STEVENS PASS — Blizzard conditions closed U.S. 2 for several hours Thursday morning and knocked out power at the pass, closing the ski resort for the day, officials said.
Forecasters predict heavy snow will continue to fall in the mountain passes; as much as 4 feet of fresh snow could pile up by the weekend.
The Stevens Pass ski resort was expected to reopen today, according to the resort’s Web site.
Heavy snow also intermittently closed White Pass and Snoqualmie Pass on Thursday as state Department of Transportation crews conducted avalanche control and cleared away snow and ice.
Rain was forecast in the lowlands into next week, according to the National Weather Service in Seattle.
Oak Harbor: High tides bring flood fears
High tides and strong wind have caused flooding concerns on Whidbey Island, officials said.
On Thursday morning, some water crept over coastal roads near Oak Harbor, Island County Undersheriff Kelly Mauck said.
Some people chose to leave their homes ahead of the water’s advance, but no official evacuations were ordered, he said. No problems were reported on Camano Island.
While flooding concerns have subsided, a risk still exists and people should closely monitor weather and tide reports, Mauck said.
Higher-than-normal tides are forecast through Tuesday, officials said.
Snohomish County: Tax scam warning
Federal officials are warning people about tax scams involving people who are trying to pass themselves off as Internal Revenue Service agents.
Several e-mail and telephone scams are being used to collect people’s personal and financial information under the IRS’ name, U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., said.
Cantwell said people should be especially cautious of anyone offering advance payment checks. Scammers try to trick people into turning over personal information that can later be used to commit identity theft.
“Be wary of anything that sounds too good to be true, and keep their personal and financial information secure,” she said.
People can download tax forms and publications from the official IRS Web site, www.irs.gov, or by calling the IRS toll-free at 800-829-1040.
Mukilteo: 18-month sentence for beating
A Mukilteo man who pleaded guilty to beating his ex-girlfriend with a baseball bat was sentenced to 18 months in prison Thursday.
Tommy Kevin Dawson, 43, was accused of attacking the woman in January 2007. Dawson told Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Larry McKeeman that he didn’t beat the woman, but wanted to take advantage of the prosecutor’s reduction of the charge to second-degree assault. The original charge against him was a more serious first-degree assault count.
Deputy prosecutor George Appel told the judge he reduced the charge partly because of witness problems.
From Herald staff reports
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