Category Archives: Breaking News

Breaking News, Health and Lifestyle, Local

Cowlitz, Pierce, and Whitman counties rolled back to Phase 2 due to growing COVID cases

[OLYMPIA] – (MTN) As expected, Governor Jay Inslee announced the rollback of three counties that were not meeting adjusted Phase 3 Healthy Washington COVID reopening requirements.

“These metric trends are driven by the virus and we must continue to do everything we can to sharpen our focus and keep COVID-19 activity down. We are so close to the end of the tunnel here — we have made tremendous progress and we must keep our focus,” Inslee said.

The biggest change to commerce when rolling back to Phase 2 is public businesses such as gyms and restaurants have to operate at 25% capacity. Gathers should be limited to 5 people indoors, and 15 people outdoors.

All counties will be re-evaluated in two weeks. King and Skagit counties were close to crossing the line for rolling back but didn’t cross the thresholds. To date, 40% of Washington residents have at least their first COVID vaccination shot.

Breaking News, Health and Lifestyle, Local

COVID vaccinations open to all eligible Washington residents on April 15

[KIRKLAND] – (MTN) Governor Jay Inslee announced today that COVID-19 vaccinations will be open to all Washington residents 16-years old and over on April 15, 2021. Citing the concerning increase in new cases, promises of a continued increase in supply by the federal government, and multiple counties exceeding Phase 3 guidelines, the state is accelerating vaccine availability. The three vaccines currently available in the United States, Pfizer, Modera, and Johnson and Johnson, are FDA approved for people over 15 years of age.

On Wednesday, vaccines became available to everyone age 60 or older, or with two co-morbidities, people who live in congregate settings and workers in restaurants, construction, and manufacturing. Additionally, to schedule an appointment a person did not have to verify their eligibility through the state portal.

Washington state has been lagging behind other states in vaccinating its citizens and has the lowest general vaccination rate in the nation before COVID-19 struck. States have wrestled with equitable distribution to vulnerable populations versus those eager and willing to get the shot.

The Biden Administration set a goal of 100 million vaccinated within 100 days, and recently changed the goal to 200 million vaccinated in the first 100 days.

BIPOC, Breaking News, Local

Clark County judge taking “time off” after comments on race caught in Zoom meeting

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Clark County District Court Judge Darvin Zimmerman, 70, stated he was taking time off after being caught on camera during a Zoom meeting making comments about Kevin Peterson Jr. and Black suspects in general.

Last week between court cases, Judge Zimmerman spoke to another court official while the Zoom meeting was running. During his conversation, he demonstrated judicial and racial bias while disparaging defendants and their family members. The Oregonian released a video of his comments on Monday after a YouTube video was removed on Saturday.

The Barrar Law Firm, one of the largest criminal defense firms in Western Washington, called for Zimmerman’s resignation following the broadcast. Moments later, the other five judges at Clark County District Court condemned Zimmerman’s comment, stating, “racial bias displayed by a judge is unacceptable, unethical, unjust and cannot be tolerated.”

By morning, county prosecutors and defense lawyers alike were filing motions to disqualify Zimmerman on cases he was presiding over. In a story by Oregon Public Broadcasting, Clark County Prosecutor Tony Golik stated, “We’re not indicating that the prosecutor’s office feels like we would necessarily get an unfair ruling. We’re worried more about people that are accused.”

During the Zoom meeting where Zimmerman talks to another unnamed court official, he stated that Kevin Peterson, Jr. had a “death wish” and that he was “so dumb” for fearing a lifetime in jail if he didn’t cooperate with a regional task force. Peterson Jr., a 21-year-old Black man, was shot by police in October during an alleged drug bust. Security camera video and phone records call into question police actions during the attempted arrest of Peterson Jr.

In a further twist, Judge Zimmerman’s son, Erik Zimmerman, was one of the Clark County Sheriff deputies present during the attempted arrest of Peterson Jr. As the suspect ran away from police, the younger Zimmerman was one of three deputies who shot at Peterson Jr.

