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Wash. man electrocuted by urinating on power line

Authorities believe a Washington man was killed by accidentally urinating on a downed power line after a car crash.

Grays Harbor County sheriff's Deputy Dave Pimentel (PIM'-en-tel) said Monday 50-year-old Roy Messenger was not seriously hurt after he collided with a power pole Friday and called a relative to pull his car from a ditch.

However, family members found Messenger electrocuted when they …

HOW PLANS WORK

Section 529 college investment plans are definitely an attractivecollege savings opportunity.

Money invested in the plans grows tax-deferred. Then withdrawalsto pay for college expenses, including tuition, fees and room-and-board ultimately are taxed at the student's low tax rate.

The money in the account can be used at any college or university,regardless of state residence_although states, includingIllinois_give a break on state taxes that would be owed onwithdrawal.

The plan assets are not counted against the family in applying forfinancial aid. If one child does not attend college, the money can …

South Sudan rebel leader killed by own men

JUBA, South Sudan (AP) — A rebel leader was shot and killed Saturday by his own men in an oil-rich area of South Sudan days after he signed a peace deal to integrate his forces into the southern army, an army official said.

Gatluak Gai was shot dead at his headquarters in Unity state after "an internal division" within his ranks over an amnesty deal he signed earlier this week, South Sudan army spokesman Col. Philip Aguer said. Three others were also killed in the shooting, he said.

Gai was a former prison officer who rebelled against the Juba-based southern government after the disputed April 2010 national elections.

The latest case of rebel-related violence comes less …

Pacquiao, Marquez ready for Part III in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Manny Pacquiao acts as though it's personal, then claims it's not. Just another night in the ring, another notch on his belt, another bout in which he can take millions of dollars back to the Philippines.

It's not that easy for Juan Manuel Marquez. He remains convinced he won both previous two fights with Pacquiao. He will …

H&M store to open [Edition 3]

CARMARTHEN Clothing chain H&M will open a store at the town's StCatherine's Walk retail …

Trucker's Record Issue in Calif. Crash

OAKLAND, Calif. - Tough anti-terrorism rules designed to limit who can transport hazardous materials on highways don't prevent people with checkered backgrounds from becoming truckers, experts and regulators acknowledged Tuesday.

Those rules are aimed at weeding out terrorists, not necessarily other criminals, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Transportation Security Administration said.

The issue surfaced after the explosion and intense fire from driver James Mosqueda's gasoline tanker Sunday caused the collapse of a busy Bay Area highway overpass. Mosqueda, 51, cleared an FBI criminal history check and an intelligence review from the TSA despite a history of criminal …

Scientists gain in struggle against wheat rust

Researchers are deploying new wheat varieties with an array of resistant genes they hope will baffle and defeat Ug99, a highly dangerous fungus leapfrogging through wheat fields in Africa and Asia.

"Significant progress has been made," plant geneticist Ravi Singh and collaborators said in a paper presented Tuesday to leading international wheat experts at a four-day conference on combating the re-emerged, mutant form of stem rust, an old plant disease.

Scientists still spoke of a potential agricultural disaster.

"A global food crisis is still a distinct possibility if governments and international institutions fail to support this …

Board adopts H-F drug proposal

The school board of District 233 voted 4-2 Tuesday night to adoptHomewood-Flossmoor football coach John Wrenn's proposal for amandatory drug testing policy.

The board will meet Sept. 5 to determine procedure andimplementation of the policy. The board amended the proposal toinclude all interscholastic activities.

"I think it's a positive step for the community," Wrenn said."It's going in the right direction. It's important to help the kidsand this is a step in the right direction.

"The fact is, I have to go back to coaching football and let thelawyers take it from here."

Wrenn originally sought to test by suspicion, but after theChicago Sun-Times …

Team NZ pays entry fee for 2013 America's Cup

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Former holder Team New Zealand has paid the entry fee for the 34th America's Cup regatta off San Francisco in 2013, but team manager Grant Dalton says a decision is yet to be made over whether to compete.

With their entry fee paid to race management, New Zealand this week took possession of a new AC45 catamaran: a smaller, training …

Storm dumps snow on Rockies, plains, more forecast

A slow-moving autumn storm showed no signs of letting up in Colorado and the western Plains on Thursday, blanketing areas already buried with as much as 3 feet, closing schools and businesses and delaying flights.

Roads across Colorado and Wyoming were snow-packed and icy from the first big winter storm of the season in the West, and the snow's not likely to let up anytime soon. The storm spread a blanket of white from northern Utah's Wasatch Front to western Nebraska's northern border with South Dakota.

