TACOMA — The Washington Attorney General’s Office recently filed a petition in Pierce County Superior Court to civilly commit a sex offender and prevent his release to the community.
Daniel S. Morgan, 36, pleaded guilty in 2018 to second-degree assault and indecent liberties, victim incapable of consent. He was also previously convicted of communication with a minor for immoral purposes and third- and fourth-degree assault. Morgan was due for release on April 10 after serving his sentence for second-degree assault and indecent liberties, victim incapable of consent.
The Attorney General’s Office petitioned to have him committed, alleging that he is mentally ill and sexually dangerous. Washington’s Sexually Violent Predator law allows the state Attorney General’s Office to petition for the civil commitment of violent sex offenders who, because of a mental abnormality and/or personality disorder, are proven likely to engage in predatory acts of sexual violence if released.
The civil commitment petition consists of allegations that have not yet been proven in a court of law. The State of Washington has the burden to prove the allegations in court.
Morgan will remain at the Special Commitment Center on McNeil Island until a probable cause hearing on May 30.
In 1990, Washington became the first state in the nation to pass a law permitting the involuntary civil commitment of sex offenders after they have served their criminal sentences. The Attorney General’s SVP Unit was established shortly thereafter.
The AGO SVP unit is responsible for prosecuting sex predator cases for 38 of Washington’s 39 counties (King County being the exception).
As of early April, 192 sexually violent predators are in the state’s Special Commitment Program.
MORE STATE NEWS HEADLINES:
Federal judge rules that plastic surgeon acted illegally by restricting online reviews through the use of non-disclosure agreements/WAAG
Statewide drought declared due to low snowpack and dry forecast.
OLYMPIA –
With winter’s snowstorms largely behind us and summer just weeks away, our state’s low snowpack and forecasts for a dry and warm spring and summer have spurred the Department of Ecology to declare a drought emergency for most of Washington./DOE
Scientists track statewide stream health
New regional Watershed Health reports show results.
The researchers survey the numbers and types of animals — especially the bottom-dwelling, or benthic, invertebrates, like mayflies and caddisflies — as well as the physical and chemical attributes of the streams. Crewmembers often hand-carry the gear they need, plus plenty of fresh drinking water, for some distance. It takes a long, full day for the crew to survey one site./DOE
WDFW approves seven days of coastal razor clam digs starting April 23; additional tentative digs planned for May 6-12/WDFW
Payroll employment continues increase in March; unemployment rises to 4.8%
OLYMPIA – Washington’s economy added an estimated 5,300 jobs (seasonally adjusted) and the monthly unemployment rate rose from 4.7% in February to 4.8% in March.
Last month’s unemployment rate is the highest recorded rate since 2021, surpassing the previous high mark set in February. It also marked the sixth consecutive month of increasing unemployment rates in Washington./ESD
2) NEWS FROM OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION:
In New Letter, Murray, Schatz, Hirono, Padilla, Butler Press DoD Secretary on Alarming Reports of Child Abuse and Lack of Oversight, Accountability at Military Child Care Centers/from a press release issued 4/18/24
Senator Murray Statement on Biden Admin’s Final Title IX Rule to Protect Students
Senator Murray: “This is a huge step forward for students, survivors, and everyone who understands the paramount importance of making sure schools are free from all forms of sex-based discrimination and harassment.”
Murray led Congressional efforts to fight DeVos Title IX rule as then-HELP Chair and led comment letter to Secretary Cardona on draft Biden Admin Title IX Rule/ from a press release issued 4/19/24
Cantwell Stresses Boeing’s Need to Strengthen Its Safety Management System, Listen to Frontline Employee Safety Concerns
Cantwell: “We all represent big aviation states, we want this to be right and we definitely believe in the workforce that we have in our states.”/from a press release issued 4/17/24
Cantwell, Colleagues Commend Upcoming FCC Net Neutrality Rule
Rule would protect free and open Internet by saying to service providers “you can’t throttle, you can’t slow down, and you can’t charge exorbitant fees” so that some Internet content gets preferential treatment/from a press release issued 4/18/24
3) WORLD< NATION< BUSINESS
WORLD NEWS:
Security Council Debates Situation in Middle East, including Question of Palestine.
ANTÓNIO GUTERRES, Secretary-General of the United Nations, warned: “The Middle East is on a precipice,” pointing to the recent days’ “perilous escalation — in words and deeds” and the threat of a full-scale regional conflict that would be devastating for all involved and for the rest of the world. “This moment of maximum peril must be a time for maximum restraint,” he urged. Reiterating his “strong condemnation of the serious escalation” represented by Iran’s large-scale attack on Israel on 13 April, as well as his condemnation of the attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus earlier this month, he said: “It is high time to end the bloody cycle of retaliation.” The international community must work together to pull the region back from the precipice by advancing comprehensive diplomatic action for regional de-escalation, starting with Gaza. “Ending the hostilities in Gaza would significantly defuse tensions across the region,” he emphasized./ UN PRESS RELEASE
Expedite Fossil Fuel Phaseout, Mobilize Financial, Technical Support for Developing Countries, Secretary-General Urges International Renewable Energy Agency Assembly/ UN PRESS RELEASE
Latin America, Caribbean Region ‘Crucial for Shaping Successful Summit of Future, Accelerating Sustainable Development Goals’, Says Deputy Secretary-General/ UN PRESS RELEASE
Remarks at a UN Security Council Briefing by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe/ USUN
Secretary Antony J. Blinken At a Solo Press Availability.
