In the Nation

PORTLAND, Ore. - An Oregon mother has been arrested in the drowning of her 4-year-old son after the boy and his 7-year-old sister ended up in the chilly Willamette River.

Amanda Jo Stott-Smith, 31, was taken into custody at a downtown parking garage on Saturday, six hours after her children's screams were first heard on the river. She faces aggravated murder and attempted aggravated murder charges. Police have not yet released a motive.

A state medical examiner ruled that the boy, Eldon Jay Rebhan Smith, drowned. The daughter, who has yet to be identified, was hospitalized after surviving a fall of 75 feet and more than a half-hour in the cold water. Police said yesterday that the girl's condition was improving.

- AP

MESA, Ariz. - Two people were killed and six others - two of them children - were wounded in a shooting at a high school graduation party, police said yesterday.

Brent Matthew Banks, 37, was arrested after a four-hour standoff with police at a house in Mesa, east of Phoenix, Mesa Police Sgt. Ed Wessing said.

Wessing said it appeared that Banks was a guest at the party Saturday night and got into a physical fight with his ex-wife, 38, and a 32-year-old man. Those wounded sustained minor injuries. They included a 10-year-old boy who was grazed on the head and an 8-year-old boy injured by bullet fragments.

- AP

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Two school buses crashed into a restraining wall at a demolition-derby-style race in Ohio yesterday, injuring at least 11 spectators.

Witnesses said the accident occurred as the buses were racing in figure eights around the Columbus Motor Speedway track at 10:30 p.m. Saturday. The race was one of several taking place during the Crash-A-Rama event.

Spectator Tiffany Estep said she had to shield her 18-month-old daughter from flying debris. Columbus Fire Capt. Scott Krummel said that 11 people were taken to hospitals with mostly cuts and bruises and some ankle injuries.

- AP