Northwest briefly: Bail set at $5 million in Federal Way shooting

SEATTLE — Bail has been set at $5 million for a 42-year-old man accused of shooting his wife to death during a counseling session at a Federal Way church.

Charles Parsons, of Lakewood, did not appear Thursday for his bail hearing in King County District Court. He is being held for investigation of homicide in the death Wednesday of his wife, 38-year-old Carol Parsons.

Court documents said the two were attending a counseling session at Calvary Lutheran Church when Parsons allegedly pulled out a pistol and shot his wife three times. The documents say Parsons then called police, placed the gun on the hood of his truck and lay on the ground until officers arrived.

County prosecutors have until Monday to file charges.

House passes Alpine Lakes expansion bill

The U.S. House on Thursday passed a measure that would add 22,000 acres to Washington’s Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area.

The measure introduced by Rep. Dave Reichert, R-Wash., would add some lowland areas and parts of watersheds to the central Cascade wilderness and would designate the Pratt and Middle Fork Snoqualmie Rivers as wild and scenic. Reichert says the bill would protect areas that have been cleaned up and made pristine, and add more space to one of the most heavily visited wilderness areas in the country.

A companion measure introduced by Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., awaits action in the U.S. Senate.

Animal-rights group objects to elephant breeding

An animal-rights organization is objecting to a Seattle zoo’s elephant breeding program.

The group, In Defense of Animals, has filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It says the Woodland Park Zoo’s elephant breeding program violates the federal Animal Welfare Act.

The group says the zoo shouldn’t continue breeding elephants knowing that any infant born there faces a high risk of disease and death.

Zoo officials said the elephant whose 6-year-old calf died in 2007 from an elephant herpes virus was inseminated last week after she showed signs of ovulating.

The group has also filed complaints against elephant breeding at three other zoos, the Houston Zoo, the St. Louis Zoo and the Oklahoma City Zoo.

Plan would give convention center autonomy

A proposal making its way through the Legislature could give the Washington State Convention Center some autonomy from state control.

The Seattle Times said a plan would likely clear the way for the expansion sought by Seattle tourism boosters.

The proposal calls for an independent public-facilities district to run the convention center, similar to the way Safeco Field is managed.

The plan does not call for any new taxes for the general public. The convention center would get more control over the tax money already being raised for its operation through a tax on hotel rooms in Seattle and King County.

Kennewick: Guide dog killed by car; blind owner OK

Kennewick police said a blind man and his guide dog were hit by a car while crossing a street. Officers say the dog died but 65-year-old Bernie Vinther is recovering. He was treated at Kennewick General Hospital for a twisted ankle.

Police are investigating the Wednesday evening collision. The driver was from Pasco.

Olympia: Mud snail invasion hangs on in Capitol Lake

A state biologist said flushing Olympia’s Capitol Lake hasn’t done much to control a New Zealand mud snail invasion.

About 12 percent of the tiny snails died after the lake was flushed with saltwater. Scientists were hoping to kill 50 percent.

State officials drained the lake about two weeks ago and then filled it with salt water from Budd Inlet. Apparently the water wasn’t quite salty enough to kill the snails.

They were discovered late last fall but probably had been there for about two years. It is the only known infestation in the Puget Sound region.

Kent: officials tell people to reuse sandbag sand

With the flood danger over, Kent officials are encouraging residents to reuse the sand from the sandbags they filled this winter.

The city wants people to put the sand to good use because the sandbags won’t last until next year. They can use it to aerate lawns. Sand can also be mixed with garden or potting soil to promote drainage. And it can be the base for brick or stone walkway projects.

Residents may also want to store the sand for next winter under plastic in their garage or a corner of their yard. Or they could drop the sandbags off at collection sites during April.

Oregon: Missing girl, 4, found in woods near home

The Curry County sheriff’s office says a missing 4-year-old girl was found crying in the woods late Thursday less than 200 yards from her southwest Oregon home. Little Zoey Dorsey vanished from her house two miles east of Brookings on Wednesday afternoon.

The sheriff’s office says she’s been taken to a Crescent City, Calif. hospital.

Deputy Randy Ullom said the girl was taken by ambulance to Sutter Coast Hospital with her parents following the ambulance. Ullom said she was found in steep, rugged woods close to her house.

More than 100 searchers combed the area on foot Thursday, aided by helicopters and six dog search teams. The family lives up the Chetco River from Brookings, along the southern Oregon coast.

When she vanished, the little girl was wearing a white “Princess and the Frog” T-shirt, blue pants, and tennis shoes that light up. Overnight temperatures were in the upper 30s along the coast and cougars have been seen in the area.

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