Milestones

NAMED

Representative Dean Heller, Republican from Nevada, to succeed Senator John Ensign, who plans to step down May 3 over a scandal involving an extramarital affair.

CHOSEN

Cam Newton, as the first pick in the NFL draft, by the Carolina Panthers; the star QB led Auburn to a national championship earlier this year.

PLEADED GUILTY

Phillip and Nancy Garrido, to the abduction, rape and imprisonment of Jaycee Lee Dugard, whom they kept locked up in their backyard for almost two decades.

DIED

Elmer Hauldren, 89, a.k.a. the Empire Carpet Man, known for his friendly demeanor and the company’s catchy jingle, which goes “800 5-8-8, 2-300, Em-pire … today!”

SENTENCED

Miguel Angel Rodriguez, ex-President of Costa Rica, to five years in prison for accepting bribes from the French telecom giant Alcatel.

DESIGNATED

The Colt Single-Action Army revolver–a favorite of Wild West figures like Buffalo Bill Cody and Wyatt Earp–as Arizona’s official state firearm.