IN BRIEF
BUS DRIVERS
Reno transit workers set to vote Sunday
Officials with the Regional Transportation Commission on Wednesday expressed hope that a contract dispute with 200 union bus drivers and dispatchers can be resolved and a strike avoided.
Members of Teamsters Local 533 will vote Sunday on what operators of RTC Ride call their best and final offer.
The current contract was to expire at midnight Wednesday, though both sides have said workers could remain on the job with ongoing negotiations.
Transit Management of Washoe, a private company that operates the bus service, said the company's contract proposal reflects needed changes to operate in a tough economic environment.
Michael Steele of Transit Management said the company has offered workers a 9 percent wage increase over three years and increased hourly pension benefits from $1.10 to $1.20 by the third year.
Drivers are paid between $13.62 and $18.05 an hour.
The union has argued for a 32 percent increase in wages and pension benefits of $3.20 an hour by the third year, Steele said.
ONE KILLED
Rainier hikers caught in storm identified
Three Washington state hikers caught in a June blizzard on Mount Rainier that killed one of them have been identified by national park officials.
The three, all from the east Seattle suburb of Bellevue, were Mariana Burceag, Eduard Burceag and Daniel Vlad.
Mount Rainier park spokesman Kevin Bacher said Eduard Burceag, Mariana's husband, died of exposure on the mountain. The spokesman said the dead hiker's body was being removed from the mountain Wednesday.
The surviving hikers were plucked from the mountain Wednesday morning by a military helicopter from Fort Lewis. They were treated at a hospital and released.
A freak blizzard over Monday night dumped 2 feet of snow on the area.
WIFE'S ALLEGATIONS
Contempt citation sought in Hogan case
Hulk Hogan's estranged wife is asking a Florida judge to cite the wrestler on allegations he didn't pay his share of a $4.2 million Las Vegas condo.
Linda Bollea is asking that Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, be held in contempt and jailed until he pays. A court order requires them to share the purchase of the condo at the Palms.
Linda Bollea is asking that Hogan be jailed in Pinellas County in Florida.
An assistant for Hulk Hogan's lawyer says the attorney was not available to comment.
