SR Morning Headlines (3/2/05)

* War hero Baker needs help in Medicare battle: Benefit to help Medal of Honor recipient pay bills / Cynthia Taggart , SR — Heaven help anyone who has to battle the Medicare maze. A war hero, like Vernon Baker (pictured above with President Clinton at his Medal of Honor ceremonies in January 1997), shouldn’t be in this situation.

* Friend’s fall hard lesson for teen: Judge convicts driver who let friend ride on back of car, left scene after she fell off / John Craig , SR — A friend, indeed, doesn’t leave you critically injured on the road while she drives off. One bad decision led to another.

* Paper shredder leads to nightmare: Puppy lost its tongue, then frantically bit owner; consumer group says machines can hurt children, too / Sara Leaming , SR — Don’t try this at home.

* Adviser says Spokane Valley is a ‘city without a heart’: Urban consultant urges focus on business cluster sites / Megan Cooley , SR — Like Post Falls and Hayden, there’s no there there.

* Visitors warned about car prowls: Police to increase presence during State B tournament / Jonathan Brunt , SR — ” Lock your car doors and hide your valuables.” Now, there’s a great slogan for 21st century Spokane.