Northwest briefly

MOUNT VERNON – A 4-foot section of a mammoth tusk has been uncovered in a gravel pit in Skagit County.

Belfast Gravel owner Earl Curry realized he had uncovered something special Feb. 28 and was trying to be careful, but a piece of the waterlogged fossil broke off as he tried to move it.

Curry called in Western Washington University researcher George Mustoe, who is drying the tusk slowly so it doesn’t fall apart.

Mustoe estimates the fossil is 20,000 years old.

Associated Press

Seattle: High winds damage floating bridge

The Evergreen Point Floating Bridge across Lake Washington was closed at evening rush hour Wednesday after a damaged part was found in its drawspan during heavy wind and waves.

The bridge closed shortly after 5 p.m. and was expected to remain closed through the night while repairs were made to a damaged beam, the state Department of Transportation said.

Associated Press

Stevenson: Sea lion slips around dam gate

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers might have to come up with a new name for the sea lion branded by researchers as C-404. Maybe Harry Houdini.

In early February, the corps unveiled a series of steel barricades designed to keep sea lions out of the fish ladders at Bonneville Dam. But one sea lion figured out how to squeeze his head through the 151/2 -inch gaps in the steel grates. Once ensconced in the ladder, he waits for a veritable buffet of fish to swim his way.

The Columbian

Talk to us

More in Local News

An example of the Malicious Women Co. products (left) vs. the Malicious Mermaid's products (right). (U.S. District Court in Florida)
Judge: Cheeky candle copycat must pay Snohomish company over $800K

The owner of the Malicious Women Co. doesn’t expect to receive any money from the Malicious Mermaid, a Florida-based copycat.

A grave marker for Blaze the horse. (Photo provided)
After Darrington woman’s horse died, she didn’t know what to do

Sidney Montooth boarded her horse Blaze. When he died, she was “a wreck” — and at a loss as to what to do with his remains.

A fatal accident the afternoon of Dec. 18 near Clinton ended with one of the cars involved bursting into flames. The driver of the fully engulfed car was outside of the vehicle by the time first responders arrived at the scene. (Whidbey News-Times/Submitted photo)
Driver sentenced in 2021 crash that killed Everett couple

Danielle Cruz, formerly of Lynnwood, gets 17½ years in prison. She was impaired by drugs when she caused the crash that killed Sharon Gamble and Kenneth Weikle.

A person walks out of the Everett Clinic on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The Everett Clinic changing name to parent company Optum in 2024

The parent company says the name change will not affect quality of care for patients in Snohomish County.

Tirhas Tesfatsion (GoFundMe) 20210727
Lynnwood settles for $1.7 million after 2021 suicide at city jail

Jail staff reportedly committed 16 safety check violations before they found Tirhas Tesfatsion, 47, unresponsive in her cell.

A semi-truck rolled over blocking all traffic lanes Thursday morning on I-5 north just south of Arlington on Sept. 21, 2023. (Washington State Patrol)
Overturned trailer spills fish onto I-5 near Arlington, closing lanes

The crash blocked all lanes, forcing drivers going north during rush hour to use the left shoulder.

The Marysville Municipal Jail is pictured Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville weighs mandatory jail time for repeated ‘public disorder’

The “three strikes” proposal sets a minimum sentence of 30 days in jail for crimes like public drug use and trespassing.

Everett police on patrol heard gunshots near 26th Street and Lombard Avenue and closed off multiple roads as they investigated on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. (Everett Police Department)
3 teens arrested after gunfire in downtown Everett

No one was injured. Police heard gunfire in the area of 26th Street and Lombard Avenue.

It’s time to celebrate and say thanks

Local journalism — and community support — will be the stars of Behind the News Stories on Oct. 24 in Edmonds.

Most Read