Seat belt emphasis patrols statewide through June 2
STAFF REPORT | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 years, 5 months AGO
OLYMPIA — The Washington State Patrol is conducting emphasis patrols for seat belt use through June 2. It’s part of the annual seat belt enforcement campaign sponsored by the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.
“Patrols are active across the state to monitor for drivers who are not wearing their seat belts or who do not have child passengers in the correct car seat,” a WTSC press release said.
Washington has a high rate of compliance with seat belt laws.
“(But) the number of fatalities and serious injuries involving people not wearing seat belts has increased to the highest number since before 2010,” the release said.
The WTSC is asking parents and guardians to ensure children are secured safely. Washington law requires children up to 13 years of age to ride in the back seat when practical. A child should remain in each stage of the car seat or seat belt until they reach the maximum height and weight for that system, the press release said.
ARTICLES BY STAFF REPORT
Connell woman killed in Booker Road crash
CONNELL — Charges are pending against a Kennewick man following a collision about 12 miles south of Othello that killed a Connell woman and injured three other people Tuesday evening. A Washington State Patrol press memo said intoxicating substances were a factor. Jessica Zarate, 37, Connell, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash near the intersection of SR 17 and South Booker Road, the WSP memo said. She was driving south on Booker Road approaching the intersection when her car was hit by a pickup driven by John Reiss, 62, Kennewick. Edgar Garcia Quirino, 28, Othello, was driving north on SR 17 and ran into Zarate's car, the WSP memo said. The crash occurred at about 6:40 p.m.
Wheeler Road closed because of traffic collision
UPDATE: The road was reopened as of noon, according to a GCSO media release. MOSES LAKE — Grant County Sheriff’s Office has announced there is a road closure between Road 3-NE and Road S-NE. There was a serious traffic collision. GCSO is asking for drivers to avoid the area and find alternative routes. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Doors opening: The Currents will provide homeownership for more local workers
About 104 homes are planned at the former Atlas sawmill site
Teachers, nurses, firefighters and other workers who keep Coeur d’Alene running will soon have more places to buy a home in the community where they work. About 104 homes are being planned to be built at Atlas Waterfront, on roughly 10 acres that are part of a swath of land that was once home to the Atlas sawmill and is being redeveloped. Ignite CDA, the city of Coeur d’Alene’s urban renewal agency, is leading this effort.