1/28 Elwha blast, Chickamauga, Steveston grounding, sewage spill, Lolita, Tesoro blast, beavers, Bill Holm

Marine debris Gray Whale (PHOTO: Helen Engle)

Thank you, Pete Seeger. Pete Seeger, Folk Music Icon And Activist, Dies At 94
Pete Seeger, "a tireless campaigner for his own vision of a utopia marked by peace and togetherness," died Monday at the age of 94.

Check this out: Dyes Inlet Gray Whale Exhibit
Helen Engle forwarded photos a life-size Gray Whale made totally of marine debris from Dyes Inlet by Olympic College students. "The display is on the ground floor of the Capitol, south side — with posters telling about the problems caused by debris in the water. It’s a very effective display,” Helen wrote. “The photo was taken Saturday as we went into one of the meeting rooms for our all-day Wildlife Diversity Advisory Council session." Thanks, Helen, and thanks to the Olympic College students!

If you like to watch: Blast leaves only 35 feet of Glines Canyon Dam standing on the Elwha River
Glines Canyon Dam isn't gone yet. But it's becoming more difficult to spot the remnants under the rubble. Demolition crews set off about 2,000 pounds of explosives packed into a concrete stub of the formerly 212-foot-tall dam at 5:20 p.m. Sunday. It reduced it from a height of about 55 feet to about 35 feet. Arwyn Rice reports. (See John Gussman's video )

If you like to watch: “Exceptional, Spooky and Beautiful” Moments With Birds: Dennis Hlynsky’s Creepy Nature Videos
If, by some stretch of the imagination, the end timers have it right, I hope artist Dennis Hlynsky will consider setting up his tripod as demons spew forth from the earth’s crust. His small brains en masse project has me convinced that he is the perfect person to capture such an event. Have a look at how he documents the comings and goings of birds. Ayun Halliday blogs.

Troubled tugboat becomes property of the state, tow expected this week
The removal of the derelict tugboat that currently sits in Eagle Harbor is now the state's problem. The Washington State Department of Natural Resources has officially taken custody of the "Chickamauga," the vessel that sank in Eagle Harbor in early October and leaked approximately 200 to 300 gallons of diesel fuel into Puget Sound. The state seized the historic tugboat Thursday, Jan. 16, following an announcement by Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson and Lands Commissioner Peter Goldmark of the filing of charges against the owner Anthony R. Smith the day before. Luciano Morano reports.

No damage after container ship runs aground in Steveston
A container vessel ran aground in the Steveston area Sunday morning, prompting Transportation Safety Board of Canada inspectors to rush to the scene. The ship, Cap Blanche, was quickly set afloat and the vessel was not damaged. A spokesman for the Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Victoria said, there was no damage or cargo spilled into the waterway in the mishap.

Water quality alert ends at Chambers Creek park
A warning advisory to stay out of the saltwater at Chambers Creek Regional Park in University Place was lifted Monday after test results showed water quality was normal, the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department said. Red “Closed” signs at the park’s beach off Grandview Avenue were removed Monday. Pierce County officials on Friday had warned people to stay out of the waters off the park after 200,000 gallons of “partially disinfected” sewage accidentally were discharged into Puget Sound. The discharge occurred Wednesday after a mechanical failure at the Chambers Creek Regional Wastewater Plant.  Steve Maynard reports.

Event January 30: Celebrate Springer! The true story of how an orphaned orca went home
Mark Sears and Donna Sandstrom discuss Springer and the fate of our whales: 7 PM, C&P Coffee, 5612 California Ave., Seattle; $5 donation, kids free, Brown Paper Tickets. 

If you like to watch: Lolita Endangered Orca
News clip from the Way of Whales Saturday workshop announcing the federal government's decision to protect the captive killer whale Lolita under the Endangered Species Act. Stephan Michaels video.

Report on Tesoro refinery blast delay
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board has delayed finalizing its investigative report into an April 2010 explosion that killed seven workers at the Tesoro refinery in Anacortes, prompting criticism from its own members and others. The federal agency said last month it would vote on a final investigation report at a public meeting Thursday in Anacortes. The board, which investigates chemical industrial accidents, is charged with making safety recommendations to prevent similar incidents. Last week, it canceled a vote on a final report. Instead, it will hold a community-listening session and then take public comment during a 45-day period. Phuong Le reports.

Locals to Golden Gardens beavers: Please leave
Ballard locals say beavers have cut numerous trees and devastated two scenic ponds at Golden Gardens Park. It’s their natural habitat and they can stay, parks officials respond. Erik Lacitis reports.

Meet Bill Holm, local Native Americans' great artist ally
The artist and academic has dedicated his life to northwest coast Native American art, culture and customs. How his openness has opened doors. Joseph Sutton-Holcomb reports.

Now, your tug weather--
WEST ENTRANCE U.S. WATERS STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA- 300 AM PST TUE JAN 28 2014
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON PST TODAY
 SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY FOR HAZARDOUS SEAS IN EFFECT FROM NOON PST TODAY THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON
TODAY
E WIND 15 TO 25 KT...EASING TO 5 TO 15 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND WAVES 2 TO 4 FT...SUBSIDING TO 2 FT OR LESS IN THE AFTERNOON. W
 SWELL 10 FT AT 14 SECONDS. RAIN.
TONIGHT
E WIND 5 TO 15 KT. WIND WAVES 2 FT OR LESS. W SWELL 8 FT AT 13 SECONDS. RAIN.
--
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