West

2 dead after search for Sasquatch in Washington national forest

Published

1 year ago

December 29, 2024

2 dead after search for Sasquatch in Washington national forest

Two men from Portland died searching for Sasquatch during Christmas week, according to officials.

Around 1 a.m. on Christmas Day, Skamania County Communications Center received a report from a family member of two people who were searching for Sasquatch and were missing after they had planned to return home on Dec. 24, according to the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO).

A “flock camera,” also known as a license plate reader, located the men’s car off of Oklahoma Road, near Willard, Washington, SCSO said.

Over three days, search and rescue resources, including more than 60 volunteers, canines, drones and ground search teams and a U.S. Coast Guard air asset searched for the men.

UTAH BROTHERS SURVIVE AVALANCHE AFTER ONE PULLS OTHER OUT OF SNOW BURIAL

(Skamania County Sheriff’s Office)

“After a grueling, three-day search over difficult terrain and harsh weather conditions, the 59-year-old male and 37-year-old-male, both from Portland, Oregon, who were reported missing/endangered were located, deceased, in a heavily wooded area of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest,” the sheriff’s office said on Facebook.

“Both deaths appear to be due to exposure, based on weather conditions and ill-preparedness,” SCSO added.

WASHINGTON STATE TEENS CHARGED AS ADULTS IN GANG-LINKED STABBING OF BOY, 14, WHO WAS TIED TO TREE, CUT OPEN

An air asset from the United States Coast Guard, based in Astoria, Oregon, was used to assist in the search for the two men. (Skamania County Sheriff’s Office)

The sheriff’s office thanked the volunteers who spent Christmas week searching for the men through “freezing temperatures, snow, high water levels, heavy rain, downfall, and heavily wooded terrain,” allowing the men to be taken home to their family.

“The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office extends our deepest sympathies and condolences to the families of the loved ones lost in this tragic incident,” SCSO said.

The Portland men who died were only identified by their ages, 59 and 37. (Skamania County Sheriff’s Office)

The men’s names were not released.

Back in 2019, a Travel Channel blog post said Washington was the “world’s most active region” for Sasquatch sightings. Of particular note were the Blue Mountains and Okanogan County, which the Travel Channel wrote is “the locale of one of the most aggressive Bigfoot encounters ever recorded.”

Read the full article from Here

Utah

Traffic deaths decline overall on Utah roads, teen fatalities nearly double

Published

22 minutes ago

January 6, 2026

Press Room

Traffic deaths decline overall on Utah roads, teen fatalities nearly double

SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Road fatalities went down year-over-year after Utah officials reported the lowest number of traffic deaths in the state since 2019.

The Utah Department of Transportation and the Department of Public Safety released preliminary data on Tuesday, revealing 264 traffic fatalities statewide in 2025. That number is down from the 277 fatalities reported in 2024 and the lowest since the 248 deaths reported in 2019.

“While fewer lives were lost this year, even one death is one too many,” said Shaunna Burbidge, the program manager for Zero Fatalities. “These numbers help us understand where risks remain and remind us that the choices we make on the road can save lives.”

MORE | Traffic Fatalities

Among those concerns are teen drivers and motorcyclists.

According to the 2025 data, motorcyclist fatalities increased by 32% compared to 2024, and teen fatalities “sharply rose.” The Department of Public Safety said 31 teens died on Utah roads in 2025, nearly double the 18 reported in 2024.

DPS said these deaths highlight the vulnerability of riders and the importance of visibility, protective gear, and safe speeds. Meanwhile, crashes involving young drivers are often tied to distractions, risky behaviors, and inexperience.

“Every time we travel, we make choices that carry lifelong consequences for ourselves and everyone else on the road,” said Sgt. Mike Alexnader with Utah Highway Patrol. “The reality is that these tragedies are preventable. When we commit to driving focused, alert, sober, calm, and when we ensure every person in the vehicle is buckled up, we aren’t just following the law; we are actively saving lives. It’s time we all take that responsibility to heart.”

_____

Source link

Washington

Deputies shoot armed suspect in Leesburg Walmart parking lot

Published

40 minutes ago

January 6, 2026

Press Room

Deputies shoot armed suspect in Leesburg Walmart parking lot

Deputies shot an armed suspect in the parking lot of a Walmart store in Leesburg, Virginia, late Tuesday morning, authorities say.

Detectives, deputies and special agents from the FBI had tracked the suspect down after he tried to rob the Bank of America at Dulles Crossing on Monday, the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office said. The suspect, who still hasn’t been named, didn’t get any money before taking off from the bank.

Authorities found the suspect was parked at the back of the Walmart parking lot just before noon Tuesday.

Deputies pulled up behind the suspect’s blue sedan at the back of the Walmart parking lot about 11:40 a.m. Tuesday. As they approached, the suspect got out with a gun, Sheriff Mike Chapman said.

Deputies then fired their guns at the suspect, hitting him. Chapman did not say how many times the suspect was shot or give specific information about his injuries.

Medics took the suspect to a hospital.

No deputies were injured, the sheriff’s office said.

Chapman said it was too early in the investigation to say if the suspect fired his gun or how many officers were involved in the shooting.

Stay with News4 for updates to this developing story.

Source link

Wyoming

From Douglas to Jackson, Week 4 Is Loaded for Wyoming Boys’ Swim & Dive

Published

58 minutes ago

January 6, 2026

Press Room

From Douglas to Jackson, Week 4 Is Loaded for Wyoming Boys’ Swim & Dive

It is Week 4 in the 2026 Wyoming High School boys’ swimming and diving season. It features several medium-sized competitions. After a dual in Douglas on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday are packed with meets. Jackson hosts its two-day invitational with four teams heading to Teton County. There are three-team events in Casper, Gillette, and Sheridan on Friday, plus two five-team meets at Cody and Rock Springs.

WYOPREPS BOYS SWIMMING AND DIVING WEEK 4 SCHEDULE 2026

Saturday also has swim invites at Evanston, Powell, and Sheridan. The schedule for Week 4 of the prep boys’ swimming and diving season in the Cowboy State is below. The schedule is subject to change.

RAWLINS AT DOUGLAS – dual

Read More Boys Swim News from WyoPreps

WyoPreps Week 3 Boys Swim Scoreboard 2026

WyoPreps Week 2 Boys Swim Scoreboard 2026

WyoPreps Week 1 Boys Swim Scoreboard & Season Outlook 2026

Nominate a Boys Swimmer/Diver For WyoPreps Athlete of the Week

3A Boys State Championship Recap 2025

4A Boys State Championship Recap 2025

3A Diving Champ Bryson Laing in 2025

4A Swim Champ Cy Gallion in 2025

4A Diving Champ Brady Benne in 2025

4A Swim Champ Ben Forsythe in 2025