Energy News Digest for March 2, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for March 2, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/kprqoj9

A Small Craft Advisory for Puget Sound & Hood Canal is in effect through midnight.

The advisory is for wind & waves...north wind 15 to 30 MPH. Wind waves 2 to 4 feet.

A small craft advisory means that wind speeds of 25 to 40 MPH are expected to produce hazardous wave conditions to small craft.

Lions, Lambs & March Weather (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2015/02/lions-lambs-and-march-weather.html

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Follow the news digest on Twitter for breaking news & notices:

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HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Updated Water Supply Forecast: 87 Percent of Normal at Dalles Dam, 84 Percent at Lower Granite (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/433286.aspx

Oregon’s Signature Solar Energy Project Built on Foundation of False Hopes & Falsehoods (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/02/oregon_signature_solar_project.html

New FCC Rules Could Spur City of Seattle to Finally Make Use of That Dark Fiber (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2015/02/new-fcc-rules-could-spur-city-of-seattle-to.html

Notice of Power Shutoffs No Longer a Job for Utility Staff in Idaho (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/mar/01/notice-of-power-shutoffs-no-longer-a-job-for/

Marine Mammals Are Threat to Chinook Salmon on Lower Columbia River (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/mar/01/marine-mammals-are-threat-to-chinook-salmon-on/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

1. Notice of Power Shutoffs No Longer a Job for Utility Staff in Idaho
2. Can Oregon Go Coal Free By 2025?
3. Northwest Power Pool Ends Market Operator Search
4. Avista Chairman Earned Nearly $5.5 Million Last Year
5. Skeptics Pan Haven Energy’s Claim of Ecologically Friendly Gas Project
6. Grays Harbor PUD Warns: Scammers Are Posing as the PUD in Emails
7. Washington State Utilities & Transportation Commissioner Philip Jones Pays Off Super Bowl Debt to FERC Commissioner LaFleur
8. FERC Taken to Task on Potential Nuclear Plant Closings
9. Pacific Gas & Electric Can’t Duck Pollution Lawsuit
10. Can Public Power Get the G(irls) into EngGineering?
11. Marine Mammals Are Threat to Chinook Salmon on Lower Columbia River
12. Scientists Suspect Unusually Warm Water along California Coast Cause of Sea Lion Pup Stranding
13. Updated Water Supply Forecast: 87 Percent of Normal at Dalles Dam, 84 Percent at Lower Granite
14. British Columbia: Low Snowpack No Reason to Worry about Water This Summer
15. Washington State Congressman, Olympic Peninsula Tribe Upset about Delayed Dredging at La Push
16. Corps Dredging of Federal Navigation Channel Completed for Snake, Clearwater Rivers, Two Ports
17. California: Feds Say Many Central Valley Farmers Will Get No Water Deliveries
18. Oregon’s Signature Solar Energy Project Built on Foundation of False Hopes & Falsehoods
19. United Kingdom: Plans Unveiled for World’s First Tidal-Power Lagoons in the UK
20. Portland Group Leads $18.3M Natural Gas Savings Effort
21. King County Copies Microsoft in Bid to Cut Energy Consumption
22. Geothermal Homes Come to Richland
23. Light Bulb Recycling Program Aims to Protect Environment
24. 2008 Flashback: PUD 3 to Provide for Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb Recycling
25. Beyond The Substation: How Five Proactive States Are Transforming the Grid Edge
26. Marijuana Bill Advancing through Legislature Would Clamp Down on Medical Side
27. Washington State Senator: Share Marijuana Money to Fight Crime
28. Washington State Medical Marijuana Trial Pits State vs. Federal Laws
29. Tribes Discuss Legal Marijuana – Representatives Attend Washington State Forum on Regulatory, Social Issues
30. A Harbinger for Oregon? ‘Green Rush’ Hits Washington, DC as Pot Entrepreneurs Flood Marijuana Business Expo
31. Clean Fuels Bill Heads to Oregon House Vote despite Kitzhaber Questions
32. New FCC Rules Could Spur City of Seattle to Finally Make Use of That Dark Fiber
33. Google to Offer Own Cellular Network Plan
34. Wi-Fi in the Sky – Google Will Soon Send Solar-Powered Drones into the Sky
35. Midco Critical Of FCC’s Net Neutrality Rules
36. How Superfish’s Security-Compromising Adware Came to Inhabit Lenovo’s PCs
37. At Home with the Internet of Annoying Things
38. When a Bad Facebook Comment is a Good Thing
39. So long, Google+. Hello, Streams, Photos & Hangouts
40. On the Eve of Turning 30, AOL Dials Up Mobile & Video
41. Islamic State Threatens ‘War’ on Twitter Co-Founder
42. Digital Life: What Happened to Voice Mail?
43. No Clark County GOP Censure of Herrera Beutler
44. Lawmakers Seek Support for Letter Backing Municipal Bond Tax Exemption
45. Flu Taking Bigger Toll this Season
46. Seattle Sets Twin Records for Warmest February, Winter on Record
47. Seattle Real Estate Developer Ted Schroth Charged in Poisoning of 123 Lake Chelan Poplar Trees
48. Girls’ Basketball: Mary M Knight Draws Neah Bay at State Tournament
49. Shelton Girls’ Wrestling Academic State Champions

WORD OF THE DAY

Esoteric • \ess-uh-TARE-ick\ • Adjective - 1a: designed for or understood by the specially initiated alone b: requiring or exhibiting knowledge that is restricted to a small group; broadly: difficult to understand 2a: limited to a small circle b: private, confidential 3: of special, rare, or unusual interest

Although not entirely unusual, the sopranino ukulele is among the esoteric members of the uke family. A smaller ukulele than normal; who would want one of those? (ME!)

