Regional briefs for July 7

• Published July 07, 2008

Thurston County

Area woman arrested after deadly crash

An Olympia woman has been arrested for investigation of vehicular homicide after a head-on crash killed a man on U.S. Highway 12 about five miles south of Porter.

Both lanes of the highway were shut down for nearly five hours after Saturday's collision.

The Washington State Patrol identified the woman as 32-year-old Michelle Lynn Rehmert of Olympia. Henry Thomas Fisher, 55, of Oakville died at the scene.

The State Patrol said Rehmert's SUV struck a guard rail, crossed the center line and struck the guard rail on the other side before hitting Fisher's car head-on. The vehicles were going in opposite directions.

Troopers say Rehmert suffered bruises and was taken by ambulance to Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia, where she was treated and released. She was then booked into jail.

The State Patrol said Fisher was not wearing a seat belt, while Rehmert was. Troopers say both Fisher's 2001 Buick and Rehmert's 1989 Nissan Pathfinder were totaled.

Tacoma

Tall Ships festival honors military, family today

Today is Military Appreciation Day to conclude the four-day Tall Ships festival in Tacoma.

Members of the military and families are half-price.

The cost is $10 to tour about 25 tall ships. Kids 10 and younger are free with a paying adult. A premium pass is $20 to tour all 32. Cruises start at $40. There still were reservations being taken on some of the ship as of Sunday evening. Call 253-272-1372.

It's free to tour the Coast Guard ship The Eagle. The ships won't return to Tacoma until 2011. Parking at the Tacoma Dome is $10. A shuttle takes visitors to the Foss Waterway.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, go to www.tallshipstacoma.com.

Olympia

Teen hurt in racing-car crash out of hospital

Tyler Knittle, 15, who was injured Friday night in a racing-car crash at South Sound Speedway, was released Sunday from Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, his father said.

David Knittle said his son is resting at home in Olympia. Tyler has a follow-up appointment at Harborview in two weeks, and doctors have told him he can't play sports for a year, although he still wants to go racing, his father said.

Tyler was flown by helicopter to Harborview after he was injured racing his minicup car against five other vehicles in a 15-lap race. A crash with another car resulted in six cracked vertebrae, a separated shoulder and a mild concussion.

Learn about top two primary at Tuesday event

The state's first top two primary will be in August, and a representative of the Thurston County Auditor's Office elections division will talk about it Tuesday.

The free event will take place at 11 a.m. at the Hawks Prairie Restaurant, 8306 Quinault Drive N.E. The event is open to guests, though it is the monthly Women's Republican Club luncheon.

The Olympian