Metro bus driver is disciplined for anti-Muslim sign

SEATTLE – A King County Metro transit driver has been disciplined for posting a sign in his bus that reportedly said no one should give Muslims any sympathy.

Officials disclosed the job action Wednesday, but refused to give the driver’s name or describe the discipline any way except to say it was “significant.”

The driver admitted posting signs that “referred to all Muslims as being opposed to this country,” but is now sorry for doing so, Metro spokeswoman Linda Thielke said.

Thielke said the man was disciplined for violating a rule barring drivers from posting personal political signs and for failing to follow customer service guidelines in dealing with passengers.

KOMO cuts jobs: KOMO-TV has cut 22 jobs, including that of “People Helper” reporter Brook Stanford, because of a sharp decline in advertising revenues, the station announced Wednesday. News anchors Gary Lindsey and Eric Slocum are among 10 newsroom staffers leaving the station, said KOMO spokeswoman Maria Collins. Stanford and Slocum are leaving voluntarily, she said. Seattle-based Fisher Communications told its units in August that expenses would need to be cut 10 percent by next year, said Christopher Wheeler, senior vice president for communications. Fisher owns 12 television and 26 radio stations, most of them in the Northwest.

Ferry evacuated: The state ferry Kitsap was evacuated after a powdery substance was found on the passenger deck, but tests later ruled out any biohazard, officials said. Once the substance was tested by city firefighters, the Kitsap was reloaded and left for Bremerton at 12:40 a.m. Friday, nearly an hour and a half late, ferry spokesman Larry Keyes said. The powder was noticed by a crew member on the passenger deck about 11:15 p.m. Wednesday after walk-on passengers and vehicles had been taken aboard and the ferry was about to leave Colman Dock, Keyes said. He said tests showed the powder was inorganic, and the exact nature remains undetermined.

Record humpy: To 9-year-old Alex Minerich, the fish just looked ugly. It turned out to be a record four times over. At 14.86 pounds, the pink salmon, known as a humpy for the shape the fish take on as they fight their way upriver to spawn, was several ounces heavier than the biggest on record. The fish was one of 29 that Minerich, a fourth-grader at Juanita Elementary School in Kirkland, and his father Steve caught Sept. 30 at Hansen’s Bar on the Skykomish River. They released most of the others. “It fought really hard as I chased it down the river,” young Minerich said. “Once we had it on the bank, I looked at it and thought it was a pretty ugly fish.”

Anthrax hoax: A Dallas woman suspected of mailing a piece of paper with the misspelled words “ANTRAX VIRUS” and a white, powdery substance as a practical joke has been indicted by a federal grand jury. Patricia Jones, 51, was charged Wednesday with mailing a threatening communication and mailing a nonmailable substance, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Portland. Police have said the envelope was sent Saturday to a Monmouth resident, whom police have declined to identify. A mail carrier reported seeing the powder falling out of the envelope and the Monmouth post office was shut down for the rest of the day while investigators searched the area. The powder was determined to be harmless. If convicted, Jones could face up to six years in prison and $350,000 in fines.

Separated twins a year old: It was a year ago that Alaina and Xela Bryce were born, joined by a thin strip of abdominal flesh. Now separated, the two girls couldn’t be more different. Alaina has her father’s eyes and is full of energy and giggles. Her nickname is “wild thing.” Her sister Xela (pronounced SHAY-la) is quieter, still recovering from six complicated surgeries and months in the hospital to correct severe heart defects. She came home from Portland’s Legacy Emanuel Hospital in July after a final, 12-hour surgery to reconstruct her heart.

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.

District 2 candidates differ in public safety approach

Incumbent Paula Rhyne is facing challenger Ryan Crowther. The third candidate, Jonathan Shapiro, is no longer seeking the seat.

From left to right, Edmonds City Council Position 3 candidates Joseph Ademofe, Alex Newman and Erika Barnett.
Amid budget crisis, Edmonds City Council candidates talk revenue, affordability

Three newcomers are facing off for Position 3 on the council, currently held by council President Neil Tibbott.

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.

Everett
Everett approves new fines for non-emergency lifts

The fire department will only issue fines for non-emergency lift assists at licensed care facilities, not for individuals at home calling 911.

Guns for sale at Caso’s Gun-A-Rama in Jersey City, New Jersey, which has been open since 1967. (Photo by Aristide Economopoulos/New Jersey Monitor)
After suing, WA gets carveout from Trump administration plan to return gun conversion devices

The Trump administration has agreed to not distribute devices that turn semi-automatic… Continue reading

The Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility about 16 miles east of Ellensburg in central Washington is part of Puget Sound Energy’s clean energy portfolio. (Courtesy of Puget Sound Energy)
Megabill’s elimination of tax credits for clean energy projects could cost WA $8.7 billion

Washington households could see electricity costs increase $115 per year by 2029; 21,800 workers could lose their jobs by 2030, analysts say.

Everett mayor candidates focus on affordability, city budget in costly race

As incumbent Cassie Franklin seeks a third term in office, three candidates are looking to unseat her.

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.