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Notice of Power Shutoffs No Longer a Job for Utility Staff in Idaho (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/mar/01/notice-of-power-shutoffs-no-longer-a-job-for/

Can Oregon Go Coal Free By 2025? (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/silviomarcacci/2199921/can-oregon-go-coal-free-2025

Northwest Power Pool Ends Market Operator Search (Argus Media)

http://www.argusmedia.com/News/Article?id=1000162

Avista Chairman Earned Nearly $5.5 Million Last Year (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/feb/27/avista-chairman-earned-nearly-55-million-last-year/

Skeptics Pan Haven Energy’s Claim of Ecologically Friendly Gas Project (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/skeptics-pan-haven-energy-s-claim-of-ecologically-friendly-gas/article_076b0d9a-bfc2-11e4-b569-e74f92b81cf7.html

Grays Harbor PUD Warns: Scammers Are Posing as the PUD in Emails (KBKW Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://kbkw.com/local-news/350344

Washington State Utilities & Transportation Commissioner Philip Jones Pays Off Super Bowl Debt to FERC Commissioner LaFleur (Politico)

https://twitter.com/CLaFleurFERC/status/571859697189425153/photo/1

FERC Taken to Task on Potential Nuclear Plant Closings (Fierce Energy)

http://www.fierceenergy.com/story/ferc-taken-task-potential-nuclear-plant-closings/2015-02-27

Pacific Gas & Electric Can’t Duck Pollution Lawsuit (Courthouse News Service)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2015/03/02/pg-e-cant-duck-pollution-lawsuit.htm

Can Public Power Get the G(irls) into EngGineering? (American Public Power Association)

http://blog.publicpower.org/?p=285

FISH & WILDLIFE

Marine Mammals Are Threat to Chinook Salmon on Lower Columbia River (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/mar/01/marine-mammals-are-threat-to-chinook-salmon-on/

Scientists Suspect Unusually Warm Water along California Coast Cause of Sea Lion Pup Stranding (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/433276.aspx

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Updated Water Supply Forecast: 87 Percent of Normal at Dalles Dam, 84 Percent at Lower Granite (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/433286.aspx

British Columbia: Low Snowpack No Reason to Worry about Water This Summer (Victoria Times Colonist, BC)

http://www.timescolonist.com/news/b-c/low-snowpack-no-reason-to-worry-about-water-this-summer-experts-1.1778799

Washington State Congressman, Olympic Peninsula Tribe Upset about Delayed Dredging at La Push (Associated Press)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Washington-congressman-tribe-upset-about-delayed-dredging-294584661.html

Corps Dredging of Federal Navigation Channel Completed for Snake, Clearwater Rivers, Two Ports (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/433281.aspx

California: Feds Say Many Central Valley Farmers Will Get No Water Deliveries (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/environment/article11355200.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Oregon’s Signature Solar Energy Project Built on Foundation of False Hopes & Falsehoods (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/02/oregon_signature_solar_project.html

United Kingdom: Plans Unveiled for World’s First Tidal-Power Lagoons in the UK (The Week, UK)

http://www.theweek.co.uk/56243/plans-unveiled-for-worlds-first-tidal-power-lagoons-in-the-uk

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Portland Group Leads $18.3M Natural Gas Savings Effort (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2015/03/portland-group-leads-18-3m-natural-gas-savings.html

King County Copies Microsoft in Bid to Cut Energy Consumption (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2015/02/king-county-copies-microsoft-in-bid-to-cut-energy.html

Geothermal Homes Come to Richland (KNDO/KNDU-TV, Tri Cities, WA)

http://www.nbcrightnow.com/story/28224830/geothermal-homes-come-to-richland

Light Bulb Recycling Program Aims to Protect Environment (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/mar/01/light-bulb-recycling-lightrecycle-washington/

2008 Flashback: PUD 3 to Provide for Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb Recycling (Mason PUD 3, Shelton, WA)

http://www.masonpud3.org/newsdisplay.aspx?newsid=425

Beyond The Substation: How Five Proactive States Are Transforming the Grid Edge (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/beyond-the-substation-how-5-proactive-states-are-transforming-the-grid-edg/369810/

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Marijuana Bill Advancing through Legislature Would Clamp Down on Medical Side (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/marijuana-bill-advancing-through-legislature-would-clamp-down-on-medical/article_9ccc719a-bfc1-11e4-af1b-63d677a423a1.html

Washington State Senator: Share Marijuana Money to Fight Crime (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/mar/01/sharing-marijuana-money-fight-crime-ann-rivers/

Washington State Medical Marijuana Trial Pits State vs. Federal Laws (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/03/01/medical-marijuana-legalization-grow-trial/24223155/

Tribes Discuss Legal Marijuana – Representatives Attend Washington State Forum on Regulatory, Social Issues (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/mar/01/tribes-discuss-legal-marijuana/

