SISTERS, Ore. -- A ,000 reward has been offered for information leading to an arrest and charges filed against the person or persons responsible for the attempted arson of a vehicle parked near an apartment complex in Sisters, Oregon, early Wednesday morning. Deschutes County Sheriff's Lt. Kevin Dizney said the owner of the vehicle parked his black Nissan X-Terra sports utility vehicle (SUV) in a lot nearby the Adams Roost Apartments at 173 East Adams Street, and ... [full story]

ROCKAWAY BEACH, Ore. -- A 58-year old Chehalis, Washington man was killed Tuesday afternoon when he lost control of his logging truck, veered off Highway 101 near Rockaway Beach on the Oregon coast, and crashed into a hillside, police reported.   A Chehalis, Washington logging truck driver was killed Tuesday in a crash on Highway 101 near Rockaway Beach on the Oregon coast - OSP photo  Dale E. Pickett was driving a 1989 Kenwood loaded with logs when the ... [full story]

SALEM, Ore. -- Four students, a school bus driver, and the driver of the pickup that apparently crashed into the back of the Williamette Valley Christian School bus as it prepared to turn left an a northeast Salem intersection were injured Wednesday morning and sent to the hospital with injuries ranging from minor to serious but non life-threatening. The bus struck another car following impact, but that driver was not hurt, deputies reported.   Four children, ... [full story]

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- Four men died Thursday after their plane crashed in Martin County about 50 miles outside of West Palm Beach, Fla., city officials said.Officials said they got a call regarding a small plane wreck at about 9 a.m. Investigators discovered the Cessna Skyhawk upside down in Martin County Ranches approximately 15 miles from Interstate 95, WPBF-TV, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. reported.Firemen said all four individuals were discovered inside the aircraft, which ... [full story]

BAGHDAD -- At least 15 people died in Baghdad Thursday and 65 others were hurt when a car bomb blew up in a busy commercial area, the Iraqi Interior Ministry said.The bomb went off in a parking lot in the Bab al-Shurj commercial area, CNN reported.In another attack on a violent day, a suicide bomber set off a vehicle laden with explosives at the crowded Al-Tahreer Public Square in central Baghdad killing at least nine ... [full story]

LASALLE, Ontario -- An interracial couple outside Windsor, Ontario, is challenging their landlord over a letter in which a mold complaint was answered with racial references.Vincent and Rebecca Cardwell of Lasalle told the Windsor Star they informed their landlord a contractor had confirmed their house had a black mold infestation that needed to be addressed quickly, as it was causing respiratory problems among their four children, who range in age from 2 to 14 years ... [full story]

MIAMI -- A Miami surgeon who was fired after being connected to "numerous patient deaths," has been allowed to keep a "clear/active" medical license. Some authorities wonder why Dr. Alex Zakharia, 70, is allowed to maintain his "clear/active" license to practice medicine when he has such a spotted past, the Miami Herald reported.Zakharia reportedly also admitted to having memory difficulties and possible strokes."This guy should not be in practice. Period. What is the medical board ... [full story]

GOTHENBURG, Sweden -- Employees at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden have been strongly reprimanded by officials for suspending a woman who posed for a pornographic magazine.The student, known as Lisa, told the Swedish National Agency for Higher Education last spring that she was harshly lectured and told by faculty that she'd lost a work placement opportunity because of the photos, The Local reported Thursday."They said I was not suited to my choice of future ... [full story]

WASHINGTON -- Lawyers for a detainee held in Charleston, S.C., allege he was systematically abused and there are videotapes to prove it.Ali al-Marri, in U.S. custody since his 2003, is seeking to have his case reviewed by a federal court. He wants out of isolation where he has been held without charge for years, The Washington Post said. The New York Times said on its Web site that defense officials have turned up about 50 ... [full story]

CALGARY, Alberta -- Alberta environmental officials are hoping brutally cold snaps this winter will turn back the east-moving tide of pine beetles that killed millions of trees.Duncan MacDonnell, spokesman for Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, told the Calgary Sun that despite human discomfort, the cold was a lifesaver for pine trees. "To stop the beetle, you need 12 hours of minus 40 degrees -- if you can stay at minus 40 for 12 consecutive hours, that's ... [full story]