NW News Network

Trucking Company 'Baffled' By Bridge Collapse, But Not Engineers

Austin Jenkins — Sat, 25 May 2013 00:10:53 +0000

The trucking company involved in the Skagit River bridge collapse had no serious safety violations. That’s according to U.S. Department of Transportation records. A vice president for the company says he’s “baffled” how one of his trucks could have brought down a bridge. But engineers say it’s possible – especially with an older truss-style bridge.

When Jugesh Kapur was in charge of the bridge department at the Washington Department of Transportation, he says about once a month he’d get a report of a truck or some other moving object striking a bridge.

Mental Health Debate Personal For One Oregon Lawmaker

Chris Lehman — Fri, 24 May 2013 23:58:06 +0000

After last December’s mass shootings in Oregon and Connecticut, Democrats and Republicans in the Oregon legislature called for increased funding for mental health care. Now, there’s a proposal under discussion that would expand such programs in a big way, but it remains caught up in a debate over how to fund it. And for one lawmaker, mental health care is a very personal issue.

Unusual Funding For Unusual Proof-of-Concept Power Plant

Tom Banse — Fri, 24 May 2013 23:37:37 +0000

A renewable energy consultant and the Oregon Institute of Technology have come up with an unusual financing plan for an even more unusual power plant idea.

Fewer But Bigger Northwest Cherries Expected This Year

Anna King — Fri, 24 May 2013 23:02:55 +0000

Northwest cold snaps this spring mean not as many cherries this summer. Flower buds and bees don’t like low temperatures. And the cherries don’t like the rain.

Bridge Collapse Trucking Company's Safety Record Better Than Most

Austin Jenkins — Fri, 24 May 2013 22:11:23 +0000

Federal records show the trucking company involved in the I-5 bridge collapse in Skagit County north of Seattle has a safety record that’s better than most.

Mullen Trucking out of Alberta, Canada has an on-road performance rating of three percent. What does that mean? When it comes to trucking safety – like in golf – a low score is good.

Engineer Says Truck Strike Could Bring Down Bridge

Austin Jenkins — Fri, 24 May 2013 05:36:15 +0000

Just prior to the I-5 bridge collapse Thursday night north of Seattle, eyewitnesses report an oversized load struck a portion of the bridge’s steel superstructure. That’s the frame that’s key to holding the bridge up.

Many Posts, But Little Pointing To Grudge In Online Life Of Ricin Suspect

Jessica Robinson — Fri, 24 May 2013 00:23:15 +0000

The 38-year-old man accused of sending ricin-laced letters to a federal judge and the Spokane post office had an active social media presence. But his online profiles contain no hints at a grudge toward the federal government.

This was also not his first run-in with the law.

Federal agents in hazmat gear searched Matthew Ryan Buquet’s apartment last Saturday for evidence related to ricin, a dangerous toxin made from castor beans.

Fairchild Officials Say Base Is Well Positioned Despite Losing Out On Tankers

Jessica Robinson — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:10:26 +0000

Officials at Fairchild Air Force Base say their role in the military's Asia-Pacific operations will not change anytime soon. That's despite the Pentagon Wednesday opting not to locate the next generation of Air Force refueling tankers at the base outside of Spokane, Wash.

Col. Brian Newberry spoke to reporters at Fairchild Air Force Base in front of a hulking gray plane. This aircraft was built in 1958. It's one of the refueling tankers slated to be replaced by the bigger, more advanced KC-46A, built by Boeing.

Super-Energy Efficient Homes Built To Inspire More Stringent Codes

Tom Banse — Thu, 23 May 2013 00:32:00 +0000

The homes of the future will come with remarkably low heating bills. At least that's the hope of a Portland-based non-profit showcasing 13 super energy efficient homes in four Northwest states. The question is, can you afford to buy one of these houses?

The model homes are scattered among many of the big cities in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana. The houses don't look unusual from the outside.

Oregon Lawmakers Vote To Crack Down On Inefficient Charities

Chris Lehman — Thu, 23 May 2013 00:07:44 +0000

Oregon lawmakers want to crack down on charities that use very little of the money they raise to actually help people.