A Diedrich deal, no smoking ban at restaurants makes headway, and more

Headlines from across today's L.A. Times:

-- Diedrich Coffee agrees to be swallowed by Green Mountain Roasters.

--The owner of Ralphs Grocery Co. is paying the price for helping to launch Southern California's supermarket price wars.

-- A plan for banning smoking in the outdoor sections of Los Angeles restaurants moves one step closer to approval.

-- Family seeks answers after chef disappears from cruise ship.

-- Rene Lynch