12/31/08
WIND ADVISORY LIFTED
The wind advisory has been lifted. The National Weather Service lifted the advisory after a strong Pacific frontal system moved into Western Washington and the winds decreased. No major outages have been reported due to wind overnight.

P.U.D. 1 APPROVES 2009 BUDGETS
The Mason County P.U.D. No. 1 Board of Commissioners has approved the electrical and water budgets for 2009. In a news release, P.U.D. 1 officials say the projected electrical revenues are over $6.1 Million ($6,136,337) with projected costs for electrical operation at nearly $5.9 Million ($5,868, 521). The P.U.D. anticipates NO rate increase next year for electrical service. The water budget has projected revenues of $1.1 Million ($1,106,000) and projected costs just under $1 Million ($996,947). There will be a scheduled 3% rate increase to water rates for all P.U.D. 1 owned systems effective January 1st.  The P.U.D. also completed its 2008 audit by the State Auditor's office with no findings. Auditors issued Mason County P.U.D. No. 1 a clean audit report. The P.U.D has never had an audit finding in its 75 years of existence. Mason County P.U.D. No. 1 was the first P.U.D. formed in the State.

NEW PARKING RESTRICTIONS EFFECTIVE FRIDAY
The City of Shelton's new parking restrictions for the downtown area are effective Friday. According to Shelton Police Chief Terry Davenport, several changes have been made including no more "re-parking" in the same block. The penalty for overtime parking has already increased to $25 and the first 39 spaces in Evergreen Square will be permitted parking along with the spaces in the City's gravel lot east of the Shelton Civic Center. The cost of those parking permits is increasing to $150 per year if paid annually. The cost will be $175 if paid semi-annually (twice a year). And the cost for a permitted parking space paid quarterly (four times a year) will be $200. There are also changes in where parking will be restricted, limited or open. The City has eliminated timed parking around the Mason County Courthouse and provided more open parking. A map indicating where the parking restrictions are is available through MasonCountyDailyNews.com. If you have questions about the new parking restrictions or to reserve a permitted parking space, contact the City at 426-4491.

EXTRA DUI PATROLS TONIGHT: NEW YEAR'S EVE
The holiday season is one of the deadliest and most dangerous times of the year due to an increase in impaired driving. That is why District 8 of the Washington State Patrol will be working extra emphasis patrols tonight, New Year's Eve, in an effort to make roadways safer by removing those who choose to drive impaired. Although there are a number of factors that contribute to collisions on the highways, DUI and speed are two top priorities.  The men and women of the State Patrol will be working around the clock to ensure safety on the roadways. Troopers will also be looking for motorists driving under the influence of other substances. There are some things motorists can do to help keep dangerous drivers off the road. If you plan on drinking, designate a sober driver before you start. If you have been drinking, call a taxi or a sober friend to drive you home. If you are on the road and come across someone who you suspect might be impaired, immediately call 911 and report it.  If a trooper is in the area they will be able to stop the car before it has the chance to cause harm to someone else. Please don't drink and drive.

NUMBER OF WSP VEHICLES HIT BY DRUNKS DOUBLES DURING 2008
The number of State Patrol vehicles hit by drunk drivers doubled last year. In 2008, 25 troopers had their vehicles hit by impaired drivers. That compares to only eleven in 2007. According to Chief John Batiste, no one was hurt in these incidents. About half of the incidents occurred as troopers were parked beside the road with violators or handling other collisions. The Chief had no explanation for the increase. The agency has not changed its training or procedures for how troopers park when contacting violators or investigating collisions. Washington law requires drivers to move over if possible and slow down when they see emergency vehicles beside the road.

Other News:
HEAVY SNOW CAUSING ROOF COLLAPES IN SPOKANE; MORE SNOW FORECAST
The weight of record snowfall is causing roofs to collapse in the Spokane area, while snow is blamed for at least one death. Portions of the roof at a church, a grocery store, health club and a building supply company were among at least 19 collapses attributed to the wet, heavy snow. The Spokane Fire Department responded to one collapse at the Global Fitness gym in north Spokane. A rescue dive team spent two hours searching the debris-filled swimming pool for victims. No one was found in the pool. The latest snowstorm that brought some 10 inches to the Spokane area this week was also blamed for the death of 85-year-old Venita Johnson, of Rockford, about 15 miles southeast of Spokane. She suffocated over the weekend when snow apparently fell from her rooftop and buried her as she shoveled her sidewalk. More than 59 inches of snow has fallen in Spokane in December, a record for one month.

The National Weather Service is forecasting more hazardous weather for Eastern Washington, with additional snow expected in the Wenatchee, Omak, Spokane and Pullman areas. A major winter storm also is forecast to begin New Year's Day and last into Friday, followed by another storm Sunday, bringing moderate to heavy snow accumulations. The state Department of Transportation has sent some of its snow removal equipment from Western Washington to Eastern Washington.

Elsewhere in Washington, a winter storm warning was posted for the Olympic and Cascade mountains through this afternoon, with a strong weather system expected to bring 1 to 2 feet of new snow. Much of Western Washington, including Seattle and the Puget Sound area, braced for rain and winds expected to gust to 50 mph.
    
STATE REGULATORS OK SALE OF PUGET SOUND ENERGY
State regulators have approved the sale of Puget Sound Energy for $7.4 billion to a group of investors from Canada and Australia. The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission said yesterday that the state's largest private utility can be sold to New York-based Puget Holdings LLC. While based in New York, the company is held by foreign investors. The sale was supported by the commission's staff, Industrial Customers of Northwest Utilities, Northwest Industrial Gas Users, The Kroger Company, The Energy Project and Northwest Energy Coalition. It was opposed by the Public Counsel Section of the Attorney General's Office.
    
PEOPLE CONTINUE SMOKING DESPITE BAD ECONOMY
Financial stress doesn't push people away from smoking. A study shows people are more likely to smoke than quit during an economic downturn. A survey from the American Legacy Foundation found that 77 percent of current smokers are stressed by the national economy. This stress is causing some people to delay their attempt to quit smoking, and some are smoking more cigarettes than before. Washington Secretary of Health Mary Selecky says the expense of smoking is a good reason to quit during bad economic times. The state's free tobacco quit line offers free coaching and a supply of nicotine patches or gum. Since the average cost of a pack of cigarettes is $5.38, Selecky says pack-a-day smokers could save nearly $2,000 by quitting.
    
SHIP CAPTAIN SENTENCED OVER OCEAN DUMPING
A South Korean ship captain has been sentenced in Tacoma to two months of home detention for his role in dumping hundreds of pounds of oil-contaminated waste and plastic into the Pacific Ocean. U.S. District Judge Benjamin Settle said yesterday he would have sentenced 54-year-old Hae Wan Yang to prison, except that Yang has a life-threatening health condition. Yang was captain of the M/V Pan Voyager, a South Korean-owned bulk cargo ship, during a voyage from Korea to Longview in July. Federal prosecutors say Yang and other officers ordered crew members to dump six 55-gallon drums, 30 plastic-lined rice sacks and 200 garbage sacks containing oil-contaminated grain. Two whistleblowers told U.S. authorities about the incident. Yang was charged with knowingly failing to keep an accurate record of the ship's garbage. The ship owner, STX Pan Ocean Co. Ltd., pleaded guilty in October and agreed to pay a $500,000 fine and $250,000 to use in projects to restore Puget Sound.
    
ANOTHER DEALY FOR SEATTLE VIADUCT DECISION
Another deadline will come and go with no decision on how to replace the aging Alaskan Way Viaduct on Seattle's downtown waterfront. Gov. Chris Gregoire, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels and King County Executive Ron Sims issued a statement Tuesday saying they still need more time to decide on the best replacement for the crumbling elevated highway. The deadline for a decision - under pressure from the Legislature - was supposed to be Wednesday. Now, the three leaders expect to make a decision in January. Earlier this month, state, county and city transportation officials recommended two final options: a replacement elevated highway, and a network of surface streets. But the statement said that since then, there has continued to be overwhelming response from people who want to have a say.
    
ECONOMIC DOWNTURN, SNOWSTORM TOP STORIES IN 2008
The gloomy economy and a record snowstorm top the list of Washington state news stories in 2008. A survey of editors at the state's daily newspapers ranked the growing impact of the national economic meltdown as the top story of the year. The downturn is forcing massive budget cuts. Ranking second were the snowstorms that slammed the state this month, virtually shutting down greater Seattle and blanketing Spokane with record snowfall. The failure of Washington Mutual, the departure of the NBA's SuperSonics and the re-election of Gov. Chris Gregoire round out the top five. The rest of Washington's top 10 news list includes: the Machinists strike that shut down Boeing commercial airplane production, the opening of the third runway at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, the U.S. Border Patrol's policy of setting up immigration roadblocks far from the Canadian border, a deadly shooting rampage in Skagit County, and a dispute over holiday decorations at the state capitol.
    
LAST TRADING POST IN WINTHROP BURNS
A fire has destroyed the Last Trading Post in Winthrop, a historic building that was once the community's post office. Owner Dorcas Rhinehart said she's not sure when the structure was built, but she had a photo of it taken in 1911, and was told it first became Winthrop's post office in 1906. Don Waller, chief of Okanogan County Fire District 6, says the cause of the fire early Christmas morning may never be determined, due to its intensity.
    
U-W AUTISM RESEARCHERS SEEK INFANTS FOR BRAIN SCANS
Autism researchers at the University of Washington are seeking parents who will allow them to do brain scans of their infants. The scans are part of a national autism study. The developmental disorder affects one in every 150 children. The UW scientists are looking for 84 six-month-old infants from California, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Idaho, Nevada and Alaska who have an older sibling who has been diagnosed with autism. They also need 34 infants with typically developing older brothers or sisters. Each child will be scanned three times over two years. The study requires the scans to be done in Seattle and money is available to pay for travel. Families will also be reimbursed for their time.
    
8TH BODY RECOVERD FROM B.C. AVALANCHE
The eighth body has been recovered from an avalanche in southeastern British Columbia near Fernie. The body found yesterday was the final one to be recovered from the scene where snowmobilers were buried Sunday by snow. Three others who were buried were able to dig themselves out. All 11 men came from the nearby coal-mining town of Sparwood and knew each other. Mayor David Wilks says the town of 4,000 is devastated by the deaths.
    
STARBUCKS TO INTRODUCE NEW TEA-BASED DRINKS
Starbucks says it will begin selling three new tea-based lattes and two nondairy tea drinks on Saturday as part of a push to offer customers healthier choices. The gourmet coffee retailer said all but one of the new drinks are less than 200 calories for a 12-ounce, or tall, serving. The new lattes are made with steamed milk and Tazo full-leaf tea bags. The new varieties include the Black Tea Latte, the Vanilla Rooibos Latte and the London Fog latte. The company already sells a chai tea and green tea latte. Starbucks will also launch new Tazo Tea Infusions - nondairy drinks made with Tazo black chai tea and fruit juice. The company will offer a Berry Chai Infusion, made with berry and black currant juices, and an Apple Chai Infusion, made with apple juice. That drink is 250 calories, the company said. Starbucks said the move was part of its recent effort to offer customers some healthier options. The company introduced more whole-grain, low fat breakfast offerings earlier this year, including an instant oatmeal that has been hugely popular.
        
