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The 22-year-old man accused of gunning down four people in the alley behind a home in Tacoma’s Salishan neighborhood last year was found by a Pierce County judge Thursday to be competent to stand trial.

Superior Court Judge James Orlando found Maleke Pate capable of understanding the nature of the proceedings against him, able to assist in his own defense.

Pate underwent three evaluations to determine his mental competency and a 90-day stay at Western State Hospital to improve his psychiatric condition.

Pate is charged with four counts of aggravated first-degree murder for the Oct. 21 killings of Maria Nunez, 42; her son, Emery Iese, 19; Nunez’s brother, Raymond Williams, 22; and Williams’ girlfriend, Natasha Brincefield, 22. If convicted, Pate could face a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole on each count, according to state law.

Not guilty pleas were entered on his behalf Thursday, and he was ordered jailed without bail.

Wildfire near Grandview causes evacuations

Update:

Officials are now saying the fire has been 90% contained and is no longer threatening the sewer treatment plant as of 1:04 p.m.

Original:

A Central Washington wildfire is threatening homes, infrastructure, and a sewer plant near the town of Grandview.

Interim Marshal Chad Cross says the Canyon Road Fire is burning in grass, brush, and small trees after igniting Wednesday afternoon. He has called in support from fire crews, engines, and aircraft to try to control the fire.

Cross says the flames have prompted evacuations and are threatening the Grandview Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Yakima County Fire District 5 said as of Thursday the fire had burned 3.1 square miles and was 90% contained.

Fecal matter shuts down beaches on Lake Washington

Too much poop in the water is shutting down four Lake Washington beaches, with public health officials warning against swimming at Seattle’s Madison Park and Matthews Beaches.

Bellevue’s Newcastle Beach and Gene Coulon in Renton are also closed.

King County crews say the fecal matter is coming from several sources, including people, pets, and wildlife.

Documents recovered for the family of a deceased veteran 

The family of a man whose personal documents were found by the side of the road in Tacoma have come forward to claim the paperwork.

The documents from Phillip Ceda included letters from former presidents, commendations for military service, and his death certificate.

Ceda’s daughter Nina Taira was able to claim the papers after the woman who found them posted photos on social media, family members say they have no idea how the documents ended up on the ground.

They say they were probably taken when Ceda’s storage locker was broken into in 2019.

Lightning strike caused wildfire in Okanogan

Officials at the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest confirm a dozen new wildfires today.

Forest spokeswoman Robin DeMario says all the fires are in remote and rocky terrain – and there have been no evacuations.

She also says a total burn ban on campfires went into effect in the forest Thursday.

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