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The letters were sent this month to vote centers or government buildings in six states: Georgia, Nevada, California, Oregon, Washington and Kansas. Lane County, Oregon, which received a suspicious letter, will provide naloxone kits and train elections staff on administering it. The incident prompted King County Elections to procure naloxone, though the antidote was not needed then nor when its Renton office received a second fentanyl-laced letter this month. “We felt like it was just a good idea to have on hand for all kinds of scenarios these days,” King County Elections spokeswoman Halei Watkins said. The office received a threatening letter this month containing baking soda and took the occasion to re-emphasize naloxone is available.

Persons: ”, Eldon Miller, “, Donald Trump, Ann Dover, It’s, ” Dover, Brad Raffensperger, Raffensperger, King, Halei Watkins, Maya Doe, Simkins, ” Chris Anderson, hasn’t, ” Anderson, Linda Farmer, ” Farmer, ___ Komenda, Ken Ritter, Jeff Amy, David Fischer, John Hanna, — Organizations: SEATTLE, King, Elections, FBI, U.S . Postal, Service, Remedy, Associated Press, AP Locations: U.S, Seattle, Georgia, Nevada , California , Oregon, Washington and Kansas, Atlanta's Cherokee, Lane County , Oregon, Lincoln County , Nevada, Atlanta’s Fulton, Pierce, Washington, County, King, Renton, King County, Seminole County , Florida, Tacoma , Washington, Pierce County, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Miami, Topeka , Kansas

The potential Georgia connection surfaced a day after authorities in Washington state said four county election offices had to be evacuated as election workers were processing ballots cast in Tuesday’s election, delaying vote-counting. Election offices in Seattle’s King County and ones in Skagit, Spokane and Pierce counties received envelopes containing suspicious powders. Political Cartoons View All 1237 ImagesTacoma Police spokesperson William Muse said a message inside the envelope received by Pierce County election workers said “something to the effect of stopping the election." It was not immediately clear how authorities came to suspect that a letter might have been sent to the Fulton County election office or whether similar ones went to election offices in other states. "Election officials should be free from fear and intimidation, which is why I’ve called on the General Assembly to increase penalties for election interference,” Raffensperger said.

Persons: William Muse, Muse, Steve Hobbs, ”, Brad Raffensperger, I’ve, ” Raffensperger, accidently, Gene Johnson, Lindsay Whitehurst Organizations: WASHINGTON, —, Georgia Emergency Management, Homeland Security Agency, The Associated Press, Tacoma Police, U.S . Department of Justice, FBI, U.S . Postal, Service, AP, Assembly, Associated Press Locations: Fulton County, Georgia, Atlanta, Washington, Seattle’s King County, Skagit , Spokane, Pierce, Kings, Spokane, Pierce County, United States, Seattle

SEATTLE (AP) — Four county elections offices in Washington state were evacuated Wednesday after they received envelopes containing suspicious powders — including two that field-tested positive for fentanyl — while workers were processing ballots from Tuesday’s election. Renton police detective Robert Onishi confirmed that an envelope received by workers at a King County elections office field-tested positive for fentanyl, while Spokane Police Department spokesperson Julie Humphreys said fentanyl was found in an envelope at the Spokane County Elections office, The Seattle Times reported. Political Cartoons View All 1237 ImagesThe envelope received by the Pierce County elections office in Tacoma contained baking soda, Tacoma police spokesperson William Muse told the paper. Halei Watkins, communications manager for King County Elections, told The Seattle Times the envelope opened by staffers in Renton on Wednesday morning was not a ballot. The Secretary of State's Office noted that elections officials in two counties — King and Okanogan — received suspicious substances in envelopes during the August primary.

Persons: Steve Hobbs, ”, Renton, Robert Onishi, Julie Humphreys, William Muse, ” Muse, Halei Watkins, King County, Watkins, Patrick Bell, Okanogan — Organizations: SEATTLE, Seattle —, State's, Spokane Police, Seattle Times, ” Voters, King County, Spokane County, Okanogan, United States Postal Inspection Service Locations: Washington, King County, Seattle, Skagit , Spokane, Pierce, King, Spokane County, Tacoma, Spokane, Renton, Okanogan

TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — No one will face criminal charges following a two-car crash in Tacoma, Washington, that killed six Arizona residents in July, according to Pierce County prosecutors. A seventh occupant — a Phoenix man — survived with serious injuries but had no memory of the crash. Esparza was driving, and the Phoenix man who survived was in the front passenger’s seat. The driver and passenger in the BMW — a 42-year-old Tacoma man and his 40-year-old wife — were uninjured. There was insufficient evidence to prove the BMW driver acted with disregard for the safety of others, according to Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Elizabeth Dasse.

