Local News

Morning Memo/Wednesday: Cooler … Teen girl shot dead … Teen lost in river

Weather:  We’re returning to what Seattle is really like in May, with temperatures in the mid-60s, at least today. It might only reach 60 tomorrow. We’re certain you enjoyed the sun Monday and Tuesday. We sure did. At least it’s not expected to rain today, but it might Friday. The National Weather Service forecast.

Traffic: The map and cams.

A 17-year-old girl is dead and an 18-year-old boy with her is in critical condition after being shot while in an SUV in Richmond Beach in Shoreline early this morning. We’ll keep you posted on developments.

Swimming in dangerous water: The search for a 16-year-old teen missing in the Chehalis River has been unsuccessful. The teen was with friends when he went under and didn’t surface. Authorities are expected to decide what to do this morning. We’ve said it before: The water this time of year is fast, cold and unforgiving. And why is it that teens appear unable to resist swimming across lakes and rivers?

Viaduct closed this weekend: The Alaskan Way Viaduct will be closed in both directions from 11 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday so construction crews can shore up a two-block section above what will become the new tunnel. The portion to be closed runs from the north end of the Battery Street Tunnel to the West Seattle Bridge, according to the state Transportation Department. Expect congestion on the roads elsewhere.

The historic Fire Station No. 37 recently sold for $613,000. The station is located at 7300 35th Ave. S.W. in West Seattle. (Photo / City of Seattle)

Historic fire station sold: The old No. 37 Fire Station in West Seattle has sold for $613,000. The city put the property on the market back in September and set the minimum bid at $250,000. The city will net almost $580,000, which will go to into a levy fund. Some of that money is used to upgrade, renovate or replace existing fire stations. Have you ever slid down a firehouse pole? We have …

Malnourished boy: You might remember we told you about the 2-year-old boy in Moses Lake who was found so malnourished that he weighed just ten pounds. Authorities now have more details in the case: the youngster had no hair or muscle tone, and his body temperature was only 89 degrees.

Red Sox sock it to the M’s: As in the Mariners were shut out by in Boston. A bit of offense wouldn’t hurt, hey guys?

Most-read stories this morning on seattletimes.com:

1. Broad new layoffs at T-Mobile USA, 900 jobs cut | Brier Dudley’s Blog
2. Catholic bishops’ newest target: Girl Scouts of America | Nicole Brodeur
3. Drivers fill up with pain as state gas prices soar
4. Hard-edged manager Eric Wedge walks a fine line with fledgling Mariners | Jerry Brewer
5. Wash. man bitten by rattlesnake at Washington Wal-Mart

0 comments | More in Morning Memo | Topics: malnourished boy, Mariners, swimming

Morning Memo /Tuesday: Tsunami debris … Harmonica from hell … Gas prices

Weather: Well, it did hit 80 degrees yesterday, and we liked it very much. And we’re so lucky the heat doesn’t come with humidity. It’s going to be perfect weather today with the temperature in the mid-70s. That’s just right for our area, no?  Enjoy now because it’s going to get a good deal cooler tomorrow. The National Weather Service forecast.

Traffic: The map and cams.

Stuff from the earthquake/tsunami in Japan more than a year ago appears to be washing up onshore in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, according to The Peninsula Daily News. Large fishing floats with Asian writing are showing up.

Buskers rattling windows? Downtown street buskers in Spokane must keep their music down, i.e., below the level that could rattle windows, under a resolution just passed by the Spokane City Council. It appears a harmonica player is rattling some downtown business owners. Whoa, that’s some loud harmonic playing …

One thing most of us can agree on and complain about is the high cost of gasoline, and are we seeing skyrocketing prices in our state. See our story and the reasons why. (We’ve always been puzzled by the fact that we have refineries here yet more often than not gas cost more than the national average. Go figure.)

A fire in a Bellevue home did a lot of damage ($100,000), but everyone got out safely because the 18-year-old son discovered the fire, even before the smoke detectors went off, and helped his mom and two brothers get out of the house.

Seattle came in at just 13 in amazon.com’s annual survey of the top 20 most well-read cities. Thirteeth? Cities were ranked on all book, magazine and newspaper sales in print and Kindle format since last June on a per capita basis of cities with more than 100,000 people. Ranking No. 1 was Alexandria, Va. No. 20: Richmond, Va.

