Salem-News.com Washington articles Page 43

Longview Fibre Sued for Disability Discrimination‏

The agency says the paper and packaging company refused to hire applicant because of a spinal injury.

(SEATTLE) - One of the nation's largest pulp and paper manufacturers violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) according to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in a suit it filed today. The suit charges that Longview Fibre Paper and Packaging, Inc. withdrew an offer of employment for an engineer aide position when it discovered the applicant had a disability.

The EEOC filed the lawsuit on behalf of Scott Harshbarger, who suffered a spinal injury several years ago. Longview Fibre initially found Harshbarger qualified for the engineer aide position and offered him the job. However, after learning of his injury and method for pain control, the offer was rescinded.

FEMA Authorizes Funds for Broughton Wildfire

Five homes are already reported as being damaged or destroyed, and two miles of State Highway 14 are closed due to heavy smoke.

(SEATTLE, Wa.) - The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help the State of Washington fight the Broughton Wildfire, burning near the Columbia River in Skamania County, three miles west of White Salmon.

FEMA Administrator R. David Paulison said that Washington’s request for federal fire management assistance was approved after it was confirmed that the fire, estimated to be 250 acres is size, has caused a mandatory evacuation of 400 residents from 100 immediately-threatened homes.

Clark County Sheriff`s Office Seeks Assistance in Locating Family

Anyone with information should contact Detective Elizabeth Luvera, Clark County Sheriff's Office, (360) 397-2108 or after hours dispatch at (360) 696-4461

(VANCOUVER, Wa.) - Police in Washington say they are looking for a family that fled Clark County on September 7th after the father, Jeff Spady, was charged with numerous counts of Rape of a Child 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree.

It is reported that he and his wife, Kim Spady, have their four minor children who had previously been placed in the state's custody due to the pending sexual assault case.

Vancouver Investigators Looking for Violent Sex Offender‏

Fich is currently one of Vancouver Police Department's Most Wanted.

(VANCOUVER, Wa.) - Detectives in Vancouver are seeking assistance from the public in locating a man they describe as a violent sex offender. 28-year old Troy Matthew Fich, is wanted for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender, Resisting Arrest & Parole Violations.

He was originally charged with Second Degree Assault with Sexual Motivation in 2004. The Washington State Department of Corrections monitoring unit requested the assistance of their Career Criminal Apprehension Team last month to locate Fich.

Professors Receive Grant to Bring Computer Games to College Classrooms

The grant is for two years, and will also involve several undergraduate student assistants.

(VANCOUVER, Wa.) - College students studying computer science may one day be able to bring their gaming hobbies and their studies together in the classroom.

The National Science Foundation has awarded nearly $150,000 to Scott Wallace, assistant professor of computer science at Washington State University Vancouver, and Andrew Nierman, assistant professor of computer science at the University of Puget Sound, to develop computer game based undergraduate computer science curricula.

Vancouver Police Seek the Public`s Help to Locate Armed Robbery Suspect

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Mario Blanco is asked to call 911 and should not approach him.

(VANCOUVER, Wa.) - Vancouver Police are seeking information from the public on the possible whereabouts of 23-year old Mario Blanco. Blanco is a black male, 5' 10", 165 lbs., black hair, brown eyes, with his last known address being 10709 NE 93rd
Street in Vancouver.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Blanco for First Degree Robbery. Blanco allegedly used a gun to commit a robbery in May 2006. During the investigation a gun was recovered, but Blanco should still be considered armed and dangerous.

Earthquake Reminds NW Residents of Risk, and Importance of Emergency Preparedness

New site offers many ideas on how to make your home and family safer in the event of a natural disaster.

(VANCOUVER, Wa.) - With National Preparedness Month in September just around the corner, one might think that Thursday's early morning earthquake event was staged, if that was possible. A new coalition of public and private organizations has been working to promote National Preparedness Month activities through a new website, www.preparetogether.org.

The web site went live on August 1st to emphasize the importance of emergency preparedness to the public. The timing of the earthquake was both coincidental and convenient for getting the word out about the need for emergency preparedness.

Although the minor ground shaking in the wee hours was startling to some area residents, it came as no surprise to officials at Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency in Vancouver.

April is Work Zone Awareness Month

Work zone injuries, on average, occur every nine minutes in the U.S. HEAR THIS STORY AND MORE SALEM-AREA NEWS FROM SALEM-NEWS.COM'S KEVIN HAYS ON OUR NEWS PARTNER NEWSRADIO 1190 KEX.

(SALEM) - April means spring is here and in Oregon and Washington it also means city, state, and county road construction projects are getting underway.

Homicide Suspect Caught in Spokane

The 17-year old youth is alleged to have escaped from police custody. He has been recaptured and is in custody in Washington.

(SALEM) - 17-year old Donald Lynn Smiley-Lyle, a homicide suspect wanted out of Spokane, Washington, has been apprehended by police in the Spokane area.

He had last been seen in the Salem area about 5:30 AM Saturday morning.