A Harbinger for Oregon? ‘Green Rush’ Hits Washington, DC as Pot Entrepreneurs Flood Marijuana Business Expo (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/morning_call/2015/03/a-harbinger-for-oregon-green-rush-hits-d-c-as-pot.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Clean Fuels Bill Heads to Oregon House Vote despite Kitzhaber Questions (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2015/02/clean-fuels-bill-heads-to-house-vote-despite.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

New FCC Rules Could Spur City of Seattle to Finally Make Use of That Dark Fiber (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2015/02/new-fcc-rules-could-spur-city-of-seattle-to.html

Google to Offer Own Cellular Network Plan (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/technology/article/Google-to-offer-own-cellular-network-plan-6109906.php

Wi-Fi in the Sky – Google Will Soon Send Solar-Powered Drones into the Sky (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2015/03/02/google-titan-solar-powered-drones-to-launch/

Midco Critical Of FCC’s Net Neutrality Rules (KELO-TV, Sioux Falls SD)

http://www.keloland.com/newsdetail.cfm/midco-critical-of-fccs-net-neutrality-rules/?id=176690

How Superfish’s Security-Compromising Adware Came to Inhabit Lenovo’s PCs (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/02/technology/how-superfishs-security-compromising-adware-came-to-inhabit-lenovos-pcs.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

At Home with the Internet of Annoying Things (Home Energy)

http://www.homeenergy.org/show/article/nav/editorials/id/2026

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

When a Bad Facebook Comment is a Good Thing (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/editors-pick/when-a-bad-facebook-comment-is-a-good-thing/78713

So long, Google+. Hello, Streams, Photos & Hangouts (GigaOM)

https://gigaom.com/2015/03/02/so-long-google-hello-streams-photos-and-hangouts/

On the Eve of Turning 30, AOL Dials Up Mobile & Video (AdWeek)

http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/eve-turning-30-aol-dials-mobile-and-video-163184

Islamic State Threatens ‘War’ on Twitter Co-Founder (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/03/02/twitter-co-founder-threatened-islamic-state/24248509/

Digital Life: What Happened to Voice Mail? (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/personal/2015/02/28/digital-life-voicemail/24115015/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

No Clark County GOP Censure of Herrera Beutler (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/feb/28/no-gop-censure-of-herrera-beutler/

Lawmakers Seek Support for Letter Backing Municipal Bond Tax Exemption (American Public Power Association)

http://www.publicpower.org/Media/daily/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=43253

GENERAL NEWS

Flu Taking Bigger Toll this Season (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/mar/01/flu-taking-bigger-toll-this-season/

Seattle Sets Twin Records for Warmest February, Winter on Record (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, WA)

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/komo/article/Seattle-sets-twin-records-for-warmest-February-6108808.php

Seattle Real Estate Developer Ted Schroth Charged in Poisoning of 123 Lake Chelan Poplar Trees (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/2015/02/seattle-real-estate-developer-ted-schroth-charged.html

Girls’ Basketball: Mary M Knight Draws Neah Bay at State Tournament (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/14593

Shelton Girls’ Wrestling Academic State Champions (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/14530

DIVERSIONS

The Truth about the Sound of Music Family

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-31658799

Recreational Excavating? Man Abandoned Backhoe in Big Hole He Dug in Rural Road

http://news.yahoo.com/cops-man-abandoned-backhoe-big-hole-dug-rural-125852239.html

Nebraska Police Find Marijuana inside Container Labeled ‘Not Weed’

http://news.yahoo.com/nebraska-police-pot-inside-container-labeled-not-weed-163805415.html

Toronto Police: Two Men Built Mystery Tunnel Just for Fun

http://news.yahoo.com/toronto-police-no-criminal-intent-tunnel-135729270.html

SONG OF THE DAY

James Taylor - Country Road

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGK0xWddnNk

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

All the links in today’s news digest lead to current stories. Please note that some media organizations update their web sites regularly, which may result in broken links in the future.

Note that as some newspapers migrate to a “paywall” system of access, some articles may not be available without forking over some cold hard credit card cash. However, some sites will allow a certain number of story accesses per month before holding out their hand. Sorry if this is an inconvenience.

Energy News Digest for February 27, 2015 – The Leonard Nimoy Memorial Edition

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for February 27, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/ocls7yp

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

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THE NEWS DIGEST TWITTER FEED

Follow the news digest on Twitter for breaking news & notices:

http://twitter.com/energydigest

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Leonard Nimoy, Spock in ‘Star Trek’ Series, Dies at 83 (Bloomberg News)

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-02-27/leonard-nimoy-spock-in-star-trek-movies-series-dies-at-83

‘Net Neutrality Essential’ – Washington State, City Officials Cheer FCC’s New Rules (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, WA)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2015/02/26/net-neutrality-essential-state-officials-cheeer-fccs-new-rules/

Claim: Oregon State Data Center Managers ‘In Trouble’ for Talking to Kitzhaber-Hayes Investigators (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/02/claim_state_data_center_manage.html

News Release: New Report Shows Status of Salmon Recovery – More salmon are returning home in some areas, although significant work remains (Washington State Governor’s Office)

http://www.rco.wa.gov/doc_pages/press/2015/140.shtml

Despite Increasing Sales, Legal Washington State Pot Businesses Warn of Impending Disaster if Changes Not Made (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://mynorthwest.com/11/2718007/Despite-increasing-sales-legal-pot-businesses-warn-of-impending-disaster-if-changes-not-made

