MUMMY DEAREST: County Supervisor Mike Antonovich leaves...

MUMMY DEAREST: County Supervisor Mike Antonovich leaves today for China hoping to arrange a future visit to California by several 4,000-year-old mummies. . . . Antonovich wants the mysterious, Caucasian mummies--with blue eyes and red hair--to tour the U.S. If approved by Chinese officials, the exhibition would start at the county’s Natural History Museum in March, 1998. “This will be as big as King Tut,” said one museum official.

SYSTEM STRESSED: For the second time in less than a month, a Valley suspect slipped through the cracks of the justice system. . . . A Pacoima resident suspected of killing a woman in a drunk driving accident was released accidentally because of a miscommunication between law enforcement agencies, California Highway Patrol officials said Tuesday (B1).

FOOTHOLD: Rachel Gagliano gets another year in school--and the Cal State Northridge women’s soccer team is delighted. . . . Gagliano (above) had to petition the NCAA for another year of eligibility to play this season (C6). Tuesday, she got it. Say coaches: “Most experienced player we have” . . . “Worth five wins, minimum.”

RECORD ATTEMPT: A B-52H Stratofortress will take off from Edwards Air Force Base near Lancaster on Friday in an attempt to set a new aviation world record. . . . The Louisiana-based bomber will seek a new speed record by flying 5,400 nautical miles--without refueling--with a payload of 11,000 pounds. The plane takes off at 6 a.m. from Edwards, flies to a spot over Greenland and returns to Edwards at 6 p.m.

BACK TO BASICS: With All-American quarterback J.J. O’Laughlin gone, new Cal State Northridge Coach Dave Baldwin is looking for experience to lead his new, pass-oriented offense (C6). New QB Clayton Millis is just the man, although he may look a little too experienced. Says Baldwin: “He looks like he’s about 40 years old.”