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Thousands of travelers still stranded

By TIMES WIRES
Published March 19, 2007

PHILADELPHIA

Thousands of weary travelers faced a third day waiting to reach their destinations Sunday as US Airways struggled to recover from the ice and snow storm that paralyzed airports in the Northeast. The airline was still trying to find seats for 100,000 passengers systemwide whose flights were grounded by Friday's storm, spokesman Andrew Christie said. Computer problems, airline staffing rules and other problems slowed US Airways' attempts to clear the backlog. Passengers in Philadelphia reported waiting three hours or more to rebook a ticket or reach a reservation agent by phone during the weekend. Automated US Airways kiosks at Philadelphia International Airport were also down at times, they said. From Friday to Saturday morning, more than 3,600 commuter and mainline flights were canceled nationwide because of the effects of the storm. JetBlue, US Airways, Delta Air Lines and American Airlines reported cancellations.

BILLINGS, MONT.

Police kill man after six-hour standoff

A man fired shots at police during a six-hour standoff and was killed when officers returned fire, the police department said Sunday. Officers went to home of Dellos E. Taylor, 41, after he reported late Saturday that he was suicidal, according to a department statement. When they arrived, the man turned off all his lights and shot at the officers, forcing them to retreat. Negotiations spanning about six hours failed and authorities used tear gas in an attempt to force the man from the house, according to the statement. The man fired again at officers, who responded with two shots, killing him, the department said. No one else was hurt.

SEBEWAING, MICH.

Woman saves son before dying in fire

An 18-year-old mother and her grandfather died in a house fire after she led her young son to safety and apparently returned to the burning building for her grandfather, a relative said. The 3-year-old boy was not seriously injured. Sebewaing police Officer Branden W. Gettel told the Saginaw News that officials were not releasing details. A Michigan State Police fire investigator was looking into the cause of the blaze.

[Last modified March 19, 2007, 01:29:09]