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Last updated 5/14/08 11:35 AM

FAMILY THANKS EMERGENCY RESPONDERS

The family of Lois and James Trueblood would like to thank all those who responded to the May 7^th boating accident on Hood Canal. The incident took the life of Lois but James was saved. The Smoot family has sent KMAS and MasonCountyDailyNews.com the following letter for publication:

An open letter to the Mason Co. Sheriff's office, Dept. of Fish & Wildlife, Mason Co. Fire Districts 1, 6, 9, 18 and other Good Samaritans:

My heartfelt thanks to each of you for your efforts in attempting to rescue my mother, Lois Trueblood and her husband Jim.  Their boat capsized May 7, 2008 in the Hood Canal near Hoodsport.  I, along with my two children, wish to express gratitude; you were able to save Jim, without having any harm come to yourselves.  We may never know your names, but in our time of sorrow we are thankful you each tried your best to bring this beloved mother and grandmother back to shore.

Me ka aloha pumehana, [in Hawaiian means "With kindest regards (warm aloha)"]
Cynthia, Keir and Netha Smoot
Kailua, Hawaii

(Posted 11:35 AM 5/14)

NO PUBLIC HEARING REQUIRED FOR RENAISSANCE FAIRE
There is no requirement to hold a public hearing under the Mason County Code that will be used to regulate the Washington Renaissance Fantasy Faire. According to a statement made by Commissioner Tim Sheldon during Tuesday's Mason County Commission meeting, the Commissioners have decided that the proposed Renaissance Faire will be regulated under Mason County Code Chapter 5.12, “Carnival, Circus or Like Enterprises.” This code, adopted in May of 1951, does NOT require a public hearing and leaves the decision for licensing such activities up to the Board of County Commissioners. In his statement, Commissioner Sheldon said he does not agree with this decision and believes “the project needs a rezone and should be addressed in this formal process, including a public hearing.” Last week, Sheldon assured two residents in the area where the Faire is hoping to relocate, on Bear Creek Dewatto Road north of Belfair about a mile from Old Belfair Highway, that the public would get a chance to comment on the proposal. However, the founder of the Fair, Ron Cleveland, has submitted a formal application under the 5.12 Code Chapter which does NOT require a hearing. The code does state, “The board of county commissioners shall have the right in their discretion to grant or reject any such application…” It is still early in the process and questions relating to the issue should be directed to Commissioner Sheldon, the County's Director of Central Operations Betty Wing, or Barbara Robinson, Director of the County's Department of Community Development. For more information about the Washington Renaissance Fantasy Faire, check out their website: www.washingtonrenfaire.com. For more information on the County's Code Chapter 5.12, click: www.co.mason.wa.us/code/commissioners/_DATA/TITLE05/Chapter_5_12_CARNIVALS_AND_CIRCUSE/index.html. The parcel where Cleveland would like to locate the Renaissance Faire is currently designated forest land and he would like to hold this year's Faire there on three weekends in August. (Posted 7:40 AM 5/14)

WATER TRUCK FAILS TO STOP AND REAR ENDS SCHOOL BUS IN ALLYN
A water truck failed to stop and rear ended a North Mason School District school bus in Allyn Tuesday morning. The State Patrol says the 2005 International School Bus was stopped southbound on Highway 3 near North Bay Road picking up its first passenger about 6:45 AM. The bus driver, Deborah L. Seamons, 51 of Allyn, had activated the bus' lights and stop sign. As the student, a 13-year-old boy, was making his way down the aisle to his seat, the 1978 Ford water truck failed to stop and struck the bus from behind. The boy fell on impact and injured his knee. He was transported to Mason General Hospital for treatment. Seamons suffered neck pain and was also taken to Mason General Hospital. No one else was on the bus. The driver of the water truck, Matthew A. Hultberg, 24 of Belfair, was not injured. The State Patrol is still investigating but the Trooper report indicates that the cause of this collision was Hultberg failing to stop. (Updated 7:40 AM 5/14)

ENGINEER GETS CERTIFICATE OF GOOD PRACTICE
Mason County's Engineer, Bill Tabor, was presented a Certificate of Good Practice Tuesday. Commissioner Tim Sheldon presented the certificate on behalf of the County Roads Administration Board. The certificate allows Mason County to continue receiving the funds from the Federal Gas Tax. (Posted 7:40 AM 5/14)

FAIR YOUTH ART CONTEST UNDERWAY
The Mason County Fair is holding a youth art contest to help celebrate its centennial. The contest is open to all county residents 18 and under. Judging will be based on relevance to the Fair's theme, use of color, and originality. Art can be of any subject related to the Fair, the Rodeo, Mason County or what 100 years of a fair might mean to you. The theme this year is “Pride in the Past, Faith in the Future.” Winning entries will be published on posters throughout the County and will be displayed in the fine arts section at the Fair. Prizes include a wooden art easel, art supplies and gift certificates. There are categories for all age groups so include your age on you artwork when you submit it. The contest closes June 15th. Artwork must be two dimensional and no larger than 8 ½ by 11. Entries can be mailed to the Fine Arts Superintendent at the Fairgrounds, P.O. Box 2286, Shelton or dropped off at the Fairgrounds office. If you have questions contact Rachel Hanson at 360-427-5599 or checkout www.masoncountyfair.org. (Posted 7:40 AM 5/14)

DEDICATION OF LATIMERS LANDING SET
Mason County is holding a dedication for the reopening of Latimers Landing County Park next month. The Park at the west end of the Harstine Island Bridge was recently reopened after renovations to the boat launch and dock. The County also acquired 2.35 acres of property adjacent to the boat launch for future parking and water access. The dedication is set for 2 PM Thursday, June 5th. All Mason County residents are invited and refreshments will be served. That's the dedication of the reopening of Latimers Landing County Park, 2 PM June 5th at the Park on Pickering Road. (Posted 7:40 AM 5/14)

PAPER RECYCLING OFFERED IN UNION & HOODSPORT
Residents of the Union and Hoodsport areas can now take advantage of mixed paper recycling. The drop boxes on McReavy Road and Foothill Park Drive now take all types of paper such as junk mail, catalogs, phone books, computer and copier paper, and cereal boxes. Both sites are open Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays from 9 AM to 4 PM. (Posted 7:40 AM 5/14)

WATER CONSERVANCY BOARD MEETS WED.
The Mason County Water Conservancy Board meets at 9:30 Wednesday morning. This board consists of the Mason County Commissioners and will meet in the Commissioners' conference room at 411 North Fifth Street in Shelton. Items on the Water Conservancy Board agenda include a review of by-laws, establishing the budget for this year, and establish application fee. (Updated 7:40 AM 5/14)

MASON COUNTY PUD 3 CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER RETIRING
Long-time Mason County P.U.D. No. 3 Customer Service Manager Shawn Anstey is retiring after 23 years at the Shelton-based utility. Anstey was hired in 1985 as a part-time clerk. A year later, she began working full time as a clerk and meter reader. In 1990, after two years working as the administrative aid in the utility's Engineering and Operations Department, Anstey was named as the PUD's Customer Service Manager. Anstey will be succeeded in the Customer Service Manager position by Michele Knauf, who has worked as the Engineering and Operations Support Supervisor. Mary McKay, who was the Belfair office supervisor for PUD 3, has been selected to fill Knauf's former position in Shelton. (Posted 7:40 AM 5/14)

TUMWATER BAND LEADER PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO SEXUALLY ABUSING BOYS
A high school band director from Washington state has pleaded not guilty to allegations he sexually molested four boys at a north Idaho Boy Scout camp last summer. Thirty-eight-year-old Timothy Andrew Kellis, of Tumwater, Wash., appeared Monday in 2nd District Court in Moscow, Idaho. Kellis was charged in a grand jury indictment with 10 counts of lewd conduct and two counts of sexual abuse of a child. Prosecutors say the sexual encounters occurred at Camp Grizzly Boy Scout camp in northern Latah County while Kellis was working as a counselor. Kellis, who teaches at Tumwater's A.G. West Black High School, previously worked for public schools and as a scout master in Clarkston, Wash. The judge scheduled the trial for Sept. 15. (Posted 7:40 AM 5/14)

PARKLAND APARTMENT FIRE PROMPTS SEVERAL TO JUMP FROM BALCONIES
Witnesses say a fire that started in a first floor unit of a Parkland, Wash., apartment building prompted several people to jump from their balconies. One man reportedly was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries while another person was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation last night. Central Pierce Assistant Fire Chief Matt Holm says the fire was confined to the first floor apartment although five others suffered smoke damage. The cause of the blaze at the Ainsworth Court Apartments in the Pierce County community is under investigation. Emily Endocott says she had to jump from her second-floor apartment after she opened her door to see a "huge billow of black smoke." (Posted 7:40 AM 5/14)

ONE MAN DIES AFTER THREE RESCUED FROM CAPSIZED BOAT OFF LA PUSH
The Coast Guard says one man died after he and two other people were pulled from Pacific Ocean when their boat capsized off LaPush. Charter fishing boats in the area pulled the three men from the water Tuesday morning, and they were flown by U.S. and Canadian Coast Guard helicopters to Forks Community Hospital. One of the men, 71 years old, was declared dead at the hospital. His name and hometown were not immediately available. The Coast Guard says there were 13-foot seas and fog at the scene where a halibut fishing derby was under way. Two other boats in the area also required assistance from the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard dropped a pump to a 22-foot boat that was taking on water with four people aboard. After the boat was stabilized, a motor lifeboat from the Coast Guard's Quillayute River station towed the boat to shore. And a 26-foot boat that lost power in heavy seas, except for a small kicker engine, was also towed to La Push. (Posted 7:40 AM 5/14)