"There's definitely some adverse driving conditions right now, and it's expected to continue throughout a good portion of the day," said Bob Wilson, …

Silent film star's Fairy Castle is restored to original glory

Colleen Moore was one of the great stars of the silent-film era, andshe spared no expense or imagination when she set about making a homefit for a fabulous family of fairies.

The 1920s were a time of great prosperity, and the Hollywoodmovies and lifestyle of the period were opulent, even decadent.Moore was at the center of all that, the prototypical flapper, theactress who embodied the "Flaming Youth" of the post-World War Igeneration in the film of the same name.

But at the height of her fame, Moore was not entirely happy: Herfirst marriage, to a Hollywood producer, was failing. As a child,Moore had built several dollhouses with her father, and she turnedfor …

Kings beat Ducks 5-3, complete 2-game sweep

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Anze Kopitar scored the tiebreaking goal on his own rebound with 3:01 to play, and the Los Angeles Kings blew a two-goal lead in the final minutes of the third period before rallying to beat the Anaheim Ducks 5-3 Thursday night for back-to-back victories in the Freeway Faceoff.

After Andrew Cogliano tied it for Anaheim on …

Woeful 76ers fire GM, coach

The Philadelphia 76ers fired general manager Brad Greenberg andhead coach Johnny Davis on Sunday, one day after finishing the seasonwith the third-worst record in franchise history.

Team president and part-owner Pat Croce said he made thedecision because he "lost confidence in the management of thebasketball operation."

Croce, who persuaded former owner Harold Katz to sell the teamto a partnership he helped form in March, 1995, would not takequestions about possible replacements."My immediate focus is a search for the best people to run thisteam," Croce said.One candidate who has been mentioned is Kentucky coach RickPitino, who said last week that he has had conversations with Croce,although not specifically about taking over the 76ers. Pitinorepeatedly has said he is not interested in leaving the Wildcats.Other possible candidates are Indiana Pacers coach Larry Brown,who has asked to be released from the final two years of hiscontract, and former Detroit Pistons and New Jersey Nets coach ChuckDaly.Davis led the 76ers to a 22-60 record in his coaching debut thisseason. Attempts to reach him for comment were unsuccessful, butbefore his last game Saturday, he said, "Not many coaches, not evenveteran coaches, have had to endure a lot of things that I have."MOTTA REPORTEDLY TO BE FIRED: Denver Nuggets head coach DickMotta will be fired this week, the Denver Post reported.Assistant coaches Gene Littles, Jim Brovelli and Kip Motta alsowill be let go by vice president of basketball operations AllanBristow, sources told the newspaper.The firings have been expected since Bristow was hired inFebruary to replace Bernie Bickerstaff, who left the Nuggets to coachthe Washington Bullets.The Nuggets finished the season 21-61, including 5-29 since theAll-Star break.

Augustus helps Lynx rally past Sky in OT

Seimone Augustus scored 27 points, including the tiebreaking 3-pointer with 26.9 seconds left in overtime to lead the Minnesota Lynx to an 87-82 victory over the Chicago Sky in the WNBA on Saturday.

Lindsay Whalen had 19 points, seven assists and seven rebounds, Charde Houston added 17 points, and Monica Wright had 11 to help the Lynx (9-16) rally from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter.

Jia Perkins led Chicago (12-16) with 16 points and Sylvia Fowles had 14 points and 11 rebounds. Dominique Canty added 13 points and Tamera Young scored 10.

Storm 111, Shock 65

At Seattle, reserve Svetlana Abrosimova of Russia had 20 points and Swin Cash added 18 to help lead Seattle over Tulsa in a clash between the teams with the WNBA's best and worst records.

Seattle set a league record for largest margin of victory (46 points), topping by one point a win by the Houston Comets in 1998.

Australia's Lauren Jackson added 12 points and 10 rebounds for Seattle (24-4), which won its second straight game after two consecutive losses. The Storm improved to 15-0 at home.

Ivory Latta had 14 points to lead Tulsa (5-24), which has lost nine of 10 and 21 of 23.

Ferrero beats Ljubicic to reach quarterfinals

UMAG, Croatia (AP) — Defending champion Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain defeated third-seeded Croatian Ivan Ljubicic on Wednesday to reach the quarterfinals of the Croatia Open.

Ferrero rallied from one set down and saved a break point at 3-3 in the second to change the course of the match and beat Ljubicic 1-6, 6-3, 6-4.

"I tried not to make mistakes after the first set," he said. "I gave him too many easy points in the first set ... It worked much better as match went on."

Ljubicic, playing for the first time in a a month, impressed during the first set but could not keep up the pace and served poorly, with only 36 percent of his first serves in.

