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Wild storm kills 2, disrupts electricity

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published January 7, 2007

A major wind storm has blacked out 100,000 homes and businesses, boosted the danger of wildfires and whipped up a dust storm linked to two deaths. Strong Santa Ana wind is customary in Southern California in December and February, but this storm, which continued Saturday, is one of the fiercest in years, meteorologists said. Wind was measured at more than 80 mph in some mountain passes. A minivan hit a tour bus during a dust storm Friday near Barstow, killing a 56-year-old woman and her 13-year-old grandson, said California Highway Patrol Sgt. Jeff Arnswald. Several others were injured.

Shooting suspect may be mentally ill

A teenager accused of fatally shooting a fellow student in a high school hallway has a history of mental illness and may have schizophrenia, according to a report by Penny Hobson of Pierce County Jail's mental health staff. Douglas Chanthabouly, 18, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the Wednesday shooting. Police said he admitted to killing Samnang Kok, 17, but refused to say why.

Raytheon replaces striking workers

Raytheon Missile Systems has started replacing assembly workers and custodians who went on strike two months ago after rejecting a contract offer, Raytheon spokeswoman Sara Hammond said. Parent Raytheon Co. has operations in Largo and St. Petersburg.

[Last modified January 7, 2007, 00:59:10]