BEND, Ore. -- Police say they don't know why the ex-boyfriend of a Bend woman kidnapped her five-year-old son early Monday morning, but were happy to announce the boy's safe return to his mother after the suspect was arrested on Highway 22 east of Salem, Oregon less than two hours later.   Bend Police were dispatched to the Super-8 Motel at 1275 S. Highway 97 about 5:20 a.m., March 10, Lt. Ken Stenkamp said. The suspect, ... [full story]

BEND, Ore. -- A 20-year old Bend man was arrested late Sunday morning in connection with the alleged kidnapping and assault of his former girlfriend. Police believe the suspect broke into the woman's home twice, set fire to her property, caused minor injuries by running into her with his vehicle, then kidnapped her before she was rescued.   Abel Gutierrez-Prieto, DCJ photo  Bend Police Sgt. Clint Burleigh said officers received a call from the victim, 28-year old ... [full story]

NEW YORK -- New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer, accused of being a client in a prostitution ring, apologized publicly for violating his "sense of right and wrong."In a hastily called news conference, the state's former attorney general apologized to his family and the public. Spitzer was caught on a federal wiretap recording arranging a meeting with a prostitute at a Washington hotel, a person briefed on the federal investigation told The New York Times."I acted ... [full story]

GLENEDEN BEACH, Ore. -- The 16-year-old boy who remains missing and presumed dead after entering the heavy surf off the Oregon coast to help an 11-year-old child caught in a riptide on Saturday has been identified. Despite the efforts of Aloha High School junior, Ross Barfuss, 11-year-old River Jenison of Westfir died at a local hospital after he was pulled from the water. The incident happened about 1:15 p.m., March 8, Oregon State Police reported. ... [full story]

CUTLER, Ore. - An 11-year-old boy was killed Saturday and a 16-year-old boy is still missing after they were swept out to sea by a rip current at Gleneden Beach near Cutler, Oregon.   Gleneden Beach, Oregon  The 11-year-old child, a resident of Westfir, was identified as River Jenison. He died Saturday at Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital following extensive lifesaving efforts by medical personnel, Oregon State Police said. At 1:10 p.m., the Coast Guard received a request ... [full story]

BEND, Ore. -- Two Bend men were arrested Saturday when they were later apprehended hiding in a Deschutes River Woods home after abandoning an ATV and stolen motorcycle they recklessly rode while eluding deputies during a chase.   Michael Lee Andreozzi (left), Rocky Lee Jarrett (right) - DCJ photos  According to Deschutes County Sheriff’s Lt. Erik Utter, a deputy attempted a traffic stop on the two vehicles about 10:45 a.m., March 8, on River Woods Drive near Tumalo Circle ... [full story]

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. space agency said all systems were "go" for the launch of space shuttle Endeavour and its STS-123 mission to the International Space Station.   Dextre is a sophisticated two-armed robot, part of Canada's contribution to the International Space Station. An essential, versatile tool for servicing the Station, Dextre can remove and replace small components on the Station's exterior that require precise handling. It is equipped with specialized grippers, built-in socket wrenches, four robotic ... [full story]

WASHINGTON -- Selecting the Democratic candidate for president of the United States may rest with the party leaders and elected officials designated superdelegates.Since the party's two candidates, Sens. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., each have a credible argument for being the nominee, the final decision may fall to the hundreds of superdelegates not committed during primaries or caucuses, USA Today reported Monday.Those superdelegates -- generally elected party officials -- would have their say ... [full story]

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney will visit Turkey and several Middle Eastern countries to discuss "issues of mutual interest," Cheney's office said Monday.Cheney will visit Oman, Saudi Arabia, Israel, the West Bank and Turkey beginning Sunday "for discussions with these key partners on issues of mutual interest," the statement said.Among dignitaries Cheney is scheduled to meet are Sultan Sayyid Qaboos bin Said bin Taimur al 'Bu Saidi of Oman, King Abdullah bin Abdul ... [full story]

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- About 30 percent of students attending the Massachusetts Institute of Technology will have their tuition and fees paid for, the Cambridge, Mass., school said.Under the new financial aid program for the 2008-09 school year, MIT will cover all tuition charges, the university said in a news release.In addition, MIT said it will eliminate student loans for non-tuition expenses to students from families earning less than $75,000 a year. Under this provision, for ... [full story]