1 dead, 4 missing after avalanches

Three mountain avalanches killed a skier and left as many as four others missing Friday as California strained under nearly a week of snow and rain.

One avalanche struck Friday afternoon at Wrightwood in the San Gabriel Mountains. Michael McKay, a 23-year-old employee of the Mountain High ski area, was pulled from the debris, but died at a hospital, a spokeswoman said.

As night fell, searchers were still looking for another person who was missing after a second avalanche about a half-mile from the first.

A third avalanche also was reported and as many as three people were believed to be missing, a sheriff's deputy said.

Meanwhile, a 40-mile stretch of Interstate 5 over Tejon Pass north of Los Angeles reopened after being closed for two days.

Detroit

Mayor, top aide face perjury probe

Detroit's mayor and his chief of staff will be the subject of an investigation into whether they lied under oath when they denied having an extramarital affair, the Wayne County prosecutor said Friday.

The investigation by the prosecutor, Kym Worthy, was prompted by the publication this week of text messages between the mayor, Kwame Kilpatrick, and his chief of staff, Christine Beatty.

The messages suggest the two committed perjury by denying an affair during testimony in one of two whistle-blower lawsuits that have cost taxpayers in the city more than $9 million. A felony perjury conviction carries a possible sentence of up to 15 years in prison.

A union representing 900 municipal workers, meanwhile, called Friday for Kilpatrick, 37, to resign.

Brentwood, N.H.

Love-triangle killer seeks early release

The gunman in the notorious Pamela Smart murder case tearfully apologized to his victim's family Friday as he asked for early release from prison.

William Flynn, 33, was 16 in 1990, when he shot Pamela Smart's husband, Gregory. He said he killed Gregory Smart at the behest of Pamela Smart, a media coordinator at Flynn's high school who had been having an affair with the teen.

Flynn is serving 28 years to life in prison. He pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, cooperated with prosecutors and was a key witness against Smart in her trial. He isn't eligible for parole for another 10 years. Smart is serving a life sentence.

The judge didn't say when he would rule on Flynn's request.

Also

RKO Pictures has signed an interim deal with the striking Writers Guild of America, the union said Friday. The agreement follows separate guild pacts reached with other independent producers.

Seattle Times news services