Persons: Alexander, Kia, —, Felix Y Begay, Lisa Esparza, Javan Runnels, Calsie Sockyma, Erick Tsosie, Runnels, Sockyma, Tsosie —, Esparza, Elizabeth Dasse Organizations: Patrol, Tacoma News Tribune, BMW, Joseph Medical, Amway, News Tribune, Kia, Phoenix, Tacoma Locations: TACOMA, Tacoma , Washington, Arizona, Pierce, St, Tacoma, Kayenta , Arizona, Phoenix, Tuba City , Arizona, Begay

TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — An expert in forensic pathology testified Monday in the ongoing trail of three Tacoma, Washington, police officers charged with the death of Manuel Ellis that Ellis likely would have lived if not for the officers’ actions to restrain him. Officers Matthew Collins and Christopher Burbank, both white, are charged with murder and manslaughter in the death of Ellis, a 33-year-old Black man, on March 3, 2020. Political Cartoons View All 1211 ImagesMitchell was questioned by special prosecutor Patty Eakes about medical findings that led him to his conclusion. Prosecutors previously said Ellis' last words were “I can't breathe.”Defense attorneys have generally argued Ellis died of a methamphetamine overdose. This is the first trial under a Washington state law that makes it easier to prosecute police who wrongfully use deadly force.

Persons: Manuel Ellis, Ellis, Roger Mitchell, Thomas Clark’s, Matthew Collins, Christopher Burbank, Timothy Rankine, Collins, Mitchell, Patty Eakes, Jared Ausserer, ” Mitchell, Mark Conrad, hogtied Organizations: D.C, Pierce, Seattle Times, Tacoma Police Department, Prosecutors, ” Defense Locations: TACOMA, Tacoma , Washington, Washington, Pierce County, American, Burbank

TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — Eyewitness testimony Tuesday in the continuing trial three police officers, who are white and Asian American, charged with the 2020 death of Manuel Ellis, a Black man, starkly contradicted the picture the officers’ lawyers painted. The Pierce County Medical Examiner ruled the March 3, 2020, death of Ellis, 33, a homicide caused by lack of oxygen during physical restraint. Collins told Pierce County sheriff’s detectives that Ellis had attacked him by hurling him through the air to land on his back. Burbank was almost instantly on top of Ellis and swung up to three times to punch Ellis, according to Lowery. As Lowery left the scene, he said it appeared the officers had apprehended Ellis and were in control of him.

Persons: Manuel Ellis, Keyon Lowery, Ellis didn't, ” Lowery, “, Matthew Collins, Christopher Burbank, Ellis, Timothy Rankine, Ellis ’, George Floyd’s, Casey Arbenz, Collins, Lowery, Sara McDowell, Pierce, Burbank, McDowell Organizations: Pierce County Superior, Tacoma, Tacoma Police Department, Medical, Collins Locations: TACOMA, Pierce County, Tacoma , Washington, American, Pierce, Minneapolis, Burbank, Washington

The story evokes images of George Floyd begging for his life under the knee of a Minneapolis officer in May 2020. It’s also the first trial under a 5-year-old Washington state law designed to make it easier to prosecute police who wrongfully use deadly force. After what witnesses said appeared to be a brief conversation between Ellis and the officers, Burbank, in the passenger seat, threw open his door, knocking Ellis down. A third officer, Timothy Rankine, arrived after Ellis was already handcuffed, face-down, and knelt on his upper back as Ellis pleaded for breath. Auburn police Officer Jeffrey Nelson was charged in the fatal shooting of Jesse Sarey in 2019 and is still awaiting trial.

Persons: “, George Floyd, Floyd, Manuel Ellis, hogtied, Ellis ’, Ellis, It’s, Matthew Collins, Christopher Burbank, Timothy Rankine, —, ”, Philip Stinson, they’re, Stinson, ” Collins, Rankine, Collins, Dan Gerl, Jeffrey Nelson, Jesse Sarey Organizations: — Police, Tacoma, Police, Bowling Green State University, Puget Law Group, Associated Press, Auburn Locations: TACOMA, Minneapolis, U.S, Kirkland , Washington, Washington, Burbank, Ohio, American, Pierce

☆ Urban Planning Presents Complex Challenges for Seniors - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Andy Hong | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +12 min

But for older adults, our towns and cities are filled with obstacles — stairs, unsafe sidewalks and crossings, inadequate lighting — that grow increasingly difficult for them as they age. Alberto Lau, 78, San DiegoDr. Hong responds: Busy streets and intersections can be challenging for older adults to navigate. Additionally, installing more crosswalks and making them more visible can make it easier for older adults to cross the street safely. Yet more and more older adults need the kind of high-quality transportation that can reliably get them from one place to another. This can be especially important for older adults, who may have slower reaction times or difficulty seeing oncoming traffic.