"My serve was beyond any acceptable statistic levels," he complained. "It was tough to keep concentration for two hours after such a long break."

Ljubicic also said that "conditions in Umag are not suitable for me, it's too slow."

Ferrero will next face Carlos Berlocq of Argentina who progressed after fifth-seeded Tommy Robredo of Spain withdrew because of a left calf injury.

Also Wednesday, Albert Ramos of Spain defeated Gianluca Naso of Italy 6-1, 6-3, and second-seeded Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine beat Filippo Volandri of Italy 6-1, 6-2.

MAHONEY,HON.PATRICK MORGAN,P.C., Q.C.,B.A., LL.B.

B. Jan. 20, 1929 in Winnipeg, Man. S. of Paul Morgan Mahoney and Joan Ethel Tracy Patrick. Ed. at Univ. of Alta. M. Jun. 28, 1958 to Mary Alma Sneath (Regina, Sask.). Four children: Michael George, Patrick Murray, Sheila Mary and D'Arcy Carole. Political Career: First elected to the H. of C. g.e. 1968. Appt'd: Parl. Sec. to Min. of Finance, 1970 and Min. of State, Jan. 28, 1972. Sworn to the Privy Council Jan. 28, 1972 (Rt. Hon. P.E. Trudeau). Private Career: Called to the Alta. Bar, 1952. Appt'd: Judge of the Federal Court of Can., Trial Div., Sept. 13, 1973; Court of Appeal Div., Jul. 18, 1983; Judge of the Court Martial Appeal Court of Can., Nov. 15, 1973 and Chief Justice of the Court, Mar. 17, 1982. Appt'd Q.C., 1972.

MAHONEY, HON. PATRICK MORGAN, C.P., C.R., B.A., LL.B. N� le 20 janv. 1929 � Winnipeg, Man. Fils de Paul Morgan Mahoney et Joan Ethel Tracy Patrick. Fit ses �tudes � l'Univ. de l'Alta. M. le 28 juin 1958 � Mary Alma Sneath (R�gina, Sask.). Quatre enfants: Michael George, Patrick Murray, Sheila Mary et D'Arcy Carole. Carri�re politique: �lu pour la premi�re fois � la C. des c. �.g. 1968. Nomm�: Sec. parl au min. des Finances en 1970 et min. d'�tat le 28 janv. 1972. Asserment� au conseil priv� le 28 janv. 1972 (le Tr�s hon. P.E. Trudeau). Carri�re priv�e: Nomm� au Barreau de l'Alta. en 1952. Nomm�: juge de la Cour f�d�rale du Can., div. de premi�re instance le 13 sept. 1973; � la Cour f�d�rale, div. d'appel le 18 juill. 1983; juge � la Cour d'appel de la cour martiale du Can. le 15 nov. 1973 et Juge en chef de la Cour le 17 mars 1982. Nomm� C.R. en 1972.

China beats Hong Kong at East Asian Champs

Forward Qu Bo scored twice as China defeated Hong Kong 2-0 on Sunday at the East Asian Championship.

Bo opened the scoring in the final minute of the first half and then doubled the lead with a penalty in the 74th after midfielder Jiang Ning was taken down in the area.

China moved to seven points from three games while Hong Kong remained winless in the four-nation tournament.

Host Japan, which defeated Hong Kong 3-0 on Thursday, plays defending champion South Korea later Sunday in the final game.

China, Japan and South Korea can all win the title depending on the outcome of the last game.

Pakistan's Bhutto Free From House Arrest

Pakistan announced plans to lift its state of emergency within one month and allowed opposition leader Benazir Bhutto to leave her villa following a day under house arrest, as the country sought Saturday to restore its battered image at home and abroad.

President Gen. Pervez Musharraf insists he called the week-old emergency to help fight Islamic extremists who control large swathes of territory near the Afghan border, but the main targets of his crackdown have been his most outspoken critics, including the increasingly independent courts and media.

Thousands of people have been arrested, TV news stations taken off air, and judges removed. Three reporters from Britain's Daily Telegraph newspaper were ordered to leave Pakistan because of an editorial in the paper that used an expletive in an allusion to Musharraf, a government spokesman said Saturday.

The editorial also said Musharraf governed with a "combination of incompetence and brutality" and has become "part of the problem" in the battle against Islamic militants.

The government _ under mounting pressure from the U.S. and other Western allies to restore democracy in the nation of 160 million people _ has announced that parliamentary elections initially slated for January would be held no later than Feb. 15.

And Attorney General Malik Mohammed Qayyum told The Associated Press on Saturday that the state of emergency would "end within one month." He provided no further details and would not say when a formal announcement might come.

