LYNNWOOD — A Snohomish woman was arrested early Wednesday morning after she allegedly broke into a Lynnwood hotel and hit an employee over the head with a pry bar, police said.

Lynnwood police believe the woman, 25, may be connected to several property crimes, car prowls and burglaries.

Just before 5 a.m., the woman broke into the Best Western Hotel on 36th Avenue W., Lynnwood police spokeswoman Shannon Sessions said. The woman was trying to break into a vending machine when a male employee confronted her.

The woman allegedly hit the man over the head with a pry bar and ran off, Sessions said. Police were called and she was arrested hiding in a nearby strip-mall parking lot, she said.

The man was taken to a local hospital with head injuries.

The woman was jailed for investigation of several felonies, Sessions said.

Marysville: Food on stove started house fire

Food left unattended on a stove was blamed for a fire that caused $40,000 damage to a Marysville home late Tuesday.

Marysville firefighters rushed to the blaze just after 11 p.m. in the 10100 block of 51st Avenue NE, fire district spokeswoman Stephanie Price said.

Flames were bursting through the windows and the roof of the duplex when crews arrived, but firefighters were able to douse the blaze in about 10 minutes, she said.

No one was hurt.

The Snohomish County fire marshal determined the fire likely started on the stove top.

The fire is a good reminder to set timers when cooking and be sure to check that appliances are turned off or unplugged before leaving the kitchen, Price said.

Whidbey Island: Kayaker found safe

The search for a missing kayaker off the southeast corner of Whidbey Island Wednesday afternoon was called off when she was found safe, walking on a beach.

Island County officials called the Coast Guard to help in the search for a reportedly missing 16-year-old girl around 2:25 p.m., Petty Officer Jeff Pollinger said.

Someone had called 911 to report a kayak drifting in the water.

A search helicopter out of Port Angeles was sent to help look for the missing teenager, he said.

“We were assuming the worst, but luckily we were able to determine she was OK,” Pollinger said.

Around 3 p.m., crews on the ground found the girl, safe, not in distress, walking on a beach.

From Herald staff reports