West
Bizarre laws in Washington, such as being charged with reckless driving if hugging while behind the wheel
Strange laws that will have you scratching your head are present in states across the country.
Washington’s most bizarre laws include consequences for using x-ray machines for nonmedical foot measuring, hugging while driving and more.
Read on to learn about these and more strange laws in Washington.
Washington has many strange laws that come as surprising to many. (iStock)
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- Don’t use X-rays as shoe-fitting devices
- No hugging while driving
- Don’t harm a carrier or racer pigeon
- No intimidation with a laser
- Be wary before Bigfoot hunting
1. Don’t use X-rays as shoe-fitting devices
First among Washington’s strangest laws is one against using X-ray machines for the purpose of nonmedical foot measuring.
This is stated in Section 70A.388.190 of the Revised Code of Washington.
“The operation or maintenance of any X-ray, fluoroscopic, or other equipment or apparatus employing roentgen rays, in the fitting of shoes or other footwear or in the viewing of bones in the feet is prohibited,” the law states.
One of Washington’s laws prevents the use of an X-ray device for nonmedical foot measuring. (iStock)
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“This prohibition does not apply to any licensed physician, surgeon, *podiatrist, or any person practicing a licensed healing art, or any technician working under the direct and immediate supervision of such persons.”
2. No hugging while driving
Lots of factors can be distracting for a driver on the road. In Washington, a law prohibiting hugging while driving is explicitly laid out.
This law can be found in the Revised Code of Washington, Section 46.61.665, which goes over the Rules of the Road and prohibits “embracing another while driving.”
“It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a motor vehicle upon the highways of this state when such person has in his or her embrace another person which prevents the free and unhampered operation of such vehicle,” the law states.
Don’t hug and drive in Washington, it’s against the law. (iStock)
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“Operation of a motor vehicle in violation of this section is prima facie evidence of reckless driving,” the law continues.
3. Don’t harm a carrier or racer pigeon
Washington law prohibits the harming of a carrier or racer pigeon.
Breaking this law is a “class 1 civil infraction,” the law states.
In Washington, it’s illegal “for any person, other than the owner thereof or his or her authorized agent, to knowingly shoot, kill, maim, injure, molest, entrap, or detain any Antwerp Messenger or Racing Pigeon, commonly called ‘carrier or racing pigeons,’ having the name of its owner stamped upon its wing or tail or bearing upon its leg a band or ring with the name or initials of the owner or an identification or registration number stamped thereon,” the law reads.
Harming carrier or racing pigeons is illegal in the Evergreen State. (iStock)
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This is according to the Revised Code of Washington 9.61.190.
4. No intimidation with a laser
Think twice before using a laser as a form of intimidation against another in Washington.
This law can be found in the Revised Code of Washington 9A.49.020, which highlights “unlawful discharge of a laser in the first degree.
“A person is guilty of unlawful discharge of a laser in the first degree if he or she knowingly and maliciously discharges a laser, under circumstances not amounting to malicious mischief in the first degree,” the law states.
It’s illegal to use a laser as a form of intimidation in Washington. (iStock)
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The law is then broken down more specifically, including details about pointing a laser in the direction of a law enforcement officer, a pilot, a transit operator and a school bus driver.
One of the most popular laws swirling around the state is one regarding Bigfoot.
Many believe that Bigfoot, also known as Sasquatch, is a creature that lives in the Pacific Northwest.
In Washington, specifically Skamania County, there was a law passed in 1969 that protects the Sasquatch from harm, according to the Skamania County Chamber of Commerce website.
An amended ordinance went into effect in 1984.
According to Skamania Country Chamber of Commerce, “harming Sasquatch within Skamania County’s borders could cost you one year of jail time and/or a $1000 fine.”
Questions about legalities regarding Sasquatch have come up through the years.
In Washington’s Skamania County, there is a Bigfoot protection law. (iStock)
For example, in March 2024, Stevens County Sheriff’s Office posted on Facebook about a call they received from an individual “inquiring about the legality of hunting Sasquatch.”
The patrol chief responded with the following information.
“So our Patrol Chief called the inquiring party back to pass on two important pieces of information: Meadow Lake is in Pend Oreille County Sheriff jurisdiction and he would have more information on that topic,” the office said.
“2. There are no Sasquatch in Stevens County. We know this because one of our deputies would have accidentally hit one with a patrol car by now!”
