In brief: Children tested for respiratory virus

SEATTLE – Public health officials in King County are investigating whether patients being treated at Seattle Children’s Hospital have a severe respiratory illness that has sickened hundreds of children nationwide.

Health officials said Thursday that additional testing by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will confirm whether it is enterovirus 68.

The 15 cases involve children from 6 months to 14 years, said Marqise Allen, a spokesman with the state Department of Health.

The children were transported to the Seattle hospital with several respiratory illnesses, he said. They came from different parts of the state, including Grant County, Wenatchee, Yakima, Snohomish County and King County; one is from Montana.

Move of trial denied

MISSOULA –The trial of a man charged with shooting and killing a German exchange student in his garage will remain in Missoula.

District Judge Ed McLean on Thursday rejected a second motion by defense attorneys to move the deliberate homicide trial of Markus Kaarma.

Kaarma’s attorneys argue news coverage of the shooting has been inaccurate and failed to mention that 17-year-old Diren Dede was committing a crime by being in Kaarma’s garage.