The City Council yesterday approved new rates and safety regulations for taxicabs.

In a unanimous vote, the council increased the minimum charge for entering a cab to $2.50 from $1.80. The council also increased the per-mile rate to $2 a mile from the current $1.80. The flat fee from downtown to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport would go to $28 from $25.

New rules also prohibit cabdrivers from talking on cellphones when passengers are in the car. They will be allowed to answer incoming calls, but only to get a phone number so they can return a call later.

The new rules also require cab companies to install digital cameras, global-positioning equipment and silent alarms to help protect drivers from violent crime.

Maple Valley

Driver dies as truck goes off Highway 169

A 52-year-old Seattle man died, apparently from a heart attack, while driving south on Highway 169 in Maple Valley yesterday.

The King County Medical Examiner identified him last night as Kenneth P. Anderson.

Just after 10 a.m., witnesses told the State Patrol that Anderson's truck drifted across the highway's centerline and northbound lanes, coming to rest in a ditch on the east side of the highway, just north of Cedar Grove Road, said Trooper Kelly Spangler. Anderson was pronounced dead at the scene, Spangler said.

Lakewood,

Snohomish County

Camano Island man dies in vehicle crash

A 43-year-old Camano Island man died Sunday when the car he was driving slammed into mailboxes, a fence and an unoccupied vehicle in the 8000 block of Lakewood Road.

Glen Redmond was pronounced dead at the scene.

A 39-year-old Warm Beach woman, a passenger in the car, was taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. Her injuries were not considered life-threatening.

Covington

Deputy shoots man after trying stun gun

A King County sheriff's deputy tried using an electric stun gun to subdue a shoplifting suspect before shooting the man in the right thigh, authorities said yesterday.

Deputy C.R. Adams, 30, has worked for the county Sheriff's Office for two years, including about seven months on patrol in Covington, said Deputy Travis DeFries, a sheriff's spokesman. Adams is on paid leave while the shooting is investigated.

Adams tried to arrest a 46-year-old transient suspected of stealing several packs of cigarettes from Foss' Grocery & Feed, in the 16200 block of Southeast 256th Street. But the man knocked Adams to the ground at least twice and kicked him several times in the head and upper body, DeFries said.

The Taser didn't work because the suspect was wearing several layers of clothing. When Adams tried to retreat, the man chased him and Adams shot him, DeFries said.

The suspect, from the South King County area, was in Harborview Medical Center yesterday and was expected to survive.

Adams suffered some wounds.

Vancouver, B.C.

More eagles killed; reward hits $17,000

Fourteen more eagles believed to have been slaughtered for their talons and tail feathers have been found in North Vancouver, bringing the recent total to 40 birds.

The remains of 26 eagles were found less than a month ago. In both cases, the birds' talons and tail feathers had been removed.

Rewards totaling $17,000 are being offered for information leading to the conviction of those responsible.

The initial discovery was Feb. 2.

Times staff and news services