Researchers to study Puget Sound hypoxia

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has given a grant to scientists at Columbia University in New York City and the Battelle Marine Science Laboratory in Sequim to help figure out the sources of organic matter and nutrients that can deplete oxygen in the Sound.

Known as hypoxia, such low oxygen levels can lead to dead zones that deep-water fish cannot survive.

With climate change expected to increase stress on the Sound in coming decades, some scientists have said it is possible that such incidents of oxygen depletion may increase.

So far, poor water circulation and human and agricultural waste have been blamed. But scientists have yet to understand enough about hypoxia to help predict when it will occur.

Council restricts lobbying for arena

The City Council voted Monday to restrict city lobbying for a Sonics proposal to use public funds to expand KeyArena.

In a unanimous decision, the council said it might support such lobbying but not before it holds an "open and transparent decision-making process."

Councilman Nick Licata, who co-sponsored the resolution, said it was meant to prevent a repeat of last year, when Mayor Greg Nickels hired a lobbyist to help the Sonics win a $205 million expansion of KeyArena from state lawmakers.

That effort failed, but the NBA team is expected to try again next year. Nickels supported Monday's resolution.

Seattle

Recognition sought for Filipino soldiers

The Metropolitan King County Council on Monday urged Congress and President Bush to grant veterans benefits to soldiers who fought in Filipino units of the U.S. armed forces.

More than 200,000 members of the Philippines Commonwealth Army and the Special Philippines Scouts were put under U.S. military command before the United States entered World War II. After the war, Congress deemed them not to be members of the armed forces.

The Filipino Veterans Equity Bill endorsed by the council also would grant family members of the Filipino veterans U.S. citizenship, a status already accorded to the soldiers.

Man to face charges for same 2000 crime

A Mountlake Terrace man convicted of second-degree murder for strangling a mail-order bride in 2000 is scheduled to be back in Everett on Nov. 10 for an arraignment for first-degree murder for the same crime.

Snohomish County prosecutors are pursuing first-degree-murder charges after Daniel Larson, 25, asked that his original guilty plea be withdrawn, said deputy prosecutor Kathy Webber. Part of the plea agreement was that he wouldn't appeal.

Larson was sentenced to 20 years in prison for strangling Anastasia King while her then-husband, Indle King Jr., held her down. Prosecutors, who originally charged Larson with first-degree murder, offered him second-degree murder for his testimony in King's trial.

Larson is in a correctional facility in Minnesota, where the state leases beds, said a Washington Department of Corrections spokeswoman.

He will be taken to Everett for his arraignment Nov. 10, said Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Coleen St. Clair, who is to prosecute Larson.

King was sentenced in 2003 to 29 years in prison for first-degree murder and a related charge of witness tampering.

Residents invited to pair of meetings

Kirkland is inviting residents to public meetings this week to discuss how to address the increase in calls to the city's police and fire departments.

The city is considering several proposals to improve response times, including adding a medical-aid unit to the Juanita/Totem Lake Fire Station, putting more police on the streets and hiring a full-time manager to run the 911 call center.

Both meetings will take place at 7 p.m. in Kirkland City Hall, 123 Fifth Ave. Tonight's will be in City Council chambers; Wednesday's meeting will be in the Peter Kirk room.

Visit www.ci.kirkland.wa.us/ to learn more, or ask questions or share suggestions at psstaffing@ci.kirkland.wa.us.

E. coli outbreak under investigation

At least 18 people who became sick after dining at a Bend seafood restaurant appear to have been infected by a strand of E. coli.

The outbreak at McGrath's Fish House one week ago is being investigated by the Deschutes County Public Health Department. The department's lab has confirmed two cases of E. coli stemming from meals at the restaurant; another 16 diners are showing symptoms typical of an E. coli infection.

Five restaurant workers also have reported symptoms, health officials said.

Jim Marshall, vice chairman and director of operations for McGrath's, said the restaurant, which is based in Salem, requires workers to wear gloves while handling food and has a hand-washing policy in place.

"All of those checks and balances and safeguards are built inside the company," Marshall said. "It is just so unfortunate."

Symptoms of E. coli infection include bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramping, according to the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

About 500 people eat at McGrath's each day, Marshall said. It's unclear what caused the outbreak because the 18 suffering from the symptoms of the infection chose different menu items.

This is the first reported case of E. coli at the 25-year-old McGrath chain, restaurant officials said.

Marine in hospital for war injuries

A Pendleton Marine, who was injured in Iraq when a bomb exploded beneath his Humvee, remains in a military hospital in Germany after doctors amputated his left leg.

Pfc. Zachery J. Knight is recovering at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center's intensive-care unit in Landstuhl, Germany. When he is stable, he will be moved to the Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland, said his mother, Tammy Knight.

In addition to his leg injury, Knight's jaw and wrist were broken in the explosion.

A 2003 graduate of Pendleton High School, Knight was part of a military-police company assigned to provide support to troops.

Times staff and news services