Astrograph 0703

Do not allow yourself to get discouraged if an endeavor in which you're involved does not get off to an auspicious start. Tenacity will reap the rewards you are seeking.

British police identify 2 suspects in terror plot as Iraqi and Palestinian physicians

LONDON - The picture emerging of suspects in the failed car bomb attacks in Glasgow and London is very different from that of the suicide bombers who staged the deadly assault on the British capital's transit system nearly two years ago.

Poor sense of smell may signal Alzheimer’s

CHICAGO - Difficulty identifying common smells such as lemon, banana and cinnamon may be the first sign of Alzheimer's disease, according to a study that could lead to scratch-and-sniff tests to determine a person's risk for the progressive brain disorder.

Benoit's doctor charged with improperly prescribing drugs in federal probe

ATLANTA - Pro wrestler Chris Benoit excessively bought injectable steroids before he strangled his wife and son and committed suicide last month, a federal agent said in court papers released Monday as Benoit's doctor was charged with improperly prescribing drugs to two other people.

A Drug Enforcement Administration agent's affidavit said Dr. Phil Astin prescribed a 10-month supply of anabolic steroids to Benoit every three to four weeks between May 2006 and May 2007. It says that during a probe of "RX Weight Loss," Benoit was identified as an excessive purchaser of injectable steroids. Prosecutors would not say what ...

AP Centerpiece: Beer makers say more kegs disappearing as metal prices rise

MILWAUKEE - Tap it, don't scrap it.

U.S. alleges Iran was behind sophisticated January attack that killed 5 U.S. troops in Iraq

BAGHDAD - The U.S. military accused Iran on Monday of a direct role in a sophisticated militant attack that killed five American troops in Iraq, portraying Tehran as waging a proxy war through Shiite extremists.

The claims over the January attack marked a sharp escalation in U.S. accusations that Iran has been arming and financing Iraqi militants, and for the first time linked the Iranian effort to its ally, Lebanon's Shiite Hezbollah militia. The allegations could endanger Iraqi efforts to hold a new round of talks between the U.S. and Iran.

Abby 0703

DEAR ABBY: I am a former junior high and high school teacher. I do not agree with your advice to "Deflowered in Pennsylvania" (May 2), the 28-year-old who made some "poor choices" as a teenager and is no longer a virgin. She is dating "Chris," a 26-year-old man who is saving himself for marriage and wants to marry a virgin. You told her that because Chris needs time to think about this discrepancy, she should move on.

Bridge 0703

Yesterday's column described the play of this deal at the first table in a team match in England. There, five clubs was allowed to make, East immediately trying to take two spade tricks. At trick one, the defender with the West hand should have played his jack under partner's ace-lead, which would have called for a heart shift.

Police Report - July 3

Note: All information included in this report is taken from law enforcement incident reports and arrest records, which are public records and available for review at any and all local law enforcement agencies. Not every arrest leads to a conviction. Guilt or innocence is determined by the court system.

Bush commutes 2 1/2-year prison term of former White House aide I. Lewis 'Scooter' Libby

WASHINGTON - President Bush spared former White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby from a 2 1/2-year prison term in the CIA leak case Monday, stepping into a criminal case with heavy political overtones on grounds that the sentence was just too harsh.

Bush's move came hours after a federal appeals panel ruled Libby could not delay his prison term in the CIA leak case. That meant Libby was likely to have to report to prison soon and put new pressure on the president, who had been sidestepping calls by Libby's allies to pardon the former chief of ...

Dr. Gott 0703

DEAR DR. GOTT: I feel sorry for you. Doesn't your wife (if you even have one) make homemade banana bread? The ingredients include flour, and it is delicious. Does your wife know how to bake? I bet you won't print this letter.

Police Report - July 2

Note: All information included in this report is taken from law enforcement incident reports and arrest records, which are public records and available for review at any and all local law enforcement agencies. Not every arrest leads to a conviction. Guilt or innocence is determined by the court system.

