Steve West

WEST, Texas - A week after a fertilizer plant explosion killed 14 residents, injured more than 150 others and leveled scores of homes, one emotion is notably absent here among citizens and officials alike: outrage. "Water under the bridge," said Steve Vanek, West's mayor pro-tem, referring to decisions that allowed homes and schools to be built near the plant. "It was an accident, and accidents do happen," said Jean Smith, 66, whose home lost most of its roof and sustained structural damage.

Jessica Gueghlein never used to give it a second thought when she wanted a good hamburger — she headed to In-N-Out, that drive-through icon of Southern California car culture. But her affections have strayed. Lately she's been hitting an East Coast upstart aggressively expanding in California — Five Guys Burgers and Fries. "We chose this over In-N-Out," said Gueghlein, chowing down with family members at the Five Guys in Valencia that opened in January. She liked the fresh, flavorful burgers and hand-cut fries at Five Guys — as well as the novelty of trying something new. "It's the fourth time we've been here since they opened.

When Notre Dame finishes its football season, the Irish won't retire Ron Powlus' jersey, they'll burn it. STEVE SERDINSKY West Covina

Being a Kings fan, I have a few observations: 1) The crowd at Game 6 was great, let's keep it up. 2) Bernie Nicholls is a crybaby. 3) Tony Granato and Tomas Sandstrom for Nicholls was a steal. 4) Kelly Hrudey is a phenomenal playoff goalie. 5) Wayne Gretzky at 80% is better than 90% of the players at 100%. 6) John Tonelli and Steve Kasper are vital players to the Kings. 7) Steve Duchesne is regaining last year's form. 8) Marty McSorley plays extremely hard, and he is improving. 9) If they beat the Flames, they can beat anybody.

Reno City Manager Harold Schilling accepted the same job with the city of Lancaster on Thursday, receiving an open-ended contract and a $100,000-a-year starting salary, city officials said. Mayor William Pursley said Schilling, 51, who has 16 years experience managing four cities, was the unanimous choice among about 50 applicants. Schilling will replace former City Manager Steve West, who was forced to resign by the council in September.

Amanda Beard, Philippe Demers and Steve West, all members of the Irvine Novaquatics, won events at the California State Swimming Championships Sunday. Beard, an Olympic Gold medalist, took first in the 200-yard backstroke with a time of 2 minutes 14.99 seconds. She had won the 100 backstroke in 1:03.4 Saturday. Demers won the men's 100 freestyle in 44.56 and West won the 200 backstroke in 2.00.27 Sunday. Demers and West had also won events on Saturday.

A family that parlayed $40 worth of tickets into the second-biggest jackpot in U.S. lottery history came forward in Salem to claim their $340-million prize. "I'm still in disbelief that we won the big one," said Frances Chaney, 68, who went in on the Powerball ticket with her 72-year-old husband, Bob, their daughter and her husband. The Powerball numbers were drawn on Oct.

Mike Downey's article on the Detroit Pistons' Rick Mahorn was so brutally vicious that I will certainly remember it for a long time. Downey engaged in merciless butchery of the "Bad Boy," outright destruction of Mahorn's dignity. There is only one thing that I can say to Downey after he so utterly attacked Mahorn, the Charles Manson of the basketball court . . . Thank you. STEVE LEVIN West Los Angeles

Beale failed to list the upcoming feature "Rambo: Iron Poor Blood Part XV." In this, our 65-year-old hero cashes in his IRA to rescue POWs and MIAs captured by PLO, CIA, FBI and KGB agents working from UFOs hovering over the U.S.A. Or is it the U.S.S.R.? STEVE BOWERMAN West Los Angeles