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

1. Iberdrola’s $3 Billion Deal Creates Mega Utility in U-S Northeast
2. Senate Bill Would Look to Install Crude Oil Pipeline across Washington State
3. Mock Scenarios Prepare Linemen for Emergencies in the Field
4. Western Region to FERC: EPA Should Make Time to Consider Reliability in Proposed Carbon Dioxide Rule
5. News Release: New Report Shows Status of Salmon Recovery
6. Op/Ed: More Salmon – More Wanted
7. Feds Spot Third Baby Orca Born Recently to Imperiled Pods
8. Volunteers Count Fish Eggs to Evaluate Health of Marine Waters
9. Will Low Snowpack Affect Oregon Fire Insurance?
10. Oregon Hits Expired Wastewater Permit Nadir
11. The EPA Just Ripped California’s Big Renewable Energy Plan
12. Are Utilities or States the Leaders in Renewable Energy & Efficiency?
13. Aussie Wave Energy Deployment Makes Splash – Next Project Will Be Real Test
14. Despite Increasing Sales, Legal Washington State Pot Businesses Warn of Impending Disaster if Changes Not Made
15. Even With Washington State Overhaul, Black Market for Pot Could Remain
16. New Store Defies Pierce County Ban on Recreational Pot Sales
17. Republicans Warn Washington to Think Twice about Legalizing Marijuana
18. Farm-to-Table Marijuana Startup Launches with Posh Berkeley Party
19. The Big Melt: Antarctica’s Retreating Ice May Re-Shape Earth
20. Editorial: Will Oregon House Democrats Find Low-Carbon Courage?
21. Idaho Bill Would Let Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Sell Power Back to Grid
22. The FCC Rules against State Limits on City-Run Internet
23. Tax Cuts for Google Fiber, Comcast & Data Centers Move Forward in Oregon Senate – Cities Object
24. ‘Net Neutrality Essential’ – Washington State, City Officials Cheer FCC’s New Rules
25. U-S Senator Cantwell Hails Tough Rules for Internet Providers
26. Highlights of the Net Neutrality Rules
27. The Winners & Losers in the FCC Ruling for Net Neutrality
28. Sorry, But Net Neutrality is Far from Settled
29. The Lamest Official Reactions against Net Neutrality
30. There’s Already a Conspiracy Theory Brewing over Net Neutrality
31. Dutch Offer Preview of Net Neutrality
32. Consumerist Friday Flickr Finds
33. Claim: Oregon State Data Center Managers ‘In Trouble’ for Talking to Kitzhaber-Hayes Investigators
34. Cylvia Hayes Suing Oregonian in Email-Blocking Effort
35. Federal Workers Caught Stealing Gas with Taxpayer Money
36. Skookum Rotary’s OysterFest Dollars at Work in the Community
37. Two Suspected Vandals Rescued, Arrested at California Park
38. KXRO Names Daniel Hargrove News Director as Kyle Pauley Exits
39. Leonard Nimoy, Spock in ‘Star Trek’ Series, Dies at 83

WORD OF THE DAY

Nadir • \NAY-deer\ • noun – 1: the point of the celestial sphere that is directly opposite the zenith and vertically downward from the observer 2: the lowest point

Dondi had to admit that after a long run as the “blue haired, big-eared darling” of the Sunday comics that having to play a bit parts in the “Nancy” and “Henry” comics represented the nadir of his pulp fiction career.

Lear more about Dondi Here:

http://www.toonopedia.com/dondi.htm

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Iberdrola’s $3 Billion Deal Creates Mega Utility in U-S Northeast (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2015/02/iberdrolas-3b-deal-creates-mega-utility-in-the.html

Senate Bill Would Look to Install Crude Oil Pipeline across Washington State (Bellingham Herald, WA)

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2015/02/25/4152508_senate-bill-would-look-to-install.html?rh=1

Mock Scenarios Prepare Linemen for Emergencies in the Field (Bonneville Power Administration)

http://www.bpa.gov/news/newsroom/Pages/Mock-scenarios-prepare-linemen-for-emergencies-in-the-field.aspx

Western Region to FERC: EPA Should Make Time to Consider Reliability in Proposed Carbon Dioxide Rule (American Public Power Association)

http://www.publicpower.org/Media/daily/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=43252

FISH & WILDLIFE

News Release: New Report Shows Status of Salmon Recovery – More salmon are returning home in some areas, although significant work remains (Washington State Governor’s Office)

http://www.rco.wa.gov/doc_pages/press/2015/140.shtml

Op/Ed: More Salmon – More Wanted (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2015/02/26/3659212_more-salmon-and-more-wanted.html?rh=1

Feds Spot Third Baby Orca Born Recently to Imperiled Pods (Associated Press)

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2015/02/feds_spot_third_baby_orca_born.html

Volunteers Count Fish Eggs to Evaluate Health of Marine Waters (Everett Herald, WA)

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20150227/NEWS01/150229387

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Will Low Snowpack Affect Oregon Fire Insurance? (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

http://koin.com/2015/02/26/will-low-snowpack-affect-oregon-fire-insurance/

Oregon Hits Expired Wastewater Permit Nadir (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2015/02/oregon-hits-expired-wastewater-permit-nadir.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