" Well, good afternoon, everyone. It is a great pleasure to be here in Capri, in Italy. And I want to begin by thanking our hosts – Prime Minister Meloni, my friend and colleague, Foreign Minister Tajani – for not only their wonderful hospitality but also their remarkable leadership.
The G7 is in many ways a steering committee for the world’s most advanced democracies. And we emerge from this meeting of foreign ministers more united than ever – more united in facing critical challenges that lie before the international community, including Russian aggression against Ukraine, the conflict in the Middle East, and as well the importance of sustaining, supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific. These and many other subjects were the focus of our conversations over the last two days, which I found to be extremely productive. And again, what strikes me the most – and it – you can really see this over the last three years – is the extraordinary convergence in our approaches to these challenges, convergence between the United States, Europe, and major partners in Asia."/ US STATE DEPT.
NATION:
Biden-Harris Administration Announces New Actions to Protect U.S. Steel and Shipbuilding Industry from China’s Unfair Practices/WH
Austin Lauds Norway's Increased Defense Spending.
The United States commends Norway for its plan to reach NATO's shared commitment to spend at least 2% of its gross domestic product on defense during this calendar year, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said./DOD
Justice Department Seizes Four Web Domains Used to Create Over 40,000 Spoofed Websites and Store the Personal Information of More Than a Million Victims/DOJ
CDC warns of Salmonella Infections linked to Contaminated Basil sold at Trader Joe’s/CDC
HUD Makes Nearly $13 Million in Funding Available for Public Housing Agencies to Help Youth Aging out of Foster Care
HUD encourages agencies to apply in efforts to prevent youth homelessness./HUD
BUSINESS:
Treasury Targets Iranian UAV Program, Steel Industry, and Automobile Companies in Response to Unprecedented Attack on Israel/US TREASURY DEPT.
Federal Agencies Launch Portal for Public Reporting of Anticompetitive Practices in Health Care Sector.
The Justice Department, Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today launched an easily accessible online portal for the public to report health care practices that may harm competition./DOJ
Opening Remarks
Governor Michelle W. Bowman
At the 2024 New York Fed Regional and Community Banking Conference, New York, New York/ THE FED
USDA, USAID Deploy $1 Billion for Emergency Food Assistance
Biden-Harris Administration Announces Both Immediate Aid and Pilot Program for Non-Traditional Commodities/USDA
US DEPARTMENT OF LABOR TO HONOR WORKERS WHOSE JOBS CLAIMED THEIR LIVES, RECOMMIT TO PROTECTING WORKERS AS NATION MARKS WORKERS MEMORIAL DAY/ DEPT. of LABOR
IN FOCUS & LOCAL MEETINGS:
IN FOCUS: Walla Walla County Gets Prepared with Wildfire Ready Neighbors Launch.
New initiative connects residents with free resources, experts, and tools to get property ready for wildfire season.
With fire season fast approaching, representatives from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Walla Walla County Fire District No. 4, Commissioner Gunner Fulmer and Representative Mark Klicker joined residents for a Wildfire Ready Neighbors kick-off event in Walla Walla County to raise awareness about the importance of wildfire preparedness.
Walla Walla County has faced significant wildfire danger, such as the 2015 Blue Creek fire, which burned over 4 thousand acres and posed a threat to the Mill Creek Watershed just 10 miles away from Walla Walla. In 2023, the Oasis Fire burned over 4 thousand acres in Walla Walla County, forcing evacuations while threatening homes, agriculture, and infrastructure.
“By investing in prevention efforts like ‘Wildfire Ready Neighbors,’ we not only save lives and resources, but also foster a safer and more resilient Walla Walla County,” said Commissioner of Public Lands, Hilary Franz. “This initiative also gives communities the tools they need to make sure everyone is working together to be better prepared for wildfire.”
Wildfire Ready Neighbors provides access to local experts and free resources that help residents or property owners learn how to reduce wildfire risk through simple actions such as removing flammable brush, cleaning roofs and gutters, and creating defensible space around their homes.
“Walla Walla County residents can also get information about more intensive steps, such as hardening their homes to fire by using more fire-resistant building materials and installing screening vents to block embers,” said Walla Walla County Fire District No. 4, Chief Rocky Eastman. “We all share the responsibility to prevent fire.”
