BISMARCK, N.D. — The day the Legislature approved a smoking ban for most North Dakota businesses, Dennis Laches put a sign on his laundry and television repair shop, announcing he would close when the ban took effect Aug. 1.

"Nobody knew if he was going to go through with it," said Troy Mosbrucker, the mayor of Mott, a town of about 800 in southwestern North Dakota. "He had a point to prove, and he proved it."

As promised, Laches closed his business that day. He said it had nothing to do with his pack-a-day habit. Rather, he said, it was a matter of fairness.

"The state of North Dakota is attempting to make me discriminate against another person or group of people," said Laches, 59. "I don't believe government of any kind should be allowed to dictate what I do at my own business and my own building."

State officials say they know of no other businesses that have closed because of the new smoking ban, though police have rounded up ash trays in some bingo parlors.

The new state law bans smoking in most public areas and workplaces. Bars are exempt, unless they have a restaurant in the smoking area. Violators can be fined up to $500. A building owner who allows illegal smoking also faces fines of up to $500 for multiple infractions within one year.

Law enforcement officers are trying to adjust to the new rules.

"It's almost embarrassing walking in and being called the smoke police," said Ward County Sheriff Vern Erck said. "We have better things to do, but we'll enforce it."

But health officials say feedback had generally been positive.

"We had some (people) call that are dissatisfied, but it's been very few," said Kathleen Mangskau, director of the Health Department's tobacco prevention and control program.

Two days after Laches closed his shop, an economic development group purchased his laundry machines, mostly to keep the 100 or so visiting custom wheat harvesters in town.

"If they leave town to do their laundry, then they leave the town grocery, the gas station and the cafe," Mosbrucker said. "Everything loses."

Laches said his business was never a moneymaker in the 17 years he owned it. Now, he'll either retire or move to another state to find work.

"If I find a job, it's going to have to be in a state that allows smoking," he said.

Father charged with kidnapping, rape in attack on daughter who was left for dead

By: Associated Press

WALLACE, Idaho — A registered sex offender accused of trying to kill his 12-year-old daughter last month now faces additional charges, including rape and kidnapping.

John R. Tuggle, 37, was arraigned Friday on the additional charges. He already had been charged with attempted murder and could face life in prison if convicted.

Authorities believe Tuggle took the girl to a remote area of northern Idaho on July 20 after telling her mother he was taking her shopping.

Tuggle had spent nine years in prison for raping his ex-wife's 13-year-old sister and was visiting his daughter for the first time since his release from prison in 2004. Two weeks earlier, he had been informed he was being asked by his ex-wife for additional child support. Their two children live with her in Athol, about 40 miles northeast of Spokane, Wash.

According to testimony from a sheriff's deputy Friday, Tuggle allegedly tied up his daughter, telling her he wanted to show her how to bind her younger brother.

He then pulled her to a meadow, held a knife to her cheek and raped her, the deputy said. The girl told authorities her father stabbed her five times and left her. She was found later that day by campers who heard her cries.

Tuggle, who was caught in Wallace after a weeklong manhunt, is being held on $10 million bail.

His attorney, Erik Smith, didn't return phone calls seeking comment.

Twelve injured in Paris Metro fire

By: Associated Press

PARIS — Fire broke out in a Paris Metro train Saturday, spreading to a second train and injuring 12 people before it was extinguished, officials said.

Paris subway officials said the fire may have been caused by a short circuit in one of the cars and was put out by 6:30 p.m., about two hours after it started. Five of the injured were on the train where the fire started, near the Simplon station in northern Paris.

Another seven passengers were injured when their train, traveling in the opposite direction, caught fire as it sped past.

Transport officials said several stations would be closed until at least Sunday on the line connecting Porte d'Orleans in the south of Paris to the northern Porte de Clignancourt station, a tourist stop known for its weekend flea market.

The fire came amid heightened security in the Paris subway following the bomb attacks on London's transport system last month.