During the Zoom meeting, Judge Zimmerman suggested that Peterson Jr. family was trying to capitalize on his death, saying, “he wakes up with dollar signs in his eyes and George Floyd’s attorneys.”

Several defense attorneys and public defenders who have petitioned Judge Zimmerman have come forward this week with questions on his conduct and his attitudes towards non-English speaking defendants.

Breaking News, Health and Lifestyle, Local

All Washington counties moving to Phase 3 reopening on March 22

[OLYMPIA] – (MTN) Governor Jay Inslee announced that all Washington counties will be moving to Phase 3 reopening effective March 22, 2021. Also, it was announced that all people in the Tier 2 group for immunization will be eligible ahead of schedule, on March 17, 2021.

An industry-by-industry list of changes has not been provided by the governor’s office, however, the list represents a major move toward normalcy for residents and businesses alike.

  • Restaurants will be able to seat at up to 50% capacity or 400 people indoors, whichever is lower
  • Indoor venues with permanent seating for 800 people or less, such as movie theaters, will be able to reopen at 50% capacity
  • Indoor venues with permanent eating for 800 or more people, such as indoor arenas, will be able to reopen at 25% capacity
  • Outdoor venues such as stadiums will be able to have in-person spectators again, at 25% of maximum capacity, this includes high school sports, professional sports, rodeos, motorsports, and other spectator events
  • All indoor spaces, including offices, factories, gyms, fitness centers, and others will be able to open up to 50% capacity or a maximum of 400 people, whichever is lower

Masks and social distancing rules will still be required. This is a breaking news story with more information to come.

BIPOC, Breaking News, Local, National

Biden signs $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, what it means for Washingtonians

[SEATTLE] – (MTN) On Thursday, President Joe Biden signed the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan. The sweeping measure provides a wide range of support to states and municipalities, businesses, and individuals impacted by COVID-related hardship.

The bill provides sweeping measures that will provide benefits for many in Washington state. Individuals tax filers who earned less than $75,000 and households that earned less than $150,000 can expect to receive their $1,400 stimulus check by the end of March. A household of four that made under $150,000 could receive as much as $5,600 in stimulus money. A reduced benefit is provided for individuals who earned up to $80,000 and households that earned up to $160,000.

For the unemployed, Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) have been extended to September 6, 2021. For Washington state residents, the extension will end on September 4, 2021. Also, the $300 federal boost to unemployment will continue through the same period. The Washington Employment Security website indicates that most recipients will not have a gap in benefits. However, those that are on extended unemployment benefits will need to apply for PUA or PEUC. A spokesperson for the state indicated that PUA is the last resort for those who don’t qualify for PEUC.

The first $10,200 of unemployment compensation paid in 2020 and 2021 is tax-exempt. Individuals that have already filed their 2020 tax return will have to make an amended return.

Another benefit for Washingtonians will provide financial relief to those buying health insurance through the federal health exchange or state marketplace. The amount paid is capped for the next two years at 8.5% of income, significantly reducing healthcare premiums for hundreds of thousands.

If you’re paying for health insurance through COBRA, and your job loss was COVID-related, the government will pay 100% of the premiums from April 1 to September 30, 2021.

For government, healthcare, and direct COVID response

  • $219.8 billion available through December 31, 2024, for states, US territories, and tribal governments to mitigate the fiscal impact from COVID response
    • $195.3 billion is set aside for direct federal aid to states and districts
    • $4.5 billion is set aside for direct federal aid to territories such as Puerto Rico and Guam
    • $20 billion is set aside for direct federal aid to tribal governments
    • $130.2 billion is set aside for direct federal aid to cities, towns, and counties
  • $91 billion to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to accelerate the production of COVID vaccines and fund continued research while expanding testing and contact tracing
  • $47.8 billion to HHS to diagnose, trace, and monitor COVID infections, directing HHS to implement a national, coordinated strategy, including the use and distribution of testing kits, adding lab capacity, and creating mobile test capacity to support rural communities
  • $7.5 billion for the Centers for Disease Control for tracking vaccination nationally and monitor efficacy long term
  • $7.6 billion to assist Community Health Centers in rural and poor regions of the country to provide vaccinations and COVID related medical services
  • $7.7 billion to HHS to rehire and expand staffing that was cut by the prior administration
  • $58.5 billion to be set aside to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster fund through FY2025, to reimburse states for COVID related expenses, and to help states fund rural health care, providers

