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A woman who snatched her children from state social workers at a freeway rest area near Myrtle Creek was released Friday from the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility in Wilsonville. Ruth E. Christine, who served seven years in prison after being convicted on robbery, custodial interference and auto theft charges, did not go free, however. She was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. snip

Hillary Seeks Appointment…..with DR. Phil! Jan. 8, 2008 New York, NY. ABS staff Presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton has reportedly contacted producers of the “Dr. Phil Show” in efforts to revive her campaign. Citing Dr. Phil’s expertise in dealing with victims of bullies, Hillary hopes to gain strength and gain support in her battle against a brutal adversary, says her campaign spokesperson. Dr. Phil producers are unsure if Dr. Phil McGraw will be available given the urgency of the situation.

Curtis Dean Anderson, who was serving a combined 301-year sentence for the 1999 kidnap and murder of 7-year-old Xiana Fairchild of Vallejo and a separate case involving another girl, died Tuesday, authorities said. Anderson, 46, died at 6:41 a.m. at a Bakersfield hospital, where he had been admitted Nov. 28, said Lt. Brian Parriott, a spokesman for the state Department of Corrections. His death came two days after the anniversary of Xiana's abduction, which her loved ones marked Sunday with an annual pilgrimage to the site near the Lexington Reservoir in Los Gatos where her skull was found in 2001

Barry Bonds' 757th home run was another tape measure job. Soaring above and beyond the right field bleachers and splash landing in the SF Bay's McCovey Cove. The ball was swiftly plucked from the murky bay waters and saved by a local kayaker. A day earlier Bonds broke the HR record with a rocket to the deepest part of AT&T Park. How can this guy still be hitting tape measure shots on a regular basis? He's old and clean. They say steroids are responsible for his success but that is clearly not the case now. Like GWB says, the man...

SAN LEANDRO -- Arson investigators combed through the charred remains of a San Leandro sports bar early Wednesday looking for evidence of a possible hate crime after a racial slur was found spray-painted on the back of the building. Alameda County Sheriff's Sgt. JD Nelson said a patrolling officer smelled smoke and noticed it pouring out of the Sports Fan on 150th and Liberty at about 3 a.m. and immediately called in firefighters. The blaze was quickly brought under control, but concerns were immediately elevated when the slur was discovered. "He (the deputy) noticed the slur almost immediately," Nelson said....

SALT LAKE CITY -- Radio relationship guru Laura Schlessinger, in Salt Lake City on Friday to speak to Army families at Fort Douglas, said she was tired of hearing the complaints of lonely and overwhelmed military wives whose husbands are deployed. "He could come back without arms, legs or eyeballs, and you're (whining)?" Schlessinger asked before taking the stage at the base theater to host her daily program on ethics, morals and values. "You're not dodging bullets, so I don't want to hear any whining -- that's my message to them." Schlessinger boasted that she once talked a young woman...

-snip- Dramatic new details of the deadly mayhem include the undercover cop at one point climbing onto the hood of Bell's car - his gun drawn and his police shield around his neck - screaming, "Police! Turn off your car! Let me see your hands!" said sources who talked to some of the cops involved in the shooting. When Bell then tried to run down the plainclothes officer - twice - the cop began shooting, with some of his 11 bullets piercing the rear window of the man's Nissan Altima, the sources said. -snip-

Republican Rep. Mary Bono declared victory tonight in her bid for another two years in office but said she's "disheartened" by the Republicans losing control of the House. With 73 percent of the votes counted, Bono led Democratic challenger David Roth by a 58-41 percent margin. Acknowledging that Democrats will be the new majority party in the House, Bono pledged to bipartisan cooperation. "I'm willing to reach across party lines," she said. "It's a new day in America. I am disheartened, but I know that when one door closes, another opens."

A local football league is threatening legal action over a video posted on the popular U-Tube internet site. The video shows an incident between Mason Youth Football Coach Darrell Boreing and 9-year-old wide receiver Ricky Demann. The Demann family admits Ricky struck his quarterback with both fists on the shoulder pads for not passing him the ball. During a time out -- the Demanns contend Coach Boreing - who is also the quarterback's father -- grabbed Ricky by the facemask and spun him around. They say the Mason Youth Football Board isn't handling the incident properly -- so they put...

The convoy leader of a Rocky Mount-based National Guard unit rebuts an ABC News report that he and other members of the 1173rd Transportation Company abandoned a civilian convoy. By John Cramer Courtesy ABC News Civilian contractor Preston Wheeler claims a guardsman abandoned him during an ambush in Iraq. Related Video Watch the ABC News report A Virginia Army National Guard convoy leader and an American truck driver on Tuesday angrily denied an accusation that the guardsmen abandoned a civilian supply convoy that was ambushed in Iraq. U.S. Army and Guard officials also criticized ABC News for reporting the accusation...

