OLYMPIA – The state Senate has passed a resolution to honor World War II hero Gregory “Pappy” Boyington, just weeks after the University of Washington student senate shot down a measure to honor the UW alumnus.
Sen. Luke Esser, a UW graduate, proposed the measure after what he deemed an “unfortunate” incident at his alma mater.
“He was one of the most heroic fighter pilots in American history,” said Esser, R-Bellevue. “Being a guy from UW, I’m proud of Huskies that go on to achieve great things.”
The student senate triggered a firestorm three weeks ago after rejecting by one vote a resolution to create a campus memorial for Boyington. Radio talk shows and Internet blogs quickly chastised the students for the decision.
Most famous for his actions as a Marine ace, shooting down more than 20 enemy planes, Boyington also spent nearly two years as a Japanese prisoner of war. He earned a Medal of Honor.
Associated Press
Sudden Valley: Village wants to incorporate
Residents of this summer-home development have filed papers to incorporate as Whatcom County’s eighth city.
About 6,000 people live at Sudden Valley on Lake Whatcom, which serves as the drinking water reservoir for more than 86,000 people.
Some officials from the Whatcom County Council and the Bellingham City Council oppose the plan, saying the creation of a city of Sudden Valley would lead to further degradation of Lake Whatcom.
The next stage in the process will be a public hearing where supporters would have to collect signatures of 10 percent of the potential city’s registered voters.
Associated Press
Mount Vernon: Pilot killed Feb. 22 identified
The pilot killed last week in the crash of a small plane near Bow was identified Tuesday by the Skagit County coroner as Wallace Chang, 56, of Vancouver, B.C.
He was the only person on board the plane on a flight from Bellingham to Ogden, Utah, Coroner Bruce Bacon said.
The Federal Aviation Administration said the twin-engine Beech 58-P lost radio and radar contact with the Seattle Air Route Traffic Control Center in Auburn shortly before the crash on Feb. 22.
Associated Press
Seattle: Smoking ban applies to bus shelters
A state initiative to ban smoking in public places applies to bus shelters, King County officials say.
Initiative 901, passed in November, bans smoking within 25 feet of doors, windows and vents of public places, as well as inside them.
County authorities said Monday that the ban applies to bus shelters, which are mostly covered, open-air structures.
No-smoking signs began being posted in the bus shelters in Seattle on Tuesday, and will be posted in all 1,750 shelters countywide in the coming weeks.
Smokers who light up in the shelters will be subject to a $100 fine.
Associated Press
Milton Katims shaped the Seattle Symphony
Milton Katims, the man credited with building the Seattle Symphony from a part-time orchestra in the 1950s into a respected regional symphony, has died. He was 96.
Katims, music director of the symphony for 22 years, was an internationally known conductor and violinist. He died Monday morning of heart failure after a long and active life, attending concerts and playing tennis until a few months ago.
Associated Press
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