Finch urges Blythe to find form as drop zone looms

Blythe captain Peter Finch has ordered his players to take along, hard look in the mirror after a thumping against Leek leftthem teetering above the relegation zone.

Finch has now set a target of at least four victories in thesecond half of the season to avoid slipping through the Division OneA trapdoor.

The skipper was frustrated as he watched his side's poor battingform continue. They set a target of just 124 runs at Highfield onSaturday.

Blythe could then not find a way past Grant Denny and Mo Hussain,who added 95 in an unbeaten fourth-wicket stand.

And table-topping Leek strolled to victory after a slight earlywobble.

The Cresswell-based …

Insurgent Leader Nabbed in Iraq Raid

BAGHDAD - The shadowy leader of the Islamic State of Iraq, an al-Qaida-inspired group that challenged the authority of Iraq's government, was captured Friday in a raid on the western outskirts of Baghdad, an Iraqi military spokesman said.

Abu Omar al-Baghdadi was arrested along with several other insurgents in a raid in the town of Abu Ghraib, said Brig. Gen. Qassim al-Moussawi, spokesman for the Baghdad security operation.

Defense Department spokesman Bryan Whitman said Friday that Pentagon officials have received no official confirmation that al-Baghdadi was captured.

Al-Moussawi said al-Baghdadi admitted his identity, as did another "of the terrorists" who …

Wheat, corn, soybeans futures rise on the CBOT

Agriculture futures mostly rose in midday trading Tuesday on the Chicago Board of Trade.

Wheat for May delivery climbed 10.75 cents to $5.34 a bushel, while May corn leaped 13.5 cents to $3.79 a bushel and May soybeans jumped 24 cents to $8.89 a bushel. Oats for May delivery were flat at $1.84.

Beef and …

`More' is `Less' in 2-part, 4-hour cable mini-series

Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less (STAR) (STAR) Harvey Metcalfe Edward Asner Stephen Bradley Ed Begley Jr.

The USA cable channel presents a two-part mini-series, directed byClive Donner and written by Sherman Yellen. To be shown from 8 to 10tonight and tomorrow night over local cable systems.

If I were the producer of the latest USA cable channelmini-series, I would have titled it "Not Four Hours Less, Although ItSeems Like 14 Hours More." That's why I'll never be a big-timemini-series producer.

Instead, it's called "Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less," andit's based on a novel by Jeffrey Archer. USA will show the revengecaper from 8 to 10 tonight …

Nonprofits ask: How do we get ready for a capital campaign?

Guest Column

Is there a nonprofit organization that does not need additional money?

Philanthropically supported operations never have the amount of funds they would like to have to accomplish or expand their mission in the community.

"When do we know when we're ready for a capital campaign?" is the first question nonprofits often ask professional fundraisers.

The question is, of course, answered with questions that make up a checklist:

* When was the last time the organization reviewed or updated its mission and vision statements?

* Does it have an up-to-date strategic plan covering at least the next five years that truly reflects the mission and …

Panasonic shows what Guinness World Records says is longest lasting alkaline battery

Japan's Panasonic has created the world's longest lasting alkaline battery, according to Guinness World Records.

Panasonic promises its new Evolta battery cell _ whose name is derived from "evolution" and "voltage" _ will keep gadgets running 20 percent longer than offerings from rivals Duracell and Energizer, as well as its own upscale Oxyride batteries.

Guinness certified Evolta in a Tokyo ceremony Tuesday as "the longest lasting AA alkaline battery cell," based on testing under guidelines set by the industry's International Electrotechnical Commission.

The battery also has a 10 year shelf life, making it suitable …

Helping crash victims stay cool; Many naturally panic when

I had my first -- and only -- bike accident when I was 18.

I was pedaling along Carbondale's main strip, giddy with the joy you feel when you're a college sophomore and it's a blue October day.

Foolishly, I was riding on the sidewalk and didn't know I was approaching a narrow alley between two buildings. I saw a blur of gray to my right, like an elephant charging out of a jungle. I felt a curious pressure on my leg, then found myself staring dreamily at a tuft of grass growing out of a crack in the sidewalk, inches from my nose.

The lady driving the silver Honda Civic got out to see if I was OK. We were very apologetic to each other.

The alley came …