Arizona woman hit by Metro bus dies
SEATTLE — One of the two women struck by a Metro bus in Fremont July 23 has died.
Susan Dryden, 58, of Cave Creek, Ariz., died shortly before 2 p.m. Tuesday, according to the King County Medical Examiner's Office.
Dryden's 29-year-old daughter, who was nine months pregnant when she was hit, is in satisfactory condition at Harborview Medical Center. Her baby boy, delivered by emergency Caesarean section after the accident, has gone home to his family.
At the family's request, his mother's name has not been released.
The women were walking across Fremont Avenue North at North 35th Street when they were hit by the bus as it turned onto Fremont. The 50-year-old bus driver, who told police he had been temporarily blinded by the sun, remains on paid leave.
State asks court to review ruling on theology-student aid
OLYMPIA — The state of Washington yesterday asked the full 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to review a court panel's decision that would allow a theology student to receive state financial aid.
The state Attorney General's Office said last month's ruling, which permits Northwest College senior Joshua Davey to receive a state academic scholarship, conflicts with the state constitution's prohibition against using public money for religious causes.
In a 2-1 ruling, the 9th Circuit panel had said the state violated the free exercise of religion guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution when it revoked Davey's scholarship after he declared a major in pastoral ministry.
Tacoman pleads guilty in 1980 murder and rape of his aunt
SEATTLE — A Tacoma man has pleaded guilty to the 1980 murder and rape of his aunt, a crime that went unsolved until DNA matching recently linked him to the death.
Roger Speer, 41, likely will serve 20 years in prison for the first-degree murder of Penny Hermans, a 35-year-old nurse who was found slain in her Wallingford home.
Under a sentencing agreement announced Tuesday, Speer will work with police and prosecutors to convict a second man he said was involved in the killing.
Driver halts for man, another car drives around, hits him
SEATTLE — A 26-year-old man is in critical condition at Harborview Medical Center after being struck by a vehicle while crossing a street in North Seattle yesterday.
The man was crossing 35th Avenue Northeast at Northeast 90th Street just after 5 p.m., Seattle police spokeswoman Deanna Nollette said. A driver in an inside lane stopped, but another driver passed that vehicle in the outside lane and hit the man.
Charges filed in trafficking, poaching of crabs, geoducks
PIERCE COUNTY — A 50-year-old man was charged yesterday with 68 felony and 33 gross-misdemeanor counts for allegedly illegally trafficking crab from the Nisqually Delta.
Authorities think Douglas John Martin Tobin led a $2 million geoduck- and crab-poaching ring.
Tobin was arrested March 18. He was then charged with 41 felony counts of leading organized crime, trafficking in stolen property, theft and unlawful commercial fishing.
Soon after, state Department of Fish and Wildlife detectives identified about 100,000 pounds of crab they think Tobin harvested and sold, said Bruce Bjork of Fish and Wildlife.
Commercial crabbing near the Nisqually Delta is illegal. Tobin is being held in the Pierce County Jail in lieu of $510,000 bail.
State Medicaid payments to pharmacists cut today
OLYMPIA — The state will cut Medicaid payments to pharmacists today, despite warnings that the cuts will force some pharmacists from serving Medicaid clients.
Concerned legislators and pharmacists met yesterday afternoon with the governor, who said he could not block or delay the cuts.
The governor agreed to establish a task force to review Medicaid reimbursements to health-care providers, including pharmacists.
Chains such as Bartell Drugs, Rite Aid and Wal-Mart say they will evaluate the effect of the cuts and decide what to do later. Safeway has promised to continue serving Medicaid clients despite the cuts.
Medicaid clients with questions can call 800-562-3022.
Line cancels Alaska cruise over flulike virus on ship
SEATTLE — The Holland America Line has canceled a seven-day Alaska cruise by its ship Ryndam, scheduled to begin today, because of a flulike virus that has sickened more than 400 people over the past two trips.
The virus affected 165 passengers and nine crew members on a roundtrip weeklong cruise that left Vancouver, B.C., for Alaska July 18.
On the July 25 voyage of the Ryndam, due to end today in Vancouver, 212 passengers and 31 crew members fell ill, said Rose Abello, Holland America vice president.
The virus is likely spread by person-to-person contact, rather than foodborne transmission.
Kent police investigating death of 45-year-old woman
KENT — Police are investigating the death of a woman whose body was found early this morning near some abandoned buildings in an industrial area.
The 45-year-old victim was found shortly before 1:30 a.m. by two passersby in the 800 block of First Avenue South.
How the woman died was not determined this morning, but there were signs of violence, said Paul Petersen, Kent police spokesman.
Police say the woman likely died sometime after 6 p.m. yesterday because she was not seen there by the last employee to leave an adjacent building about 6 p.m., Petersen said.
The woman was found near two abandoned homes that often are used by homeless people, Petersen said. Detectives were canvassing the neighborhood in an attempt to find witnesses.
Wenatchee-area man to retire, thanks to jackpot
YAKIMA — A Wenatchee-area man claiming his share of a $30 million Lotto Plus jackpot yesterday said he will retire early and plan for his grandchildren's education.
State lottery officials withheld the former fruit-industry worker's name at his request. He chose a lump sum of half his $15 million — $5.47 million after taxes.
The other winner was Lisa Nielsen, 42, of Burlington, Skagit County.
Information is from the Seattle Times staff and news services.