Seattle-Tacoma News (BETA)

Nature photographer Keith Lazelle has long had an affinity for the Hoh River. His first date with his wife, Jane Hall, was a hike along the famed Olympic Peninsula river to Mount Olympus.

If hot air balloonists ever need a poster boy, they might want to call Tom Hamilton.

Spc. Bret DiFrancesco's big fingers froze in place and he looked toward his veteran instructor. DiFrancesco wasn't firing a rifle or working on infantry skills. He was trying to figure out how to wrap a pheasant feather around a hook and smooth the cantankerous fibers back at the same time.

Andy Bunn will walk through a starkly beautiful landscape in September, where twisted and ancient bristlecone pines grow from a dry, rocky land scoured by high winds and blanketed in snow much of the year.

Marc Fairbanks shouldn't be here today.

Teen Tix is a Seattle Center program that lets teenagers get tickets to dozens of arts venues museums, theaters, etc. - for only $5 a pop when space is available.

The man who admitted to stabbing a church therapy cat and breaking its ribs was sentenced Friday afternoon to nine months for the attack.

King County Executive Kurt Triplett says that without a $50 million sales tax increase, there will be huge cuts to health and human services as well as the closure of all 39 parks in the county.

In sentencing four Seattle-area men to federal prison, a federal judge offered some harsh words for the lead marijuana farmer and a sentence to match. The latter's usefulness was lost on an attorney for one defendant.

Amadeo, Erotida M, 79 of Pacific, July 9. Backes, Wade P, 45 of Unknown, July 4. Beezley, Frances M, 95 of Woodinville, July 12. Beltran, Ernesto D, 63 of Federal Way, July 10.

Tacoma police were searching Friday for two men suspected of firing several shots into a South End home.

Tacoma police arrested a teenage girl this week for allegedly helping her friends beat, tie up and rob her grandmother.

Pierce County law enforcement officers recovered a body from the Tacoma Narrows on Friday and were investigating how the man died.

The city manager in Edgewood is leaving after serving in the job just less than a year.

A Puyallup city councilman has filed a petition in Pierce County Superior Court alleging that the city manager and city attorney have withheld records he needs to do his job.

Neighbors in Seattle's Central District are frustrated with what they say is a growing number of car break-ins in one city block.

The Coast Guard is among those searching for a man who rescued a 3-year-old girl in the Cowlitz River near Kelso, then disappeared in the water.

Seattle attorneys pulled Southwest Airlines into a Los Angeles courtroom Friday morning flexing some legal muscle to try to find answers for their clients.

65,000 tickets have been sold to watch the Sounders FC take on the English Premier League giant at Qwest Field.Expect lots of traffic

Gene Beaver suffered internal injuries when he crashed into a tree near Tiger Mountain Tuesday.Made goodbye call to wife

TUMWATER - More than 50 people testified at a public hearing Friday to help determine whether Capital Medical Center should be allowed to offer an elective heart procedure that Providence St. Peter Hospital already performs.

The Thurston County Republican Party has endorsed Pat Beehler as its preferred candidate for the Dis

Melissa Montgomery, the manager of the derelict vessel removal program for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, received a Meritorious Public Service Award on Friday from the Coast Guard. Montgomery was recognized for “continuously exhibiting outstanding commitment to keeping Washington’s waters safe and clean.”

The Washington State Patrol reported that two people suffered minor injuries in a car crash Thursday afternoon when a driver failed to yield the right of way where state Route 107 becomes South Main Street in Montesano, according to The Daily World of Aberdeen.

A fundraiser to benefit the daughters of Nancy Moyer, a Tenino woman who went missing four months ag

The area has seen at least three gang-related shootings in just the past week, according to Tacoma police. In the wake of the shootings, Tacoma police have stepped up patrol.

The paraglider who crashed into tall trees on Tiger Mountain earlier this week said he thought he was going to die as he dangled high in the treetops. "The air can play tricks on you and I was a little bit low in a position I should not have been in," said Gene Beaver.

