Strykers making 3rd trip to Iraq
FORT LEWIS — Fort Lewis holds a deployment ceremony today for the 3rd Stryker brigade as about 4,000 soldiers prepare to deploy this summer to Iraq.
It will be the brigade’s third deployment to Iraq where it served in 2003-2004 and 2006-2007.
The 3rd Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, known as the Arrowhead Brigade, was the Army’s first combat team based on the eight-wheeled armored Stryker vehicle.
Seattle: Darts hit two bicyclists
Two bicycle riders on or near the Ballard Bridge in Seattle say they were shot with blowgun darts.
A 29-year-old man, Avram Dolen, told The Seattle Times he thought he had been hit by a rock Monday then he felt the 4-inch dart sticking out of his rear end.
A 39-year-old woman says she was hit Monday in the thigh. Neither saw who fired the darts.
King County girl dies of swine flu
The Seattle-King County Health Department reports a girl died Saturday of complications of swine flu and her underlying health conditions.
It was the second swine flu death in King County and the seventh since the spring in Washington.
Burbank: 70,000 pot plants seized
Walla Walla County sheriff’s deputies say they have seized between 70,000 and 80,000 marijuana plants from a tree farm about three miles east of Burbank in south-central Washington.
The estimated value is likely more than $2 million.
Sheriff Mike Humphreys told the Tri-City Herald that the marijuana site was found in the same area where 40,000 plants were confiscated last month.
Spokane: Woman fights to save tree
A Spokane family is trying to prevent energy giant Chevron from cutting down a tree in front of their home to protect a pipeline.
Chevron contends the tree must come out to clear the right of way. The pipeline runs along the sidewalk in front of Karen McAlpin’s home.
She said the honey locust tree was planted more than 40 years ago by her father, provides beauty and shade and has protected the home from collisions.
Associated Press
Kennewick: 9Â 1/2 years for role in deaths
A Benton City teenager has been sentenced to 9Â 1/2 years in prison for his role in the deaths of his sister and mother.
Donald Schalchlin, 17, pleaded guilty last month to first-degree manslaughter and first-degree rendering criminal assistance in the Dec. 19, 2007 deaths.
Ellen “Lori” Schalchlin and 13-year-old Elizabeth were stabbed to death.
Schalchlin apologized during his sentencing Wednesday and said he couldn’t justify his mistakes. His friend, 17-year-old Joshua Tucker, is serving nearly 41 years for the slayings.
Prosecutors have said Tucker was the instigator.
Associated Press
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
