In Brief

SPARKS CITY COUNCIL

Cost-cutting agreement for firefighters goes to vote

The Sparks City Council is scheduled to vote on an agreement with city firefighters that would save 11 jobs but cut firefighters pay by more than 2 percent and scrap cost of living raises.

The agreement, a vote on which is scheduled for today also calls for eliminating firefighters' uniform allowances.

In April, when Sparks was grappling with a $5 million budget deficit, firefighters were asked to give up 7.5 percent of their budget this year and an additional 7.5 percent the following fiscal year. The move would have eliminated 11 firefighters, leaving Sparks firefighters able to respond to only one structure fire at a time.

Sparks firefighters union President Kevin Cavanagh said the pact, which runs through June 30, 2011, will allow the city to have at least another year of adequate fire safety.

CAMP PENDLETON ADDRESS

First lady urges more support for U.S. forces, their families

First lady Michelle Obama is challenging Americans to come up with ways to show support for U.S. troops and their families.

Obama spoke Sunday to about 3,500 service members and their families at Camp Pendleton, which has lost five Marines in the war in Afghanistan in the past week. Obama said Camp Pendleton and its neighboring Southern California communities are a model for the nation in showing support for the military.

She said communities can offer free museum passes and discounts and send care packages to troops.

ARREST MADE

Police find body of girl, 5, in trash bag in family's home

Authorities have found the body of a missing 5-year-old Compton, Calif., girl in a trash bag in a closet at her home.

Los Angeles County sheriff's spokesman Deputy Jeff Gordon said the girl's uncle, 25-year-old Julian Carter, has been arrested in connection with the death.

Deputies searched the girl's home Sunday morning after her mother reported her missing.

During a check of the house to make sure she wasn't hiding anywhere, the girl's body was found in a closet.

EARLY MORNING TEMBLOR

Magnitude 5.0 quake rattles region in Alaska, center says

The Alaska Earthquake Information Center on Sunday reported a magnitude 5.0 earthquake in the Alaska Peninsula region. The quake was felt in Dillingham, but no damage was reported.

The quake was recorded at 5:43 a.m. Sunday and was centered about 85 miles southeast of Dillingham at a depth of about six miles.

The center is run by the Geophysical Institute of the University of Alaska and the U.S. Geological Survey.