The Columbian

Willamette Spring Chinook Run Looks Weak

Here's a second dose of bad news for spring chinook salmon anglers: The return to Oregon's Willamette River is forecast to be just 46,500 in 2006, the worst run in seven years. That news comes on top of last week's announcement that the run entering the Columbia River headed for upstream of Bonneville Dam is projected to be 88,400, the smallest upriver run in six years.

Gifford Pinchot Hopes to Boost Mowich Huckleberries

Gifford Pinchot National Forest officials want to thin trees on the south side of Mowich Butte to rejuvenate the huckleberry fields. Mowich Butte is about five miles west of the former Wind River Ranger Station in the southwest corner of the forest's Mount Adams Ranger District. Proposed is removing trees on 63 acres to get 28- foot-by-28-foot spacing, or an average of about 70 trees per acre.

Commentary: Eastside Pheasant Hunt Breaks New Ground

For the first time, pheasant hunters in Eastern Washington will be allowed to pursue roosters in the month of January. But don't be surprised if 2006 is the last time, too, with the closing date reverting back to the traditional Dec. 31 as early as next winter.

Police Report:

Vancouver man arrested in alleged assault of roommate A 40-year-old Vancouver man was taken to jail Tuesday night after he allegedly struck a roommate with a baseball bat during a fight in their home.

Airplane Under Controlas Scary Flight Ended

SEATTLE -- An Alaska Airlines jet that lost cabin pressure at 26,000 feet because of a foot-long gash in its fuselage landed normally at Seattle Tacoma International Airport on Monday after the pilot canceled his request for emergency aid. None of the 140 passengers on board the 9-year-old Boeing MD-80 was injured in the accident, although passengers described 25 anxious minutes from the time oxygen masks dropped from the ceiling until the Burbank, Calif.-bound aircraft landed safely again at...

A Bank for the Homeless - Accounts for Those On the Street

SEATTLE (AP) -- Wearing secondhand clothes and achy from a poor night's sleep in shelters, customers line up at the city's first and only bank for the homeless, believed to be among only a few of its kind in the country. "How much money do I have?" Dave Willett, a 54-year-old with bushy gray sideburns, asked the bank teller. "I want to do some laundry today."

Man Foils Robbery with Skills He Learned in Son's Martial Arts Class

OLYMPIA (AP) -- Mike Wood and his wife were just stopping by the credit union when they saw a man run out the door with another man close behind. They quickly realized they were watching a robbery in progress and decided to join the chase. When they reached the fleeing man, Wood jumped out of the car, grabbed the man's arm and twisted it behind his back. Then he reached his other arm around the man's neck and wrestled him to the ground.

Service Feeds Area Pets; Meals On Wheels' Animeals Program Delivers Food to Cats, Dogs of Homebound Clients

Pierce and Leo are more than a blue-eyed Siamese and a hyperactive rat terrier. To Edith Wiley, they are family. "They're my friends," said Wiley, 61, as Leo zipped around her Bagley Downs apartment hot on the trail of a bouncing blue ball. "They are my kids, now."

Chamber Backs All Clark County School Levy Proposals; Seven Districts Seek Voter Support

Clark County school districts seeking voter approval of replacement maintenance and operating levies in February all seven of them got a ringing endorsement on Wednesday. The Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors voted unanimously to throw the group's support behind the M&O levies countywide. In its 115 years, the organization had never endorsed levy proposals outside the city of Vancouver.

Restaurant Sustains Minor Fire Damage; Janitor Helps Limit Ruby Tuesday Blaze

A night janitor who smelled smoke and pulled a fire alarm helped firefighters limit damage to the Ruby Tuesday restaurant in Fisher's Landing after a fire broke out early Wednesday. A discarded cigarette or cigar likely started the fire in a bark dust area outside the restaurant at 916 S.E. 164th Ave., said Vancouver Fire Department Capt. Kevin Murray.

Protection of Local Groundwater Sought; Projects Would Require Epa Review

A petition filed with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency seeks federal protection for the aquifer that provides Clark County with most of its drinking water. The Rosemere Neighborhood Association, Columbia Riverkeeper and a group of county residents filed the petition earlier this month to designate the groundwater beneath Clark County as a "sole source aquifer."

Home for Troubled Boys Plans Move

CYPRESS ISLAND (AP) A group that has run a home for troubled boys on this island off northwest Washington for decades plans to move the facility to rural Whatcom County. Some locals are already raising objections.

Spokane's Council Weighs Ethics Code in Wake of Recalled Mayor's Downfall

SPOKANE (AP) The Spokane City Council is considering a code of ethics that would prohibit using a city position for personal benefit, the issue that led to this month's recall of Mayor Jim West. If approved next month, the 18-page document would create a commission to interpret the ethics code, as well as existing federal and state laws and city regulations involving council members, appointed officials and top employees.

Seattle Firm Sues Clothing Retailers Over Dress Code ; Employees Ordered to Buy From Stores

SEATTLE (AP) A Seattle employment and civil rights law firm has sued Lane Bryant and several sister companies on behalf of employees, claiming the clothing retailers are violating state law by requiring employees to buy and wear clothes from the stores without compensation. The firm of Connor & Chung filed the lawsuit against Charming Shoppes in King County Superior Court on behalf of employees who worked at Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug and Catherines stores from 2002 to the present.