In Brief: Hiker killed in fall
Hiker killed from fall at Painted Rocks area
One woman was killed Thursday in an accidental fall in the Painted Rocks area north of Spokane, officials say.
Emergency personnel were called to a technical rescue in the Little Spokane River Natural Area on Thursday evening. The area of Keenan Lane and Rutter Parkway was closed off as they worked.
Sheriff’s Deputy Craig Chamberlin confirmed that one hiker had died from injuries after a fall, KHQ reported. Her name and age were withheld pending notification of her family and recovery of the body.
Toppenish principal wins national award
SEATTLE – The principal of rural Toppenish High School has been named national high school principal of the year and will be honored in Washington, D.C., in a few weeks.
MetLife and the National Association of Secondary School Principals told Trevor Greene he had won the award at a school assembly on Thursday.
Greene is being honored for improving both math and science achievement at his school by focusing the curriculum on science and technology. Since becoming principal in 2009, he has started a number of new programs, including engineering, biomedical science and computer software classes.
Parents charged with mistreatment of toddler
MOSES LAKE – The parents of a 2-year-old Moses Lake toddler who was found severely malnourished have been charged with mistreatment.
The Grant County Prosecutor’s Office has charged Robert and Michelle Staats with first- and second-degree criminal mistreatment.
Emergency responders found the boy not breathing and extremely malnourished. The child was transported to Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake and later airlifted to Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, where he was placed on life support.
When he was admitted to the hospital he weighed less than 10 pounds, while the average weight for a 2-year-old is between 34 and 48 pounds.
The boy has since been moved to a private care facility in Western Washington.
Sculpture looks like whale vertebra
PORT ANGELES, Wash. – A 7-ton concrete sculpture installed Wednesday in Port Angeles resembles the shape of a gray whale vertebra. But artist Alex Anderson made changes so kids could climb on it or people could sit on it as a bench.
Anderson worked three years on the piece, which was funded by a $65,000 anonymous donation.
The Peninsula Daily News reported it’s the 27th permanent installation in the city’s Art on the Town outdoor sculpture gallery.