Northwest wire briefs

Kadlec medical center makes $18 million donation to WSU Tri-Cities

RICHLAND - Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland is donating $18 million to the nursing program at Washington State University Tri-Cities.

The money will be used to hire faculty and possibly expand the school.

The Tri-City Herald reported it's the largest-ever single gift to WSU Tri-Cities. It's being formally awarded at an event Monday at the Kadlec Healthplex, next to space the hospital provides for the nursing school.

Third report of police impersonator in south central Idaho

TWIN FALLS - South central Idaho authorities are investigating a third report of someone impersonating a police officer.

Twin Falls police told The Times-News that a woman reported a black sport utility vehicle with flashing red and blue lights stopped near where she was walking Monday morning and a man got out and struck her in the face.

A woman driving on Dec. 20 reported being pulled over by a man in a black sport utility vehicle. The man told her to get out of the car but she instead called police.

On Dec. 15, a woman reported being pulled over by a black sport utility vehicle. The man fled when she threatened to call police.

The women describe the man as white, about 5-foot-11 and around 30 years old.

Flu kills 5-year-old Tacoma girl in a couple of days

TACOMA - A 5-year-old Tacoma girl who was sent home from school with a fever was dead a couple of days later from the flu.

The mother, Rebecca Taylor, told KOMO she treated her daughter Scarlet at home for two days last month for cold symptoms.

When the girl had trouble breathing, her mother took her to Mary Bridge Children's Hospital. She died four hours later.

The girl did not have a flu shot. The medical examiner's office said she died of the H3N2 strain, the mutation for which the current vaccine is least effective.

The state Health Department said Monday there have been 22 flu deaths so far this season in Washington. Spokesman Donn Moyer said the Pierce County girl is the only child's death from the flu.

ISU cancels order for AR-15 rifles

POCATELLO - Idaho State University has canceled an order for 11 AR-15 rifles.

Associate Vice President for ISU Facilities Phil Moessner said the school canceled the order in December.

Moessner said the school ordered the weapons in August to have them on hand should an active shooter appear on campus.

But Moessner said officials on second consideration decided it would be better if local law enforcement officials rather than campus security dealt with an active shooter should that situation arise.

Moessner told the Idaho State Journal that the school might still have to pay for some of the cost of the guns.

He didn't provide an estimate.

Cover Oregon shutdown leads to 62 layoffs

PORTLAND, Ore. - Cover Oregon has announced 62 layoffs in connection with the shutdown of the failed health insurance exchange.

Oregon's Department of Community Colleges and Workforce Development received notice of the mass layoff in a letter dated Jan. 8.

Cover Oregon executive director Aaron Patnode told the agency that layoffs will occur in March and April. Most employees being let go work in customer service.

The state abandoned the exchange in April after deciding it was cheaper to switch to the federal site than to fix Cover Oregon. At the time, officials warned there would be layoffs in 2015.

Lawmakers plan to pass a bill dissolving Cover Oregon early in the 2015 Legislative session.

Seattle may change name of 'patronizing prostitute' crime

SEATTLE - The Seattle City Council is considering Monday whether to change the name of a sex crime. The offense of "patronizing a prostitute" would become "sexual exploitation."

Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes told The Seattle Times the purpose of the name change would be to focus on the victim.

Meanwhile, a state lawmaker from Seattle, Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, is introducing a bill that would change the crime from a simple misdemeanor to a gross misdemeanor. That would increase the maximum penalty from 90 days to a year in jail.

Handyman accused of scamming homeowners

PORTLAND, Ore - Portland police have re-arrested a handyman accused of scamming people with offers to do repairs.

Sgt. Pete Simpson said 59-year-old Clinton Reany was booked into jail Friday on charges of theft, identity theft and unlawful use of a vehicle. He was previously arrested Dec. 31, and police believe he went right back to work after getting released from jail.

According to Simpson, Reany offers to repair sidewalks or driveways for homeowners. Reany then collects half the money and does a little work. He then asks for more money, and leaves the property damaged.

Detectives are aware of four victims, but Simpson said there might be more. He said Reany's background shows he's done similar scams for nearly 40 years across the country.

Four calves die in fire at prison dairy

DEER LODGE, Mont. - A calving shed caught fire at the Montana State Prison dairy operation near Deer Lodge, killing four calves.

Prison officials said the fire was reported at about 6:15 a.m. Monday.

The Montana Standard reported a heating lamp ignited straw, sparking the fire that was contained to the shed. The calves were less than 2 months old.