Wildfire erupts in windy Southern California

Published May 01, 2013

Associated Press

BANNING, Calif. –  Southern California fire officials say a wildfire that broke out just after noon is raging through 1,500 acres of Riverside County near Banning, fueled by 29 mph winds.

The fire is raging westward through largely undeveloped foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains, but it is dangerously close to subdivisions to the south.

County fire spokeswoman Jody Hagemann says at least 425 firefighters are working to gain control of the fast-moving fire that broke out Wednesday and has destroyed one structure.

Evacuations and street closures are in effect in several neighborhoods to the south of the fire in Banning.

If winds from the east continue driving flames westward, the fire could affect communities in Cherry Valley and Beaumont.

Much of Southern California is under red flag warnings for fire danger due to winds, low humidity and heat.

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2 small quakes in Southern California desert

Published April 07, 2013

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES –  There are no reports of damage or injury from a pair of small earthquakes that struck in Southern California's desert region.

The US Geological Survey says a magnitude 3.4 quake hit at 12:14 p.m. Sunday about eight miles northeast of Indio and nine miles from Indio.

A magnitude 3.1 earthquake struck about an hour and a half later less than miles to the north. The USGS says the epicenter of the second quake was 41 miles from Twentynine Palms, 41 miles from Yucca Valley and 43 miles from Barstow.

Sheriff's dispatchers say there were no reports of damage or injury from either quake.

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3 soldiers killed in attack in southern Thailand

Published March 27, 2013

Associated Press

HAT YAI, Thailand –  Suspected militants have killed three soldiers in a roadside attack in Thailand's insurgency-plagued south. The attack came just hours before peace talks between Thai officials and Muslim insurgents were to begin in neighboring Malaysia.

Police Col. Suchart Sa-eed says militants detonated an improvised bomb and opened fire at soldiers who were on foot patrol Thursday in Cho Airong district in Narathiwat province.

He says five soldiers were also wounded in the ambush.

Authorities say the attack took place in a village that is home to a key leader of the Muslim separatist group taking part in talks with the Thai government.

More than 5,000 people have been killed in Thailand's three southernmost provinces since an insurgency erupted in 2004.

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Southern Conference Tournament Recaps

Asheville, NC –  Jake Cohen scored 17 points as the top-seeded Davidson Wildcats rallied from a 13-point deficit to secure a 65-62 win over the fourth-seeded Appalachian State Mountaineers in the semifinals of the Southern Conference Tournament at U.S. Cellular Center.

De'Mon Brooks added 16 points, Tyler Kalinoski chipped in 11 off the bench and Chris Czerapowicz tacked on 10 for Davidson (25-7) which will take on the winner of the other semifinal matchup between third-seed College of Charleston and second-seed Elon.

Nathan Healy had 14 points and seven rebounds, Jay Canty registered 13 points and seven boards as well while Mike Neal tacked on 13 points for Appalachian State (15-16).

In the first half the Mountaineers shot 59.1 percent from the field to take a 28-26 lead into the break. The Wildcats netted 40.7 percent of their field goal tries in the first period.

The Mountaineers stretched their lead to 13 points with 15:03 remaining by ripping off a 13-2 run to open up the second half. The Wildcats responded with a 13-2 run of their own to pull back within two points (43-41) midway through the half. There were four ties in the final 10 minutes and the last one was broken when Davidson pulled away in the final minutes with an 8-2 run to take a 65-59 lead with 25 seconds left. Tab Hamilton netted a 3-pointer on the Mountaineers' next possession and Nik Cochran missed the front end of a one- and-one to set up a final shot attempt for the Mountaineers. However Healy's last second 3-point attempt was off the mark giving the Wildcats the win.

Davidson shot 58.3 percent from the field, including 5-of-7 from 3-point range, in the second half.

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