MCCAIN POLISHED "GREEN" CREDENTIALS IN WASHINGTON VISIT
Republican Sen. John McCain continued his overtures to "green" voters in Washington state yesterday. The presidential candidate paid a visit to Seattle's principal drinking water reservoir in the Cascades, and emphasized that he has what he calls "long-standing, significant (and) deep" differences with President Bush on the environment. McCain says part of his plan would be to battle global warming with a cap on carbon emissions, and support for nuclear power. Last night, McCain held a fundraiser in Bellevue, including a dinner that had tickets priced at more than $33,000. About 20 Machinists union members demonstrated when McCain arrived yesterday morning at Boeing Field. The union says he was instrumental in allowing an Air Force contract for air tankers to go to Airbus instead of Boeing. McCain defended his oversight of the tanker contract as a defense of taxpayer money, and added that he supports the notion of reviewing the Air Force's contacting decision in this year's tanker contract. McCain prevailed in Washington's Republican caucuses and primary, but the state is likely a long shot for him to win in November. Democrats control the governor's mansion, the Legislature and most of the congressional delegation; the last Republican to take Washington's presidential vote was Ronald Reagan. Still, local Republicans are hoping the Arizona senator's appeal to independents and centrists could help candidates farther down the ticket, including in the statehouse. (Posted 7:40 AM 5/14)

BOEING SHUTS DOWN CHINOOK PRODUCTION LINE
Boeing Rotorcraft Systems temporarily shut down a production line at its Pennsylvania plant yesterday because it says possible irregularities were discovered in two military helicopters. Congressman Joe Sestak, whose district includes the suburban Philadelphia plant, says he was told that wires that appeared to be broken or severed were found in one H-47 Chinook helicopter and a suspicious washer was found in a second. The company released few specifics, but said an investigation was under way and it had notified the Defense Contract Management Agency. The Chinook is known as the Army's workhorse aircraft. It is used to transport troops and supplies. (Posted 7:40 AM 5/14)

DUNCAN TRIAL DELAYED FOR FURTHER MENTAL EVALUATIONS
The federal death penalty hearing for Joseph Edward Duncan in Idaho will be delayed again while Duncan undergoes additional mental evaluations. U.S. District Judge Edward Lodge ordered the additional evaluation on Tuesday. The court is trying to determine whether Duncan is competent to represent himself in his sentencing hearing for the 2005 kidnapping and abuse of Shasta and Dylan Groene and the slaying of Dylan. The children were taken from their Coeur d'Alene home after Duncan killed their mother, their older brother and the mother's boyfriend. He pleaded guilty to various charges in both state and federal court. Most of the recent filings in the case have been kept under seal by Lodge, and the attorneys are under a gag order. Duncan has already been evaluated by a Boise-area psychiatrist, and it was not immediately clear why the additional mental evaluation was needed. (Posted 7:40 AM 5/14)

NORDSTROM HEADED TO TAX COURT OVER HOLDING COMPANY DISPUTE
Tax authorities in Maryland and the Nordstrom clothing chain are headed to state tax court today over a corporate income tax dispute. Maryland authorities say Seattle-based Nordstrom owes just over $1 million for corporate income taxes that the retailer put into holding companies registered in Delaware, which does not charge corporate income taxes. With interest and penalties, Maryland is seeking a total of $2.1 million from Nordstrom. Maryland tax authorities routinely challenge companies they believe are hiding revenues in that state. Nordstrom says it is contesting the charge. (Posted 7:40 AM 5/14)

FOUR KILLED IN HELICOPTER CRASH
A helicopter crashed and burst into flames in the British Columbia city of Cranbrook yesterday, killing the pilot, two passengers and a pedestrian on the street. Witnesses say the helicopter went down in a residential neighborhood from about 100 feet in the air. The Bell 206 Jet Ranger helicopter was under hire by British Columbia Hydro, a provincial power company, and was ferrying two employees to a work site. The cause of the crash is under investigation. Cranbrook is about 500 miles east of Vancouver. (Posted 7:40 AM 5/14)

ICAHN CONSIDERING ATTEMPT TO OUST YAHOO BOARD
Billionaire investor Carl Icahn reportedly is snapping up Yahoo stock in preparation for a possible attempt to replace the Internet company's board after the directors turned down Microsoft's $47.5 billion takeover offer. Icahn has reportedly bought as many as 50 million Yahoo shares. That would give him a 3.6 percent stake in the Internet pioneer. The financier is known for shaking up slumping companies. He could spearhead a campaign to oust Yahoo's 10 directors for not accepting Microsoft Corp.'s final offer of $33 per share. The deadline for nominating an alternative slate of directors to Yahoo's board is Thursday. (Posted 7:40 AM 5/14)

MAN RUN OVER AFTER FIGHT AND TWO CRASHES
Chelan County investigators say a man was fatally run over after getting into a fight and two previous accidents near Manson. An autopsy established that 39-year-old John W. Jones died of injuries from being hit by a Ford F150 pickup truck early Saturday morning, and a 41-year-old man has been jailed for investigation of vehicular homicide. Witnesses told sheriff's deputies Jones was involved in what they described as a hit-and-run accident outside a Manson bar. The witnesses say three motorcyclists chased Jones and fought with him after he rolled his sport utility vehicle about half a mile away. Then Jones was fatally hit by the pickup. Sheriff Michael T. Harum says investigators were unable to separate the extent of injuries from the fight and the earlier crashes. (Posted 7:40 AM 5/14)

TWO ARRESTED IN ABANDONED HOUSE KILLING
Two men are being held in the fatal stabbing of a man nearly three years ago at an abandoned house in Marysville. On April 30 police arrested 21-year-old Matthew R. Hedgcoth and on Friday they arrested 26-year-old Justin L. Trent. Both remained in jail yesterday for investigation of second-degree murder in the stabbing of 39-year-old Charles Hughley, who was found dead on Aug. 13, 2005. Last month Trent told investigators he was in the abandoned house when Hughley was killed, but he maintained that he only helped get rid of some knives. According to documents filed in court, Hedgcoth told investigators that Trent and others helped attack Hughley in retaliation for an attack on Hedgcoth. (Posted 7:40 AM 5/14)

MAN ARRESTED AFTER WOMAN'S BODY WAS FOUND NEAR SUMAS
A woman has been found dead about 20 miles northeast of Bellingham, and a man is being held for investigation of homicide. The Skagit County sheriff's office says the woman is believed to be 45-year-old Dawn Ruger. A friend reported her missing in January of 2007, saying she never picked up her welfare checks. Information obtained by Bellingham police led to the discovery of the decomposed remains in Paradise Valley, southeast of Sumas. The cause of death remains under investigation. Following the discovery, 28-year-old Benjamin Price was arrested and jailed in Skagit County. The sheriff's office says he's believed to be the last person who saw Ruger alive. (Posted 7:40 AM 5/14)

107-YEAR-OLD WWI VET RENEWS CANADIAN CITIZENSHIP
The last known surviving Canadian veteran of World War I is a Canadian once again. 107-year-old John Foster Babcock, who lives in Spokane, was born a Canadian, but became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1946. Last month, he sent a letter asking to renew his Canadian citizenship, and the government quickly agreed. Yesterday, he raised his right hand in his Spokane home and swore allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. In the eyes of Canada, he now has dual citizenship. (Posted 7:40 AM 5/14)

COINSTAR EMPLOYEE ACCUSED OF STEALING ABOUT $450,000
A Coinstar Inc. employee has been arrested for investigation of thefts totaling as much as $450,000. According to court documents, 39-year-old Michael Robert Burns of Maple Valley worked on Coinstar kiosks at a warehouse. He's accused of using his knowledge to get money from the coin-counting and dispensing machines at grocery stores in Washington, Oregon and California. Burns was arrested Friday and remains in the Snohomish County jail for investigation of first-degree theft. Bail is set at$250,000. The probe began after Coinstar officials reported thefts in several locations. Lynnwood police reported finding about $125,000 cash in Burns' home, $4,000 in his truck and $350 in his pockets, plus some expensive electronics and vehicles. (Posted 7:40 AM 5/14)

ASSOCIATED PRESS NEWS BRIEFS FOR 5/14/08
The National Weather Service says unseasonably warm sunny weather is still on the way to Washington. After some cloudy weather today, forecasters say sunshine will push high temperatures into the 80s Thursday through Saturday across Washington.

Pierce County prosecutors have charged a Gig Harbor police sergeant with perjury. Matthew Dougil is accused of lying in reports he filed as part of a drug investigation that led to two convictions. He'll answer the charge next week in court in Tacoma.

A prison chaplain is retiring early from his job at McNeil Island prison because he disagrees with new rules that allow inmates to claim affiliations with multiple religions. The Rev. Tom Suss says that pushed him into an ethical conflict. Nearly 40 percent of the prisoners claim to follow multiple faiths.

Pierce County will leave dozens of jobs vacant, including six deputies and six jail guards, to balance the budget. County Executive John Ladenburg announced plans yesterday to cut spending by nearly $5 million and to tap $1 million from reserve funds.

An armed robber fired a shot into the ceiling of a bank in Centralia. He demanded money yesterday and fled on foot. A man with a similar description robbed a bank earlier yesterday in Kelso. The FBI is investigating whether they are linked.

The Fish and Wildlife Department has tentatively scheduled a one-day razor clam dig on Saturday, May 24 at Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks beaches on the Washington coast. Officials are waiting for marine toxin tests before giving the final OK.

Police are looking for two people who shot into a West Seattle duplex wounding a woman and her 12-year-old son. Assistant Chief Nick Metz says the shooters apparently sneaked up on the home. The woman was shot twice in the chest last night and the boy was hit in the back of the shoulder. Both are expected to survive.

The Coast Guard icebreaker Healy is headed home to Seattle after a mission in the Bering Sea. It left yesterday from Juneau, Alaska, after a port call.

A survey conducted for the city of Seattle identified nearly 600 buildings potentially at risk of collapse during an earthquake. Most are older brick and concrete commercial buildings.

A Seattle City Council committee voted to get rid of five automated public toilets as soon as possible, instead of waiting until next year. The toilets have attracted drug users and prostitutes. They have cost taxpayers $4.3 million since they were installed in 2004, mostly in parks.

