Vicki Cronis/ The Associated Press A sailor says a tearful goodbye to his wife before the deployment of the USS Theodore Roosevelt at Norfolk Naval Base yesterday morning, in Norfolk, Va. Navy officials declined to say whether the attacks had changed the battle group's destination.

Diversion program hopes to deter teen smoking
by Brynn Burton / Staff Writer
Athens High School students might want to rethink taking smoke breaks in the bathrooms between classes, since the high school and local authorities are cracking down on under age buying and possession of tobacco.....continued

BMV sends letters to Ohioans to prevent ID theft
by Yosuke Takanashi / For The Post
In cooperation with the Social Security Administration, the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles plans to verify Ohioans' social security numbers to protect them against identity theft.....continued

Televangelist blames group for Tuesday's attack, later apologizes
by Megan Kuhn / Staff Writer
Homosexuals, feminists, abortionist, pagans, the American Civil Liberties Union and the People for the American Way have all been blamed for last Tuesday's attack by televangelist Jerry Falwell. The Baptist Minister made his opinion known during the Sept. 13 edition of the "700 Club."....continued

Pakistani president opts fo assist U.S. in finding bin Laden
by Anwar Faruqi / The Associated Press
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – President Pervez Musharraf said yesterday that his nation was facing a "very serious time" and his offer to help the United States strike at terrorist suspect Osama bin Laden was Pakistan's best option.....continued

Search continues in barge wreck
By Lynn Brezosky / The Associated Press
PORT ISABEL, Texas – Divers resumed searching yesterday for vehicles and bodies believed to be lost when a South Padre Island causeway collapsed after a barge wreck.....continued

Shops embrace varied nuances
by Lauren McDowell / Staff Writer
As summer slowly changes into fall, several Athens businesses are making changes too.....continued

Market stays in a pretzel
By Lisa Singhania/ The Associated Press
NEW YORK – The economic fallout from the terrorist attacks sent stocks plummeting for the second time in three days yesterday, with a late burst of buying, saving the Dow from its worst three-day point loss ever....continued

U.S. plans retaliation
by Robert Burns / The Associated Press
WASHINGTON - The Air Force laid the groundwork yesterday for dispatching dozens of warplanes to the Persian Gulf area, setting in motion Operation Infinite Justice for the promised war on terrorism.....continued

Mayor announces memorial service for those lost
by Larry McShane / The Associated Press
NEW YORK - As rescue crews at the World Trade Center found more shattered concrete and twisted steel - but still no survivors - New York's mayor said a weekend memorial for the fallen will take place at Yankee Stadium.....continued

Water, mildew haunt project
by Brittany Yingling / Staff Writer
Ohio University senior Mike Pearson said his first month as a resident of OU's University Courtyard apartments, 366 Richland Ave., has been riddled with problems.....continued

OU students help NYC heal
by Lindsey McKay / For The Post
While some Ohio University students are preparing for a night on the town, a group of 11 students will climb tonight into a van heading to New York to assist with the volunteer effort after last week's attacks.....continued

CSA helps in security deposit dilemma
by Ben Roode / Staff Writer
Between 400 and 500 Ohio University students have trouble recovering their security deposits each year, but workers at The Center for Student Advocacy have developed a program to try and remedy the problem.....continued

Senate to pitch student center plan to trustees
by Laura M. Schneider / Senior Campus Writer
Ohio University students and officials will present plans for a possible new student center at the OU Board of Trustees meeting Sept. 28.....continued

BRIEFLY

Aris Messinis/ The Associated Press A British army officer watches flames rise from an area where weapons are being destroyed at a steel mill in Athens Tuesday. The weapons were collected by NATO troops from ethnic Albanian rebels in Macedonia during operation "Essential Harvest." NATO to collect surrendered weapons 20 dead in fireworks explosions in central China Medical first: surgeon in New York uses robot to operate on patient in France Air France Concorde completes test flight with passengers Bush's administration will appeal against prescription drug discount plan Man cleared by DNA after 13 years in prison Car stereo blaster sentenced to three hours of silence Athens resident pled not guilty to 3 felony counts Area man sentenced for July drug charge

Wiffle ball cannot be cancelled
by Paul Shugar / Staff Writer
Sunday is here and no football. The calm silence of a football Sunday has been replaced by the hum of lawn mowers and the sound of water bouncing off the hoods of cars as people wash their cars. Reflection in heavy doses is on the menu today, not Doritos....continued

Cross-Country team has high hopes
by Jonathan Kane / Staff Writer
Ohio men's cross country runner Andrew Frum has high expectations for his first season with the Bobcats....continued

Ohio on a roll
by Lonnie McMillan / Staff Writer
The Ohio soccer team won its second game in a row by only a goal in the closing minutes yesterday against the Eastern Michigan Eagles....continued