Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Friday morning's headlines

This funnel cloud was spotted in the skies over Skagit County late Thursday afternoon.
Jeanne Hathaway
/
KOMO
This funnel cloud was spotted in the skies over Skagit County late Thursday afternoon.

Making headlines around the Northwest this morning:

  • Catholic Order Which Runs O'Day H.S. Files Chapter 11
  • Panel Approves New 520 Bridge
  • Funnel Cloud Appears Over Skagit County
  • NFL Draft: Titans take Locker; 'Hawks go for Alabama lineman

 
Christian Brothers Catholic Order Files for Bankruptcy

The Christian Brothers, a Catholic religious order that runs schools in Seattle and across the country, has filed for bankruptcy. It is the second Catholic order in the United States to do so because of sexual abuse claims.The Seattle Timesreports the order did not say how many abuse claims are pending against it, but victims' attorneys estimate there are more than 50 claims.

In the U.S., most of the cases stem from abuse claims at the now-defunct Briscoe Memorial School near Kent.

Several cases also involve Edward Courtney, a former brother who taught at Seattle's O'Dea High School.

The order filed for Chapter 11 in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Southern District of New York.

 The bankruptcy filing is not expected to affect O'Dea High financially. Archdiocese spokesman Greg Magnoni says the school is owned by the Seattle Archdiocese, which hires the Christian Brothers to run it.

 

Regional Panel OKs New Six-Lane 520 Bridge

The Puget Sound Regional Council has approved construction of a new, six-lane Highway 520 floating bridge. The Seattle Timesreports the vote allows the state to award in July what's expected to be a $1 billion-dollar contract to build the lake-crossing portion of the span from Medina to Foster Island where it reaches Seattle.

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn cast the only "no" vote, saying the state is proceeding without a complete environmental impact statement.

You can watch the PSRC meetinghere.

 

Funnel Cloud Above Mount Vernon and Burlington

A funnel cloud formed over Mount Vernon and Burlington in Skagit County on Thursday afternoon.

The Skagit Valley Heraldreports funnel clouds are relatively unusual in the county.

On Memorial Highway, around 5:30 p.m., several people pulled their vehicles to the side of the road to watch the cloud. It lingered for a few minutes then seemed to get sucked back into the clouds.

Observers say hail and heavy rain accompanied the funnel cloud.

 

Locker Drafted by Tennessee in 8th Round; Hawks Take 'Bama Lineman

University of Washington quarterback Jack Lockerhas been drafted by the Tennessee Titans, the 8th overall pick yesterday in the NFL draft. Locker is the first U.W. quarterback to be chosen in the first round.

Despite controversy and second-guessing over Locker's talent in his final year at Washington, the Ferndale, WA native never had any doubts:

"I know what I'm capable of and I always have. I'll believe in that forever, no matter what anybody says. And I think that's what Tennessee sees in me."

The Seahawks have addressed issues with depth on their offensive line, selecting Alabama offensive tackle James Carpenter with the 25th pick of the NFL draft. Carpenter played left tackle for the Crimson Tide but is likely to be moved to the right side after Seattle drafted Russell Okung with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2010 draft. Carpenter started 27 games at Alabama.