Bothell fish kill is blamed on cleanup effort

BOTHELL – The state has traced a “purple cloud” of chemicals that killed fish in Horse Creek and the Sammamish Slough to cleanup of a shuttered dry-cleaning operation.

A number of dead cutthroat trout, sculpin and aquatic worms were found Tuesday afternoon after residents spotted the purple substance in the water, state Ecology Department spokeswoman Sandy Howard said Wednesday.

It appeared the chemical had dissipated by Wednesday morning.

The Ecology Department investigation was focusing on the old dry-cleaning operation, where chemical cleanup is under way. Wells were dug in a parking lot to inject potassium permanganate into ground water to dissipate solvents such as perchloroethelyne, used in dry-cleaning operations.

Hacker convicted: A federal jury has convicted a Russian man of running a computer hacking scheme that defrauded dozens of Internet service providers and other businesses, Acting U.S. Attorney Francis Diskin said Wednesday. Vasily Gorshkov, 26, of Chelyabinsk, Russia, faces a maximum 100 years in prison and large fines when he is sentenced Jan. 4 by U.S District Judge John Coughenour. Gorshkov was convicted Tuesday of 20 counts of conspiracy, various computer crimes and fraud. According to court records, more than 40 businesses in 10 states were targeted in the hacking scheme, including Speakeasy Network, a Seattle-based Internet service provider. Prosecutors said Gorshkov and a business partner hacked into business e-mail systems, then contacted the companies posing as security consultants.

State marks Sept. 11: In Tacoma, people planned to light candles at a bronze memorial to fallen firefighters. In Seattle, some professors and students decided to talk about historical and emotional perspective. For others in the state, the day marking one month since Sept. 11 will be met only with quiet recognition. “We wanted to provide a public space for people to talk about their response,” said Ratnesh Nagda, a University of Washington professor who will take part in discussions today about the attacks. “This has had a huge personal impact on a lot of people.” Western Washington University in Bellingham has scheduled a panel discussion and a workshop focusing on the attacks. In Tacoma, firefighters, police and members of the public planned a candlelight vigil at the Fallen Firefighters Memorial. The Seattle Fire Department also will raise its flags.

Gov. Locke at ground zero: Governors from states used to dealing with disasters such as floods, tornadoes and blizzards were stunned Wednesday as they viewed the wreckage wrought Sept. 11 when hijacked airliners smashed into the World Trade Center’s twin towers. Gov. Gary Locke walked to the site from his nearby hotel room shortly after midnight Monday. His return Wednesday provided a sobering look. “It was just hard to comprehend seeing the site at night with the shadows of buildings – the sides of some of these buildings peeled away as if they were tin cans,” he said. “But to see it here in daylight from this perspective, I mean, it just took my breath away. I just can’t imagine the incredible devastation of what’s left of two towers over a hundred stories high. Where did all that material go?”

Airport expansion affected: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is not curtailing its expansion efforts, but the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks have forced some plans to be put on hold. A second terminal at the north end of the airport has been taken off the drawing board, but may be considered again in 10 to 15 years, airport spokeswoman Rachel Garson said Wednesday. A rental car facility, a parking garage and bus terminal east of the airport and a restroom renovation project have also been mothballed. The airport has been operating at about 85 percent of normal capacity for the last few weeks, which has cut revenue projections for this year from $210 million to $170 million.

Why a duck?: Vandals have hit a Kamloops petting zoo, spray-painting two emus, a goat and a duck. “Whoever did this must think it’s pretty funny,” owner Al Threatful said Tuesday. “I think it’s disgusting. Why hold down a duck and spray paint it?” Threatful said the animals don’t appear to have suffered any ill effects from the bright yellow paint, although the emus may have licked some of it from their plumage.

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

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Everett
Open house on Everett comprehensive plan coming Feb. 28

The state requires fast-growing cities like Everett to create comprehensive plans, which plan for population growth, transportation improvements and more.

Jasmine Donahue talks about being a place for people leave messages when looking for family members, friends or loved ones on the street on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett extends deadline for homeless service facing closure

Hope ‘N Wellness must now comply with city zoning laws by April 30. The organization is “grateful,” its owner said, but still hopes for a permanent solution.

New Greater Everett Chamber of Commerce CEO CEO Wendy Poischbeg speaks at a kick off event on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Everett Rising’: Wednesday’s chamber luncheon to showcase a new era of growth.

The Greater Everett Chamber of Commerce is beginning its efforts… Continue reading

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

The Edmonds School District building on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds School District faces estimated $8.5 million deficit

The shortfall is lower than previous years, but the effects are “cumulative,” Superintendent Rebecca Miner said.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Hundreds rally against Trump on Presidents Day in Everett

People lined Broadway with signs and flags, similar to other protests across the country.

Alina Langbehn, 6, center, and Vera A., 6, right, sit on a swing together at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after school on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park

Construction on the $345,000 upgrade could start as early as this fall.

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.