The EPA Just Ripped California’s Big Renewable Energy Plan (KCET-TV, Beautiful Downtown Burbank, CA)

http://www.kcet.org/news/redefine/rewire/government/drecp/epa-desert-energy-plan-must-do-more-to-protect-wildlife-air-water.html

Are Utilities or States the Leaders in Renewable Energy & Efficiency? (Renewable Energy World)

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/blog/post/2015/02/are-utilities-or-states-the-leaders-in-renewable-energy-and-efficiency?cmpid=rss

Aussie Wave Energy Deployment Makes Splash – Next Project Will Be Real Test (Breaking Energy)

http://breakingenergy.com/2015/02/26/aussie-wave-energy-deployment-makes-splash-but-next-project-will-be-real-test/

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Despite Increasing Sales, Legal Washington State Pot Businesses Warn of Impending Disaster if Changes Not Made (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://mynorthwest.com/11/2718007/Despite-increasing-sales-legal-pot-businesses-warn-of-impending-disaster-if-changes-not-made

Even With Washington State Overhaul, Black Market for Pot Could Remain (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/even-with-overhaul-black-market-for-pot-could-remain/

New Store Defies Pierce County Ban on Recreational Pot Sales (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/New-store-defies-Pierce-Co-ban-on-recreational-pot-sales-294372801.html

Republicans Warn Washington to Think Twice about Legalizing Marijuana (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/27/us/as-marijuana-becomes-legal-in-washington-congressional-republicans-warn-city-to-think-twice.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Farm-to-Table Marijuana Startup Launches with Posh Berkeley Party (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Farm-to-table-marijuana-startup-launches-with-6104998.php

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

The Big Melt: Antarctica’s Retreating Ice May Re-Shape Earth (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/science/article/The-big-melt-Antarctica-s-retreating-ice-may-6104806.php

Editorial: Will Oregon House Democrats Find Low-Carbon Courage? (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2015/02/will_enough_house_democrats_ha.html#incart_2box_opinion_index.ssf

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Idaho Bill Would Let Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Sell Power Back to Grid (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/idaho-bill-would-let-ev-charging-stations-sell-power-back-to-grid/369249/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

The FCC Rules against State Limits on City-Run Internet (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2015/02/26/the-fcc-rules-against-state-limits-on-city-run-internet/

Tax Cuts for Google Fiber, Comcast & Data Centers Move Forward in Oregon Senate – Cities Object (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2015/02/tax_changes_for_google_fiber_c.html

THE GREAT NET IS A NEUTRAL – MEN IN BLACK EDITION - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vY8nCuwSf84

‘Net Neutrality Essential’ – Washington State, City Officials Cheer FCC’s New Rules (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, WA)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/2015/02/26/net-neutrality-essential-state-officials-cheeer-fccs-new-rules/

U-S Senator Cantwell Hails Tough Rules for Internet Providers (Associated Press)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Sen-Cantwell-hails-tough-rules-for-Internet-providers-294310571.html

Highlights of the Net Neutrality Rules (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_27605647/highlights-net-neutrality-rules

The Winners & Losers in the FCC Ruling for Net Neutrality – Mozilla & Netflix celebrate as Comcast & Verizon seethe (AdWeek)

http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/winners-and-losers-todays-fcc-ruling-net-neutrality-163169

Sorry, But Net Neutrality is Far from Settled (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2015/02/27/net-neutrality-whats-next/

The Lamest Official Reactions against Net Neutrality (Gizmodo)

http://gizmodo.com/the-lamest-official-reactions-against-net-neutrality-1688286927

There’s Already a Conspiracy Theory Brewing over Net Neutrality (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2015/02/27/theres-already-a-conspiracy-theory-brewing-over-net-neutrality/?wprss=rss_technology

Dutch Offer Preview of Net Neutrality (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/27/business/dutch-offer-preview-of-net-neutrality.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Consumerist Friday Flickr Finds (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2015/02/27/consumerist-friday-flickr-finds-278/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Claim: Oregon State Data Center Managers ‘In Trouble’ for Talking to Kitzhaber-Hayes Investigators (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/02/claim_state_data_center_manage.html

Cylvia Hayes Suing Oregonian in Email-Blocking Effort (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

http://koin.com/2015/02/26/cylvia-hayes-suing-oregonian-in-email-blocking-effort/

Federal Workers Caught Stealing Gas with Taxpayer Money (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/in-the-loop/wp/2015/02/26/federal-workers-caught-stealing-gas-with-taxpayer-money/?postshare=2611424994753700

GENERAL NEWS

Skookum Rotary’s OysterFest Dollars at Work in the Community (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/21593-oysterfest-dollars-at-work

Two Suspected Vandals Rescued, Arrested at California Park (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/27/us-usa-california-vandalism-idUSKBN0LV0SC20150227

KXRO Names Daniel Hargrove News Director as Kyle Pauley Exits (KXRO Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://www.kxro.com/kxro-names-daniel-hargrove-news-director-as-kyle-pauley-exits/

DIVERSIONS

Leonard Nimoy, Spock in ‘Star Trek’ Series, Dies at 83

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-02-27/leonard-nimoy-spock-in-star-trek-movies-series-dies-at-83

Labrador Retrievers Top Breed in Portland & U-S – Chihuahuas Are Also a Hit, Data Show

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2015/02/labrador_retrievers_sure_are_p.html

Five History Lessons about Products You Use Every Day

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2015/02/27/ozy-history-of-everyday-products/24112109/

Why Everyone is Asking ‘What Colour is This Dress?’

http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-31659395

SONG OF THE DAY

Star Trek Soundtracks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzuv4VKo6Og

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

All the links in today’s news digest lead to current stories. Please note that some media organizations update their web sites regularly, which may result in broken links in the future.

