The 15-year-old was arrested by Valley SWAT on multiple charges stemming from the Auburn Police Department (APD), the Renton Police Department (RPD) reported Thursday.

Officers searched the teen’s home after the arrest and found the ghost gun hidden in a toilet.

Teen faces additional charges after officers find ghost gun

In addition to the charges from APD, Renton detectives will recommend charges for unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of a ghost gun.

The 15-year-old is currently in custody at the King County Youth Detention Center.

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While KIRO host Ursula Reutin noted the letters could potentially be sent to people’s workplaces, KIRO host Gee Scott thinks that’s taking it too far, but would rather have the cars posted in the newspaper.

“Sending it to your job —I think that’s a bit too far. However, if you guys want to do, like back in Craigslist days, like if we missed each other, or help want it, and all that kind of stuff, just do something in The Seattle Times and put a section, post these cars right there so we can all see it,” Gee shared on “The Gee and Ursula Show” on KIRO Newsradio. “I’d like that better than posting it and sending it to your job.”

“Whoa, wait, what — you want the ‘Dear John’ letter posted in the classifieds?” Ursula questioned.

“Oh yeah, have a link that we could go to so we can see all the people,” Gee replied.

“You think it’s going too far to go to the workplace, but you would put it out there for even more people to see than just your workplace?” Ursula asked again.

“Yeah,” Gee responded.

‘John Letters’ to ‘John of the month’?

His idea, instead of displaying a “student of the month,” is to have a “John of the month.”

“So every November 1, or every first of the month, we have a time where we talk about the ‘John of the month.’ Hey, this week’s ‘John of the month’ is Billy. Oh, Billy looks like he works at Boeing. And then, you know, we talk about it,” Gee quipped.

So far this month, the city has sent out at least 21 letters to drivers.

Seattle Police Department (SPD) Detective Maurice Washington explained that sex trafficking relies on demand.

“It’s a billion-dollar industry, it’s a $56 billion industry in the U.S. alone,” Washington told KIRO 7.

Ursula agreed that action needs to be taken.

“I think it is an awful problem. I think that there are these young girls who are being taken advantage of on Aurora. And it’s just sickening,” she said.

Watch the full discussion in the video above.

Listen to Gee and Ursula on “The Gee and Ursula Show” weekday mornings from 9 am to 12 pm on KIRO Newsradio.

Daylight Saving Time (DST) ends Sunday, November 2, and clocks will fall back one hour. Subsequently, 4 p.m. sunsets begin next week.

Say goodbye to 5 p.m. sunsets

The sun will set at 5:53 p.m. on Saturday and then at 4:51 p.m. on Sunday, according to Sunrise Sunset’s website.

Daylight will continue to slowly crawl back each day, with the sun setting at 4:22 p.m. on November 30.

Sunsets won’t return to 5 p.m. until January 24.

Daylight Saving Time ends

When clocks fall back on Sunday, The Associated Press recommends people get out into the morning sun to help their body’s clock reset.

Standard time resets at 2 a.m., so people will either want to set their clocks an hour back before bed or as soon as they wake up.

Clocks will then “spring forward” on March 8 and DST will return.

The American Medical Association and American Academy of Sleep Medicine, among other health organizations, have pushed for standard time year-round, according to The AP.

Research from Stanford University found switching back and forth is bad for health, as organs, the immune system, and metabolism can be disrupted.

“The best way to think about it is as if the central clock were like a conductor of an orchestra and each of the organs were a different instrument,” Jamie Zeitzer, co-director of Stanford’s Center for Sleep and Circadian Sciences, said, The AP reported.

It’s better to have more light in the morning and less at night to keep the natural rhythm, Zeitzer added.

History of Daylight Saving Time

So why have Daylight Saving Time in the first place?

Contrary to popular belief, Benjamin Franklin didn’t invent it. The idea actually came from George Hudson, a New Zealand entomologist, in 1895. Hudson proposed the time change to give himself more daylight hours to study insects, KIRO host John Curley explained.

“He studied bugs, and he wanted more time to look at bugs during the daylight. That’s why he came up with it,” Curley said on “The John Curley Show” on KIRO Newsradio.

While DST was originally adopted to conserve energy, studies have shown it doesn’t significantly reduce energy consumption.

“It doesn’t actually do anything to save energy because people use more AC in the summer,” Curley said.

