OLYMPIA — Four Washington state ferries pulled out of service in November are now for sale.
The state is taking bids until next month from nonprofit organizations, other governments and other agencies for the Steel-Electric class boats. The minimum bid is $350,000.
If there are no takers, the Illahee, Nisqually, Klickitat and Quinault will go on sale on eBay.
The state says the old ferries have too much hull corrosion for regular service.
The city of Port Townsend has expressed interest in buying one of the boats for retail, meeting or parking space.
The Washington Scuba Alliance wants to sink the boats as an attraction for divers.
@3. Headline News Briefs 14 no:Michelle Obama to headline fundraiser
Michelle Obama will be in Seattle next month to help raise money for Gov. Chris Gregoire’s re-election campaign.
Obama, the wife of presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama, will headline the July 17 event at WaMu Theater at Quest Field in Seattle.
Gregoire faces a potentially tough race against Republican challenger Dino Rossi, whom she beat in 2004. She won that race by just 133 votes, following three vote tallies and a failed Republican court challenge.
Bothell: New building for Cascadia College
Cascadia Community College in Bothell has started construction on a $35 million building.
The Center for Global Learning will have classrooms, a performing arts theater and art studios that will allow the college to add 800 more students.
The building should be open in 2010 on the campus, which also serves as the University of Washington’s Bothell campus.
Seattle: Colman Dock expansion halted
The Washington state ferry system has shelved plans for an expansion of the Colman Dock in Seattle.
The terminal is the system’s biggest and connects routes to Bremerton, Bainbridge and Vashon.
The ferry system says it will focus on how best to use the space it has in Seattle when the nearby Alaskan Way Viaduct is replaced.
Port Townsend: Historic sailboat OK
A historic schooner that ran aground near Orcas Island sustained only a “ding” on its keel and will be able to head to this weekend’s tall ships festival in Victoria, B.C.
The 133-foot Adventuress was refloated Monday after being stuck for several hours in northwest Washington’s San Juan Islands and having stranded passengers and crew members evacuated by two state ferries.
Catherine Collins is executive director of Sound Experience, the nonprofit educational operation that owns and manages the Adventuress. She says the ship motored back to its home base of Port Townsend and was hauled out of the water Tuesday for a Coast Guard inspection.
Wenatchee: ‘Roadkill Alley’ waits for fence
Some people who drive Highway 97A between Wenatchee and Entiat have another name for it: Roadkill Alley.
Last year, vehicles hit and killed 30 deer. The state Transportation Department says it’s one of the worst roads in the state for wildlife collision.
In addition to deer, bighorn sheep also are killed trying to cross the highway. The DOT estimates the average loss per accident is $8,000.
The department plans to build an 8-foot-tall, 8-mile-long fence to block animals from the highway. It was scheduled to go up in 2007 but negotiating easements has delayed the fence until next year, at least.
The department tried motion-activated warning lights in 2002 but there were too many false alerts from tumbleweeds.
Tukwila: 30-year-old time capsule opened
The city of Tukwila unearthed a time capsule that was buried 30 years ago.
The capsule was a galvanized trash can sealed with duct tape.
About 50 people attended Monday’s centennial celebration, where the contents were revealed: a list of city employees, planning documents and the 1978 budget. Also a bumper sticker that says, “Tukwila: next to the largest city in Washington.”
Federal Way: Father arrested in baby death
Federal Way police have arrested a 37-year-old father in the death of a 7-month-old baby boy found burned in the family’s backyard fire pit.
Police spokeswoman Cathy Schrock said Tuesday the father was being booked into the King County jail for investigation of first-degree manslaughter. She did not immediately identify him.
No formal charges have been filed.
B.C.: Baby beluga treated for infection
A 2-week-old baby beluga whale born at the Vancouver Aquarium in British Columbia is reportedly doing well after being treated for an infection near her tail.
Aquarium veterinarian Martin Haulena said the calf was acting lethargic over the weekend, swimming less and resting more.
Haulena said the calf responded to antibiotics within a few hours and perked up.
Associated Press
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