Woodinville
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make this my neighborhood and we'll show you this page every time you visit.Tuesday, May 14, 2013 -- 1:54 pm
Helen Hoenig's mission: to make Duvall the cleanest little town on the Eastside
The Woodinville Weekly - Helen Hoenig can't stop herself from cleaning up. Here, she clears off an overhead branch. Photo by Connie BergHelen Hoenig is a remarkable Duvall resident who has made a tremendous difference in our community. What does Helen do? She picks up pieces of trash. She has been spotted by so many people she has become a phenomenon in Duvall and on Facebook. She was even featured on KOMO 4 News and a prominent radio station. I had the honor and pleasure of discovering who the mystery trash lady was and interviewed her to find out why she is so obsessed with cleaning up Duvall. Helen grew up in the Northwest. She moved away for many years and after being stationed in Vietnam, and living in Hawaii, Japan and Washington, D.C., she finally moved back to the Northwest four years ago. Helen has lived in Duvall for the past two years. Before you try and stereotype her, I will tell you that she is a successful, confident and opinionated businesswoman. She is not a mild mannered little Trash Lady. Her determination enabled her to accomplish all that she has. She has hiked steep hills, climbed into deep ditches, and lugged giant pieces of garbage up small ravines When Helen first moved to Duvall, she started working out at Duvall Fitness. She lives close to town so she decided to start walking to the club for her workouts with Nicole Pitts, her personal trainer. On her walks, Helen noticed a lot of garbage along the road. In February of this year Helen started picking up a few pieces of garbage on her way to Duvall Fitness. By the time she got to the gym, her arms were overflowing with trash. After that, she started wearing gloves and carrying a bag for trash. Her focus soon broadened and eventually she was all over and around Duvall picking up trash with one of her multiple trash grabbers. Everyone who sees Helen wants to know who she is. She is Helen, the "Super Trash Picker Upper" in Duvall! Helen was reluctant to meet with me because she didn't want the recognition. She didn't start picking up trash for the notoriety, she did it because it was really bothering her. She was quick to inform me that she has had a lot of help along the way. Many people have honked at Helen to thank her for picking up garbage. People have given her plants, bouquets of flowers, cards, and she even received a gift certificate for a manicure and a safety vest. One of the most inspiring notes she received was from a dad who wrote a quick thank you on a piece of scratch paper and handed it to Helen through his car window. The note said he was grateful for her example to his two sons who were in the car with him. Specific people that Helen would like to thank include: Scott Lennon who gave her an orange vest and goggles to keep her safe. Mark Burdette who photographed Helen and her mountains of trash. Bill Theriault who helped her retrieve 15 assorted balls from aggressive blackberry bushes on property adjacent to Acres of Diamonds. Skylar for carrying he Read more...
Helen Hoenig's mission: to make Duvall the cleanest little town on the Eastside
The Woodinville Weekly - Helen Hoenig can't stop herself from cleaning up. Here, she clears off an overhead branch. Photo by Connie BergHelen Hoenig is a remarkable Duvall resident who has made a tremendous difference in our community. What does Helen do? She picks up pieces of trash. She has been spotted by so many people she has become a phenomenon in Duvall and on Facebook. She was even featured on KOMO 4 News and a prominent radio station. I had the honor and pleasure of discovering who the mystery trash lady was and interviewed her to find out why she is so obsessed with cleaning up Duvall. Helen grew up in the Northwest. She moved away for many years and after being stationed in Vietnam, and living in Hawaii, Japan and Washington, D.C., she finally moved back to the Northwest four years ago. Helen has lived in Duvall for the past two years. Before you try and stereotype her, I will tell you that she is a successful, confident and opinionated businesswoman. She is not a mild mannered little Trash Lady. Her determination enabled her to accomplish all that she has. She has hiked steep hills, climbed into deep ditches, and lugged giant pieces of garbage up small ravines When Helen first moved to Duvall, she started working out at Duvall Fitness. She lives close to town so she decided to start walking to the club for her workouts with Nicole Pitts, her personal