Most-read stories this morning on seattletimes.com: 

1. Kathi Goertzen: a mother’s strength, two daughters’ inspiration
2. Wash. man bitten by rattlesnake at Washington Wal-Mart
3. Experts urge caution before investing in prepaid college tuition plans
4. Preppers do their best to be ready for the worst
5. QB Wilson in running to start

1 comments | More in Morning Memo | Topics: gas prices, Japan, Strait of Juan de Fuca

Morning Memo/Monday: 80 degrees! … Councilman drowns … Preppers

Weather: Hot. It could actually reach that 80-degree mark we’ve been talking about for several days now. (It made it to 78 degrees yesterday.) Don’t get too comfortable, though. While tomorrow and Wednesday will be in the 70s or so, temperatures are expected to drop into the 60s by Thursday, which is typical of this time of the year. Enjoy it while you can. The National Weather Service forecast.

Traffic: The map and cams.

Everett councilman’s drowning death: The tragic death of Drew Nielsen can be a warning to all that even experienced rafters can succumb to fast-moving, early season, cold river water, even when you’re wearing a life vest. There’s a mountain-climbing safety movie called, “The Mountains Don’t Care.” That can be said of rivers, too.

Are you prepared for disasters, say, oh, like the end of the world as we know it? If you ask people like Robert Sarnes, you’re probably not. Mr. Sarnes has stocked 12 cases of peas and beans, seven pounds of powdered milk, 50 pounds of flour, 50 pounds of rice, 20 pounds of frozen chicken breasts, a 4,000-watt generator and some 35 gallons of gas in containers to run a freezer. And, he packs a. 45 in a holster. Let’s say he’s prepared, for anything! See the story about “preppers”  by Seattle Times staff reporter Erik Lacitis.

Veteran pitchers’ duel: It was the Mariners’ 38-year-old Kevin Millwood on the mound versus 39-year-old Yankee hurler Andy Pettitte in the Mariners’ 6-2 win over the Yankees. Veteran, but not old.

Most-read stories this morning on seattletimes.com:

1. Kathi Goertzen: a mother’s strength, two daughters’ inspiration
2. Tall task for Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson
3. Violent criminal on federal payroll as informant
4. Mexico drug war’s latest toll: 49 headless bodies
5. Kevin Millwood steals show as Mariners beat Yankees, 6-2

0 comments | More in Morning Memo | Topics: 80 degrees, end of the world, Green River

Morning Memo / Sunday: Sunshine galore … A mother’s strength … Rafting accident

Weather:  Sun, sun, sun! The weather is playing nice for Mother’s Day, already  hitting 58 degrees this morning, with a high of 77 expected later in the day.   The National Weather Service forecast.

Traffic: A charity 5k from Seattle Center to Spring Street has traffic all snarled downtown this morning, and there aren’t any signs warning about it — just closed off streets block after block with no way to get through. So be ready. It’s supposed to last until about 11:30 a.m.  See the map and cams.

Mother’s Day inspiration:  Today we have a touching story from staff reporter Sandy Ringer about a mother who is still going strong despite her debilitating brain tumors that have so far required nine surgeries. Former KOMO-TV news anchor Kathi Koertzen has lost  parts of her vision, hearing and speech, even lost the anchor job she adored for nearly 30 years. The condition has robbed her ability to eat and drink, and destroyed the nerves on the right side of her face, leaving her with a crooked smile. But no tumor can shake her faith or the love and support she shares with her family, friends and more than 72,000 followers on Facebook. Read the full story.

The Space Needle towers above a 100-foot-long assembly of glass art suspended in the Seattle Center's new Chihuly Garden and Glass permanent exhibition. The $20 million project of nearly 45,000 square feet opens May 21. (Photo by Ken Lambert / The Seattle Times)

Violent offender on federal payroll: For your dose of Seattle Times watchdog reporting, we have a story about an offender with a history of violence against women who somehow became a federal informant in Seattle.  Reporters Steve Miletich and Mike Carter obtained police records that shows the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives paid for Joshua Allan Jackson’s motel room where he sexually abused an 18-year-old woman, holding her against her will for days.  Read the full story.

New Chihuly exhibit: Dale Chihuly’s long-debated Seattle Center exhibition, Chihuly Garden and Glass, opens May 21 at the base of the Space Needle.  Hours are 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.- 9 p.m. Friday-Sunday, with admission ranging between $12 and $19. Read the full story and see the photo gallery.

