Former 成人X站 Newsradio Reporter

Guilty plea in 28-year old Tacoma murder

DNA and a pack of cigarettes helped a Tacoma detective solve a nearly 30-year old cold case murder. The defendant pleaded guilty Fri.

11 years ago

Don’t be too quick to confront dog owners where dogs are banned

You've probably seen one in a restaurant, grocery store, courthouse or coffee shop. You might have asked yourself: "Is that really a service dog? That person doesn't look disabled. I should say something." Don't be too quick to wag your finger, shake your head or make a snide remark. Service dogs are specially trained to help disabled people function in their homes and in public. But the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) does not require that they wear a sign or brightly colored vest, as commonly thought. "When a person attempts to enter a business with a dog, there are only two questions that can be asked," explained Paula Scott, with the non-profit Pet Partners petpartners.org of Bellevue. "Number one: is that a service animal? and number two: what task does it perform for you?" Service animals can be trained for many things, such as detecting low blood-sugar, sensing an oncoming seizure or assisting during a seizure, according to Scott. They can retrieve objects, summon help, even dial 9-1-1 on special phones. If the dog poses no threat, it must be allowed anywhere the public can go, even if dogs are otherwise banned, according to the ADA. Scott says service animals are now limited to dogs and mini-horses, probably because people were abusing the definition. "And there were monkeys and some people even were claiming that snakes and other reptiles were their service animals." While there are just two recognized service animals, there are many invisible disabilities that can benefit from their help. "Including psychiatric disabilities, so you can't assume-- like a lot of people do-- if a person isn't in a wheelchair, doesn't have a cane, they're not disabled," said Scott. Among the inivisible disabilities: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Iraq war veteran John George was given the options of medication or a service dog to help him cope with his PTSD. He found "Alfie." George made a video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9wqtpCo3Bc as part of his role as service dog education coordinator for the Washington State Department of Veteran Affairs. "I'm able to do so much now because of having Alfie in my life. I don't have to avoid public places or avoid crowds anymore." Paula Scott's non-profit organization focuses on "therapy animals," which are often used in hospitals, schools, nursing homes and senior centers. They can include cats, rabbits, llamas, potbellied pigs, even rats. They register about 11,000 therapy animals in the U.S. But, unlike "service dogs," they're not protected by the ADA. "A lot of people believe that, erroneously. They believe that if they become registered with Pet Partners and they get the Pet Partners therapy animal vest, that they can go anywhere and that's not true," said Scott. There are some legal protections for people who use animals that are not service dogs. The Fair Housing Act and the Federal Aviation Administration through the Air Carrier Access Act offer protections for people with therapy dogs, assistance animals or emotional support animals. Landlords cannot discriminate but they are allowed to ask for documentation that the animal is an assistance animal and the owner can be required to produce certification from a professional service dog trainer or a doctor's note stating the need for the animal. A landlord with a no pets policy cannot require a deposit or deny housing to a person with an assistance dog but the landlord can charge a cleaning or damage assessment. Sadly, some people do pass off their pets as service dogs. "Shame on them and unfortunately what it will likely do in the future, and this is just my personal guess, is that the law will get stricter in the future and certification will be required," she said.

11 years ago

Portland man critically hurt in base jumping mishap

A Portland man was critically injured when he hit a rock outcropping several times during a base jump from Tower Rock, near Randle.

11 years ago

Must ‘think big’ to clean up Green and Duwamish River system

Elected leaders, conservationists and others have an ambitious plan to clean up and protect the 93-mile long Green-Duwamish River system.

11 years ago

Not guilty pleas in Kent gas station killings

The man accused of starting a fight and then gunning down two people at a Kent gas station in August, pleaded not guilty Monday.

11 years ago

When knife-wielding suspect arrested in U District, police faced deadly use-of-force decision

Once again, Seattle police were faced with a difficult decision on the use of force.

11 years ago

Seattle research finds no link between wearing bra, breast cancer

If you wear a bra to bed, or know somebody who does, researchers in Seattle have findings that should help you sleep better. There's no link between wearing a bra and breast cancer.

11 years ago

WSU study: Women might be more sensitive to marijuana than men

Research at Washington State University suggests hormones might make women more sensitive than men to the active ingredient in marijuana.

11 years ago

State claims couple scammed adult group home workers

The state of Washington is suing a Pierce County couple, claiming they sold bogus training certificates to employees of adult group homes.

11 years ago

How Bellevue will handle students who transfer from ‘failing’ schools

Bellevue has a reputation for excellent schools, a place where residents consistently approve tax levies and school bond measures. Still, several schools are judged as failing and many students are transferring to new buildings on the first day of the new school year.

11 years ago

Bellingham road reopens after truck slams into I-5 beam

A roadway has reopened and crews have determined an I-5 overpass in Bellingham is safe after a truck slammed into a support beam.

11 years ago

Sweeping anti-gang program targets most of south King County

When a gang showdown erupted in gunfire at a car show and concert in a Kent parking lot in the summer of 2011, a dozen people were wounded. Police knew they had to do something different to fight a growing gang problem.

11 years ago

Seattle attorney files lawsuit against FIFA demanding changes to limit concussions

Concussions are a hot topic in sports and a class action lawsuit, filed by a Seattle attorney, targets the world governing body of soccer.

11 years ago

Port of Seattle picks Tacoma native as new CEO

A Tacoma native and former PACCAR executive is the choice to lead the Port of Seattle.

11 years ago

Deputy breaks off chase in Renton, speeding car crashes anyway

Residents of a Renton apartment complex near I-405 probably heard a racket early this morning followed by police sirens. It was the sound of a car crashing through a fence and hurtling into a ravine.

11 years ago

Bill remains unpaid, Snohomish farmer still hauling buckets of water to livestock

For the last two weeks, a Snohomish farm owner has been hauling five gallon buckets of water by hand to take care of his livestock, just like in the old days. That's because a local utility has shut off his water supply in a dispute over the farmer's bill.

11 years ago

Two killers sentenced for woman found in burned-out car

Two people are sentenced to prison for the murder of a woman whose body was found in a burned-out car near Black Diamond in 2012.

11 years ago

Judge: Lawsuit over death of Powell children will go forward

A judge in Tacoma refused to dismiss a wrongful death lawsuit against the state for its actions before Josh Powell killed his two young sons.

11 years ago

King County announces $1.50 fare for low-income bus riders

When Metro bus fares go up across the board early next year, some riders will get a big break. King County is implementing a new reduced fare program for low-income riders.

11 years ago

Scientists seek proof that grizzlies still roam Washington wilderness

Of all the hazards in the Cascades wilderness, one unlikely danger is a confrontation with a grizzly bear. Scientists and conservationists warn that the days of the grizzly in Washington are numbered.