Bothell

Police ask for help in finding man

Snohomish County sheriff's detectives are seeking information on the whereabouts of a 59-year-old Bothell-area man who was reported missing last week by his wife.

Jeffrey A. Johnson reportedly left his home on Friday morning but never arrived at his workplace, which, according to the neighborhood blog Fremont Universe, is the PCC Market in Seattle's Fremont area.

Johnson's cellphone was left at home, and his vehicle, a white Dodge Dakota pickup, was found on Sunday at Carkeek Park in Seattle.

Johnson is described as 6-foot-2 and 210 lbs. He has brown hair and blue eyes.

Investigators say there is no sign, so far, of foul play. But they are asking anyone with information about Johnson's whereabouts to call the Sheriff's Office tip line: 425-388-3845.

Vancouver, B.C.

Foot, leg found in running shoe

Another foot clad in a running shoe washed up on the Vancouver, B.C. shore, on Tuesday, The Vancouver Sun reports.

It is the eighth foot found on the B.C. coast in the past four years. Three others have washed up on Washington shores, according to The Sun report. The latest remains appear to be a human foot and leg bones, police said. Full story: seati.ms/qbW3l9.

Olympia

Redistricting panel to release plans

The first drafts of Washington's new congressional and legislative district maps will be unveiled Sept. 13.

The Redistricting Commission plans to release eight proposed maps, one legislative and one congressional map from each of the four voting commission members, says spokeswoman Cathy Cochrane.

The commission held months of public hearings across the state, and now it's up to the voting commissioners — two Democrats and two Republicans — to agree on final maps by the end of the year.

After the draft maps are released, the public will be invited to comment before the commissioners negotiate a final plan in October.

The process will be closely watched by potential congressional candidates who are eager to know the boundaries of at least two open congressional seats — the new 10th District and the 1st District seat being vacated by Jay Inslee, who is running for governor.

The Legislature can make only slight changes to the plan drawn up by the bipartisan commission, and only with a two-thirds vote.

The new maps will be in effect for the 2012 elections.

Burien

Transit center all ready to go

The Burien Transit Center park-and-ride garage is now finished, a few weeks before commuters seek more bus service to withstand Highway 99 construction.

A dedication ceremony was held Monday, after the $21 million site opened Saturday with a total of 504 spaces on five levels, and 10 electric-vehicle charging stations. "We are creating a sustainable transportation hub in downtown Burien faster than anyone imagined," said King County Executive Dow Constantine.

On Oct. 1, Metro Transit will add eight round-trip buses to Route 120, linking Burien, White Center, and the Delridge neighborhoods to downtown Seattle. Three weeks later, the Sodo section of the Alaskan Way Viaduct will be closed for demolition, followed by a four-year detour. In 2013, the RapidRide F line begins from Burien to SeaTac, Tukwila and Renton, replacing Route 140.

Ballard

Officer enters plea in off-duty brawl

Seattle police Officer Garth Haynes has pleaded not guilty to assaulting a citizen during an off-duty brawl, the City Attorney's Office said Tuesday.

Haynes waived arraignment on the charge Aug. 15 before a hearing in Seattle Municipal Court, allowing the plea to be entered on the record. As a result, it was not necessary to disclose the plea during the hearing, which was continued until Sept. 19.

Haynes was charged last month with fourth-degree assault stemming from a Dec. 12 incident in which he was captured on a patrol-car video stomping on the head of a man who was handcuffed and prone on the ground. Haynes faces up to one year in jail and a $5,000 fine if convicted of the gross-misdemeanor charge.

According to police reports, Haynes initially was the victim of an attack during the early-morning brawl outside the BalMar nightclub in Ballard. The fight was sparked by a dispute over coats that Haynes and a friend believed a woman had stolen from them.

Omak

Wildfire threatens several homes

Air tankers dropping retardant helped firefighters protect two homes from a wildfire that jumped the fire lines.

About 20 homes are threatened by the fire five miles west of Omak.

Fire spokesman Steve Harris says residents in two homes were advised to evacuate Tuesday afternoon, but that order was removed later in the day with better control of the blaze.

About 150 firefighters are assigned to the fire, and state firefighting teams are en route to the blaze.

Cooler temperatures helped firefighters gain ground on two other fires in Eastern Washington, and crews hope to have them fully contained Wednesday. No structures have been lost.

Seattle

Vanpool program gets electric cars

Employees at Seattle Children's were given keys to four all-electric cars Tuesday, in what King County Metro Transit says is the nation's first use of plug-in vehicles as part of a publicly funded vanpool program.

Metro's Rideshare program has plans to put another 16 Nissan LEAF cars into operation, with the next batch going to employees of Amgen in Seattle.

Drivers of the electric vehicles at Children's will be able to recharge the battery-powered cars at reserved charging stations.

Metro and Sound Transit also added public recharging stations at park-and-rides, including 10 stations at the Burien Transit Center garage dedicated Tuesday.

Times staff and news services