The Seattle Times
Today's news index
Wednesday, June 19, 2013


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Local News

Corps review won’t weigh impact of coal beyond NW
The Army Corps of Engineers announced Tuesday at a congressional hearing that it will not consider the climate effects of burning U.S. coal in Asia as part of its review of proposed coal-export terminals in the Pacific Northwest. Tue, 6/18
 
DOJ urged to avoid pot showdown with state
Seven members of Washington’s congressional delegation are urging U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to assure that the federal government won’t penalize pot users and sellers “for activities legal under state law.” Tue, 6/18
 
Less than month after collapse, temporary I-5 bridge is finished
The Interstate 5 Skagit River bridge, a section of which collapsed in an accident May 23, will reopen Wednesday morning. Tue, 6/18
 
Local governments spend big to lobby Legislature
Washington’s cities, counties, ports, Indian tribes, public utility districts and school districts spent about $2.5 million lobbying state lawmakers during the regular legislative session — more than any other group. Tue, 6/18
 
Many questions, few answers in death of Bellevue massage therapist
Nataliya Vabishchevich, 35, was found dead in her Bellevue condo Monday morning, police said. Tuesday, her employer said her death “doesn’t make any sense.”  Tue, 6/18
 
Revenue boost puts Legislature closer to budget deal
State officials predict rapid progress in budget negotiations after two forecasts on Tuesday gave the Legislature an additional $320 million to spend over the next two years. Tue, 6/18
 
State’s trainers of teachers criticize new national rankings
A national advocacy group released a report Tuesday that harshly criticized the nation’s higher-education teacher-preparation programs, but Washington educators called the report flawed. Tue, 6/18
 
Danny Westneat
Welcome to the state of Rodney Tom
It’s tough for a lot of his foes to admit. But Rodney Tom, the Democrat who turned on his own party, is the big winner in Olympia politics this year.  Tue, 6/18
 
Motel pool heater that killed 3 was replaced without permit
A Boone inspector says a motel pool heater that leaked carbon monoxide and killed a Washington state couple and later a South Carolina boy was installed without the knowledge of the town's inspection department. Tue, 6/18
 
Judge: 650+ farm workers entitled to know wages
A federal judge has ruled that a class of more than 650 farm workers should have had information about wages and other job conditions disclosed to them by the company that hired them. Tue, 6/18
 
Man convicted in fatal beating of Woodinville teacher
Johnnie Lee Wiggins was found guilty of second-degree murder by a King County Superior Court jury on Monday for the Christmas 2011 beating death of his girlfriend, Woodinville High School teacher Prudence Hockley. Tue, 6/18
 
‘I don’t want to be only person cured of HIV’
Timothy Ray Brown, a native of Seattle who was the first person cured of the AIDS virus, is joining with scientists at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center to help extend the cure to others.  Tue, 6/18
 

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Nation & World

UPDATE - 01:51 AM
Karzai suspends talks with US over Taliban move
The Afghan president on Wednesday suspended talks with the United States on a new security deal to protest the way his government was being left out of initial peace negotiations with the Taliban meant to find ways to end the nearly 12-year war. Wed, 6/19
 
Budget office view boosts Senate immigration bill
Supporters of a far-reaching immigration bill in the Senate see fresh momentum from a report by the Congressional Budget Office that says the measure would boost the economy and reduce federal deficits by billions of dollars. Wed, 6/19
 
Obama's Berlin speech: History raises the stakes
Five years and 50 years. As President Barack Obama revisits Berlin, he can't escape those anniversaries and the inevitable comparisons to history and personal achievement. Wed, 6/19
 
FBI hunt for Jimmy Hoffa remains entering 3rd day
FBI agents plan a third day of digging Wednesday in suburban Detroit for the remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa, who disappeared 38 years ago. Wed, 6/19
 
Close-up
Misconduct investigations put Canada in different light
Scandals involving the mayors of Montreal and Toronto, and corruption probes risk tarnishing Canada’s reputation as one of the most graft-free countries in the world.  Tue, 6/18
 
