In brief: Moscow suspect could face death
MOSCOW, Idaho – Attorneys have more time to decide whether to pursue the death penalty for a man suspected of fatally shooting three people and wounding another.
The Moscow-Pullman Daily News reports Judge John Stegner gave both sides until Dec. 1 to review the case and come to a decision.
Earlier this month, 29-year-old John Lee, of Moscow, pleaded not guilty to charges in the deaths of his adoptive mother, 61-year-old Terri Grzebielski; his landlord, 76-year-old David Trail; and an Arby’s manager, 47-year-old Belinda Niebuhr.
Police also say Lee injured Michael Chin, of Seattle.
The request from Latah County prosecutors says the state and defense are reviewing a large volume of material and investigating further.
Lee is due in court Feb. 16.
Jury selection in his trial is set for May 2.
WSU breaks ground on Everett campus
EVERETT – Washington State University is now one step closer to its Everett campus after university and Snohomish County officials held a ceremonial ground breaking for a new branch.
The Everett Daily Herald reported interim WSU President Dan Bernardo led a ceremonial ground breaking for the Everett University Center on Tuesday.
The four-story, 95,000-square-foot building is expected to have at least a dozen classrooms, 10 laboratories, offices, a cafe and an area for public gatherings.
The $54.6 million project is expected to be complete by the start of the 2017 school year.
The building will house WSU North Puget Sound at Everett and the Everett University Center.
Both programs currently operate on Everett Community College’s campus.
Whales traveling up Columbia River
ASTORIA, Ore. – Humpback whales are visiting the Columbia River this week.
Scientists say they’ve been spotted near Astoria just downstream from the bridge to Washington.
Biologist Deborah Jacques, who studies pelicans, told Oregon Public Broadcasting she’s never seen humpbacks so far from the ocean.
The whales are drawn upstream by food and they have been joined by large numbers of hungry pelicans and sea lions.
Professor Bruce Mate of Oregon State University said El Nino ocean conditions are driving many sea animals toward shore looking for food.