American Scene

ALASKA

Geologist survives two grizzly attacks

ANCHORAGE | The first time the bear charged, Robert Miller had just enough time to get out his gun, squeeze off a shot and play dead before the grizzly attacked.

The first attack lasted 10 or 15 seconds and the bear wandered off, but not far enough.

Mr. Miller was trying to stand up when the bear attacked, again. Mr. Miller, 54, got two more shots off, then turned back onto his stomach and played dead again, as the bear chewed on.

Mr. Miller, who spoke to the Associated Press from an Anchorage hospital Wednesday three days after being attacked in the Alaska Range, said he holds no grudge against the bear. He’s just glad he got training on how to survive a bear attack.

MASSACHUSETTS

Environmentalists sue over Cape Cod wind project

BOSTON | Environmental and watchdog groups claim in a lawsuit that federal agencies responsible for approving a wind farm off Cape Cod violated federal law by endangering protected migratory birds.

The suit was filed Friday in federal court in Washington. It alleges that required scientific studies were not done and that protective measures were ignored in approving the 130-turbine project in Nantucket Sound.

The lawsuit alleges that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service violated the Endangered Species Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act and National Environmental Policy Act.

A lawyer for the plaintiffs says “science was manipulated and suppressed for political reasons.” Spokespeople for the federal agencies did not return calls.

Since the project was approved in April, opponents of the project have said they would mount legal challenges to block it.

PENNSYLVANIA

Thorpe’s son seeks return of remains

PHILADELPHIA | A son of Jim Thorpe is suing the Pennsylvania town that bears his father’s name over the remains of the American Indian often called the 20th century’s greatest athlete.

Jack Thorpe of Shawnee, Okla., filed the lawsuit Thursday under a federal law designed to return American Indian artifacts to their tribal homelands.

Jim Thorpe is a native Oklahoman who was a member of the Sac and Fox tribe. He won the decathlon and pentathlon in the 1912 Olympics and played professional football and baseball.

The Pocono Mountains town of Mauch Chunk, Pa., made an odd 1950s deal with his third wife to bring his remains there. It then renamed itself Jim Thorpe and built a monument to the athlete.

Jack Thorpe wants the remains returned to Oklahoma.

• From wire dispatches and staff reports