Man arrested after cabbie stabbed to death with umbrella
Police say the passenger argued with the cabdriver over the fare and killed him with an umbrella jab to the eye.  Tue, 6/18
 
Reporter who broke story on Gen. McChrystal dies in crash
Michael Hastings died early Tuesday in a one-car crash in Los Angeles. His controversial article on Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal led to McChrystal’s resignation.  Tue, 6/18
 
Most Americans hate their jobs or have 'checked out,' Gallup says
Gallup estimates that workers who are actively disengaged cost the U.S. as much as $550 billion in economic activity yearly. Tue, 6/18
 
Chrysler agrees to recall of Jeeps at risk of fire
After initially defying federal regulators, Chrysler abruptly agreed Tuesday to recall some older-model Jeeps with fuel tanks that could rupture and cause fires in rear-end collisions. Tue, 6/18
 
Treasury unveils Lew's improved signature
Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew won't win any prizes in penmanship, but his official signature which will go on the nation's currency is at least a slight improvement over the loopy scrawl he had a few months ago. Tue, 6/18
 
Turkey's 'standing man' launches new protest wave
After weeks of sometimes violent confrontation with police, protesters in Turkey have found what could be a more potent form of resistance: standing still. Tue, 6/18
 
Man charged with tossing wife off cruise ship
A California grand jury has indicted a Florida man on charges he strangled his ex-wife and tossed her off a cruise ship in Italy. Tue, 6/18
 
Scientists: Timber in Lake Michigan centuries old
A wooden beam embedded at the bottom of northern Lake Michigan appears to have been there for centuries, underwater archaeologists announced Tuesday, a crucial finding as crews dig toward what they hope is the carcass of a French ship that disappeared while exploring the Great Lakes in the 17th century. Tue, 6/18
 
Boy, 6, dies after dog attack at N. Calif. home
A 6-year-old San Francisco Bay Area boy died after he was attacked by a dog that belongs to his uncle, who is a police officer, authorities and a family spokesman said Tuesday. Tue, 6/18
 
Report: Too many teachers, too little quality
The nation's teacher-training programs do not adequately prepare would-be educators for the classroom, even as they produce almost triple the number of graduates needed, according to a survey of more than 1,000 programs released Tuesday. Tue, 6/18
 
18 mayors: Limit use of food stamps to buy soda
The mayors of New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and 15 other cities are reviving a push against letting food stamps be used to buy soda and other sugary drinks. Tue, 6/18
 
Biden vows to `beat the gun lobby' and pass laws
A scrappy Vice President Joe Biden vowed Tuesday to "beat the gun lobby" by ultimately passing stronger firearm laws and said some lawmakers who voted against background checks have privately told him they want another chance. Tue, 6/18
 
Especially grim encephalitis toll feared in India
A mosquito-borne disease that preys on the young and malnourished is sweeping across poverty-riven northern India again this monsoon season in what officials worry could be the deadliest outbreak in nearly a decade. Tue, 6/18
 
Jury can't reach verdict in Detroit cop's trial
A judge declared a mistrial Tuesday after jurors failed to reach a verdict in the trial of a Detroit police officer who fatally shot a 7-year-old girl during a chaotic search for a murder suspect that was recorded by a reality TV crew. Tue, 6/18
 
Radar shows tornado touched down at Denver airport
Radar indicated a tornado briefly touched down Tuesday over the east runways of Denver International Airport, where thousands of people took shelter in bathrooms, stairwells and other safe spots until the dangerous weather passed, officials said. Tue, 6/18
 
Woman pleads not guilty in buttocks-injection case
A Mississippi woman has pleaded not guilty to killing a woman by giving silicone injections as a buttocks enhancement. Tue, 6/18
 
Ammunition fire rages at Russian military base
Exploding shells set off a fire that was triggering explosions Wednesday at a military depot in southern Russia, injuring about 30 people and causing the evacuation of more than 6,000 from a nearby village, investigators and emergency workers said. Tue, 6/18
 
