REGINA, Saskatchewan -- Two small Canadian farming towns in southeastern Saskatchewan were in mourning Monday for three teenage girls killed in a weekend two-vehicle crash. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said two of the victims were 16-year-olds from Gravelbourg and the third a 14-year-old from the nearby village of Kincaid, some 100 miles southeast of Regina. Their small car was struck by a half-ton pickup truck whose 17-year-old male driver was trying to pass them, the Regina ... [full story]

THE HAGUE, Netherlands -- U.S. officials begin outlining the Obama administration's strategy for Afghanistan this week during a conference in the Netherlands. At The Hague on Tuesday, 23 nations and 11 international organizations and non-profit observers are expected to attend a conference to secure support for a renewed international effort to stabilize the increasingly volatile country, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday. "More than anything else, this will be an opportunity (for U.S officials) to present the ... [full story]

ANKARA, Turkey -- Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling political party has seen its voter support diminish in local election results, returns indicate. Speaking in Ankara Monday at the headquarters of the Justice and Development, or AK, Party, Erdogan blamed the media as well as opposition political groups for his party's showing, saying, "I am not satisfied with election results so far," the official Anatolia News Agency reported. Preliminary results tabulated late Monday showed the AK ... [full story]

EVENTS The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center. Programs are included with paid admission, The Dalles Raptor Interpretive ProgramMondays, Wednesdays, Fridays (except holidays). Meet in the Discovery Center River Gallery. See and learn about Ferguson, the Bald Eagle. You will also get an up-close experience with a smaller raptor presented by museum personnel. 11 a.m. More information. Oregon is Indian Country Exhibit, March 8-29 A special exhibit of Oregon’s Native American heritage. The exhibit was produced by ... [full story]

OPEN: Cougar, coyote, selected furbearers (see regulations)   Remember there is a youth (age 17 and under) TURKEY hunt April 11-12; see the Game Bird Regulations for more details. General spring turkey season opens April 15. See this PDF online brochure for more information about turkey hunting in Oregon. PRINEVILLE/OCHOCO WILDLIFE DISTRICT Accumulated snow has been receding, but is present at mid and high elevations across the Ochoco National Forest. Outdoor enthusiasts should be prepared ... [full story]

Weekend fishing opportunities: Pine Hollow Reservoir, Rock Creek Reservoir, Taylor Lake, and Baker Pond were all stocked with legal-sized and broodstock trout this week. Anglers are reporting catch of bright winter steelhead in the lower Hood River from the mouth upstream to Powerdale Dam. CLEAR LAKE: rainbow trout No recent reports. CROOKED RIVER BELOW BOWMAN DAM: redband trout and mountain whitefish The river is currently flowing at 66 cfs and anglers are reporting success.  Please ... [full story]

If "Monsters Vs. Aliens" in 3-D is the filmgoing experience of the future, as DreamWorks Animation chief Jeffrey Katzenberg likes to pronounce, this exhilarating, lofty motion picture takes you there in a furious, fantastic ride.   RATINGS GUIDE: 4 STARS - Excellent. 3 STARS - Worthy. 2 STARS - Mixed. 1 STAR - Poor. 0 - Forget It (a dog.)  It'll be a monster at the box office, enticing kids and adults with its mighty female hero, ... [full story]

This was a dream assignment, following the sweet, burnt-caramel aromas that waft through the hills and valleys of America's Whiskey Trail.   Jimmy Russell, bourbon legend and creator of Wild Turkey 101, greets visitors to the Wild Turkey distillery in Barton, Ky. Photo by John Blanchette.    You'll find a whole slew of rollicking live-music clubs, record shops, Western-wear stores, barbecue joints, and more along Honky-tonk Row in Nashville, Tenn. Photo by John Blanchette.    The serene rural road leading ... [full story]

Paris is one of those cities, or rather THE city, where you can't avoid love or lovers kissing, even if you wanted to. And who would want to? It's all around you — it's life at its best.   A couple kiss with the Pont Neuf, the oldest standing bridge crossing the River Seine in Paris, in the background. Photo by Karen Kenyon.    "The Kiss" by Auguste Rodin is on display at the Musee Rodin, formerly the ... [full story]

In the midst of all the bad news about mortgages and home foreclosures, there is really some very good news for qualified borrowers. If you're purchasing a new home, or if you've decided to refinance, you can now lock in some enticing low rates, thanks to the Federal Reserve's determination to bring mortgage rates down and get the economy growing. According to Bankrate.com, the national average for a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage has fallen to 5.06 ... [full story]