trainer. On her walks, Helen noticed a lot of garbage along the road. In February of this year Helen started picking up a few pieces of garbage on her way to Duvall Fitness. By the time she got to the gym, her arms were overflowing with trash. After that, she started wearing gloves and carrying a bag for trash. Her focus soon broadened and eventually she was all over and around Duvall picking up trash with one of her multiple trash grabbers. Everyone who sees Helen wants to know who she is. She is Helen, the "Super Trash Picker Upper" in Duvall! Helen was reluctant to meet with me because she didn't want the recognition. She didn't start picking up trash for the notoriety, she did it because it was really bothering her. She was quick to inform me that she has had a lot of help along the way. Many people have honked at Helen to thank her for picking up garbage. People have given her plants, bouquets of flowers, cards, and she even received a gift certificate for a manicure and a safety vest. One of the most inspiring notes she received was from a dad who wrote a quick thank you on a piece of scratch paper and handed it to Helen through his car window. The note said he was grateful for her example to his two sons who were in the car with him. Specific people that Helen would like to thank include: Scott Lennon who gave her an orange vest and goggles to keep her safe. Mark Burdette who photographed Helen and her mountains of trash. Bill Theriault who helped her retrieve 15 assorted balls from aggressive blackberry bushes on property adjacent to Acres of Diamonds. Skylar for carrying he Read more...
Tuesday, May 14, 2013 -- 1:52 pm
Community bonfire on Duvall Days will inaugurate Eagle Scout project
The Woodinville Weekly - George Howlett, 15, takes a break from putting the final touches on his Eagle Scout project, a community fire pit located next to the Duvall Police Station. Lisa Allen/staff photoDUVALL-Like many other Boy Scouts who reach a certain time in their Scouting career, George Howlett was on the lookout for an Eagle project. The Lake Margaret-area resident, then just 14, went to the Duvall Public Works Department looking for ideas. Director Steve Leniszewski gave him a list of possible centennial projects. On the list was a fire pit to be built next to the Duvall Police Station. George, who is homeschooled, picked the fire pit as his project and then presented the plan to the City Council. Given the go-ahead, he and his dad, Mark, who was also his Troop 534 Scout Leader, spent a total of about 42 hours over the span of six months planning the project, with the help of Leniszewski. They spent 32 hours working on building the project over the span of nine days. George organized a total of 37 volunteers (total man hours of 273), and obtained discounted costs from the suppliers - Rock Mountain Products and Mutual Materials. He turned 15 just as he was completing the project. Leniszewski said a community bonfire is planned for Duvall Days. After that, he said, the pit will be open for the public to use, adding that a smaller firepit will be constructed on the inside of the larger one and more seating will be added. Read more...
Community bonfire on Duvall Days will inaugurate Eagle Scout project
The Woodinville Weekly - George Howlett, 15, takes a break from putting the final touches on his Eagle Scout project, a community fire pit located next to the Duvall Police Station. Lisa Allen/staff photoDUVALL-Like many other Boy Scouts who reach a certain time in their Scouting career, George Howlett was on the lookout for an Eagle project. The Lake Margaret-area resident, then just 14, went to the Duvall Public Works Department looking for ideas. Director Steve Leniszewski gave him a list of possible centennial projects. On the list was a fire pit to be built next to the Duvall Police Station. George, who is homeschooled, picked the fire pit as his project and then presented the plan to the City Council. Given the go-ahead, he and his dad, Mark, who was also his Troop 534 Scout Leader, spent a total of about 42 hours over the span of six months planning the project, with the help of Leniszewski. They spent 32 hours working on building the project over the span of nine days. George organized a total of 37 volunteers (total man hours of 273), and obtained discounted costs from the suppliers - Rock Mountain Products and Mutual Materials. He turned 15 just as he was completing the project. Leniszewski said a community bonfire is planned for Duvall Days. After that, he said, the pit will be open for the public to use, adding that a smaller firepit will be constructed on the inside of the larger one and more seating will be added. Read more...