Utah man shot in church upgraded to fair condition
A Utah man shot in the head during a Father's Day Mass was upgraded to fair condition Tuesday - just a few hours after his son-in-law was charged with attempted homicide in the shooting. Tue, 6/18
 
House passes far-reaching anti-abortion bill
The Republican-led House on Tuesday passed a far-reaching anti-abortion bill that conservatives saw as a milestone in their 40-year campaign against legalized abortion and Democrats characterized as yet another example of a GOP war on women. Tue, 6/18
 
Iraqi suicide bombers hit Baghdad mosque, kill 34
Two suicide bombers targeted a Shiite mosque in Baghdad on Tuesday, one blowing himself up at a nearby checkpoint while the other slipped inside during prayers. The blasts killed 34 people, Iraqi officials said. Tue, 6/18
 
Teenager recovering from shark bites on hand, leg
A teenager is recovering after being bitten by as shark as he was standing in waist-deep water at a Texas beach. Tue, 6/18
 
Russia to ban married foreign gays from adopting
Russia is on its way to sharply limiting the adoption of children by people from countries that allow same-sex marriage. Tue, 6/18
 
Mom: RI theater threw out disabled girl over noise
A woman says she and her 5-year-old developmentally disabled daughter were thrown out of a theater during a "Beauty and the Beast" performance because the girl was making giggling and humming noises she makes when she's happy. Tue, 6/18
 
Airborne laser reveals hidden city in Cambodia
Airborne laser technology has uncovered a network of roadways and canals, illustrating a bustling ancient city linking Cambodia's famed Angkor Wat temple complex. Tue, 6/18
 
Bombing at Pakistani funeral kills 29
A suicide bomber blew himself up in a crowd of hundreds of mourners attending a funeral in northwestern Pakistan on Tuesday, killing 29 people. Among the dead was a newly elected lawmaker who may have been the target, authorities said. Tue, 6/18
 
New NYC evacuation zones include almost 3M people
Nearly 3 million New Yorkers' homes are now in evacuation zones that cover more than a third of the city's population, under new maps released Tuesday. Tue, 6/18
 
Poland, Germany probe Nazi-led unit commander
Prosecutors in Poland and Germany said Tuesday they are reviewing files on a Minnesota man who was a commander of a Nazi-led unit to see if they have enough evidence to press charges and request his extradition from the United States. Tue, 6/18
 
Protesters out again in Brazil's biggest city
Tens of thousands of Brazilians again flooded the streets of the country's biggest city to raise a collective cry against a longstanding lament - people are weighed down by high taxes and high prices but get low-quality public services and a system of government infected with corruption. Tue, 6/18
 
Red Cross' Guantanamo reports sought in 9/11 case
The International Committee of the Red Cross urged a military judge Tuesday to refuse a request to open its confidential communications with U.S. officials about conditions at Guantanamo Bay to the lawyers for the prisoners charged in the Sept. 11 terror attack. Tue, 6/18
 
Wilson, Nobel winner for physics, dies in Maine
Physicist Kenneth Wilson, who earned a Nobel prize for pioneering work that changed the way physicists think about phase transitions, has died in Maine, where he retired to enjoy kayaking with his wife. He was 77. Tue, 6/18
 
Calif.-based burger chain Johnny Rockets sold
Johnny Rockets, the Southern California-based burger chain with 1950s flair, has been sold to a private equity firm that targets underperforming and specialty companies. Tue, 6/18
 
Former Pa. teacher charged for classroom piercings
A former teacher in central Pennsylvania is facing charges after police say she allowed a student to perform body piercings in class. Tue, 6/18
 
NTSB: Bad eyesight likely caused Okla. train crash
An engineer killed in a fiery train collision in the Oklahoma Panhandle last year suffered from serious vision problems for much of his life, underwent several corrective procedures in the years leading up to the crash and even complained that he couldn't distinguish between red and green signals, a doctor told a federal oversight board Tuesday. Tue, 6/18
 