<p>The soldiers and contractors were making a supply run from the big Logistics Supply Area Anaconda near Balad to Forward Operating Base McKenzie, about 45 minutes away, Waterman said.</p> <p>Herron, a mechanic with the National Guard in his civilian life, said: "We're trained, after the initial enemy attack, to push right through. As quickly as you can, get everybody through and . . . return fire on that enemy. That's what we did."</p>

Driver claims he was abandoned during Iraqi insurgents' fire Friday, September 29, 2006 RICHMOND — A Virginia National Guard unit from Martinsville and Rocky Mount came under scrutiny after a video seemed to show troops abandoning a civilian truck convoy during an attack by Iraqi insurgents, resulting in the executions of three unarmed drivers. However, the military investigated the incident and found the military personnel responded properly. Investigators recommended awards for one soldier and one civilian in the incident. The video, obtained by ABC News, shows a military personnel carrier racing away after insurgents open fire and disable four Halliburton...

Among the activist leaders of 9/11 families' groups it is safe to say that Debra Burlingame - whose brother, Charles, was the pilot of the plane that crashed into the Pentagon - is not a uniformly popular figure. Ms Burlingame, a staunch Democrat, has become the first public 9/11 "dissident" - a vocal critic of the "blame game" being played over the al-Qaeda attacks - and an unlikely defender of George W Bush. For good measure, the outspoken former lawyer describes some of the bereaved 9/11 families as America's "rock stars of grief". "I've practically been thrown out of meetings,"...

HERCULES: Critics of plan to take land say store would bring much-needed sales tax revenue By Tom Lochner CONTRA COSTA TIMES The Hercules City Council will consider a formal move to acquire a parcel owned by Wal-Mart through eminent domain, City Manager Mike Sakamoto said Thursday. The city informed Wal-Mart in a letter Wednesday that the council will consider a "resolution of necessity" on May 23, Sakamoto said. A resolution of necessity is a preliminary step in an eminent domain proceeding. Wal-Mart owns the 17-acre future Bayside Marketplace off John Muir Parkway about halfway between San Pablo Avenue and San...

THE ASSOCIATED PRESSBRADENTON, Fla. - A high school teacher's aide who was punched by a father after his daughter claimed she was touched inappropriately has been cleared of wrongdoing. The Manatee County school board says evidence shows the aide wasn't in the classroom when the touching allegedly took place and the 15-year-old girl might have fabricated the story to get back at the man for disciplining her. The Manatee County Sheriff's Office also says it has found no evidence of any wrongdoing by the Lakewood Ranch High School aide, who had been placed on paid leave.

Celebrity attorney to represent porn actress in rape caseBy Karl FischerCONTRA COSTA TIMESThe adult film actress accused of quitting the state with a 15-year-old lover will return to California by mid-January to face any criminal charges filed against her, her attorney said Wednesday. While Richmond police have not yet sought statutory rape charges against 20-year-old Genevieve Elise Silva, she has retained Oakland attorney Ivan Golde in anticipation of criminal proceedings in Contra Costa Superior Court. "In today's society ... kids are so sophisticated. But clearly there are some issues here, we have two young people who, I think, need help,"...

Oklahoma authorities today arrested the porn actress accused of plying a 15-year-old De Anza High School student with sex and drugs last summer. Genevieve Elise Silva, 20, was arrested by Kiowa County sheriff's deputies about 9 a.m. at a house in Roosevelt, Okla., said Richmond detective Sgt. Mitch Peixoto. Richmond police knew for some time where she stayed but needed to work out some extradition issues with local authorities prior to her arrest. Silva was sought on a $10,000 arrest warrant on suspicion of rape using a controlled substance, statutory rape and detaining or concealing a child. An extradition hearing...

Police seek adult-film actress on rape chargesBy Karl FischerCONTRA COSTA TIMESPolice say a woman who has performed in several X-rated films persuaded a 15-year-old De Anza High School student to run away from home, use hallucinogenic drugs and have sex with her last summer. "The victim's family came forward in part because they don't want this to happen to another kid," detective Sgt. Mitch Peixoto said. "Apparently, she hangs around at De Anza sometimes, and in general with a younger set." Police have issued a felony arrest warrant for 20-year-old Richmond resident Genevieve Elise Silva on suspicion of rape using...

Home Depot confirmed Wednesday that it bought Petaluma-based Yardbirds, a chain of 10 home improvement stores in the East and North Bay areas. Atlanta-based Home Depot said the stores will continue operating under the Yardbirds name until they are converted into Home Depot stores. Specific dates or financial details were not disclosed in the company's statement. Home Depot, a national chain of more than 1,900 stores, said it will retain Yardbirds employees. Workers were informed of the changes during two-hour-long meetings held at each store Wednesday evening. Yardbirds was founded in 1975 by John Headley and generated about $185 million...