pateros
Town works to replace sign destroyed in fire
Two years after a massive wildfire tore through the north-central Washington town of Pateros, residents are raising money to rebuild their historic city sign.
The community wants to replace the 30-foot “Pateros” sign that stood for decades along Highway 97 but was scorched by wildfire.
The Carlton Complex blaze started July 14, 2014 as four fires that grew into one larger fire days later. The wildfire, the largest in state history, destroyed hundreds of homes in Okanogan County and scorched more than 390 square miles.
Joni Parks of the Pasco Chamber of Commerce told the KREM-TV that the burned sign brings back a lot of emotions.
longview
Man gets 90 days for intimidating judge
A historic hotel owner has been sentenced to 90 days in jail for intimidating the Cowlitz County judge who was presided over his DUI case.
The Daily News of Longview reported that a jury convicted Phil Lovingfoss, 51, earlier this month for threatening District Court Judge Ed Putka a year ago. The judge heard his March 2015 DUI and hit-and-run case.
Prosecutors had argued for a 13-month sentence at Tuesday’s sentencing hearing. They say Lovingfoss was drunk but coherent when he told police dispatchers that he would take his 35-carat diamond ring and backhand Putka, among other threats.
Defense attorney Jim Morgan argued for a shorter sentence, saying Lovingfoss planned to continue alcohol treatment and mental health counseling.
Lovingfoss owns the Monticello Hotel in Longview.
veneta, ore.
Sheriff: Toddler boy may have ingested LSD
A toddler has recovered after possibly ingesting LSD at a campground near the Oregon Country Fair.
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office said the parents found the boy on the Fourth of July with a piece of tinfoil that had dots on it, resembling LSD. Within minutes, the child started acting strangely.
The boy, who is 19 months old, was taken to a local hospital and then transferred to a Portland children’s hospital. He has since been released.
The Register-Guard reported the substance is being tested to determine if it is the psychedelic drug.
The sheriff’s office said the parents are not facing charges because there’s no indication they possessed whatever substance the child ingested.
bremerton
Female sailors prepare to set sail on submarine
The first group of enlisted women to serve on board a Navy submarine is preparing to sail on the USS Michigan.
The Kitsap Sun reported the guided-missile sub, whose homeport is Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, was recently reconfigured to include living quarters for up to three female chief petty officers and 36 female crew members.
Shipyard and ship crews enlarged the forward washroom, added four showers and created a new bunkroom. The Navy estimates the reconfiguration cost about $6 million.
The Michigan arrived at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility in Bremerton for maintenance in August. On Friday it left dry dock and tied up at a nearby pier.