Security forces threw a cordon around Bhutto's villa in an upscale neighborhood of the capital Friday, and rounded up thousands of her supporters to prevent a planned demonstration against the crackdown. But she was allowed to leave her home 24 hours later, meeting first with party colleagues and then addressing a small journalists' protest.

But dozens of helmeted police blocked her white, bulletproof Land Cruiser when she tried to visit Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry, the independent-minded chief justice who was removed from his post following Musharraf's state of emergency.

Speaking through a loudspeaker, Bhutto said Taliban and al-Qaida-linked militants were gaining ground in the country's turbulent northwest. She also said Musharraf's military-led government was about to crumble.

"This government is standing on its last foot," she said, as dozens of supporters scuffled briefly with police. "This government is going to go."

Some U.S. officials have expressed concern that Pakistan's political crisis would actually distract from efforts to quash a growing militant threat _ the country also has been hit by a series of deadly suicide bombings, including one Oct. 18 targeting Bhutto.

NATO said Saturday insurgents had killed six American troops in eastern Afghanistan.

But the Bush administration continues to describe Musharraf as an "indispensable" ally against extremists, suggesting it is unlikely to yield to calls from some lawmakers in Washington for cuts in its generous aid to Pakistan, much of it to the powerful military.

Just a few weeks ago, Bhutto and Musharraf were discussing the possibility of forming a pro-West alliance against militants, and her return last month following eight years in exile came after he agreed to drop corruption charges against her.

Bhutto has left open the possibility of re-entering talks with the army chief, including on her wish to serve a third term as prime minister, but such prospects have been dimmed by recent restrictions on her movement and her increasingly tough talk.

"You have allowed (firebrand Islamic cleric) Maulana Fazlullah to snatch Swat, (a former tourist destination where fighting has raged for months), but you are beating unarmed people," Bhutto said, drawing chants of "Long live Bhutto!" from her supporters.

Suspected militants have abducted scores of soldiers in the region in recent weeks, including eight on Saturday, who were stopped at a makeshift roadblock and overpowered, government and military officials said on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the press.

Bhutto's aides said she would meet Saturday night with foreign diplomats to discuss the political crisis.

Hundreds of police blocked the street in front of Bhutto's home Friday to keep her from leading a rally in the garrison city of Rawalpindi that had been expected to draw thousands. She said Saturday she was still determined to go ahead with a 185-mile march Tuesday from the city of Lahore to Islamabad.

"To get Pakistan from the clutches of dictatorship, we are organizing a long march," Bhutto said. "I request ... all segments of the population to join us in the struggle for democracy. When the masses combine, the sound of their steps will suppress the sound of military boots."

Many critics say the main goal of Musharraf's emergency was to pre-empt a Supreme Court ruling on the legality of his victory in a presidential election last month. Under the constitution, public servants cannot run for office.

Qayyum, the attorney general, said the court _ now purged of its more independent-minded justices _ would swear in more judges in the next two or three days, bringing it up to the strength required to restart hearings in the case.

Musharraf says he will quit his post as army chief and rule as a civilian once the court has confirmed his re-election, but set no date for that step.

___

Associated Press writer Zarar Khan in Islamabad and Riaz Khan in Peshawar contributed to this report.

the Connection: ; DJs-turned-entrepreneurs find right mix as the hookup for urban entertainment

FOR THE DAILY MAIL

WHILE it's a bit premature for Fred Tyson and Kevin Lee to applyfor membership in the Fortune 500 Club, the two have already bestedthe dismal odds for entrepreneurs. Statistics show that one out ofevery four Americans embarks on a small business venture and that 75percent of those business start-ups fail within five years. In 10years, the rate of failure climbs to 90 percent.

Tyson and Lee, co-owners of the music store UndergroundConnection, are turning a profit after a year.

"The traffic is unbelievable," said Tyson, with a smile. "Ouraccountant said, 'You guys are turning over some money there.' I wasthinking maybe we'd make $50,000 the first year, but that's not thecase."

Located at 424 Shrewsbury St. in downtown Charleston, the storehas thrived at a time when mom-and-pop record stores have become athing of the past. The success of the Underground, which sells CDs,hair weaves and oils, is largely due to Tyson and Lee's carefulspending and open-minded attitude.

"If numerous people ask for a certain thing, we'll get it," saidLee. "We cater to people's needs - if the CD costs $16 and you got$15, I ain't gonna let you walk out of the store without it."