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Business & Technology

Google’s purchase of Waze may bring government scrutiny
Google is the top dog, dominating mobile maps used on smartphones, and Waze makes Google a bigger dog. The question now is whether the U.S. government pushes back and forces Google to give back its new toy. Tue, 6/18
 
It’s curtains for Seattle’s Egyptian Theatre
The Landmark Theatre will show its last movie June 27 after a new lease agreement couldn’t be reached.  Tue, 6/18
 
Sprint sues to stop Dish Clearwire buyout
Sprint is suing to stop Dish Network's buyout of wireless data network operator Clearwire. The nation's third-largest cellphone carrier said the proposed deal violates the rights of Sprint and other Clearwire shareholders. Tue, 6/18
 
Wake-up call: Starbucks to post calorie counts
Starbucks has a new way to wake up its customers: showing the calories in its drinks. Tue, 6/18
 
Everett aircraft company settles FAA penalties
An Everett aircraft maintenance company has agreed to pay $275,000 to settle two Federal Aviation Administration penalty claims. Tue, 6/18
 
Court: Ex-Im Bank needs to explain Air India loan
A federal bank that backed a huge airplane loan for Air India will have to explain that the loan didn't hurt U.S. airlines. Tue, 6/18
 
US video game retail sales fall 25 percent in May
U.S. retail sales of video games, hardware and accessories declined 25 percent in May as demand for aging game consoles continued to fade and fewer new games launched compared with last year, according to market researcher NPD Group. Tue, 6/18
 
Obama hints Bernanke likely to leave Fed in Jan.
President Barack Obama has given the clearest signal yet that Chairman Ben Bernanke will likely leave the Federal Reserve when his term ends in January. Tue, 6/18
 
Trader charged in manipulation of Libor rate
Britain's Serious Fraud Office has charged a former trader with conspiracy to defraud in the rigging of a benchmark interest rate. Tue, 6/18
 
US consumer prices rise just 0.1 pct. in May
U.S. consumer prices rose slightly last month, as higher energy costs partly offset cheaper food. The small increase is further evidence that consumers are benefiting from mild inflation. Tue, 6/18
 
Hewlett-Packard puts Bradley in strategy role
Todd Bradley, the head of Hewlett-Packard Co.'s printing and personal computer business, has been appointed to a new position in charge of the company's strategy with a focus on China, the company said Tuesday. Tue, 6/18
 
Air India loan case sent back to U.S. Export-Import Bank
The domestic impact of U.S. Export- Import Bank loan guarantees for Air India’s purchase of 30 Boeing aircraft weren’t adequately explained, a federal appeals court ruled in a challenge by Delta Air Lines. Tue, 6/18
 
US safety agency investigating Suzuki small SUVs
U.S. safety regulators said Tuesday that they are investigating problems with air-bag sensors in the seats of some small Suzuki SUVs. Tue, 6/18
 
Most workers hate their jobs or have ‘checked out,’ Gallup says
The survey classifies three types of employees. The first is actively engaged, the second type of worker is “not engaged,” and the third type, labeled “actively disengaged,” hates going to work — which Gallup says costs companies money. Tue, 6/18
 
US home construction rises 6.8 percent in May
U.S. builders stepped up home construction in May and applied for permits to build single-family homes at the fastest pace in five years. The gains show housing remains a key source of growth for the economy. Tue, 6/18
 

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Sports

Mariners hold off Angels, 3-2 in 10 innings
Tom Wilhelmsen gave up a tying home run to Albert Pujols in the eighth, but the Seattle bullpen hung on long enough for Kendrys Morales to win it in the 10th. Wed, 6/19
 
Miami forces Game 7 with OT victory
Ray Allen's three-pointer with 5.2 seconds left in the fourth quarter capped a huge Miami rally plus essentially took the championship trophy out of San Antonio's hands, and the Heat found a way in overtime to hold off the Spurs for a 103-100 win. Tue, 6/18
 
Jerry Brewer
Seattle again playing the role of Leverage City
Seattle lives an uncomfortable life as a Plan B for NHL, NBA Tue, 6/18
 
