Other News

Making headlines around the Northwest this morning:

• Hundreds Protest in Seattle After Birk Decision
• Agreement Reached on Deficit Cutting Package
• Wet Snow for Parts of Western Washington
• More Charges in Lakewood Police Shooting Case

Surprise, Anger, Emotion Follow Birk Rebuke, Resignation

Protesters numbering in the hundreds marched from downtown Seattle to a Capitol Hill Police precinct following a day of dramatic developments in the case of Officer Ian Birk. In the span of a few hours Wednesday:

• The King County Prosecutor's Office announced it would not file criminal charges against Birk for the shooting death of Native American woodcarver John T. Williams.
• The Seattle Police Firearms Review Board reported its finding that Birk's shooting of Williams was unjustified. (Video here.)
• Officer Birk resigned from the Seattle Police Department.
  

With the Alaskan Way viaduct scheduled to be demolished in 2016, Seattle area residents are dreaming up possibilities for connecting the waterfront to the city. For decades, the viaduct has largely blocked Elliott Bay, unless you're driving on it or looking out of a high rise building. 

Tolls on the old 520 bridge across Lake Washington are coming soon--likely starting in April.

It's an all-electronic system, so there won't be an option to just throw some coins into a box. You'll need a special pass on the windshield of your car. The price of driving over the floating span between Seattle and Bellevue will vary, depending on the time of day.  

State Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond put on a happy face as she reminded folks to get ready to pay as much as $3.50 each way at the height of rush hour.

The former Olympia Brewery, in Tumwater, Wash., may join a handful of historic structures around Puget Sound that are finding new life as shopping or entertainment complexes. 

A Centralia developer bought the old brewhouse and a nearby warehouse last year, and now he's trying to put together a plan that will attract further financing.

Making headlines around the Northwest this morning:

• No Charges in Woodcarver Shooting
• Vulcan hired to re-develop Bothell
• Monroe Weighs Schools Consolidation
• Seattle Fireworks Show Needs Cash - Again

Seattle Officer Won't be Charged in Williams Slaying; Could be Fired

The King County Prosecutor's Office has decided not to file criminal charges against the Seattle Police officer who shot and killed a Native American woodcarver last year. An official announcement is expected today from the Prosecutor's Office.

Junior is back.

Ken Griffey, Jr. is returning to the Seattle Mariners as a special consultant less than a year after abruptly retiring from baseball.

The Mariners made the announcement Tuesday morning.