Briefly

Taser used to subdue suspect

An officer used a Taser stun gun twice on Monday against a man who allegedly threatened him, Spokane Police reported.

The incident started about noon when an officer at Fiske Street and Pacific Avenue saw a car that was reported stolen, police spokesman Dick Cottam said in a press release.

The officer stopped Joseph W. Thomas, 25, outside the car, Cottam said. But after police directed him to show his hands, Thomas allegedly drove away in the stolen car.

Thomas crashed into a yard at Haven Street and Pacific and ran from the car, Cottam said. A citizen grabbed Thomas and wrestled with him until police arrived.

One officer thought Thomas was about to charge him so he drew his stun gun. When Thomas moved toward the officer, he stunned Thomas, who fell to the pavement.

Thomas was stunned a second time by the officer because he continued to fight, Cottam said.

Thomas was taken to jail where he remained Tuesday evening on a probation violation.

State takes over insurance company

Tumwater, Wash. The state insurance commissioner has taken control of Cascade National Insurance Co. of Bellevue after a Thurston County Superior Court order placed the company in receivership.

The company had been experiencing financial problems over the past few years,Commissioner Mike Kreidler said Tuesday.

The court action was taken to protect policyholders and will make certain Cascade National meets its responsibilities and obligations under state law, officials said.

“Assuming control and operation of a company isn’t an action that I take lightly,” Kreidler said.

Deputy Receiver Marshall McGinnis will handle daily operation of the company and Kreidler said policyholders’ coverage would remain effective as long as premiums were paid up.

Cascade National sells property and casualty products in Washington, Oregon, Alaska, California, Mississippi and Louisiana and workers’ compensation coverage in California.

Reservists called up for active duty

McChord Air Force Base, Wash. About 120 Air Force reservists from the 446th Airlift Wing have been mobilized to active duty after serving as volunteer support since Sept. 11, 2001.

The reservists are from the 313th Airlift Squadron and are mostly pilots and loadmasters. They will be activated for at least one year.

“This mobilization is no surprise,” said Lt. Col. Mike Keenan, the squadron’s commander. “We’ve got some highly skilled people who’ve flown monthly missions into Iraq in the last two years.”

The crews operate C-17 Globemaster cargo planes and have been supporting airlift missions for Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

Winery information center planned

Cashmere, Wash. The Columbia Cascade Winery Association says it plans on opening a winery information center for northcentral Washington next year.

The association plans to rent a corner of the new 70,000-square-foot Apple Annie Antique Gallery, due to open in July, said George Valison, the association’s executive director and Cashmere mayor.

The center will include a tasting room and wine sales.

The center will promote the association’s 20 wineries and seven more that are expected to open within the next two years, Valison said. The wineries stretch nearly 200 miles, from Oroville near the Canadian border to George. The wineries that belong to the association will share in the center’s costs.

Washington State University, Central Washington University and Wenatchee Valley College may offer educational seminars as well, Valison said.

“Our goal is to bring more people to the whole region, our entire wine association region,” he said.

Dam relicensing agreement reached

Woodland, Wash. Two utilities and two Indian tribes have reached agreement on the relicensing of three hydroelectric dams and restoration of fish runs on the Lewis River, officials said.

The deal announced Tuesday includes a commitment by PacifiCorp, parent company of Pacific Power of Portland and the Cowlitz County Public Utility District to a $309 million plan to reopen as much as 174 miles of salmon and bull trout habitat over the next 50 years.

About $12 million also will be spent on protection big game and other wildlife habitat.

The Yakama and Cowlitz tribes, federal and state agencies and environmental groups are included in the agreement, which is being included in PacifiCorp’s applications for new 50-year licenses to operate the Merwin, Yale and Swift dams.

“A great variety of interests came together to craft this comprehensive and far-reaching agreement,” Gov. Gary Locke said in a statement issued by PacifiCorp. “This will ensure long-term, sustainable benefits for the natural resources of the Lewis River while preserving a needed source of electricity for the customers of PacifiCorp and Cowlitz PUD.”

PacifiCorp, a subsidiary of ScottishPower of Glasgow, Scotland, is to provide $209 million and the Cowlitz, which owns one of two powerhouses below the Swift dam, is to provide $19 million toward the cost of the agreement.

The agreement is not expected to affect residential or business electricity rates, officials said.