WASHINGTON, USA —
Increased avalanche concerns this weekend with warmer temperatures
The warmest weather in more than six months has people out and about enjoying the beautiful Pacific Northwest but the rising temperatures and higher sun angle elevate the potential avalanche danger as well.
Because of the increased avalanche concern through the weekend, the Northwest Avalanche Center issued a Special Avalanche Bulletin through 6 p.m. on Saturday for the Cascades and Olympics in western Washington.
Across the region through the weekend the mild temperatures will extend into the higher elevations of the mountains. In fact, it's so warm that the freezing level will jump between 12,000 to 14,000 feet over the next couple of days with overnight temperatures staying above freezing for much of the area below that level. Read more
In filings with the federal government Friday, Seattle City Light committed to adding fish passage on its three hydroelectric dams on the Skagit River, under terms of a new federal license.
The move to add infrastructure to transport salmon around all three dams with a fish passage system comes after years of tension-filled re-licensing negotiations between City Light and stakeholders, including three Native American tribes of the Skagit Valley.
The city’s new commitment is a milestone achievement for the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe, based in Sedro-Woolley, which has led the negotiations for tribes, government regulators and local government. Read more
King County voters have approved a levy that will create a network of five crisis care centers with an increase in property taxes.
County canvassing boards will certify and transmit election results on May 5. KING 5 called the race Friday. Approval of the levy received 57% of the vote.
“King County voters agree - we must build a stronger behavioral health system to meet the urgent and growing need for care," said Executive Dow Constantine. “With this strong approval, we will chart a path forward to provide the help people need and deserve."
The Crisis Care Centers Levy will cost King County property owners 14.5 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. Based on the median home value in King County, $694,000, the tax would come to $121 per year. Read more
A 32-year-old Puyallup man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court Friday to conspiracy to destroy energy facilities in relation to the vandalism of four substations on Dec. 25 that left about 30,000 without power and caused $3 million in damages.
In a plea agreement, Matthew Greenwood admitted that he and Jeremy Crahan, 40, vandalized four power substations and plotted to fell trees to take out power lines. Greenwood faces up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced on July 21. Read more
The man who shot his wife and two adult children inside the family's home on April 21 was charged with three counts of attempted murder in the second degree.
Wycliffe Brown Seda is being held on $5 million bail. He will be arraigned May 9.
On the evening of April 21, Seda refused to let his wife use the family's vehicles to pick their son up from the airport, according to charging documents. When the son made it home, he confronted his father, who attacked his son.
Seda's daughter tried to intervene.
The three eventually broke apart and began arguing.
"Without warning, [Seda] pulled out a loaded handgun and shot his son and daughter multiple times ... and fled the room," charging documents read. Read more
RELATED: Western Washington Forecast
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