A golf prodigy, a governor used-to-be and much, much more.

[October 12th, 2005] WINNERS

Michelle Wie and Nike both struck it rich, inking a multimillion-dollar endorsement deal to dress the golf prodigy, who turned 16 yesterday, in all things Swoosh. Nike's skin-games bet: that its deal with Wie will pay off like its mid-'90s wager on Tiger Woods in getting the masses to buy all things golf.

White-collar criminals seem to have found a haven in our fair state, The Oregonian reports. Defrauders busted in Oregon courts for shady bookkeeping do just a fraction of other criminals' time and don't cough up much cash in restitution.

Ex-guv John Kitzhaber is riding the buzz of another potential run. While neither confirming nor denying interest in a third term, Kitz drew wild applause at the state Democrats' convention last weekend in Sunriver. Rumors could be fanned even more on Friday when he speaks at City Club on health care (see pdxcityclub.org).

LOSERS

Oregon Christian Coalition head Lou Beres faces an investigation into accusations that he molested female relatives when they were children. Most of the alleged abuses happened too long ago to be prosecuted and Beres has denied criminal conduct, but he says he will withdraw frrom public life until the allegations are resolved.

Feeling thumb-struck? The Tigard Times noticed that credits for the new film Thumbsucker thank Beaverton for its hospitality but list Mayor Rob Drake as "Roger Drake." That faux pas came on top of early press packets calling our western burb Beaverwood. We still love you, Beaverville.

Oops! Turns out Portland's Fire and Police Disability and Retirement Fund has long failed to recoup medical costs it's paid to our bravest and finest-even after workers themselves get third-party reimbursement. Critics of that practice hope to fix it next year as part of charter reform under discussion by City Council.

The Northwest climate is getting hotter and drier, faster. At a weekend summit, nine regional climate experts predicted apocalyptic clashes over water and energy as the symptoms of global warming continue to rise: melting glaciers, shrinking snowcaps, rising ocean temperatures and flaring forest fires. Pass the fiddle, Nero.