Fort Lewis soldier back from Iraq killed in base training

A Fort Lewis soldier who recently returned from Iraq was killed during a training exercise at the Army base near Tacoma Monday, a Fort Lewis spokeswoman said yesterday.

Spc. Alexander D. Fallstone, 23, of Seattle was riding in the hatch of a Stryker vehicle during a routine training exercise when the vehicle brushed against a tree, the spokeswoman said. Part of the tree fell onto the vehicle, striking and killing Fallstone, who was assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, the spokeswoman said.

Fallstone recently returned from a yearlong deployment in Iraq and was teaching six soldiers how to drive the Stryker vehicle when he was fatally injured, the spokeswoman said. He is survived by his parents and son.

Children in Burien home during fatal shootings

When a Burien man fatally shot his wife and then himself Tuesday night, three of their children were in the home, investigators believe.

The couple, who are estimated to be in their 40s, remain unidentified.

The shootings occurred about 9 p.m. in the 600 block of South 150th Street.

King County sheriff's Sgt. Don Davis said there was no previous history of abuse between the couple, and it's still unclear what led to the shootings.

Kent house fire linked to yard floodlight

A floodlight ignited lawn furniture in the back yard of a two-story Kent house Monday night, starting a fire that caused $250,000 in damage.

The family of four inside heard the sound of burning wood and escaped unharmed.

The fire was reported about 10:35 p.m. in the 14400 block of Southeast 198th Street.

Vancouver, B.C.,doctor disciplined over U.S. prescriptions

A Canadian doctor was suspended for two years because he signed prescriptions for cheaper medicine for U.S. patients he never saw.

Dr. Daljit Singh Herar of Surrey, B.C., admitted he had signed prescriptions without seeing the patients face to face beforehand, failed to keep proper records and lied to authorities, said Dr. Doug Blackman, deputy registrar of the British Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons.

About 10 doctors have been disciplined for such activity in Canada, but Herar appears to be the first suspended, said David MacKay, executive director of the International Pharmacy Association in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Claims for mileage rack up in Grays Harbor County

After six years, departing Grays Harbor County Public Utility District Commissioner Frank Moses turned in his mileage claims.

All $4,035.02 worth.

The PUD commissioners approved the check for Moses' back mileage Monday. The claims were for Moses' weekly drives from his house to the PUD Building in west Aberdeen, a 17-mile trek round trip.

No one disputed that Moses was entitled to the reimbursement, but the staff time involved in verifying the claims drew some concern.

"My staff went through each time sheet to verify that he was here on each date," said Doug Streeter, county chief financial officer.

Tacoma

Boy who witnessed slaying moving to Florida

A young boy who dialed 911 last fall to say his father had stabbed his mother and severely wounded him will be moving to Florida.

A Pierce County Juvenile Court commissioner Monday approved a residency plan for Anthony Sukto, 8, who will move to Florida and live with his maternal aunt, Nuensie Oakley. According to Oakley's attorney, she should get full custody of Sukto in the next month.

On Oct. 22, the boy called police, describing the attack that killed his mother, Pranee Sukto.

His father, Tony Sukto, has been charged with first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. He is scheduled to go to trial in May. Tony Sukto joined in the petition to give Oakley custody of Anthony.

Anthony has been seeing a counselor and is recovering well from his injuries, Oakley said.

Portland

Army to investigate noncombat Iraq death

Army officials are investigating the noncombat death of an Oregon National Guard soldier serving in Iraq with his son, according to family members.

Sgt. Mark Warren, 44, of La Grande, was a member of the Third Battalion, 116th Armored Cavalry. The unit, headquartered in La Grande, was mobilized last summer and shipped to Iraq in November.

Warren was found dead Monday in Kirkuk, Iraq, said Mike Cummings, a representative of the family. Cummings said he couldn't disclose further details.

The death pushed the number of people with Oregon ties killed in the Iraq or Afghanistan wars to 39.

Warren was serving alongside his son, Lt. Chris Warren, in the same unit, Cummings said.

Times staff and news services