SEATTLE — Seattle Parks Superintendent Timothy Gallagher has relaxed a ban on smoking in city parks just a day after he announced it would take effect April 1.
The revised rule that Gallagher announced late Thursday prohibits “smoking, chewing or other tobacco use” within 25 feet of other park patrons.
On Wednesday, Gallagher announced the ban as a health measure to protect people from secondhand smoke.
But in a statement Thursday he backtracked, saying he’s decided that a gradual approach to a smoking ban is reasonable, “based on the input from the public” that followed his initial decision.
Olympia: Official accused of dealing marijuana
Thurston County Sheriff Dan Kimball says Olympia Mayor Pro Tem Joe Hyer has been arrested for investigation of marijuana trafficking.
Kimball told The Olympian that Hyer was arrested Thursday evening at his home after a monthlong investigation by the Thurston County Narcotics Task Force. The sheriff said a confidential informant has purchased marijuana from Hyer twice in the past two months during controlled buys. Hyer was booked into the county jail on Thursday night.
Wenatchee: Police seek tips in student’s killing
Police continue to follow up on tips about the slaying of a Wenatchee High School student but they could use more as a task force looks for the killer of 17-year-old Mackenzie Cowell.
Capt. Doug Jones said investigators released the parking lot video Thursday that shows her leaving a Wenatchee beauty school after a Feb. 9 class and driving away. Jones said nothing appears unusual.
Cowell’s car was found that night 40 miles from her Orondo home. Her body was found Saturday on the bank of the Columbia River.
Spokane: Suspect in Craigslist scams is arrested
Spokane police say a man arrested with the help of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, police may be responsible for fraud cases across the country involving Craigslist.
Police said Joshua J. Mulvey, 26, would advertise items, persuade buyers to send money and then fail to turn over the goods.
Detectives tracked him to a Coeur d’Alene motel Tuesday, where he was arrested for investigation of theft.
Charity leader will give up food for Lent
Maurice Smith, executive director of the Feed Spokane charity that distributes surplus food from restaurants to groups that feed the needy, said he’ll give up food for Lent.
He told KXLY-TV he’ll survive on water, juice and broth until Easter to raise awareness about people who go hungry every day.
Port Angeles: Teen jogger collapses, dies
A 17-year-old boy collapsed while jogging in Port Angeles and died.
Police said the boy and a buddy were jogging Wednesday afternoon when the teen collapsed.
The Peninsula Daily News reported a nurse who was passing by started CPR within a minute, but the boy could not be revived and he was pronounced dead at Olympic Medical Center.
Colfax: Crop duster crashes just after takeoff
A crop duster plane crashed shortly after taking off from the airport at Colfax.
KHQ-TV reports the pilot, Brian Windsor, 56, was walking away from the wreckage Thursday when deputies arrived. He was taken to a hospital.
The plane was loaded with fertilizer.
Kennewick: Man accused of threats to California university
Police have arrested a Kennewick man accused of threatening an attack on the University of California Santa Barbara, where he once worked as an engineer.
Kennewick police said Neil P. Baker, 51, has been charged with one felony count of threats to injure property. Baker was arrested Monday and is being held in the Benton County Jail.
Kennewick police said they were contacted four months ago by the university’s police force, which alleged that Baker was posting threatening messages on an online ad site. Police said Baker had also been e-mailing administrators and staff at the school.
Walla Walla: Six juveniles arrested after burglaries
Walla Walla police have arrested six juveniles suspected in a rash of burglaries in the past month, including the residences of Whitman College students on winter break.
Police say they recovered laptop computers and other electronics worth more than $2,000.
The teens face charges of burglary and possession of stolen property.
Oregon: MAX train strikes and kills man on tracks
A MAX light rail train stuck and killed a man between stops east of Portland.
TriMet spokeswoman Bekki Witt said the man was crossing the tracks at about 10:20 p.m. Wednesday when he was struck by a westbound Blue Line train. The accident was in a wooded area with no approved pedestrian access.
Classic-style license plates will cost $100
Oregon will start selling a new version of its classic blue and yellow “Pacific Wonderland” license plates on March 1.
Hurry, though, if you want them — the Department of Motor Vehicles is selling only 40,000 sets. They are only available for passenger vehicles, and will cost an extra $100 on top of the regular fees of $23.
The 2009 Legislature approved the plates bearing the slogan “Pacific Wonderland” to celebrate Oregon’s 150th anniversary last year. The original series, issued from 1959 to 1964, marked 100 years of statehood.
From Herald news services
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