Region in brief: Gregoire leading trade mission to D.C.
OLYMPIA – Gov. Chris Gregoire is in Washington, D.C., on her second trade mission to the nation’s capital.
Gregoire, joined by a delegation of the state’s business leaders and the state department of commerce director, met with federal policy and decision makers Tuesday to discuss credit issues, international trade, and education and work force training programs.
Gregoire met with the state’s congressional delegation, as well as several members of the Obama administration, including former Washington governor and current Commerce Secretary Gary Locke.
Gregoire led a similar trade mission to Washington, D.C., in June with a delegation representing the state’s agriculture industry.
2010 Olympics will affect airports
OLYMPIA – Federal and state aviation officials are advising pilots that airspace restrictions for the Winter Olympics in British Columbia will extend into northwestern Washington.
The FAA and other agencies are holding three comprehensive briefings over the next month in Seattle and Bellingham to advise pilots on flight plan requirements, how to operate in fringe airports and what to do if a Canadian or U.S. fighter shows up on their wing.
The state Aviation Division says 10 reduced scale briefings will be held this month at Port Angeles, Bremerton, Port Townsend, Snohomish, Friday Harbor, Orcas Island, Olympia, Puyallup, Chehalis and Everett.
Reward offered in officer’s killing
SEATTLE – Police say they have no new information on a suspect or motive in the shooting death of a Seattle police officer as he sat in a parked patrol car on Halloween night.
The reward for information to help catch the killer of Officer Timothy Brenton is now up to $60,000.
Brenton was a training officer reviewing a traffic stop with rookie Officer Britt Sweeney when a car pulled alongside. Brenton was shot in the head and died at the scene. Sweeney was grazed in the neck but was able to return fire as a small, light-colored car sped away.
Brenton’s memorial service is set for 1 p.m. Friday at Seattle’s Key Arena. A fund has been set up for his family. Donations may be made at any Bank of America to the “Brenton Family Assistance Fund.”
No injuries or spills in industrial fire
MOSES LAKE – A fire inside the REC Silicon plant near Moses Lake is out.
Grant County Emergency Management said there was no release of chemicals and no injuries.
The fire was handled by the company’s own firefighters.
REC Silicon produces silicon and wafers for solar applications.