King County Executive Kurt Triplett has proposed a sales tax hike to help balance structural deficits he believes will lead to "devastating cuts" to services in the upcoming years. On Friday Triplett proposed a one-tenth of one cent sales tax to help fund public health, criminal justice and human services.

Washington State Patrol will be taking to the skies less frequently due to legislative cuts. WSP's aviation budget has been slashed by 43 percent for the next two years.

There are telethons, marathons, motorcycle rides, mountain climbs and more - all designed to raise money for charity. Now there's even a scuba-thon. It's called "Dive Around The Clock." And it has Redondo Beach swimming with scuba divers.

BLRB Architects announced today it will relocate its offices to the new Pacific Plaza building on Pacific Avenue. Beginning July 27, BLRB Architects' offices will be located at Pacific Plaza, 1250 Pacific Avenue, Suite 700. All other firm contact information will remain the same.

Dr. Pamela Transue, president of Tacoma Community College, has been selected as President of the Washington Association of Community and Technical Colleges (WACTC) for 2009-2010. WACTC is the organization of community and technical college presidents.

In an effort to help residents in Tacoma and Pierce County who are facing potential foreclosure of their homes, the City of Tacoma will host a foreclosure intervention workshop.

Port of Tacoma Commissioners today approved a $21.8 million contract to build the final piece of the Lincoln Avenue Grade Separation. This freight transportation project includes an overpass to carry trucks and other vehicles over busy rail lines in the Tacoma Tideflats area.

Washington Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond was unanimously elected by transportation directors from 18 states to serve as president of the Western Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (WASHTO) during the organization's annual meeting this week in Seattle.

TWISP — The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest completed the $1 million sale of 17 buildings on 6.4 acres of property in downtown Twisp this week.

LEAVENWORTH — James Caviezel — the actor who starred as Jesus in Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of Christ” — received cuts and bruises Thursday after a man threw a bicycle into the path of his Harley-Davidson motorcycle near Blewett Pass.

WENATCHEE — Federal economic stimulus dollars helped Sarah Elliott get a new job as Santa Claus.

WENATCHEE — Carl and Betty Campbell have donated to the city the building, now valued at $3.5 million, that launched their 21-state network of care facilities for the elderly.

WENATCHEE — With temperatures predicted to hit 103 degrees in Wenatchee today, state and federal fire officials have a watchful eye on North Central Washington.

The legendary journalist walked America through a tumultuous time and came to be called "the most trusted man in America."

The budget crunch is forcing the State Patrol to cut pilots and flight hours.RAW: Motorcycle doing 100+ on I-5

Light Rail, Sounders FC and Bite of Seattle highlight why you may want to take transit.Check your traffic

John Roberts admitted that he shot his wife, who had ALS, while she slept in February of 2008.

Firefighters took a defensive stance in battling the fire northeast of Seattle, concerned that the fire could spread to nearby brush and trees. Occupant escapes without injury

One of the enduring legends about Woodstock was that several babies were born at the 1969 rock festival. While zillions of people were conceived at Woodstock (although, oddly, none during Sha Na Na’s performance), a researcher says he can find no proof that anyone actually gave birth there.

Sunday’s date was circled on Rick Fritz’ team calendar for nearly one year. Fritz and his 14-under girls softball team, the Snohomish County Express ’94, won the National Softball Association (NSA) state championship in their age bracket for the past two years.

Cheyanne Clark, Miss Washington International, leaves Sunday to compete in Chicago for Miss International 2009. Born and raised in Everett, she will compete against 45 other state and international finalists.

Everett Aglow, noon today, Salvation Army, 2525 Rucker Ave., Everett. Speaker: Barb Miller. Meditation, clairvoyance and healing classes and workshops, Church of Divine Man Psychic Institute, 2402 Summit Ave., Everett. 425-258-1449 or 800-360-6509.

EVERETT — Some just come for a hot meal. Others, to nurture their faith. But most people who attend the Life Changes Ministry dinner for homeless and low-income people come looking for companionship.