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By David A. Lieb and Jim SalterAssociated Press

FERGUSON, Mo. — The MissouriHighway Patrol seized control of aSt. Louis suburb Thursday, strippinglocal police of their law enforcementauthority after four days of clashesbetween officers in riot gear and furi-ous crowds protesting the death of anunarmed black teen shot by an officer.

The intervention, ordered by Mis-souri Gov. Jay Nixon, came as PresidentBarack Obama spoke publicly for thefirst time about Saturday’s fatal shoot-ing of Michael Brown and the subse-quent violence that has threatenedto tear apart Ferguson, a town that isnearly 70 percent black patrolled by anearly all-white police force.

Obama said there was “no excuse”for violence either against the police orby officers against peaceful protesters.

Nixon’s promise to ease the deepracial tensions was swiftly put to thetest as demonstrators gathered againThursday evening in the neighborhoodwhere looters smashed and burnedbusinesses on Sunday and policerepeatedly fired tear gas and smokebombs.

After a particularly violent Wednes-

Fergusonpolicestrippedof powerMissouri’s governor ordered thehighway patrol to seize controlafter four days of clashes.

By Robert Burns and Julie PaceAssociated Press

WASHINGTON—PresidentBarack Obama said Thursdaythe humanitarian crisis atop a

barren hillin northernIraq is over,eliminatingthe need fora risky U.S.rescue mis-

sion. But Iraqis elsewhere face a“dire” threat from an advancingIslamic army, he said.

ObamasaidtheUnitedStateswill work with other govern-ments to provide humanitarian

relief “wherever we have capa-bilities” and can effectivelyreach those in need, even asU.S. warplanes continue a lim-ited, defensive campaign of air-strikes. Hundreds of thousandsof Iraqis have been driven from

their homes since June as themilitants seized swaths of terri-tory in northern Iraq.

A U.S. military and civilianteamof16peoplespentWednes-

Obama: No Iraq rescue,further airdrops unlikelyThe situation for thosetrapped by the IslamicState on Sinjar Mountainis improving, Obama said.

Associated Press

President Barack Obama told reporters that the U.S. will continue toprovide humanitarian aid for Iraqis “wherever we have capabilities.”

MORE INSIDEPrime MinisterNouri al-Malikigives up post.Page 3

By Lynn ElberAssociated Press

LOSANGELES—RobinWilliamswas in the early stages of Parkinson’sdisease at the time of his death, hiswife said Thursday.

In a statement, Susan Schneidersaid that Williams, 63, was strugglingwith depression, anxiety and theParkinson’s diagnosis when he diedMonday in his Northern Californiahome. Authorities said he commit-ted suicide.

“Robin’s sobriety was intact andhe was brave as he struggled with hisown battles of depression, anxietyas well as early stages of Parkinson’sdisease,whichhewasnotyetreadytoshare publicly,” Schneider said.

Schneider did not offer details onwhen the actor comedian had beendiagnosed or his symptoms.

The Marin County Sheriff ’sDepartment, which said Williamshanged himself, is conducting

Robin Williams’ widowsays he had Parkinson’s“Robin’s sobriety was intactand he was brave as hisstruggled with his … battles,”Susan Schneider said.

Associated Press | File 2009

Actor Robin Williams, who diedMonday in an apparent suicide, wasbattling depression and anxiety, saidhis wife, Susan Schneider (left).

By Amy Friedenbergeramy.friedenberger@roanoke.com

981-3356

As Cheddar’s Casual Cafe slowly began tofill with the lunchtime crowd, giggles fromtwo people in a booth stuck out.

“You know, if you order fish, they take itout of there?” a woman said, nodding towarda large tank filled with yellow and blue exoticfish.

“Really?” said a little girl, leaning againstthe table. “Nuh-uh.”

The two shared many laughs during theirlunch at the Valley View Mall restaurant, thesources of amusement ranging from jokes tophotos on the woman’s phone.

Daniel Copeland said he always noticesthat his daughter Kameron, the giggling littlegirl with a tight bun, is in brighter spirits aftershe returns from seeing 30-year-old JennieDowda.

“They’re like two peas in a pod,” Copelandsaid.

Mentor brings smilesto soften tough times

With her mother in jail and her father taking care of her and two siblings, Kameron, 9, isbattling stigmas and statistics. Her Big Sister is there to ensure she won’t face them alone.

ERICA YOON | The Roanoke Times

Kameron Copeland, 9, hangs out with her Big Sister Jennie Dowda at a restaurant. Kameron’s mom is currently in jail and her fatheracts as caretaker and disciplinarian. Kameron has a big sister through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program in Roanoke.

1.7millionNumber of kids inthe U.S. who haveat least one parentcurrently in prison.Millions more have aparent in a local jail.

Source: Office of JuvenileJustice and DelinquencyPreventionSee MENTOR, 4

See IRAQ, 4

Associated Press

Missouri Highway Patrol Capt. RonJohnson, now in command in Ferguson,said, “It means a lot to me personallythat we break this cycle of violence.”

See WILLIAMS, 5

See FERGUSON, 5

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