action and innocence

  In Features on Page D2 In a remote, snowy forest in the far north, a figure in camouflage stalks a reindeer with bow and arrow. An arrow flies, the deer tumbles off across a lake …

• Twisted ‘Harry’ sequel

  In Features on Page D3 Billy Crystal’s “When Harry Met Sally” has finally gotten a sequel in a new Web video that mixes in a bit of “Twilight.” In his first video for comedy website …

• Film events

  In Features on Page D3 “Inside Job” - Documentary exploring how the American financial industry set out to defraud investors. Rated PG-13. Today-Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave., Sandpoint. $7/adults, $6/seniors and …

• Lauer, Vieira set to leave ‘Today’ by ’12

  In Features on Page D4 By 2012, Matt Lauer and Meredith Vieira will both have departed the “Today” show, leaving no big stars on NBC’s top-rated morning show, according to reports from Entertainment Tonight and …

• Digital effects wanting in latest ‘Narnia’

  In Features on Page D4 Available this week on DVD: “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader”: Maybe it’s the post-production 3-D enhancements, but in this effects-laden “Odyssey” for tweens, sometimes humans …

• A playful, poignant ‘fairy tale’ on wildlife

  In Features on Page D4 A large-format IMAX nature film of the type normally seen in museums and science centers, “Born to be Wild” celebrates the efforts of two intrepid women, half a world apart, …

• Golden glow

  In Sports on Page K2 Jack Nicklaus was 46, winless for two years, and six years removed from his 17th major title. Not even the Golden Bear liked his odds of winning when he arrived …

• Pleasures of Pendleton

  In Sports on Page K6 There are many Spokane golfers who make an annual early spring getaway to the Tri-Cities, where they sample a diverse array of interesting and affordable public courses in an attempt …

• Scenic course a real test

  In Sports on Page K7 This John Steidel-designed gem is part of the Wildhorse Resort & Casino, which is operated by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and is currently undergoing a massive …

• Marking history

  In Sports on Page K8 Spokane Country Club will celebrate its 100-year anniversary of the move to its current site with an open house from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Friday, April 29. As part of the … 5

• Pendleton CC can fool you

  In Sports on Page K10 Founded in 1929 as a nine-hole course inside Pendleton’s city limits, Pendleton Country Club was relocated to its current cite between Pendleton and Pilot Rock in 1958. The current layout …