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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

In brief: No one injured as ferry, small sailboat collide

From Wire Reports

ORCAS, Wash. – Officials say all passengers are safe and accounted for after a Washington state ferry and small sailboat collided in the San Juan Islands.

Washington State Ferries spokeswoman Marta Coursey said the 382-foot ferry Hyak was en route from San Juan Island to Orcas Island when it collided with the 27-foot sailboat Friday afternoon.

There were no injuries reported, but the sailboat did sink in 250 feet of water.

The Coast Guard said the sailboat had a single occupant, who was picked up by another sailboat.

The cause was under investigation. Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class David Mosley said the ferry would remain moored at Orcas as the captain and crew undergo sobriety testing.

The accident forced the cancellation of the 2:20 p.m. sailing from Orcas to Anacortes.

High school student collapses and dies

LYNNWOOD, Wash. – School officials say a 16-year-old high school junior collapsed and died Friday during a physical education class at Meadowdale High School in Lynnwood.

Assistant Lynnwood Fire Chief Gregg Sieloff said fire department medics found the boy, Matthew Truax, unresponsive, with teachers performing CPR, the Daily Herald of Everett reported. He said firefighters took over and continued resuscitation efforts as they rushed the boy to a hospital.

Idaho Aquarium given five days to fix issues

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration is giving workers at the Idaho Aquarium five days to fix what OSHA says are safety and health hazards.

The Idaho Statesman reports OSHA notified the nonprofit aquarium on Thursday that if electrical issues, the use of improper electrical cords and fans in wet locations and slipping and tripping hazards aren’t fixed, the agency will conduct an on-site inspection.

Earlier this week, the Idaho Humane Society announced it was investigating complaints alleging poor animal care at the Boise aquarium.

Former archbishop of Seattle suffers stroke

SEATTLE – A spokesman for the Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle said retired Archbishop Alexander J. Brunett has suffered a stroke but reports from doctors are “encouraging.”

Spokesman Greg Magnoni said the 79-year-old Brunett was playing golf Thursday when he suffered the stroke. He was taken to Overlake Hospital Medical Center, where surgeons removed a blood clot from his brain.

Brunett served as archbishop of Seattle from 1997 to 2010.

Judge upholds release of Mont. murder suspect

MISSOULA – A U.S. District judge has upheld the release of a Montana newlywed accused of killing her husband by pushing him off a cliff at Glacier National Park.

The Missoulian reported that Judge Donald Molloy determined Friday that 22-year-old Jordan Linn Graham does not pose a flight risk.

Molloy said during a brief hearing that restrictions placed on Graham’s release address concerns that she poses a risk to the community or herself.

Authorities say Graham has admitted to shoving Cody Lee Johnson, 25, off a cliff in Glacier on the night of July 7 during an argument.

She was released on her own recognizance Thursday and ordered into home detention at her parent’s house in Kalispell.

Prosecutors wanted her jailed pending a trial for second-degree murder.

of CdA of phone scam

Police in North Idaho are warning residents of a new phone scam.

The Coeur d’Alene Police Department received four complaints on Thursday from retirement centers and assisted-living residences reporting that scammers posing as power company representatives had called seeking credit card information, the Coeur d’Alene Press reported.

Police say the scammers claimed they were from Avista Utilities and told the businesses they were behind on their payments and needed to provide credit card information to become current in their billing.

Avista has confirmed its employees did not make the calls.