Sounders' Marcus Hahnemann hopes he hasn't made his final save
Retiring goalkeeper must wait for playing time behind starter Michael Gspurning, and missed chances to play when the Sounders were eliminated from the U.S. Open Cup. Tue, 6/18
 
Thompson scores 30, Storm wins
Seattle forward hits 11 of 18 shots. Tue, 6/18
 
U.S. men beat Honduras in World Cup qualifying match
The United States beat Honduras 1-0 in a World Cup qualifying match in Sandy, Utah. Tue, 6/18
 
Huskies
UW basketball lore comes home for Alumni, Legends games
All 12 NBA players who starred at Washington under coach Lorenzo Romar are expected to play Sunday. Tue, 6/18
 
NASCAR driver in N.C. turns himself in on charges
NASCAR driver Mike Harmon has turned himself in to authorities in North Carolina after warrants were issued for him and a business partner. Tue, 6/18
 
Joshua Mayers’ power rankings
Sounders FC moves up from eighth to seventh in the latest rankings. Tue, 6/18
 
Sideline Chatter | Dwight Perry
Man of steal ran out of steam
A would-be bicycle thief picked the wrong victim — a West Seattle distance runner. Tue, 6/18
 
New Zealand visitor’s first baseball game takes a wrong turn
Olivia Carville, 24, is a journalist from The Press, a daily newspaper in Christchurch, New Zealand. Last Tuesday, she went to her first American sports event and it didn’t exactly go as planned.  Tue, 6/18
 
Reese McGuire, Pirates agree to terms
The catcher from Kentwood High School agreed to terms with Pittsburgh on a contract worth $2,369,000. Tue, 6/18
 
Smoak returns from DL with a bang
First baseman Justin Smoak, hoping to stay healthy in his return to the team, homered in his first at-bat against the Angels. Tue, 6/18
 
NFL
Steve Gleason accepts apologies from those who mocked him on radio
Mocking Steve Gleason, who has Lou Gehrig’s disease, got three Atlanta radio talk-show personalities fired. Gleason accepted their apologizes. Tue, 6/18
 
NHL
Surprise scratch of Blackhawks’ Hossa is part of NHL injury culture
Secrecy about injuries is an NHL tradition, especially in the playoffs. Tue, 6/18
 
Top-seeded North Carolina stays alive in College World Series
Top-seeded North Carolina beat fourth-seeded Louisiana State in an elimination game at the College World Series. Tue, 6/18
 
Sideline Chatter | Dwight Perry
Aaron Rodgers does his chores just like the rest of us — while wearing Super Bowl rings
 Tue, 6/18
 
Angels clobber Mariners, 11-3
The Angels pounded 21 hits to back former Mariner left-hander Jason Vargas, who struck out a season-high nine. Tue, 6/18
 
DJ Peterson begins new path
If he had it his way, DJ Peterson would treat the minor-league ladder like Mike Zunino did. After making short work of Seattle's farm system, Zunino has been the team's most recent first-round major-league baseball draft pick to climb his way up the ranks and don the Mariner uniform. Tue, 6/18
 
NW Briefs
Hope Solo ready to return to U.S. women’s lineup
Less than four months after wrist surgery, the former Washington goalkeeper could be starting Thursday against South Korea Tue, 6/18
 
Justin Rose praises swing coach
U.S. Open champion Justin Rose says Sean Foley is more than merely a swing coach to him. Tue, 6/18
 
O’Bannon case could change NCAA landscape
Former UCLA star Ed O’Bannon is part of a lawsuit that could end up playing a significant role in whether NCAA athletes get paid.  Tue, 6/18
 
On the Air
 Tue, 6/18
 
Rainiers lose, 4-1
Davis’ tie-breaking single in 5th sends Colorado Springs to PCL victory Tue, 6/18
 