EAST WENATCHEE MAN CHARGED IN SHOOTING DEATH
A 27-year-old East Wenatchee man has been charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of his mother's former live-in boyfriend. Christopher Martin Owens was charged Monday in Douglas County Superior Court in the slaying of 47-year-old Richard Lynn Tyler. Owens' mother, Kellie Brown, sought a restraining order against Tyler four days before he was shot in the head Dec. 23 at her home. She reportedly said he had broken in and her son was protecting her when Tyler was shot. However, Heather McCourt, a sister of Tyler, has said she and her father were with Tyler, and she denies that he forced his way into the house. McCourt says he went there to pick up his belongings. Owens' arraignment is scheduled for Monday.

MONROE FIRES ITS CITY AMINISTRATOR
The city administrator of Monroe for nearly six years has been fired. The City Council voted unanimously to terminate Jim Southworth's contract after a closed-door session in December. Mayor Donnetta Walser called the meeting to discuss employee performance issues with the potential for litigation. No explanation was given for the firing. Walser said the reason for the firing was "a combination of things," but declined to elaborate. Southworth began working as city administrator in May 2002. Before that, he served as a city manager for the city of Toppenish, near Yakima.
    
FORMER ARLINGTON CITY WORKER PLEADS GUILTY TO EMBEZZLEMENT
A former administrator for the city of Arlington has pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $1.3 million. Terry L. Davis faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine when she is sentenced. She pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court in Seattle to one count each of mail fraud and filing a false tax return. The 57-year-old Davis was assistant financial director and human resources manager for Arlington from 2000 to 2008, when she made out 103 unauthorized checks to herself and forged the authorizing signatures. As part of her plea agreement, Davis will forfeit to the government two properties, two cars and a time-share condo at Whistler, British Columbia. She also must pay more than $1.3 million in restitution. Sentencing is scheduled for March 27.   

ASSOCIATED PRESS NEWS BRIEFS FOR 12/31/08
The Washington State Patrol says the number of troopers hit by drunken drivers more than doubled from 2007 to 2008 - from 11 to 25. The State Patrol said about half the crashes happened after a trooper had stopped another violator or pulled into the shoulder to handle an accident.
    
Another deadline will come and go with no decision on how to replace the aging Alaskan Way Viaduct on Seattle's downtown waterfront. Gov. Chris Gregoire, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels and King County Executive Ron Sims say they still need more time to decide on the best replacement for the crumbling elevated highway.
    
The eighth body has been recovered from an avalanche in southeastern British Columbia near Fernie. The body found yesterday was the final one to be recovered from the scene where snowmobilers were buried Sunday by snow.
    
A former administrator for the city of Arlington has pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $1.3 million. Terry L. Davis faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine when she is sentenced.

The city administrator of Monroe for nearly six years has been fired. The City Council voted unanimously to terminate Jim Southworth's contract after a closed-door session in December.
    
The Washington State Patrol says the number of troopers hit by drunken drivers more than doubled from 2007 to 2008 ... from 11 to 25. The State Patrol has no explanation for the sudden spike and reported no changes in training or procedures that troopers follow when stopped alongside the road.
    
The weight of record snowfall is causing roofs to collapse in the Spokane area, while snow is blamed for at least one death. Portions of the roof at a church, a grocery store, health club and a building supply company were among at least 19 collapses attributed to the wet, heavy snow.
    
State regulators have approved the sale of Puget Sound Energy for $7.4 billion to a group of investors from Canada and Australia. The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission said yesterday that the state's largest private utility can be sold to New York-based Puget Holdings LLC.

The former bookkeeper of a Pasco frozen vegetable packing plant is accused of cashing unclaimed employee checks and pocketing the money. Tawnya Strickland pleaded innocent yesterday in Franklin County Superior Court in Pasco to first-degree theft.
    
A South Korean ship captain has been sentenced in Tacoma to two months of home detention for his role in dumping hundreds of pounds of oil-contaminated waste and plastic into the Pacific Ocean. U.S. District Judge Benjamin Settle said yesterday he would have sentenced 54-year-old Hae Wan Yang to prison, except that Yang has a life-threatening health condition.

12/30/08
ROADS ICY THIS MORNING
Motorists should drive carefully today due to the possibility of snow, ice or black ice on area roads. Although the temperature may be above freezing, the dew point is not, creating ice on vehicles and possibly roads. Also, some areas got a trace of snow. Most major arterials have been treated with deicer or sanded, but there may be patches that are slick, especially the more remote or less traveled roads. Please drive with caution this morning. Slow down, increase your following distance, increase your stopping distance, and allow extra time for your commute. There was a one-vehicle roll over involving a County vehicle on Arcadia Road this morning at milepost one. Problems were also reported on North 13th and on Island Lake Road. In Thurston County, there have been several reports of vehicle spin outs on Highway 8 west of the intersection with U.S. Highway 101 at Shaker Church Road and on I-5 east of Lacey and south of Tumwater. Please drive safely.

WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM SIX TONIGHT TO SEVEN TOMORROW MORNING
The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory, which is in effect from six tonight until seven tomorrow morning. Forecasters say a strong Pacific frontal system will move onto the Washington coast around midnight tonight and then inland by early tomorrow (Wednesday) morning with southerly winds 25 to 35 MPH with gusts to 50 possible. The strongest winds will occur ahead of the front. A wind advisory is issued when sustained winds of 30 to 39 MPH or gusts of 45 to 57 MPH are likely. Winds this strong can snap small tree branches, topple small or shallow rooted trees and cause local power outages. Residents should take actions to prepare for the coming winds.

SEX OFFENDER MOVES TO HOODSPORT
A sex offender has moved to the Hoodsport area. A sex offender information bulletin from the Mason County Sheriff's Office says that 54-year-old Donald Lavern Fawver is living within the 100 block of North Rebecca Lane and is required to register as a sex offender due to multiple sex offense convictions including Indecent Liberties and Rape of a Child Third Degree. According to a psychological evaluation, Fawver admitted that when he was 17 years old, he had sexual contacts with a 10-year-old girl, and four 15- or 16-year-old girls.  Fawver also has an extensive criminal history to include Arson 1st Degree, Delivery of Meth, Possession of Meth, Possession of Stolen Property, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Malicious Mischief Domestic Violence, Theft 3rd Degree, Assault 4th Degree, Soliciting Prostitution, and Driving While License Suspended Third degree. Fawver is NOT on Department of Corrections' supervision and his only requirement is to register as a sex offender. Due to these factors, the Mason County Sheriff's Office has assessed Fawver as a level three sex offender - the highest level - and he is considered a high risk to re-offend.  Donald Lavern Fawver is a white male, six feet tall, weighing 155 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. And again Donald Fawver has given his address within Mason County as within the 100 block of North Rebecca Lane, which is north of Hoodsport.

ARMORY TASK FORCE MEETS TODAY
The Mason County Transit and Community Center Task Force is meeting at noon today at the former Shelton Armory on Franklin Street in Shelton. This is the meeting that was canceled due to the snowstorm. All stake holders are invited to attend as the task force will be discussing the preliminary construction costs and funding strategy for the Transit/Community center. The final public presentation, complete with design concepts, business/operating plan, and capital funding plan will be held on Thursday, January 8th at 6pm at the Armory. But again, the Mason County Transit and Community Center Task Force is meeting at noon today at the former Shelton Armory.

SOUTHSIDE SCHOOL BOARD MEETING TONIGHT
The Southside School Board meets at six tonight. The meeting is being held in the school's library.
 
NO COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING THIS WEEK
The Mason County Commission is NOT meeting this week. The County Commissioners are NOT holding briefings or a business meeting. The Mason County Commission's next regular business meeting is scheduled for 9 AM Tuesday, January 6th.

P.U.D. 3 CANCELS TUESDAY MEETING
The Mason County P.U.D. No. 3 Commission has cancelled its December 30 regular meeting. The Board will conduct its next regular meeting at 10:00 a.m., January 6 in the P.U.D. 3 board room at 307 West Cota Street in Shelton.

CHRISTMAS BABY AT M-G-H
Richie Wesley Ora Howe was Mason General Hospital's 2008 Christmas Baby.  Richie was delivered by Dr. Lystra B. Wilson-Celestine at 2:17 AM December 25. His parents are Nicole Johnson and Christopher Allen Howe. Richie weighed six pounds, 15 ounces and was 20 inches long. His special gifts for being the Christmas Baby included a Christmas stocking and knitted hat - both hand-made by the MGH's Women's Auxiliary.  A local quilting club also made the Christmas quilt he was wrapped in.

Other News:
MORE WINTER STORMS HEADED TOWARD WASHINGTON
The National Weather Service says two more storms are headed to Washington this week with more gusty winds, significant rain and heavy snow in places. Forecasters say a storm blowing into the Northwest Tuesday night and Wednesday will hit the coast and parts of Western Washington with high winds. They say it will dump 1 to 2 feet of snow in the Olympics and Cascades. Snow also will fall across the northern part of Eastern Washington with another 1 to 3 inches for Spokane.  The National Weather Service says the second storm due by Friday morning could be stronger with widespread winds and considerable rainfall in Western Washington. It would bring more snow to the mountains and rain and more snow to Eastern Washington.

ANOTHER UNIONS SUES GREGOIRE OVER PAY RAISES
Another labor union is suing Gov. Chris Gregoire over her budget plan that doesn't include negotiated raises for state workers. A branch of the Service Employees International Union that represents home health care workers filed the lawsuit yesterday with the state Supreme Court. The lawsuit asks that Gregoire be forced to submit a new proposed budget, with money for the raises included. The union says Gregoire's administration agreed to a contract with the home care workers that includes raises of about 25 cents an hour next year, and 22 cents an hour in 2010. Washington's largest union for full-fledged state employees, the Washington Federation of State Employees, sued Gregoire last week over her budget's proposal to forgo negotiated raises for those workers, as well. The state is facing a projected deficit of about $5.7 billion over the next 2 1/2 years. Gregoire has requested a no-new-taxes budget, and the Legislature meets Jan. 12 to begin working on the problem.

