First Word
"Conservative SCV is steeped deep in self-deception. We're self-made and we don't need nothin' or nobody." - Gary Horton, columnist. (Click here for editorial)

Today is Wednesday, March 18, the 77th day of 2009. There are 288 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:
On March 18, 1959, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Hawaii statehood bill. (Hawaii became a state on Aug. 21, 1959.)

Ten years ago: The Kosovar Albanian delegation signed a U.S.-sponsored peace accord following talks in Paris.

One year ago: Democrat Barack Obama confronted America's racial divide head-on with a speech in Philadelphia in which he urged the nation to break "a racial stalemate we've been stuck in for years."

Watercooler Talk
FENTON, Mo. (AP) - A legally blind man was credited with saving a woman after authorities said a 45-year-old man broke into her apartment on Saturday night. Authorities said the man, a convicted rapist, was waiting for the woman to return home from work.

A neighbor who asked to be identified only as Jerry heard noises coming from the apartment. Jerry is blind in his left eye and has about 25 percent vision in his right eye.

Jerry told KTVI-TV that he went to the apartment and kicked open the door, surprising the would-be attacker, who locked the door.

The woman came home and confirmed she didn't know the man in her apartment, and police took the suspect away.

The man was charged with burglary. The investigation is continuing.

Birthdays
Actor Peter Graves is 83. Composer John Kander ("Chicago") is 82. Nobel peace laureate and former South African president F.W. de Klerk is 73. Country singer Charley Pride is 71. Actor Kevin Dobson is 66. Actor Brad Dourif is 59. Jazz musician Bill Frisell is 58. Singer Irene Cara is 50. Movie writer-director Luc Besson ("The Fifth Element") is 50. Actor Thomas Ian Griffith is 47. Singer-songwriter James McMurtry is 47. Singer-actress Vanessa L. Williams is 46. Olympic gold medal speedskater Bonnie Blair is 45. Country musician Scott Saunders (Sons of the Desert) is 45. Rock musician Jerry Cantrell (Alice in Chains) is 43. Rock singer-musician Miki Berenyi is 42.

California Lottery Winning Numbers
Mega Millions
9-15-24-28-31 Mega: 17
Draw date: Tuesday, March 17
Jackpot: $XX million

SuperLotto
2-31-36-43-45 Mega: 16
Draw date: Saturday, March 14
Jackpot: $22 million

Fantasy 5
9-20-23-34-37
Draw date: Tuesday, March 18

Daily 4
8-4-7-7
Draw date: Tuesday, March 18

Daily 3
Midday: 5-6-7
Evening: 3-2-2
Draw date: Tuesday, March 18

Daily Derby
1st: 11 Money Bags
2nd: 01 Gold Rush
3rd: 03 Hot Shot
Race time: 1:42.19
Draw date: Tuesday, March 18

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