Area law enforcement officers will eat, sleep and play on the roofs of Krispy Kreme stores this weekend while they collect donations from customers for Special Olympics.

Among the participating stores in the Cops on Doughnut Shops event will be the Krispy Kreme at 1900 First Ave. S.

This year's goal is to raise $50,000 for Special Olympics during this three-day event at Washington Krispy Kreme stores. Customers who donate money will receive sweet treats, ranging from a free dozen Original Glazed doughnuts to a complimentary Krispy Kreme doughnut party for those donating $1,000 or more.

South Seattle

New rescue hoist on Huey

The King County Sheriff's Officer Air Support Unit demonstrated its new rescue hoist last week at the Criminal Justice Training Center in Burien.

The rescue hoist, which has a 600-pound capacity, is installed on Guardian Two, a Huey UH-1H helicopter.

When deploying the externally mounted hoist, the crew consists of two pilots, one safety officer, one system/hoist operator, and one Rescue Specialist.

The King County Council appropriated over $200,000 last year for the hoist.

"This equipment will allow King County to be one of the most prepared jurisdictions in the country to respond to emergencies and disasters," said Councilwoman Kathy Lambert, who led the effort to secure the funding.

"It will be very helpful to have our own equipment and be able to rescue people, especially in remote and rugged areas of East King County."

The pilots and crew received nine days of extensive ground and practical training from Priority One Air Rescue out of Vancouver, B.C.

They now have FAA certification to use the equipment and perform this type of rescue mission-the only civilian crew with this certification in the Northwest.

Guardian Two will respond to search and rescue missions, environmental disasters, or whenever there is a need to rescue persons from dangerous or hard to reach location.

Des Moines

Wire theft cuts off phones

About 850 Qwest telephone and DSL customers in Des Moines lost their service on April 22 when thieves stole 100 feet of copper telephone line.

The theft, which is under investigation by Qwest and Des Moines police, took place early in the morning.

Service was restored by April 23.

Copper wire is the target of thefts from utility and other industrial and construction sites. Many of these thieves are methamphetamine addicts who sell the stolen wire to pay for their habit.

Compiled by Ralph Nichols