For individuals

  • $,1400 in direct payments to individual US social security number holders who filed a tax return or were claimed on a tax return and made $75,000 or less in 2020, or $150,000 or less per household – the direct payments represent 21% of the entire cost of the bill
    • The direct payment phases out for individuals tax filers making $80,000 or more and households making $160,000 or more
  • Removes the income gap for two years for health insurance premium tax credits for individuals and families using the federal health exchange or Washington state marketplace for health insurance
    • The amount paid out of pocket is limited to 8.5% of income, as measured by the exchange
    • Any taxpayer who received too much tax credit during the 2020 tax season won’t have to pay back the excess to the IRS
  • Extends Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation until September 6, 2021, providing extended unemployment payments for those out of work due to COVID related shutdowns or slowdowns
  • Extends Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) which supports 1099, gig workers, and the self-employed who have lost work due to COVID related shutdowns or can’t work due to being in a vulnerable group
  • Extends the additional $300 federal unemployment increase through September 6, 2021, for anyone drawing unemployment
  • Exempts the first $10,200 collected through unemployment compensation in 2020 and 2021 from federal taxes
  • Expansion of the Child Tax Credit (CTC) and Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) from $2000 to $3000, and to $3600 for children under the age of 6
  • Expansion of the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit increasing the credit to $4,000 for one child and $8,000 for two or more children
  • $21.5 billion in Emergency Federal Rental Assistance to aid those facing eviction for unpaid rent
  • $5 billion to support community efforts to provide support services and housing solutions to the homeless
  • $10 billion through the Department of Treasury to provide direct assistance to homeowners and small landlords facing foreclosure due to job loss or uncollected rent

For businesses

  • $28.6 billion in relief to small and midsized restaurants, expanding money available in the Restaurants Revitalization Fund
  • $1.25 billion added to the Shuttered Venture Operator Grant program to help live music venues, performing arts centers, independent movie theaters, and museums
  • $15 billion in new funds for the Targeted Economic Injury Disaster Loan grant
  • $7 billion added to the existing Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is expanded to support 501(c)(5) non-profits
  • $10 billion to aid the creation of state-led programs which utilize private capital for low-interest loans and other investment to support entrepreneurs
  • Extends the Employee Retention Tax Credit through December 31, 2021
  • Restores Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) tax credits providing payroll tax credits to employers who voluntarily provide paid sick leave through the end of September 2021 to those infected with COVID, or have to care for an FMLA qualified relative who has COVID

Controversial pork projects were largely removed from the bill as it was reconciled in the Senate. Not a single Republican voted in favor of the bill.

Breaking News, National

Alternative Social Media Site Gab deletes Twitter account and site is down

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[SEATTLE] – (MTN) Alternative social media platform Gab, a favorite of alt-right and extremist groups such as the Proud Boys, is down, and the Twitter account was deleted today. Gab, which uses Sammamish, Washington Epik Software as registrar, is hosted on Cloudflare. The website returns a 521 error, indicating a security configuration problem or the site has been taken offline. Twitter stated that they have not taken any action against Gab’s account.

Andrew Torba who founded Gab in 2016, claimed that the site picked up over 600,000 when Parler was de-platformed by AWS. As Parler struggled to find a new technology solution, Torba reached out to then Parler CEO John Matze through social media, offering advice for restarting Parler. Matze was fired from Parler on January 29, 2021, and says it was without cause or severance.

Gab has played prominently as one of the platforms used by insurrections to plan the storming of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Users of the site posted videos and information about the Capitol, how to pry doors open, office locations, and videos of events inside the Capitol. After the failed coup, CEO Torba bragged Gab was adding 10,000 users per hour. The CEO also claimed they were working with law enforcement in their ongoing investigation of the attack but wouldn’t share any further details.