Police say an Everett woman used another woman's identity to receive nearly $180,000 worth of medical care and prescription drugs. The 48-year-old woman, Barbara Reuter, was arrested yesterday by Edmonds police after an investigation by the State Patrol and Department of Social and Health Services. (Posted 7:40 AM 5/14)

MINOR INJURY IN SCHOOL BUS COLLISION IN ALLYN
The State Patrol says one student has a minor knee injury from a collision involving a school bus on Highway 3 just north of Allyn. The collision at North Bay Road occurred about 6:45 AM and involved a water truck. In an email, North Mason School District Superintendent David Peterson said that the bus was rear-ended as the driver, Debbie Seamons, was making her first stop of the morning. Her first passenger, a middle school boy, was walking down the aisle to get his seat when a water truck struck the bus "quite hard." The bus was stopped on Highway 3, in a 35 mile per hour zone, on the hill heading south into Allyn with its lights flashing and flag out. Peterson says that Seamons appeared to be in good spirits after the collision but was experiencing pain. The District sent another bus and driver to complete the route as the collision pushed the bus' bumper into the body of the bus. (Updated 10:40 AM 5/13)

NORTHCLIFF PAVING TO BEGIN JUNE 2ND
The City of Shelton will put the final layer of asphalt on Northcliff Road beginning June 2nd. At 7 AM that Monday, crews from Ace Paving will begin work and do one lane at a time. Work will actually begin as early as Tuesday May 27th with sweeping, drying and preparing the road. During this time, vehicles can NOT park on Northcliff and anyone who does so will have their car towed. When paving begins, crews will start at the North 13th end and once the asphalt is applied AT NO TIME will any vehicle be allowed to cross the hot asphalt. Only foot traffic will allowed to cross the new pavement until it has cooled, which may take four to eight hours. Residents will have to make arrangements to have their vehicles accessible outside Northcliff Road. The paving will be completed on Tuesday, June 3rd. Motorists are advised to avoid the Northcliff area on June 2nd and 3rd between 7 AM and 7 PM. Once the new road is complete, there will NOT be any cutting of the roadway for five years. (Updated 7:05 AM 5/13)

STREET STRIPING BEING DONE TUESDAY
The City of Shelton and Stripe Rite are striping the city streets Tuesday morning. The plan is to begin on Railroad Avenue then move on to Mountain View, Capital Hill, Angleside, Hillcrest, and then back downtown. The City would like motorist to be aware of wet paint and cones in the roadway. This may cause short, temporary delays in traffic. (Updated 7:05 AM 5/13)

CITY TO ESTABLISH STREETS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
The City of Shelton will be establishing a streets oversight committee in the next couple of months. This Committee will be responsible for selecting which streets will be fixed from year to year if the City's Property Tax Levy Lid Lift measure to fund maintenance of residential streets passes in August. The City will ask voters to increase their property taxes to $3.60 per thousand of assessed value, the maximum amount allowed, and dedicate those funds for streets. The increase would take effect in 2009. The committee would have seven members consisting of five residents, one from each area of the city, and two businesses. The Shelton City Commission is expected to approve the committee's formation at its next meeting. Once action is taken, the City will call for applications from interested people. Committee appointments will likely be made in June with the Streets Oversight Committee holding its first meeting in July. (Posted 7:05 AM 5/13)

GROUND BREAKING FOR NEW RAMP TO 101 HELD
A ground breaking for the new ramp from Highway 3 to northbound U.S. Highway 101 was held Monday afternoon. The project will increase safety at the intersection where several fatal crashes have occurred over the years including one that took the life of a 14-year-old who was on his way to school with his sister. Among those in attendance at the ceremony were State Representative Kathy Haigh, State Senator and Mason County Commissioner Tim Sheldon, Mason County Commissioner Lynda Ring Erickson, Mason County Commissioner Ross Gallagher, and members of Mason County Fire District Four which has been dispatched to this intersection numerous times. The on-ramp will cost about $3 Million and the contractor, Tri State Construction of Bellevue, started work Monday. The ramp will be finished in October. Funding for this project is coming from the 2005 Gas Tax. (Updated 7:05 AM 5/13)

SPEED AND DUI EMPHASIS UNDERWAY IN MASON COUNTY
Law enforcement in Mason County is currently conducting an emphasis on speeding and driving under the influence. According to Krista Hedstrom, Public Information Officer for the State Patrol, this emphasis will focus mainly on U.S. Highway 101 but the coverage will extend to adjacent roads. Participating agencies include the State Patrol, Shelton Police Department, Mason County Sheriff's Office and Squaxin Island Tribal Police. A State Patrol aircraft will be assisting officers with this emphasis throughout the week. Motorists are reminded to slow down, buckle up and never drink and drive. Also, if you observe some one driving dangerously or who you believe maybe driving under the influence, you are encouraged to call 9-1-1 with a description of the vehicle, a license plate number if possible, location, and direction of travel. (Posted 7:05 AM 5/13)

MAN RECOVERING FROM NAIL GUN INJURY ARRESTED
Washington State troopers arrested a Bremerton man Friday evening, after the man avoided jail earlier this month by shooting himself with a cement nail gun. Troopers made initial contact with the man, 23 year old Lance E. Dillon on May 1st following a hit and run collision. As troopers approached his vehicle, he shot himself once in the chest with a cement nail gun. At that time, Mr. Dillon was wanted on several outstanding warrants and was driving on a suspended license. Mr. Dillon had been treated and was recovering from the injuries he inflicted upon himself on May 1st, when troopers learned that he had made arrangements to pick up his vehicle from the impound lot. Troopers contacted him there, where he was taken into custody without incident. Mr. Dillon was booked into the Kitsap County Jail for his prior outstanding warrants, as well as the additional charges of Driving While License Suspended 3rd Degree, DUI, Hit and Run and Possession of Methamphetamine, all of which stemmed from the May 1st incident. (Updated 7:05 AM 5/13)

GOVERNOR RAISED $1.3 MILLION IN APRIL, DOUBLING ROSSI
Gov. Chris Gregoire is reporting a lively pace of fundraising in her first full month seeking campaign contributions this year. Campaign finance reports show the Democratic incumbent raised more than $1.3 million in April - about $44,000 each day. It's the first time since December that Gregoire's had a full month to press donors for money. That's because of ethics rules and a self-imposed blackout that cut off virtually all fundraising until bills from this year's Legislature were signed. Republican challenger Dino Rossi had a tougher month of fundraising. He reports less than half of what Gregoire took in, just under $641,000. Observers predict the two could wage a $20 million campaign for the governor's mansion, and they're already more than halfway there: Combined, Gregoire and Rossi already have collected more than $10.4 million. (Posted 7:05 AM 5/13)

CENTRALIA MONUMENT MARKS 1996 VISIT BY CLINTON & GORE
The city of Centralia dedicates a monument today to the 1996 visit of President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore and their spouses. The 4-foot-tall granite monument was designed by the Centralia Historical Preservation Commission and commissioned by Sticklin Funeral Chapel in Centralia. It features an engraved presidential seal and a bronze plaque. City officials say the monument is a commemoration of the fact that the country's two highest executive officials will rarely, if ever, travel together again after the Sept. 11 terror attacks. The monument stands close to the place where President Clinton spoke from a stage on Sept. 19, 1996 on a tour titled "On the Road to the 21st Century." (Posted 7:05 AM 5/13)

PACIFICORP TO BUY NATURAL GAS-FIRED GENERATOR IN CHEHALIS
Pacificorp of Portland, Ore., is buying the natural gas-fired generating plant in Chehalis. Pacificorp spokesman Tom Gauntt says the deal with Chehalis Power, part of the Belgian utility conglomerate Suez-Tractebel, is subject to state and federal regulators. The agreement was announced late Friday. Gauntt won't reveal the price. He says PacifiCorp, a subsidiary of MidAmerica Energy Holdings Inc. of Des Moines, Iowa, plans to keep the current work force. The 520-megawatt plant was opened in 2003 and needs fewer than 20 people to operate. A battle over property taxes ended this year when the state Board of Tax Appeals set the assessed value at $221 million. In 2003 Chehalis Power contended the plant was worth $75 million. (Posted 7:05 AM 5/13)

SURF FISHERMAN DIES NEAR OCEAN SHORES
A surf fisherman who was apparently pulled down by a rip tide near Ocean Shores has died. The Grays Harbor County sheriff's office says the 62-year-old Olympia man, Dae W. Rhim, was fishing Friday near the Roosevelt Beach approach when his wife, who was watching from shore, saw him go under. He was pulled out of the surf by a passer-by and died on the way to a hospital. (Updated 7:05 AM 5/13)

COAST GUARD HONORS RESCUERS WHO SAVED CREW MEMBERS ON THE ALASKA RANGER
Coast Guard crew members involved in the rescue of the Alaska Ranger crew will be honored this week in Kodiak, Alaska. The crew of the cutter Munro will receive the Coast Guard Unit Commendation, and several aviators will get Air Medals for saving 20 of the 47 crew members of the Alaska Ranger, a fish processor based in Seattle. The Alaska Ranger's sister ship, Alaska Warrior, saved 22 people. Five people died when the Alaska Ranger sank March 23 about 152 miles west of Dutch Harbor, Alaska. (Posted 7:05 AM 5/13)

MICROSOFT LAUNCHES WORLDWIDE TELESCOPE
Microsoft launched its new WorldWide Telescope yesterday, bringing the free Web-based program for zooming around the universe to a broad audience. WorldWide Telescope, developed by Microsoft's research arm, knits together images from the Hubble Space Telescope, the Chandra X-Ray Observatory Center, the Sloan Digital Sky Survey and others. Computer users can browse through the galaxy on their own or take guided tours of different outer-space destinations developed by astronomers and academics. The site lets users choose from a number of different telescopes and switch between different light wavelengths. On the Net: www.worldwidetelescope.org. (Posted 7:05 AM 5/13)

