Northwest Briefing

SEATTLE -- In an unusual move, the agency planning Seattle's next monorail said yesterday it will return at least $150,000 to the city -- out of the $6 million voters directed the city to earmark for the work.

The Elevated Transportation Co.'s executive committee unanimously agreed it didn't need to spend that amount. The surplus will result when all but one of the company's six full-time staff members are laid off in August, when the plan is scheduled to be completed, said administrative manager Felicia Freeman.

The move comes at a time when the city expects to cut $50 million from its general fund budget.

The city put the $6 million in an account, which the company draws out as needed for expenses.

The company expects to have a plan ready for the November ballot.

400 attend service for slain 8-year-old boy

BELLINGHAM -- About 400 people attended a memorial service yesterday for an 8-year-old boy who was killed less than two months after his family moved here in search of a safer place to live.

Friends, neighbors, even casual acquaintances crowded Christ the King Community Church to remember Michael Busby, whose body was found in a field not far from his home Friday.

Classmates from Columbia Elementary School and their families filled nine rows.

A videotaped photo montage showed images of the boy smiling brightly, except for one shot of him as a newborn.

The sound of sobs filled the church as pictures flashed on the screen.

A 16-year-old neighbor, Ryan Alexander, was being held without bail for investigation of kidnapping and aggravated first-degree murder.

If charged and convicted as an adult, he could face life in prison without parole. State law does not allow juveniles to be sentenced to death.

Deputy pleads not guilty to rape charge

OLYMPIA -- A Thurston County sheriff's deputy pleaded innocent yesterday to charges that he forced a woman to have sex with him to avoid arrest.

Dallas Hogan was arraigned on charges of kidnapping, extortion and rape.

Prosecutors contend Hogan took a 21-year-old woman into custody after a Feb. 8 traffic stop, told her there was a warrant for her arrest and then raped her.

Hogan maintains the woman willingly had sex with him.

Hogan remains in jail while his attorney tries to get his $250,000 bail reduced. His trial is set for June 17.

Plan OK'd to insulate schools against noise

SEATTLE -- The Port of Seattle Commission yesterday approved a plan to spend $100 million to insulate schools in the Highline School District affected by noise from Sea-Tac Airport.

The port's $50 million contribution will come from a combination of airport revenue and property tax dollars over a 10-year period.

The additional $50 million will come from the FAA in the form of noise mitigation grants.

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