Gab, a microblogging site similar in concept to Twitter, became publicly available in May 2017. On October 27, 2018, neo-Nazi Robert Gregory Bowers killed 11 people at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His bio on Gab included statements such as, “Jews are the children of Satan,” and posted on his Gab account right before he attacked the temple, “Screw your optics, I’m going in.”

After the massacre, Gab suspended Bower’s account and cooperated with the FBI. The day after the shooting, PayPal, GoDaddy, with offices in Kirkland, and Medium terminated their business relationships with Gab. Gab’s host provider Joyent also ended its relationship, taking the site offline. On November 4, 2018, Epik Sofware agreed to be the registrar for the Gab domain.

Torba has been known to use these types of events to create publicity for himself and the social media platform. With the Twitter account deleted and the 521 error from Cloudflare, it appears there is more to this story than an attempt to make headlines.

BIPOC, Breaking News, Local

Superior Court Judge Ramsmeyer upholds protesters’ claims of discrimination

[SEATTLE] – (MTN) Superior Court Judge Judith H. Ramseyer rejected the City of Seattle’s attempt to dismiss a lawsuit for wrongful death, personal injuries, and civil rights violations. Attorneys from Stritmatter, Kessler, Koehler, and Moore, and co-counsel Cedar Law PLLC filed the suit last fall on behalf of more than 60 plaintiffs who participated in Black Lives Matter protests. The plaintiffs, including the survivors of Summer Taylor, claim that policing decisions were based on discriminatory practices and negligence causing injuries and death.

In court today, lawyers representing the city argued that the Washington Law Against Discrimination (WLAD) is only applicable for employer-employee law. Lawyers representing the city stated that applying WLAD to this case would be a “radical departure of the law” and represented a new legal theory. “We’ve seen the difference between how the police have handled other protests such as the women’s march and blue lives matters protests versus those for Black lives,” said attorney Sarah Lippek of Cedar Law, PLLC. “We think the differences in treatment are discriminatory.”

The city’s argument was, in part, that since protesters are not city employees, the protesters were not protected by WLAD even if the city behaved in a discriminatory way. Karen Koehler argued that protesters of all races advocating on behalf of Black lives and then brutalized by police due to their advocacy should be covered under the non-discrimination law.

Judge Ramseyer sided with the plaintiffs and upheld the claim that authorities’ actions over the summer could be considered discriminatory under WLAD. “The judge upheld our cause of action that protesters of all races advocating for Black lives could bring discrimination claims against the police for their brutal and disproportionate response,” said attorney Lara Hruska.

Another finding in today’s case is that the streets are “places of public accommodation” protected under WLAD. In 2019 the Washington State Supreme Court found that places of public accommodation are broadly defined as facilities or businesses used by or open to the public. Judge Ramseyer’s decision expands that protection. “The court decided that the streets are an area of public accommodation, and the police can’t discriminate against protesters on those streets,” said Lippek. “I mean, what is more public than the streets?”

DISCLOSURE: Renee Raketty, field editor for Malcontent News is a plaintiff in this case.

Breaking News, Local

BREAKING: Seattle police fatally shoot suicidal man

UPDATED: February 16, 2021 @ 11:23 PM

[SEATTLE] – (MTN) The Seattle Police Department has reported a man is dead after an officer-involved shooting on Alaskan Way and University along the waterfront. Video of the scene showed a large police presence during the ongoing investigation. The police scanner records indicate officers were called to engage with a suicidal man who had a knife. The man started to approach the officers and he was shot. A Public Information Officer stated the man was shot by two officers, was white, and was declared dead at the scene.

STATEMENT BY SEATTLE POLICE PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER V. CARLSON

According to a transcript of Seattle Police radio traffic, Seattle police officers were responding to a call of a suicidal man at 9:19 PM. A minute later, officers requested a unit with “40mm,” which would a less-lethal device. At 9:22 radio traffic indicated police has spotted the individual by the cruise dock and had a knife in his left hand. At 9:23 PM police stated, “shots fired, suspect down.”

TWITTER VIDEO OF SPD IMMEDIATELY AFTER POLICE SHOOTING OF AN ALLEGEDLY SUICIDAL MAN

Alaskan Way and surrounding streets along the waterfront are closed and people are being asked to avoid the area.

