Fire damages elaborate mansion at seaside park in Thailand

BANGKOK (AP) — A gaudy mansion in a Buddhist-themed tourist park in Thailand’s seaside resort city of Pattaya was seriously damaged by a fire Wednesday that sent thick black smoke billowing into the sky.

Vacant Ephrata house burns

- Staff report

Outages, damage reported from wind

Event affects most of PUD service area

EPHRATA — Grant County PUD reported most of its service area was affected Monday by the windstorm.

Strong quake jolts central Philippines, some damage seen

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — A powerful and shallow earthquake struck a central Philippine region Tuesday, prompting people to dash out of homes and offices for safety.

Extension cord fire stops Royal Slope fiber service

ROYAL CITY - Grant County PUD fiber communications service to much of the Royal Slope was interrupted by a fire on Dec. 31 that started in an extension cord or the freezer it was powering.

Abandoned bumper leads to arrest

DESERT AIRE — A Mattawa man was arrested on suspicion of DUI and first-degree malicious mischief after he is alleged to have damaged the front entrance of a Desert Aire business with his car.

Gov. Inslee issues emergency declaration for 19 counties

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Gov. Jay Inslee issued an emergency proclamation Wednesday for 19 Washington counties because of significant winter weather that is forecast to continue through this weekend.

Airbnb launches Bahamas sabbatical to help after Dorian

NEW YORK (AP) — Airbnb is giving a few people a chance to spend a two-month sabbatical in the Bahamas in an attempt to boost the Caribbean island damaged last year by Hurricane Dorian.

Othello man injured in Thursday morning collision near Vantage

Martinez was injured in the collision and transported to Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake for treatment. Bustos Vargas was not injured. Both of the vehicles involved in the collision sustained reportable damages.

Feds release details about deadly skydiving crash in Hawaii

HONOLULU (AP) — The pilot of a plane that crashed and killed all 11 on board had a history of taking unnecessary risks and pushing the limits of his skills to give passengers an exciting ride, witnesses told federal officials.

Longspine sandbur (Cenchrus longispinus)

This week we are going to talk about longspine sandbur. This is a nasty plant that blends in with other grasses, quietly waiting for an unguarded foot to stick into. Yes, true to its name, this noxious weed has spines on it. Longspine sandbur is an annual grass, so it spreads only through seeds rather than a rhizome system like perennial plants. Much like puncturevine, these seeds can stick into tires, fur, and clothing. This noxious weed can be found in disturbed areas such as waste areas, roadsides, field edges, etc.

After frosty few days, Pence, Trump appear to reach détente

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence appear to have come to a détente after nearly a week of silence, anger and finger-pointing.

After frosty few days, Pence, Trump appear to reach détente

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence appear to have come to a détente after nearly a week of silence, anger and finger-pointing.

EU leaders grapple with surge of infections, vaccine issues

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union leaders failed to settle a fight about the distribution of COVID-19 shots among member states Thursday but pledged to strengthen vaccine export controls and production on EU soil amid a shortage of doses and spikes in new cases.

EU leaders grapple with surge of infections, vaccine issues

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union leaders failed to settle a fight about the distribution of COVID-19 shots among member states Thursday but pledged to strengthen vaccine export controls and production on EU soil amid a shortage of doses and spikes in new cases.

EU leaders grapple with surge of infections, vaccine issues

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union leaders failed to settle a fight about the distribution of COVID-19 shots among member states Thursday but pledged to strengthen vaccine export controls and production on EU soil amid a shortage of doses and spikes in new cases.

EU leaders grapple with surge of infections, vaccine issues

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union leaders failed to settle a fight about the distribution of COVID-19 shots among member states Thursday but pledged to strengthen vaccine export controls and production on EU soil amid a shortage of doses and spikes in new cases.

Iran's top leader strikes defiant tone amid month of turmoil

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran's supreme leader lashed out at Western countries as he led Friday prayers in Tehran for the first time in eight years, dismissing “American clowns” who he said pretend to support the Iranian nation but want to stick their "poisoned dagger” into its back.

Kobe Bryant helicopter had nearly cleared blinding clouds

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The pilot of the helicopter that crashed and killed Kobe Bryant and eight others was almost out of blinding clouds when he suddenly plunged and crashed into a Southern California hillside, investigators and aviation experts indicated.

Kobe Bryant helicopter had nearly cleared blinding clouds

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The pilot of the helicopter that crashed and killed Kobe Bryant and eight others was almost out of blinding clouds when he suddenly plunged and crashed into a Southern California hillside, investigators and aviation experts indicated.