Fort Lewis soldier booked in traffic death

A Fort Lewis soldier involved in a wrong-way traffic death early yesterday was booked into the Thurston County Jail for investigation of vehicular homicide, a State Patrol spokesman said.

The 25-year-old was scheduled for a court appearance today, Trooper Johnny Alexander said.

At the time of the two-vehicle crash on Highway 101 near Olympia, his pickup went six miles on the wrong side of the divided highway before colliding head-on with a car, investigators said.

Andrew J. Lance, 42, of Tacoma, was trapped in his car as it caught fire. A state trooper put out the fire, but Lance died at the scene.

California man, 26, charged with animal cruelty

A California man who was staying in a friend's trailer near Skykomish was charged yesterday with one count of first-degree animal cruelty for allegedly shooting his dog because it wouldn't come when he called.

Police and prosecutors said Stephen Franklin Wallace, 26, shot his German shepherd Nov. 23, 2003, claiming that it had been injured by a car. But neighbors told police that Wallace shot the dog because it wouldn't come when called.

Pasado's Safe Haven became involved and took the dog's carcass to a vet, who determined the dog had not been hit by a car.

Woman found dead in Burien home is identified

The King County Medical Examiner's Office yesterday identified Kathryn A. Rodriguez, 45, as the woman shot to death inside a Burien home earlier this week.

Rodriguez died from a gunshot wound to the head and her death was ruled a homicide, a death investigator said.

Her apparent killer was identified as Elizardo Rodriguez, 47, who committed suicide by shooting himself in the head, the investigator said.

Police found their bodies in a home near South 150th Street and Eighth Avenue South Tuesday night. It was unclear if they were married.

Gates Foundation to aid homeless

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation said yesterday it plans to donate $1 million to a state fund dedicated to helping homeless families.

The Washington Families Fund was established by the Legislature last year as a partnership between the state and private donors. The fund is focused on increasing the availability of affordable housing for homeless families.

The fund began with $2 million from the Legislature, but officials expect it to reach $5 million soon. The Gates Foundation also promised to match private donations up to another $1 million.

New creditors group set in Spokane diocese case

A second committee of creditors has been formed in the bankruptcy of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Spokane to satisfy complaints that the first group did not include enough victims of sexual abuse who have filed lawsuits against the diocese.

The new committee contains five men who have filed such suits. The original committee now contains just three members, representing victims who so far have declined to sue the diocese. Two other members of the original committee, who have filed suits, have moved over to the new committee.

U.S. Trustee Ilene Lashinsky made the change Wednesday after weeks of discord as alleged victims contended the diocese packed the committee with sympathizers — a charge the diocese denied. The creditors' committees represent the nearly 130 people who say they were molested as children by clergy. Of those, nearly 60 alleged victims have filed lawsuits, while another 70 victims have come forward claiming abuse but have not filed lawsuits.

Times staff and news services