Washington

‘Violent attack on democracy’: Ballot boxes set ablaze in Oregon, Washington

Published

5 months ago

October 29, 2024

‘Violent attack on democracy’: Ballot boxes set ablaze in Oregon, Washington

The FBI and authorities in the Pacific Northwest were searching Tuesday for suspects after ballot boxes were set ablaze in Washington and Oregon, damaging hundreds of votes a week before Election Day.

In Oregon, Portland, police said they responded to reports of a fire at a ballot box in the Buckman neighborhood at about 3:30 a.m. Monday. Thirty minutes later and less than 15 miles to the north, Vancouver police responded to an arson at a ballot box.

Later Monday, Portland police released two photos of a vehicle investigators believe was tied to both fires. It was described as a black or dark-colored 2001-2004 Volvo S-60 with no front license plate and an unknown rear plate.

“We don’t know the motive behind these acts,” Assistant Chief Amanda McMillan said in a statement. “We do know acts like this are targeted and they’re intentional. And we’re concerned about that intentional act trying to impact the election process.”

McMillan said her department was “dedicated to stopping this kind of behavior.”

The FBI said in a statement to USA TODAY that it is “coordinating with federal, state and local partners” to investigate the fires. The FBI declined to comment on whether the arsons would be investigated as domestic terrorism.

Hundreds of ballots damaged in Washington; damage limited in Portland

Voting in both states takes place almost entirely by mail and drop boxes. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee called the fires a “violent attack on democracy” and promised enhanced, 24-hour security at ballot drop-off locations.

“We will do everything to keep our election system strong and secure in Washington,” he said. “Our state and local election teams are fully dedicated to making sure every person’s vote is counted fairly and accurately.” There will be 24-hour enhanced security around ballot drop-off locations.”

Clark County auditor Greg Kimsey said the fire suppression system in the box failed and “hundreds” of ballots had been destroyed in the Vancouver fire. The last pickup from the ballot box occurred at 11 a.m. Saturday, Kimsey told USA TODAY.

Kimsey said voters who believe their ballot was in the box when the fire occurred can request a new ballot at the county’s voting website. He further said that there will be increased police and civilian security around the drop boxes and ballot pickups will occur at 5:30 p.m.

In Oregon, Multnomah County election official Tim Scott said the fire suppression system did work in its box. Three ballots were destroyed in the Portland fire and those voters would be contacted, Scott said.

Second ballot box arson in Vancouver, Washington

Vancouver police said Monday’s arson was similar to one that occurred on Oct. 8 before ballots were being mailed, according to The Oregonian. The Vancouver ballot box is located in Washington’s 3rd Congressional District, where Democratic House Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez is attempting to retain her seat, which she won by less than 3,000 votes in 2022 against Republican challenger Joe Kent.

Both candidates condemned the arsons.

“Southwest Washington cannot risk a single vote being lost to arson and political violence,” Gluesenkamp Perez said in a statement. “We can’t yield to intimidation, and we must continue to stand up against unpatriotic acts such as this one.

“Stay focused on driving voter turn out & early voting, don’t be deterred from voting by a cowardly act of terrorism,” Kent said on X, formerly Twitter.

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Washington

Washington Spirit’s Chloe Ricketts Called Up to U.S. Under-18 Women’s Youth National Team

Published

18 minutes ago

March 27, 2025

Press Room

Washington Spirit’s Chloe Ricketts Called Up to U.S. Under-18 Women’s Youth National Team

Ricketts will join U-18 team for April training camp in Georgia

Washington, D.C. (03/27/2025) – Washington Spirit forward Chloe Ricketts has been called up to the U.S. U-18 Women’s Youth National Team, U.S. Soccer announced today. The U-18 team will hold training camp in Fayetteville, Georgia early next month.

Ricketts will join the rest of the U-18 team along with the U-19 team for a nine-day concurrent training camp in Fayetteville, Georgia. The camp will be hosted at the future home of the federation’s Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer Training Center. Ricketts was most recently called up to a U.S. youth national team, the U-17 squad, in September 2023.

So far in 2025, Ricketts has started all three of the Spirit’s matches, playing predominantly alongside Ashley Hatch and Makenna Morris and helping the team win the 2025 NWSL Challenge Cup. Across Ricketts’ career thus far, the forward has appeared in 27 matches across all competitions, tallying a goal and an assist in 984 minutes of action.

The Spirit recently kicked off the team’s 2025 campaign by winning the second trophy in club history in the annual NWSL Challenge Cup earlier this month against the Orlando Pride and by setting a new club home opener attendance record last weekend with its third consecutive sellout at Audi Field. Fans can secure their spot to see the Spirit in the team’s next match at Audi Field by becoming 2025 Season Ticket Members here. Single match tickets for the Spirit’s next home match on Friday, March 28 at Audi Field are available here.

