Elma, WA - Just after 2:00 am Tuesday morning, deputies were called to a Domestic Violence situation at the Greenwood Mobile Home park just outside of Elma. A 55 year old woman said that her 49 year old live-in boyfriend had just punched her in the face. While responding, dispatchers could hear a male subject yelling in the background of the 911 call that he was going to harm the female.
When officers attempted to intervene, the man assaulted the officers by kicking and biting, he eventually was subdued but not before his 69 year old mother attempted to come to his aid and assaulted the officers as well. Both subjects were eventually arrested. The man was taken to Summit Pacific Hospital in Elma where he continued to yell profanities at the hospital staff. He was eventually booked into the Grays Harbor County Jail for Assault 3rd degree on the officers, Domestic Violence Assault 4th degree on his girlfriend, and resisting arrest.
The girlfriend received minor injuries from being hit in the face by the man. The officers’ injuries were also reported to be minor.
Chief Criminal Deputy Steve Shumate tells us the man from this assault was the subject of a death investigation back in 2006. In August of that year, deputies responded to an incident where then 43 year old Mallory Quinn had sustained severe burn injuries. This victim was the girlfriend to this man at the time and eventually died at Harbor View Medical Center as a result of the burns. The incident had occurred at a campfire on the D-line of Capitol Forest in Grays Harbor County. The man alleged that the female had poured fuel on several objects, including herself, due to an argument they were having. The female then sat next to the campfire and ended up catching on fire. There were no witnesses to this event. Investigators eventually submitted the case to the prosecutor’s office for review however charges were not filed.

DuPont, Wash. – In the wake of the massive tornados that touched down in Oklahoma this week, Better Business Bureau (BBB), the Washington State Attorney General’s Office (AGO) and the Secretary of State (SOS) are warning of opportunistic fraudsters. Cons follow the headlines and can easily create bogus charities under the guise of helping victims.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected by this disaster,” said Robert W.G. Andrew, CEO of BBB serving Alaska, Oregon and Western Washington. “Everyone wants to do their part to help, but without being careful a meaningful donation can easily end up in the wrong hands.”

Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson joins the BBB in cautioning donors to exercise restraint before sending money.

“I join the Better Business Bureau in expressing sympathy to the families who’ve lost loved ones or their homes in this disaster,” said Attorney General Bob Ferguson. “I know many share my concerns and want to provide assistance right away—but it is important to exercise caution and make sure your money helps those who truly need it.”

Bremerton, WA - The original Move Over Law was passed in 2007 in an effort to protect emergency workers who were stopped on the highways conducting their business. Since 2007, the number of collisions involving emergency vehicles and workers has increased. In 2010, legislation was submitted and passed to amend the old law to include an “Emergency Zone.” The Emergency Zone Law was passed in the aftermath of growing numbers of police, emergency technicians, tow operators, and Department of Transportation workers being killed or struck during routine traffic stops, collision/accident response, impounding/towing vehicles, and highway construction projects.

• An Emergency Zone is defined as the adjacent lanes of the roadway 200 feet (10 car lengths) before and after a stationary emergency vehicle with flashing lights, a tow truck using red lights, an emergency assistance vehicle using warning lights, or any  police vehicle using emergency lights.

Sgt Scott Gordon of WSP Bremerton says that a DOT worker that he knows mentioned an interesting phenomenon that the worker witnessed while working the highways. “Motorists will change lanes for troopers on traffic stops but then change right back into the other lane-even when we have DOT trucks working with warning lights ahead on the shoulder”. “There seems to be some confusion with the public on what constitutes emergency vehicles” Sgt Gordon said. 

Olympia, WA - The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission and Keepers of the North Head Lighthouse invite the public to attend the 115th anniversary of the North Head Lighthouse at Cape Disappointment State Park in Ilwaco. 

The celebration commemorates the official title transfer of the lighthouse from U.S. Coast Guard ownership to Washington State Parks and also is in conjunction with Centennial 2013, the 100th birthday of the state park system in Washington. 

The celebration is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 8, at the North Head Lighthouse at Cape Disappointment State Park, 244 Robert Gray Drive, Ilwaco. At noon, visiting dignitaries and participants will gather on the grounds of the nearby historic lighthouse keepers’ residences to share remarks about the lighthouse and the title transfer. Following the speaker program, participants will move to the lighthouse for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“The North Head Lighthouse is an iconic structure, and we’re very excited to have this historical landmark in our care,” said State Parks Director Don Hoch. “We’re grateful to the Keepers group, which has worked hard to help preserve this significant piece of our state and national history.”

OLYMPIA – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has allocated $250,000 to Washington State to address marine debris issues associated with the 2011 Japan tsunami.

The allocation comes from $5 million in funds provided to NOAA by the government of Japan in 2012 to help with clean up of marine debris from the tsunami. NOAA anticipates providing an initial sum of $250,000 to each of the impacted states (Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California and Hawaii), and will then hold the remaining funds in reserve. Remaining funds will be distributed on a case-by-case basis, as needs arise.

Washington Governor Jay Inslee said: “Our state deeply appreciates Japan’s friendship and the generous gift of $5 million in goodwill to the United States to support tsunami debris response efforts. We continue to offer our condolences for the March 11, 2011, tragedy that claimed so many lives in Japan, and admire the strength and resilience of the Japanese people. Japan is under absolutely no obligation to provide this type of assistance, and the nation's generous gift is yet another demonstration of Japan’s continued contributions to the international community.”