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Dust storm leads to deadly wreck

CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (AP) -- A stream of thick, blowing dust crossing an Arizona highway led to a chain-reaction crash that killed three people in an area where gusting winds often stir up towering clouds of dirt that can reduce visibility to zero. At least 12 other people were injured Tuesday in the 19-vehicle pileup on Interstate 10 between Phoenix and Tucson. Crews brought in portable lights as they worked past sunset to pry apart the 10 commercial vehicles, seven passenger cars, one tanker and one recreational vehicle that were involved, Arizona Department of Public Safety officials said.

Bears break into car, tear up interior

GOLDEN, Colo. (AP) -- A Colorado man who had some serious vandalism done to his car says he think he knows the culprits -- a family of bears that has been roaming his neighborhood. Bob Monzel of rural Jefferson County says he believes a mother bear and her cubs entered his Honda Element sometime late Monday or early Tuesday and went on a rampage while trying to get out. KMGH-TV reports the bears clawed the car doors, smashed the plastic dashboard, and left electrical wires dangling from the ceiling. Yellow insulation is all that's left of the seat cushions.

The PE Sneak Peek: Oct. 30, 2013

Here's a look at the stories that are keeping our reporters busy Wednesday: * It's not just another day in Dale Hutchings' 460-year prison stretch. The convicted molester is back, asking for a new trial. * A Geisinger nurse describes being attacked by a woman who was brought into the ER. We have a photo of the suspect. * Police haul a new drug suspect before a judge. Our reporter and photographer are there to get the story. * Plus, you'll get a kick out of our pictures of dogs running the agility course at the fairgrounds. See tomorrow's Region page.

Social Security recipients to get 1.5 percent raise

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Social Security benefits for nearly 58 million people will increase by 1.5 percent next year, the government announced Wednesday. The increase is among the smallest since automatic adjustments were adopted in 1975. It is small because consumer prices haven't gone up much in the past year. The annual cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, is based on a government measure of inflation that was released Wednesday morning.

Hold the hot sauce! Sriracha plant sued by city

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The maker of Sriracha hot sauce is under fire for allegedly fouling the air around its Southern California factory. The city of Irwindale filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court Monday asking a judge to stop production at the Huy Fong Foods factory, claiming the chili odor emanating from the plant is a public nuisance. City officials say residents have been complaining of burning eyes, irritated throats and headaches and that some people have had to leave their house to escape the smell.

Protesters rally after boy, 13, killed by deputy

SANTA ROSA, Calif. (AP) -- Hundreds of demonstrators marched Tuesday to protest the fatal shooting of a 13-year-old boy by a Northern California sheriff's deputy in an encounter that sparked community outrage and an FBI investigation. Officers stood on rooftops and others wearing helmets stood guard at barricades while protesters rallied outside the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office in Santa Rosa.

Man uses tractor to kill 5-foot rattler

TIFTON, Ga. (AP) -- A south Georgia businessman is being called "the rattlesnake wrangler" after using his tractor to kill a 5-foot diamondback rattlesnake. Lee Fletcher, part owner of Chula Peanut & Grain Co. near Tifton, was doing some work on his tractor when he spotted the snake on the ground Oct. 19. He said he used the bucket on the front of the tractor to pin it down and kill it. The Tifton Gazette reports that a sign now hangs in the small community: "Welcome to Chula! Home of 'the rattlesnake wrangler' Lee Fletcher."

The PE Sneak Peek: Oct. 29, 2013

Here's a look at the stories that are keeping our reporters busy Tuesday: * Victims of an alleged carjacker are due to face him in court today. Our reporter is there. * A suspected arsonist is brought from prison on charges he ran amok with a can of lighter fluid, forcing apartment dwellers to flee. * What becomes of plans for flood protection now that a factory is shutting down? We have the latest word. * Candidates gather tonight to speak their piece in a forum just a week before Election Day. Look for these stories and more in tomorrow's edition of the Press Enterprise.

Drunk Pa. woman locks mom, son in basement, cops say

MONESSEN, Pa. (AP) -- A western Pennsylvania woman has been jailed on charges that she locked her 75-year-old mother and 15-year-old son in the basement after returning home drunk from a bar. Online court records don't list an attorney for 53-year-old Sherry Gillock, of Monessen. Another relative called police after being locked out of the home and finding Gillock's mother and son in the basement about 5 a.m. Sunday. The relative broke a basement window so the boy could escape, but police used a hammer to break through a locked door to free Gillock's mother.

Monkey thief pepper-sprays owner

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (AP) -- Police in western Colorado say a man stole a Missouri woman's pet monkey that she was trying to sell. Grand Junction police say the man pepper-sprayed the woman and fled with the carrier holding the monkey on Monday. The Daily Sentinel reports that the woman traveled to Grand Junction to meet with the potential buyer in the parking lot of a local hotel. The monkey, a black cap Capuchin, is illegal to have in Colorado. Police and wildlife officials say they don't anticipate charges against the woman.