Solidarity At Olympia Mosque

By Tom Banse
Christians, Jews, Sikhs and Quakers go to Olympia mosque to show support after explosion. People of many faiths gathered outside the Islamic Center of Olympia before Friday prayers  to demonstrate support for the area’s Muslim community. This, after a late-night explosion rocked the neighborhood last week. Sheriff’s investigators found paper remnants of a firework Read More

Washington State And Oregon Considering More Tsunami Refuge Facilities Along Pacific Coast Following New Study

By Tom Banse
A tsunami of local origin leaves precious little time for people to move to higher ground along the Pacific coast.
If you are on the Pacific Northwest Coast when the next Cascadia megaquake strikes — also known as "The Big One"— the standard advice is to run for higher ground as soon as the shaking stops. But in some low-lying places such as Ocean Shores and Long Beach, Washington, and Warrenton and Seaside, Oregon, the closest high ground could be a long walk away over buckled roads. Read More

Community Immunity Is In Reach For Some Northwest Cities And Counties, Further Away For Others

By Tom Banse
Eager seniors filled up all of the first come, first serve slots at a drive-thru COVID vaccination clinic before the first shots were even given on Thursday in Sequim, Washington. CREDIT: Tom Banse/N3
Hesitancy to get vaccinated against the coronavirus has justifiably drawn considerable attention because some counties and neighborhoods are lagging far behind in the campaign to stamp out COVID-19. Less often do you hear about the COVID-19 vaccination overachievers. In recent weeks, pockets of the Pacific Northwest have exceeded the threshold for community immunity. Read More

Rocket Fireball Over The Northwest Provides Lasting Value Sleuths Tracking Where Space Junk Lands

By Tom Banse
Meteorite hunter Robert Ward with a SpaceX rocket tank that survived fiery reentry. He found it at the edge of a farm field near Beverly in central Washington. Courtesy of Robert Ward
Stargazers across the Pacific Northwest were treated to quite a light show in late March when the errant reentry of a spent rocket sent fireballs streaking high overhead. The uncontrolled disintegration of the rocket rained debris onto eastern Washington. While the search for mangled rocket parts goes on, the event also provided a great learning opportunity for researchers Read More
Load More