WASHINGTON MAY CLOSE 14 PARKS INCLUDING ONE IN MASON COUNTY
The state Parks and Recreation Commission may close 14 of the 121 state parks in Washington to save money. A commission spokeswoman SAYS it's looking at transferring low-priority parks to local governments or nonprofit groups. One of them is the 105-acre Tolmie State Park near Lacey, which doesn't have a campground and draws mostly local visitors. And Schafer State Park in the Matlock area of Mason County is also on the list. The list was compiled after several parks were closed in 2002. The commission rated all state parks for their location, scenic views, cultural resources and potential to make money. The spokeswoman, Virginia Painter, says there are no plans to sell parks to developers or commercial interests. The plan will be subject to debate in the Legislature.

DUI BREATH DEVICE LAW TAKING EFFECT IN WASHINGTON
More Washington drivers with drunken driving arrest records will be able to get behind the wheel sooner under a law taking effect with the new year. It allows drivers arrested for drunken driving to apply for a special license to drive with an ignition-interlock device. The device tests for alcohol in their breath before the car will start. State law currently requires the Department of Licensing to suspend the license of a driver who is arrested for drunken driving or refuses to submit to a breath test. The sponsor of the new law, Rep. Roger Goodman of Kirkland, says the interlock device will reduce the number of people driving with suspended licenses.

WEYERHAEUSER TO HALT SALE OF SEVEN FREIGHTERS
The Weyerhaeuser Co. says it has stopped trying to sell its seven oceangoing freighters, citing tight financial markets and weak demand for their shipping services in the current economic climate. The vessels, part of the company's Westwood Shipping Line unit, transport forest products between North America and Asian business partners in Japan, Korea and China. Weyerhaeuser still plans to sell Westwood Shipping's four regional short-line railways. Those railways are used primarily to supply U.S. mills, though third-party customers sometimes use them to transport grain and paper products. Shipping demand has fallen off dramatically in recent months, as the economy weakened and tight credit kept some shippers from moving freight altogether. However, railroads have been less affected by the slowdown in freight hauling because of stronger demand in commodities, including coal and chemicals, and an ability to fetch higher prices.
    
WEST NILE VIRUS MORE ACTIVE IN WASHINGTON
The state Department of Health says the 2008 West Nile virus season was the most active in Washington since monitoring began in 2001. Three human infections were reported during the year - one in King County and two in Yakima County. The King County resident had traveled to Eastern Washington and was probably infected there. West Nile virus is spread by mosquitoes that become infected from birds. Under the state's testing program, 84 horses, 178 birds and 1,287 mosquito samples were tested for the virus this season. It was found in 41 of the horses tested, 22 birds and 57 mosquito samples. Most of the positive cases - including 26 horses - were in Yakima County. A handful of the birds that tested positive were found in Western Washington - three each in King and Pierce counties, and one each in Lewis and Thurston counties. In humans, symptoms of West Nile infection resemble the flu or
the common cold with fevers, aches and a headache. About 20 percent of the people who have the virus develop symptoms. Only about 1 percent of those get severe illnesses. There is no cure for West Nile and a vaccine is only available for horses.

WASHINGTON GETS $28 MILLION IN FED FORECLOSURE AID
Washington will receive $28 million in federal home foreclosure aid. The Department of Housing and Urban Development is distributing nearly $4 billion nationally through its Neighborhood Stabilization Program. The money was approved in July by Congress in a housing bill. Funds will be distributed in Washington by the Department of Community Trade and Economic Development. The money will help local jurisdictions buy foreclosed homes, fix them up and resell them to low- and moderate-income buyers. The funds also may be used in down-payment assistance programs.

TWO ESCAPEES CAUGHT
Two offenders who escaped from a minimum-security prison in southwest Washington have been recaptured. The state Department of Corrections says 23-year-old Michael Scott Frio and 33-year-old Eric Allen Voight were discovered missing from the Larch Corrections Center about 10:20 p.m. Sunday. The prison is about 15 miles northeast of Vancouver. The department says Frio was recaptured in Orchards at about 1 a.m. yesterday. Voight was captured around noon. Frio was serving a sentence for drug and property crimes in Clark County. Voight was behind bars for two counts of burglary from Thurston County. Details about how the men escaped were not immediately available.

BODY OF MISSION TOUTLE MAN FOUND UNDER SNOW
A body found under the snow has been identified as a 52-year-old man who had been missing a week in Toutle. The Cowlitz County sheriff's office say the trail where the body of Daniel Olds was found Saturday by family members had been searched many times over three days. Heavy snow up to 2 feet deep covered the area after Olds was reported missing Dec. 20. He had been house-sitting and was apparently trying to walk a short trail to his parents' house when he fell. There were no obvious signs of trauma. Olds was last seen Dec. 19 at Three Rivers Christian School where he worked as a custodian.
    
TRAINLOAD OF AUTOS BOUND FOR SEATTLE DERAILS
Sixteen rail cars carrying new automobiles from Chicago to Seattle derailed in northwestern Montana, disrupting holiday travel for more than 3,000 Amtrak passengers. The train derailed Saturday afternoon near Essex, Mont., and crews were still working last night to get all the rail cars back on the track. The derailment caused Amtrak to cancel its eastbound Empire Builder passenger train between Seattle and Minneapolis on Sunday and the westbound train between those cities yesterday. Amtrak spokeswoman Vernae Graham says other Empire Builder trains were delayed, including one that was 22 hours late and another delayed 16 hours. A spokesman for Burlington Northern Santa Fe says the condition of the automobiles on the derailed cars wasn't immediately known. The cars that derailed were part of a 47-car train loaded with autos bound for Seattle. The cause of the derailment was under investigation.

COPTER LANDING PAD APPROVED AT FEDERAL WAY CHURCH
A city hearing examiner has approved a helicopter landing pad for a Federal Way church. It would allow Pastors Casey and Wendy Treat to fly between the Christian Faith Center and its Everett campus. Unless neighbors appeal to the city council, Monday's decision will become final. Some neighbors complained at a hearing of the possible noise. The hearing examiner said there would be no measurable increase. There are restrictions against frequent or nighttime flights. A church spokesman told The Tacoma News Tribune a helicopter would be used only on major religious holidays or for special guest speakers. The church moved about a year ago from SeaTac to Federal Way.
    
WILL WILD VANCOUVER WATHER DISRUPT 2010 GAMES?
All of the bad weather that has been hitting Washington state recently has also been dumping on British Columbia - stranding thousands of airline passengers, making roads impassable and causing dozens of power failures. So the question is being asked north of the border: What if this happens during the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver? Officials say they're well aware of that threat, and are taking the current storms as a learning opportunity. At the Vancouver airport, officials say their planning includes anticipating a large snowstorm at the start or end of the games, when travel will be highest. The airport has ordered extra snow-clearing equipment and is working with airlines to improve the deicing process. The city's transit system will have more buses and a new subway line that won't be affected by weather because most of it runs underground. Car-free lanes on roads to the Olympic venues should also mean less chance of snow-related traffic congestion. And even though they can't control the weather, officials are taking steps to deal with it better. Weather stations have been installed at each venue and along the highway that connects Vancouver to the Whistler ski area.
   
SEVEN BODIES RECOVERED FROM CANADA AVALANCHES
Search teams in British Columbia recovered the body of seven snowmobilers yesterday, a day after they were swept away by avalanches. One man remains missing and is believed to be dead. The seven bodies were found as searchers plowed through avalanche debris near Fernie in British Columbia's Elk Valley, about 550 miles east of Vancouver. Eleven snowmobilers were hit by back-to-back avalanches on Sunday. Three of them clawed through the snow and reached safety. Search efforts for the missing men were delayed yesterday until slopes could be stabilized to avoid more avalanches.  Search-and-rescue officials planned to monitor the snowfall overnight and decide whether it will be safe this morning to go up after the one victim still left behind.
    
PART OF SNOWY SPOKANE SUPERMARKET ROOF COLLAPSES
The center of a snow-laden supermarket roof collapsed in snowy Spokane last night, prompting the evacuation of that store and adjacent businesses. A fire official says only one minor injury was reported. Spokane Assistant Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer says about 25,000 square feet of roof fell in at a Rosauers Supermarket in north Spokane. He estimated that was about half of the grocery's roof, which had been covered with about 30 inches of snow. He says one female employee received a minor injury but all employees and shoppers quickly evacuated. Schaeffer says adjoining businesses in the strip mall complex were under a mandatory evacuation. Firefighters were concerned about additional collapse. The roof collapse came as Spokane set a monthly record for snowfall, at 59.7 inches. The previous record of 56.9 inches was set in January 1950. And the stormy weather isn't over yet. Forecasters say a series of storms is moving through Washington this week. Every day or two the National Weather Service expects another round of winds and rain in Western Washington, heavy snow in the mountains and more snow for Eastern Washington.

In Seattle, the usual post-snowstorm flurry of new potholes has arrived. City officials are encouraging residents to call the city's hotline, 206-684-7623, to report potholes. Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels has pledged during his tenure that the city will fill any reported pothole within 48 hours.
    
GUSTY WINDS KNOCK OUT POWER IN SEATTLE AREA
Winds gusting to 45 miles per hour knocked out power during yesterday's noon hour in parts of the Puget Sound region. Seattle City Light reports that power was restored to more than 3,000 customers by late afternoon, and c Crews were working to restore electricity to a remaining 360 customers in the Shoreline and Lake Forest Park areas. Puget Sound Energy spokeswoman MacKenzie McDowell says the utility had scattered outages in Kitsap and north King County. Wind also caused problems in Eastern Washington, where U.S. Highway 195 was closed near Spangle yesterday afternoon because of blowing and drifting snow. Forecasters say a series of storms will pass through Washington this week with gusty winds and rain in Western Washington and snow in the mountains and Eastern Washington.
    
APLETS AND COTLETS MAY BE OFFICIAL STATE CANDY
A state lawmaker from Wenatchee says he'll introduce legislation to name Aplets & Cotlets the official candy of Washington. Rep. Mike Armstrong says the cubes of nuts and apple and apricot gelatin, covered with powdered sugar, have been made by Liberty Orchards in Cashmere since 1920. He says they are made from Washington fruit and identify the state to confection lovers worldwide. But the bill could face stiff opposition from backers of Almond Roca - the crunchy treat that has been made by Brown & Haley in Tacoma since 1912. In 2001 a bill was introduced to make it the state candy. It failed to pass. Armstrong says his colleagues might appreciate a non-budget issue to debate in the session of the Legislature that begins Jan. 12.
    
NO BIG WINNERS FOR LOTTO, HIT 5 PRIZES
Nobody won the top prizes last night in Washington's Lotto or Hit 5 games, so Wednesday's jackpots will rise from $4.9 million to $5 million in Lotto, and from $270,000 to $320,000 in Hit 5. Two winning tickets were sold for $10,000 top prizes in the Match 4 game. In Lotto, 12 tickets were sold with five of the six winning numbers and are worth $1,000 each. The winning numbers were: 2-10-11-32-48-49. In Hit 5, 45 tickets were sold with four of the five winning numbers and are worth $100 each. The winning numbers were: 10-12-24-33-36. The winning Match 4 numbers were: 1-2-5-24.
    