Water rafting accident: For those of you wanting to take advantage of the sun and hit the water, be careful. A cautionary tale comes from Green River where a rafter’s body was recovered about 45 minutes after a King County chopper spotted the overturned raft.

Most-read stories this morning on seattletimes.com:

0 comments | More in Morning Memo | Topics: Chihuly, Mother's Day, watchdog

Morning Memo/Saturday: Sun … garbage pickup … stolen car

Weather: Lots of sunshine this weekend  with highs today in the mid- to upper-70s. NWS Meteorologist Gary Schneider says that would be 10 to 15 degrees above normal. Could you ask for better weather this Mother’s Day weekend? The National Weather Service forecast.

Traffic: The Mercer Street ramps to I-5 are closed through the weekend and will reopen at 5 a.m. Monday. Tonight, some lanes on southbound I-405 will be closed to repair a Kirkland pedestrian bridge. The map and cams.

Will this stink to high heaven? Four neighborhoods are part of a pilot study to test twice-monthly garbage pickup instead of weekly pickup. If successful, the switch to fewer trash pickups citywide could save $6.4 million a year in operations and reduce carbon emissions.

PhinneyWood ArtWalk crash: A stolen car fleeing from Seattle police near Green Lake hit a pedestrian, two police cars and another car. The pedestrian was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. The suspect was later apprehended after jumping out of the car and fleeing, but officers were able to outrun him.

Cruising at high altitude: A Seattle Times reporter and photographer boarded a 787 Dreamliner for a three-hour promotional flight Friday, documenting the trip on camera.

See photos of the plane.

Most-read stories this morning on seattletimes.com:

1. Classmates recall Romney’s pranks — and darker incidents
2. Facebook co-founder Saverin gives up U.S. citizenship before IPO
3. Obituary: Jack Benaroya, 90, was a prolific developer and quiet philanthropist
4. Fun Friday: Siri says Lumia 900 Windows Phone is best smartphone | Microsoft Pri0
5. Mayan discovery shows world won’t end this year after all

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Morning Memo/Friday: Sunshine on your shoulders … Road to Mount St. Helens opens

Weather: Five days of sunshine. Could be 80 degrees on Sunday, despite what the chart says. No rain in sight until maybe next Wednesday. With a forecast that far out, who knows what the weather will be. A glorious weekend and Mother’s Day for sure. What are you doing for Mother’s Day? The National Weather Service forecast.

Traffic: Appears to be light this morning. Let’s see, what could be contributing to that? It’s Friday before a sunny and warm weekend… The map and cams.

Spirit Lake Highway to Mount St. Helens to open: The highway that brings you close to the famous volcano is scheduled to open for visitors on Sunday. The road, which closed in January, brings you to the Johnston Ridge Observatory where you can peer into the crater.

Don’t eat shellfish from Korea: The state Health Department says not to eat fresh or frozen shellfish from South Korea because it might be contaminated. Canned shellfish are not affected and no one in our state is reported to have gotten sick.

We’re waiting for the cause of death of the 36-year-old man whose body was found at Golden Gardens Park in Seattle over the weekend.

President Obama reportedly left with some $3 million in campaign funds as he flew out of Seattle yesterday. He was in town you know. (By the way, the home where he had a fundraising brunch used to belong to the Canadian government and has been assessed at more than $17 million.)

Most-read stories this morning on seattletimes.com:

1. U.S. phone subscribers hang up on contracts
2. All 6 Wash. congressional Democrats favor repeal of gay-marriage ban | Politics Northwest
3. Kidnap-slaying suspect kills himself; 2 girls OK
4. Motorcyclist hit by Ride-the-Ducks vehicle files lawsuit
5. Sea-Tac airport shows off $400 million rental-car hub

0 comments | More in Morning Memo | Topics: Mount St. Helens, President Obama, shellfish

Morning Memo/Thursday: Obama here … Amanda Knox … Survivalist video

Weather: Welcome, spring! This weekend and into Monday could see some of the warmest weather so far this year in the Seattle area, with temps in the 70s and by some accounts even 80, despite what the chart here says. In some places in Eastern Washington the highs could reach 90 degrees, says the National Weather Service. You will like it, we’re sure. The National Weather Service forecast.