Farmers have historically opposed DST because it disrupts their schedules, particularly when it comes to feeding livestock.

“Farmers didn’t like it either, because it messed up their cows when it came to feeding time,” Curley explained.

The first widespread use of DST was during World War I by Germany, aiming to conserve fuel. The United States followed suit in 1918 under President Woodrow Wilson, but the practice was repealed after the war. It was reintroduced during World War II by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and later standardized by the Uniform Time Act of 1966 under President Lyndon B. Johnson.

“President Wilson — one of the worst — in 1918, he made it a law. Then it was repealed,” Curley said. “Then FDR relaunched it in 1942, and then LBJ made it officially the law in 196,6 and that’s why we’re stuck with daylight saving time.”

Contributing: MyNorthwest staff; The Associated Press

SPD hiring back on track

SPD Chief Shon Barnes said the department is on pace to hire its 150th officer in the next couple of days.

“The people want to come here and work. They want to come here and be a part of what we have going on in the Seattle Police Department,” Barnes told “The Jake and Spike Show” on KIRO Newsradio.

He added that the department is not losing as many officers to other agencies, but instead, officers are retiring.

“We’re not seeing as many. I think we’ll definitely see a higher net. My goal is a net of 100 for this year. Last year, we had a net of one. So if you do the percentage markup, that’s better,” Barnes shared.

Police drones in Seattle next?

Moving on to the topic of drones, as the Redmond Police Department currently uses the technology to nab suspects, Barnes sees the need for the crafty devices in Seattle.

“With FIFA coming up, we’ll have drone detection systems up, obviously, and some of our partners, especially those that are assigned to FIFA, federal partners, will have drones that are up,” he explained. “And it’s just about keeping people safe, being able to see what that call is or what it is not.”

However, he did acknowledge that residents could have privacy concerns.

“Every city has a different tolerance for technology, and so we have to see what the tolerance for technology here is in Seattle,” he said.

Seattle police chief makes case for CARE team

As for responding to a crime, Seattle is expanding its Community Assisted Response and Engagement (CARE) team. The CARE Department is Seattle’s third branch of public safety and operates the 911 Communications Center and the Community Crisis Responder (CCR) Team, according to the city’s website.

However, critics worry the CARE team may be ill-equipped to handle dangerous 911 calls.

Barnes noted that when someone calls the 911 center, which is no longer operated by police, the responders go through a list of questions to assess the situation. One of those questions is if there are any dangerous weapons involved. If the answer is no, then the CARE team will be dispatched.

“For most calls, you go to them, it could be nothing, and then you’re like, ‘Why am I here?’, CARE team could help. Or you could go to calls and it comes out as nothing, and then it turns quickly, but they all have the capability to give us a call, or get on the radio, or not intervene at all if they think it’s going to be dangerous,” Barnes explained.

Watch the full discussion in the video above.

Listen to “The Jake and Spike Show” weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.

An armed man was reported in the SODO neighborhood around 5 p.m.

Police responded and tried to talk to the man, but he came toward officers, SPD Chief Shon Barnes told KIRO 7. Officers subsequently fired shots at the man, who died at the scene.

The King County Independent Force Investigations Team responded to investigate.

Roads closed in SODO for Seattle officer-involved shooting

Roads are currently closed in the area of 4th Avenue South and South Holgate Street.

“Traffic will be closed in the area for an extended period of time,” SPD wrote on X.

Contributing: KIRO 7

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SPD is asking people to look out for Buddy, a beloved pet who was stolen by a 17-time convicted felon, according to the department.

“The owner is heartbroken. We don’t know where he left the dog, if he sold it, gave it to someone, we just want to bring this owner’s dog home,” Michelle Barker, the lead investigator on the case, stated in SPD’s post.

Buddy, a two-year-old micro bully, escaped his family’s yard over the summer. A neighbor reported seeing Buddy run down the street and caught him. Another neighbor, named Jose Haughton, said he would return Buddy to his family.

Video evidence from Haughton’s home, a transitional housing facility, showed that the dog was inside the home, but Haughton denied ever having the dog.

Another video showed what appeared to be a dog covered in a blanket being taken to a car.

Neighbor charged in connection with stolen dog

Haughton was arrested on July 28 for an unrelated crime and was charged with theft on August 21.