Tyson and Lee, both of Charleston, hooked up years ago when theycompeted against each other at a freestyle DJ contest. Motivated bya love of music, the two formed Cream Entertainment and beganpromoting shows. Over the past few years, their comedy shows at theMunicipal Auditorium have featured national comics like Honest John,Phil Crawford, Damon Williams and Small Fry.

"For any kind of urban entertainment, you had to go to Cincinnatior Charlotte," said Tyson. "We wanted to bring it here."

At their DJ shows, they started selling "mix CDs," compilationson which DJs blend together as many as 40 tracks.

"We used to ride around, hop out of the car and sell CDs," saidLee. "Then, we figured if we had one place to sell them, we could dopretty good."

With each partner contributing $1,000, that place became theUnderground Connection. Now, the store is one of the few places inthe Kanawha Valley that specializes in mix CDs.

"We can't compete with chains," said Tyson. "What we buy a CDfor, that's what they sell them for. But you can't get mix CDs fromCamelot or National Record Mart - and that's where you get thebiggest bang for your buck."

As Cream Entertainment, Tyson and Lee also serve as distributorsfor mix DJs like DJ Envy, DJ Juice, and Cutmaster C and others whohail from Atlanta, New York, New Jersey, New Orleans and the WestCoast.

"If you sing, we can put you out," said Lee.

Because of their involvement in various productions, the storehas become a clearing house for events in the Charleston area.

"Anything that's happening in the city in urban entertainment -they call and ask," said Lee. "If you can't find it at theUnderground, you can't find it anywhere."

However, Tyson stressed that the store isn't a hangout.

"Mostly, people come in, buy something, hang a few minutes andkeep pushing," said Lee. "Most of the people that stay around areother business owners."

For the time being, Tyson and Lee said have slacked off onpromoting live shows.

"If things don't go right with a show, you can get sued out thebutt and lose your whole life savings. But we still sell tickets andgive advice.

"We're thinking of doing something a little more stable," Tysonadded. "Getting into real estate."

Grateful for their success, the two feel an obligation to helpnew and potential entrepreneurs - even if they end up beingcompetitors.

"These guys came in asking for advice, then they turned aroundand opened the same kind of store," Lee said.

"Yeah, I'm a little bugged," he acknowledged, "but that's OK; I'mall for new businesses.

"We want to inspire young business owners. It's good to see youngguys pushin' forward with something they believe in."

First on their list of suggestions is to be careful about goinginto debt.

"You don't see nothing in here that's not already paid for," saidLee. "We didn't buy anything we couldn't afford. If we need a newdisplay case we make sure we got the money to pay for it."

Their second bit of advice regards taxes.

"That was the only thing that really caught us by surprise," saidTyson. "It was real gruesome, but now we got us a real niceaccountant."

USACCE Presents Contracting Excellence Awards

On May 3, 2005, the U.S. Army Contracting CommandEurope (USACCE) presented its 2004 Awards for Contracting Excellence during the Contracting Command's Annual Conference (EURCON) in Bassano del Grappa, Italy. The awards ceremony was attended by 110 contracting professionals and several distinguished guests, including Tina Ballard, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Policy and Procurement, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology; Levator Norsworthy Jr., Deputy General Counsel (Army Acquisition); Tracey Pinson, Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, Office of the Secretary of the Army; and Sandra Sieber, Director, U.S. Army Contracting Agency. COL Victoria Diego-Allard, USACCE Commander, hosted the event and presented the awards.

The 14 awards presented for outstanding achievement and mission accomplishment during FY04 follow.

Recognition for Outstanding Contracting Support

Contracting Officer's Representative:

* Silvano Rizzo, Construction Inspector, 22nd Area Support Group (ASG), Vicenza, Italy.

Outstanding Customers:

* Government Purchase Card Program: James R. Buerer, HQ American Forces Network-Europe, Mannheim, Germany.

* Installation Management Agency-Europe: Greg Vallery, Environmental Division, 22nd ASG, Vicenza.

* Army in Europe: ILT William Phillips, 12th Aviation Brigade, Giebelstadt, Germany.

Outstanding Support to Contingency Contracting

Emergency Essential Civilian: Thomas Copeland, Wiesbaden (Germany) Contracting Center (WCC).

Military Officer: MAJ Keith Taylor, WCC.

Outstanding Contribution to Contracting Excellence

Procurement Analyst: Joanna Rodriguez, WCC.

Contract Specialist: Patrizia Meloni, Regional Contracting Office (RCO), Vicenza.

Contracting Professional of the Year

Civilian: Eileen Hipe, RCO Wuerzburg, Germany.

Military Noncommissioned Officer: MSG Daryl Gonzales, RCO Vicenza.

Military Officer: MAJ William Bailey, RCO Vicenza.

