Redmond raids focus on blades

REDMOND — Redmond police have been raiding local convenience stores in a months-long crackdown on switchblade knives, martial-arts "throwing stars" and other weapons that many retailers apparently don't know are illegal.

Since June, officers have searched at least three stores after undercover detectives were able to buy illegal knives and throwing stars. In all, two dozen have been seized.

Police said the store owners and their suppliers have all been cooperative, and all of them said they didn't know the items were illegal. Police said they have not recommended that any of the owners be charged with crimes.

Police are reminding the public that illegal weapons include slingshots, brass knuckles, switchblades and "butterfly" knives. Redmond also bans nunchukas, or "num-chucks," and throwing stars.

The city code does, however, allow licensed martial-arts schools to have such weapons.

Through traffic clear againon Northeast 50th Street

SEATTLE — After months of closures that jammed up traffic through the University District, city crews have finally reopened Northeast 50th Street to through traffic.

The major arterial was closed at Roosevelt Way Northeast for repaving, improving the merge lanes and upgrading electrical utilities. The project is expected to last until spring as crews finish paving sidewalks, plant trees and erect new power poles. Occasional lane closures are expected.

Gator was in the bathtub,car was afire; man's in jail

SPRINGFIELD, Ore. — Police arrested a 26-year-old man Friday after allegedly finding a 2-foot alligator in his bathtub, a methamphetamine lab in his house and a burning car in his driveway.

David Edward Wenetta was charged with arson, possession of a destructive device and manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance. He was booked in Lane County Jail.

The car belonged to Wenetta's 34-year-old girlfriend and investigators believe he set it on fire to get back at her after an argument, Sgt. Rich Charboneau said.

They found the alligator in his house next to meth-making materials that included scales, glass jars, iodine and chemicals, Charboneau said. It's illegal to have any reptile or dangerous animal within Springfield city limits.

Spokane sheriff IDs deputiescharged with drunken driving

SPOKANE — The names of four Spokane County sheriff's officers charged with drunken driving over the past two years have been made public by Sheriff Mark Sterk.

"The only thing we have going for us is integrity," Sterk said in releasing the names Thursday. "If the community thinks we are trying to hide something, we can't survive."

The sheriff said he is working with several law-enforcement unions on an arrangement that would give him authority to offer first-time offenders the option of alcohol evaluation and treatment programs, rather than reprimand, suspension or termination.

Currently, reprimand, suspension and termination are the only sheriff's department options for those caught intoxicated on the road.

All four officers — three deputies and a sergeant — were off duty when they were arrested and charged with drunken driving by other police agencies in Washington and Idaho.

Deputy Gary Redmond was fired after his July 2000 arrest. Sgt. Dave Martin received a letter of reprimand and deputies Travis Hansen and Brett Hubbell were suspended briefly.

In the most recent incident, Hubbell's eight-day suspension was reduced by half when he agreed to enroll in an alcohol evaluation and treatment program.

That prompted Sterk to approach the unions. He said he hopes to reach an agreement with them within 45 days.

Portland police seek womanfamily last saw on Tuesday

PORTLAND — Police searched Friday for a 56-year-old woman who has been missing since Tuesday evening.

Minnie Young was last seen at a relative's house. Her car was found Friday in a downtown Portland parking lot.

Several homicide detectives were assigned to the case, said Sgt. Brian Schmautz, police spokesman.

Young's family said it is unlike her to go somewhere without telling them. Relatives and friends said they knew something was wrong because Young missed several prearranged meetings with them.

Earthquake occurs nearVancouver, B.C., a 3.4

VANCOUVER, B.C. — A 3.4 magnitude earthquake shook the ground near here yesterday morning.

The quake hit at 10:30 a.m. and was centered about 14 miles south of Vancouver, according to the Web site of the Pacific Northwest Seismograph Network at the University of Washington in Seattle.

No injuries or damage were reported, said Lance Holden of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The quake's depth was recorded at about 10 miles.