Anyone with information about Buddy’s whereabouts is asked to turn him in to their nearest police station or call 911 immediately.

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Unicorn, a bar known for its drag shows and eclectic decor, announced it will reopen Thursday night after a three-month closure caused by a fire at a neighboring business, KING 5 reported.

“The sun’s out and tomorrow is our big reopening. We will be serving up something fruity, flirty, and just the right amount of powerful,” the bar wrote on Facebook Wednesday.

Unicorn forced to close after fire

Unicorn was forced to close in July after a mail and shipping store caught fire from faulty electrical wiring, leading to smoke and water damage, according to KING 5.

Staff have been working diligently to get the bar back open.

“We’ve cleaned. We’ve scrubbed. We’ve flipped that menu upside down and back again. We booted up the pinball machines, splashed on some fresh paint, and yes there may have been a little dance break (or three),” the establishment wrote in an October 27 Facebook post. “We’ve worked our glittery tails off to make sure every nook, cranny, and neon light is just right. You waited. We waited. And now… the time has come.”

A GoFundMe was created for staff, artists, bartenders, security, kitchen, crew, and management. So far, it has raised $4,500 of its $35,000 goal.

“As a community, we are coming together to support those who’ve brought us endless joy, through pinball, that very specific crane game, countless nights of entertainment, and above all, a loving and wonderful staff,” the GoFundMe stated.

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Seattle Restaurant Week has begun, with more than 100 participating restaurants.

This year, the event is nearly two weeks, starting on Oct. 26 and ending on Nov. 8.

Restaurants offer special deals during Seattle Restaurant Week

Restaurants span from Queen Anne’s How to Cook a Wolf, to downtown’s Charlotte Restaurant & Lounge, to Fremont’s El Camino, to Rainier Beach’s Jude’s Old Town. They offer set dinner prices spanning $20 to $65, with the average price around $55 per person.

For example, Charlotte Restaurant & Lounge is offering a $35 fixed-price lunch, Monday through Friday, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to a news release from the restaurant.

On the menu is a first course of an arugula salad with wild arugula, parmesan, pickled shallots, tarragon vinaigrette, and crispy lotus root. Followed by a second course of spicy pork and Korean rice cakes with heritage ground pork ragout, Szechuan peppercorn, bok choy, silken tofu, and scallions.

“Seattle Restaurant Week is such a special time to celebrate the incredible ingredients of the Pacific Northwest,” Charlotte Restaurant & Lounge Executive Chef Ryan Pearson said in an email to MyNorthwest. “At Charlotte, I wanted to create a menu that feels both approachable and elevated. Our prix fixe lunch is designed to be light yet satisfying, whether you’re joining us for a quick business lunch or simply to enjoy the views and a midday indulgence.”

Along with Seattle, restaurants in Bellevue, Bothell, Edmonds, Everett, Federal Way, Issaquah, Kent, Kirkland, Lynnwood, Mercer Island, Redmond, Renton, and Woodinville have joined in.

Seattle Restaurant Week has a list of participating restaurants on its website, where foodies can filter their search to narrow down the perfect spot.

Select businesses are offering diners an option to donate from their menu and support community kitchens.

This story was originally published on October 6, 2025. It has been updated and republished since then.

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Topics ranged from Harrell’s plans for the city and his campaign against Katie Wilson to a more personal look into why he’s running for re-election.

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell addresses public safety comment

Gee brought up a comment from Harrell that caught national attention regarding his stance on repeat offenders.

In a previous debate, Harrell was asked whether, if someone offended six, seven, or eight times, at what point should they take accountability. He responded that when someone is committing that many crimes, he wants to find out their story and that he had “no desire to put them in jail.”

To answer Gee, Harrell said he was excluding felony crimes in his response.

“When I’m hearing six or seven offenses, I’m thinking petty offenses, at which point I said that we, as a city, need to understand why this person is committing that offense,” Harrell said on “The Gee and Ursula Show” on KIRO Newsradio.

Police officers in schools could be an opportunity

Another controversial topic in Seattle has been the presence of police officers in schools. Harrell sees it as an opportunity for kids to have mentors and, therefore, prevent crime.

“One reason why I’m pushing for that is that a lot of these kids are experiencing trauma, and maybe they’ll bring a gun to school and put it in a locker because they’re walking around with untreated trauma,” he said. “Maybe they could look at an officer, someone that’s in safety, and that officer could have the skill set to come to develop that trusting relationship.”

