Clean-air agency lifts burn ban

SEATTLE — The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency lifted a burn ban yesterday after unexpected winds blew away the dirty air blanketing the region. The wind proved to be strong and sustained enough to improve the region's air quality, said spokesman Mike Schultz.

The three-county ban lasted only two days but raised the season total to 14.

Opel lawyers seek change of venue for her murder trial

EVERETT — The defense team representing Barbara Opel is asking to have her murder trial moved out of Snohomish County.

Opel is accused of bribing her daughter and four other teens to kill her boss, Jerry Heimann. Opel, 39, and her three children had lived in Heimann's basement while Opel took care of his ailing mother. Her five co-defendants, including her daughter Heather, now 15, have all been convicted or pleaded guilty.

Attorneys Pete Mazzone and Brian Phillips yesterday cited heavy media attention as a reason to move the trial before it starts Feb. 26. Opel is charged with aggravated first-degree murder, among other charges.

Pistol near man's body likely one that killed him

MOUNT VERNON — A pistol found next to the body of an 18-year-old man found Wednesday in a school playground was the same caliber as the bullet that killed him, authorities said.

Skagit County Coroner Bruce Bacon said Amos Jones of Mount Vernon died of a single shot to the chest. Police said there were no indications that Jones took his own life or that his death had any connection to the school.

Providence hospital announces 33 layoffs

EVERETT — Providence Everett Medical Center, one of the largest hospitals in the state, announced yesterday it was laying off 33 nonmedical staff members.

The cuts are part of the hospital's plans to reduce expenses and increase revenues to cover a $20 million budget deficit, said spokeswoman Cheri Russum. Seven of the 33 employees voluntarily resigned, and the hospital will help the laid-off employees find new jobs, Russum said. An additional 15 employees were notified that their hours will be reduced, she said.

Patients should not be affected by the changes, said Gail Larson, Providence's chief operating officer.

Rape defendant, 65, fails to show up for trial

EVERETT — Snohomish County sheriff's detectives are searching for a 65-year-old man charged with rape who failed to show up for his trial this week.

Clarence Melton Sprague, who also goes by the nickname "Pete," was supposed to be tried Wednesday for sexually assaulting a boy in Mukilteo two years ago.

Sprague is white, with gray hair and blue eyes. He could be driving a 1983 light blue Subaru hatchback with license number 975HGY. He has tattoos on his left shoulder and arm. Both of Sprague's legs have been amputated.

Anyone with information should call the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office tip line at 425-388-3845.

Temporary DCLU leader given job permanently

SEATTLE — After a yearlong search for a new director for Seattle's land-use and planning department, Mayor Greg Nickels found his pick was already sitting in the chair.

Diane Sugimura, the acting director of the city's Department of Design, Construction and Land Use, initially said she didn't want the job. But Sugimura said she recently changed her mind and accepted the post, which pays $116,000 a year.

The mayor's top priority for Sugimura is streamlining the city's land-use code. "Our land use code is now 1,500 pages," Nickels said." I want it to be the size of a pamphlet you can put in your pocket."

Sugimura has a master's degree in urban planning from the University of Washington and has worked for the city since 1985.

Woman, 50, badly injured after being hit by SUV

SEATTLE — A woman in her 50s was severely injured yesterday when she was struck by a sport-utility vehicle as she walked across a White Center intersection.

The woman, whose name was not confirmed, suffered leg and pelvic injuries when she was thrown 40 to 50 feet, a King County sheriff's spokesman said. She was in critical condition at Harborview Medical Center yesterday.

She was in the crosswalk at Eighth Avenue Southwest and Southwest Roxbury Street shortly before noon when the SUV hit her..

Arraignment postponed for Iraqi accused in scheme

SEATTLE — An arraignment for an Iraqi immigrant charged in an alleged international money-laundering scheme has been postponed another two weeks.

Defense attorney David Bukey requested the extension while Hussein Alshafei tries to raise money for his defense.

Alshafei, who is free on bond, is one of 12 men indicted on charges of violating a trade embargo by sending cash and goods to Iraq.

Former Marine charged in threat against mother

EVERETT — A former Marine Corps Special Forces soldier, accused of threatening his mother and her fiancé, was charged with harassment yesterday.

During a fight with his family Tuesday, Michael Holt, 39, had told his 58-year-old mother that some of his drug-dealing friends might kill her and her fiancé, Snohomish County prosecutors say.

According to prosecutors, Holt was convicted of felony harassment six months ago in a case that also involved his mother. He is in jail in lieu of $25,000 bail.

Man charged with arson is fire at Everett hospital

EVERETT — A Seattle man accused of setting a fire in the emergency room at Stevens Hospital was charged yesterday with first-degree arson.

Franklin Palmer, 22, set fire Monday to his shirt, bedsheets and a blanket at the Edmonds hospital, Snohomish County prosecutors say. A lighter was recovered, they said.

Although the fire caused minor damage, some hospital staff and patients were evacuated. Palmer told a nurse he started the fire to receive attention, court papers say.

The papers say Palmer had been released from the psychiatric unit at Overlake Hospital Medical Center on Jan. 3 and was refused readmission. He had requested admission at Stevens Hospital's psychiatric unit but was also denied access. Palmer was admitted to the emergency room after he reportedly slashed his wrists.

Seattle Times staff and wire services.