Traffic: Downtown traffic could be a bit of a mess this afternoon due to President Obama’s appearance at the Paramount Theater about 3 p.m. today. The map and cams.

Peter Keller

President Obama: The chief executive comes to town today for about four hours to raise campaign money — one stop is at the home of a couple who lives on Lake Washington and another at the Paramount Theater this afternoon. Neither is open to the public.

North Bend survivalist Peter Keller left behind several videos including one that reportedly said his wife and daughter would be “taken care of,” sources have told KING5 in an exclusive report. The video appears to have been made about two weeks before Keller shot his wife and daughter and set the home on fire in late April. Keller then killed himself in a bunker he made in the woods as authorities closed in.

Amanda Knox slander trial postponed: The wheels of justice in Italy turn very slowwww. The trial has been rescheduled until February next year because the judge is busy with another trial. Knox, of West Seattle, is accused of slandering Italian police for allegedly saying publicly she was physically and verbally abused when they questioned her in the slaying of her British roommate, Meredith Kercher, in Perugia, Italy in 2007. Knox, who spent four year in an Italian prison, was convicted in the killing, but the conviction was overturned on appeal.

Amanda Knox

Woman stabbed to death in Spokane: There’s one curious clue in the case of a man who jumped out of the bushes and fatally stabbed a woman walking her dog back on May 3. Before the woman died, she was able to tell authorities that the man had a “bad eye.”

Most-read stories this morning on seattletimes.com:

1. Facebook IPO to fund Seattle NBA team? |Brier Dudley’s Blog
2. Obama voices his support for gay marriage
3. Scrutiny of SPD assistant chief exposes rift within department
4. Double agent led CIA, allies to terrorists, underwear bomb
5. UPDATE: Pet-food recall expanded | Tails of Seattle

0 comments | More in Morning Memo | Topics: Amanda Knox, Barack Obama, North Bend

Morning Memo/Wednesday: Boy choked … Sounders FC … Dogs shot

Weather: That warm weather is on hiatus for a couple of days, but the temperatures will start creeping up Friday and reach the upper 60s by the weekend. Better yet, we’re talking sunshine Thursday through next Tuesday. We do like that. The National Weather Service forecast.

Traffic: The map and cams.

Teen choking incident leads to assault charge: A 14-year-old kid who reportedly choked another student until he was unconscious at a junior high school in Covington now faces an assault charge. The 14-year-old allegedly was caught choking the other kid on a surveillance camera.

Speaking of crime … Here’s a bold thief: While a man was in his front yard doing some gardening in Seattle’s Maple Leaf neighborhood, a thief got into his house through a back door and made off with money and prescription drugs. One of our community partners, Maple Leaf Life, has the story.

How about those Sounders? 6-1-1 says it all.

Three dogs killed in Tri-Cities: A man in Richland just recently learned that his three labradoodles were shot dead after they got out of his backyard a couple of weeks ago. Someone in West Richland killed the dogs the day they escaped, according to a story in The Tri-City Herald. The owner wasn’t told until last weekend how the dogs died, and he isn’t happy that it took authorities so long to let him know. One of the dogs, he says, had learned how to alert him and his wife when their son was about to have a seizure.

Twinkies and such: Hostess, the maker of breads, Twinkies and other sweets, is in Chapter 11 bankruptcy and may have to lay off a number of employees. The company is in labor negotiations with the Teamsters and bakery unions. In Seattle, 111 employees could be laid off, 17 in Kent, and 56 in Pierce County.

Most-read stories this morning on seattletimes.com:

1. UPDATE: Pet-food recall expanded | Tails of Seattle
2. O’Dea shortstop Josh Dickerson played on despite grim cancer diagnosis
3. The Truth Needle: Mayor’s claim about cars found to be half true
4. Scrutiny of SPD assistant chief exposes rift within department
5. Double agent hands al-Qaida its 3rd failed bombing

0 comments | More in Morning Memo | Topics: choking, dogs, Maple Leaf

Morning Memo/Tuesday: Cooler today … Kalakala … Animal overpass

Weather:  It’s not going to be as warm as yesterday’s 74 degrees, but it will be in the 60s today and that ain’t nothing to shake a stick at. Well, OK, it will be a bit cloudy. … When the weekend comes, temperatures will inch back up to the upper 60s, just in time for that yard work, bicycling, jogging, hiking, you name it. The National Weather Service forecast.

