Region in brief: Judge considers fish on barges

GRANTS PASS, Ore. – The Obama administration is asking a federal judge to let it stop spilling water over four Snake River dams this May and rely instead on barges to carry young salmon and steelhead downstream on their spring migration.

The NOAA Fisheries Service proposal filed in U.S. District Court in Portland argues that the science shows this is the best course for fish in low-water years like this one. Salmon advocates counter that spilling water over the dams – rather than running it through power-generating turbines – has the proven track record.

State extends use of studded tires

OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Transportation is giving drivers another week to use studded tires because of the winter weather that’s arrived this spring. The department had set the deadline for removing the tires at midnight this Saturday. But the National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for today and Friday for heavy snow in the Cascades. The service recommends mountain travel only in an emergency.

Studded tires are now allowable until midnight April 17. After that, motorists who don’t comply risk a $124 ticket.

Inquest jury finds imminent threat

SEATTLE – An inquest jury on Wednesday found that a Seattle police officer believed he was in imminent danger when he killed a man who had shot four Lakewood officers to death.

The six jury members were unanimous in determining Officer Benjamin Kelly believed Maurice Clemmons posed an imminent threat of death or serious injury to Kelly or others in the Dec. 1 confrontation, two days after Clemmons gunned down the officers at a coffee shop south of Tacoma.

The King County District Court jury also found that Kelly saw Clemmons move his hands toward his waist before Kelly opened fire.