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Decision on extending stay home order, activating National Guard expected ‘in day or so’
A decision on whether to extend Washington’s stay-home order and closure of nonessential businesses is likely soon, and with it could come activation of some National Guard units.
COVID-19 increasing in Washington, including ‘very concerning’ outbreaks in 108 long-term care facilities
COVID-19 is spreading at an increasing rate in Washington and has reached 108 long-term care facilities that house those who appear most vulnerable to the disease, State Health Officer Kathy Lofy told reporters Tuesday.
Spokane Amazon ‘hustler’ among online sellers accused of price-gouging COVID-19 supplies
The state is accusing five online sales operations, including one in Spokane, of price gouging on scarce supplies during the COVID-19 emergency.
Study: Social distancing seems to be helping in King County
Public health officials and researchers say that social distancing appears to be helping slow the spread of COVID-19 in the Seattle area, where many of the first U.S. deaths occurred.
A choir decided to go ahead with rehearsal. Now dozens of members have COVID-19, and two are dead.
With the coronavirus quickly spreading in Washington in early March, leaders of the Skagit Valley Chorale debated whether to go ahead with weekly rehearsal. Nearly three weeks later, 45 have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or are ill with the symptoms, at least three have been hospitalized, and two are dead.
Vaping industry escapes legislative ban, but coronavirus poses new threat to users
After Washington’s emergency ban on flavored vape products expired in February, the Legislature failed to pass a more permanent ban, and vaping stores have again begun selling their products.
Gov. Inslee: Washington needs more coronavirus test supplies
Gov. Jay Inslee said Sunday that Washington state still has a shortage of coronavirus testing kits and again suggested the shutdown of most businesses and extreme social distancing would likely have to be extended to fight the disease.
40 years ago at Mount St. Helens: Harmonic tremor warns of potential huge blast
On March 29, 1980, The Spokesman-Review’s front page photo showed Mount St. Helens’ pristine white cone – and a plume of steam and ash coming out the top.
April special elections move ahead amid COVID-19 concerns
Bond and levy elections in several jurisdictions in nine counties will move ahead at the end of April after Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee declined a request by Secretary of State Kim Wyman and county elections officials to cancel or postpone the elections amid concerns about COVID-19.
Bellingham doctor loses job after criticizing hospital’s virus response
An emergency room doctor who publicly criticized the coronavirus preparations at his hospital in Washington state has lost his position.
Presidential primary ballots painted Washington deep blue
Analysis of the presidential primary ballots shows Democrats ahead in totals, among men and women, and among young and senior voters.
Fewer drivers means fewer accidents, almost no collisions since social distancing started
Traffic accidents have decreased sharply in March and collisions resulting in serious injury have almost disappeared as more people stay home to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Washington, Idaho senators praise compromise, tout fixes in $2 trillion coronavirus relief bill
The bill, which is slated for a vote in the House of Representatives on Friday, helps small businesses by backing lenders with federal money and gives schools the ability to help students whose routines have been upended by the coronavirus response.
Man deliberately struck, killed state trooper on I-5, swerved toward second trooper, investigators say
The 39-year-old Olympia man accused of deliberately striking State Patrol Trooper Justin Schaffer during a high-speed police chase on Interstate 5 in Chehalis on Tuesday afternoon was awaiting a competency review in a separate case in which he is accused of assaulting two jail officers, according to court records.
Job search requirement becomes optional for unemployment insurance benefits
The Washington State Employment Security Department has waived its job search requirement for people to receive unemployment insurance benefits.
5 workers, 2 patients at psychiatric hospital have COVID-19
Five workers and two patients at Washington state’s largest psychiatric hospital have tested positive for the new coronavirus, officials said Wednesday.
Jury finds Rochester man guilty of manslaughter for killing panhandler
A jury found Bryan M. Owens, 60, guilty of first-degree manslaughter while armed with a firearm Monday for fatally shooting a man who was panhandling outside McDonald’s near Grand Mound in September.
Clark County Jail inmate dies in ‘apparent suicide’
A 64-year-old Clark County Jail inmate died by suicide Sunday morning after jumping from the second-floor tier of his housing unit, the sheriff’s office reported. Bobby B. Crist jumped to the concrete floor below in “an apparent suicide attempt” around 5 a.m., according to a Clark County Sheriff’s Office news release.
Virus: Inmates ask state Supreme Court to order releases
A group of Washington prison inmates asked the state Supreme Court on Tuesday to order the release of prisoners at high risk from the coronavirus.
Flood of 911 callers wanted to know if Washington state ‘stay home’ order affects them
Immediately after Gov. Jay Inslee announced his “stay at home” order Monday night, Mason County 911 dispatchers started to field a very different kind of call.