Tuesday, May 14, 2013 -- 1:15 pm
New water district commissioner chosen
The Woodinville Weekly - Rick Chatterton will replace Tim Matson on the Woodinville Water District Board of Commissioners, the current Board decided at a meeting on April 30. Chatterton wants to focus on keeping rates reasonable while conserving Woodinville's water resources in an environmentally responsible way. He said the population of the Pacific Northwest, including the eastside of Seattle, is projected to grow 30 percent between now and 2030, so he wants to ensure the Woodinville Water District will manage resources effectively to meet the needs of a larger future population. "I'm an avid conservationist," he said. "With all the rain that's here, it's easy to think we have water to waste, but ... it's a limited resource." Chatterton, who has lived in Woodinville for eight years, retired from a career in financial management with Royal Caribbean in 2008. "I left so I could focus on building community," he said. His corporate career prepared him for managing the water district. "We answered to the shareholders. As an executive, I had to be financially responsible."He is also the president of the Woodinville Heritage Society, serves on the Woodinville Emergency Preparedness and Public Safety Commission, and ran for city council in 2009. The water district Board of Commissioners "was a natural next step," he said. He will fill the spot vacated by Matson, who resigned in February because he had accepted a job outside of Washington. Chatterton will serve for the rest of Matson's term -- until the end of 2013 -- and plans to run for election this November for a six-year term beginning in 2014. "He really stood out in terms of the homework he did and his demeanor and the way he came across," Ken Goodwin, chair of the Board of Commissioners, said of Chatterton. The current commissioners were impressed that Chatterton had read the city's comprehensive plan. The water commissioner position doesn't require any technical qualifications, Goodwin said; the board was looking for "somebody who understands community service and has enthusiasm for the job." All seven candidates met the position's legal requirements -- being registered to vote and living in the district -- but the board chose to interview only four candidates: Chatterton, Jim Dunlap, Pao-Tsun Hwang, and Michael Lucarelli. It chose not to interview Rob Clark, Henry Stecker, and Ronald Volz. Although all seven candidates were qualified, Goodwin said, the board made a "subjective" choice to interview only four. "We thought four would be a good number and that's what we selected to interview," Goodwin said. Read more...
New water district commissioner chosen
The Woodinville Weekly - Rick Chatterton will replace Tim Matson on the Woodinville Water District Board of Commissioners, the current Board decided at a meeting on April 30. Chatterton wants to focus on keeping rates reasonable while conserving Woodinville's water resources in an environmentally responsible way. He said the population of the Pacific Northwest, including the eastside of Seattle, is projected to grow 30 percent between now and 2030, so he wants to ensure the Woodinville Water District will manage resources effectively to meet the needs of a larger future population. "I'm an avid conservationist," he said. "With all the rain that's here, it's easy to think we have water to waste, but ... it's a limited resource." Chatterton, who has lived in Woodinville for eight years, retired from a career in financial management with Royal Caribbean in 2008. "I left so I could focus on building community," he said. His corporate career prepared him for managing the water district. "We answered to the shareholders. As an executive, I had to be financially responsible."He is also the president of the Woodinville Heritage Society, serves on the Woodinville Emergency Preparedness and Public Safety Commission, and ran for city council in 2009. The water district Board of Commissioners "was a natural next step," he said. He will fill the spot vacated by Matson, who resigned in February because he had accepted a job outside of Washington. Chatterton will serve for the rest of Matson's term -- until the end of 2013 -- and plans to run for election this November for a six-year term beginning in 2014. "He really stood out in terms of the homework he did and his demeanor and the way he came across," Ken Goodwin, chair of the Board of Commissioners, said of Chatterton. The current commissioners were impressed that Chatterton had read the city's comprehensive plan. The water commissioner position doesn't require any technical qualifications, Goodwin said; the board was looking for "somebody who understands community service and has enthusiasm for the job." All seven candidates met the position's legal requirements -- being registered to vote and living in the district -- but the board chose to interview only four candidates: Chatterton, Jim Dunlap, Pao-Tsun Hwang, and Michael Lucarelli. It chose not to interview Rob Clark, Henry Stecker, and Ronald Volz. Although all seven candidates were qualified, Goodwin said, the board made a "subjective" choice to interview only four. "We thought four would be a good number and that's what we selected to interview," Goodwin said. Read more...