Outstanding Contracting Team or Division

Team A, Division B, WCC.

Best Contracting Office

Tie: RCOs at Vicenza and Wuerzburg. (Note: This is the fourth year in a row that RCO Vicenza was recognized as the "Best Office.")

Rangel without lawyer, ethics trial date uncertain

WASHINGTON (AP) — The scheduled Nov. 15 start of Rep. Charles Rangel's ethics trial is in jeopardy, because the former Ways and Means Committee chairman no longer has a defense team.

The New York Democrat and lawyers for the Washington firm of Zuckerman Spaeder have parted company, according to people inside and outside Congress familiar with the breakup. They spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday because they were not authorized to discuss the development publicly.

The law firm declined to comment.

The chairman of the House ethics committee, Democratic Rep. Zoe Lofgren of California, has not said whether the trial date she set is still valid. The committee has charged Rangel with 13 counts of ethical wrongdoing, primarily involving his fundraising and finances.

Rangel has paid the law firm more than $1.4 million from his campaign account, according to Federal Election Commission records.

If Lofgren and other committee members insist on going forward Nov. 15, it would be difficult for Rangel to find an attorney who could catch up with an investigation that began in the summer of 2008. Rangel could decide to represent himself.

The development also could affect the way ethics committee lawyers, acting as prosecutors, present their case to an ethics committee panel that will act as judges.

Committee attorneys have been lining up witnesses, expecting to face experienced defense lawyers who are familiar with every aspect of the case. The committee lawyers might present a more simplified case with fewer witnesses if Rangel represents himself.

If Rangel is found to have violated House rules, punishment could range from a report criticizing his conduct to a House vote to expel him — the latter highly unlikely. Other possibilities are House votes deploring his behavior.

The charges against Rangel accuse him of:

—Using House stationery and staff to solicit money for a New York college center named after him.

—Soliciting donors with interests before the Ways and Means Committee, leaving the impression the money could influence official actions.

—Failing to disclose at least $600,000 in assets and income in a series of inaccurate financial disclosure reports to Congress.

—Using a rent-subsidized New York apartment for a campaign office, when it was designated for residential use.

—Failure to report to the IRS rental income from his unit in a Dominican Republic resort.

In attempts to negotiate a plea bargain with ethics committee attorneys, Rangel admitted to some ethical lapses. Republicans on the ethics committee rejected any deal, saying it was offered too late.

Dutch Soccer Results

Results from the 14th round of the Eredivisie, the Dutch first-division soccer league (home teams listed first):

Friday's Game

PSV Eindhoven 2, Roda JC Kerkade 4

Saturday's Games

Willem II Tilburg 2, Ajax 3

Excelsior Rotterdam 0, NAC Breda 3

Heracles Almelo 2, De Graafschap 0

Vitesse Arnhem 2, FC Twente 2

Sunday's Games

SC Heerenveen 4, FC Groningen 2

Sparta Rotterdam 1, NEC Nijmegen 0

AZ Alkmaar 2, FC Utrecht 1

VVV-Venlo 0, Feyenoord 0

Friday, Dec. 14

Roda JC Kerkade vs. Sparta Rotterdam

Saturday, Dec. 15

Feyenoord vs. AZ Alkmaar

NAC Breda vs. SC Heerenveen

FC Twente vs. VVV Venlo

De Graafschap vs. NEC Nijmegen

Sunday, Dec. 16

FC Utrecht vs. Heracles Almelo

Ajax vs. PSV Eindhoven

Vitesse Arnhem vs. Excelsior Rotterdam

FC Groningen vs. Willem II

The energizer

A SEE TODAY

There are those who march to the beat of a different drum. And then there are those who actually drum out the beat, leading the way for those different marchers. Gerald S. Jakubowski, the new president of the American Society for Engineering Education, is one of those drum-beating leaders.

It probably wouldn't come as a surprise to anyone who has met the enthusiastic and, yes, upbeat dean of the College of Science and Engineering at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, that Jakubowski was drum major of his high school marching band. "Being part of the band and marching with it is great. But when you are in front, leading the band, it's such a magnificent sound and experience," he fondly recalls nearly three-and-a-half decades later.

Jakubowski may not have been destined for the life of the music man, but he has often been cast in the leading role in many organizations. That stems from a strongly held personal philosophy that it's not just enough to show up; you have to get involved, too. "I won't join an organization unless I can at least contribute in some small way," he says. Jakubowski's 25-year-plus involvement with ASEE is a good example, beginning at the section level as a campus representative from the University of Toledo, where he not only taught but also earned his bachelor's, master's, and doctorate in mechanical engineering.