Persons: it’s, They’re, Alberto Lau, San Diego Dr, Hong, ” Deborah Muccino, Uber, Janice Mundy, Rosner, I’m, I’ve, Jan Ligon, Saralyn Fosnight, Andy Hong, Hirotoshi Iwasaki, Vishakha Darbha, Kaari Pitkin, Carole Sabouraud, Efim Shapiro, Jillian Weinberger, Tenzin D, Meher Ahmad, Ana Becker, Jessia Ma Organizations: New York Times, Department of Transportation, New, University of Utah Locations: “, San Diego, Concord, Calif, Pennsylvania, California, Gig, Pierce County, Rural, Michigan, Detroit, Atlanta, New York City, Chicago, Boston, Kaari

☆ Washington State Woman Is Arrested After Refusing TB Treatment
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Fariha Rahman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A Washington State woman who for over a year refused a court order to receive treatment for tuberculosis was taken into custody on Thursday, more than three months after a civil warrant was issued for her arrest, the authorities said. The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department said in a statement that the woman, who has been identified in court documents only by the initials V.N., had been taken to the Pierce County Jail, where she would be housed in a room that is “specially equipped for isolation, testing and treatment.”“We are hopeful she will choose to get the lifesaving treatment she needs to treat her tuberculosis,” the statement said. Darren Moss, a spokesman the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, said in an email on Friday that the woman was taken into custody without incident at her home on Thursday and was transported to the jail in a specially equipped vehicle that allowed her to remain isolated for the duration of the trip. He declined to say where the woman lived.

Persons: Darren Moss Organizations: Washington State, Pierce, Pierce County Health Department, Sheriff’s Department Locations: Tacoma, Pierce County, Pierce

☆ Opinion | Two Decades of Prison Did Not Prepare Me for the Horrors of County Jail
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( Christopher Blackwell | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

Conditions in county jails aren’t just bad for people suffering from mental illnesses. A small bag of freeze-dried coffee that costs $3.34 in state prison cost almost $13 in County. Phone calls to our loved ones, which cost just over a dollar for 20 minutes at a Washington State prison, cost nearly $4 from the county jail. We have to care about what’s happening in county jails if we are to make our communities safer. With positive changes, people confined in county jail could come out of their stays better equipped to thrive in their communities.

There are "continued calls for violence directed at U.S. critical infrastructure," the agency warned last February, "as a means to create chaos and advance ideological goals." Law enforcement and utility companies, though, say they're working to resolve the open cases and prevent future attacks. Members of accelerationist groups have been charged with several plots in recent years to attack critical infrastructure. "The critical infrastructure element has become one of the core components of neo-fascist accelerationist movements in the US. "They don't really care who is doing the violence, who's doing the critical infrastructure attacks, Lewis said.