MICROSOFT EXEC RAIKES BRINGS SOFTWARE SAVVY TO GATES FOUNDATION
Microsoft executive Jeff Raikes says he'll bring the same energy and passion to his new job as CEO of the non-profit Gates Foundation. The world's largest charity announced yesterday that Raikes is replacing Patty Stonesifer, who is stepping down. In the past decade, the Seattle-based foundation has made more than $16 billion in grants, mostly in global health, global development and U.S. education. Raikes has been the top executive in Microsoft's business software division. In a conference call yesterday, Raikes said he had to interview for the job with other applicants. He also had to have the approval of Warren Buffet, a major contributor to the foundation. Raikes says he's interested in using science and technology to overcome the problems in society. He also says he's experienced in managing high-growth organizations. The Gates Foundation now has 500 employees. (Posted 7:05 AM 5/13)

BRITISH I-T WATCHDOG COMPLAINS TO E-U ABOUT MICROSOFT'S OOXML FORMAT
A British watchdog agency is telling European Union regulators that Microsoft's new file format for storing documents discourages competition. The complaint was filed today with the European Commission by the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency. It concerns Microsoft's new file format, Office Open XML, which stores Word, Excel and PowerPoint files. Critics say the format, known as OOXML, locks out competitors, forcing Microsoft customers to keep buying Microsoft programs. Microsoft claims it's a more useful and varied format than a competing standard, OpenDocument Format, which is backed by Sun Microsystems, IBM and others. (Posted 7:05 AM 5/13)

STEELHEAD FISHERY IN LOWER COLUMBIA DELAYED TO PROTECT SPRING CHINOOK
The lower Columbia River will remain closed to steelhead fishing until further notice to avoid the incidental catch of protected spring Chinook salmon. Yesterday's announcement effectively delays the fishery for hatchery steelhead that was scheduled to open May 16 from the Interstate 5 Bridge downriver to the Rocky Point/Tongue Point line, a few miles east of Astoria, Ore. Cindy LeFleur, of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, says the steelhead closure could extend as late as June 15, unless returns of upriver spring Chinook begin to pick up. Fishery closures for spring Chinook on parts of the Columbia and Snake rivers are already in effect, because those protected fish have been returning in much lower numbers than originally predicted. Commercial salmon fisheries at Young's Bay, Blind Slough, Tongue Point and Deep River also were delayed for a week. Those fisheries primarily target Chinook salmon returning to lower Columbia River tributaries, but they also intercept some upriver fish. LeFleur says the steelhead season will start no later than June 16, when most spring Chinook have returned to hatcheries or spawning areas. (Posted 7:05 AM 5/13)

DRINKING, DRUGS RULED OUT IN DEATH OF TEEN CHASED BY DEPUTY
Drinking and drugs apparently have been ruled out in the death of a teenager after a Snohomish County sheriff's deputy used a PIT maneuver. Everett police Sgt. Robert Goetz says an investigation into the death of 18-year-old Randy Privrasky of Marysville is continuing. The young man's parents says they were given an autopsy report stating Privrasky was not under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Goetz won't confirm those findings. The chase began March 28 after a deputy tried to pull over Privrasky on a two-lane road as snow was falling. After two minutes, the deputy apparently tried a pursuit immobilization technique, or PIT maneuver, in which a fleeing vehicle is bumped in an attempt to cause it to spin out and stall. Instead, Privrasky's newly acquired 1991 Dodge Spirit slammed into a tree. (Posted 7:05 AM 5/13)

IMMIGRATION AGENTS CHECK NW JAILS FOR ILLEGALS TO DEPORT
The Seattle field director for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Neil Clark, reports "great results" from a year-long effort to deport illegal immigrants who commit crimes. Under the Criminal Alien Program, federal agents have been checking jails, juvenile centers and courts for people in the United States illegally. Criminals accounted for about a third of all immigrants who were expelled last year from the Pacific Northwest. (Posted 7:05 AM 5/13)

PLANS WITHDRAWN FOR CANOLA BIOFUEL PLANT AT COLFAX
The Losonoco biofuels company of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., has decided not to build a plant at Colfax that would have used canola. The company says canola can't compete as a crop right now with the current high price of wheat. The port of Whitman County says the plant could have brought 25 jobs to the region. (Posted 7:05 AM 5/13)

SHIPPING COMPANY PAYS $27,500 FOR FUEL SPILL IN SEATTLE
A Singapore-based shipping company has paid a $27,500 penalty for a bunker fuel spill in Seattle last year. The state Ecology Department says only 93 gallons of intermediate fuel oil leaked from an ill-repaired valve on the Songa Hua, but the cleanup took six days to complete. The vessel is owned by OSM Ship Management of Singapore. It was anchored off Smith Cove about half a mile south of Pier 91 in Elliott Bay at the time of the spill on Feb. 28, 2007. Last year the company paid $11,139 for the cleanup and investigation and a $1,855 damage assessment. State investigators faulted the crew for failing to monitor the fueling operation, assuring that the equipment was working properly or reporting the spill immediately as required by state law. (Posted 7:05 AM 5/13)

UTILITY TO GET $11.8 MILLION IN ENRON-RELATED SETTLEMENT
The Grant County Public Utility District is getting $11.8 million from three California utilities in a settlement. PUD commissioners voted last week to accept the resolution of claims over unpaid power sales during the energy crisis of 2000-01. Electricity prices skyrocketed to $200 to $500 a megawatt from $30 to $50 a megawatt, partly because of manipulation by Enron before that company went bankrupt. PUD General Manager Tim Culbertson says the claims involved more than $17.5 million from Pacific Gas and Electric Co., Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric Co. California groups argued that power prices should have been reduced to levels set by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. PUD lawyers argued that as a public utility, it was exempt from oversight by the panel. (Posted 7:05 AM 5/13)

ASSOCIATED PRESS NEWS BRIEFS FOR 5/13/08
The National Weather Service says a warm front will bring rain today to Western Washington and a chance of rain to Eastern Washington. But forecasters say skies should clear tomorrow for several days of sunny, hot weather. High temperatures are forecast into the 80s into Saturday across the state.

John McCain brings his presidential campaign today to Western Washington. He arrives from Oregon about 10:30 at Boeing Field in Seattle and heads to an 11:30 round-table on the environment at North Bend. This afternoon, at 5, the Republican contender holds a fund-raising reception and dinner at the Hyatt hotel in Bellevue.

Members of the Machinists union say they'll demonstrate as John McCain arrives today at Boeing Field in Seattle. The union says McCain was instrumental in allowing an Air Force contract for air tankers to go to Airbus instead of Boeing.

The Seattle City Council has approved two major projects on streets that have been bottlenecks for decades - Mercer Street and the Spokane Street Viaduct. Widening the Spokane Street link between I-5 and the West Seattle Bridge will cost $169 million. Turning Mercer Street into a boulevard in the south Lake Union area will cost $193 million.

The Seattle City Council approved an emergency loan program to help some homeowners stave off foreclosure. The program approved yesterday will provide zero-interest loans of up to $5,000. The loans are intended to give "responsible" owners time to catch up on their mortgages until the homes can be sold or refinanced.

A 4-year-old boy hit by a car in a church parking lot in Bellevue is recovering from scrapes. Police say he had no serious injuries yesterday, although the tires of a Toyota Corolla ran over his pelvis. Police say the driver was not drinking or driving recklessly and probably won't get a ticket.

Trial may start next month in Everett for a Puyallup teen blamed in the drug death of a classmate. The 18-year-old, Donalydia Huertas, is charged with controlled substance homicide in the death of 16-year-old Danielle McCarthy on New Year's 2007. She's died of an overdose of the drug ecstasy. (Posted 7:05 AM 5/13)

PHONE SERVICE BACK TO NORMAL FOR HOOD CANAL COMMUNICATIONS CUSTOMERS
Telephone service has been restored for customers of Hood Canal Communications and others. A fiber optic line in the Aberdeen area was cut this morning that knocked out phone service for several areas served by Century Telephone. Hood Canal service was restored about 11 AM. However, other areas, especially those on the Washington Coast, won't have service restored until about two this afternoon. This outage did have an impact on emergency calls to ShelCom. Hood Canal had to divert 9-1-1 calls from its customers to the Internet which then connected them to ShelCom. However, now that regular phone service has been restored, operations at ShelCom have returned to normal. During this phone outage, some one who tried to make a phone call to or from an effected telephone customer, only heard a fast busy signal. But again, phone service to customers of Hood Canal Communications has been restored. (Updated 12:05 PM 5/12)

35^TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS BACK FINN FOR IKE’S SEAT

35^th District Democrats nominated Fred Finn for Bill Eikmeyer’s State Representative seat. At a convention Saturday, Finn earned the backing from the Democrats for the August 19^th Primary Election over Daryl Daugs. Out of a total 332 precinct votes, Finn received 224 for the seat being vacated by the retiring Eikmeyer. Two Republicans, Herb Baze and Randy Neatherlin are also seeking the seat. A two term Port of Olympia Commissioner and resident of the Steamboat Island area, Paul Telford, has also express interest in the seat. At this time, Telford does not have a political party affiliation and says he could run as either “a Tim Sheldon Democrat, an independent, or a Republican.” The official filing period for this fall’s election is the first week in June. (Originally Posted 7:15 AM 5/11; Updated 7:25am 5/12)