A faith-based approach to cleaning up the streets

As for cleaning up the streets, the mayor is looking at a faith-based approach.

“We invested in a pilot downtown where a lot of people who are destroying themselves with fentanyl, and I said, ‘Let’s try a faith-based approach,’ because they might be able to get sheltered, they might be able to be kind, but they look in the mirror and they don’t see someone worthy of love. So that’s another strategy that we’ve employed,” he explained.

Harrell noted that he has spoken with mayors in other cities about what they’re doing to address the drug crisis.

“We are leading the way in our approaches, not following other cities,” Harrell shared. “You’ve been to other cities — you see how devastating some of their downtowns are. So we’ll try faith-based mentoring, everything that can help.”

‘A recipe for disaster’: Harrell comments on Wilson’s approach

Looking at challenger Katie Wilson’s approach, Harrell said there is nothing to get excited about.

“When my opponent talked about building 4,000 shelters, through the city, for emergency shelter for people to live in, her proposal is to take the very same money that we achieve through a $970 million levy for people, for teachers, for social workers, for baristas — that affordable housing chunk that we’re spending a billion dollars for — she’s talking about taking that and putting homeless people in those units that are earmarked, in the vacancies for those folks, without wraparound services — that is a recipe for disaster — and that is playing a short game with long term potential to be devastating,” he remarked.

Harrell said he has worked with other cities in King County to address homelessness, but will not shy away from ending the current funding model.

“What I’m doing right now, I have a motion that I’ve submitted to that board to say, ‘You have to become a regional approach. You have to put in resources, and it could be land, not just money, and if you don’t, we could terminate this deal,'” he explained. “So I’m prepared next year to either terminate their relationship or make sure that it’s regionalized, but this prolonged, ineffective model is unsatisfactory.”

Who is Bruce Harrell?

But beyond policy decisions, Baldwin asked who Bruce Harrell is as a person and what drives his decisions.

“Quite candidly, I’ll own it, but I think I’ve been scrutinized probably more than any mayor in recent history,” Harrell responded.

For example, Harrell said, a person on the far right called him lazy.

“He doesn’t have a clue as to how hard I work,” he expressed. “Everyone around me knows that, because I love it, it’s not even work when you love it.”

However, Harrell’s closing message targeted what he sees as Seattle’s missing middle.

“I have learned that there’s that missing swath of people, that middle swath of people, that need to be heard, they needed to be felt like they’re heard, and that, yes, I’ve been in a position of power, but they have to be convinced that not only am I the right person for the job, but I’m the right person for them,” he said.

Watch the full discussion in the video above.

Listen to Gee and Ursula on “The Gee and Ursula Show” weekday mornings from 9 am to 12 pm on KIRO Newsradio.

A pair of earthquakes hit off the Oregon coast early Wednesday morning, with one surpassing a 5.0 magnitude.

The first earthquake, a 4.8 magnitude, hit at 6:42 a.m. while the second, a 5.4 magnitude, struck at 7 a.m.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is asking people to report if they felt the quakes, with the 5.4 magnitude already getting activity on the Community Internet Intensity Map.

According to USGS, there is a 44% chance of a magnitude 3.0 aftershock in the same area.

Pacific Northwest earthquake could set off ‘the bigger one’

Meanwhile, a recent study found “the big one” in the Pacific Northwest could set off “the bigger one,” triggering California’s San Andreas fault and leading to a monumental disaster, The Guardian reported.

“If they both went off together, then you’ve got potentially San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver all in an emergency situation in a compressed timeframe,” Dr. Chris Goldfinger, the study’s lead author and a marine geologist and geophysicist, told The Guardian.

Goldfinger told Science that if the Cascadia fault zone went off, he would take that as a clear warning for the San Andreas area.

Keep up with real-time earthquake information on MyNorthwest.

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The company claimed that throughout the outage, more than 229 flights were cancelled, and additional disruptions are expected as aircraft crews reposition planes.

“We are working to get our operations back on track as quickly and safely as possible,” Alaska Airlines stated. “We appreciate the patience of our guests whose travel plans have been disrupted. We’re working to get them to their destinations as quickly as we can.”

