Blaine boy killed in hit-and-run

BLAINE — A 16-year-old boy was killed and a 14-year-old boy injured when they were struck by a hit-and-run driver Friday night about a mile outside of Blaine.

The State Patrol said the boys were riding bicycles southbound along Highway 548 near Drayton Harbor Road when a vehicle, described as a beige or brown station wagon, struck the two, on separate bikes, from the rear, then fled. A third boy, with the other two, was not struck.

State troopers said Christopher Walsh of Blaine died at the scene. Injured was Daniel Diaz, also of Blaine. Neither youth was wearing a helmet, troopers reported.

Troopers said the vehicle may have front bumper and grille damage, and damage to its right front side.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Washington State Patrol at 360-658-1345.

3 indicted for Vantage-area hazardous-material dumping

ROYAL CITY, Grant County — The owners of a large Columbia Basin farming operation and an employee have been indicted on charges of illegally dumping hazardous waste in Kittitas County.

A federal grand jury accused Brown Boys Feed owners and an employee of knowingly disposing of benzene, a hazardous substance found in diesel fuel.

Brown Boys Feed operators Mike Brown, Gerald "Spud" Brown and the employee, Timothy Reese, are scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Yakima on March 31. Mike Brown is vice president of Brown Boys Feed, and is the sole officer of B&G Farms, one of the nation's largest mint-oil operations.

The charges stem from alleged illegal dumping of untaxed farm diesel near Vantage more than a year and a half ago.

The state Department of Ecology's hazardous-waste-compliance program says benzene is a cancer-causing and poisonous constituent of diesel and gasoline.

The Ecology Department has fined B&G Farms $20,000 for the illegal fuel dumping. The fine is being appealed.

Oregon preparing to raise tuition at state universities

PORTLAND — The Oregon Board of Higher Education has taken preliminary steps toward raising tuition at the state's seven universities.

The increases next fall could range from none at Portland State University to 8 percent at Western Oregon University. In fall 2004, the increases could range from 5 percent at Oregon State University to 12.2 percent at Southern Oregon University.

Melissa Unger, lobbyist for the Oregon Student Association, said tuition is rising as state financial aid is disappearing.

"This will mean that some students can't go to college," she said.

Seattle Times staff and wire reports