Local News
Ken Shaffer killed in plane crash near Goheen Airport in Battle Ground
BATTLE GROUND, Wash. – Authorities are investigating a fatal plane crash that occurred Friday afternoon near Goheen Airport in Battle Ground, Washington, claiming the life of a local pilot.
The aircraft, identified as a Cessna 172, went down in a field just outside the airport perimeter shortly after 1 p.m.
Upon impact, the plane’s fuselage was severely damaged, with portions of the registration number still visible on the wreckage.
The aircraft became fully engulfed in flames immediately after the crash.
Emergency responders from Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue arrived on scene within seven minutes of receiving the call.
Firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze quickly but confirmed that the pilot, Ken Shaffer, did not survive the crash.
No additional passengers were reported to be on board.
Early observations of the crash site and accounts from witnesses suggest the plane may have entered a near-vertical impact with moderate energy, raising the possibility of a stall/spin event.
However, officials stressed that these findings are preliminary and that the official cause of the crash will not be determined until the investigation is complete.
Weather conditions at the time of the accident did not appear to play a role.
The Clark County Sheriff’s Office has secured the scene and is working in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to conduct a comprehensive investigation.
Authorities are expected to release further details as the investigation progresses.
Local News
Suspended Dearborn Ford worker Thomas Sabula received more than $320K after Trump flips him off
DEARBORN, Mich. — A suspended Ford Motor Company employee has become the focus of national attention after a confrontation with former President Donald Trump during a visit to a Dearborn assembly plant, prompting an outpouring of public support that has raised more than $324,000 for his family through an online fundraiser.
The worker, Thomas “TJ” Sabula, a 40-year-old United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 600 member, was placed on suspension pending an internal investigation following an exchange that occurred while Trump was touring the facility.
According to video later obtained and published by TMZ, an off-camera voice can be heard shouting “pedophile protector” at the former president, an apparent reference to the administration’s handling of documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case.
In the footage, Trump appears to mouth an expletive and make a hand gesture before walking away.
The Washington Post subsequently identified Sabula as the individual who made the remark.
In an interview with the newspaper, Sabula confirmed that he was suspended after the incident and said he believes the action amounts to political retaliation.
“As far as calling him out, definitely no regrets whatsoever,” Sabula told The Post. “But I am concerned about my job. I believe I’ve been targeted for political retribution for embarrassing him in front of his friends.”
Sabula, who describes himself as politically independent, said he has never voted for Trump, though he has supported Republican candidates in the past.
In the days following the incident, a GoFundMe campaign was launched to assist Sabula and his family during his suspension.
The campaign states that Sabula is “a father of two young children, a husband, and a proud UAW Local 600 line worker,” and that the funds will be used to help cover household and living expenses “during this time of uncertainty.” Donations quickly surged past $100,000, with notable contributions reportedly made by the rock band Dropkick Murphys.
Supporters have characterized Sabula’s actions as a form of protest and free expression, while others have questioned whether his conduct violated workplace policies.
Ford Motor Company and union representatives have not publicly released details regarding the status of the internal investigation or whether disciplinary action beyond the suspension is being considered.
Following his visit to the Dearborn plant, Trump went on to deliver remarks at the Detroit Economic Club, where he had last spoken in October 2024.
The incident continues to draw attention amid broader political debate, as questions remain about workplace discipline, free speech, and the role of political expression in employment settings.