Latest news with #mynorthwest.com
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Spokane County replaces aging aircraft with $3.4M helicopter upgrade
This story was originally published on The Spokane County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) unveiled its new $3.4 million Bell 505 helicopter at Felts Field Wednesday afternoon. The new helicopter will replace two 55-year-old aircraft that have been retired from the force after decades of service, according to the sheriff's office. Spokane Valley Police Chief Dave Ellis noted his admiration for the upgrade. 'Its advanced technology will improve our ability to combat rising auto thefts and conduct safer operations, including searches for missing children, Alzheimer's patie nts, and outdoor recreationists,' Ellis said, according to SCSD. The helicopter can reach a top speed of 125 knots per hour (kts) and a hover ceiling of 14,450 feet, according to BellFlight. SCSO fully equipped the helicopter with upgraded technology such as thermal imaging cameras and a live-stream video feed. The sheriff's office received a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, a $200,000 state grant for the thermal imaging cameras, $1.6 million from Spokane County, and raised money from the sale of an older SCSO helicopter, according to The Spokesman-Review. 'It's unbelievable how clear of an image they can get if they wanted to do surveillance over somebody that was a really bad guy. They could fly over at 7,000 feet and read the license plate,' John Preston, retired LAPD officer, said, according to The Spokesman-Review.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘Masked activists' take over new UW engineering building, stage blockade
This story was originally published on The University of Washington (UW) Jewish Alumni organization has reported that 'black-clad, masked activists' have taken over the UW's new engineering building. Photos posted on X show the activists piling furniture outside the building to block entry. The Jewish Alumni organization stated that the people hung a banner on the building in an effort to rename it for a man killed last year by an airstrike. A photo posted on X shows the banner along with one person holding a Palestinian flag. This is a developing story.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Study: Washington ranks among top 10 states for most grocery spending
This story was originally published on A recent study by LendingTree compared the financial grocery habits of each state. Washington ranked No. 6 on the list of states where households spend the most on groceries. Coming in at No. 1 was Utah, No. 2 Alaska, and No. 3 Hawaii. Illinois came in last at No. 51. Utah households spent an average of $11,884 on groceries in 2023. According to data from LendingTree, the average Washington household spends $10,202 on groceries—a 24.9% difference from the national average. LendingTree found Americans spend an average of $8,167 on groceries. However, when looking at the list of states that spend the largest share of household income on groceries, Washington ranks No. 23, with Washington households spending 7.9% of their income on groceries. LendingTree's study also reviewed the price of buying organic. It found organic fruits and vegetables cost an average of 52.6% more than non-organic. Organic iceberg lettuce was the worst culprit, coming in at 179% more ($2.17 more) than the non-organic version. 'We've come to expect organic fruits and veggies to cost more, but paying a 50.0% premium can be pretty hard to swallow,' LendingTree chief consumer finance analyst Matt Schulz stated in LendingTree's study. 'When stubborn inflation is making everything else more costly and shrinking people's financial wiggle room, paying extra for fruits and vegetables may prove a bridge too far.' LendingTree also found that the price of organic fruits and vegetables rose 2.4% from January 2024 to January 2025. The price of non-organic fruits and vegetables also rose, but slightly higher at 2.5%. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Yahoo
Fentanyl seized was enough to ‘kill more than 46,000 people': 11 convicted in major Idaho drug bust
This story was originally published on Eleven Idaho defendants were convicted on federal drug trafficking charges, Acting U.S. Attorney Justin Whatcott confirmed, after a large-scale investigation was conducted by the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). Before any convictions could be made, detectives with the Idaho State Police Department investigated Austin Lee all the way back in early 2023. Idaho police believed Lee was responsible for distributing large quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine in southern Idaho. 'In July 2023, the investigation expanded to include Lee's Mexico-based drug supplier and other co-conspirators,' said David Reames, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. 'The investigation revealed that recent parolees were recruited into the conspiracy prior to their release from prison. These conspirators helped traffic fentanyl from the U.S./Mexico border to distribute in Idaho.' The OCDETF-led investigation resulted in the seizure of more than 48,000 fentanyl pills and four pounds of methamphetamine confiscated from Lee's operation. 'The DEA and our partners will work tirelessly to stop drug traffickers from flooding our communities with drugs and violence,' Reames added. 'Two milligrams of fentanyl is considered a potentially lethal dose. The amount of fentanyl seized in this case had the potential to kill more than 46,000 people, that would more than fill the football stadium at Boise State.' Nine of the 11 defendants were sentenced to prison, with sentences ranging from 24 months to 140 months. The other two were dealt multiple years of probation. 'We are proud the State of Idaho works so well with our federal partners to protect the public,' Governor Brad Little stated. 'The goal of our Operation Esto Perpetua initiative is to equip law enforcement with the training and tools they need to keep Idaho safe. Today's announcement about the conviction of 11 drug traffickers demonstrates what Idaho is doing is working.'