Alaska Airlines operations have been restored after a significant IT outage resulted in a system-wide ground stop of flights for Alaska and Horizon. The ground stop was lifted at 11:30 p.m. Pacific. We are working to get our operations back on track as quickly and safely as…

— Alaska Airlines News (@AlaskaAirNews) October 24, 2025

The airliner urged travelers to check their flight status before arriving at the airport, noting a flexible travel policy is active and will support guests as the company transitions back to normal operations.

Alaska Airlines issues system-wide ground stop due to IT outage

Alaska Airlines previously issued a temporary ground stop due to an IT outage, the airline reported on X Thursday, just before 4:30 p.m.

However, flights departing from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport are exempt from the ground stop, KIRO 7 reported, citing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) notice.

Alaska Airlines is experiencing an IT outage affecting operations. A temporary ground stop is in place. We apologize for the inconvenience. If you’re scheduled to fly tonight, please check your flight status before heading to the airport.

— Alaska Airlines News (@AlaskaAirNews) October 23, 2025

The ground stop has extended to Horizon Air, KIRO 7 noted.

Alaska Airlines urged travelers to check their flight status before heading to the airport.

“We apologize for the inconvenience,” Alaska Airlines wrote in its post.

Alaska Airlines reiterated its response in a statement to KIRO 7.

“Alaska Airlines is experiencing an IT outage affecting operations. A temporary ground stop is in place. We apologize for the inconvenience,” the airline wrote to the media outlet.

Contributing: Jason Sutich, MyNorthwest; KIRO 7

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Convicted rapist and Level 3 sex offender Kevin Coe is now living in the 33700 block of 38th Place Southwest, as stated on Washington’s sex offender registry. Coe’s address is close to Brigadoon Elementary School.

Coe was originally going to live in Federal Way, but after outcry from residents and the mayor, he was moved to Auburn.

“I had no idea until we heard it in the media,” Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus told “The Jake and Spike Show” on KIRO Newsradio earlier this month. “They were calling, asking us how we felt about Kevin Coe’s relocation to Auburn, and we were surprised. We had no idea that he had been released to an Auburn adult family home.”

The Auburn community was outraged, and Coe has since been placed back in Federal Way.

“We are disappointed to hear the news that Kevin Coe is moving to Federal Way, and want to acknowledge community concerns regarding that move. We do not have a say in this matter, and we certainly understand the concerns surrounding it,” Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell said in a statement, according to KIRO 7.

Federal Way mayor says Coe is not a threat to the community

Ferrell noted Coe is in his late 70s and is confined to a wheelchair, but that does not eliminate the possibility of him re-offending. However, the mayor added that Coe is not a threat to the Federal Way community.

“We are confident that his presence in Federal Way does not pose a significant public safety risk to our residents. We understand that may be cold comfort, but those are the facts as provided to us,” Ferrell stated.

The mayor said the city is working with the King County Sheriff’s Office to notify all neighbors within a quarter-mile radius of Coe’s address. That includes details about Coe, his current location, and a current photo.

“Public safety remains our highest priority, and while our legal options in this particular case are limited, we are committed to doing everything within our authority to support and protect our community,” Ferrell stated.

Contributing: KIRO 7

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The Auburn Police Department (APD) and the City of Auburn announced, via a Facebook post Monday, that U.S. Border Patrol gained direct access to the Flock system.

City officials emphasized that the surveillance happened without their knowledge.

“We want to state clearly: this access occurred unknowingly to us,” officials stated in their post. “The City of Auburn has not knowingly allowed, nor will we allow, direct access to our Flock system by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Border Patrol, or any other federal immigration enforcement agency.”

City of Auburn implements stricter controls on Flock system

Officials underlined that the Flock system is used strictly for criminal law enforcement and public safety — not immigration enforcement.

“While Flock’s national network allows agencies across the country to share information, Auburn has not intentionally or knowingly granted access to any agency directly affiliated with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or engaged in immigration enforcement activities,” the City of Auburn wrote.

After learning of the unauthorized access, officials said APD leadership immediately turned off Flock’s “National Lookup” feature, which may have allowed access through a shared national network.

APD also implemented enhanced monitoring protocols, where every month, the department conducts reviews of Flock usage data.

“If any agency is found to be using Auburn’s Flock data for immigration enforcement purposes, its access is immediately and permanently revoked,” city officials stated.

Police have reached out to University of Washington researchers for clarification on their findings.

