European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - March 8, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Slidders dash off to Nome As Alaska s id Tarod begins Anchorage Alaska a sixty eight dog teams headed out of the City saturday for the Start of the id Tarod Trail sled dog race a a 1,159-mile trek across some of the worlds most Remote and unpredictable terrain. Defending Champion Martin Buser was the first Musher out of the Chute. Other mushers most driving the maximum 20 dogs followed at two minute intervals cheered by thousands of fans lining City streets covered with Snow trucked in for the occasion. A goodbye a lets hit the Trail and get there a Buser said before the Start As his impatient dogs strained at their harnesses. He set the race record last year by finishing info Days 19 hours and 17 minutes. Chances of breaking that record this year were made More difficult by a rules change that mandated 10 additional hours of rest for the dogs. The Rule was urged by animal Protection groups that have been monitoring the id Tarod since 1991. The race begun in 1973, commemorates a sled dog relay of lifesaving diphtheria serum to Nome during a 1925 epidemic. Most of the contestants arc from Alaska with seven other states and three other countries represented. Many mushers say the 20 Miles Between Anchorage and Eagle River were the teams Are packed up and driven 30 Miles for a restart near Wasilla is largely ceremonial. But Veteran Musher Joe Garnie knows otherwise. A for the serious competitive Musher the race starts right Here a said Garnie who placed second in 1986. A a they re not fooling anybody by saying they re taking it easy. Front runners were expected to reach the checkpoint at Skwentna 150 Miles from Anchorage by sunday morning. The race quickly Heads into alaskans vast sparsely populated Interior where hazards include treacherous Trail brutal cold and exhaustion. Animals particularly Moose Are also a danger. A you better be nervous about it out there a said four time Winner Susan Butcher who last won in 1990. A you have to be on your toes Between Here and  but Butcher who has raced every year since 1978, said before leaving saturday that her enthusiasm is As High this time As Ever. A if you done to get excited you done to have a Chance of winning a she  losses Yuma Ariz. Apr damage in arizonans flood ravaged farm areas could total $150 million to $200 million according to the states agriculture director who toured the Region saturday. Agriculture director Keith Kelly met with Farmers produce shippers and Bankers to discuss a recovery plan and said his estimate excludes the investment in trying to protect Yuma county s infrastructure or of rebuilding damaged transportation and irrigation systems. The Section of Southwest Arizona produces More than $100 million Worth of lettuce a year and accounts for three quarters of the nations Winter crop. Kelly said a recent study by Arizona state University and University of Arizona researchers concluded that farming ranching and associated agribusiness generated about 10 percent of arizonans Economy. A Lowell mass. Up a a 14-year-old boy dying from aids had a wish fulfilled saturday a a new Home for his family. The Boston chapter of the make a wish foundation made the wish come True for Jamie Lewis who along with his Brothers Shannon and Brandon became infected with the aids virus two years ago through blood transfusions for their Haemophilia. Shannon died six months ago. Jamie facing the same Fate in october 1991 told the foundation that his Only wish was for a new Home for his family. Jamie swish came True saturday when the family was presented with a new townhouse in Lowell. �?o1 think its great that i got my wish before 1 passed away a the youngster told reporters outside the townhouse. Martin Buser the 1992 Winner of the id Tarod Trail sled dog race kicks off the Competition saturday in Anchorage Alaska. The Trail rises to 3,400 feet in crossing the Alaska Range before reaching the Bering sea coast around the 900-mile Mark for the stretch run into Nome. The Winner gets $50,000 from a total purse of $400,000. The runner up will earn $43,000.