ROAD WORK ON STATE HIGHWAY
Motorists on Highway 3, U.S. Highway 101, Highway 102, and Highway 108 will encounter short delays this week due to road maintenance. Monday in the Allyn vicinity, crews will be repairing pavement on Highway 3 from Dawn Drive to Judy Lane (milepost 18 to 24). Motorists will see one-lane, alternating traffic from 7:30 AM to 4 PM. On Tuesday, a temporary traffic signal will be installed on U.S. Highway 101 at Holiday Beach (milepost 329.29 to 329.59). This work will require a flagging operation from 9 AM to 3 PM. Also on Tuesday, motorists traveling Highway 102, that's the Dayton Airport Road, will encounter one-lane alternating traffic near the Washington Corrections Center from 8 AM to 4 PM as crews continue to install sewer and reclaimed water lines. Wednesday, pavement repair on Highway 3 near Pickering Road (milepost 10 to 11) will cause one-lane, alternating traffic from 8 AM to 4 PM. A sweeping operation is scheduled for Wednesday on U.S. Highway 101 from Shaker Church Road to Mud Bay (milepost 360 to 362). Traffic will be reduced to one lane in both directions from 12:30 PM to 4 PM. On Thursday, a sweeping operation will cause one-lane, alternating traffic on Highway 108 from McCleary to U.S. Highway 101. Work hours are 7 AM to 4 PM. And shoulder maintenance will cause a right shoulder closure on northbound 101 from Crosby Boulevard to Black Lake (milepost 365 to 366.7) from 9 AM to 4 PM Thursday. If you are traveling through any of these areas, please slow down and give the workers a break. (Posted 7:25am 5/12)

TAYLOR SHELLFISH COMPANY'S BILL DEWEY WINS HERO AWARD
Taylor Shellfish Company's Bill Dewey has received a 2008 Environmental Hero Award from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Dewey was recognized for volunteering thousands of hours during the last two decades to help develop and implement public policy that protects water quality and marine resources while supporting sustainable aquaculture. Dewey is a shellfish biologist and serves as public affairs director for Taylor Shellfish. (Posted 7:25am 5/12)

AVERAGE PRICE OF GAS IS $3.80 A GALLON IN WASHINGTON
The AAA auto club says the average price of a gallon of gas in Washington is a record $3.80. That's up 26 cents in the past month and 38 cents in the past year. It's also eight cents higher than the national average. The AAA says the average price of a gallon of diesel in Washington is $4.53. That up 28 cents in the past month and $1.46 in the past year. Looking at some metro areas around the state, the AAA says gasoline is most expensive at Bellingham at $3.88 a gallon and cheapest in Spokane at $3.65. Some other cities, according to the AAA survey: Olympia $3.82, Seattle $3.82. Tri-Cities $3.76, and Vancouver $3.77. (Posted 7:25am 5/12)

GAS PRICES OUT-PACE METERS ON SOME PUMPS
When the price of gas hits $4 a gallon some stations with older pumps have a problem. Their pricing mechanism doesn't go that high. The manager of Washington's weights and measures program, Kirk Robinson, says about a dozen stations have asked to price gasoline by the half-gallon until their pump meters are updated. They'll post signs telling customer the final price will be twice what the meter indicates. The same thing happened a few years ago when the gasoline went over $3 a gallon. (Posted 7:25am 5/12)

POLICE DRAW A LINE ON OLYMPIA PROTESTS
The chief law enforcement officers for Thurston County and its three largest cities have restated their zero-tolerance policy for and violence at demonstrations. Thurston County Sheriff Dan Kimball says Friday's policy statement sends a public message how officers and prosecutors will respond to protesters. The Port of Olympia protests in 2006 and 2007, the Valentine's Day hip-hop concert riot at The Evergreen State College and the May Day demonstration in Olympia all erupted into violence and property damage. Kimball says agencies want to stop criminals from hijacking the rights of citizens to protest peacefully. (Posted 7:25am 5/12)

OLYMPIA RESTAURANT EVACUATED BY FIRE
About 100 customers and 18 employees were evacuated after fire broke out at an Olympia restaurant, but no one was injured and the restaurant was able to reopen in time for Mother's Day. Saturday night's fire occurred at Mercato Ristorante. The Olympia Fire Department says more than 20 firefighters, two ambulances and six fire trucks, including two from the Lacey Fire Department, responded. Assistant fire chief Greg Wright says the fire started above a freezer in the kitchen. He estimated the damage at about $30,000. He says none of the other businesses in the building was affected. (Posted 7:25am 5/12)

STOLEN CAR CRASHES INTO THE WATER
A man fleeing from police in a stolen car crashed into the water at a marina on the Tacoma waterfront, and his passenger was killed. Police say officers tried to stop a stolen car just before 10 o'clock Saturday night, but the driver took off. Officers pursued it for about a mile and a half, but called off the chase when officers decided it was unsafe to continue. But the stolen car continued and plunged into the water at a street end. The driver was arrested as he climbed out of the water, but the passenger did not survive. (Posted 7:25am 5/12)

MCCAIN TO VISIT WASHINGTON
U.S. Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, is scheduled to visit Western Washington tomorrow for an environmental roundtable in North Bend and a fundraiser at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Bellevue. The North Bend event will be at the Cedar River Watershed Education Center - the gateway to the Cedar River Municipal Watershed, the main drinking water source for the greater Seattle area. According to a Web site for the Bellevue event Tuesday evening, tickets are $10,000 for a photo reception, $2,300 for a VIP reception, $1,000 for the main reception, and $33,100 for what is billed as a "victory dinner." McCain is scheduled to campaign today in Portland, Ore. (Posted 7:25am 5/12)

EL AL COMPLETES ORDER FOR FOUR BOEING 777-200ER JETS
The Boeing Co. has announced the completion of an order by El Al Israel Airlines for four 777-200ERs. The extended-range passenger jets are worth $850 million at list prices, although customers typically negotiate discounts. Besides the orders that were announced Monday, El Al has taken options for two other 777s and has the right to convert the orders to 777-300ERs, a larger version of the plane. The Israeli carrier's fleet currently includes four 777s. With the latest deal, Boeing has a backlog of more than 360 777s on order. (Posted 7:25am 5/12)

SKAGIT COUNTY MAN DIES IN BELLINGHAM STABBING
A 20-year-old man was fatally stabbed during a fight on a Bellingham street yesterday afternoon. Bellingham police Lt. Steve Felmley says witnesses reported that David L. Datskiy, of Mount Vernon, and his passenger pulled their vehicle over on James Street, and another vehicle pulled up beside them. Datskiy and the other driver got out of their vehicles, argued and exchanged punches before the second driver stabbed Datskiy and then fled from the scene. Felmley says Datskiy's passenger, a male friend, drove him to St. Joseph Hospital, where he died. Police were looking for the assailant, who is described as a white man in his 20s, 5 feet 8 inches tall, with a medium build, bald head, no facial hair, and wearing a blue shirt and black pants. (Posted 7:25am 5/11)

COAST GUARD CUTTER ARRIVES IN JUNEAU AFTER ARCTIC MISSION
The Coast Guard cutter Healy is making a quick stop in Juneau after a two-month mission in the Bering Sea. The Seattle-based Healy - billed as the nation's largest icebreaker - arrived in Juneau yesterday afternoon and will remain until tomorrow. During its first Arctic West Summer 2008 deployment, the Healy traveled a total of more than 7,000 miles in two separate science missions. The 420-foot Healy is the only cutter with extensive scientific capabilities among the nation's three heavy icebreakers. It has a permanent crew of 80. (Posted 7:25am 5/12)

TEEN DIES FROM STAB WOUNDS
The King County Sheriff's Office reports a 16-year-old Auburn boy was fatally stabbed and another boy was wounded during a fight between teenagers on a dead-end road in Kent. Sgt. John Urquhart says the stabbings occurred about 1 a.m. Saturday and the 16-year-old boy - identified by his family as Jesse Atwal - died about three hours later at Seattle's Harborview Medical Center of at least one stab wound. Urquhart says another 16-year-old boy from Auburn was cut, too, but his wound was not life-threatening. Urquhart says the stabbings happened next to the playground area of Park Orchard Elementary School and came following an argument with a group of four males. The Auburn boys were at a juvenile party in Kent that broke up about midnight because of noise complaints from neighbors. There were no immediate arrests. (Posted 7:25am 5/12)

DISABLED CRUISE SHIP ESCORTED BY COAST GUARD
The Coast Guard has escorted a disabled, Seattle-based cruise ship to Juneau's Auke Bay in Alaska. The Coast Guard cutter Liberty accompanied the 143-foot Spirit of Columbia, which arrived in Juneau on its own power around 5 p.m. Sunday. The cruise ship, operated by Cruise West of Seattle, lost power to both generators Saturday night with 89 people on board. Coast Guard officials say the cruise ship also was operating on one of two propellor engines when it ran into trouble near Warm Springs Bay about 80 miles south of Juneau. The ship's crew repaired the generators, but the vessel still was operating on just one propellor. There were no reported injuries. (Posted 7:25am 5/11)

DEFENDANT FOUND INCOMPETENT FOR WATERVILLE MURDER TRIAL
Criminal proceedings against a former orchard worker accused of stabbing to death a co-worker have been put on hold by a court commissioner after she found the defendant incompetent to stand trial. Twenty-nine-year-old Eliseo Aguirre Fuentes is charged with first-degree murder while armed with a deadly weapon in the Oct. 6 death of 31-year-old Gabriel Garcia Cabanas. The fatal stabbing happened while both were employed at an orchard north of Orondo. Douglas County Superior Court Commissioner Jill Wise, acting on the advice of a psychiatrist, ruled Aguirre incompetent to stand trial. Wise ordered Eastern State Hospital in Medical Lake to keep Aguirre, provide necessary treatment and medications, and to advise the court when Aguirre is able to understand the proceedings against him and assist in his own defense. Aguirre allegedly told Douglas County sheriff's deputies that he and Garcia came to Orondo together from Mexico in July and Garcia raped him twice while he was sleeping. (Posted 7:25am 5/12)

PORT OF CHELAN LAUNCHING HYBRID CAR PROJECT
The Port of Chelan County is spearheading a project to raise awareness around Washington about ultra-fuel-efficient, plug-in hybrid electric cars. The one-year project seeks to put 14 modified Toyota Prius hybrids on the road with public agencies. All of the cars will be converted to "plug-in hybrids" with larger batteries that can be re-charged by plugging into a standard outlet. Experts say the plug-ins can achieve gas mileage in excess of 100 miles per gallon. Anyone with an Internet connection will be able to track their distance traveled, mileage and electricity use. (Posted 7:25am 5/12)

MORE ASSOCIATED PRESS NEWS BRIEFS FOR 5/12/08
The chief law enforcement officers for Thurston County and its three largest cities have re-stated their zero-tolerance policy for property damage and violence arising out of demonstrations. Thurston County Sheriff Dan Kimball says Friday's policy statement sends a public message how officers and prosecutors will respond to protesters.