“The integrity of our public safety systems, and the trust our community places in them, is non-negotiable,” Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus stated via the post. “We will continue to take every measure necessary to safeguard our data, uphold state law, and ensure our technology is used only for lawful and ethical policing purposes.”

The City of Auburn noted there will be regular monitoring of the Flock network.

Mountlake Terrace residents push back on Flock cameras

Earlier this year, Mountlake Terrace residents have pushed back against the city’s plan to install new security cameras.

Residents feared the Flock Safety cameras, approved in a 5-2 vote on June 5, could be used by ICE to track people, The Everett Herald reported.

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The adult, a resident of Arizona, traveled from an area with an active measles outbreak and was not vaccinated, officials stated.

The person was at SEA on October 13 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:40 p.m. in the C Concourse at Gate C9, the Green Train Line, and the N Concourse at Gate N5.

Officials noted the person traveled before they discovered they were infected and before any rash appeared, but the virus can stay in the air for up to two hours after the infected person leaves the area.

Those exposed to measles at SEA would become sick Oct. 20 to Nov. 3

Those exposed at the airport and not immune to measles would become sick between October 20 and November 3, while immunocompromised people may take longer to experience symptoms.

“Measles is a highly contagious and potentially severe disease that causes fever, rash, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes,” Public Health – Seattle and King County stated on its website.

If one person gets sick, up to 9 out of 10 people nearby can become infected if unprotected. It mainly spreads through the air after a person coughs or sneezes.

Symptoms begin seven to 21 days after exposure, and the disease is contagious from around four days before the rash appears to about four days after.

“Measles can lead to ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia, and rarely, encephalitis (brain inflammation) or death,” officials stated.

Infants, children under 5-years-old, adults over 20 years, pregnant people, and people with weakened immune systems are most at risk.

The disease is preventable with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

Officials noted there have been 11 other cases of measles in Washingto resdients this year.

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Using 2024 insurance inquiry data, LendingTree found that the city with the best drivers in Washington was Seattle. The city with the second-best drivers was tied between Shoreline and Renton. Third-best was Pasco, while fourth was Everett.

Meanwhile, the city with the worst drivers within the state was Olympia. The city with the second-worst drivers was Kirkland, third was Spokane, fourth was Lacey, and fifth was Redmond.

“We looked at tens of thousands of 2024 QuoteWizard by LendingTree insurance inquiries to see which Washington cities have the best and worst drivers,” auto insurance expert Rob Bhatt explained in an email to MyNorthwest. “From there, researchers calculated how many driving incidents, like accidents, DUIs, speeding, and citations, occurred for every 1,000 drivers in the 25 biggest cities in the state.”

Genz found to be worst drivers in Washington

LendingTree also discovered that Gen Z were significantly worse drivers than any other age group in Washington.

Gen Z had the most incidents per 1,000 drivers of all the generations analyzed, at 63.7 incidents per 1,000 drivers. Millennials had the second-highest rate with 41.1 incidents, followed by Gen X, ranking third, and Boomers, ranking fourth. The Silent Generation had the best drivers in Washington.

“Young drivers, in general, tend to have a higher rate of incidents than older drivers for a number of reasons,” Bhatt stated. “Most notably, they have less driving experience than older drivers, and this can lead to mishaps or worse. Younger people are more prone to riskier behavior than older drivers, too.”

Looking at drivers by vehicle type

By vehicle type, Subaru drivers were ranked the worst in Washington, followed by Mazda as the second-worst, Ram, Volkswagen, and Jeep. Meanwhile, Volvo drivers were ranked the best, followed by Chrysler in second, Pontiac in third, Mercedes-Benz in fourth, and Land Rover in fifth.

Bhatt urged drivers to stay vigilant, among other recommendations, to prevent collisions.

“Avoiding excessive speeds, impairment, and distraction is a good start,” he stated. “It’s also important to maintain an awareness of your surroundings. Doing so allows you to avoid hazards that may unexpectedly pop up as you drive. Situational awareness can also help you avoid doing something that may get you cited, like driving too fast or making an illegal turn.”

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The National Weather Service (NWS) Seattle is warning of a potential atmospheric river west of the Cascades starting in the middle of next week.

Potential atmospheric river could start next week

The Climate Prediction Center indicates a moderate (40-60%) risk of heavy rain, high winds, and heavy mountain snow from Oct. 23-27. However, it could start as early as Oct. 22.

