In brief: Avista proposes dip in electricity rate

Avista customers in Idaho could see a small reduction in their electric bills, starting Oct. 1.

The credit would amount to about 25 cents on a typical customer’s monthly bill, lowering it from $85.25 to $84.99. The change must be approved by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission.

The reduction is a result of lower wholesale costs for electricity and the Bonneville Power Administration’s residential exchange program, which spreads the benefits of the federal hydro system to residential customers and small-farm customers.

The proposed change would not affect Avista’s request for high base rates, which is pending before the Idaho Public Utilities Commission.

Commission votes to raise ferry fares

SEATTLE – The cost to ride a ferry in the Puget Sound will be going up Oct. 1.

KCPQ-TV reported the Washington state Transportation Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to raise ferry fares.

Fares will go up 2.5 percent for vehicles and 1 percent for passengers on Oct. 1. At the same time, a surcharge for over-height vehicles that are under 22 feet in length will be eliminated.

Next May, another fare increase will go into effect: 2.5 percent for vehicles and 1 percent for passengers.

Seven West Nile cases confirmed in Tri-Cities

KENNEWICK – Seven people in Benton and Franklin counties have been confirmed to have West Nile virus.

The Tri-City Herald reported that the Tri-City cases account for all but one of the confirmed infections in the state so far this year. An eighth person confirmed to have West Nile likely was exposed in Adams County.

Nationally, six states have reported West Nile virus infections in humans this year.

Most people infected with West Nile virus won’t get sick. However, about one in five people will develop a fever and other symptoms and the illness can be fatal.

Last year, 12 human cases of West Nile virus were reported in Washington. The state’s most active year for West Nile virus was 2009, with 38 human cases.

Whale with fish lure in mouth tracked

FRIDAY HARBOR, Wash. – Federal officials said they’re monitoring a killer whale near the San Juan Islands that appears to have a salmon lure hanging from its mouth.

NOAA Fisheries said the orca, a 12-year-old male known as J-39, does not appear to be injured. The lure is a “flasher,” a shiny, oblong-shaped lure, and it may be attached to a barbless hook. The agency said it will provide additional money to the Center for Whale Research in Friday Harbor to further track the whale and assess its condition.

Barbara Bender, of a San Juan-based sailing charter company called All Aboard Sailing, photographed the lure Aug. 1 and shared the pictures with the whale advocacy group Orca Network, which forwarded them to federal officials.

NOAA Fisheries said it’s worried about how the lure might affect the orca’s feeding and behavior, but the lure might come loose on its own.

So-called ‘Up’ house could move to island

SEATTLE – A Seattle home that became famous after its owner refused to sell to developers could wind up being moved to Orcas Island – if a nonprofit there can raise the $205,000 needed.

KIRO-TV reported that the house will be shipped by barge to Orcas Island, in the San Juan chain north of Seattle, where it will be used as affordable housing – if the Opal Community Land Trust can raise the money by Sept. 15. The organization has launched an online campaign to solicit donations.

Owner Edith Macefield refused a $1 million offer for the home, built in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood in 1900. The builders eventually surrounded the house on three sides with a large commercial building. She died in 2008 at age 86.

The home became known as the “Up” house after the 2009 Pixar movie about an aging man fighting for his home in a community being overtaken by development.

Animal control detains pit bulls

TACOMA – Two pit bulls suspected of attacking a woman in Tacoma have been detained.

The News Tribune reported that Tacoma animal control officers detained the dogs Monday night.

The dogs will be quarantined for several days to ensure they don’t present any dangers to public health.

Puyallup Tribal police said the two pit bulls attacked a woman in the parking lot of a smoke shop on Friday.

Workers tried to intervene, and one fired gunshots, causing the dogs to flee.

The woman was taken to a hospital.

Tacoma police spokeswoman Loretta Cool said the dogs won’t be released until the case is decided upon by a court. The owner has not been arrested.