Traffic: The map and cams.

Maurice Sendak, beloved children’s book author/illustrator who also designed the “Nutcracker” production at Pacific Northwest Ballet, has died at age 83.

Oh, no, not another Kalakala story … The News Tribune in Tacoma says the owner of the decrepit ferry Kalakala and the owner of the Tacoma dock where it’s moored are at odds. The dock owner has sued Steve Rodrigues for back moorage fees and penalties. Rodrigues says he’s homeless and broke and can’t pay.

The attorney for that Walla Walla store owner who shot and killed an intruder says the man acted in self-defense and expects no charges will be filed against his client. Those are often tricky cases for prosecutors.

President Obama is scheduled to be here Thursday.

An overpass for the animals: A $6 million overpass to let coyotes, elk, deer and cougars cross Novelty Road without getting hit by traffic in Redmond is proposed, with most of the money coming from the feds, according to a story by KOMO-TV.

We hope to have more today on the body found in Golden Gardens Park in Seattle yesterday.

Most-read stories this morning on seattletimes.com:

1. Seattle pulls plug on its broadband network| Brier Dudley
2. Low-cost bus line to Portland on track to compete against Amtrak
3. Mariners growing three golden arms down on the farm
4. CIA derails plot with al-Qaida underwear bomb
5. Space Needle pens are still clicking for inventor

0 comments | More in Morning Memo | Topics: 60s, animals, Golden Gardens

Morning Memo/Monday: Sun! … Gas prices … Space contest winner

Weather: We can say just one thing this morning: 73, maybe 74 degrees coming today! And except for Wednesday and Thursday, temperatures will be in the 60s, and then 70 or thereabouts on Saturday and Sunday. Rain, what rain? OK, drizzle maybe tomorrow and Wednesday, but that could always be wrong, right? The National Weather Service forecast.

Traffic: The map and cams.

The woman who allegedly stabbed her ex-boyfriend and took off with their children has turned herself in to authorities, this morning, according to KING5. Doreen Starrish, 28, is a suspect in the death of Aaron Smith. After allegedly stabbing Smith, Starrish left with the couple’s 7- and 3-year-old daughters, triggering an Amber Alert.

Gas prices: The price of a gallon of gas in the state is where it was a week ago, but at $4.08, it’s 6 cents below the price this time last year, says the AAA. Here are the numbers released today: Bellingham $4.19, Bremerton $4.06, Seattle-Bellevue-Everett $4.10, Tacoma $4.07, Olympia $4.08, Vancouver $4.03, Yakima $4.04, Tri-Cities $4.07, Spokane $3.93.

A trip into space: The winner of the contest to get a suborbital trip into space will be announced Wednesday. The contest, part of the Seattle Center’s 50th-anniversary celebration, pits five finalists (out of 50,000-some folks who entered the competition) in a series of challenges starting today.

Uh, oh… Electricity prices going up in Seattle: There’s a proposal to increase City Light rates by 28 percent over 6 years.

UPDATE: 10:55 a.m. | Jury selection has begun. The voyeurism and child pornography charges Steve Powell is facing as his trial begins Monday in Tacoma are a tangent to the horrific murder-suicide of his son, Josh, and Josh’s two young boys, and to the bizarre disappearance of Josh’s wife, Susan, from their Utah home in 2009. But Susan Powell’s relatives hope the trial nevertheless sheds light on those tragedies. (The Associated Press)

Broadband Internet service from the city of Seattle? Yeah, right. Tech columnist Brier Dudley tells us of the city’s stop and start, er, efforts to bring affordable, community wireless service to the masses. Brier says:

The closest Seattle came was a meager test of public Wi-Fi service along a few blocks in Columbia City, University Way and downtown parks that began in 2005. Last week the city literally pulled the plug, ending its “community wireless service” April 29.

Most-read stories this morning on seattletimes.com:

1. Lakefront residents raise a ruckus over Juanita Bay party boats
2. Nurse in Afghanistan dies during Skype chat with wife
3. Mariners growing three golden arms down on the farm
4. South Africa: Man photographs cheetahs attacking wife
5. Police investigate after death at Churchill Downs

0 comments | More in Morning Memo | Topics: broadband, City Light, space