In brief: Police car damaged after collision in Northern Quest lot
An Airway Heights police car was damaged Tuesday night after an inattentive driver hit the car in the parking lot of the Northern Quest Casino.
Airway Heights Sgt. Robert Swan said the collision happened around 8:40 p.m. No one was injured, but the front passenger side of the patrol car was damaged.
Swan said the driver was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The Washington State Patrol investigated the collision.
Swan said the driver was cited for driving with a suspended license and not having proof of insurance.
E. coli outbreak numbers updated from Milk Makers Fest
LYNDEN, Wash. – The Whatcom County Health Department has updated the numbers of E. coli cases after the recent outbreak at the Milk Makers Fest.
Officials on Wednesday said 23 cases have been confirmed and 22 more are awaiting lab results. That’s an additional three cases from earlier reports.
Eight people have been hospitalized from the outbreak.
About 1,325 first-graders, plus teachers and parents, from all Whatcom County school districts went to the late-April festival. It was held at the Northwest Washington Fair & Event Center.
Most of those reported ill were first-graders, although some adults and older children also became sick. The main sources for E. coli are contaminated food, water and surfaces, along with contact with livestock.
The health department is still looking for the source of the outbreak.
Man wounded in Tacoma drive-by shooting dies
TACOMA – A 19-year-old man wounded in a drive-by shooting in Tacoma has died.
The News Tribune reports the Pierce County medical examiner’s office identified him as Brandon Morris of Tacoma. Shot last Friday, he died Wednesday.
Police have arrested a 23-year-old man for investigation in the shooting.
Three days of razor clam dig canceled due to toxin levels
OLYMPIA – Washington state shellfish managers say they’ve canceled three days of a planned four-day razor clam dig on ocean beaches because of health concerns about rising toxin levels.
The state Fish and Wildlife Department said Wednesday that razor clam fans will be able to dig them as planned today on Long Beach and Twin Harbors beaches.
The department said domoic acid levels in the clams have been rising since late Monday and could exceed state health guidelines by this weekend. So coastal shellfish manager Dan Ayres said the clam dig that had been scheduled Friday through Sunday is canceled.
The acid is a natural toxin produced by certain types of marine algae. It can be harmful or even fatal if consumed in sufficient quantities.
Acid levels are assessed through routine testing.
Unsafe biotoxin levels close recreational shellfish harvests
BELLINGHAM – State health officials have closed all recreational shellfish harvesting on beaches in northern Whatcom County after tests found unsafe levels of a biotoxin.
The State Department of Health announced the closure on Wednesday for beaches from Sandy Point north to the Canadian border, including Point Roberts.
Testing detected unsafe levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning, or PSP, biotoxin in molluscan shellfish. These include clams, mussels, oysters and scallops.
This was the second biotoxin-related closure in less than a month. Officials say the algae that contains the toxins can’t be seen and must be detected by laboratory testing. The department of health provides test results on its website.
Officials say shellfish sold in restaurants and markets have been tested before distribution and are safe to eat.
Utah man cited for packing pistol in carry-on bag
BOISE – A 59-year-old Utah man was cited for trying to bring a semiautomatic pistol in his carry-on bag at the Boise Airport.
The Idaho Statesman reported that the .40-caliber Beretta was loaded with 11 rounds, including one in the chamber when Transportation Security Administration officials found it Sunday.
The man was flying to the Colorado Springs Municipal Airport via Salt Lake City International. He was cited then released. The gun was seized as evidence.
The Berretta was the third firearm to be found in a carry-on bag at the Boise Airport this year. Nationwide, more than 650 guns have been found in carry-on luggage in 2015.
Guns can be transported in checked baggage if the traveler declares them to the airline at checking.
No charges against teacher
after students’ arms burned
SALEM – A prosecutor isn’t filing criminal charges “at this time” against an Oregon science teacher accused of using a Tesla coil to burn the phrase “I love mom” into students’ arms.
Samuel Dufner was arrested Tuesday at South Salem High School.
Salem police Lt. Steve Birr said students used the coil in an exercise last week. Dufner noted it could also be used to mark the skin and asked for volunteers.
The 37-year-old burned “I love mom” into their arms – with a heart to symbolize the word love. Birr said the marks have since faded.
Marion County Deputy District Attorney Doug Hanson said Wednesday his office has decided not to charge Dufner now but the investigation continues.
The Salem-Keizer School District placed Dufner on leave.
The Tesla coil transmits electricity without wires at high frequency and high voltage levels.