Former King County elections chief won't be charged

Seattle

A former King County elections superintendent who was investigated for allegedly creating a false document won't be charged with a crime, a state prosecutor said Thursday.

Lana Weinmann, chief criminal prosecutor in the Attorney General's Office, said there was insufficient evidence "to show a jury beyond a reasonable doubt" that Julie Anne Kempf committed a crime.

Kempf, who was fired after she allegedly lied about the late mailing of absentee ballots in the November 2002 election, was arrested in July 2005 for investigation of forgery, theft, criminal impersonation and assault.

Kempf, who has been critical of the elections office since her firing, called her arrest and the investigation "a political smear job ... to shut me up."

Columbia River Gorge

More hearings set on tribal casino

The federal government has agreed to hold five more public hearings on a proposal by an Oregon tribe to build a Las Vegas-style casino in the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon.

The announcement from the Interior Department keeps alive a proposal by the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs to build a casino complex in Cascade Locks, about 40 miles east of Portland.

Supporters cheered the news, which comes as federal officials have rejected nearly two dozen proposals for off-reservation casinos — including three in Washington state and one other in Oregon.

In rejecting 22 of 30 off-reservation proposals, the Interior Department said for the first time it will study commute times as it considers whether to approve new off-reservation casinos.

The five hearings were expected to be held in a few months. One is to be in Washington state in Stevenson, Skamania County, and the others in Oregon.

Seattle

Harborview wins national award

Harborview Medical Center has received a noted national award — and $100,000 — for innovative programs for improving the health and well-being of the community.

The 2007 Foster G. McGaw Prize, sponsored by the American Hospital Association and the philanthropic foundations of two for-profit international health-care-services companies, recognized Harborview for its programs to provide health care to the homeless, its support of housing and employment for the mentally ill and its efforts to overcome language and cultural disparities in health care.

The judges also looked at the hospital's education and support for chronically ill patients, as well as its efforts to prevent childhood injury through participation in the Injury Free Coalition for Kids of Seattle.

Everett

Memorial service for teen killed on hike

The life of 13-year-old Emily Swanson will be celebrated at a public memorial service at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Northshore Christian Church, 5700 23rd Drive W., Everett.

Swanson, a student at Harbor Pointe Middle School in Mukilteo, was killed Jan. 4 in an avalanche while hiking with an adult and six other children on the north slopes of Mount Pilchuck.

For directions to the memorial service, go to www.northshorechristian.org.

Klamath Falls, Ore.

Blood-alcohol level 9 times over limit

Authorities say a woman found in a car in Klamath County had a blood-alcohol level of 0.72 percent — nine times greater than the legal limit for driving.

Sheriff Tim Evinger said it's rare to see readings higher than .30 percent. Levels of 0.40 percent to 0.50 percent are considered lethal.

Evinger said Terri Comer, 42, had been heading to her home in Keno last month, southeast of Klamath Falls. An off-duty deputy found her in the car, which had plowed through about 100 feet of snow.

Evinger said she was unconscious for 12 hours but released after a day in the hospital. He said she was charged with drunken driving.

Calgary, Alberta

9 hurt as plane hits turbulence