About The Washington Spirit

The Washington Spirit is the premier professional women’s soccer team based in Washington, D.C. and plays at Audi Field in Buzzard Point. The Spirit was founded on November 21, 2012 and is an inaugural member of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) the fastest growing sports league in the US. The club is home to some of the best players in the world who have won championships for both club and country. For more information about the Spirit, visit WashingtonSpirit.com and follow the club on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

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Washington

Preview: Washington Spirit Hosts Bay FC in Rematch of 2024 Quarterfinal Friday Night

Published

5 hours ago

March 27, 2025

Press Room

Preview: Washington Spirit Hosts Bay FC in Rematch of 2024 Quarterfinal Friday Night

Washington, D.C. (03/27/2025) – The Washington Spirit looks to bounce back this Friday night against Bay FC at Audi Field. Airing on Prime Video, the match will kick off at 8 p.m. EDT.

The Spirit

The Spirit heads into the match after a 0-2 loss to the Kansas City Current last weekend. Despite the defeat, the Spirit drew a record-breaking home opener crowd, selling out Audi Field with 19,254 fans in attendance.

During the match against the Current, the Spirit consistently put shots on goal against Kansas City keeper Lorena but was unable to score. Down 0-1, the Spirit dominated possession throughout the second half with numerous attempts on goal before reigning league MVP Temwa Chawinga put the match away with a stoppage time goal.

Washington enters the match sitting seventh on the NWSL table, the club’s lowest standing since the early stages of 2024. As the team continues to deal with injuries to key players, the Spirit has looked to new places for a spark. Chloe Ricketts, just 17 years old, has started both regular season matches for the Spirit this season while the team is also seeing a significant impact from newcomers Narumi Miura and Rebeca Bernal.

The young season has also seen several key milestones for the Spirit already. Forward Ashley Hatch netted her 54th career regular season goal in the season opener, tying Jess McDonald for fifth-most in league history. Additionally, defender Gabby Carle made her 50th regular season appearance last Saturday while midfielder Miura can make her 50th appearance tomorrow.

The Opponent

During Bay FC’s inaugural season in 2024, Head Coach Albertin Montoya led the club to 11 regular season wins and an NWSL Playoff appearance. Since then, the club has has signed three-time All-American midfielder Hannah Bebar and ACC Offensive Player of the Year Karlie Lema. Under Coach Montoya, Bay FC gained 11 regular-season wins.

Bay current sits second on the NWSL table, having drawn the Utah Royals in the season opener then beating Racing Louisville FC 2-0 last weekend. Joelle Anderson and Lema both scored for Bay to secure the win.

All-Time Series History

The Spirit has a 3-0-0 record against Bay FC with the last meeting between the sides being the NWSL quarterfinal match at Audi Field. In the first-ever DC meeting between the teams last March, Spirit standout midfielder Croix Bethune opened her professional account by scoring the game-winner late in second half stoppage time. With two 2-1 wins for the Spirit over Bay FC at Audi Field, the team will put its unblemished record to the test on Friday night.

After Friday’s match, the Spirit and Bay FC won’t meet again for another five months. Bay FC will host Washington at PayPal Park on Saturday, August 23 at 4 p.m. EDT.

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Boonsboro’s Tanner Halling headlines 2024-25 All-Washington County Wrestling

Published

13 hours ago

March 27, 2025

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Boonsboro’s Tanner Halling headlines 2024-25 All-Washington County Wrestling

Here are The Herald-Mail’s 2024-25 All-Washington County high school wrestlers.

Wrestler of the Year

Tanner Halling, Boonsboro

Halling, a senior, earned the top honor for the second straight year, capping his undefeated season with the 2A-1A state title at 132 pounds. He earned bonus points in all 49 of his bouts, none lasting the full six minutes. He became a four-time county champ, a four-time region champ, a four-time state placer, a two-time state champ and the county record holder for career wins and winning percentage.

Season record: 49-0

Career record: 179-2

All-Washington County First Team

Logan Ardinger, South Hagerstown

Ardinger, a freshman, won the county title at 106 pounds, placed fourth in the 4A-3A West region and had two wins at states.

Season record: 24-9

Xavier Bowie, Williamsport

Bowie, a sophomore, was the county champ at 285 pounds and placed fourth in the 2A-1A West region.

Season record: 29-16

Career record: 30-17

Luke Bucheimer, Boonsboro

Bucheimer, a freshman, placed third in the 2A-1A West region at 106 pounds and had two wins at states.

Season record: 36-12

Brodie Burdette, Saint James

Burdette, a junior, placed fifth at 144 pounds at the independent-school state tournament.

Season record: 38-8

Career record: 86-34

Logan Durham, Williamsport

Durham, a sophomore, won more than 75% of his matches and was the county champion at 150 pounds.

Season record: 33-10

Career record: 62-25

JT Griffith, Boonsboro

Griffith, a sophomore, won the county title at 190 pounds and placed fifth in the 2A-1A West region.

Season record: 33-12

Career record: 52-27

Adin Hastings, Williamsport

Hastings, a senior, earned Wrestler of the Year consideration after winning the 2A-1A title at 215 pounds to become a two-time state champ. He won his fourth county title and third region title and set a school record for career wins.

Season record: 46-3

Career record: 176-10