Local News

Seattle

Man fatally shot

near nightclub

One man was fatally shot and two other men injured in a fight that broke out about 2 a.m. Sunday in the 2900 block of First Avenue South in Seattle.

The three men were apparently part of a chaotic crowd that had emptied from a nearby nightclub, according to Seattle police.

The gunshot victim, who was not identified, was shot in the lower torso. He died at Harborview Medical Center on Sunday evening. The other two men suffered minor injuries, primarily bruises and scrapes on their heads.

Police said witnesses "were less than forthcoming with investigating officers." Details of the shooting remain under investigation.

Vancouver, Wash.

Dog is killed

in fire it started

A dog inadvertently started a fire that destroyed a house early Saturday morning in Vancouver's Sunnyside neighborhood, according to the Vancouver Fire Department.

Firefighters dispatched to the blaze at 11613 N.E. 65th Ave. at 12:43 a.m. could see fire and smoke for more than a mile away, said Vancouver Fire Department Capt. David James. They arrived to find heavy fire coming from the back of the single-story ranch house.

James said the renter had left the dog alone in the house for the first time, and investigators believe the dog jumped up looking for food on the stove and inadvertently turned the stove on, which caused items on the stove to catch fire.

When the fire was brought under control, only a small section of it remained standing, with damage estimated at $100,000 to the structure and $75,000 to the contents.

The dog did not survive.

Walla Walla

Inmates locked

down after fight

Four units at the state penitentiary were on lockdown after a fight broke out between two inmates Saturday evening.

A prison administrator said four staffers were injured when they broke up the fight, which occurred about 7:40 p.m. in a common area of one of four close-custody living units in the West Complex, which is the prison's second-highest custody level.

Staff recovered several weapons that had been used in the assault and placed six offenders in segregation. All activities in the West Complex, including visiting, were canceled for the rest of the weekend.

Pasco

County manager

held in $1M theft

Franklin County commissioners have called a special meeting for 9 a.m. Monday to evaluate complaints brought against a Franklin County public-works manager accused of embezzling more than $1 million from the county over a decade.

The commissioners will discuss the complaints against the 65-year-old manager, Dennis M. Huston, 65, of Pasco, during a closed-door session.

Huston is being held on $500,000 bail on suspicion of first-degree theft, money laundering and cocaine possession.

Commissioners also will discuss during open session an agreement for engineering services with Benton County.

Times staff and news services