New foundation for the future

When flames engulfed 97-year-old Lawrence Baptist Church in July of last year, many onlookers felt as if a part of their own lives had been burned away. Most of the old church was constructed of highly flammable pine, and after lightning struck its steeple, there was very little anyone could do to stop the blaze. While firefighters protected the nearby Fellowship Hall and Youth Building, members of the congregation looked on with horror and sadness as the sanctuary burned to the ground.

Smoltz, McCann All-Stars; Renteria snubbed

ATLANTA - John Smoltz and Brian McCann are heading back to the All-Star game. The Atlanta Braves player who may be having the best season of all was left out Sunday.

GSU names chair for construction management

Brian Moore was named chair of the Department of Construction Management and Civil Engineering Technology at Georgia Southern University.

'Birdman' tops Oscars defined by advocacy, originality

LOS ANGELES - Hollywood is smarter than you thought. Whether by design or chance, the 87th Academy Awards elegantly and subtly shifted the tone of the season from a reductive fixation on snubs and fact-checking to a positive celebration of original filmmaking and purposeful advocacy for causes as diverse as immigration, suicide and equal rights.

James Hahn wins a playoff at Riviera for 1st PGA Tour title

LOS ANGELES - James Hahn had reason to feel like a nobody at Riviera.

Joey Logano gives Roger Penske another Daytona 500 win

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Joey Logano had a shot to win the NASCAR championship last year. A flawed late pit stop cost him the chance, and he went into the offseason determined to get back into contention again.

Kathy Bradley: A pocketful of pennies

It has become an annual trip. A pilgrimage. And though we don't remove our shoes or crawl on our knees or touch our foreheads to the ground, we probably should. The spot is that sacred.

Consumer Qs: Get creative with your window boxes this spring

Delete Question: What are some small houseplants that will fit on a narrow windowsill?

Living with Children with John Rosemond: Son's anxiety caused by panic attacks

Q: My 13-year-old son has developed overwhelming anxiety about going to school. This began a year ago, but has gotten steadily worse since then. At this point he fights me every morning about going to school, and even if I can persuade him to get in the car, he won't get out. If I try to force him, he becomes nearly hysterical. I'm a stay-at-home mom, so there have been many days this year when I've simply taken him back home. His principal and everyone at the school say he's fine once he's in the ...

Nationally recognized artist to lead workshop

The Averitt Center for the Arts, through a grant funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, is proud to bring renowned artist George Snyder to conduct a weeklong residency at Portal Middle School. Mr. Snyder will be working with art teacher Deena Scarborough as well as science teachers, math teachers and students from March 2–5.

Who hands over the statuettes at the Academy Awards?

GLENDALE, Calif. - Six Hollywood hopefuls instantly became insiders when they won spots on the film academy's Team Oscar, and their superstar access began deep inside Disney's archives.

Alabama woman set for trial in granddaughter's running death

GADSDEN, Ala. - A prosecutor calls Joyce Hardin Garrard the "drill sergeant from hell," a woman so mean she made her 9-year-old granddaughter run until the girl collapsed and died, all as punishment for lying about candy.

A place in peril

A demure wooden building in the heart of Portal has been named one of 10 "Places in Peril" by the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation.

Joey Logano gives Roger Penske another Daytona 500 win

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Soaked in booze but drinking a Coke, Joey Logano fretted over how he and his new bride would celebrate his most significant victory.

Bulloch History with Roger Allen: A plague of boll weevils falls on Georgia, Bulloch County

(Note: The following is part of a series of articles looking at the history and evolution of agriculture in Georgia and Bulloch County.)

Thinking of God with Larry Sheehy: Our God comforts us

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction...."

Braves open up camp

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - It's been more than two decades since very few baseball experts gave the Atlanta Braves a legitimate shot to win the NL East.

Portal pounces on Taylor County

PORTAL - A three-pointer by Tyler Budgett off the opening tip and then a monstrous slam from Trent Thomas opened the game for the Portal Panthers as they raced out to an early lead and never looked back, cruising to a 78-58 win over Taylor County the opening round of the Class A state playoffs.