Category Archives: Cops and courts

Graham resident – Gina Blanchard-Reed – Candidate for WA State Senate in 2nd LD

Posted on May 18, 2020 by brucesmith49

By Bruce A. Smith Gina Blanchard-Reed, a long-time resident of Graham and currently a Commissioner of the Graham Fire and Rescue Department, is running for the State Senate seat being vacated by Senator Randi Becker (R), who is retiring.

Posted in Cops and courts, Covid-19, Health, Politics, Self Reliance | 3 Comments

Impact of murder among family members revealed in interview with Manny Silva, father of slain Tacoma woman

Posted on April 22, 2019 by brucesmith49

By Bruce A. Smith Manny Silva, the father of Lisa Melancon, a Tacoma woman killed in 2011 during a drive-by shooting, contacted the Mountain News this week to describe the impacts of his daughter’s murder. His testimony reveals how vast … Continue reading →

Posted in Bethel News, Cops and courts, Culture, Events, Family, Graham News | 4 Comments

Security questions abound on how a plane was stolen from Sea-Tac airport

Posted on August 12, 2018 by brucesmith49

By Bruce A. Smith Serious security questions have arisen in the wake of a commercial airliner being stolen from Sea-Tac on Friday evening, August 10. Richard Russell, a “ground services employee” of Horizon Air,  entered the cockpit of a twin-engine … Continue reading →

Posted in Cops and courts, Culture, DB Cooper, Events, Remarkable men and women, Science and Technology | 48 Comments

Apology offered for a 2010 drive-by murder – from Jimi Blakeney to Lisa Melancon

Posted on April 8, 2018 by brucesmith49

By Bruce A. Smith The following is a touching and powerful correspondence that I received from a former client of mine, Olujimi Blakeney. In it, Olujimi, via his wife “Jay,” utilizes the pages of the Mountain News to offer a … Continue reading →

Posted in Cops and courts, Culture | 4 Comments

Third Person Charged in Death of Deputy McCartney

Posted on January 24, 2018 by brucesmith49

Special to the Mountain News from the Pierce County Office of Communications: ~ TACOMA, WA – The Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office charged Samantha Dawn Jones, 29, with murder in the first degree and kidnapping in the first degree for her … Continue reading →

Posted in Cops and courts, Frederickson, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Two charged in the death of Sheriff’s deputy killed in Frederickson

Posted on January 8, 2018 by brucesmith49

By Bruce A. Smith Update, 6 pm, Thursday, 1. 11. 18 Special to the Mountain News-WA: Two Charged in Death of Pierce County Sheriff’s Deputy Today, the Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office charged Frank William Pawul, 32, and Brenda Kaye Troyer, … Continue reading →

Posted in Cops and courts, Frederickson | Leave a comment

Amtrak passenger train derails near JBLM – 6 reported killed, over 70 injured

Posted on December 18, 2017 by brucesmith49

By Bruce A. Smith An Amtrak “Cascades” passenger train enroute to Portland, Oregon derailed this morning just north of the Nisqually River near DuPont, Washington. Six people were killed according to reports published by the Tacoma News Tribune, with almost … Continue reading →

Posted in Cops and courts, Events, Nisqually River, Yelm News | 3 Comments

Details released on last week’s shooting at G-K High School – gunman in cusotdy

Posted on December 12, 2017 by brucesmith49

Special to the Mountain News-WA From James Lynch, Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office ~ Graham-Kapowsin Shooter Charged ~ TACOMA, WA – Today, Prosecutor Mark Lindquist announced the alleged gunman in the drive-by shooting that happened last week near Graham Kapowsin High … Continue reading →

Posted in Bethel News, Cops and courts, Graham News, Kapowsin | 1 Comment

DB Cooper and the FBI – New video investigates the parachutes and the death of Earl Cossey, the FBI’s chute expert

Posted on October 28, 2017 by brucesmith49

By Bruce A. Smith I am pleased to announce a new video on DB Cooper posted today on YouTube. It is part of an on-going series I am developing on the DB Cooper case – the only unsolved skyjacking in … Continue reading →

Posted in Cops and courts, DB Cooper | Leave a comment

DB Cooper video available now on YouTube

Posted on August 30, 2017 by brucesmith49

By Bruce A. Smith A comprehensive overview of the iconic DB Cooper skyjacking is now available on YouTube: Presented by Bruce A. Smith, it was filmed on November 8, 2016 at the Graham Library in Graham, Washington through the kind … Continue reading →

Posted in Cops and courts, DB Cooper, Entertainment | 5 Comments