Top Stories: Washington gas prices; murder-suicide in Minnehaha; Larch to close

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Here are the top stories on columbian.com this week:

New explanation emerges for increase in Washington fuel prices

A new explanation has emerged for Washington’s gas prices, which are some of the highest in the nation.

In a recent Seattle Times article, experts attributed rising fuel prices to Washington’s climate initiatives. However, AAA states scheduled maintenance on the Olympic pipeline has led to the increase in Oregon and Washington fuel prices.

• AAA cites routine maintenance on Olympic pipeline

Man shoots wife, then kills himself with children present in Minnehaha home, says Clark County sheriff

Authorities say a man who repeatedly violated domestic violence no-contact orders with his estranged wife fatally shot her and himself late Monday at her Minnehaha home.

Clark County sheriff’s deputies responded at 10:53 p.m. to a disturbance in the area of Northeast 42nd Avenue and 56th Street. Two girls called 911 to report their stepfather had just shot their mother and then himself, according to the sheriff’s office.

• Investigators said there was an active protection order prohibiting James Jordan from coming within 1,000 feet of Erica Jordan’s residence
• Update: Deputies chase two people in vehicle connected to Minnehaha murder-suicide

Dry, warm conditions to worsen with El Niño’s arrival in the Pacific Northwest

The Pacific Northwest’s warm and abnormally dry conditions this spring and summer may worsen as El Niño settles in the region this fall.

That’s the assessment of meteorologists and climatologists including Karin Bumbaco, Washington’s assistant climatologist, who said precipitation and streamflows are below normal in most of the region.

• Climatologists discuss persistent drought conditions

Larch Corrections Center to close this fall, says Washington Department of Corrections

The Washington Department of Corrections announced Monday it plans to close Larch Corrections Center this fall, citing declining incarceration trends.

The minimum-security prison near Yacolt, which opened in 1956, can house up to 240 men. In April, the most recent data available, Larch’s average daily population was 227. The average daily population has hovered around 230 since the beginning of the year, according to the department’s data.

• Corrections says Larch is being “warm closed,” meaning it could reopen in the future if the need arises

Costco is cracking down on rising membership card ‘sharing’

Costco shoppers, you’ve been warned.

If you routinely “borrow” your mother’s or neighbor’s Costco membership card, next time you’re probably going to be stopped at the checkout.

• “We don’t feel it’s right that nonmembers receive the same benefits and pricing as our members”