Cheers: To a necessary investigation. The state House of Representatives has hired an outside firm to investigate the actions of Rep. Matt Shea, R-Spokane Valley. Shea has faced scrutiny for writing a document detailing “the biblical basis for war” and for internet chats about confronting “leftists” with violence and intimidation. He also apparently offered to conduct background checks on political opponents.
Shea is welcome to his political beliefs and to represent the constituents who have elected him several times. But an investigation is warranted to determine whether his actions have promoted violence and threats, and that investigation should be as impartial as possible. Lawmakers have hired a firm headed by a former FBI agent to provide a preliminary report by Sept. 30 and a final report to the House by Dec. 1.
Jeers: To a lack of oversight. A report from the state auditor’s office has found that state and county officials failed to properly oversee Livingston Quarry in east Clark County, resulting in lost revenue for the state and a contractor improperly handing material. “Neighbors raised concerns — and they were right,” said Hilary Franz, state commissioner of public lands. “So we acted swiftly.”
The site long has been the source of complaints from neighbors, as well as an ongoing contract dispute between the county and Tower Rock Products. “If mine operations are to resume,” Franz said, “they will only do so under strict oversight and accountability.”
Cheers: To getting a leg up. Ariel Rigney of Portland has her prosthetic leg back after losing it while floating down the Clackamas River. A bungee cord holding the leg to a raft came loose and the prosthetic sank to the bottom of the popular rafting spot. “I just saw it bobbing and I’m like, ‘No!’ ” she told TV station KGW.
The next day, Eric Gantner of Tigard, Ore., went snorkeling and spotted a rainbow-colored sandal before realizing it was attached to a prosthetic leg. “When you see that, you’re like uh, what? What is that?” he said. “I go, ‘So, somebody had a really bad day.’ ” Through the magic of Facebook, he was able to find the person and make their day a little better. In what seems to be an understatement, Gantner said: “You find all kinds of stuff down there. It’s crazy.”
Jeers: To false reports. A Seattle public services app was overrun with fabricated complaints about homeless camping. Fliers reading “See a tent? Report a tent” were anonymously posted in the city, urging residents to report homeless activity. Activists responded and urged social media users to protest by submitting false reports, effectively overwhelming the system.
City officials say the app received 210 service requests one day and 891 the next — quite a bit more than the daily average of 40. Officials say it took two staff members about six hours to sort through the reports. The incident highlights the growing tension in Seattle between those with differing views about how to deal with the city’s homeless crisis.
Cheers: To an outstanding teen. Payton May, a senior-to-be at Skyview High School, won the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen competition in Orlando. “You hear your name being called and then the waterworks start — a lot of tears and emotion and hugging,” she told The Columbian.
May participated in private and onstage interviews and sang “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” for her talent performance. Her social impact platform is working to get young people to register and vote. For her efforts, she was awarded a $30,000 scholarship — outstanding, indeed.