A hearing is scheduled tomorrow in Thurston County Superior Court to determine whether an Olympia tavern is violating the state smoking ban. The owner of Frankies Sports Bar & Grill, Frank Schnarrs, could face contempt of court charges. He says the second floor of his tavern is a smoke-friendly, members-only club, called Friends of Frankies.

The speed limit drops by 10 mph to 60 today on a 12-mile stretch of I-5 south of Olympia. The state Transportation Department is starting a two-year construction project to add a lane in each direction.

The National Weather Service says warm weather will arrive in Washington by the end of the week. Forecasters say high temperatures on Thursday, Friday and Saturday could reach the 80s across the state.

An emergency loan program for homeowners facing foreclosure is on today's agenda for the Seattle City Council. A committee has recommend a pilot program that would provide zero-interest loans up to $5,000 to working homeowners in default.

A 72-year-old retired Kennewick teacher faces at least five years in prison when he is sentenced June 20 in Seattle for having sex with boys. William B. Pickerel was a long-time teacher and coach at Kennewick High School who would chaperone groups of students on trips to Seattle.

The Seattle Police Department is preparing to deploy an electronic tracking system that will give dispatchers an overall view of where officers are deployed. That would help dispatch the closest officer to an emergency or track a high-speed chase. The department plans to equip its entire fleet with the system as part of a $6 million overhaul of the dispatch system.

Curiosity killed a raccoon and caused a power outage for about 3,000 residents and businesses at Wenatchee. The critter was found dead in a substation early Saturday when Chelan County PUD repair crews arrived. It had been electrocuted. Power was restored in an hour.

A woman who lives in Seattle's Belltown neighborhood says she got little response from police when she complained about drug use and other crimes in an alley outside her window. So she started shooting video and posting it on YouTube with titles such as "Bums smoking crack in the afternoon." The 26-year-old woman told The Seattle Times she's trying to help by shining light on the problem. (Posted 7:25am 5/12)
 

MAN SEEK METH IN CASINO LOST AND FOUND

A man has been charged in Kitsap County with possession of a controlled substance after he allegedly made the mistake of attempting to retrieve a bag containing methamphetamine from the Suquamish Casino's lost-and-found. The casino's security officer alerted the Kitsap County Sheriff's Office when the bag was found to contain three knives, a bag of white crystals identified as meth, some jewelry, a small digital scale and some blood pressure medication. The 33-year-old Seattle man's identification was also in the bag, which was turned in by a customer. As a deputy was speaking with the security officer this week, the man came up and told him he was looking for his missing black bag. The man confirmed the bag was his and a deputy placed him under arrest. The man was also charged with possession of prescription drugs without a prescription and possession of a dangerous weapon. (Posted 7:15 AM 5/11)

PASSENGER’S REMARK CAUSES FERRY EVACUATION

The state ferry terminal at Edmonds was evacuated and two sailings on the run to Kingston were suspended for one hour after a ferry passenger was overheard making a remark about a bomb. Sgt. Craig Nelson says the ferry was being loaded for a sailing to Kingston yesterday morning when one drive-aboard passenger was heard saying to a friend, “Let's put the bomb in the trunk.” The person who overheard the remark reported it to a police officer who was doing traffic control. Nelson says the passenger who made the remark and his friend were interviewed by Edmonds police. The passengers told officers they did not have a bomb in their vehicle, and the remark was made in jest. But, as a precaution, the ferry was evacuated by the State Patrol, the terminal was evacuated and a search for a bomb with a bomb-sniffing dog was conducted. No bomb was found. Edmonds police say one of the men, a 30-year-old Seattle resident, was taken into custody on outstanding warrants. The State Patrol also will be investigating the possibility of criminal charges related to the bomb remark. The Edmonds-Kingston ferry runs resumed at 12:30 p.m. (Posted 7:15 AM 5/11)

BATTALION RETURNING TO FORT LEWIS

There will be a Mother's Day return to Fort Lewis today. The 864th Engineer Combat Battalion is scheduled to return after a 15-month deployment to Afghanistan. According to a news release from the base, the task force built about 58 miles of roads and supervised construction of about 135 miles of roads by Afghan contractors. The task force constructed more than 200 buildings, and supervised or assisted in construction of eight schools, 11 wells, four solar light projects and other efforts. (Posted 7:15 AM 5/11)

MOTOCROSS FROM ORTING DIES AFTER CRASH AT WASHOUGAL

An 18-year-old man competing in a tournament at Washougal Motocross Park in southwest Washington was fatally injured yesterday when he was thrown from his bike during a practice run. Track officials say Rocky Gesner, of Orting, was on a downhill portion about 8:45 a.m. when the front wheel of his bike turned out, throwing him to the track. Gesner, described as an experienced racer, was wearing protective gear, including a helmet and chest and neck pads. Track spokesman Brian Barnes says officials don't know what caused Gesner's bike to spin out, or why he hit the ground so severely. He says other spin-out crashes at the track have usually resulted only in minor injuries. Gesner was competing in a regional tournament that drew 560 racers from six states and Canada. Races went on after the crash, and were scheduled to continue Sunday. Barnes says the crash was the second fatality at the Washougal track since it opened in 1971. (Posted 7:15 AM 5/11)

CHINA LAUNCHES HOMEGROWN COMPANY TO MAKE LARGE JETS

China has reportedly established a homegrown company to make large passenger jets - a step forward in the country's quest to become less dependent on Boeing and Airbus. The official Xinhua News Agency says China Commercial Aircraft Co. was established in Shanghai with registered capital of $2.7 billion. It says the central government and the Shanghai government are among the major shareholders, as are China's two main aircraft manufacturing and servicing companies, China Aviation Industry Corp. I and China Aviation Industry Corp. II. They were split off from state-owned China Aviation Industry Corp. in 1999. Europe's Airbus has forecast that China's domestic airplane market will increase fivefold by 2026. Airbus and Chicago-based rival Boeing dominate the market for commercial airplanes carrying 100 or more people. Xinhua said Commercial Aircraft Co. will be able to make planes with more than 150 seats. General Manager Jin Zhuanglong says it is too early to say when a Chinese-developed large jet might be taking off, as it will take a long time to develop homegrown talent and do research. (Posted 7:15 AM 5/11)

TODDLER ESCAPES MAJOR INJURE IN FALL

A 21-month-old Seattle boy plunged from a second-story apartment window to the ground 20 feet below yesterday morning, but appeared to suffer no major injuries. Seattle Fire Department medics say Chris Ruffin Jr. may have fractured a leg. He was taken to a hospital for treatment. The toddler's father, Chris Ruffin, says he left the room where the boy was playing for just a few minutes. When the father returned, he saw that the screen was pushed out of the window and discovered the boy had plunged to the ground 20 feet below, landing on rough hard dirt and cement. The father says he grabbed the toddler's 10-month-old baby brother before he could tumble off the ledge, too. He says the baby was about to crawl out of the window after his brother. (Posted 7:15 AM 5/11)

THREE-VEHICLE MINOR INJURY COLLISION ON 106

A Belfair teenager suffered minor injuries in a collision involving three vehicles on Highway 106 Friday afternoon. The State Patrol reports that about 3 PM, 17-year-old Tina L. Burrus stopped the 1993 Nissan Stanza she was driving on westbound 106 at milepost 19 to make a left. The Nisan was then struck in the rear by a westbound 2002 Chevrolet S-10 pickup. An eastbound 1997 Ford Expedition was struck by the detached front bumper from the S-10. Burrus was transported to Mason General Hospital with minor neck pain. The other drivers were not injured.  Michelle L. Cook, 17 of Belfair, was driving the pickup. And Linda M. Fluke, 59 of Kirkland, was driving the Expedition. The Trooper report indicates that the cause of this crash was Cook following too close and she was cited. (Posted 8:55 AM 5/10)

NM SCHOOL BOARD TO INTERVIEW CANDIDATES ON MAY 22 by Gerry Morrow, North Mason Correspondent

The North Mason School Board will consider candidates to replace former District Five Director Nena Andrews at a special workshop before the next school board meeting on May 22. Andrews submitted a letter of resignation at the April 24 School Board meeting. The new school board member will serve the remainder of Andrews' term which ends in 2009. The special one hour workshop will start at 5:30 PM and will run until the regularly scheduled business meeting at 6:30 PM. The current school board members will interview the candidates for the position. If there are less than five candidates, the new school board member could be selected during the workshop. If there are five or more candidates the board will select finalists before selecting the new board member at a later time. As of the May 8 meeting there was one letter of interest submitted, the board expects two or three letters of interest to be submitted before the May 16 deadline. The workshop is open to the public and begins at 5:30 PM; the regular school board meeting begins at 6:30 PM, May 22 at the district office board room, 71 E. Campus Drive, Belfair. Those interested in applying for the open seat must reside in Director District Five (Allyn, Victor and areas east of Hwy 3) and be registered to vote within the North Mason School District. To be considered for appointment, applicants must submit a letter of interest that includes contact information, a brief biographical sketch, and a statement about your interest in being a board member. Letters of interest will be accepted through 4:00 PM, May 16. (Posted 8:55 AM 5/10)