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Entertainment

Sound Theatre Company performs Stoppard short plays
 Tue, 6/18
 
NW Books | Cult killings, a Taos mystery, ancient wars
Books of Seattle-area interest: “Dead Silence” by Kimberly Derting, “Murdock Tackles Taos,” by Robert J. Ray, “Sons of Zeus” by Noble Smith and “Darwin’s Doubt” by Stephen C. Meyer. Tue, 6/18
 
Tuesday TV Picks: Season finale of ‘The Voice’
TV picks for Tuesday, June 18, 2013, include the season finale of “The Voice” on NBC, “So You Think You Can Dance” on Fox and “Pretty Little Liars” on ABC Family. Tue, 6/18
 
Selma Blair abruptly exits 'Anger Management'
Selma Blair is making a sudden exit from the Charlie Sheen sitcom "Anger Management." Tue, 6/18
 
‘Jack the Giant Slayer,’ ‘Quartet,’ ‘21 & Over’ | New DVDs
New DVD releases for Tuesday, June 18, include the adventure “Jack the Giant Slayer”; Dustin Hoffman’s directorial debut, “Quartet”; and the party comedy “21 & Over.”  Tue, 6/18
 
Author, teacher of endangered Lakota language dies
The endangered Lakota language has lost one of its greatest supporters. Tue, 6/18
 
Bieber behind wheel as car hits man in Hollywood
Video shows Justin Bieber running into a photographer with his white Ferrari in Hollywood, but police say there was no crime and the injuries aren't life-threatening. Tue, 6/18
 
James Franco seeks $500,000 in crowd-funding
Following crowd-funding campaigns from "Veronica Mars" and Zach Braff, James Franco is trying to raise $500,000 to bankroll a trilogy of movies. Tue, 6/18
 
Saatchi admits assault on wife Nigella Lawson
Prominent British art collector Charles Saatchi has admitted assault and accepted a police caution after published photos showed him grasping the throat of his wife, celebrity chef Nigella Lawson. Tue, 6/18
 

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Living

More pet foods recalled, possibly tainted with salmonella
Natura Pet Products is voluntarily recalling specific lots of dry pet food because it could be contaminated with salmonella. Tue, 6/18
 
NEW - 05:00 AM
Dear Carolyn
Wife’s long hours make him feel like a pathetic hanger-on
 Tue, 6/18
 

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Travel & Outdoors

Travel Troubleshooter
Can you trust the cruise lines’ new passenger ‘bill of rights’?
Critics say new industry-written code is just a PR move that would have reduced passenger compensation after Carnival Triumph disaster. Tue, 6/18
 
Rick Steves' Europe
Torture tourism is reminder of cruelty through ages
It’s an abused genre that can cater to low tastes, but a handful of places across Europe truthfully document harsh tools of medieval justice. Tue, 6/18
 
Foodie secrets of Florida’s ‘Redneck Riviera’ are worth the quest
Flying to Disney World? Got relatives in Mobile? Take a couple days for a side trip to find seafood you’ll dream about. Tue, 6/18
 
Thrifty says offer of free rental car was mistake
Offer was meant for premium customers only, but went to many. Tue, 6/18
 
United adds spending requirement for elite status
Coming soon, mileage program Premier members must spend at least $2,500 in addition to flying 25,000 miles per year. Tue, 6/18
 

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Opinion

Editorial: Quit paying salary of SPD union president
The city of Seattle’s contract with the Seattle Police Officers’ Guild should be reopened, as soon as it is signed, to end paying the president’s salary. Tue, 6/18
 
Guest: Boeing’s exodus from Washington state
If action isn’t taken we will see jobs like these continue flying off into the horizon, writes guest columnist Mike Hewitt. Tue, 6/18
 
Bruce Ramsey / Times editorial columnist
Marijuana legalization: What a long, strange trip it has been
The marijuana industry did not turn out as social activists imagined it, writes Seattle Times columnist Bruce Ramsey. Tue, 6/18
 
Editorial: Reading is fundamental
Hard-won gains narrowing the academic-achievement gap need not be lost to summer. Reading programs continue the effort Tue, 6/18