Regional briefs for Wednesday, Nov. 26

Grays Harbor

Man who was beaten, burned dies from attack

A 41-year-old Aberdeen man who was beaten and set on fire last week has died of his wounds.

Grays Harbor County Undersheriff Rick Scott said Marlon Lee died Monday night at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

He was found along a road Nov. 18 by a man driving to work and was dropped off at Grays Harbor Community Hospital in Aberdeen. The Good Samaritan driver didn't realize the extent of Lee's injuries. He was transferred to the Seattle hospital and never regained consciousness.

Detectives are asking for help from anyone with information about the case.

KXRO radio reports that a man arrested Thursday by U.S. Marshals in a fugitive roundup is a person of interest who was seen at a casino with Lee.

Olympia

Skate court closed for cleanup of bottles

The Yauger Park skate court is closed until this morning because of a large amount of broken bottles that pose a danger, according to the Olympia Parks Department. Maintenance staff members were cleaning the park Tuesday.

Washington

Elections Division does well in audit

Washington's State Elections Division received a clean audit for how it has used federal funding for elections, the agency says.

The Help America Vote Act of 2002 was created in response to the controversy surrounding the 2000 U.S. presidential election. The act's goals are to replace punch-card voting systems, create the U.S. Election Assistance Commission to help in the administration of federal elections, provide voting equipment that is accessible to voters with disabilities, and set minimum election administration standards.

The Election Assistance Commission's Office of Inspector General issued a report this week that said Washington's Office of Secretary of State accounted for and spent HAVA funds in accordance with the law's requirements over a period from 2003 through 2007. Washington is the first state to receive a clean audit, according to the state election division.

Fort Lewis

Firing is planned for day and night

Day and night firing is planned today at Fort Lewis.

Questions or comments about noise may be directed to the I Corps Public Affairs Office's External Communication Division hot line at 253-967-0852.

South Sound

Free Thanksgiving dinner is today

The 39th annual free Thanksgiving Dinner hosted by Barb's Family and Friends is noon to 6 p.m. today at United Churches, 110 11th Ave. S.E., Olympia.

Warm clothes, coats and blankets are available. Donations and volunteers are welcome.

For more information, call 360-786-9385.

The Olympian, news services