KOMO News - Problem Solvers

For cyber-terrorists: 'There's no firewall for stupidity'

Mon, 20 May 2013 22:59:53 -0700

Security experts say it's not a matter of "if" but "when" a cyber-terrorist attack or intrusion will take place on our critical infrastructure and the Puget Sound is a prime target.

Was a deadly tragedy along snowy Stevens Pass preventable?

Sun, 12 May 2013 17:25:18 -0700

The Problem Solvers poured through State Patrol reports and 911 phone calls and discovered that in spite of emergency conditions, Washington's DOT refused to close the dangerous highway during a December snow event until it was too late.

520 Bridge investigation

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 11:45:12 -0700

Scientists: Ubiquitous household chemical could be killing cats

Wed, 08 May 2013 22:40:30 -0700

A chemical threat lies hidden in millions of American homes, and top government scientists believe it could be killing cats.

Seattle taxpayers question $3 million price tag for tiny park

Tue, 07 May 2013 12:30:32 -0700

Locals wonder: Are Seattle taxpayers getting their money's worth in a new park? They're wondering because the nearly $3 million park will be just 29 feet wide.

Copper theft epidemic has lawmakers looking for answers

Mon, 06 May 2013 14:11:58 -0700

There's a short answer to why copper metal thefts are so high, but what is clear is that it has become a lucrative career choice for local criminals.

Scam victim: 'I'm afraid because I don't know how big this is'

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:55:59 -0700

A local woman believes she became an unwitting accomplice to a new sort of organized crime ring. And, at the very least, it involves deliveries of suspect goods to Russia. When the woman feared retaliation for trying to quit, she turned to the Problem Solvers for help. And we discovered these new type of crime rings can be linked to drugs, laundered money and even terrorism.

Tax error leaves Puyallup animal shelter at risk of closure

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 15:55:02 -0700

Sunny Sky's Animal Rescue owes thousands in back property taxes due to confusion over it's non-profit status.

Injured veteran helps boy's dream come true with new bike

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 17:33:16 -0700

Jensen Blaine is a cool 6-year-old with an even cooler hairstyle who's endured 13 surgeries on his heart and spine caused by a rare, 1-in-a-million birth defect. And he's got the surprise of his life, thanks to Ernie Butler.

Bills would rein in costs on major transportation projects

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 10:38:54 -0700

Two bills considered Monday were both about accountability. One forces accountability for errors by state engineers; the other would force contractors to accept all risk for big projects.

Boy with rare medical condition facing a host of challenges

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 23:25:53 -0700

His brief life has been fraught with challenges, and things are only getting tougher for Alexander Feagins

Bill would prevent puppy mill owners from selling dogs online

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 17:41:05 -0700

A bill introduced in Congress aims to close a legal loophole that allows owners of puppy mills to sell dogs on the Internet. "The Internet is the puppy miller's best friend," said Dan Paul of the Humane Society of the United States.

Husband's dying wish granted, thanks to KOMO viewers

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 18:37:23 -0700

Elsie Smith not only kept her promise to the love of her life, she has some control of her remaining time on Earth, and now she'll proudly leave something behind, thanks to thousands in donations from KOMO viewers.

WSDOT admits mistakes on 520 Bridge pontoons

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 14:32:47 -0700

Repairs and design modifications are coming to the pontoons that will support the new State Route 520 floating bridge, the state Department of Transportation announced Tuesday.

Loophole lets accused puppy mill operator sell dogs online

Sun, 24 Feb 2013 16:16:56 -0700

A controversial commercial dog breeder who has been repeatedly fined and served jail time near Seattle for animal-related violations continues to sell dogs over the Internet because of a loophole in federal regulations.

Problem Solvers help horse owner reach settlement with PSE

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 19:04:05 -0700

Christine Cameron worried power line upgrades on her property could harm her animals. But the Skagit County horse owner felt her fears were falling on deaf ears until the Problem Solvers got involved.

Elderly woman to sell everything she owns to keep a promise

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 17:46:50 -0700

Elsie Smith is having an estate sale this weekend even though she'd rather not. She needs money to do something very important. And if that means selling all of her belongings to get it done, then so be it.

'It breaks my heart knowing that I couldn't save him from this'

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 14:10:49 -0700

Last May, no one could understand why a UW college student jumped to his death on campus. His parents say he did it because of a relatively unknown medical condition that they want you to know about.

Three years later, still no marker for Chehalis vet's grave

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 19:25:54 -0700

Nothing marks the spot where Air Force veteran Sgt. Gregory Vandal has been laid to rest. Vandal, who was a father and a husband, died of cancer in 2010.

Psychiatric patients being 'warehoused' at local hospitals

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 00:00:45 -0700

Community health leaders insist we are in the midst of a public health crisis that most people have never heard of.

Driver questions school-zone traffic camera hours

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 17:58:37 -0700

There is no police officer and no warning; just a speeding ticket in the mail. That's the way it works in four Seattle school zones. One North Seattle driver saw one such traffic camera snapping a photo when he drove by some 90 minutes before the start of school.

KOMO viewers come through to help sick kids feel like princesses

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 18:18:35 -0700

Viewers instantly responded and sent the Problem Solvers shopping to get several new tutus and superhero capes.

For every bad seed, 'hundreds of kind-hearted people'

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 18:10:23 -0700

A generous community has come to the aid of a disabled woman who was robbed just as she was able to rise out of homelessness.

'It's like being down and having somebody come and kick you'

Sun, 06 Jan 2013 18:41:49 -0700

A heartless thief stole a disabled woman's moving van - just as she was about to rise out of homelessness to a better life.

State hits 520 bridge contractor with notice of violation

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 18:24:55 -0700

The announcement comes in the wake of a Problem Solvers investigation into Kiewit/General/Manson's tugboats, which have been stirring up potentially toxic sediment at the bottom of Lake Washington.