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Primary ruling to be appealed 10/25/03 "We believe the blanket primary is constitutional," said Secretary of State Sam Reed. "The blanket primary is overwhelmingly the system voters prefer and a good fit for Washington." The appeals court last month struck down the blanket primary, asserting it is nearly identical to a California primary rejected by the Supreme Court in 2000 because it violated political parties' First Amendment rights of free association. The state asserts that Washington and California's primaries are different. Under the blanket primary, begun by initiative in 1935, voters can pick any candidate on the primary ballot regardless of party affiliation. Pedestrian struck by van in Marysville last week dies MARYSVILLE — A pedestrian struck by a van Oct. 18 has died. The Snohomish County Medical Examiner's Office and state troopers identified the man as William M. Sherman, 52, of Marysville. He suffered head injuries after he was hit by a van driven by Kevin A. Rourke, 39, of Marysville at the intersection of Fourth Street and the Interstate 5 northbound exit ramp. As the light turned green at the intersection, Sherman stepped in front of the van. The crash has been ruled an accident. MILL CREEK — A Jackson High School teacher was placed on administrative leave this week while Everett police investigate allegations of consensual sexual involvement with a 17-year-old student. Gay Campbell, spokeswoman for the Everett School District, said the male teacher has been teaching in the district since 1996. The allegations surfaced Monday, she said, and the district immediately notified police and the state Child Protective Services. The female student was in one of the accused teacher's classes, and they allegedly "had repeated consensual sexual encounters," according to police. Detectives searched the teacher's car and Everett home Thursday. Seattle man, 20, arrested on suspicion of 7 robberies SEATTLE — Seattle robbery detectives arrested a 20-year-old South Seattle man Thursday on suspicion of seven armed robberies in Seattle and Mercer Island. Police said they determined the robberies were connected because the robber's methods were similar and descriptions of the getaway car matched in each case, said Scott Moss, Seattle police spokesman. In recent weeks, an armed robber held up large-chain grocery stores, four in Seattle and three on Mercer Island. After getting a lead on a car matching one used in the robberies, detectives showed a picture of its owner, the 20-year-old, to robbery victims, who identified him as the robber, Moss said. Thursday, detectives created a ruse to lure the man to the Seattle Municipal Building and arrested him when he arrived. They wouldn't say what the ruse was. He was booked into the King County Jail. Disposal fees will be waived for flood-damaged items EVERETT — Snohomish County announced yesterday that transfer stations will waive fees for residents throwing out flood-damaged items. People can dispose of those items for free starting today until Nov. 23 as long as they have a special voucher from the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office or the American Red Cross. The deal applies to the transfer stations at Arlington, Everett and Cathcart and at county drop boxes in Granite Falls, Dubuque Road, Sultan and Gold Bar. Regular disposal fees still will apply to commercial and business waste. The vouchers are available at the Sheriff's Office and local Red Cross office. Acceptable items are furniture, spoiled food, carpeting and water-soaked
plasterboard and appliances, with the exception of refrigerators and
freezers. |