Local News

Weather:   A soaker out there this morning. And it rained yesterday, didn’t it?  Told you. More of the same today. And it’s not supposed to warm up, either, maybe 56 degrees. A few weeks back, some of us were wearing sandals. Have you been wearing sandals lately? Didn’t think so. The National Weather Service forecast.

Traffic: The map and cams.

20 seal lions found dead since April: The story of sea lions being found dead along the mouth of the Columbia River continues. The most recent victims, most of them shot, were found in southern Washington and northern Oregon, a marine mammal researcher has told The Oregonian. Most of the animals were California sea lions, which are protected under federal law, but some were Steller sea lions, which are a threatened species. The researcher, Dalin D’Alessandro, points to the usual suspects, fishermen, who say the sea lions compete with their catch.

Transgender restrooms: Green River Community College is experimenting with neutral restrooms on campus to accommodate everyone. KING5 has the story.

Crews work near the Deep Sea after it was lifted by crane Sunday from Penn Cove on Whidbey Island. The boat caught fire and sank off of Coupeville last month. (Photo by Erika Schultz / The Seattle Times)

Will the Penn Cove mussel operation restart today? We’re waiting for word from the government whether it’s environmentally safe for the Penn Cove mussel farm at Whidbey Island to get back to business today or tomorrow now that the derelict Deep Sea crabber — a wreck of a vessel if there ever was one – has been lifted from the sea floor. The boat burned, sank and leaked fuel awhile back, prompting the government to shut down the mussel farm as a precaution. We’ll keep you posted. (By the way, you might want to have a look at a profile of the boat’s owner written by staff reporter Maureen O’Hagan.)

Seattle man beaten to death in Oregon: Dennis Michael Jones, 48, of Seattle, has been identified as the victim in a grisly beating death near Warm Springs, Ore., on May 30, according to ktvz.com in Bend, Ore. Two men have been arrested. Alcohol appears to have been involved. Jones apparently knew one of the men.

The Ballard Locks will be closed to all marine traffic from 7:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. today to let Navy divers inspect the structure that keeps adult salmon from entering the locks’ saltwater return intake, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Most-read stories this morning on seattletimes.com:

1. The day liquor went private and prices stumped the public
2. Junker boat’s owner often in hot water
3. SPD official pleads not guilty to domestic-violence assault
4. Black bear euthanized after eating Canadian murderer
5. Mariners pick Mike Zunino with No. 3 overall pick in draft

Weather: It’s going to be nice today, despite what the chart says about scattered showers. It said there would be showers yesterday, and we saw a lot of sun. The weekend’s looking good, too.  The National Weather Service forecast.

Traffic: That was one nasty accident on I-5 near I-90 yesterday afternoon, causing an 8-mile backup. Let’s hope things are safer today and the roads are clear. The map and cams.

Tri-Cities fastest growing metro area in the country? Whoa! That’s according to Census Bureau  numbers. The population of the Kennewick-Pasco-Richland area grew 4.3 percent from 2010 to 2011. The Tri-City Herald has the story.

No charges against daughter in recanted rape case: The Daily News in Longview writes that Cowlitz County Prosecutor Sue Baur won’t be filing charges against the daughter who falsely accused her father of raping her. Her claim sent her father to prison for nine years. Baur says she wants other victims and witnesses who may have lied in similar cases to come forward and tell the truth. Baur also said it’s unclear exactly what happened and the statute of limitations for the daughter’s actions had run out.

He set her house on fire: The 24-year-old Vancouver, Wash., man who tried to kill his ex-girlfriend by setting her house on fire  in September 2010 has been sentenced to 17 years in prison. David Michael Miller had threatened Jessica Whalen in text messages and then barged into her house and poured gasoline throughout the home and on his girlfriend and her family members. They escaped without injury.

Most-read stories this morning on seattletimes.com:

1. McGinn, arena investor counter critics of Sodo site
2. C. Guard guns sink ship adrift since Japan tsunami
3. State Supreme Court imposes limits on vehicle searches
4. West Seattle man rescues, relocates unwanted trees
5. Chris Hansen takes high road as Mariners raise red flags over proposed arena | Steve Kelley
   

Weather:  Rain today and tomorrow, but maybe some sun Thursday, Friday and … hey, look at Saturday! The details.

Traffic:  Did you ever notice when the media says a major change in traffic is about to happen — think Mercer Mess — it seldom is as bad as feared? Mercer not quite the mess expected. Go figure. The maps and cams.

West Seattle water taxi canceled this Tuesday morning

This KOMO headline says it all: Federal Way resident roughs up burglar, throws him off a balcony

Buckey the Bull, an 1,800 pound brute from Prosser in the lower Yakima Valley, is a star when it comes to bucking cowboys, according to The Yakima Herald-Republic. A bull is rated on how many cowboys it has thrown, and Buckey has pitched 15 of 19 riders in his three-year career.

Sea lions: The recent deaths of so many sea lions here is unfortunate.  Sea lions are protected under the Marine Mammals Act.  Four sea lions and a seal were found dead in West Seattle in 2010. They had been shot, too.

Most-read stories this morning on seattletimes.com:

1. AP Interview: JC Penney CEO talks about the chain
2. Huskies land star Sacramento safety Shaquille Thompson
3. Drunken sailor opens wrong door
4. Shaq Thompson commits to UW
5. 42 Wash. lawmakers ask DEA to reclassify marijuana