Read the full article from Here
Utah
Video: Utah couple biking 4,000 miles for their 40th wedding anniversary – KSLTV.com
Washington state to New Jersey in a little more than three months; this ride would be the most ambitious Bliss and Robert Sawyer attempted.
The Saratoga Springs couple began road biking seriously about 25 years ago. One long haul at a time, they rode all over the country and all over the world, taking their bikes to the UK, Norway and Switzerland.
Read more: https://ksltv.com/?p=909537
Washington
Washington Lottery Powerball, Cash Pop results for May 16, 2026
The Washington Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at May 16, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from May 16 drawing
08-37-40-44-65, Powerball: 18, Power Play: 3
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from May 16 drawing
11
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from May 16 drawing
7-0-6
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Match 4 numbers from May 16 drawing
06-13-16-18
Check Match 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Hit 5 numbers from May 16 drawing
07-21-29-34-40
Check Hit 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Keno numbers from May 16 drawing
07-08-09-10-11-13-14-21-25-30-32-33-47-51-54-55-57-58-59-69
Check Keno payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lotto numbers from May 16 drawing
13-20-26-36-44-47
Check Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from May 16 drawing
11-21-27-41-59, Powerball: 18
Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All Washington Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Washington Lottery’s regional offices.
To claim by mail, complete a winner claim form and the information on the back of the ticket, making sure you have signed it, and mail it to:
Washington Lottery Headquarters
PO Box 43050
Olympia, WA 98504-3050
For in-person claims, visit a Washington Lottery regional office and bring a winning ticket, photo ID, Social Security card and a voided check (optional).
Olympia Headquarters
Everett Regional Office
Federal Way Office
Spokane Department of Imagination
Vancouver Office
Tri-Cities Regional Office
For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Washington Lottery prize claim page.
When are the Washington Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 7:59 p.m. PT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 8 p.m. PT Tuesday and Friday.
- Cash Pop: 8 p.m. PT daily.
- Pick 3: 8 p.m. PT daily.
- Match 4: 8 p.m. PT daily.
- Hit 5: 8 p.m. PT daily.
- Daily Keno: 8 p.m. PT daily.
- Lotto: 8 p.m. PT Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Powerball Double Play: 8:30 p.m. PT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Washington editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Wyoming
8 Old-Timey General Stores In Wyoming
Wyoming’s old-timey general stores function as working portals to an earlier era. Life unwinds in the least-populated state in the country, where these one-stop community shops still hold a real place in town life beyond nostalgia. Dirty Sally’s in Ten Sleep looks much as it did a century ago and retains most of its original architecture. Croghan’s Hall above Dayton Mercantile still serves as a gathering point for a sparsely populated piece of the state. The J.C. Penney Mother Store in Kemmerer opened in 1902 and is the original location of what became the national chain. The eight stores ahead each offer a different chapter of Wyoming’s pioneer past in working retail form.
Aladdin General Store (Aladdin)
Aladdin General Store was first established in 1896. Built by Amos Robinson, the store served the local mining community that developed in the area. The building remains one of the best-preserved 19th-century mercantiles in the state, with much of its original architecture including woodwork, cabinets, and windows still intact after more than a century of service.
In true general store fashion, shoppers find an eclectic inventory including groceries, drinks, art, hardware, and fishing supplies. Upstairs, antiques are on display in “Aladdin’s Antique Attic,” adding further character to the store. Aladdin’s also issues fishing licenses and operates a bar and RV park on the same property. It functions as more than just a store. It serves as a pillar of the surrounding community.
Welty’s General Store (Dubois)
Welty’s General Store has stood the test of time. The current location opened in 1903, though the business operated out of a log cabin starting in 1889, before Wyoming’s statehood. The store continued to evolve, and its current building was constructed in 1956. One notable customer through the years was Butch Cassidy, the western outlaw.
The store operates seasonally to serve summer crowds, with a focus on western wear and outdoor gear. It remains on the National Register of Historic Places and continues as both a local landmark and a historic destination. Across the street sits what could be mistaken for a cave but is actually a cold-storage locker. Welty’s continues to offer a window into the past, with a real sense of what life looked like in an earlier piece of Wyoming history.
