An 18-year-old Kentridge High School student was charged yesterday with false reporting for allegedly calling in a threat last week that prompted a school lockdown for two hours.

Police and prosecutors say Cullen Odoughty of Kent used his mother's cellphone to call 911 and report that a person was walking into the school with a gun. Court documents say a dozen deputies responded and the school was closed. Police traced the call to Odoughty, who is in jail in lieu of $5,000 bail.

Seattle

Woman pleads guilty to killing roommate

A woman accused of killing her roommate with an overdose of drugs pleaded guilty last week to second-degree manslaughter.

Esther "Sela" Havekost, 30, entered an Alford plea, acknowledging that a jury likely would convict her for her role in the death of Alena Stathopoulos, 29, whose body was found off an access road in Squak Mountain State Park near Issaquah in April 2004.

Police and prosecutors said in charging papers that Havekost, Stathopoulos and others were partying in a Seattle hotel when Havekost gave Stathopoulos a lethal dose of methamphetamine and LSD because she believed Stathopoulos had stolen from her.

Seattle

Judge again accused of ethics violations

A King County judge has been accused of violating ethics rules, just one year after being disciplined for similar conduct.

According to a complaint filed by the state Commission on Judicial Conduct, District Judge Mary Ann Ottinger has repeatedly denied defendants their constitutional rights by failing to advise them of a right to a lawyer, their right to remain silent and the consequences of a guilty plea, among other things. She was censured for similar conduct in April 2004 and agreed to attend training sessions on proper courtroom procedures.

The judge has 21 days to respond to the complaint. After that, the commission will hold a public hearing to determine whether judicial rules have been violated. It has the power to discipline judges and also to recommend their removal from office.

Seattle

Guilty plea expected in mail-fraud charges

A Colorado man who allegedly pocketed and misused $13 million from wine-futures investors — including Seattle Mariner Jamie Moyer, former Microsoft executive Scott Oki, and Paul and Maurice Marciano, co-chief executive officers of Guess? clothing — has agreed to plead guilty.

A hearing date for Ronald Wallace's change of plea, to two counts of mail fraud, four counts of wire fraud and one count of collecting unlawful monetary transaction, has not been set, Assistant U.S. Attorney Pamela Johnston said yesterday from her Los Angeles office. Had the case gone to trial, Wallace, 47, faced up to 70 years in prison.

Wallace owned Rare before it was shut down by the FBI and the Internal Revenue Service in February 2003, and he was indicted on 21 counts. Wine-futures companies let clients buy wine that has been fermented but not bottled at a generally reduced rate. Clients put deposits down for wine they are to receive later. Wallace is accused of misusing these deposits, according to the federal indictment.

Seattle

Harborview gets AMA recognition

Harborview Medical Center is among eight hospitals nationwide to be recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA) for exemplary communication between doctors and patients.

The eight hospitals were chosen from about 80 nominees throughout the country by a panel of national health-care experts.

Harborview has programs such as health literacy, interpreters and increased patient involvement that will serve as national models to help doctors better serve patients, said Dr. John Nelson, AMA president.

Granite Falls

Sheriff seeks help in identifying body

The Snohomish County Sheriff's Office is seeking the public's help in identifying a woman whose decomposed body was found on Mount Pilchuck Road near Granite Falls on Saturday.

The county Medical Examiner's Office was unable to identify the remains, nor was it possible to determine a cause of death at this time, said Deputy Rich Niebusch. He added that the results of a full autopsy are pending.

The Sheriff's Office described the remains as being those of a white female, 5 feet to 5-feet-5 and between 20 and 50 years old.

Clothing found at the scene included a white, button-down short-sleeved shirt with a floral pattern and a "Jennifer Moore" brand name. There was a pin on the shirt similar to a safety pin, but longer and wider. Dark sweat pants, size 10 to 12 tall, with an elastic waistband and a "Willow Bay" brand name also were found. Also found was a pair of gray hiking-style shoes, with an unknown brand and a tennis-shoe-style sole and three Velcro enclosures on each side.

Anyone with information may call the tip line: 425-388-3845.

Seattle

Minivan involved in 2 crashes; 7 hurt

Seven men were injured, four critically, when a minivan veered out of control and hit a tree yesterday afternoon near Mercer Street and Fairview Avenue North in Seattle, police said.

The van also had been involved in a hit-and-run crash with a BMW three blocks south at Denny Way and Fairview just moments before, said Seattle police spokesman Officer Rich Pruitt.

No one was injured in the first crash, though high speeds and erratic driving were a factor in both, he said.

All seven men, between ages 18 and 40, were taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. Three had non-life-threatening injuries, Seattle Fire Capt. Reba Gonzales said.

In all, 10 Seattle fire units rushed to the scene. Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske was nearby and also went to the site when emergency crews were called out at 1:22 p.m.

Seattle

Immigration attorney cited for achievement

Seattle attorney Ann Benson has been named recipient of the Daniel Levy Memorial Award for Outstanding Achievement in Immigration law.

Benson, directing attorney for the Washington Defender Association's Immigration Project in Seattle, will receive the award next Wednesday at the Annual American Immigration Lawyers Association Conference in Salt Lake City.

The award is named for the late Daniel Levy of Los Angeles, a leader in immigration law, publishing and scholarship.

Benson has been practicing immigration law since 1991. Her organization advocates for the rights of noncitizens in the criminal-justice system. She also has been legal director at the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, a nonprofit immigration-advocacy group in Seattle.

She is a member of the advisory board for the National Network to End Violence Against Immigrant Women and the American Immigration Lawyers Association, and is on the adjunct faculty of the University of Washington School of Law.

Lewiston, Idaho

Agencies seek appeal of water-spill order

Three federal agencies have asked the Justice Department to appeal last week's order to begin spilling water over five dams on the Snake and Columbia rivers to help float endangered fish stocks to the Pacific Ocean.

Federal attorneys filed motions Monday that would preserve the right of the government to appeal U.S. District Judge James Redden's order to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, a NOAA fisheries spokesman said.

Last week, Redden ordered increasing the spill over the four Snake River dams plus McNary Dam on the Columbia. Environmentalists say the move is critical to increase salmon survival. The Bonneville Power Administration said it could cost $67 million in ungenerated electricity.

Olympia

Lucky Lotto winner is investment banker

A Seattle investment banker won last weekend's $9.3 million Lotto jackpot.

Peter "Tim" Kerr plans to use his lump sum of $4.65 million to pay for his grandchildren's education. He also intends to donate to charity, lottery officials said.

Saturday's jackpot was the largest since October 2003.

Times staff and news services