ASSOCIATED PRESS NEWS BRIEFS FOR 12/30/08
The National Weather Service says two more storms are headed to Washington this week with more gusty winds, significant rain and heavy snow in places. Forecasters say a storm blowing into the Northwest tonight and tomorrow will hit the coast and parts of Western Washington with high winds. They say it will dump 1 to 2 feet of snow in the Olympics and Cascades.
    
The National Weather Service says another storm due by Friday morning could be stronger with widespread winds and considerable rainfall in Western Washington.
    
The National Weather Service says another 1 to 3 inches of snow could fall today in Spokane with the next storm due Friday. A record 5 feet of snow have fallen this month in Spokane. Heavy snow caused a roof to collapse yesterday at a grocery store, the Rosauers Supermarket in north Spokane.
    
The search for the eighth snowmobiler buried in an avalanche in southeast British Columbia, near Fernie, may have to wait until the danger lessens. Searchers recovered seven bodies yesterday from the group that was hit Sunday. Three men survived. All were from the mining town of Sparwood where hundreds of people held a candlelight vigil last night.

Washington will receive $28 million in federal home foreclosure aid. The Department of Housing and Urban Development is distributing nearly $4 billion nationally through its Neighborhood Stabilization Program. The Olympian reports it will help local jurisdictions buy foreclosed homes, fix them up and resell them to low- and moderate-income buyers.
    
The state Parks and Recreation Commission may close 14 of the 121 state parks in Washington to save money. A commission spokeswoman told The Olympian it's looking at transferring low-priority parks to local governments or nonprofit groups. One of them is the 105-acre Tolmie State Park near Lacey, which doesn't have a campground and draws mostly local visitors.
    
Olympia School District officials aren't certain Capital High School will be able to reopen Monday as planned. A section of the roof collapsed under heavy snow on Christmas Day, breaking a sprinkler that flooded the building with an inch of water. The Olympian reports students could attend school if the sprinkler and safety systems are repaired in time and the damaged area is closed off.
    
The Transportation Department says traffic on I-5 through south Thurston County could be restricted tonight. Crews are replacing stripes and markers that were scraped off by snowplows between Grand Mound and Maytown.

A budget dealing with a projected deficit of nearly $6 billion will be the main order of business when the Legislature convenes Jan. 12 in Olympia for a 105-day session. But lawmakers won't write the budget until after a state revenue forecast in March.
    
More drivers with drunken driving records will have to "blow before they go," under a new law taking effect with the new year in Washington. A special license requires an ignition interlock device in cars. Those drivers have to pass a breath test before the car will start.
    
A hearing examiner has approved a helicopter landing pad for a Federal Way church. It would allow Pastors Casey and Wendy Treat to fly between the Christian Faith Center and its Everett campus. Unless neighbors appeal to the city council, yesterday's decision will become final.

A Washington, D.C., public policy research organization says the rising minimum wage in Washington state will hurt teens and other low-skill workers. The Employment Policies Institutes says the jobless rate for teens in Washington is higher than in states without automatic minimum wage hikes. The Washington minimum wage is going up with the new year to $8.55 an hour.
    
Air New Zealand flew a Boeing 747-400 on a two-hour test flight today with one of the engines powered by a blend of jet fuel and biofuel made from a plant, the jatropha. The company expects the blend to be cost competitive.
    
The Seattle Times won't be able to sell the newspapers it owns in Maine by the end of the year. But an investment group remains confident it will secure financing to complete the deal early next year. It includes papers in Portland, Augusta and Waterville, Maine.
    
The Tesoro refinery in Anacortes plans to completely shut down for several weeks next month for maintenance. The refinery's 360 employees will remain on the job.
    
There's a hearing today in a court in Wilmington, Del., in the Washington Mutual bankruptcy case. It deals with the sale of certain assets and the future of a shareholder lawsuit accusing company officials of breaching their duties.
 

12/29/08
NO WEATHER WARNINGS
The only weather warning in effect this morning for the South Sound is an avalanche warning for the Olympics and Cascade Mountains above 4,000 feet. Flood watches and advisories have been lifted. The Skokomish River, the fastest rising river in the State, never got above 13 feet during the weekend. The forecast for the River has its level between 13 and 14 feet through Thursday. The highest the Skokomish is expected to get is 13.71 feet on Wednesday morning. 14 feet is considered "Action Stage" while flood stage is 16 feet.

CLEAR THE WAY TO YOUR MAIL BOX
Postal officials are asking residents to clear snow and slush from their mailboxes if they would like their mail delivered today. Snow plows have piled snow along the roadside, blocking mailboxes. Mail carriers need a clear path to mailboxes in order to make deliveries. They are asking resident to shovel a path or drive your car to the box to make that path.

CITY COMMISSION MEETS AT TWO THIS AFTERNOON
The Shelton City Commission meets at two this afternoon. On the Commissioners' draft agenda are a report on the Housing Program, a briefing on the contract for solid waste services, final acceptance of the Basin 2 Inflow and Infiltration Reduction Project and action on 2008 budget modifications and interfund loan transfers. The Shelton City Commission meets in one of the conference rooms at the Civic Center, again at two this afternoon.

NO COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING THIS WEEK
The Mason County Commission is NOT meeting this week. The County Commissioners are NOT holding briefings or a business meeting this week. The Mason County Commission's next regular business meeting is scheduled for 9 AM Tuesday, January 6th.

P.U.D. 3 CANCELS TUESDAY MEETING
The Mason County P.U.D. No. 3 Commission has cancelled its December 30 regular meeting. The Board will conduct its next regular meeting at 10:00 a.m., January 6 in the P.U.D. 3 board room at 307 West Cota Street in Shelton.

LOCAL MEN "SHERIFF FOR A DAY"
Charitable donations made by two Shelton men made them "Sheriff for a Day."  This was made possible when Sheriff Casey Salisbury donated his time to two fundraisers conducted by Southside School Boosters and Grapeview Elementary School to help the schools' fund raising efforts.  Both fund raisers were auction events.  Sheriff Salisbury agreed to spend a work day with the high bidders to benefit the schools and also to provide an opportunity to educate and inform auction winners about what the Sheriff's Office does and challenges faced by the Sheriff and his deputies. Shelton realtor, Keith Fuller, (left) and Belfair attorney, Dan Goodell, (center) were auction winners.  During the day spent with the Sheriff, Mr. Goodell and Mr. Fuller toured the Old Mason County Jail which was closed in 1986, the current Sherifff's Office located in the Courthouse, and the 3rd and Pine building which will be the new home of the Sheriff's Office sometime in 2009.  During the day long event, the two men also toured the Criminal Justice Training Academy in Burien where new police officers and deputy sheriff's are provided basic training consisting of 18 weeks (720 hrs) of intensive training involving rules of evidence, criminal law, firearms, defensive tactics, emergency vehicle operation and other related subjects.  During the academy tour Mr. Goodell and Mr. Fuller observed a defensive tactics class in progress, attended a graduation ceremony, visited the indoor firing range and sat in on a classroom session.

MASON COUNTY GETS SALMON GRANTS
Six entities in Mason County were awarded almost a million dollars in grants to protect and restore salmon populations. The grants from the Salmon Recovery Funding Board total $968,161. The Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group will receive $90,000 to identify all knotweed infestations along Lower Hood Canal's Union and Dewatto Rivers. The Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group will also receive $109,337 to identify potential sites where large woody materials could be used to restore habitat in the lower reaches of the Tahuya River. Mason Conservation District will receive $210,000 to replace a culvert on the 8000 Road at Gibbons Creek.  Green Diamond Resource Company will contribute $100,000 in labor and materials to this project. The City of Shelton was awarded $160,000 to buy 14 acres of shoreline at Eagle Point to conserve salmon habitat. The City will contribute $515,300 from state and other grants as well as cash donations. The Skokomish Tribe will receive $300,000 to complete the current conditions assessment as the first step in meeting the general investigation's goal to restore the Skokomish River ecosystem and reduce flood damage. The tribe is partnering with the Mason Conservation District and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which will contribute $53,000 in federal funding. The Squaxin Island Tribe was awarded $10,124 to rehabilitate compacted soil and plant the entire south bank of the lower reach of Skookum Creek. The Tribe will contribute $1,800 in donated labor. And the Wild Fish Conservancy is receiving $88,700 to determine and correct water type classifications in about 30 miles of stream in priority areas of the Kennedy-Goldsborough watershed. The Wild Fish Conservancy will contribute $15,700 in donated equipment.

ONE INJURED WHEN CAR FAILS TO STOP AT FOUR-WAY STOP IN BELFAIR
A Belfair woman suffered head injuries when she failed to stop at a four-way stop in Belfair Friday afternoon. The State Patrol reports that 44-year-old Julie L. Albitt was northbound on Old Belfair Highway in a 1990 Suzuki two-door about 3:15 PM. As she approached the intersection with Highway 300, she failed to stop at the four-way stop, colliding with a 2003 BMW 325 that was making a left onto Highway 300. The driver of the BMW, Charles E. Romano, 46 of Belfair, was not injured. Albitt was transported to Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton. The Trooper report indicates that the cause of this collision was Albitt failing to stop and she faces charges.

Other News:
STATE AUDIOR FILLS IN AS GOVERNOR
Washington state got a new governor over the weekend - at least for a little while. The fifth person in line to be governor - State Auditor Brian Sonntag - took over as acting governor in the absence of Gov. Chris Gregoire, who was vacationing in Idaho. Usually, Lt. Gov. Brad Owen would fill in, but Owen was also out of state, as were No. 3 on the list, Secretary of State Sam Reed, and No. 4, state Treasurer Michael Murphy. Gregoire's absence officially began at 3:45 p.m. Friday and is scheduled to end at 5:55 p.m. Monday. As a fifth-stringer, Sonntag was just supposed to be available in case of a natural disaster or similarly urgent problem. If he had questions, he was supposed to call Gregoire's chief of staff. 
    
GREGOIRE'S INAUGURAL BALL JAN. 14
The committee planning the governor's inaugural ball says it has sold 5,000 tickets for the black-tie event Jan. 14 in the Capitol.  Tickets cost $100. The ball is non-political and financed without taxpayer money. The state has held a celebration for the new governor each election since territorial days in 1853.  The Governor's Inaugural Ball Committee says tickets are selling better than they did in 2005 when the outcome of the close election was still in doubt. The Olympian says Gov. Chris Gregoire has asked people attending her party to bring a food donation or write a check to food banks.

STATE EMPLOYEE UNION SAYS MANAGER PAY NOT FAIR
The union for rank and file workers in the state Ecology Department says their pay increased 28 percent over the past eight years, compared with a 42 percent raise for middle managers. The Washington Federation of State Employees told The Olympian it's drawing attention to what it calls a matter of fairness. The department has 1,600 employees and about 175 middle managers. A department spokeswoman, Kim Schmanke, says it can't confirm the accuracy of the union numbers. but officials are looking at them. The union says it hopes to make the department review bonuses, leave and training policies for all employees.