Dayton Mercantile (Dayton)
Visitors to Dayton have the chance to see one of the oldest stores in the state. Dayton Mercantile was established in 1882 and functioned mostly as a general store. By 1886, a dance hall opened on the second floor. Known as Croghan’s Hall, the dance hall ranks as the oldest in the state, making the building a central point for the community for generations.
Today, the store remains a popular lunch stop. Known locally as the “Merc,” it draws diners in search of deli sandwiches, pies, and craft drinks. Locals particularly enjoy the “Rustler Reuben” but can also pick up gifts for neighbors or antiques to liven up their home. During summer, the homemade ice cream served at the soda counter ranks among the better treats in this corner of the state.
Farson Mercantile (Farson)
If you head to Farson, make sure you stop in at Farson Mercantile, first opened in 1908. A fire destroyed the original building, forcing the store to relocate in the 1940s. Throughout its lifetime, Farson Mercantile served as the center of the community, providing groceries and operating as a post office, boarding house, and souvenir shop along the way.
Today, the store is known throughout Wyoming as the “Home of the Big Cone.” These oversized ice creams come in massive waffle cones and rank among the strongest dessert stops in the state. There’s also plenty of food for the whole family including pizzas and deli subs. Family road trippers can stop by the well-stocked toy section to find games for the rest of the drive, assuming the kids are not in a sugar coma by then.
J.C. Penney Mother Store (Kemmerer)
Although J.C. Penney is known as a national department store, the chain began at the original J.C. Penney Mother Store in 1902. James Cash Penney opened his first location in Kemmerer, which he originally called the “Golden Rule Store.” During its initial years, Penney actually lived in the attic above the business, and the store ran on a strict cash-only model. The suitably named Penney was particularly focused on offering fair service to the mining community where the store was based.
Today, the store still operates as a working J.C. Penney but also functions as a museum, with antiquated features like an overhead pulley system that originally moved cash from the sales counter to the central office. Customers find much of the same clothing and merchandise as in any J.C. Penney location, with the option to read up on the chain’s history while shopping.
Old Faithful General Store (Yellowstone National Park)
Where better to find an authentic general store than Yellowstone National Park? The Old Faithful Lower General Store, originally known as the Klamer Store, was the first store to operate in the Old Faithful area. Established in 1897 before the National Park Service even existed, the store was purchased in 1915 by Charles Hamilton, who also established Yellowstone’s concession services. The original timber roofline remains visible near the chimney, and the store retains the rustic front porch that Hamilton added later.
The interior runs heavy on woodbeam scents and an imposing stone fireplace. Visitors come for the step-back-in-time atmosphere as much as for the merchandise. There are souvenirs to buy and a sit-down restaurant with burgers and sandwiches. A water-bottle filling station serves visitors heading out into the park, and the adjacent Old Faithful Inn handles overnight lodging.
Mammoth General Store (Yellowstone National Park)
A second popular draw in Yellowstone is the Mammoth General Store, established in 1895. The store sits near the Fort Yellowstone Army Parade Grounds and historically supported the soldiers who managed the park before the development of the ranger service. In the early days of Yellowstone, the store’s military-provision background made it the natural spot to supply early tourists as well.
Now, visitors find unique offerings like huckleberry cheesecake popcorn and locally brewed drinks. There are also souvenirs covering candles, throw pillows, and blankets. Anyone heading deeper into the park can pick up last-minute outdoor gear or fill water bottles at the on-site station, a nod to the store’s roots as a rugged outpost.
Dirty Sally’s General Store (Ten Sleep)
Dirty Sally’s ranks among the most traditional old-timey general stores in Wyoming, with an exterior dating back to the earliest days of Ten Sleep itself. The building originally operated as a bank before reopening as a grocery store. Since then, Dirty Sally’s has become a working haven of ice cream and old-fashioned sodas.
Guests can stock up on treats along with coffee, groceries, and a range of souvenirs including postcards and handmade crafts. Dirty Sally’s also works as the right last stop before heading out to explore Ten Sleep Canyon, where limestone and dolomite cliffs make for popular rock climbing, plus extensive hiking and trout fishing options on the access roads.
Old Time Destinations In Wyoming
Wyoming’s pioneer history shows up in the very structure of its buildings and Main Streets. These general stores rank among the best examples of an earlier era still serving real working purposes in their communities. Stop in for lunch or stock up before a camping trip at any of the eight, where creaking floorboards and rustic architecture provide a link to a past that gets harder to find every year.
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