Wally Fowler, last year's ASEE president, points out that "Jerry joined ASEE as a young faculty member and has served ASEE in a large number of local, regional, and national capacities. His impact has been strongly positive at all levels. Jerry knows ASEE from bottom to top and is keenly aware of its problems and opportunities. He will be an excellent president."

Over the years, Jakubowski has also influenced future leaders and built up a wealth of good will within the organization. Ron Barr, professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Texas at Austin and ASEE vice president of member affairs, a position he took over from Jakubowski, says, "I looked up to Jerry and admired the role he had done as VP during his two years. He served as a good role model for me and other members. And he made a lot of friends. Everybody seems to like him a whole lot."

So what are the new president's priorities for the coming year? Characteristically, Jakubowski presents an ambitious array of topics: increasing membership and improving services of the society, focusing on research initiatives and promoting graduate education, expanding the number of women and minorities, in part through better K-12 education, expanding industry involvement, and branching out to the international arena.

While acknowledging that ASEE can't solve all those problems, Jakubowski says that "if there is something that we can be doing to help, that's what we want to do." To that end, he has already established a task force on women and minorities and is setting up a center for best practices in K-12 science and mathematics education. On the international realm, he recently attended several European engineering education conferences, including the first-ever International Colloquium on Global Changes in Engineering Education, which ASEE co-hosted with the Technical University Berlin in the German capital.

Of course, being ASEE president isn't the only thing on Jakubowski's plate. In addition to his duties as dean at Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles, a position he's held since 1990, he also teaches mechanical engineering (when time permits), with particular interests in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and energy, and has published more than fifty technical papers and reports in his field. He's also active in other professional organizations, including the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the Society of Automotive Engineers, and the Institute for the Advancement of Engineering.

All those commitments leave no free time, right? Wrong. In fact, Jakubowski is something of a renaissance man. One recent evening he pursued three hobbies at once: "I took some zucchini that I grew in my garden and went into the kitchen and made some zucchini bread. And while the bread was baking, I went out to my wood shop and repaired my table saw," the master multi-tasker says. He's an avid cyclist and enjoys hiking in the California hills with his wife. And when asked what his proudest accomplishment is, he beams like a new father and points to a picture of his two grown children.

Jakubowski is also a voracious reader and, as any friend or colleague knows, is a Bugs Bunny fanatic who even considers the floppy-eared character a hero. "I like to think that Bugs represents the humorous side of my personality," he chuckles.

That may be so, but for some, Jakubowski's tireless enthusiasm conjures a certain other energetic--and drum-beating--bunny. You know, the one who goes on, and on, and on....

[Author Affiliation]

David Brindley is a freelance writer based in Los Angeles.

Telewest complaint

THE Ferret is indebted to all the readers who have sent in lettersprotesting at Telewest Broadband's decision to charge customers GBP2for paying bills in cash.

The company say they are "rewarding" people who choose to pay bydirect debit.

The people's champion is forwarding all complaints to Telewest andwould ask anyone unhappy with the new policy to write to him at theusual address.

The football gods have delivered on the karma: ; RichRod bailed on us; Michigan bailed on RichRod

LIFE has a way of evening things out. Our parents andgrandparents have loaded us down with quaint wisdom to cope withlife's inequities:

"What goes around comes around." "You reap what you sow." Or themore malicious "He'll get his."

We believe these axioms and others like them for two reasons:

They give us hope when we have been dealt an injustice. And theyare often true.

For many West Virginia fans, Michigan's firing of Rich Rodriguezwas preordained. Anyone who abandoned his state and alma mater asRodriguez was going to be made to pay at some point.

It was just a matter of when.

That "when" actually happened last month at the Michigan teambanquet. The commanding and demanding head coach got weepy, heldhands, and sang along with the inspirational tune "You Raise Me Up."

Good for a self-help retreat.

A football banquet?

Not so much.

The formality came Wednesday after Michigan Athletic DirectorDave Brandon first tempered media reports that Rodriguez had beendismissed.

Rodriguez has had three lousy years at Michigan - a losingrecord, NCAA probation and the worst bowl loss in school history.

Could this have been the same Rich Rod who coached West Virginiato three straight 11-win seasons, three straight Top 10 finishes anda brush with the national championship game?

Rodriguez's success at West Virginia, juxtaposed with hisfailures at Michigan, highlight just how bad Rodriguez's decisionwas to leave Morgantown the way he did, when he did.

I wonder how Mountaineer fans will treat Rich Rod now?

I've been on a path of forgiveness for awhile, but still foundmyself rooting for Mississippi State to run up the score againstRich in the Gator Bowl.