FORT LEWIS ON LIST OF BARRACKS NEEDING REPAIR

Fort Lewis officials were surprised to be on a U.S. Army list of eight installations requiring immediate repairs to their barracks. The list followed recent worldwide base inspections. Base spokesman Joe Piek said the $7.4 million promised by the Army for repairs at Fort Lewis will not come with a list of needed work, because an inspection of the base's 105 barracks last week found no serious problems. The Army yesterday identified eight installations that will get priority attention: Fort Lewis, near Tacoma, Wash; Fort Polk, La.; Fort Gordon, Ga.; Fort Bragg, N.C.; Fort Stewart, Ga.; the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in New York; Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland; and Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii. Defense Secretary Robert Gates called barracks conditions appalling and ordered base commanders to ensure their troops have proper quarters. (Posted 8:55 AM 5/10)

PILOT DIES WHEN SMALL PLANE CRASHES AFTER TAKEOFF IN COVINGTON

A single-engine plane crashed into the garage of a house in southeast of Seattle shortly after takeoff. Authorities say the pilot died at the scene and a woman at the house escaped injury. Federal Aviation Agency official Mike Fergus says the Thorp T-18 kit-plane had just taken off from Crest Airpark in Kent when it crashed. A clerk at the private airstrip, Adam Tomlinson says the pilot, the only person on board was trying to turn back to Crest Airpark after experiencing engine problems. (Posted 8:55 AM 5/10)

MICROSOFT APPEALS $1.4B E-U ANTITRUST FINE

Microsoft has appealed a $1.39 billion (899 million euros) fine imposed in February by the European Commission for failing to comply with a 2004 antitrust order. Spokesman Jack Evans said yesterday Microsoft filed an application with the Court of First Instance in Luxembourg to annul the Commission's decision. The fine had marked the tentative end to a long-running fight between the European Union and Microsoft, triggered by a 1998 complaint by Sun Microsystems. It alleged Microsoft was refusing to supply information that servers need to work with its market-dominating Windows operating system. Microsoft later made the information available to rivals, but the EU said it charged “unreasonable prices” until last October. European antitrust regulators have also required the Redmond-based company to sell a version of Windows without media player software. (Posted 8:55 AM 5/10)

BOEING MACHINISTS UNION OPEN CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS

Boeing and its Machinists union representatives have officially opened contract talks. The two sides yesterday exchanged proposals and positions on pay, pensions, health care and other hot issues. Boeing's three-year contract with the Intern(Posted 7:15 AM 5/11)ational Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers expires Sept. 3. The contract covers about 27,000 production workers, primarily in the Puget Sound area. The contract also covers employees Wichita, Kan., the Portland, Ore., area and Southern California. Boeing begins negotiating with a second large union, the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace, in a few months. The SPEEA contract covers about 21,000 engineering and technical employees and expires Dec. 3. Together, the Machinists and SPEEA account for about 85 percent of Boeing's approximately 56,000 union employees. (Posted 8:55 AM 5/10)

SEARCH RESUMES FOR MISSING FISHERMEN

Local and federal agencies have resumed the search for three missing tribal fishermen missing since their boat capsized in the Columbia River this week. The search resumed yesterday after being suspended on Thursday due to bad weather. Authorities are looking for Yakama Nation members Gailen Espirito, James Peter, Jr. and Rommel Strom. Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fisheries Enforcement is coordinating the search, which involves four agencies, including the Coast Guard. An official with the agency, Charles Hudson, says 40 searchers are looking for the men. The search area covers a 20 mile stretch of the mile-wide river from the Bonneville Dam to the east. The men left Tuesday night and were expected back Wednesday morning, but never returned. Searchers found their vessel near Stevenson, in Skamania County. Hudson asked anyone on the river to look for any sign of the men. (Updated 8:55 AM 5/10)

AVISTA TO BUILD WIND FARM

WOMAN WHO DIED IN HOOD CANAL BOATING ACCIDENT IDENTIFIED
The woman who died Wednesday in a boating accident on Hood Canal has been identified as 75-year-old Lois Trueblood of Hoodsport. Her husband, 79-year-old James Trueblood, remains in critical condition at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. The couple was shrimping with two other people Wednesday when their 20-foot boat flipped about 12:30 PM. The Trueblood's were trapped under the boat while the others were thrown clear and reached shore safely. Lois Trueblood drowned before rescuers could get to her and efforts to resuscitate her failed. The accident occurred near the 24,000 block of U.S. Highway 101 which is between Potlatch and Hoodsport. (Updated 7:55 AM 5/9)

JUDGE REFUSES TO DISMISS TRIBE'S LAWSUIT OVER CIGARETTE SALES
A federal judge says the Nisqually Indian Tribe is unlikely to win its claim that Gov. Chris Gregoire struck an illegal cigarette sales deal. US District Judge Ronald B. Leighton has declined to issue an injunction shutting down a smoke shop which the Nisqually Tribe says will illegally undercut its own "legitimate" smoke shop. Gregoire amended the state's tobacco tax compact to permit tobacco sales at Frank's Landing - an independent Indian community outside the Nisqually reservation. Visitors to Frank's Landing can save $20 or more on a carton of cigarettes, and the Nisqually Tribe argued that that the shop will undercut sales at its own "legitimate" smoke shop several miles away. Leighton says he is aware of no federal law prohibiting the type of arrangement at issue, and he declined to issue an injunction shutting down the smoke shop. (Posted 7:55 AM 5/9)

WOMAN'S BODY FOUND ON TRACKS AT TACOMA
A woman's body was found on railroad tracks at Tacoma. A Burlington Northern Santa Fe spokesman, Gus Melonas (mel-OWN'-us), says authorities are investigating whether she was killed by a train or other trauma. Melonas says the body was spotted by the crew of a freight train at 10 p.m. Thursday at the north end of the Ruston tunnel. Melonas says seven people have been killed this year on BNSF tracks in Washington. (Posted 7:55 AM 5/9)

EVERETT BASED NAVY SHIP INGRAHAM RETURNS
An Everett-based Navy ship, the Ingraham, is returning to its homeport. The homecoming Friday ends a deployment that began in November and took the frigate to the Western Pacific and Persian Gulf. In January, the Ingraham was one of the U.S. warships threatened by small Iranian boats in the Persian Gulf. (Posted 7:55 AM 5/9)

SEARCH FOR MISSING FISHERMEN SUSPENDED
The Coast Guard has suspended its search for three tribal fishermen missing since their boat capsized in the Columbia River this week. The three members of the Yakama Nation left on the fishing trip Tuesday night and were expected to return Wednesday morning, but they never showed up. Searchers found their vessel near Stevenson, in Skamania County. Teams searched the Columbia from east of the Bonneville Dam to the Wind River, but did not find the men, whose names have not been released. The effort was called off yesterday afternoon. (Posted 7:55 AM 5/9)

REALNETWORKS TO MAKE GAME BUSINESS INTO INDEPENDENT COMPANY
RealNetworks says its games business will become an independent company. RealNetworks says an initial public offering is possible. The games business was the second-biggest revenue generator for RealNetworks during the first quarter of 2008, with $31.8 million in revenue. Games' revenue for 2007 was $108.5 million, a 26 percent increase over 2006. (Posted 7:55 AM 5/9)

AVISTA TO BUILD 50 MEGAWATT WIND FARM
Power company Avista says it will build a 50-megawatt wind farm five miles south of Reardan, Wash. The windmills will be able to generate power for 37,500 homes. (Posted 7:55 AM 5/9)

OTHER NEWS BRIEFS FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Drivers on I-5 south of Olympia - between Maytown and Grand Mound - will have to slow down. The Transportation Department is lowering the speed limit Monday on a 12-mile stretch to 60 mph. It will stay at 60 for more than two years during an $88 million construction project to add a lane in each direction.

Tacoma police are warning drivers to watch out for the streets closed tomorrow for the Tacoma City Marathon. The 26-mile route loops from downtown Tacoma to Port Defiance Park.

The Pierce County sheriff's office says the young man found dead in a burning car Wednesday near Buckley apparently killed himself.

A clam digger was stuck in the sand on an incoming tide and had to be rescued by Key Peninsula firefighters on a beach near Penrose State Park. The fire department says water was up to the man's shoulders yesterday before he was freed. He was treated for hypothermia but otherwise uninjured.

It was a hard winter for the elk herd in the Mount St. Helens Wildlife Area. The state Fish and Wildlife Department reports about 150 elk died of malnutrition and related causes.

Two big Boeing customers say they've been told the 787s they've ordered will be delivered more than two years late. Those disclosures come from International Lease Finance and Air Canada. Boeing has said it's talking to all its customers about the delays and hasn't calculated penalty costs for late deliveries.

Congressman Doc Hastings fears for the future of the Areva nuclear fuel fabrication plant at Richland now that the French company has decided to build a new $2 billion uranium enrichment plant in Idaho. Hastings says the state of Washington should have done more to try to bring the new project to the Tri-Cities.

Northwest Airlines plans daily nonstop service between Sea-Tac and Beijing in March. A Chinese airline, Hainan, begins nonstop service between Beijing and Sea-Tac in June.

The Seattle School District is closing its Office of Equity, Race and Learning Support. The office was created in 2004 with the goal of closing the achievement gap between white and minority students. The office drew complaints in 2006 for a Web page that said planning for the future, emphasizing individualism and defining standard English were examples of cultural racism.

Prosecutors are deciding whether to charge a Puyallup who had left her baby alone in her apartment when it caught fire. The 23-year-old woman says she went out Wednesday for fast food and returned to see firefighters rescue the boy. He's OK and has been returned to the mother. The fire was started by discarded smoking material.

The University of Washington is offering $1,000 for someone to write the lyrics to a new school anthem. It's a little-known song known as the "alma mater" that officials say is out of date. Sports fans don't worry; the UW is keeping "Bow Down to Washington" as the fight song.

The endorsement of Congressmen Rick Larsen for Barack Obama gives the Democratic presidential contender five of Washington's 17 superdelegates. Six are backing Hillary Clinton and six remain uncommitted.

