Odds and ends from the Republican National Convention

California delegates to the Republican National Convention began their week of parties with a round or two of “Big Apple” martinis at Bowlmor Lanes in Greenwich Village on Sunday evening. Hosting the event was U.S. Rep. David Dreier, who is serving as parliamentarian for the convention by virtue of his post as House Rules Committee chairman. It’s the biggest responsibility the parliamentarian has – to make sure people have a good time,” said Dreier, greeting guests in a “Team Dreier” bowling shirt and declaring himself “the party animal of New York.” Late-evening entertainment included a performance that offended some guests, as lingerie-clad women swung in aerobic and erotic poses from sheets and ropes hung from the ceiling. Read the story here.

Suspect in slaying of Mexican senator arrested in Santa Ana

SANTA ANA - A suspect in the slaying of a senator from the northern Mexican state of Durango has been arrested in the United States. Jorge Salazar Solis, 37, was arrested this week by federal immigration agents and local police at a home in Santa Ana, officials said Friday. Salazar and his brother, Arnulfo, are suspects in the July 24 shooting death of Sen. Jose Manuel Diaz Medina in a family dispute, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency said. Read the story here.

Timeline at center of Peterson trial

Recently uncovered evidence in Scott Peterson’s double-murder trial appears to support prosecutors’ version of key events on Dec. 24, 2002, despite some news reports to the contrary. The evidence—a time-stamped ATM receipt—may help cement prosecutors’ timeline for that day, a Bee simulation suggests, despite stepped-up attacks by Peterson’s supporters. At issue is whether Peterson lied about the first leg of his alibi. Authorities say he did, to improve the believability of his now-famous Christmas Eve fishing trip. The prosecution analysis of phone records, testimony and Peterson’s alibi provides only 10 minutes for 8-months-pregnant Laci Peterson to finish mopping the floor, change clothes, begin walking her dog and be abducted before the dog appeared alone in front of the couple’s Covena Avenue home. Read the story here.