Minor quakes hit Coupeville, Royal City
SEATTLE — Two small earthquakes rattled Washington early Monday.
The U.S. Geological Survey says a 2.1-magnitude hit near Coupeville on Whidbey Island at 5:42 a.m.
A 2.5-magnitude quake hit Royal City, east of Yakima, at 3:51 a.m.
KIRO-TV reported earthquakes this small are generally not felt and do not cause damage.
Pacific Seafood fined for ammonia release
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has fined a Seattle seafood distributor $35,000 for failing to properly report the release of ammonia from its warehouse in Mukilteo.
The 210-pound ammonia leak at Pacific Seafood Group in May 2009 was first noticed by the employees of a neighboring company.
The neighbors called the fire department when they detected a strong ammonia odor coming from Pacific Seafood.
The EPA said Pacific Seafood, which distributes fresh frozen seafood, port and poultry products, failed to follow emergency procedures.
Olympia: Gregoire to ask for budget help
Gov. Chris Gregoire plans to head to Washington, D.C. this week to make a case for additional federal Medicaid dollars.
The state Legislature banked on $480 million from Medicaid to help balance the budget. But Congress has never approved the money, and now it’s balking at the price tag.
If the Medicaid payment doesn’t come through, Washington’s budget reserves could be wiped out. And the state would face about $200 million in additional budget cuts.
Hoodsport: Stepfather held on $3M bail in death of child, 5
The stepfather of a 5-year-old girl who died after her throat was slashed with a knife has been ordered held on $3 million bail.
A Mason County Superior Court judge on Monday found probable cause to hold 29-year-old Peter James Wilson. The Abbotsford, B.C., man was jailed for investigation of first-degree murder.
Mason County sheriff’s Chief Deputy Dean Byrd identified the little girl as Clare Shelswell.
According to a probable cause statement, Wilson and his wife were arguing about child discipline Sunday evening at a Hoodsport house near Lake Cushman. He reportedly told his wife that he would “take care of it.”
Authorities say Wilson took the girl downstairs and his wife ran after them when she heard screaming. Court documents say she found her daughter in a pool of blood.
Wilson told sheriff’s detectives he has bipolar disorder and was taking medication.
The family was visiting from Abbotsford.
Associated Press
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