Wire Service

Ex-Marine who hid AWOL in Port Angeles avoids felony in Colorado

The Associated Press BOULDER, Colo. -- A former Marine accused of faking his disappearance to avoid returning to his unit has reached a plea deal,… Continue reading

PENINSULA POLL BACKGROUNDER: Supreme Court begins new term today perhaps a bit zestier

By Mark Sherman The Associated Press WASHINGTON -- Justice David Souter never danced the salsa in public. Justice John Paul Stevens doesn't sing in karaoke… Continue reading

State rescue tug helps vessel aground at Neah Bay

The Associated Press NEAH BAY -- The state Ecology Department says the rescue tug at Neah Bay assisted a 100-foot fishing boat that ran aground… Continue reading

Governor ponders state tax increases

Peninsula Daily News News Services OLYMPIA — Gov. Chris Gregoire says she would consider tax increases as officials run out of ways to fix the… Continue reading

No state minimum wage increase in 2010

Peninsula Daily News News Services OLYMPIA — Washington’s minimum wage will not increase next year. The state Department of Labor and Industries says it will… Continue reading

PENINSULA POLL BACKGROUNDER: U.S., Cuba in secret, high-level talks

The Associated Press NEW YORK -- A senior American diplomat has held unannounced, high-level talks in Havana with the Cuban government, three State Department officials… Continue reading

State Supreme Court chief justice to relinquish post

Peninsula Daily News and The Associated Press OLYMPIA -- Washington state Supreme Court Chief Justice Gerry Alexander announced Tuesday he will step down next year… Continue reading

Nighttime closures on Hood Canal floating bridge

The Associated Press SHINE — The state Transportation Department says the Hood Canal floating bridge will be closed to drivers intermittently from now through October… Continue reading

PENINSULA POLL BACKGROUNDER: Iran test-fires short-range missiles in midst of global nuclear flap

The Associated Press TEHRAN -- Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard said it successfully test-fired short-range missiles Sunday in drills meant to show Tehran is prepared to… Continue reading

SPORTS: Prep football scores

The Associated Press Friday's results Adna 40, Castle Rock 10 Almira/Coulee-Hartline 38, Curlew 21 Archbishop Murphy 46, Sultan 12 Asotin 25, Pomeroy 14 Battle Ground… Continue reading

Bears and berries: Olympic National Park’s High Divide trail

By George Tibbits The Associated Press OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK -- "Did you see the bear?" the backpacker standing at the side of the trail asked.… Continue reading

State traffic fatalities at lowest level since 1955

The Associated Press OLYMPIA — Deadly crashes on Washington roads are at their lowest level in more than 50 years, state officials said today. Preliminary… Continue reading

PENINSULA POLL BACKGROUNDER: U.N. meeting today setting stage for global climate pact in December

By John Heilprin The Associated Press UNITED NATIONS -- China's ambition to grow quickly but cleanly soon may vault it to "front-runner" status -- far… Continue reading

SPORTS: Friday prep football scores

The Associated Press Aberdeen 35, Centralia 34 Adna 18, Napavine 7 Almira/Coulee-Hartline 56, Odessa 8 Asotin 20, Lind-Ritzville 6 Astoria, Ore. 34, R.A. Long 22… Continue reading

Peninsula’s county administrators concerned by latest projected state revenue shortfall

The Associated Press and Peninsula Daily News A projected state revenue shortfall of another $238 million over the next two -- with attendant budget cuts… Continue reading

Court throws out a medical malpractice law

Peninsula Daily News News Sources OLYMPIA — The state Supreme Court on Thursday unanimously threw out a 2006 law that requires an injured patient to… Continue reading

Former Gov. Rosellini, 99, recovering from broken hip

Peninsula Daily News and The Associated Press SEATTLE -- Former Washington Gov. Albert D. Rosellini is recovering from surgery after breaking his hip in a… Continue reading

State Supreme Court says tribal police can pursue off reservation

The Associated Press OLYMPIA -- The state Supreme Court has unanimously ruled that tribal police can pursue non-Native American motorists outside a reservation if they… Continue reading

Washington state close to another quarter-billion in the budget hole

The Associated Press OLYMPIA -- Washington's government checkbook is expected to lose an additional $238 million over the next two years. That's the word this… Continue reading

PENINSULA POLL BACKGROUNDER: No ‘pending’ decision on troops to Afghanistan, Obama says

By Ben Feller The Associated Press WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama said Wednesday there will be no quick decision on whether to send more U.S.… Continue reading