Tuesday, May 14, 2013 -- 1:14 pm
Detectives seek good Samaritan in Cossey murder
The Woodinville Weekly - Earl "Coss" Cossey, 71, was found murdered in his Woodinville home on Friday, April 26. Police are still investigating the crime. King County Sheriff's detectives are asking for the "good Samaritan" who mailed murder victim Earl Cossey's driver's license and credit cards to his house to come forward. Detectives said family members had Cossey's mail forwarded to a relative's house after his death. Sometime during the last few days the relative received an envelope containing Cossey's license, credit cards and a casino gaming card. Detectives believe the items were found by someone and mailed directly to Cossey's address which was listed on his driver's license. If you have any information regarding this case or the items mailed, please call the King County Sheriff's Office at (206) 296-3311 (24 hours). You can also call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. All calls are confidential. Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound will pay a cash reward of up to $1,000 for any information leading to the arrest and charge of anyone involved in this homicide. Read more...
Detectives seek good Samaritan in Cossey murder
The Woodinville Weekly - Earl "Coss" Cossey, 71, was found murdered in his Woodinville home on Friday, April 26. Police are still investigating the crime. King County Sheriff's detectives are asking for the "good Samaritan" who mailed murder victim Earl Cossey's driver's license and credit cards to his house to come forward. Detectives said family members had Cossey's mail forwarded to a relative's house after his death. Sometime during the last few days the relative received an envelope containing Cossey's license, credit cards and a casino gaming card. Detectives believe the items were found by someone and mailed directly to Cossey's address which was listed on his driver's license. If you have any information regarding this case or the items mailed, please call the King County Sheriff's Office at (206) 296-3311 (24 hours). You can also call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. All calls are confidential. Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound will pay a cash reward of up to $1,000 for any information leading to the arrest and charge of anyone involved in this homicide. Read more...
Tuesday, May 14, 2013 -- 12:02 pm
Woodin Creek Village Development approved
The Woodinville Weekly - Tuesday's city council meeting resolved the ongoing debate about the Woodin Creek Village Development in downtown and sparked discussion about a new issue -- which businesses would be permitted in Woodinville's business district. The council unanimously approved the Woodin Creek Village Development Agreement, Resolution 434, to applause from the audience. The development will include 800 multi-family residential units, 50,000 square feet of retail/commercial business space, 10,000 square feet of office space, infrastructure improvements, buffer enhancements and a trail. As the long process of negotiations about the development came to an end, the council members expressed their excitement for the future and their gratitude to residents who offered suggestions. Councilmember Les Rubstello urged the council to find a way to make Garden Way (138th Avenue NE) -- one of the roads bordering the development -- a two-lane road instead of the one-lane road or temporary driveway the city has discussed. Jens Molbak, owner of Molbak's Garden + Home, offered to dedicate land so the city could build a two-way road. "I encourage our council to find a way to get Garden Way done with this project. We have two cooperative landowners, which I don't think we've ever had before," Rubstello said, prompting laughter from the council. "We should take advantage of that and move as fast as our budget will allow us to go."Councilmember Susan Boundy-Sanders answered questions from the public about additional traffic and changes to NE 171st Street. "Yes, those studies have been done," she said. "We've had terrific staff involvement; the developer has been terrific, has really gone the extra mile to study every facet of this; and yes, it all works out. Yes, traffic volumes will go up, but they do not exceed our thresholds." The council also approved the 2013 Planning Commission Work Plan, a flexible guide to work and activity throughout the year, despite concerns that Boundy-Sanders raised about three items that dealt with King County annexing an area of the Sammamish River Valley. Boundy-Sanders said tourism in the Sammamish River Valley is important to Woodinville's economy, and King County has already said no to annexing the areas between downtown Woodinville and the wine district. "We are trying to get that back into their radar, but doing so just shows them that Woodinville is a sprawl-ville," she said. "It does not show them that we understand stewardship, land use, agricultural preservation, that we understand that the agricultural valley is the basis of our tourist economy. We're showing them that we don't understand that annexing that area is killing our golden goose." After approving the Woodin Creek Village Development Agreement and the 2013 Planning Commission Work Plan, the council began a public hearing on Ordinance 560, which would amend specific uses permitted in the general business and central business district zones. Erin Martindale, senior p Read more...