Note that as some newspapers migrate to a “paywall” system of access, some articles may not be available without forking over some cold hard credit card cash. However, some sites will allow a certain number of story accesses per month before holding out their hand. Sorry if this is an inconvenience.

Energy News Digest for February 26, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for February 26, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/owfmlaq

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

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Follow the news digest on Twitter for breaking news & notices:

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HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

In Net Neutrality Victory, FCC Classifies Broadband Internet Service as a Public Utility (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/27/technology/net-neutrality-fcc-vote-internet-utility.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Washington State Lawmaker Calls for Focus on Nuclear Energy (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/feb/25/washington-lawmaker-calls-for-focus-on-nuclear/

Lack of Snow May Mean Less Power Generated at Cowlitz PUD’s Swift 2 Plant This Year (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/lack-of-snow-may-mean-less-power-generated-at-swift/article_5efb3f42-bd5d-11e4-8a25-f369e9b7e33b.html

Companies Spend $1 Billion in Latest California Carbon Auction (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/business/article11159852.html

Schools, Kittitas County to Give Back $500,000 to Wind Farm (Ellensburg Daily Record, WA)

http://www.dailyrecordnews.com/members/schools-county-to-give-back-k-to-wind-farm/article_a7bf9a26-bd16-11e4-94a6-db06fb536c71.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

1. Washington State Lawmaker Calls for Focus on Nuclear Energy
2. Lack of Snow May Mean Less Power Generated at Cowlitz PUD’s Swift 2 Plant This Year
3. Okanogan PUD Still Treading Water on Similkameen, Enloe Dam
4. Grant PUD Commissioners Asked to Reconsider Power Rates for Ag Users
5. Klamath Falls City Council Considers New Agreement with Pacific Power
6. Hydropower & the New (Old) Model for Clean Energy
7. Scams: Phony Klickitat PUD Dunning Strikes Businesses
8. Proposed Drone Rules Could Revolutionize Grid Monitoring
9. Another US Nuclear Plant Shuts Down
10. Spanish Company Spends $3 Billion to Buy U-S Northeast Utility
11. California Communities Seize Control of Their Energy Futures
12. Safety is Theme of New Touchstone Energy Ads
13. Great White Shark Thought to Swim near Washington State Coast, Feed on Seals
14. Japanese Fish Found Alive in Oregon Waters
15. Allan Scholz, Champion of Region’s Fisheries, Leaves Lasting Mark in His Wake
16. U-S Supreme Court Rules That Ditching Undersize Fish Isn’t the Same as Shredding Documents
17. Field Poll: More Californians Want Mandatory Water Rationing
18. Schools, Kittitas County to Give Back $500,000 to Wind Farm
19. Google Invests $300 Million in U-S Residential Solar Projects
20. By the Time You Read This, They’ve Slapped a Solar Panel on Your Roof
21. Cape Wind Chief Calls State Energy Legislation “Promising”
22. Air-Source Heat Pumps
23. Cost vs. Comfort: The Energy Efficiency “Sweet Spot”
24. Franklin County Says No to Marijuana Sales for Six Months
25. Fears of Marijuana Price Crash, ‘Bloodbath’ in Colorado as Regulatory Changes Take Hold
26. Recreational Marijuana Becomes Legal in Washington, DC, Despite Threats from House Republicans
27. Companies Spend $1 Billion in Latest California Carbon Auction
28. Editorial: Focus Legislative Energy on a National Carbon Policy, Not Keystone XL 
29. Instruments Catch Greenhouse Gas in the Act of Warming the Planet
30. Call for Oregon to Subsidize Electric Vehicles Intensifies
31. And the World’s Most Sustainable City Is…
32. In Net Neutrality Victory, FCC Classifies Broadband Internet Service as a Public Utility
33. FCC Passes Net Neutrality: What This Means for Americans
34. FCC Votes 3-2 to Override State Bans of Municipal Broadband
35. The Push for Net Neutrality Arose from Lack of Choice
36. Net Neutrality: As FCC Readies Vote, ‘Things Have Shifted’ for Oregon Lawmakers Walden & Wyden
37. Idaho Governor Approves $3.64 Million Emergency Broadband Fix
38. HP Said to Be in Talks to Buy Aruba Networks for Wi-Fi Technology
39. Shake Shack Earns Major Following on Social Media
40. Google Expands Push into Workplace with Android for Work Effort
41. Washington State Public Agencies Could Appeal Audits under House Measure
42. U-S Senate Panel Votes to Approve Loretta Lynch as Attorney General
43. 35th District Representative Dan Griffey: Passing Bills & Passing Lanes
44. Port Angeles Listed As 16th “Coolest” City in the U-S
45. The 20 Coolest Towns in the U-S
46. Mysterious Bright Spot on Ceres Actually Two Bright Spots
47. Video Leads to Arrest of Pair in Theft of Donation Jar Meant for Young Patient
48. Mad over Missing Tip, Delivery Worker Posts Customer’s Personal Info

WORD OF THE DAY

Imbroglio • \im-BROLE-yo\ • noun -1: a confused mass 2a: an intricate or complicated situation b: an acutely painful or embarrassing misunderstanding c: a violently confused or bitterly complicated altercation, embroilment d: scandal.

