In brief: Oregon government buildings receive suspicious packages

SALEM – Authorities in Oregon are investigating suspicious packages sent to government buildings around the state.

The Oregon State Police said Monday that some of the packages contained an unknown substance. Police did not say how many packages were received or which government buildings received them.

Hazardous materials teams and investigators responded to the scenes.

West Side cities seek to save water

SEATTLE – The cities of Seattle, Tacoma and Everett are asking people to avoid wasting water in response to the hot, dry weather and low river levels.

KING-TV reported that Seattle and Everett say their water outlook is “fair” and the municipalities should have enough water into fall when rainfall typically replenishes the supply.

Tacoma says its use of the Green River for summer water demands is being augmented with groundwater wells.

The three cities are urging customers to take steps to avoid wasting water, including watering lawns before 8 a.m. or after 7 p.m. to reduce evaporation and to use full loads in washing machines.

Body in suitcase found at apartments

SEATAC, Wash. – A body has been found inside a suitcase at a SeaTac apartment complex.

Because the body is in bad condition, the medical examiner will need to determine the gender, identification and cause of death, King County sheriff’s spokesman Sgt. Stan Seo said.

Detectives were called to the Abbey Ridge Apartments at 8:30 a.m. Monday after a maintenance worker discovered the body just before the garbage trucks arrived to empty the dumpsters, Seo said.

This is the second time since May that the Sheriff’s Office has investigated a body found in a suitcase. The other one was found in Kent, about 3 to 5 miles southeast of SeaTac.

Detectives said a man discovered a suitcase in a park near the Green River Bridge on May 27 and when he opened the suitcase, he found a body tucked inside and called police.

That woman was believed to be between 50 and 60 years old with a small build. She did not have any obvious injuries, and Seo said the King County medical examiner’s office was unable to determine the cause of death.

Blue Angels shows will close bridge

SEATTLE – The return of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels to the Seafair Air Show means the Interstate 90 floating bridge will be closed at times later this week.

KING-TV reported that state transportation officials will close the bridge between Mercer Island and Interstate 5 for practices and shows.

The bridge will be closed Thursday from 9:45 a.m. to noon and again from 1:15 p.m. to 2:40 p.m.

It will close on Friday through Sunday at 11:50 a.m. to 2:40 p.m.