In brief: Toddler killed in accidental shooting

WALLA WALLA – A Walla Walla County sheriff’s officer says a 1-year-old boy has died in an apparently accidental shooting.

Sheriff’s Capt. Bill White said little Dmitry Khomenko was inside a shed used to store beehives on Monday when his 5-year-old brother picked up a .22-caliber rifle.

The officer said the weapon discharged, hitting the little boy and his mother, Yelena Khomenko. She suffered superficial wounds.

The injured boy was rushed to St. Mary Medical Center but was pronounced dead a short time later.

White said the family used the rifle to scare off foxes that had been killing chickens.

The case is under investigation.

Bear struck, killed on Highway 3

Sunnyslope, Wash. – A black bear died in a collision with a car at 3:44 p.m. Tuesday on state Highway 3 between Sunnyslope and Gorst.

A 39-year-old Port Orchard woman was driving a 2010 Infiniti north near milepost 33 when she hit the bear, said Trooper Krista Hedstrom of the Washington State Patrol.

The bear hit a school bus after being hit by the car, South Kitsap School District officials reported to WSP troopers.

No one was reported injured in the incident.

The bear, a 225-pound male, was found dead near the scene of the collision, said Sgt. Ted Jackson of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Jackson estimated the bear was 3 years old. It was likely making its way down the Gorst Creek watershed looking for food, he said.

The bear’s body was taken to an undisclosed location in the woods “to let nature take its course,” Jackson said.

Playboy singles out OSU insect class

PORTLAND – An Oregon State University course about insects has been named the best college class in the country – by Playboy magazine.

The Oregonian reports that Playboy was impressed by the way the course combines humor with learning. It’s called “Far Side Entomology,” and professor Michael Burgett infests his lectures with Gary Larsen’s “Far Side” cartoons featuring insects.

It was the second time a national publication has profiled the class in as many years. Last time, it was the Chronicle of Higher Education.

Burgett says he’s still awaiting a note of congratulation from OSU’s front office.