More from the Appeal Newsroom

The search for Steve Fossett has been expanded once more, this time to 17,000 miles.

At a 10 a.m. briefing, reporters were told that about half of that area had been searched as flyers continue to look for the Citabria Super Decathalon Fossett flew from the Flying M Ranch on Labor Day morning.

Lyon County Undersheriff Joe Sanford said Peggy Fossett has asked that reporters respect the family's privacy. He said she is the only family member at the Flying M Ranch, accompanied by Fossett's pilot.

Sanford clarified the timeline on Labor Day, when Fossett hadn't returned from his flight, which started at about 9 a.m.

He said Lyon County received the initial call at 1:43 p.m. and that deputies searched dry lakebeds in southern Lyon County.

Sanford said ground searchers continue to look for Fossett.

Trooper Chuck Allen of the Nevada Department of Public Safety said a boat is on Walker Lake looking for Fossett using sonar.

Civil Air Patrol Maj. Cynthia Ryan said that today searchers would be pooling their resources. This morning 14 patrol aircraft took off in search of Fossett in an area including parts of eastern California and western Nevada.

She said weather conditions are excellent for the search and that they are still hopeful Fossett will be found alive.

In addition to the Civil Air Patrol, a Nevada National Guard C-130 and three helicopters, and private aircraft from Silver State Helicopters.

Ryan said there are private searchers who are coordinating with the Civil Air Patrol.

"There are no cowboys allowed," she said.

However, a group of private searchers not involved in the hunt are those at the Flying M Ranch, who have agreed to a flight restriction for the morning. She said the restriction would be lifted this afternoon.

"The Maestro fought a long, tough battle against the pancreatic cancer which eventually took his life." " Luciano Pavarotti's manager, Terri Robson, in a statement on the opera superstar's death this week at age 71.

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"We have to remember him as the great artist that he was, the man with such a wonderful charismatic personality, very good friend and a great poker player." " Opera singer Jose Carreras, on the late Luciano Pavarotti.

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"I think I would be very sad if I wasn't able to have a baby. Keith knows I want one, and he has been getting there slowly." " Nicole Kidman, on yearning to have a child with her husband, country singer Keith Urban.

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"It's almost like you want to go get a drink with them, get to know them a little bit." " Christian Bale, on becoming so immersed in his film characters that he can't easily leave them behind.

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"I can tell you he has been doing very well, he has been making us laugh." " Wes Anderson, who directed Owen Wilson in "The Darjeeling Limited," on the actor's recovery from an apparent suicide attempt.

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"As George Burns said, 'Retire to what?' You should do what you really like to do, love to do, and then just keep going forward. The more you keep learning, the more life becomes important, and it makes you live longer." " Tony Bennett.

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"This is so in my heart. I make the clothes for myself, clothes I'd want to wear. I want clothes that have quality and style." " Gwen Stefani, on her L.A.M.B. fashion line.

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"Gabriel and I are beyond excited, and I've waited a long time for this moment in life." " Halle Berry, on expecting her first child with her boyfriend, model Gabriel Aubry.

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"I don't want my picture taken. .. So every time I see paparazzi, I cover my face so they don't get a picture, and I'm just 'the mean person who doesn't smile."' " Mary-Kate Olsen.

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"It's a party that has legendary status. It's hard to throw a party that lives up to its legend." " Sean "Diddy" Combs, on his annual White Party.

An exerp from Guy Farmer's column:

No matter which party is in power, we Americans seem to pay a lot of attention to our enemies and take our friends for granted. I thought of that unhappy fact of international life last week as President Bush visited Australia, which has been a loyal " and mostly ignored " U.S. ally for most of our shared history.