Ron Paul to open state HQ in Seattle

Seattle

Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul will be in Seattle today to open a Washington state headquarters and meet with University of Washington students.

The Republican congressman from Texas also will deliver an economic speech to an invitation-only group of businesspeople.

The opening of the campaign office at 4341 ½ University Way N.E. is at 1:15 p.m. and is open to the public.

He'll meet with students at 2 p.m. at the Husky Union Building on the UW campus. That event also is open to the public.

Fort Lewis

Silver Stars awarded to two soldiers

In a Wednesday afternoon ceremony at Fort Lewis, two soldiers with the Army's 3rd (Stryker) Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division were awarded Silver Stars for gallantry in their combat actions in Iraq.

Sgt. 1st Class Ismael Iban was recognized for his actions on Feb. 19, when a joint security station with Iraqi forces came under attack from a suicide bomber who blew up a vehicle at Tarmiyah. Under Iban's leadership, Army officials say, a platoon then responded to enemy small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades, cleared debris and secured a helicopter landing zone. These actions allowed 21 wounded soldiers to be evacuated, according to Army officials.

Staff Sgt. Jon Hilliard was recognized for his actions in March in Baqouba, when his Stryker vehicle was struck by a bomb. Hilliard was thrown onto the roof of the Stryker and suffered injuries to his left leg. While exposed to enemy fire, he freed a machine gun and ammunition from the burning wreckage. He identified enemy positions and provided suppressive fire while wounded soldiers were evacuated. He also retrieved a grenade launcher and took out an enemy position.

Lake Stevens

Arbitrator rules school district erred

A school district that wanted more class time for math and science violated its teacher contract when it changed class schedules in fall, an arbitrator has ruled. The arbitrator said the Lake Stevens School District could only make the schedule change through negotiations with its teachers union.

Schools Superintendent Dave Burgess said the district went from six- and seven-period days to a five-period day when it opened a new school for eighth- and ninth-graders in fall. He said the recommendation to have longer classes was made to the School Board by a committee that included teachers.

The teachers union said the schedule change meant larger class sizes and violated the labor agreement.

The district will revert to the previous schedule unless the two sides negotiate an agreement before September, said Jim Gow, president of the Lake Stevens Education Association.

Seattle

Driver who died in crash identified

A driver who died Monday after crashing into a state Department of Transportation (DOT) truck on Highway 167 in Renton on Jan. 21 has been identified as Amrinder Dhaliwal.

Dhaliwal, 22, of Kent, was racing another southbound car at speeds up to 120 mph near South 180th Street shortly before 10 p.m. Jan. 21, according to the State Patrol. Dhaliwal struck the truck in an HOV lane that was closed for construction. He was taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle with skull fractures and later died.

The driver of the other car, a 19-year-old from Kent, was arrested on investigation of vehicular assault.

Seattle Times staff and news services