WASHINGTON LIQUOR SALES UP 5% IN 2008
The marketing manager of the state Liquor Control Board says sales seem to be recession proof. Steve Burnell says sales of liquor and wine are up about 5 percent this year over the $774 million total last year. He told The Tacoma News Tribune many people see liquor as an affordable luxury they are not giving up. Burnell says the trend of the past few years is for people to consume less but to choose premium brands. Burnell also says that for some reason tequila is popular in Washington - probably eighth or ninth in the country.

LEGISLATOR TO INTRODUCE DNA TESTING BILL
A state lawmaker from Federal Way says he plans to introduce a bill in the Legislature that would put the state on the same page with the federal government on the subject of DNA testing. In January, federal authorities will start collecting DNA samples from everyone they arrest for investigation of felony charges. Democratic Rep. Mark Miloscia tells The News Tribune that he thinks such a system could help solve crimes. Miloscia sponsored a similar state bill in 2005 that said the DNA from arrested persons would be destroyed if charges were dropped or if they were acquitted. Currently, Washington law requires collection of DNA samples only from criminals who are convicted - not just arrested - for felony crimes and a smattering of lesser offenses. Sen. Adam Kline, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, says that aside from its cost in tight budget times, the bill will have to contend with concerns that it would intrude too much on personal privacy.
    
STATE REPRESENTATIVE STEVE HAILEY DIES
State Rep. Steve Hailey has died, almost exactly one year after he announced he was battling colon cancer. Hailey's death early Sunday morning at age 63 was announced by House Minority Leader Richard DeBolt, who said he was "deeply saddened" by the death of the Republican legislator from Mesa, in Franklin County north of the Tri-Cities. Hailey, a farmer and rancher, had announced earlier this month that he would resign from the Legislature to focus on his cancer treatment. He planned to officially step down Jan. 11 - one day before the Legislature will open its new session in Olympia. He was elected to his first term in 2006. Local Republican officials will choose three nominees to replace him, with the finalist selected by county commissioners in the district.
    
PLANES BACKING UP BUMP AT SEA-TAC
No one was injured when two passenger-filled planes backed into each other as they left their gates Sunday morning at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Both flights from Seattle to the Midwest were canceled.  Airport spokesman Terri-Ann Betancourt says a Delta 737-800 plane, Flight 1288 to Cincinnati, was backing away from its gate at the Concourse Terminal at Sea-Tac shortly before 7 a.m.  Betancourt says that at the same time a Northwest 757-300 plane, Flight 620 to Minneapolis, was backing away from its gate at the South Satellite Terminal.  Betancourt said after the flights were canceled passengers were transferred to other flights.
    
MAN RESCUED FROM BURNING TUKWILA APARTMENT; 19 DISPLACED
Tukwila firefighters rescued a man from a burning apartment yesterday morning, while 19 people were temporarily displaced from their units by heavy smoke damage from the two-alarm blaze. The man was taken to Seattle's Harborview Medical Center for treatment of burns and smoke inhalation. Fire crews were called to the Canyon Estate Apartments at about 5:35 a.m. and found dense smoke billowing from an apartment on the first floor of the three-story building. The unit where the fire started was gutted. Fire crews were able to prevent the fire from spreading, but smoke damage was extensive. Damage was estimated at about $100,000. The Red Cross, families and friends were helping residents from the 14 displaced units. Cause of the fire was under investigation.
    
DEATHS REPORTES AS SNOWMOBILERS BURIED IN B.C. AVALANCHES
Some deaths are reported after two avalanches buried 11 snowmobilers in snow in southeastern British Columbia. Royal Canadian Mounted Police said eight men were unaccounted for last night. Some of them had gone to the aid of those hit by the first avalanche when they, too, were buried. Three were rescued and taken to hospitals. The search for the missing is to resume at first light today. Jennifer Henkes, a spokeswoman with the Interior Health Authority, said there were some fatalities, but she couldn't say how many people were killed. Henkes said two of the people taken to hospitals were discharged yesterday and one was held overnight for observation. The avalanches happened yesterday afternoon between Sparwood and Fernie in B.C.'s Elk Valley, about 550 miles east of Vancouver near the Alberta border. All 11 men were from Sparwood. The Canadian Avalanche Center issued an alert on Sunday saying mountain conditions in the region were "very touchy" because of a new snowstorm with wind, combined with a weak snowpack.
    
SNOW BLAMED FOR FAIRGROUNDS BUILDINGS COLLAPSE
Heavy, wet snow is being blamed for the collapse of four main buildings at the Wahkiakum County Fairgrounds in Skamokawa in southwest Washington. Sheriff's deputies reported hearing a loud crash near the fairgrounds on Christmas Day. Fair manager Sarah Lawrence said when the manager and caretaker checked Friday, they found the commercial buildings had collapsed. Lawrence said the area had three feet of snow and she believes the heavy, wet Christmas Day snow was finally too much for the buildings. Lawrence said she hopes to have the buildings repaired by the next fair dates on the third week of August. The fair buildings are used year-round for community events such as a Christmas carnival earlier this month, regular bingo games and a steak dinner on Valentine's Day. The fair celebrated its 100th anniversary this summer.
    
COURT UPHOLDS $1.5 MILLION AWARD FOR MAN BETTIN BY POLICE DOG
A federal appeals court has ruled that a Washougal man was properly awarded more than $1.5 million after he was bitten in 2003 by a Kennewick police dog. The ruling last week by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upholds a 2007 jury verdict in favor of Ken Rogers, plus a judge's decision to increase the award to cover court costs. Rogers had sued the city of Kennewick, Benton County and four law enforcement officers. He argued that his constitutional rights against unreasonable seizure were violated when the officers allowed a police dog to enter a backyard and attack him. The case stemmed from a minor traffic case in the early hours of July 13, 2003. Police were looking for a person riding a Moped without a helmet or headlight. Rogers, who was in Kennewick to visit family, was asleep in a backyard. Deke, a police dog, followed a wrong scent into the yard. Believing Rogers was the suspect, Deke latched onto him and in the struggle bit him several times on the hand, back, neck and face while three officers beat him, leaving him with some permanent injuries. The case could now be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
    
WATER LINE BREAKS AT POLICE DEPARTMENT
Richland police didn't escape the unseasonably cold December weather that hit Eastern Washington. The Richland Fire Department responded to an alarm at the city's police department Saturday night and discovered a broken water line flooding the locker rooms and workout room. The Tri-City Herald says the alarm went off about 8:15 p.m. and fire officials who checked it out first thought it was a malfunction. But an outside overhead sprinkler apparently had broken and officials soon discovered standing water. City crews were called to clean up the mess.
    
ASSOCIATED PRESS NEWS BRIEFS FOR 12/29/08
Forecasters say a series of storms will move through Washington this week with more snow in the mountains and Eastern Washington. The National Weather Service says higher parts of Western Washington also may get some snow along with rain and winds.
    
Forecasters say a series of storms moving through Washington this week are expected to leave several feet of new snow in the mountains for the new year. The National Weather Service has a winter weather advisory in effect for the Cascade passes where 7 to 14 inches of snow are likely by tomorrow morning.
    
The National Weather Service says bands of snow are moving through Eastern Washington and the Idaho Panhandle today. Forecasters expect 2 to 4 inches of new snow today in Spokane.
    
The search is resuming with daylight for eight snowmobilers buried by an avalanche near Fernie, British Columbia, near the Alberta border. Officials say there are fatalities, but they aren't saying how many. Two groups with a total of 11 snowmobiliers were covered Sunday. Three were able to dig out. All 11 are from Sparwood, British Columbia.

The union for rank and file workers in the state Ecology Department says their pay increased 28 percent over the past eight years, compared with a 42 percent raise for middle managers. The Washington Federation of State Employees told The Olympian it's drawing attention to what it calls a matter of fairness. The department has 1,600 employees and about 175 middle managers.
    
The committee planning the governor's inaugural ball says it has sold 5,000 tickets for the formal event Jan. 14 in the Capitol building. Tickets cost $100. The ball is non-political and financed without taxpayer money. The state has held a celebration for the new governor each election since territorial days in 1853.
    
The King County Jail has canceled its contract with the King County Library system. Starting next year, books will be delivered by inmates supervised by guards. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports that shelving librarians will save the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention about $240,000 a year.
    
The Puget Sound Blood Center is holding a special blood drive this week to make up a shortage caused by winter weather. The supply dropped as donors and mobile blood drives had to cancel appointments. The center needs about 900 donations a day to supply more than 70 hospitals and clinics in 14 Western Washington counties.

A fire at a Tukwila condo building is being investigated as suspicious. The Seattle Times says investigators need to finish interviewing a resident being treated for burns and inhaling smoke. The two-alarm fire yesterday destroyed one unit and caused smoke damage to others. The loss is estimated at $100,000.
    
A program at Highline Community College helps immigrants trained as health professionals in their home countries obtain credentials to continue their careers. The Puget Sound Welcome Back Center helps them find training and language classes. The Seattle Times reports health professionals from outside the United States need to pass the same tests as those trained in this country.
    
A state lawmaker from Federal Way says he'll reintroduce legislation that would require a DNA sample from anyone arrested for a felony. The representative, Mark Miloscia (mill-OH'-sha), introduced the same bill in 2005 but it didn't get past a hearing. Others want to keep the collection standard where it is now - on conviction, not arrest.

The AAA auto club reports the average price of a gallon of gas in Washington is $1.80. That's down 16 cents in the past month and $2.55 since the record high in July. The AAA says Washington is 18 cents higher than the national average of $1.62.
    
The marketing manager of the state Liquor Control Board says sales seem to be recession proof. Steve Burnell says he's seen no decline in volume. He told The Tacoma News Tribune many people see liquor as an affordable luxury they are not
giving up. Burnell says sales of liquor and wine are up about 5 percent this year.

Gov. Chris Gregoire has asked former state official Dick Thompson to coordinate state efforts to secure transportation funding from the federal economic stimulus package. Thompson was state budget director under Gov. Gary Locke and chief of staff to Gov. Booth Gardner. The Journal of Commerce reports he is volunteering his time.
 
Amazon.com has released of its best-selling products this year. They include the book "Breaking Dawn" by Stephenie Meyer in the Twilight saga, the DVD "Wall-E," and in music "Viva La Vida" by Coldplay. Amazon says Nintendo Wii had the best-selling video games. The top software was Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007.
 

