In brief: Green River killer being moved back to Washington

OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Corrections said Gary Ridgway, known as the Green River killer, is being returned to a Washington state prison after he was transferred out of state earlier this year.

The agency said Friday that Ridgway, who has pleaded guilty to killing 49 women, will be returned to the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla.

After consulting with the governor, Corrections Secretary Bernie Warner told the Federal Bureau of Prisons the state would fly Ridgway back from a federal prison in Florence, Colorado.

State prison officials said they decided to move him back after hearing concerns from law enforcement who wanted easy access to the serial killer in case of other open murder investigations. They also acknowledged that a relative of one of Ridgway’s victims criticized the move because families had not been notified.

Dog stands guard for trapped friend

VASHON ISLAND, Wash. – A Washington state animal shelter says a dog dutifully stood guard for a nearly a week on Vashon Island to protect another dog that had fallen into a cistern.

Tillie, a setter mix, only left Phoebe’s side to try to alert people of her trapped friend.

Amy Carey of Vashon Island Pet Protectors said the two were found Tuesday after they were reported missing by their owners last week. Vashon Island Pet Protectors said volunteers looking for the pair received a call about a reddish dog being seen on someone’s property a few times before promptly heading back into the ravine.

Carey said the Pet Protectors followed the tip and found Tillie lying beside an old cistern. Inside, rescuers found basset hound Phoebe on a pile of stones above the water. The dogs were cold and hungry but otherwise unharmed.

“It’s really quite remarkable,” Carey said.

Three teens facing marijuana felonies

LEWISTON – A prosecutor in southeastern Washington has charged three teens with felonies for marijuana possession, saying a new law demands the higher level of offense.

The Lewiston Tribune reported the teens, ages 14, 15 and 17, have been charged in nearby Asotin County with felonies that could net them up to five years in prison. The offense was previously a misdemeanor.

Asotin County Prosecutor Ben Nichols said Senate Bill 5052, which the Legislature passed and Gov. Jay Inslee signed into law this year, contains the new language.

“If you are a minor, a person under 21, it’s a felony no matter what,” Nichols said.

Twenty arrests made in drug investigation

SEATTLE – Seattle police have arrested 20 of 24 people they say are drug dealers identified over a three-month undercover investigation.

Police said in a news release they started investigating drug transactions in the University District area after residents and business owners expressed concerns.

During the operation, police bought methamphetamine 14 times, cocaine four times, heroin, pills and fake drugs. They also bought marijuana from dealers they say did not appear to have proper licenses or permits.

Man pleads guilty to luring girls for sex

A Yakima man accused of having sex with underage girls after befriending them on a social media site pleaded guilty Friday to four counts of third-degree child rape.

Austin Bates, 20, was arrested in May when a 15-year-old told police she met Bates on Facebook and that he had sex with her. Two other girls were identified by police and one came forward. Each was 14 or 15 years old.

Police said Bates had “friended” hundreds of young-looking girls on Facebook.

Prosecutors say Bates, using the name Justin Tomerlin, contacted the girls through Facebook.

2 teens plead guilty to 2014 kidnapping

YAKIMA – Two of the four teens charged in the abduction of a 15-year-old girl last year from the West Valley area were sentenced Friday to six months time served in jail.

Jason Anguiano and Ivan Sosa, both 18, pleaded guilty to second-degree kidnapping in Yakima County Superior Court.

They also will spend a year on probation and must register as kidnapping offenders under state law.

The four defendants – all tried as adults – were originally charged with first-degree kidnapping and conspiracy to commit kidnapping.

Daniel Barajas-Guillen, 18, and Edwardo Diaz, 19, are scheduled to enter pleas and be sentenced on Friday. Barajas-Guillen also was charged with first-degree robbery.

Sen. Habib to run for lieutenant governor

OLYMPIA – Washington state Sen. Cyrus Habib has announced he is running for lieutenant governor.

The Democrat from Kirkland is seeking the seat currently held by Democrat Brad Owen, who has been in office since he was first elected in 1996.

Habib said in a statement Friday he wants to lead the Senate “in a more collaborative direction.” He was elected to the Senate in 2014 after serving in the House of Representatives.