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Statewide 95 In Review

Associated Press

Here are the Top Ten news stories of 1995 in Washington state as voted by editors and news executives of The Associated Press member newspapers, radio and television stations:

1. Lowry.

Former press aide to Gov. Mike Lowry says she was subject to repeated sexual harassment by the governor. Independent investigation finds there was no sexual harassment in the legal sense but Lowry apparently was oblivious to behavior the aide found offensive.

2. Mariners.

Seattle Mariners win American League West title in dramatic finish and battle for a World Series spot. Legislature approves arrangement for financing of a new baseball stadium.

3. Sex ring investigation.

Wenatchee child sex ring investigation, which culminates in the acquittal of an East Wenatchee church pastor and his wife charged with sex abuse, the most prominent of more than two dozen people accused.

4. Boeing strike.

Machinists strike Boeing and stay off the job for 69 days before voting by 87 percent to approve a new contract both sides called a winner and return to work.

5. Pang warehouse fire.

Four firefighters die in Pang warehouse fire in Seattle. Son of owners is charged with murder and arson, flees to Brazil, where he is arrested. Brazil agrees to extradition on arson charges only.

6. 1995 Legislature.

Republicans go to work on their “Contract With Washington State” after winning control of the House and being short only one vote in the Senate.

7. November Floods.

Sixteen counties declared disaster areas, more than 1,600 homes damaged as hundreds evacuated.

8. Windows 95.

Microsoft’s much ballyhooed personal computer operating system makes its debut.

9. 1995 General Election.

Voters reject Indian gambling, property rights measure, defeat sitting state Supreme Court justice, approve appointment of Fish and Wildlife director by citizen commission.

10. Scott O’Grady.

Air Force pilot Scott O’Grady, a Spokane native, returns to hero’s welcome after his jet is shot down over Bosnia and he survives for six days before being rescued by Marine helicopters.