The high-powered politician saw the handwriting on the wall. The 1998 imbroglio involving Beanie-Baby influence trading started unraveling the moment his “supplier” failed to receive bailout funds for a new venture: soybean-babies.

The example sentence of the day went downhill from there. The editor had a hard time coming up with a suitable sentence that did not include references to seamy and dark-hearted things only found in cheap dime-novels or Lifetime made-for-TV movies. Sorry.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Washington State Lawmaker Calls for Focus on Nuclear Energy (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/feb/25/washington-lawmaker-calls-for-focus-on-nuclear/

Lack of Snow May Mean Less Power Generated at Cowlitz PUD’s Swift 2 Plant This Year (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/lack-of-snow-may-mean-less-power-generated-at-swift/article_5efb3f42-bd5d-11e4-8a25-f369e9b7e33b.html

Okanogan PUD Still Treading Water on Similkameen, Enloe Dam (Okanogan Valley Gazette-Tribune, Oroville, WA)

http://www.gazette-tribune.com/news/pud-still-treading-water-on-similkameen-enloe-dam/69671/

Grant PUD Commissioners Asked to Reconsider Power Rates for Ag Users (iFiber One News, Ephrata, WA)

http://www.ifiberone.com/news/grant-pud-commissioners-asked-to-reconsider-power-rates-for-ag/article_299f801a-bd3f-11e4-b715-c73e5b300751.html

Klamath Falls City Council Considers New Agreement with Pacific Power (Klamath Falls Herald & News, OR)

http://www.heraldandnews.com/news/local_news/government/council-considers-new-agreement-with-pacific-power/article_9e94afe8-bd7c-11e4-901d-67aea0281f72.html

Hydropower & the New (Old) Model for Clean Energy (National Journal)

http://www.nationaljournal.com/sponsored-content/api/energy-tomorrow/hydropower-and-the-new-old-model-for-clean-energy-20150224

Scams: Phony Klickitat PUD Dunning Strikes Businesses (Goldendale Sentinel, WA)

http://www.goldendalesentinel.com/story/2015/02/25/news/phony-pud-dunning-strikes-businesses/5504.html

Proposed Drone Rules Could Revolutionize Grid Monitoring (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/proposed-drone-rules-could-revolutionize-grid-monitoring/367721/

Another US Nuclear Plant Shuts Down (Breaking Energy)

http://breakingenergy.com/2015/02/26/another-us-nuclear-plant-shuts-down/

Spanish Company Spends $3 Billion to Buy U-S Northeast Utility (Associated Press)

http://www.seattlepi.com/business/energy/article/Spanish-company-buying-US-utility-serving-6102733.php

California Communities Seize Control of Their Energy Futures (Grist Online)

http://grist.org/climate-energy/california-communities-seize-control-of-their-energy-futures/

Safety is Theme of New Touchstone Energy Ads (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/industry/business-finance/safety-is-theme-of-new-touchstone-energy-ads/78697

FISH & WILDLIFE

Great White Shark Thought to Swim near Washington State Coast, Feed on Seals (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20150226/NEWS/302269981/great-white-shark-thought-to-swim-near-washington-coast-feed-on-seals

Japanese Fish Found Alive in Oregon Waters (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://www.opb.org/news/article/japanese-fish-found-alive-in-oregon-waters/

Allan Scholz, Champion of Region’s Fisheries, Leaves Lasting Mark in His Wake (Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA)

http://www.spokesman.com/outdoors/stories/2015/feb/26/rich-landers-allan-scholz-chion-of-regions/

U-S Supreme Court Rules That Ditching Undersize Fish Isn’t the Same as Shredding Documents (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/crime-courts/ci_27596834/ditching-undersize-fish-isnt-same-shredding-documents-supreme

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Field Poll: More Californians Want Mandatory Water Rationing (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/field-polls/article11189105.html

RENEWABLE/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Schools, Kittitas County to Give Back $500,000 to Wind Farm (Ellensburg Daily Record, WA)

http://www.dailyrecordnews.com/members/schools-county-to-give-back-k-to-wind-farm/article_a7bf9a26-bd16-11e4-94a6-db06fb536c71.html

Google Invests $300 Million in U-S Residential Solar Projects (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/26/us-solarcity-google-idUSKBN0LU1M620150226

By the Time You Read This, They’ve Slapped a Solar Panel on Your Roof (Bloomberg News)

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-02-25/in-the-time-it-takes-to-read-this-story-another-solar-project-will-go-up

Cape Wind Chief Calls State Energy Legislation “Promising” (WWLP-TV, Springfield, MA)

http://wwlp.com/2015/02/25/cape-wind-chief-calls-state-energy-legislation-promising/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Air-Source Heat Pumps (Breaking Energy)

http://breakingenergy.com/2015/02/25/air-source-heat-pumps/

Cost vs. Comfort: The Energy Efficiency “Sweet Spot” (American Public Power Association)

http://blog.publicpower.org/sme/?p=384

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Franklin County Says No to Marijuana Sales for Six Months (KEPR-TV, Tri-Cities, WA)

http://www.keprtv.com/news/local/Franklin-County--294130501.html

Fears of Marijuana Price Crash, ‘Bloodbath’ in Colorado as Regulatory Changes Take Hold (Marijuana Business Daily)

http://mmjbusinessdaily.com/fears-of-rec-price-crash-bloodbath-in-colorado-as-regulatory-changes-take-hold/