In Nebraska, the 2022 borrowing limit for FHA mortgages is $420,680 in all but three counties. Conforming mortgages and FHA mortgages both have borrowing limits. Nebraska borrowing limits in 2023 for conforming and FHA mortgages by countyCounty Conforming mortgage limit (single-family home) FHA mortgage limit (single-family home) Adams County $726,200 $472,030 Antelope County $726,200 $472,030 Arthur County $726,200 $472,030 Banner County $726,200 $472,030 Blaine County $726,200 $472,030 Boone County $726,200 $472,030 Box Butte County $726,200 $472,030 Boyd County $726,200 $472,030 Brown County $726,200 $472,030 Buffalo County $726,200 $472,030 Burt County $726,200 $472,030 Butler County $726,200 $472,030 Cass County $726,200 $472,030 Cedar County $726,200 $472,030 Chase County $726,200 $472,030 Cherry County $726,200 $472,030 Cheyenne County $726,200 $472,030 Clay County $726,200 $472,030 Colfax County $726,200 $472,030 Cuming County $726,200 $472,030 Custer County $726,200 $472,030 Dakota County $726,200 $472,030 Dawes County $726,200 $472,030 Dawson County $726,200 $472,030 Deuel County $726,200 $472,030 Dixon County $726,200 $472,030 Dodge County $726,200 $472,030 Douglas County $726,200 $472,030 Dundy county $726,200 $472,030 Fillmore County $726,200 $472,030 Franklin County $726,200 $472,030 Frontier County $726,200 $472,030 Furnas County $726,200 $472,030 Gage County $726,200 $472,030 Garden County $726,200 $472,030 Garfield County $726,200 $472,030 Gosper County $726,200 $472,030 Grant County $726,200 $472,030 Greeley County $726,200 $472,030 Hall County $726,200 $472,030 Hamilton County $726,200 $472,030 Harlan County $726,200 $472,030 Hayes County $726,200 $472,030 Hitchcock County $726,200 $472,030 Holt County $726,200 $472,030 Hooker County $726,200 $472,030 Howard County $726,200 $472,030 Jefferson County $726,200 $472,030 Johnson County $726,200 $472,030 Kearney County $726,200 $472,030 Keith County $726,200 $472,030 Keye Paha County $726,200 $472,030 Kimball County $726,200 $472,030 Knox County $726,200 $472,030 Lancaster County $726,200 $472,030 Lincoln County $726,200 $472,030 Logan County $726,200 $472,030 Loup County $726,200 $472,030 McPherson County $726,200 $472,030 Madison County $726,200 $472,030 Merrick County $726,200 $472,030 Morrill County $726,200 $472,030 Nance County $726,200 $472,030 Nemaha County $726,200 $472,030 Nuckolls County $726,200 $472,030 Otoe County $726,200 $472,030 Pawnee County $726,200 $472,030 Perkins County $726,200 $472,030 Phelps County $726,200 $472,030 Pierce County $726,200 $472,030 Platte County $726,200 $472,030 Polk County $726,200 $472,030 Red Willow County $726,200 $472,030 Richardson County $726,200 $472,030 Rock County $726,200 $472,030 Saline County $726,200 $472,030 Sarpy County $726,200 $472,030 Saunders County $726,200 $472,030 Scotts Bluff County $726,200 $472,030 Seward County $726,200 $472,030 Sheridan County $726,200 $472,030 Sherman County $726,200 $472,030 Sioux County $726,200 $472,030 Stanton County $726,200 $472,030 Thayer County $726,200 $472,030 Thomas County $726,200 $472,030 Thurston County $726,200 $472,030 Valley County $726,200 $472,030 Washington County $726,200 $472,030 Wayne County $726,200 $472,030 Webster County $726,200 $472,030 Wheeler County $726,200 $472,030 York County $726,200 $472,030Note: You'll need to get a jumbo loan if you want to borrow more than $726,200, regardless of which county you hope to reside in. Depending on the lender and term length, you might be able to lock in a lower rate for a conforming mortgage. If you plan to buy a more expensive home in Nebraska, jumbo loans let you borrow more money than the conforming mortgage limit.

☆ Officials seeking surveillance video after 4 Washington substations were vandalized
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-28 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Phil-Helsel-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Phil Helsel | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

Authorities in Washington state were asking for surveillance or other video Tuesday as they investigate what has been called deliberate damage to power substations. The vandalism at four substations south and southeast of Tacoma on Christmas Day left more than 14,000 customers without power, officials said. The sheriff’s department has said a reason for the burglaries and vandalism incidents, one of which caused a fire, was unknown. Sheriff's department spokesman Sgt. The sheriff’s department asked Tuesday on social media that anyone with surveillance video at their home or business review the video.

☆ Four Power Substations Attacked in Washington State
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-27 | by ( Talal Ansari | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Authorities are investigating attacks on four power substations in Washington state that left more than 14,000 without power on Christmas Day. The Pierce County Sheriff’s Department said it didn’t know if the four incidents Sunday were part of a coordinated attack on the power systems. No suspects have been arrested and no motive was known, it said, noting the investigation was in the early phases.

Three electricity substations in the Tacoma, Washington, area were attacked Sunday, leaving an as many as 14,000 customers affected, authorities said. The agency estimated the number of homes and businesses affected by the attacks was 14,000 at one point Sunday. In a statement, TPU said, "Two of our substations were deliberately targeted by physical attacks." On Dec. 3, vandals attacked two Duke Energy substations in Moore County, North Carolina, leaving 45,000 customers in the dark for more than three days straight, officials said. Investigators probing the North Carolina attacks were looking at online conspiracy theories to determine whether any played a role, two senior law enforcement officials briefed on the matter told NBC News earlier this month.

☆ Two substations attacked in Washington state, utility says
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Dec 25 (Reuters) - Thousands of residents were without power near Tacoma, Washington, after two electrical substations were attacked, and the incidents have been reported to the police, the local utility company said on Sunday. "Early this morning, two Tacoma Power substation facilities were attacked in east Pierce county. ... Law enforcement has been notified," Tacoma Public Utilities said in a post on Twitter. The utility gave no other details about the nature of the Christmas Day attack. Earlier this month, a utility in North Carolina reported outages from what local authorities said were orchestrated shootings now being investigated by federal law enforcement.

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