Washington State Rep. Mark Klicker, R-Walla Walla, expressed confidence in Walla Walla County’s preparedness measures.
“I am excited to be a part of Wildfire Ready Neighbors,” Klicker said. “This initiative builds upon existing efforts to encourage community engagement with renters, homeowners, and small forest landowners. Even if you do not live on the property full time, you are eligible to participate. Together, we can build a resilient community capable of withstanding wildfires.”
The program is available to all Washington residents and has launched in 11 counties to date: Chelan, Okanogan, Spokane, Stevens, Yakima, Kittitas, Thurston, Klickitat, Mason, and Pierce. Staff and experts from DNR and partner organizations have worked with 5,000 Wahington residents to complete 30,000 preparedness actions since 2021.
“Wildfire Ready Neighbors is proving that we are stronger in Walla Walla County when we work together,” said Walla Walla County District 3 Commissioner Gunner Fulmer. “The actions residents are taking through this initiative are meaningful improvements. When every individual in a neighborhood takes these steps, they add up to create a neighborhood that’s more protected from wildfires.”
Walla Walla County residents can sign up today at WildfireReady.com to receive a free customized action plan, including steps they can take immediately and information about local resources and contractors to get them started. Residents can also request a free Wildfire Ready Home Visit where a wildfire expert will visit their property and develop a tailored action plan for wildfire preparedness.
ref. https://www.dnr.wa.gov/news/walla-walla-county-gets-prepared-wildfire-ready-neighbors-launch
CLALLAM COUNTY MEETING:
Clallam County Commission Work session for 4/22/24
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04222024-1166
Clallam County Commission meeting for 4/23/24
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04232024-1167
City of Port Angeles Council meeting for 4/23/24
https://www.cityofpa.us/DocumentCenter/View/14723/04232024-CC-Work-Session-Agenda-Packet
Port of Port Angeles Commission meeting for 4/22/24
https://portofpa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Joint-Comm-Pkt-4-22.pdf
Clallam County PUD meeting for 4/22/24
https://go.boarddocs.com/wa/clallampud/Board.nsf/Public
City of Sequim Council meeting for 4/22/24
https://sequimwa.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Id=114
City of Forks Council meeting for 4/22/24
https://forkswashington.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Agenda-20240422.pdf
JEFFERSON COUNTY MEETINGS:
Jefferson County Commission meeting for 4/22/24
https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/c0a66a06-9558-4dd6-9f92-afbb1e63eeff
Port of Port Townsend Commission meeting for 4/24/24
https://portofpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2024-04-24-Comm-Meeting-Agenda.pdf
Weekly devotional
BIBLE VERSE: 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 (New International Version)
“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Weekly Bible Lesson:
If You Love Me, Keep My Commandments
The above passage is a statement from our Lord found in John 14:15. Given the context of this verse, one understands the Lord to be saying to his disciples, “Don’t show your love to me by sorrow, mourning, and being troubled for my departure; but show it by your obedience to what I have commanded you.” This same conditional statement applies to the Lord’s modern day disciples as well.--TFTW
https://truthfortheworld.org/if-you-love-me-keep-my-commandments
Free bible studies (WBS)
https://www.worldbibleschool.org/
Learn English using the bible as text (WEI)
http://www.worldenglishinstitute.org/
(Join us in worship every Sunday starting at 10:30AM Church of Christ)
1233 E Front St, Port Angeles, WA 98362
The Chosen: About the life of Christ
https://watch.angelstudios.com/thechosen
THIS WEEK'S VIDEOS:
How Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion WILL Create a Public Health CRISIS.
Everything is a “public health crisis” these days. Racism. Climate change. The lack of access to “gender-affirming care.” But there’s one ACTUAL public health crisis the far Left has created: diversity, equity, and inclusion. The future of YOUR health care is at stake as this dangerous reform movement is being forced upon American medical schools, all of the professional medical organizations, and hospitals, with total endorsement from Biden’s White House.
Glenn Beck exposes how this academic cancer is changing medical school admissions and graduates, what caused this movement to accelerate, the real-world life-and-death consequences of this insanity for patients, and how any resistance to this movement brings swift crackdown from the Thought Police.
Glenn is joined by Dr. Stanley Goldfarb, the founder of “Do No Harm,” a network of doctors, nurses, medical students, and patients working to get identity politics out of medicine. Dr. Goldfarb taught medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and published more than a hundred articles in the New England Journal of Medicine and other top medical journals. He debunks the racist claim that “black patients need black doctors” and sounds the alarm on deadly efforts to push unqualified doctors on patients.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQs6rQxW5JE
Sunday Worship Service 4/14/2024 Four Lakes C. of C
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJKth3Zand0
NIGHT OWL COMICS
https://pjrnightowlcomics.blogspot.com/
The Port Angeles Globe is a weekly Publication, every Saturday-- Publisher, Peter Ripley