12/28/08
A FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING
A flood watch remains in effect through Sunday morning for Mason, Thurston, Grays Harbor and Lewis counties. The National Weather Service says another surge of moisture arrived overnight. The snow level will rise to around 4000 feet so the precipitation over the lower elevations of the Olympics and the hills of southwest Washington will be rain. Low elevation snow melt will contribute to the runoff. Rainfall amounts of up to 2 inches in addition to melting low elevation snowpack will likely cause rivers in southwest Washington to rise significantly through Sunday. A flood watch means conditions are favorable for flooding but flooding is not imminent or occurring. Keep it tuned to 1030 KMAS for updates. Those in flood prone areas, such as the Skokomish Valley, should be ready to act quickly if flooding is observed or a flood warning is issued. The Skokomish River is still forecast only to reach the 14-foot “Action Stage”. That is expected to happen about 10 AM Monday. Flood stage is 16 feet. For the latest level of the Skokomish River, click: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/wa/nwis/uv/?site_no=12061500&PARAmeter_cd=00060,00065.

Other News:
MORE RAIN, SNOW IN FORECAST
Rain in Western Washington and snow in areas east of the Cascades are still in the forecast for the Evergreen State today. The main concern in Western Washington is that rain combining with melting snow could overwhelm drainage systems, especially in low-lying areas. Civic officials called on residents to help keep their local storm drains free of debris so water can drain more quickly. East of the Cascades, a winter storm warning was canceled in the Spokane area, but remains in effect until noon today for Washington's northeast mountains and the northern panhandle in Idaho. Heavy, wet snow has caused some roofs to collapse on both sides of the Cascades. In Spokane Valley, the roof of a closed Dollar Store collapsed, and the roof of a horse-riding area buckled in the Olympia area. The National Weather Service says the snowpack in the Cascades is very unstable. Motorists can expect periodic closures in the mountain passes for avalanche control work.

ROOF OF RIDING ARENA COLLAPSES
The roof of a riding arena in Olympia collapsed early yesterday under the weight of rain-soaked snow. Co-owner Cathy Noyes says owners of Sherman Valley Ranch, a horse- and dog-boarding facility, had been working for several days to clear snow from the 76- by 156-foot roof. No horses or dogs were injured. Noyes says she and helpers had turned the horses out into the snow-covered fields just in case. She says the kennel area for dogs was safe. The roof collapsed just after 1 a.m. It arena was attached to a barn, which contains an office and an apartment.

NAVY, ENVIRONMENTALISTS SETTLE SONAR LAWSUIT
The Navy has settled a lawsuit filed by environmentalists challenging its use of sonar in hundreds of submarine-hunting exercises around the world. The Navy said yesterday that the deal reached with the Natural Resources Defense Council and other groups requires it to continue to research how sonar affects whales and other marine mammals. But it doesn't require sailors to adopt additional measures to protect the animals when they use sonar. The agreement comes one month after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Navy in another sonar lawsuit the NRDC filed.

WASHINGTON REPRESENTATIVE WANTS MORE PROTECTIONS FOR HOMEBUYERS
A state legislator from Olympia says he's planning to make another push to give buyers of new homes extra protection against home defects. Democratic Rep. Brendan Williams has filed House Bill 1045, which follows a home-warranty approach championed this year by retiring Rep. Pat Lantz of Gig Harbor. Williams cites water-seepage problems at various housing projects as examples of why consumers need extra legal leverage in getting homebuilding defects fixed. Williams knows he is going to be met with opposition in the 2009 Legislature, which convenes next month. The Building Industry Association of Washington says with the home building industry reeling nationally, it can ill afford to deal with new, costly regulations that make it more difficult for builders to stay afloat.

WEST COAST FISHING ORGANIZATION SEEKS PART OF FEDERAL STIMULUS PACKAGE
An organization representing hard-hit West Coast fishermen is asking for help in the pending federal economic stimulus package. Zeke Grader, executive director of the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations, says Congress should include projects
to put commercial fishermen back to work, such as research and fishing habitat restoration projects. In a letter to U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California and Senate leader Harry Reid of Nevada, Grader says deteriorating West Coast ports also need aid because of the decline in commercial fishing. He says projects benefiting professional fishermen would also help tribal and sports fisheries. Many West Coast fisheries have been damaged in recent years because of declining salmon and other species.

JAIL SENTENCE FOR TEEN IN PEANUT BUTTER ASSAULT
A teenager has been sentenced to four days in jail for smearing peanut butter on the forehead of another youth he knew was allergic to peanuts. Nineteen-year-old Joshua Hickson, of Malaga, was convicted last week of simple assault in Chelan County District Court. Judge Nancy Harmon repeatedly asked Hickson why he committed the act before Hickson finally said he didn't know about peanut allergies. Investigators say that during lunch at Wenatchee High School on Sept. 8, Hickson heard a conversation in which it was mentioned that a student sitting near him was allergic to peanuts. Hickson then grabbed someone's peanut butter sandwich and wiped some of the peanut butter on the boy's forehead. The boy did not suffer an allergic reaction, but told police he had suffered a severe reaction to peanuts in the past.

NEW SECURITY RULE COULD THREATEN CHERRY EXPORTS
Washington tree fruit companies are anxiously awaiting a new Homeland Security rule that they say could disrupt about $60 million worth of cherry exports next season. The new rule from the Transportation Security Administration will detail how boxes of cherries must be be screened for security threats. Mark Powers, vice president of the Northwest Horticultural Council in Yakima, says the rule was due to be published in November, but legal review has held it up. For now, fruit companies don't know whether they will be able to perform - or afford - the screening. About one-third of the Pacific Northwest cherry crop is exported each season. Half of the exports are transported in cargo planes and won't be affected, but the other half go in the cargo holds of passenger planes and will have to be inspected.

FLOOD IN DORM
A radiator pipe froze and burst in a dormitory at Western Washington University in Bellingham, flooding 16 rooms and causing about $650,000 damage. The pipe burst on a top floor of the Ridgeway Gamma complex, which houses about 225 students, and water flowed down all four floors. John Purdie, associate director for residence life at the university, says hot water flows through pipes to radiators in each room. The radiator on the top floor had been shut off, and the pipe likely froze and burst when extremely cold temperatures hit Bellingham Sunday and Monday. The complex was closed for the school's winter break, and the damage wasn't found until Tuesday by a custodian doing a routine inspection. The 32 students whose rooms were affected will be moved to empty rooms in other dormitories when they reopen Jan. 4.

NO BIG WINNERS FOR LOTTO, HIT 5
Nobody won the top prizes last night in Washington's Lotto or Hit 5 games, so Monday's jackpots will rise from $4.8 million to $4.9 million in Lotto, and from $230,000 to $270,000 in Hit 5. One winning ticket was sold for a $10,000 top prize in the Match 4 game. In Lotto, 21 tickets were sold with five of the six winning numbers and are worth $1,000 each. The winning numbers were: 6-17-27-39-40-45. In Hit 5, 38 tickets were sold with four of the five winning numbers and are worth $100 each. The winning numbers were: 8-24-25-35-37. The winning Match 4 numbers were: 7-8-17-24.

MEGA MILLIONS JACKPOT INCREASES TO $37 MILLION
The jackpot in the multistate Mega Millions lottery drawing has grown to $37 million for Tuesday's drawing. Washington is one of a dozen states that participate in the game. None of the tickets sold for Friday's $29 million drawing matched all five lotto numbers and the Mega Ball. The winning numbers from Friday's drawing were: 6-19-29-33-37. The Mega Ball number was 31.
 

12/27/08
SOIL CONDITIONS COULD LEAD TO LANDSLIDES
Rainfall of a quarter of inch to near 1.5 inches over the past 24 hours, combined with melting snow, has resulted in moderate levels of soil moisture around Western Washington. Additional rainfall of a half to near an inch in 24 hours is expected Saturday. This amount of rain will put extra pressure on soil instability leading to an increased risk of landslides. According to the National Weather Service, soils are marginally above the USGS landslide index. When cumulative rainfall exceeds the USGS landslide cumulative threshold index, rainfall induced landslides are possible during intense rainfall or when rainfall amounts exceed two inches in 24 hours. A diminishing risk of landslides will continue for several days after the rain ends. Areas above 2000 feet in elevation will see mostly snow and not be affected. While the USGS rainfall thresholds were designed for the Seattle area, most of the lowlands of Western Washington are similarly susceptible to landslides caused by wet soils. Areas most susceptible to landslides under these conditions are steep coastal bluffs and other steep hillsides. Areas along Hood Canal and on the Tahuya Peninsula have recently been affected by landslides. Residents in these areas should be prepared for the impacts and effects of landslides.

URBAN AND SMALL STREAM FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT
The National Weather Service has issued an urban and small stream flood advisory for rain and melting snow until 300 AM Sunday. Rain locally heavy at times will persist through tonight. Rainfall amounts of a half to one inch with locally higher amounts on the coast are likely by Sunday morning. This combined with melting snow across the lowlands or elevations below 2000 feet will likely result in some urban or small stream flooding. Residents in urban areas are strongly encouraged to clear any blockages of storm drains before it causes flooding problems. Excessive runoff from rain and snow melt will cause ponding or water on highway, streets and underpasses in urban areas with poor or overwhelmed drainage, and will also cause elevated levels on small creeks and streams. Do not underestimate the power of flood waters. Only a few inches of rapidly flowing water can quickly carry away your vehicle.  

FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING
The flood watch continues for portions of Western Washington through Sunday morning. The flood watch includes Mason, Thurston, Grays Harbor and Lewis Counties. The combination of rain and melting snow could cause the Skokomish and Chehalis Rivers to approach or rise above flood stage today or tonight. Rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches on top of a melting snowpack will likely cause these rivers and their tributaries to rise significantly within the next 12 to 24 hours. A flood watch means conditions are favorable for flooding but flooding is not imminent or occurring. Residents in flood prone areas, such as the Skokomish Valley, should be ready to act quickly if flooding is observed or a flood warning is issued. Keep it tuned to 1030 KMAS for updates. At this time, the Skokomish River is predicted to reach just above the 14-foot "Action Stage" about four Sunday morning. For the latest level of the Skokomish River, click: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/wa/nwis/uv/?site_no12061500&PARAmeter_cd00060,00065.

ONE INJURED WHEN CAR FAILS TO STOP AT FOUR-WAY STOP IN BELFAIR
A Belfair woman suffered head injuries when she failed to stop at a four-way stop in Belfair Friday afternoon. The State Patrol reports that 44-year-old Julie L. Albitt was northbound on Old Belfair Highway in a 1990 Suzuki two-door about 3:15 PM. As she approached the intersection with Highway 300, she failed to stop at the four-way stop, colliding with a 2003 BMW 325 that was making a left onto Highway 300. The driver of the BMW, Charles E. Romano, 46 of Belfair, was not injured. Albitt was transported to Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton. The Trooper report indicates that the cause of this collision was Albitt failing to stop and she faces charges.