Clearly, I still have some work to do.

Some will never get over Rodriguez's abandonment of their belovedMountaineers, his and Rita's self-absorbed whining about theconditions at WVU, and his clumsy exit.

But perhaps others will see the Rodriguez firing as justice. Thescales have tilted back to even.

Three years of misery and a firing will be just enough flesh forsome to see the score as settled. The football gods will havedelivered on the karma.

Funny ol' world.

Kercheval is host of TalkLine, broadcast by the MetroNewsStatewide Radio Network from 10 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday.The show can be heard locally on WCHS 580 AM.

Walker's bat helps send S. Carolina to CWS finals

When it comes to in-state rival Clemson, South Carolina considers any win over the Tigers to be a great win.

This one was greater yet.

South Carolina beat the Tigers for the second night in a row Saturday, staving off elimination from the College World Series a fourth straight time with a 4-3 victory that sends the Gamecocks to the best-of-three finals against UCLA starting Monday.

Christian Walker homered and singled in the go-ahead run in the seventh inning for South Carolina, and he made a big defensive play at first base to end the game.

"A couple days ago we were down to one strike and planning a trip home," Gamecocks coach Ray Tanner said. "Now we're going to have a chance to play for a national championship. That's incredible. It's a never-say-die team."

Only 130 miles separate the campuses of Clemson and South Carolina, and they've met 292 times on the baseball field since 1899. No matter the sport, it is one of the fiercest rivalries in the nation.

Not much separated the teams Saturday. Clemson (45-25) had eight hits and South Carolina (52-16) nine. Clemson left nine runners on base, South Carolina left 10. Each starting pitchers went into the seventh inning and had similar numbers.

Clemson beat the Gamecocks two out of three games in the regular season and came to Omaha as the only non-No. 1 regional seed.

"I don't think it matters who we lose to to end our season," second baseman Mike Freeman said. "We lost to a really good opponent, that's the bottom line. Regardless of who it is, it's never fun to lose. So it doesn't make it any worse. They're going to represent our region, represent our state well. All we can do now is cheer for them in the end and hope they bring it back for South Carolina."

The Gamecocks, three-time national runners-up, last played for the title in 2002 after knocking Clemson out of the CWS.

They'll play for it all after battling back from a 4-3 loss to Oklahoma in its CWS opener. The Gamecocks rode an eight-run second inning to an 11-4 win over Arizona State, then beat Oklahoma 3-2 in 12 innings, rallying for two runs after being down to their last strike.

They set up a second Bracket 2 final with Friday's 5-1 win over Clemson in which Michael Roth, who usually comes out of the bullpen to face one or two batters, pitched a complete-game, three-hitter in his first start in 14 months.

"I said from the beginning it was nice to get to Omaha, but we wanted to do something here," right fielder Whit Merrifield said. "We're in position to do something this program never accomplished. We know we have to play well to beat UCLA, and we're looking forward to two more big games and scrapping across two more big wins."

Walker broke a 2-2 tie in the seventh after Clemson intentionally walked Jackie Bradley, who had knocked in nine runs in four CWS games. Walker sent Alex Frederick's 3-1 pitch up the middle, scoring Evan Marzilli from third base.

Adrian Morales followed with a single through the right side to put South Carolina up 4-2.

"They walked Jackie before me, so I wanted to prove myself in that situation to show I could get the job done," Walker said.

Gamecocks reliever Matt Price (4-1) allowed one run in 2 1-3 innings. Clemson's Casey Harman (8-4) took the loss.

Saturday's game was delayed about five minutes in the eighth inning after Merrifield collided with second baseman Scott Wingo as they tried to catch John Hinson's short fly. The ball dropped, and Hinson wound up with a triple and scored on a groundout to get Clemson within a run.

Merrifield was bowled over by Wingo and needed time to regain his bearings. He also cut his mouth and had a bloody nose but stayed in the game.

The Gamecocks had to withstand some nervous moments in the ninth after left fielder Marzilli overran Freeman's foul ball near the bullpen. Had he made the catch, the game would have been over then. Freeman, the tying run, singled on the next pitch.

But Walker, whose homer broke a 1-1 tie in the fourth, made a terrific stop on Jeff Schaus' hard grounder toward first. Walker stepped on the bag and started celebrating, leaving Kyle Parker, who has 20 home runs, in the on-deck circle.

"I still see Marzilli falling over the (bullpen) pitcher's mound down there. He said to me after the game, 'Who put that mound there all of a sudden?'" Tanner said. "Then you've got Kyle Parker waiting in the wings. If that ball gets past Christian over there, he's sitting there waiting again."