High winds are expected to be most prominent along the Pacific Coast of Washington and Oregon, but are not expected to be felt anywhere else in western Washington.

“Heavy rainfall will have the potential to produce flooding west of the Cascades in Washington and Oregon,” NWS stated in a news release. “However, confidence in the extent and severity of any flooding remains low at this time.”

Western WA weekend weather predictions

As for this weekend, NWS is predicting a brief round of heavy rain and gusty winds.

Although the strength of the fall system has weakened slightly, and river flooding is unlikely, the weather service still recommended monitoring sensitive rivers, creeks, and burn scars.

Friday night is forecast to be partly cloudy, with a low around 45 degrees, accompanied by light winds.

There is a 50% chance of rain on Saturday, mainly after 11 a.m. The high will be near 57 degrees. The chance of rain will increase to 100% on Saturday night, with a low of 50 degrees.

Sunday will have showers with a high near 58 degrees. Sunday night will also be rainy and mostly cloudy, with a low around 49 degrees.

Snow possible in the mountains

With avid skiers and snowboarders itching to get out again, NWS stated that heavy mountain snow is possible at high elevations in the Cascades. Though it’s still too early to determine exact snow levels, the weather service noted that atmospheric river conditions often result in snow levels rising above the mountain passes.

Crystal Mountain Resort is projected to open on Nov. 28, while Stevens Pass’ opening date is scheduled for Dec. 5, according to The Seattle Times.

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The hikers are in stable condition after being attacked by a grizzly mother with two cubs on Farm Cabin Trail near Pass Lake.

They were transported to University Hospital in northern B.C. and are currently recovering.

After investigating, the Conservation Officer Service (COS) Predator Attack Team determined the bear’s actions were in defense.

COS stated that due to the location and nature of the incident, no action will be taken against the bear.

The trailhead is currently closed, and signs have been posted.

“Please respect the closure and avoid the area,” COS wrote in its Facebook post.

Authorities list safety tips amid grizzly bear attack

Authorities listed bear safety tips to help prevent future incidents. They include staying alert and making noise, like talking, singing, or clapping, to avoid surprising a bear — especially near streams, dense brush, or in low visibility.

Officials also advised traveling in groups, carrying bear spray, and maintaining a clean camp.

“Store food, garbage, and scented items in bear-proof containers or hang them at least 10 feet off the ground and 4 feet from tree trunks,” COS stated.

Avoiding bear habitats and steering clear of areas with fresh tracks, scat, or animal carcasses was another recommendation.

COS also urged hikers to obey closures and posted signs.

In the case of a bear encounter, do not approach the animal, authorities stated. Stay calm, don’t run, speak in a calm voice, and slowly back away.

“If the bear charges, stand your ground and use bear spray if necessary,” COS stated.

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Wilson announced, via a statement Tuesday, that the case between him and his former fiancée has been dropped.

“I want to share with you some important news and offer my heartfelt apology for my personal behavior earlier this year. First, all civil actions related to Lee Keller and me have been dismissed. In addition, no criminal charges have been filed. I am greatly relieved that we can all move forward,” he wrote in his statement.

Wilson said he decided not to run for reelection because the county deserves better.

“I am incredibly proud of the work we’ve accomplished and the high-performance culture we have established. But it is time for change. Not for someone running for political expediency, but someone who truly has the best interest of the public at heart,” he wrote.

King County assessor John Wilson drops campaign for county executive

In July, Wilson suspended his campaign for King County executive following his arrest for allegedly stalking Keller and violating a court order to stay away from her.

“In recent weeks, personal matters have drawn attention away from the critical issues that deserve the public’s full focus — issues like public safety, housing affordability, and fair taxation,” Wilson wrote in a statement on July 10. “I believe it is in the best interest of the community to remove any distractions from that conversation.”

Although Wilson was arrested, no charges were filed against him.

Council members call for John Wilson’s resignation

Meanwhile, council members had been calling for Wilson’s resignation for weeks.

“It is clear that John Wilson needs to address his ongoing and escalating behavior and resign as county assessor,” King County Council member Claudia Balducci wrote in a statement in response to Wilson’s arrest. “Alongside advocates for survivors of violence and intimate partner abuse, I have repeatedly called for Wilson to step aside. For too long, we have allowed people in positions of power to be shielded from accountability for abusive behavior. The people and employees of King County deserve better from their leadership.”

