The Mountain News – WA | Serving those who live close to Mount Rainier in body or spirit

New Suspect identified in DB Cooper case: Walter Beca

Posted on May 16, 2018 by brucesmith49

By Bruce A. Smith

There is a new suspect in the DB Cooper case: Walter Reca

I have just received an email from Doug Perry at the Oregonian’s OregonLive website which included a press release from a organization called Principia Media. They, in turn, announced that they will have a press conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan tomorrow, May 17, to reveal the true identity of DB Cooper.

Principia Media has published a book from a man named Carl Laurin that describes his relationship to the individual known as DB Cooper. At the press conference Laurin will present tape recordings from Cooper and other Norjak evidence attesting to his claims. I have asked Julie Hurley, the media contact person at Principia Media, for an interview with Mr. Laurin, and I will be sharing a full report of that conversation in the near future. Principia Media will also be allowing me to examine some of the files that Laurin has established on his suspect.

Perry states in his recent OregonLive column that Laurin is a former airline pilot and fingers a deceased Army veteran, Walter Reca, as DB Cooper. Perry’s article can be read at: https://www.oregonlive.com/expo/erry-2018/05/ea93070d8f9316/the_real_db_cooper_revealed_ul.html

I just spoke with Ms. Hurley and she said the press conference will be live-streamed on Facebook.

Below is the press release from Principia Media: Continue reading →

Recent commentaries on DB Cooper from Mountain News readers passes 1,000 posts

Posted on May 8, 2018 by brucesmith49

By Bruce A. Smith

One of the fascinating – and troubling – aspects of the Internet is the need many users have to gossip. The draw of social media is a unique facet of modern life, and the criticisms and back-stabbing in chat rooms and on social media, like Facebook or Twitter, are major forces shaping our world. The Mountain News is not immune to this phenomenon, especially regarding DB Cooper. Since November 2017, Cooper postings at the Mountain News have resulted in over a thousand comments. Many of them require monitoring, often leading to removal by yours truly in my capacity as editor. But a thousand posts is significant, and invites an examination of what is transpiring. Continue reading →

Posted in DB Cooper, Science and Technology | 1,300 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 written apology to the woman he murdered during a drive-by shooting in Tacoma in 2010. Olujimi also asks the family of the deceased for their forgiveness. Continue reading →

Posted in Cops and courts, Culture, The Men of Honor of Unity House | 3 Comments

Into the land of used cars – a car shopper’s tale

Posted on April 3, 2018 by brucesmith49

By Bruce A. Smith

After living without a vehicle for the past seven years, my sister gave me $5,000 to buy a car. Of course, I’m grateful, but it’s also scary. I want to purchase the right vehicle and not get a junker, so I’m taking it slow and doing research. Here is what I’ve learned over the past two weeks. Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Culture, Puyallup, Yelm News | Leave a comment

Pinwheels spin in Pierce County to raise awareness for child abuse prevention

Posted on March 30, 2018 by brucesmith49

Special to the Mountain News-WA from the Pierce County Juvenile Court:

The Pierce County Juvenile Court is recognizing National Child Abuse Prevention Month and the “Pinwheels for Prevention” campaign, where pinwheels will be planted across the Juvenile Court lawn and throughout Pierce County during the month of April. The pinwheels symbolize the fun and carefree childhood that every child deserves. Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Health | Leave a comment

Great TV comes to Netflix: “Occupied,” and “Nobel”

Posted on March 22, 2018 by brucesmith49

By Bruce A. Smith

For those who like well-written dramatic TV series with excellent production values, I recommend two recent additions at Netflix: “Occupied,” and “Nobel.” Both are made by Norwegian TV outfits, and both are sub-titled. But English is used as the common language on screen when characters interact with non-Norwegians. It works, trust me. Continue reading →

Posted in Book reviews, Culture, Entertainment, Environment, Nature, Politics, Resistance and Justice, Weather | Leave a comment

WSDA to conduct Gypsy Moth spraying in parts of Graham

Posted on March 19, 2018 by brucesmith49

By Bruce A. Smith

The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has announced that it will conduct a pesticide spraying program in selected neighborhoods in northern Graham to control a Gypsy Moth (GM) infestation. The spraying will commence in late April or early May, according to Mike Louisell, the Public Information Officer for the WSDA, and will consist of three aerial applications of a chemical pesticide known as BTK.

Continue reading →