Today's News

MOUNT VERNON, Wash. (AP) — Dan Sligh and his wife were in their pickup truck on Interstate 5 heading to a camping trip when a bridge before them disappeared in a "big puff of dust."

"I hit the brakes and we went off," Sligh told reporters from a hospital, adding he "saw the water approaching ... you hold on as tight as you can."

Slight, his wife and another man in a different vehicle were dumped into the chilly waters of the Skagit River when the span collapsed Thursday evening. They were injured, but miraculously, authorities said it appeared nobody was killed in the bridge failure that raised the question about the safety of aging spans and cut off the main route between Seattle and Canada.

"We don't think anyone else went into the water," said Marcus Deyerin, a spokesman for the Northwest Washington Incident Management Team. "At this point we're optimistic."

Sligh and his wife were taken to Skagit Valley Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The other man was reported in stable condition at United General Hospital in Sedro-Woolley, hospital CEO Greg Reed said.

Today
At 5:30 p.m., parents and children are invited to Ruby K’s Bagel Café to create a bagel birdfeeder. Little Forest Playschool will host this craft. Secilly Keeler, a teacher at Little Forest, will bring the supplies and provide hands-on instruction. For more information call 515-7001.

Authors Speak Series presents Steve Sheinkin, author of “Bomb: The Race to Build-and Steal-The World’s Most Dangerous Weapon.” Teens are invited to a pizza party to meet the author at 5:30 p.m. before the talk. Both Upstairs at the Mesa Public Library.
Friday
The Los Alamos County Summer Concert Series. 7 p.m. Free. Bring lawn chairs. Ashley Pond: Red Elvises; Siberian rock from Los Alamos. For more information visit gordonsummerconcerts.com.

Cub Scouts from Pack 22 and 27 worked to collect canned goods on May 11 at Smith’s location in Los Alamos and White Rock. Donations were accepted throughout the day in addition to the box collection by the United States Postal Service. Cub Scout and Boy Scouts participated in the community event.
 

The last few years have been tough economically for many people. Unemployment fears combined with plunging home, stock and retirement account values caused many to forgo big vacations — even though stressful times are when we most need to recharge our batteries.
But with the economy turning around, many families are cautiously dipping their toes in the travel pool once again.
Hotel occupancy rates have risen in many areas and airports are as crowded as ever.
Airlines and hotels are notorious for tacking extra charges onto their bills. Here are a few to watch out for:
A few airlines allow one free checked bag (Southwest still allows two), but most charge up to $25 for the first checked bag each way, and even more for additional pieces.
Plus, most now tack on hefty fees for overweight and over-sized checked and carry-on luggage, so measure and weigh your luggage carefully.
Expect to pay extra for things like changing flights, extra leg room, priority boarding, unaccompanied minors, pets, Wi-Fi access and food.
Some airlines even charge extra to speak to a live person, or to buy your ticket at the airport counter or by phone.