LANDING: Poor weather in Florida caused the...

LANDING: Poor weather in Florida caused the Space Shuttle Discovery to land at Edwards Air Force Base near Lancaster on Tuesday (B1), creating a sonic boom heard throughout the Valley. . . . But Edwards faces an uncertain future. Once the showcase home for the U.S. rocket program, it now faces stiff competition for scarce defense dollars. One rival: the Navy’s Patuxent River flight test center in Maryland.

SHAKEN: The sonic boom scared the heck out of some people, including one frightened woman who whispered to an Antelope Valley sheriff’s deputy that someone was breaking into her house. She was chagrined when Deputy Charles Marritt told her the truth. . . . Yet she was not alone. Foothill Division officers received about 100 calls.

SKATING TIPS: Gretzky may be the Great One. But Glantz could be the one the Los Angeles Kings need just as sorely. He’s Rob Glantz (above), a Birmingham High grad who teaches a more efficient way to skate--called power skating--to the Kings at their Iceoplex camp in North Hills (C1). . . . “The little things Robbie says make sense right off the bat,” said veteran Marty McSorley.

PUBLICITY HOUND: Ashley Whippet was a dog with a talent for catching Frisbees. Irv Lander, of Van Nuys, was a man with a talent for promotion. Twenty years ago, they started “canine Frisbee,” and it’s still going strong (B1). . . . Fame has its price, however: During a White House visit, Ashley had to ward off an attack by Billy Carter’s mutt over the use of a water dish.

SHOTS: It’s that season again. No, not fall. . . . Flu. But you can do something about it. Today’s Valley Briefing (B14) explains how to combat the common cold and influenza, and where seniors can get free shots. . . . Daniel W. Martin, of the Los Angeles County Immunization Program, says it’s too early to determine whether this flu season will be mild or severe.