A construction worker helped capture a man who tried to flee from a car that crashed into a work site about 2 this morning on I-90 on Mercer Island. The worker says he chased and tackled the man and held him until the State Patrol arrived. Troopers captured a second man from the car. Both men apparently had been drinking. (Posted 7:55 AM 5/9)

ONE DEAD AFTER BOAT CAPSIZES ON HOOD CANAL
One woman is dead and a man is in critical condition after a boating accident on Hood Canal. The State Patrol says the two were trapped under the 20-foot vessel when it flipped in high winds about 12:30 Wednesday afternoon. The woman had drowned by the time rescuers reached them, while the man was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. Their names have not been released. The accident occurred near the Sunset Motel in Hoodsport. According to the Mason County Sheriff's Office, there were nine people on the boat when it capsized. Other responding agencies were Mason County Fire Districts One, Six, Nine and 18. (Posted 7:05 AM 5/8)

TWO RESCUE AFTER BOAT SINKS IN TOTEN INLET
Two men were rescued after their boat sank in Toten Inlet Wednesday. The two men were harvesting geoduck when their ten-foot skiff started taking on water in high winds and sank about 5:20pm. A resident who lives on Steamboat Island Point heard the men yelling for help and went out in his Kayak. The resident got to one of the men while two commercial fishermen on a boat belonging to Taylor Shellfish saved the other. The men spent about 40 minutes in the water and suffered hypothermia but are expected to fully recover. (Posted 7:05 AM 5/8)

CONSTRUCTION OF RAMP FROM SR3 TO U.S. 101 BEGINS MONDAY

Crews break ground next week on a safety project that builds an on-ramp from Highway 3 to northbound U.S. Highway 101 just south of Shelton. Currently, motorist on SR3 who want to go north on 101 toward Hoodsport must turn left and cross oncoming traffic. A new ramp provides a safer and more direct connection to 101 and eliminates the left turn. The contractor, Tri State Construction, Inc. of Bellevue, begins construction Monday and the project is scheduled to wrap up the end of October. During the project, drivers should expect intermittent lane and ramp closures. The project has been allocated nearly $3.9 Million ($3, 886,412) from the 2005 Gas Tax. For more information visit the project website: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/US101/SR3_OnRamp/. (Posted 7:05 AM 5/8)

PORT APPROVES LEASE ADDENDUM FOR BELCO
The Port of Shelton Commission ratified a lease addendum with Belco Forest Products that will help with the company's consolidation of its operations. The addendum is for a quarter acre of raw land adjacent to their mill on John's Prairie and is limited to lumber storage. In February, Belco announced plans to sell their headquarters and distribution yard in Fredrickson and relocate those functions to Shelton. This consolidation involves moving the current corporate offices, warehouse and distribution operations as facilities become ready in Shelton. The lease with the Port is a step in that direction. Ultimately, 16 additional jobs will be added to Belco's John's Prairie operation, bringing their total employment in Mason County to 61. Belco Forest Products Inc. is a leading Northwest manufacturer and distributor of specialty, eco-friendly building supplies. For more information, check out their website, www.belcofp.com. (Posted 7:05 AM 5/8)

SENATE BILL INCLUDES $64 MILLION FOR WA STORMS
Democratic Sen. Patty Murray says an emergency spending bill headed to the Senate includes $64 million to help rebuild roads damaged in devastating floods in Washington state. The bill includes $46.2 million for roads damaged in storms last December and another $17.8 million to repair damage from storms in November 2006. Murray says the emergency highway money is critical to helping Washington communities rebuild. Murray is a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, which could take up the emergency spending bill as soon as today. (Posted 7:05 AM 5/8)

DRIVER PLEADS NOT GUILTY
A Pierce County judge has entered a plea of not guilty on behalf of a woman accused of driving away from an injured bicyclist. At 18-year-old Sabrina Michelle Stanford's arraignment in Tacoma yesterday ... Superior Court Judge Katherine Stolz allowed Stanford to remain free on her own recognizance pending the resolution of her case. Stanford must adheres to several rules imposed by the judge. They include a 10 p.m. curfew and law-abiding behavior, including no driving offenses. In April, prosecutors charged Stanford with one felony count of failure to remain at the scene of an injury accident. Authorities accused Stanford of hitting 67-year-old Sandy Johnston as she pedaled her bike at a Fircrest intersection on Feb. 17, then dragged the injured woman out of the street and drove away. Johnston suffered a broken leg and other injuries. Stanford admitted to authorities that she dragged Johnston to the curb. She is next scheduled in court for a hearing June 18. (Posted 7:05 AM 5/8)

TACOMA PRINCIPAL RECEIVES STATE HONOR
The Association of Washington School Principals named Bryant Montessori's Paula Bond the 2008 Washington State Distinguished Principal yesterday during a ceremony at her Tacoma school. Bryant is an urban school with a diverse population, a majority of which are on free or reduced-price lunches. When Bond first came to Bryant in 2000, 175 students were enrolled. The K-8 school has grown to nearly 500 students. (Posted 7:05 AM 5/8)

TACOMA CABBIE SHOT IN PUYALLUP
Police have arrested a man suspected of robbing and shooting a cab driver in Puyallup. The Yellow taxi picked up the man Wednesday night at a Tacoma casino and took him to Puyallup where the driver was shot three times. He was reportedly conscious when he was taken to a hospital by an ambulance. The suspect was arrested nearby. (Posted 7:05 AM 5/8)

APPARENT HOMICIDE IN EVERETT
Police are investigating the apparent homicide of a man whose body was found in a boarding house in Everett. Sgt. Robert Goetz says the death was reported after 4 p.m. yesterday. He says detectives are questioning one person in connection with the man's death. Someone called 911 to report the man's death and police also received an anonymous tip. Investigators arrived about 4:20 p.m. at the house. Goetz says police found a man dead in one of the apartments inside the house. The cause of death was not immediately clear. (Posted 7:05 AM 5/8)

VANCOUVER TEACHERS DENOUCE BERGESON, WASL
The Vancouver (Wash.) Public Schools teachers union has joined the growing list of educators who have denounced the leadership of state schools superintendent Terry Bergeson. At its monthly meeting this week, the Vancouver Education Association leadership council issued a strongly worded no-confidence vote, based on a survey of more than 300 Vancouver teachers. The vote was accompanied by a rebuke of the Washington Assessment of Student Learning. Bergeson has championed the state's standardized exam since its inception in 1993. In April, the Washington Education Association endorsed an opponent, former Richland School District Superintendent Rich Semler. Semler is a critic of the WASL. Since then, there's been a mounting effort to undermine Bergeson's re-election hopes. At least 28 more WEA affiliates have issued votes of no-confidence or have demanded major changes. (Posted 7:05 AM 5/8)

SEATTLE CITY COUNCILMAN ACCUSE OF ETHICS CONFLICTS
Seattle City Councilman Richard McIver has been accused by Seattle's Ethics office of violating the city's conflict-of-interest law. The ethics office says McIver awarded a $37,000 no-bid contract to a company affiliated with a longtime friend who has hosted the councilman's annual vacations to a Virgin Islands condominium. According to charging documents, McIver awarded the consulting contract early in 2007 to Griffin, Hill and Associates, a firm his longtime friend Joann Francis had joined months earlier. The charging documents were released yesterday by Wayne Barnett, executive director of the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission. Last year, McIver was charged with assault after his wife accused him of grabbing her by the throat as part of a "profane tirade." The charges were dropped after his wife declined to cooperate. McIver has been a Seattle Council member since 1997. (Posted 7:05 AM 5/8)

FISHERMEN MISSING NEAR STEVENSON
The Coast Guard says the three men who are missing in the Columbia River in the vicinity of Stevenson are treaty tribal fishermen from the Yakima Nation. Search and rescue teams located their capsized unregistered tribal boat about 30 miles east of Vancouver, Wash., late yesterday afternoon, but there was no sign of the three men who were aboard. The Coast Guard in Seattle says the trio left Tuesday and were scheduled to return at 8 a.m. yesterday. Skamania County Undersheriff Dave Cox says men were fishing near the mouth of Wind River. He says a Coast Guard HH-60C helicopter from Astoria, Ore., scanned the river and its banks for the men. Neither the helicopter nor divers could find the fishermen. (Posted 7:05 AM 5/8)

ASSOCIATED PRESS NEWS BRIEFS FOR 5/8/08
The Puyallup Fair and Events Center has refused a request from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals to cancel a circus visit. A center spokeswoman, Karen LaFlamme, says the Circus Vasquez is welcome as long as it complies with federal requirements to treat its animals well. The circus is scheduled to open at the Puyallup fairgrounds on May 16.

The Puyallup Indian Tribe is donating $685,000 to the Point Defiance Zoo to help pay for a new red wolf exhibit. The zoo has played a key role in a federal recovery program that saved the red wolf from extinction.

Workers at Emerald Downs race track say the man struck and killed on nearby tracks in Auburn was a groom who had been hired about two months ago from Texas. He was talking on a cell phone yesterday and apparently didn't hear the train's horn. Just last month a girl talking on a cell phone was killed by a train in Kent.

A Seattle City Council committee has approved a plan to provide emergency loans to homeowners facing foreclosure. If approved Monday by the full council the program would set aside $210,000 for zero-interest loans of up to $5,000. The money would
go to working homeowners in default.

The Duwamish tribe - the tribe of Chief Seattle - is suing the federal government for recognition. The suit filed yesterday in federal court in Seattle asks the court to reverse a 2001 Bureau of Indian Affairs decision that the tribe had gone extinct.

The state Department of Natural Resources is buying a 985-acre tree farm near Arlington to preserve the land from development. When the $4 million deal closes the land will be become part of the state school trust holdings. Timber sales will help pay for school construction.

An inmate stabbed a guard in the face with a pen at the Spokane County Jail. The guard was treated yesterday for cuts and puncture wounds. The inmate had been given the pen to sign legal papers for a transfer to a prison. (Posted 7:05 AM 5/8)

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