NATION BRIEFS

MICHIGAN/Dingell, 83, to run for re-election

The longest-serving member of the U.S. House is running for re-election. Michigan Democrat John Dingell of Dearborn told a College Democrats breakfast in Ann Arbor, home to the University of Michigan, yesterday that he plans to run again. Dingell says the state needs experienced leaders in Washington to help get it out of its economic woes. He added, "Now is not the time to walk away." The 83-year-old Dingell entered the U.S. House in December 1955 to replace his late father.

ILLINOIS/Two youngsters, mom drowned

Authorities say a mother, her 7-year-old son and his 6-year-old friend appear to have fallen through the ice and drowned in a lake in St. Clair County. Officials identified the victims as 40-year-old Kathy Baxmeyer; her son, Kadin; and his friend Steven "Austin" Baum. Authorities said the bodies were recovered from the lake early yesterday. Authorities say it looks like the deaths were accidental, but that they are investigating.

CALIFORNIA/Small plane crash kills two

A small plane crashed in flames in the backyard of a home in rural Northern California Friday night, killing the two people aboard but causing no injuries on the ground, authorities said. The single-engine Piper Saratoga went down near Pine Mountain Lake Airport in Groveland around 7:20 p.m., a Federal Aviation Administration spokesman said. The aircraft was destroyed by the impact of the crash and resulting fire. Tuolumne County Sheriff's Department Sgt. Jeff Wilson said the plane crashed on approach to the runway. It was raining when emergency units arrived, but Wilson did not know if it was raining at the time of impact.

COLORADO/Fight over woman's remains

A Colorado family and an Arizona nonprofit are fighting in court over who gets the head of a woman who died this month, along with a $50,000 annuity she left behind. At issue is whether 71-year-old Mary Robbins' head and brain will be preserved by cryonics in the expectation that future technology may be able to bring her back to life. In 2006, she signed documents giving the Alcor Life Extension Foundation of Scottsdale, Ariz., the right to cryogenically preserve her head and brain. She also agreed to give the nonprofit foundation a $50,000 annuity to cover preservation costs. Her daughter, Darlene Robbins, said her mother changed her mind in her last days and that she signed new paperwork that would give her family the annuity. Darlene Robbins said she opposes a suggestion by Alcor to take her mother's head and the family get custody of the body.