Regional briefs for July 24

Olympian News Services | • Published July 24, 2008

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Mason County

Belfair man, 80, dies in moped crash

An 80-year-old Belfair man died when he was ejected from his scooter on the shoulder of state Route 3.

Albert B. Shields died at the scene, six miles south of Allyn in Mason County. Shields was riding a 2008 Yamaha scooter.

According to a Washington State Patrol report, Shields was going south at 1 p.m. Tuesday when he drove onto the right shoulder to allow vehicles to pass.

But the scooter went down a small dirt embankment and rolled several times.

The report says Shields did not have a motorcycle endorsement, and it is unknown whether he was wearing a helmet.

Lewis County

Hispanic festival to take place this weekend

The second Washington Hispanic Festival will take place at the Centralia College campus Saturday and Sunday.

The free multicultural event will include music, dancing, children's events, vendors and prizes. There also will be educational and community resources, local public agencies, local businesses, dance workshops, business workshops, information booths and Latin cuisine.

New this year is a free business workshop Friday to provide networking opportunities. It will take place at the college from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Vietnam War POW to share details of capture

Capt. Edward Leonard Jr. of Winlock will share some of the story of his capture, torture and imprisonment in North Vietnam during the Veterans Memorial Museum's annual Vietnam Veterans and POW/MIA Recognition Day Saturday in Chehalis.

The event, which begins at 1 p.m., will feature military equipment, including a Jeep and a Huey helicopter, also known as a Bell UH-1 series Iroquois, which was used for medical evacuations, troop transport, gun ships, air assaults, and command and control.

Refreshments will be served after closing remarks by Ernie Graichen, an Army medic who served two tours in Vietnam from 1968 to 1970 with the 44th Medical Brigade. Vietnam War veteran Johnny Dunnagan will sing patriotic songs.

Thurston County

Iris screenings will be free for children

Free iris screening for children's identification will be offered at three upcoming events:

Saturday: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Griffin Fire Department, open house on Steamboat Island Road Northwest.

Wednesday through Aug. 3: Thurston County Fair.

Aug. 9: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Sportsman's Warehouse Family Fun Day, 1220 Marvin Road, N.E., Lacey.

Iris identification measures more than 250 distinct features. Fingerprint analysis, by comparison, usually captures 40 to 60, according to MIT Review.

The Thurston County Sheriff's Office will do the iris screenings.