Interim boss assigned for DSHS
Gov. Chris Gregoire has named an interim leader of the Department of Social and Health Services.
It’s Stan Marshburn, who is the agency’s chief financial officer.
He’ll start as interim secretary Monday, when current DSHS Secretary Robin Arnold-
Williams starts her new job leading Gregoire’s policy office.
Richland
GAO dismisses contract protest
The Government Accountability Office has dismissed a protest against a $3 billion cleanup contract award at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation.
The dismissal doesn’t yet allow Lockheed Martin Integrated Technology to take over support services at the site. The GAO says the Energy Department must first address some concerns and make a new decision on the contract. The services are now provided by outgoing contractor Fluor Hanford.
The Energy Department awarded the contract to an alliance led by Lockheed Martin in early September. But Computer Sciences Corp. filed a protest of the contract award later that month.
Spokane
Help accepted for baby’s funeral
An account at Numerica Credit Union has been created for donations to cover funeral costs of the baby who police say was killed by his mother’s boyfriend.
Donations for Izayah Arlen Wayne Denison can be made to account No. 652285, said his mother, Jenauh Denison.
Izayah had been on life support at Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital after medics found him unresponsive at his apartment in the 1400 block of East Seventh Avenue late Friday.
Andrew W. Whitmire, 22, is charged in the death and remains at Spokane County Jail on $1 million bail. Doctors declared Izayah brain-dead, and his heart, kidneys and liver were removed for donation Tuesday.
Deer Park
Agency loses cash during burglary
The Greenhouse Community Center in Deer Park reported losing more than $200 cash during a burglary discovered Wednesday morning.
Susan Peterson, chief executive officer, said the break-in came after the social service agency helped nearly 400 families with food and toys over the Christmas holiday.
The entry occurred at a rear door, and the money was taken from the office. She said the Greenhouse could use some help improving security. Contact Peterson at (509) 276-8224.
Buckley, Wash.
Hiker dies in slide near Crystal
A hiker has been killed, reportedly hit by an ice slide near Crystal Mountain.
A Washington State Patrol spokeswoman, Christina Martin, says the woman’s male companion, who had a severe head injury, was able to hike out to State Route 410 to get help Wednesday afternoon.
The man reportedly said he and the woman had been hiking, two miles above Camp Sheppard, when they were hit by the slide.
Martin says the accident occurred near milepost 57 on State Route 410, about 15 miles from the Crystal Mountain ski area east of Enumclaw.
The injured man was taken to St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma.
Portland
Angler finds body; foul play suspected
A Columbia River fisherman discovered a man’s body in the water, and authorities are treating the death as a homicide.
Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office detectives and the coroner examined the body found Wednesday about four miles west of Longview, Wash.
The Sheriff’s Office said the circumstances indicate foul play, but it has yet to identify the man or the cause of death.
Drivers receive weather warning
The Oregon state Department of Transportation is warning motorists to be prepared for treacherous conditions.
The National Weather Service expects heavy rain in the Coast Range beginning this evening, along with high winds throughout northwest Oregon and possible blizzard conditions in the Cascades.
ODOT Region Manager Jason Tell says drivers near the coast need to watch for downed trees and landslides.
Meanwhile, those headed across Mount Hood to Central Oregon should be ready for heavy snow.
Billings
Charges weighed against breeder
Authorities say a raid that resulted in the seizure of 189 English shepherds from a crowded kennel in Ballantine also turned up 11 dead dogs – including one found beside the breeder’s bed.
Deputy Yellowstone County Attorney Mark Murphy says a decision on whether to file charges against breeder Linda Kapsa will be made sometime next week.
Meanwhile, authorities were seeking tips into the fate of 50 pugs recently seen at Kapsa’s house but now missing.
Kapsa’s Shady Lane Kennels sold dogs over the Internet and had been raided at least twice before, including in early December when 10 dogs were seized and 13 other dead dogs were found.
Spokane Valley
Conference to focus on river
A conference on Spokane River issues will be held Jan. 22-23 at CenterPlace Regional Event Center, 2426 N. Discovery Place, Spokane Valley.
The cost is $75.
For more information, or to register, contact the Spokane River Forum at (509) 535-7084 or go to www.spokaneriver.net.