In brief: Phone directories to add opt-out info
OLYMPIA – An agreement between a group of lawmakers and publishers of yellow pages directories will make it easier to let people know they can opt out of receiving the phone books.
Democratic Reps. Reuven Carlyle of Seattle, Marko Liias of Edmonds and Joe Fitzgibbon of Burien announced the agreement Monday. They said the state’s largest directory publishers will direct consumers to an already-existing website where they can opt out of receiving the yellow pages. The free service is offered through www.YellowPagesOptOut.com. Berry, Dex, SuperMedia and YellowBook will put the website on the top right corner of their published directories, notifying users of their ability to opt out, Carlyle said.
The lawmakers hope to next address an opt-out option for white pages directories as well.
New wolf-hunting bill sparks debate
BOISE – Two sides are squaring off over a bill that lets Idaho ranchers hunt problem wolves from the sky using powered parachutes and helicopters.
The Senate Agricultural Affairs Committee delayed until Wednesday a vote on the measure, which would also permit live-bait trapping of the predators ranchers say are ravaging their cattle and sheep.
They could then get 60-day permits to pursue offending wolf packs.
Bill sponsor Sen. Jeff Siddoway, a southeastern Idaho rancher, said wolves wreak tens of thousands of dollars in damage to livestock owners like him and the new tools may help stop the bleeding.
But opponents say it’s overkill.
Idaho Conservation League representative Jonathan Oppenheimer worries wolves could be relisted as an endangered species as a result and Idaho could lose authority to manage its wolf population.
Flange may be cause of refinery fire
BLAINE, Wash. – A spokesman said a fire at BP’s Cherry Point refinery might have been caused by a leaky flange connection.
However, BP spokesman Scott Dean said Monday the information filed with the Coast Guard’s National Response Center is preliminary and the cause remains under investigation.
It remains unclear how long the refinery would be out of service as a result of the fire on Friday. The company is trying to supply customers from existing stocks or other sources.
The refinery can process 230,000 barrels of crude oil a day. It produces 20 percent of Washington’s gasoline and the majority of aviation fuel for the Vancouver, British Columbia, Sea-Tac and Portland airports.
The dramatic blaze created towering flames and a thick plume of black smoke that was visible for miles.
Holding tank fumes victim identified
PORTLAND – A man who died in a chemical holding tank on a barge at Portland has been identified as 57-year-old John Michael Summers of Pe Ell, Wash.
Portland Fire and Rescue said he apparently opened a hatch Sunday, passed out from the fumes and fell into a corrosive chemical, lignin amine, used in agriculture. The chemical in the tank was 12 feet deep.
The chemical was pumped into another tank, and firefighters in hazmat suits recovered the body.
No one else was injured. No hazardous liquid spilled.