In brief: Pesticide drifts sicken scores

OLYMPIA – A sudden rise in pesticide drift incidents in Eastern Washington orchards has sickened 60 people since March – a typical number for a full year, the Washington state Department of Health said Monday.

“We’re concerned with this spike in potential drift exposures and are calling our partner agencies to work with pesticide applicators on following state and federal rules to prevent drift,” said Kathy Lofy, state health officer. “Protecting people from unnecessary exposure to these chemicals is a responsibility that needs to be taken seriously.”

Pesticide drifts onto workers either in the wind or when the applicator doesn’t know people are in the area. They might suffer from eye, skin and breathing irritation and headache and nausea.

The incidents have occurred in Adams, Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Franklin, Grant and Yakima counties.

The Washington Department of Agriculture is reminding pesticide applicators to follow directions and monitor conditions to prevent drift. The department licenses 24,000 pesticide dealers and applicators in Washington.

Teen admits plot to attack school

CORVALLIS, Ore. – An Oregon teenager accused of building bombs and plotting an attack on his high school in Albany admitted to the allegations in juvenile court on Monday and was sent to a juvenile detention center, which can hold him until his 25th birthday.

In a deal with prosecutors, adult charges, which included attempted aggravated murder, were dropped. Grant Acord, 17, admitted to six counts of manufacture of a destructive device and two counts of unlawful use of a weapon.

Citing the results of a psychological evaluation, which were not disclosed, prosecutors, the judge and the defense attorney agreed the matter appropriately belonged in juvenile court.

Police arrested Acord last year after receiving a tip from a West Albany High School classmate. He wrote detailed plans to “shoot and throw bombs throughout the school” and then kill himself, authorities said.