Council members went so far as to vote no confidence at a council meeting in June.

“I see it as a pattern, a very dangerous pattern, and certainly not one that we want in our highest levels of government in King County,” King County Council member Girmay Zahilay, running against Wilson for county executive at the time, said.

Lee Keller cements restraining order

Keller previously said in court that she was “very concerned” for her safety.

“I currently have an active restraining order in place, and John Wilson continues to violate it,” she added.

Wilson’s attorney, John Palito, countered, saying, “Ms. Keller has stated John Wilson has never assaulted her. There has never been any threats of physical assault. There are allegations that he violated an order of protection. That’s it. There have been cries for him to quit. He’s not going to.”

Wilson has publicly and repeatedly denied Keller’s claims, describing the legal battle as politically motivated.

“This is a new low point for county politics,” Wilson stated in a Facebook post in June. “And let me state this loud and clear – I have never posed a stalking threat or harassed Ms. Lee Keller, my former fiancée. I have posed no danger to her whatsoever.”

In June, he told KIRO host John Curley that he expected the restraining order to be dismissed soon.

“This is the third time that she has taken some action like this, and each and every time she has withdrawn it before it ever went to court,” Wilson said.

At that point, Keller said in a statement, through her attorneys, that she had no plans to drop the order.

“The restraining order against John Wilson remains in place. I will not be changing my mind, despite his repeated efforts to coerce me to dismiss it,” she wrote.

Wilson apologizes to Keller, public in latest statement

Wilson ended his recent statement by apologizing for his behavior to the public and to his former fiancée, Lee Keller.

“Most importantly, I want to make my sincere apology to my former fiancée Lee Keller. I fell short of standards of behavior I have always tried to practice. I ask her forgiveness. I also apologize to long-time friends like you, colleagues, the fantastic Department of Assessments team, campaign supporters, and the public. I let you down.

Since suspending my campaign for King County Executive, I have taken time to reflect on my actions, their impact, and the important lessons I have learned through this painful albeit public experience.

I allowed ego, pride, and jealousy to override kindness, grace, and thoughtfulness. While I have never intentionally harmed anyone, I have caused pain and turmoil and undermined the trust I have built with so many people, both personally and professionally.

For all of this, I am deeply and truly sorry. Moving forward, I will continue working to become a better person and a more effective leader. I thank you and appreciate your friendship and support through these turbulent times,” he stated.

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The Port of Seattle Bomb Squad responded and was able to neutralize the device, according to KPD.

Person drives explosive device to Kent Police Department

Kent police were notified just before 11 a.m. that a person was driving a backpack containing a suspected explosive device to the station. The concerned citizen found the backpack by the river and decided to take it to the police department.

The station was immediately evacuated. Nearby streets and businesses were advised to evacuate or shelter in place, depending on their location. The road was also closed.

The Port of Seattle Bomb Squad arrived and determined the device was homemade and potentially active.

“They used their specialized training and equipment to neutralize the device and handled its disposal,” KPD stated in a news release.

Police conducted a sweep of City Hall as a precaution. No other devices were found or are suspected to be on campus, authorities noted.

“Kent Police want to stress that it is never appropriate to pick up, move, or otherwise handle a suspected explosive device,” KPD stated. “It is extremely dangerous to move explosives and should only be done by highly trained professionals. Improvised explosive devices are especially unstable.”

Authorities are currently investigating the incident.

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Bomb techs later determined the package contained no suspicious items and gave the all clear.

“We appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation during our investigation,” SCSO wrote.

Mill Creek hospital evacuated

All patients at Swedish Hospital, at 13020 Meridian Avenue South, were transported to other area hospitals.

“Just before 1:30 p.m., deputies responded to Swedish Hospital in Mill Creek for report of a suspicious package on the property,” Director of Communications at SCSO Courtney O’Keefe told KIRO Newsradio. “At this time, all patients and staff have been evacuated. There were approximately 21 patients at the hospital, and they have been transported to other area hospitals.”

Bomb techs arrived to investigate.

“The WSP bomb squad is responding to the location to investigate, so at this time, they’re waiting on additional bomb techs to arrive, and then they will investigate,” O’Keefe explained.

Due to the large police presence, there were traffic delays in the area.

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