Recreational Marijuana Becomes Legal in Washington, DC, Despite Threats from House Republicans (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2015/02/25/d-c-officials-legalizing-pot-despite-threats-from-house-republicans/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Companies Spend $1 Billion in Latest California Carbon Auction (Sacramento Bee, CA)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/business/article11159852.html

Editorial: Focus Legislative Energy on a National Carbon Policy, Not Keystone XL (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/focus-legislative-energy-on-a-national-carbon-policy-not-keystone-xl/2015/02/24/d6241b8c-bc6a-11e4-bdfa-b8e8f594e6ee_story.html

Instruments Catch Greenhouse Gas in the Act of Warming the Planet (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://tinyurl.com/lv5xts4

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Call for Oregon to Subsidize Electric Vehicles Intensifies (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2015/02/call-for-oregon-to-subsidize-electric-vehicles.html

And the World’s Most Sustainable City Is… (Breaking Energy)

http://breakingenergy.com/2015/02/25/and-the-worlds-most-sustainable-city-is/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

In Net Neutrality Victory, FCC Classifies Broadband Internet Service as a Public Utility (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/27/technology/net-neutrality-fcc-vote-internet-utility.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

FCC Passes Net Neutrality: What This Means for Americans (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/USA-Update/2015/0226/FCC-passes-net-neutrality-what-this-means-for-Americans

FCC Votes 3-2 to Override State Bans of Municipal Broadband (GigaOM)

https://gigaom.com/2015/02/26/fcc-votes-3-2-to-override-state-bans-of-city-broadband/

The Push for Net Neutrality Arose from Lack of Choice (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/26/technology/limited-high-speed-internet-choices-underlie-net-neutrality-rules.html

Net Neutrality: As FCC Readies Vote, ‘Things Have Shifted’ for Oregon Lawmakers Walden & Wyden (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2015/02/net_neutrality_as_fcc_readies.html

Idaho Governor Approves $3.64 Million Emergency Broadband Fix (Associated Press)

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2015/02/25/3664298_otter-approves-364-million-emergency.html?rh=1

HP Said to Be in Talks to Buy Aruba Networks for Wi-Fi Technology (San Jose Mercury News, CA)

http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_27598280/hp-said-be-talks-buy-aruba-networks-wi

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Shake Shack Earns Major Following on Social Media (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/feb/26/shake-shack-earns-major-following-on-social-media/

Google Expands Push into Workplace with Android for Work Effort (Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/25/us-google-work-idUSKBN0LT2B820150225

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Washington State Public Agencies Could Appeal Audits under House Measure (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/yhr/wednesday/2943379-8/public-agencies-could-appeal-audits-under-house-measure

U-S Senate Panel Votes to Approve Loretta Lynch as Attorney General (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/27/us/senate-panel-votes-to-approve-loretta-lynch-as-attorney-general.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

35th District Representative Dan Griffey: Passing Bills & Passing Lanes (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/2014-04-07-17-28-24/daybreak/21564-35th-dist-rep-dan-griffey-passing-bills-and-passing-lanes

GENERAL NEWS

Port Angeles Listed As 16th “Coolest” City in the U-S (KONP Radio, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.konp.com/local/10485

The 20 Coolest Towns in the U-S (Matador Networks)

http://matadornetwork.com/trips/20-coolest-towns-us/

Mysterious Bright Spot on Ceres Actually Two Bright Spots (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2015/0226/Mysterious-bright-spot-on-Ceres-actually-two-bright-spots

Video Leads to Arrest of Pair in Theft of Donation Jar Meant for Young Patient (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/video-leads-arrest-pair-theft-donation-jar-meant-y/nkJ6Q/

Mad over Missing Tip, Delivery Worker Posts Customer’s Personal Info (KATU-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.katu.com/news/local/Rage-over-the-lack-of-a-tip-leads-to-post-of-food-delivery-customers-personal-info-294156661.html

DIVERSIONS

KFC Tests Sweet Edible Coffee Cup in U-K

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2015/02/25/kfc-edible-coffee-cup-fast-food-restaurants/23994315/

Infographic: Here’s Just How Much Crappy Beer Americans Are Drinking - The unbearable lightness of being mainstream

http://www.adweek.com/adfreak/infographic-heres-just-how-much-crappy-beer-americans-are-drinking-163152

The Girl Who Gets Gifts from Birds

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-31604026

Dog Sniffs Way to Find Iowa Hospital Where Owner Was

http://news.yahoo.com/dog-sniffs-way-iowa-hospital-where-owner-234132312.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Lynyrd Skynyrd - Free Bird

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEAn9dNavT4

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

All the links in today’s news digest lead to current stories. Please note that some media organizations update their web sites regularly, which may result in broken links in the future.

Note that as some newspapers migrate to a “paywall” system of access, some articles may not be available without forking over some cold hard credit card cash. However, some sites will allow a certain number of story accesses per month before holding out their hand. Sorry if this is an inconvenience.