Burien

January 1-The owner of a 25-foot sailboat, who reportedly was an inexperienced sailor, was rescued from his vessel after it beached against the bulkhead at Three Tree Point.

The U.S. Coast Guard was alerted, and King County Sheriff's deputies then responded. Using a 20-foot extension ladder, deputies rescued the unidentified owner from the boat despite wind, swells that kept the damaged vessel bobbing and twisting in the water, and a rising tide.

The man was treated for exposure by emergency medical technicians at the scene.

King County

State troopers enforcing new text messaging law

The Washington State Patrol is vigorously enforcing the state's new law against sending text messages while driving, which went into effect on Jan. 1.

"Texting while driving was always a bad idea," said WSP Chief John R. Batiste. "Things happen too fast on the highway to take your eyes off the road long enough to read or type a message."

Because texting while driving is a secondary violation, troopers cannot stop drivers if they see it occurring. But it could mean drivers end up with two tickets instead of just one.

Batiste added that a new law requiring hands-free devices for talking on a cellular phone goes into effect on July 1, and will be enforced with similar vigor.

North Highline

,b>Public's help needed in finding murder suspect

December 28-The King County Sheriff's Office is asking for help from the public in locating the person who shot and killed a man in White Center on Dec. 14.

The shooting occurred around 8 p.m. in the parking lot of the Magic Lanes Casino, 10612 15th Ave. S.W.

Robert G. Crawford, 22, was with a friend when a man walked up and a verbal altercation ensued. Shortly thereafter Crawford was shot multiple times while sitting in a car. He died at Harborview Medical Center about three hours later.

Detectives have surveillance video of the man involved in the confrontation, but have been unable to identify him. They do know he has used the street name "Night."

Therefore, they are requesting the help of the public. Anyone who can identify the man is asked to call the Sheriff's Office at 206-296-3311 (24 hours), or 9-1-1.

Compiled by Ralph Nichols