Breaking News, Local

Mount Vernon woman arrested for second-degree murder over political sign

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UPDATED: February 16, 2021 @ 11:38 PM – neighbors are reporting it was a Loren Culp sign, and not a Donald Trump sign

[MOUNT VERNON] – (MTN) A 32-year-old Arlington woman is dead, and her assailant is in Skagit County jail under investigation for her murder. Skagit County Sheriff’s deputies arrested 55-year old Angela Marie Conjin on second-degree murder charges and her husband John for fourth-degree assault. Anglea Conjin is being held without bail pending her first hearing. Conjin is accused of shooting the 32-year old victim to death after her husband and another man allegedly got into a fight over a Loren Culp sign that was in Conjin’s yard.

According to goskagit.com, deputies responded to a 911 call on Saturday around 5:30 PM, reporting a fight in progress. As deputies were en route, they received another 911 call stating a person had been shot at the same address.

Deputies arrived to find the 32-year-old Arlington woman dead in the driveway. According to a statement made by the sheriff’s department, officers spoke with the home occupants and arrested the couple without incident. Conjin’s first court appearance scheduled for today was canceled. The Skagit County Prosector’s Office reported that charges were filed today using a committee magistrate warrant, and Conjin will have her first hearing on Wednesday at 8:30 AM. Brett Purtzer of Tacoma is her attorney and has a history of taking cases where defendants plead self-defense or mental anguish.

Public records show Anglea Conjin was a teacher’s aide for the Sedro-Wooley School District. In 2019 she trained to be a hairstylist and started working for La Conner Hair Design. Calls and messages to La Conner Hair Design went unanswered. Investigators have not released the nature of the political sign, but a report from Seattle TV station KING 5, indicates it was a Loren Culp Sign. Loren Culp lost the gubernatorial election in Washington state by 545,000 votes but refused to concede and made baseless allegations of fraud without evidence. Public records show Conjin is a registered Republican in the state of Washington.

Conjin’s background indicates she has had financial troubles in the past, including a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, but has no prior criminal record.

You can read our latest update by clicking this link.

Breaking News, Local

Seattle Police release video of shooting incident by Jimi Hendrix Park

Gallery

[SEATTLE] – (MTN) The Seattle Police Department has released a heavily edited video from the shooting incident by Jimi Hendrix Park last night. Yesterday evening around 9:15 PM, 911 started receiving calls for shots fired in the 2300 block of Massachusetts Street, by the Urban League Village Apartments. As police arrived they heard gunfire and held their position to wait for more units to arrive. According to the Seattle Police Department, they were confronted by an armed man who fires at the police, and officers returned fire. During this period, 911 received a phone call from a woman reporting that she and her friend had been shot, and her friend was dying after being shot in the face three times. They reported they did not know their location, but 911 dispatch had identified it in the call as the 2300 block of Massachusetts Street. One woman died, the other is in critical condition, and the gunman was declared dead at the scene.

This video contains graphic scenes and descriptions of violence, viewer discretion is advised

The heavily edited video raises questions on the police account of the incident. The video shows two points of view. One from a group of heavily armed officers, who repeatedly order the gunman to put their gun down. There is suddenly a hail of semi-automatic gunfire from sidearms and rifles. A second body cam video from a closer perspective shows the gunman emerging from a driveway and raising his weapon toward police, but it does not appear to show the gunman firing at officers. The gunman has been identified by multiple sources as Gregory Taylor, who was a resident of the apartments.

The conduct of 911 operators will likely be called into question by the community. The woman caller repeats that her friend is dying and she doesn’t know her location. The first dispatcher sounds exasperated as he connects the Seattle Fire Department to the call before asking for other basic information.

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”23″ gal_title=”Jimi Hendrix Park Shooting”]

Protesters marched in Seattle tonight and dropped two banners over an overpass condemning Seattle Police actions. Later, protesters gathered outside of the East Precinct on Capitol Hill in a familiar scene, creating chalk art on the temporary wall. Seattle Police appear to have made one arrest during that protest.