Other News:
MORE SNOW WARNINGS FOR EASTERN WASHINGTON; FLOOD WARNING FOR WESTERN WASHINGTON
More snow is expected across Eastern Washington today, while authorities west of the Cascades are preparing for flash flooding. In the mountains officials are keeping a close eye on the stability of the rapidly growing snowpack. The state Transportation Department has periodically closed Interstate 90 at Snoqualmie Pass for avalanche control work. Mark Moore, director of the Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center in Seattle, tells the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, "This is the weakest snowpack I have seen in December in the past 30 years."  Snowfall predictions in Eastern Washington through late Sunday include up to a foot north of Spokane and up to six inches in Spokane and the Palouse. The National Weather Service has issued a mostly urban flood watch for Western Washington. City officials in Seattle and elsewhere are asking residents to help keep storm drains clear of snow and debris.
 
SAGGING ROOF FOLLOWING HEAVY SNOW LEADS TO EVACUATION OF SENIORS
A roof that sagged beneath a heavy load of snow and water has led to the evacuation of 65 people at a retirement home in Tumwater. Fire Lt. Dale Britton says a wing of the Olympics West Retirement Inn was evacuated late yesterday. Authorities were summoned after a resident on the second floor had trouble opening a door and saw part of the floor was sagging. About 65 seniors at the assisted-living complex were taken to a dining area in a part of the building that is safe. Britton says a municipal building official was summoned and told maintenance personnel to shovel snow off the roof.
 
WOMAN CHARGED WITH DUMPING BODY OF HEROIN OVERDOSE VICTIM NEAR BREMERTON
A woman has pleaded innocent to charges that she dumped the body of an apparent heroin overdose victim near Bremerton. In a court appearance yesterday, bail was raised to $100,000 from $30,000 on 45-year-old Dana Marie Franks of Pacific. She's charged with concealing a human body, failing to notify the Kitsap County coroner of a death and driving with a suspended license. Franks was jailed on Tuesday, two days after 34-year-old Nathen Merritt was found dead near a snowy intersection outside Bremerton. His body was partially wrapped in a blue plastic tarpaulin. According to documents filed in court, Franks and Merritt were seen injecting each other with heroin at a party in Tacoma and then falling asleep. That was two days before Merritt's body was discovered.
  
FROZEN BODY FOUND IN MOTOR HOME NEAR ASHFORD
The frozen body of a man has been found in a sleeping bag in his motor home near Ashford. Pierce County sheriff's Detective Ed Troyer says some sledders found 50-year-old David A. Thomson dead on Christmas Day. He adds that they knew Thomson, who had not been seen for some time, and were concerned because there was no sign of activity at his residence. An autopsy is planned, but Troyer says the death appears to be either from medical causes, cold weather or a combination of the two. He adds that Thomson was known to have health problems and probably had been dead for some time, possibly as long two weeks.
 
STATE SUED OVER FATAL CRASH IN WHICH EX-CON ADMITTED DRUNKEN DRIVING AFTER RELEASE
Washington State is being sued over a fatal crash in which an ex-con was driving drunk the same day he was released from jail. The case was brought by James Kenneth Simpson, the husband of Carol Simpson, and their two children, Laura Jean Bridgham and Gregory James Simpson. Carol Simpson, a 53-year-old assistant librarian at Eatonville High School, died in a rush-hour collision in Puyallup on October 20th, 2005. The other driver, Michael Joshua Dyer, pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide and is serving more than six years in prison. Authorities wrote that he had gotten drunk within six hours after he got out of jail, where he was being held for violating probation, and was driving without a license. The lawsuit accuses the state Corrections Department of improperly supervising Dyer.
 
MORE OPINIONS ON SEATTLE VIADUCT REPLACEMENT SUBMITTED TO GOVERNOR
Plenty of views on how to replace the deteriorating West Seattle viaduct in Seattle are being sent to Gov. Chris Gregoire. Yesterday three members of a citizen's advisory group wrote that they favor a replacement viaduct. They are Ballard Oil President Warren Aakervik Jr., Gene Hoglund of the group Working Families for an Elevated Solution and Mary Hurley of Ballard-Fremont area. Many other members of the group are pushing for a tunnel that state officials say would be too expensive. Earlier this week, the elevated option drew the support of a maritime group, the North Seattle Industrial Association. Environmentalists, Mayor Greg Nickels and King County Executive Ron Sims favor an expanded network of surface streets with a tunnel option. Gregoire is expected to decide on a recommendation by Thursday.
 
FORMER SENATOR BARNEY GOLTZ DIES
Former state Senator and former Senate President Pro Tem Barney Goltz is dead at age 80. The widely respected Bellingham Democrat died Thursday of cardiac arrest in Olympia. He was elected to the state House of Representatives in 1972 and the next year was elected to the Senate. After three terms he left the Legislature in January 1987. Goltz was well respected on both sides of the aisle as a strong advocate for higher education. Gov. Chris Gregoire issued a statement yesterday calling him a "committed public servant with a great passion and reverence for his work." Survivors include a son, state Deputy Attorney General Jeff Goltz, and three granddaughters.

EAST WENATCHEE WOMAN SAYS SON WAS PROTECTING HER IN SHOOTING
An East Wenatchee woman says her son was protecting in the fatal shooting of her former live-in boyfriend. The dead man's sister disagrees. Douglas County Coroner Steve Clem confirmed yesterday that Kellie Brown sought a restraining order against 47-year-old Richard Lynn Tyler a week before he died. Tyler was found dead at Brown's house on Tuesday of a gunshot wound to the head. Her son, 27-year-old Christopher Martin Owens, is being held for investigation of second-degree murder. She says Tyler broke into her house and her son was trying to protect her. However, Heather McCourt, a sister of Tyler, says she and her father were with Tyler when he was shot, and she denies that he forced his way into the house. McCourt says he went there to pick up his belongings.

12/26/08
FLOOD WATCH ISSUED
The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch which is in effect for much of Western Washington until Sunday morning. Forecasters say a strong and wet pacific storm will usher is a warmer air mass that will result in rapidly rising snow levels. The combination of increasing southerly winds, milder temperatures and rain on top of a snow pack will result in fairly rapid snow melt across the lowlands or areas below the 2000 foot level this afternoon and tonight. There is also the potential for minor flooding of the Skokomish River Saturday morning as the snow level climbs to near 5000 feet. The combination of rain and melting snow across the lowlands could result in urban and small stream flooding especially in those areas where a foot or more of snow was still on the ground. Snow and ice may result in clogging of storm drains that could result in flooding of streets and possibly homes and businesses. A flood watch means conditions are favorable for flooding but flooding is not imminent or occurring. Keep it tuned to 1030 KMAS for updates.

CITY ASKING FOR HELP KEEPING DRAINS CLEAR
The City of Shelton would like residents' help in keeping the storm drains in your neighborhood or in front of your business clean. With the melting ice and snow we will be experiencing a great deal of water/flooding in the next few days. Your assistance will help prevent flooding for you and your neighbors.

ROAD CONDITIONS: STILL SLICK
Roads around the area may still be slick in some areas. Most major arterials are bare and wet but motorists should drive with caution this morning due to the possibility of black ice. Other roads, especially those more remote or less traveled, may still have compact snow and ice on them and once the temperature rises above freezing, slush, which creates another type of driving difficulty. Please slow down, increase your following distance, increase your stopping distance, and allow extra time to reach your destination. Roads in Kitsap County are reported as extremely icy. Drive with caution this morning.

CANCELLATION/DELAY LIST
Mason Transit's routed service will resume today. Dial-A-Ride service requests are being scheduled for medical appointments only as road conditions allow. For more information call the M-T-A's Customer Service Center (360) 427-5033 or 1-800-374-3747.

South Puget Sound Community College Olympia campus and Hawks Prairie Center are closed to all students, employees, and visitors.

STATE TO ALLOW TAYLOR SHELLFISH TO HARVEST GEODUCKS
Outgoing state Lands Commissioner Doug Sutherland this past week made a decision to resolve a geoduck trespass case. The Associated Press reports that Sutherland decided Taylor Shellfish should be allowed to harvest and sell shellfish the company planted illegally on state-owned tidelands in Totten Inlet northeast of Gallagher Cove. The shellfish were planted by Taylor workers. At the time, the company was unaware the state owned the land. The DNR announced its intentions to allow Taylor to harvest and sell the geoducks as part of a proposal to lease the state's beachside land to Taylor to resolve its trespassing charges against the shellfish grower.

NIGHTTIME SEAT BELT ENFORCEMENT SUCCESSFUL
Officials are calling the recent nighttime seat belt emphasis a success. Between November 17 and December 7 extra law enforcement patrols canvassed Mason County roadways at nighttime looking for unbuckled motorists.  During the patrols, 17 seatbelt citations were written by local law enforcement and the Washington State Patrol. Also during the emphasis, officers apprehended seven misdemeanor warrants, made two drug related arrests, cited 33 speeders, four aggressive drivers as well as six uninsured and seven drivers with a suspended or revoked license. Statewide, during the patrols, law enforcement officers and the WSP wrote 2,491 seatbelt citations, and issued another 94 tickets for misuse of a seatbelt. This includes motorists who wear their shoulder belt under their arm or behind their back, which is unsafe and results in a $124 ticket. Studies show that a person wearing a seatbelt properly has a 70% better chance of surviving a crash than a non-belted person. Law enforcement from Mason County and about 60 other police and sheriff agencies, as well as the State Patrol, worked the extra patrols, funded by a grant from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. For additional information about the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, visit www.wtsc.wa.gov.

SNOW CAUSES ROOF COLLAPSE AT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Heavy snow earlier this week caused the roof of one of the buildings at Mason County Christian School to collapse. According to the School's website (www.masoncountychristianschool.org), the roof on Building 3, which houses the school's computer lab, collapsed. The content of the room was safely moved to another area of the school and emergency repairs have been made. No injuries were reported. Officials have yet to release a damage estimate or timeline for when permanent repairs will be made.

Other News:
WARMER WEATHER BRINGS FLOOD RISK
Rain and wet snow with rising temperatures have brought new hazards across Western Washington, including heavy slush on snow-packed side streets and a risk of flash flooding. East of the Cascades, meanwhile, the winter woes continue. Spokane set a record for snowfall in December yesterday as the the total reached 46.2 inches. That breaks the mark of 42.7 inches set in 1996, and snow remains in the daily forecast for Spokane into Monday. Meanwhile, Vancouver (Washington) had more snow on the ground than in any Christmas on record, although the precise measurement has yet to be tallied. Across the western part of the state, though, the end is in sight. A National Weather Service meteorologist in Seattle, Johnny Berg, says the snow should be gone by Sunday or Monday.
 
