Nation, World Briefs: Federal council rules against Nantucket wind farm

BOSTON — A federal council recommended Friday that the secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior reject a proposed wind farm in Nantucket Sound, saying it would have “destructive” effects on dozens of nearby historic properties. The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation said the Kennedy family compound in Hyannisport and the Nantucket Historic District, known for its whaling period architecture, were among the districts whose views would be negatively affected by the Cape Wind project, which would be the country’s first offshore wind farm. It also backed claims by two Wampanoag Indian tribes that Cape Wind would interfere with ancient rituals that require an unblocked view of the horizon.

Nevada: Tea party candidate

Criminal bad check charges were dismissed Friday for a tea party of Nevada candidate seeking to unseat Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Scott Ashjian, 46, paid $5,575 to cover a disputed check and prosecution fees before a Las Vegas Justice of the Peace approved withdrawing felony theft and bad check charges, court officials said. Ashjian later said he never bounced the $5,000 business check that was in dispute, and blamed the state Republican party for what he called “trumped up” charges brought by a prosecutor who used to be a county GOP party official.

New Mexico: Sex offenders

A federal judge has barred Albuquerque from enforcing an ordinance that banned sex offenders from using public libraries, saying the law, as written, violated First Amendment rights. The U.S. District judge said she struggled to strike a legal balance in the case, since city officials have a legitimate interest in protecting children from harm, danger and crime, “especially crimes of a sexual nature.” On the other hand, the judge said in a 42-page opinion that sex offenders, “no matter how reviled,” have constitutional rights.

Vermont: Reptile crossing

Future generations of salamanders in one Vermont town are going to be getting some help crossing the road. The Monkton Conservation Commission said it has won a $150,000 state grant to install one or two culverts under a stretch of road to protect salamanders, other amphibians, reptiles and small mammals crossing between a swampy area and the uplands. A reptile expert said the crossing is “one of the most important of the known amphibian crossings in the state.”

California: Cop in bunny suit

Glendale police who used a bunny costume to decoy bad drivers at crosswalks have abandoned the outfit after it made a city councilman hopping mad. An officer wore the Easter outfit on Wednesday in crosswalks. Drivers who didn’t yield to the furry pedestrian were ticketed. But a city councilman harshly criticized the costume, calling it “breathtakingly dangerous” and a poor use of city resources. Police continued the sting on Thursday but the officer wore shorts and a T-shirt.

Somalia: Civilians are killed

At least 20 people were killed Friday after an intense battle between government forces and Islamic insurgents in the Somali capital, medical officials said. A military spokesman said the fighting started when insurgents attacked government soldiers in southern Mogadishu. He said three soldiers were wounded during the fighting. Mogadishu’s ambulance service said at least 15 civilians were killed. The Medina Hospital said five of the wounded brought there died from their wounds.

Japan: Reporter is missing

A freelance Japanese journalist has gone missing in Afghanistan, possibly as the result of a kidnapping, it was learned Friday. According to Japanese government sources, an acquaintance of Kosuke Tsuneoka, 40, of Tokyo, had informed the government that Tsuneoka was not responding to his usual contact methods. Japanese officials are gathering information on the assumption that he has probably been kidnapped, sources said. Local supporters have been holding negotiations for his release, the sources said.

Spain: Tussle in cathedral

A group of Muslims tried to pray inside a Roman Catholic cathedral that was originally a mosque and then scuffled with security guards and police who tried to stop them, a Spanish official said Friday. Two were arrested after the incident Wednesday night in the southern city of Cordoba and a police officer and a cathedral security guard were slightly injured, National Police said. The Great Mosque of Cordoba was built after the Moorish invasion of Spain in the 8th century. The mosque was transformed into a cathedral in 1236.

From Herald news services

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Snohomish County Health Department Director Dennis Worsham on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department director tapped as WA health secretary

Dennis Worsham became the first director of the county health department in January 2023. His last day will be July 3.

Edmonds Police Chief Loi Dawkins speaks after the city council approved her appointment on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds City Council confirms new police chief

Assistant Chief Loi Dawkins will begin in the role Aug. 1. She has more than 23 years of law enforcement experience, including three years in Edmonds.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

The Edmonds City Council discuss the levy during a city council meeting on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds votes to place levy lid lift on the ballot

By a vote of 5-2, the council decided to put the $14.5 million property tax levy lid lift to voters in November.

A trash hauler from Republic Services. (Provided photo)
Growing Teamsters strike disrupts garbage pickup in Snohomish County

Republic Services said a temporary work stoppage is causing some customers in the county to experience “temporary service delays.”

Lily Lamoureux stacks Weebly Funko toys in preparation for Funko Friday at Funko Field in Everett on July 12, 2019.  Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Everett-based Funko ousts its CEO after 14 months

The company, known for its toy figures based on pop culture, named Michael Lunsford as its interim CEO.

‘Courageous’ teen dives into Silver Lake to rescue 11-year-old

Gauge Bryant, 13, brought the child to the surface. The 11-year-old is in stable but critical condition, authorities said.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.