The Columbian

Northwest

Billings resident Tina Gellos travels to her gate using an autonomous wheelchair at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Oct. 3, 2024.

Self-driving wheelchairs get pilot program at Sea-Tac airport

October 28, 2024, 6:05am Life

Self-driving wheelchairs have taken hundreds of passengers to their gates at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, under a new program from Alaska Airlines. Read story

According to Washington State Department of Transportation spokesperson Tina Werner, the state employs a variety of different methods for making lane stripes visible at night. That includes reflectors, although they're not the most common method.

Why don’t many WA highways have reflectors if the state gets so much rain? We asked WSDOT

October 28, 2024, 6:00am Latest News

Anyone who has driven in Washington knows that it can be tough to see the road when it’s raining, especially at night. Reflectors can go a long way in helping with that. Read story

John Christensen reviews a map of his forest in Corbett, Oregon, near the Columbia River on July 17, 2024.

Despite challenges, carbon markets see big potential in small landowners

October 27, 2024, 3:06pm Northwest

A small statue of St. Francis sits on a stump holding court in Julie and John Christensen’s forest in Corbett. Read story

The U.S. Forest Service requires those hunting for wild huckleberries to obtain a free permit online.

‘Caviar of the forest’: It’s wild huckleberry season in Pacific Northwest

October 27, 2024, 2:09pm Northwest

You might be more likely to spot Sasquatch in the lowlands of the Pacific Northwest than a wild huckleberry picker. The once-booming industry is all but gone despite the abundance of the berries, especially this year. Read story

Columbia Basin Railroad receives $11.55 million federal grant

October 27, 2024, 9:26am Latest News

A regional railroad has received an $11.55 million federal grant to rehabilitate a section of its line. Washington Sens. Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray announced the award Thursday. Read story

Doug Walker has worked to piece together who may have been responsible for the killing of his older brother, Daniel A. Walker, who was shot to death in San Bernardino County, California, in October 1974. Ada County prosecutors working with San Bernardino prosecutors and law enforcement allege it was Idaho death row prisoner Thomas Creech.

Idaho death row prisoner Thomas Creech seeks new hearing, with support from victim’s family

October 27, 2024, 9:22am Northwest

Attorneys for Idaho death row prisoner Thomas Creech, who is under a death warrant and awaits his scheduled execution next month, asked Tuesday for a new hearing so the state’s parole board can reconsider dropping his sentence to life in prison. Read story

** EMBARGOED UNTIL TUESDAY, JUNE 15 AM EDITIONS - FILE ** This World War II era file photo shows the historic ‘B’ Reactor on the Hanford nuclear reservation near Richland, Wash. Efforts to preserve the reactor, the world’s first full-scale plutonium production reactor, are sheduled to receive a boost Tuesday, June 15, 2004 when the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation is expected to name the’ B’ Reactor to the 2004 Most Endangered Historic Properties list.

How a small reactor in Eastern WA became the world’s first nuclear plant 80 years ago

October 27, 2024, 6:05am Latest News

Nothing about the young officer would draw more than casual attention. It was February 1945 and the train he rode was crowded with men in uniform. Read story

Oil tanker traffic surges in WA waters with Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion

October 27, 2024, 6:02am Business

ABOARD THE SALISH DEFENDER, Port. Angeles — The May opening of the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion in British Columbia has led to a sevenfold increase in oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Juan de Fuca so far this year. Read story

Beginning operation in 1906, the Burrows Island Lighthouse on Rosario Strait in Washington State is undergoing restoration under federal legislation.

A look inside Puget Sound’s declining bull kelp beds

October 27, 2024, 6:00am Latest News

ABOARD THE CHINOOK, northwest of Burrows Island — A pair of kayakers paddle mostly silent in the water not far from Anacortes, shouting back to their lead boat every so often and tracking their position around the bull kelp bed with a satellite monitor. Read story