UNCLEAR WHETHER CAPITAL HIGH CAN REOPEN ON SCHEDULE AFTER ROOF COLLAPSES
School officials in Olympia say they don't know whether Capital High School can be reopened on schedule following a roof collapse. A buildup of snow, ice and water has been blamed for the cave-in of a 2,500-square-foot chunk of the roof yesterday. Peter Rex, a school district spokesman, says there is water damage in several areas because the collapse set off a fire alarm, which in turn triggered the building's sprinkler system. Assistant Fire Chief Greg Wright says the roof gave way over a hall and library area behind the main entrance to the school. Rex says a structural engineer has examined the situation and found some parts of building are safe to enter, but others are not. One of the first orders of business is to use a crane to remove a heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit that fell part way down to the ceiling.
 
WOMAN HELD FOR INVESTIGATION OF IMPROPER HANDLING OF BODY FOLLOWING MAN'S DEATH NEAR BREMERTON
A Seattle-area woman is being held for investigation of improper handling of human remains in Kitsap County. The 44-year-old woman was jailed Tuesday, two days after 34-year-old Nathen L. Merritt was found dead near an intersection outside Bremerton. Sheriff's Deputy Scott Wilson says Merritt is believed to have died in the woman's presence, but not as a result of violence. An autopsy was conducted Monday, and authorities are awaiting the results of toxicology tests for alcohol, medications, poison or illegal drugs. Bail was set at $30,000 for the woman, who remains in custody for investigation of failure to notify the county coroner about a death and of improper handling or disposal of human remains. She's identified on the jail's Web site as Dana Marie Franks.

PORT ORCHARD HOUSE BOAT BURNS
Firefighters fought an early morning blaze at a house boat in Port Orchard. KING-TV reports Coast Guard officials formed a safety zone around the fire to prevent it from spreading. There's no word yet if anyone was on the house boat when the fire started.
 
AMAZON SAYS 2008 SEASON WAS "BEST EVER"
Amazon.com Inc. says the 2008 holiday season was the online retailer's "best ever." Amazon says more than 6.3 million items were ordered and 5.6 million units shipped during its peak day on Dec. 15.  Amazon's upbeat take on the holiday season bucked the drumbeat of generally dismal news from retailers. Holiday sales typically account for 30 percent to 50 percent of a retailer's annual total. Rising unemployment, home foreclosures, the stock market decline and other economic worries led many shoppers to slash their shopping budgets this year.  Based on the number of items ordered, Amazon said its holiday bestsellers included the Nintendo Wii, Samsung's 52-inch LCD HDTV, the Apple iPod touch and the Blokus board game.

POWER RESTORE IN SPOKANE
The lights are on again in an eight-block area of downtown Spokane following an outage from a fire in an electrical vault. The underground transformer vault exploded in flames about 5:50 p.m. Wednesday night at an intersection across from The Spokesman-Review. By the time power was restored about 1:30 a.m. yesterday, it was too late to print and deliver the main news and sports sections of the newspaper to most subscribers. Newspaper spokesman Shaun O'L. Higgins said the missing sections will be delivered with today's editions. Other major buildings hit by the outage included the historic Davenport Hotel and Cathedral Plaza, a retirement apartment complex where a woman was trapped for a time in an elevator. Cause of the fire remained under investigation.
 
SKIER HITS ROCKS AND DIES AT WHISTLER
A skier hit rocks and died in a posted danger area at Whistler, British Columbia, and rescuers have reached four stranded skiers on a mountain closer to Vancouver. Royal Canadian Mounted Police say the 47-year-old man who died was in an area open to the public on Christmas Eve, but he left the skied portion. The area had been posted with warnings of unmarked rocks and other obstacles. The man died despite the efforts of ski patrol personnel and doctors. Meanwhile, rescue personnel reached four skiers in difficulty yesterday on Mount Seymour. Police say two called on a cellular telephone for help getting out of the backcountry. Before reaching them, search teams encountered a third man who had gotten lost - and police found a fourth person who also was lost. Authorities say the avalanche danger in the area is extremely high.
 
MARITIME GROUP WEIGHTS IN FOR NEW ELEVATED HIGHWAY TO REPLACE ALASKAN WAY VIADUCT
A maritime industry group has weighed in for a new elevated highway to replace the deteriorating Alaskan Way viaduct in Seattle. Gov. Christine Gregoire is expected to decide by next week her preference on a replacement. Options include a tunnel, new surface roads along the waterfront, a new elevated highway or tearing down the existing viaduct and doing nothing else. In a letter to Gregoire, the North Seattle Industrial Association says an elevated highway would maintain traffic and freight capacity. The group also says it could be built within the state's projected budget and without additional taxes. Association president Eugene Wasserman says there is no future in financing a more expensive tunnel with tolls on motor vehicles. He calls a surface replacement the "worst of all worlds."
 
NEVADA MAN ACCUSED OF CHILD SEX OFFENSE ARRESED AT BORDER
A man accused of having sex with a 14-year-old girl has been arrested in Blaine while trying to re-enter the United States from Canada. Twenty-six-year-old Benedict Stefan LeVal is held without bail in the Whatcom County Jail. He was arrested on a warrant charging him with felony lewdness with a minor and statutory sexual seduction. Authorities say LeVal was on a Greyhound bus with his 3-year-old son when he was arrested Saturday. Border agents checked his name and discovered the warrant. Carson City, Nevada, police Detective Dena Lacy says a 14-year-old daughter of LeVal's friend told investigators LeVal had sex with her in November 2007 while her parents were away. Police say that when the girl's father confronted LeVal while wearing a hidden recorder, he confessed. The warrant was issued after LeVal missed an appointment with police last summer.
    
WATER OPERATOR AT BEEF PLANT LOSES BID TO REGAIN LICENSE
The water system operator at the Washington Beef plant in Toppenish has lost a bid to overturn the suspension of her license. An administrative law judge rejected the appeal by Sherry Byers-Eddy, and the six-month license suspension took effect this month. Investigators say she took several days to post warnings after tests indicated the presence of E. coli bacteria in the plant's drinking water in June 2007. State health
officials say her "gross acts of negligence" jeopardized the health of nearly 800 workers. Health officials ordered that all water at the plant be boiled before being used for drinking. The company then sent most employees home, halted processing for a
couple days and recalled 82,296 pounds of beef as a precaution. No illness linked to the problem was reported.
 
OLD  VAULT AT FRANKLIN COUNTY COURTHOUSE SEADED AS TIME CAPSULE INCLUDING A TWINKIE
An old Franklin County Courthouse vault has been sealed as a time capsule containing the county budget, computer gear, a cellular telephone and a restaurant menu. Oh, and one other thing - a Hostess Twinkie. The old Mosler Safe Co. was sealed Wednesday morning to be opened in 50 years. During a two-year courthouse renovation project that cost $11.2 million, historians persuaded county officials to leave one of the vaults as is. County Administrator Fred Bowen put some of the contents into food storage packaging, sucking the air out to improve their chances of surviving the next half-century. Even without that, he says he has heard Twinkies have a 50-year shelf life. Bowen says, "It's something to let them know we have a sense of humor, too."

ASSOCIATED PRESS NEWS BRIEFS FOR 12/26/08
The National Weather Service says the next weather concern in Western Washington is urban flooding. Local officials note that the melt-off has been gradual so far, but it
could accelerate over the next few days.
    
Outgoing state Lands Commissioner Doug Sutherland this past week made a decision to resolve a geoduck trespass case. Sutherland decided Taylor Shellfish should be allowed to harvest and sell shellfish the company planted illegally on state-owned tidelands near Olympia.
    
Seattle residents can recycle their Christmas trees for free until Jan. 11. Yard-waste subscribers can leave their trees curbside if they cut them into 6-foot-long or shorter sections, trim branches to less than four feet and bind them with twine. Others can bring up to three trees at recycling and disposal stations.
    
Last December, floods destroyed nearly 100 Lewis County homes. One year later, development rules in the county have not changed. So development is continuing in the flood planes.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers say they arrested a man from Carson City, Nev., on suspicion of sexual seduction and lewdness with a child. The man was on a Greyhound bus arriving from Canada. A name check revealed he had an outstanding warrant for his arrest in Nevada.
    
Amazon.com says its 14th holiday season was its best ever. The Seattle-based Internet retailer shipped to more than 210 countries. On its peak holiday sales day, Amazon shipped more than 5.6 million items.
    
Yakima County officials are filing charges in two attacks that happened more than seven years ago. Deputy prosecutor Patti Powers says the charges are based entirely on DNA evidence and could help them bring a rapist to court if he is arrested in another case involving DNA evidence.
    
Olympia school officials are not sure yet if Capitol High School will be able to reopen as scheduled in the new year. Engineers are taking a closer look at the school's collapsed roof to see if the area around the collapse can be occupied safely.

About 24 plow truck drivers worked 12-hour shifts Christmas Day in Spokane. With another storm expected tonight, most plow truck drivers probably won't be getting an after Christmas break either.
    
Firefighters are fighting a fire at a house boat in Port Orchard. One boat is partially submerged and another boat may be now burning. Coast Guard officials are forming a safety zone around the fire to prevent it from spreading.
    
The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for much of Western Washington. The watch is in effect from noon today through Sunday morning. Forecasters are expecting more snow in the mountains and rain in the lowlands.
    
Everyone in Western Washington is getting tired of the snow - everyone except the skiers. All the Western Washington ski areas are open today and more snow is expected in the mountains.
 

12/25/08

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM THIS AFTERNOON
A winter weather advisory remains in effect until four this afternoon. Snow showers associated with a low pressure system moving south off the coast will continue today from Lewis County northward. The snow showers may be mixed with rain at times in the lower elevations mainly this afternoon. Accumulations of up to two inches of new snow are likely. The showers are expected to taper off late today as the low pressure system moves further southeast. A winter weather advisory for snow means that periods of snow will cause primarily travel difficulties. Motorist should continue to be prepared for snow covered roads and limited visibilities. Please use caution while driving.

LOCAL URBAN FLOODING IS POSSIBLE BY FRIDAY AND SATURDAY AS MILDER WET WEATHER RETURNS
On Friday and Saturday, Western Washington will make the transition back to more seasonal late December weather: rain with highs in the lower to mid 40s. This change to milder wet weather will likely be messy as the current snow and ice on the ground thaws. Rain combined with the melting snow and ice may produce some local water accumulation on roadways. Snow and ice blocked drains may result in water ponding on roadways and in low spots deep enough to create a hazard for some vehicles. Rain falling into accumulated snow on flat roofs will also add weight and put additional stress on those structures. The warming process fortunately is expected to be rather moderate into next week. No rapid warm up accompanied by heavy rainfall is anticipated and as a result no river or stream flooding is expected.

CITY ASKING FOR HELP KEEPING DRAINS CLEAR
The City of Shelton would like resident's help in keeping the storm drains in your neighborhood or in front of your business clean.  With the melting ice and snow we will be experiencing a great deal of water/flooding in the next few days.  Your assistance will help prevent flooding for you and your neighbors.