$150 million he said $7 million to $10 million in crops had to be abandoned in flooded Fields in Yuma county. Including future crops that can to be grown because of the flooding crop losses could reach $60 million by years end he said. Yuma county one of the country a richest produce regions has been ravaged by the swollen Gita River which began overflowing its Banks two weeks ago after record Rains in january and february. The River crested thursday and left area residents facing thousands of acres of flooded Fields dozens of ruined Homes and a county split in half by Bridge closures. Herb Guenther administrative assistant to the Well ton Mohawk irrigation and drainage District said about 15,000 of the districts 65,000 acres of Farmland along 50 Miles of the Gila have been flooded. For a new Home Jamie and his family were not aware they were about to be presented the Home when they went for a ride saturday in a limousine. The foundation had kept their Success at finding the Home a secret so they could Surprise the family. The foundation did just that when they brought Jamie his Mother Bette 7-year-old brother Brandon and 3-year-old sister Sylph to their new Home. Brandon also is infected with the human immunodeficiency virus. The foundation said it was not sure at first if it could fulfil such a wish but said the new Home became a reality thanks to the help of a local real estate Developer the Federal Deposit insurance corporation and several organizations. A so Many people have shown a kind heart Quot said the Mother. A and 1 did no to think that was around any More a inmate Sharpton hustled into work release program from wire reports new York a the Rev. Al Sharpton jailed Friday for his conviction stemming from his role in a protest May see Daylight soon. Authorities moved Sharpton from one jail to another saturday so he could enrol in a work release program said Catherine Abate commissioner for the department of correction. A if All goes Well he could go out to work on monday a she said. A but Sharpton a lawyer Michael Hardy said the move was made for another reason the flamboyant minister was causing a commotion. A the was getting a great reception from the inmates because they see him As an advocate on their behalf a Hardy said Sharpton was Given a 45-Day term for his demonstration was prompted by the slaying of a Black Man by a White gang. Sharpton Nad said he planned to spend his jail time fasting meditating and planning a run for the .  rapist kills self Camp Pendleton Calif. A Marine Here abducted and raped a fellow marines wife then killed himself base officials said the i was Grove warrant officer Hartman slate. It Wasny to immediately Clear what triggered the incident slate said. He said the woman was abducted Friday morning Quot a a base Home she shared from the san Diego county Basi with her husband and children but managed to escape from Youngs car about 3v4 hours later. She was treated at the bases naval regional medical  surrenders on live to Compton Calif. A a Man wanted for questioning in the slayings of two policemen surrendered during a live to broadcast saying he did no to want to risk a confrontation with police. Keith Terris Caldwell a surrender Friday night in the parking lot of Kola to was broadcast Jive. He was booked for investigation of murder in the slaying of a pregnant woman last october who police said was his Cousin. Police chief Hourie Taylor refused to say Why detectives wanted to question Caldwell in connection with the officers killings. Reporter Warren Wilson said Caldwell 27, contacted him after being profiled on the Fox to show America s most wanted. Caldwell on parole for rape says he Wasny to in Compton on Feo. 22 when officers Kevin Burrell 29, and James Macdonald 23, were shot during a traffic Stop. In an interview with Wilson before his arrest Caldwell said he decided to turn himself in rather than risk harm to  touches . Politics Kos Angeles a candidates in the City a crowded race for mayor Are enlisting the help of celebrities to add Glitz and Cash to their campaigns. Stan Sanders who portrays himself As a family Man has Bill Cosby a famous to father on his Side. Richard Katz has enlisted the help of Dana Carvey of saturday night live. Michael woo who represents Hollywood on the City Council lists Lloyd Bridges and de Begley or. Among his supporters. And Richard Riordan a slice of the celebrity pie includes the endorsement of Pat Boone and financial support from celebrity chef Wolfgang puck. A a any High profile individual who the Community will listen to regardless of their profession lends credibility to a Campaign a said Leigh Fortier of the local office of the creative coalition. The group seeks to involve members of the entertainment Industry in civic affairs. _ other candidates enlisting celebrities include Lorn Huston who s turned to Singer Don Henley and family ties actor Michael Gross and Joel Wachs who has support from Art world luminary David Hockney. Twenty four candidates Are seeking to succeed retiring mayor Tom Bradley. Even with that Many candidates there Are plenty of stars to go around