Woodin Creek Village Development approved
The Woodinville Weekly - Tuesday's city council meeting resolved the ongoing debate about the Woodin Creek Village Development in downtown and sparked discussion about a new issue -- which businesses would be permitted in Woodinville's business district. The council unanimously approved the Woodin Creek Village Development Agreement, Resolution 434, to applause from the audience. The development will include 800 multi-family residential units, 50,000 square feet of retail/commercial business space, 10,000 square feet of office space, infrastructure improvements, buffer enhancements and a trail. As the long process of negotiations about the development came to an end, the council members expressed their excitement for the future and their gratitude to residents who offered suggestions. Councilmember Les Rubstello urged the council to find a way to make Garden Way (138th Avenue NE) -- one of the roads bordering the development -- a two-lane road instead of the one-lane road or temporary driveway the city has discussed. Jens Molbak, owner of Molbak's Garden + Home, offered to dedicate land so the city could build a two-way road. "I encourage our council to find a way to get Garden Way done with this project. We have two cooperative landowners, which I don't think we've ever had before," Rubstello said, prompting laughter from the council. "We should take advantage of that and move as fast as our budget will allow us to go."Councilmember Susan Boundy-Sanders answered questions from the public about additional traffic and changes to NE 171st Street. "Yes, those studies have been done," she said. "We've had terrific staff involvement; the developer has been terrific, has really gone the extra mile to study every facet of this; and yes, it all works out. Yes, traffic volumes will go up, but they do not exceed our thresholds." The council also approved the 2013 Planning Commission Work Plan, a flexible guide to work and activity throughout the year, despite concerns that Boundy-Sanders raised about three items that dealt with King County annexing an area of the Sammamish River Valley. Boundy-Sanders said tourism in the Sammamish River Valley is important to Woodinville's economy, and King County has already said no to annexing the areas between downtown Woodinville and the wine district. "We are trying to get that back into their radar, but doing so just shows them that Woodinville is a sprawl-ville," she said. "It does not show them that we understand stewardship, land use, agricultural preservation, that we understand that the agricultural valley is the basis of our tourist economy. We're showing them that we don't understand that annexing that area is killing our golden goose." After approving the Woodin Creek Village Development Agreement and the 2013 Planning Commission Work Plan, the council began a public hearing on Ordinance 560, which would amend specific uses permitted in the general business and central business district zones. Erin Martindale, senior p Read more...
Tuesday, May 14, 2013 -- 12:00 pm
New school and grade level reconfiguration could ease crowding
The Woodinville Weekly - The Northshore School District plans to build a new high school in the northern end of the district to deal with overcrowding, Superintendent Larry Francois announced at a meeting between the school district and the Woodinville, Bothell, and Kenmore city councils on May 9. The new high school is projected to open in fall 2017. Along with reconfiguring grade levels and adjusting the boundaries that determine what geographic areas are served by which schools, building a new high school will help the Northshore School District deal with growth in the north Bothell and south Mill Creek area. "Over time, Bothell High School will not be sufficient in size to accommodate the number of students that will be coming its way," Francois said, noting that there are more than 3,300 housing units in development in the school district, which will mean more students. The district purchased a site for the new school, the 61-acre Goemaere property that adjoins Fernwood Elementary, in spring 2012. Francois estimated the school would cost around $120 million to build and $1.75 million in annual operating costs. The district plans to pay for the new school with bonds and levies raised in the February 2014 election. The district also wants to reconfigure grade levels. Elementary schools would include kindergarten through fifth grade instead of kindergarten through sixth grade. Junior high schools would include sixth grade through eighth grade instead of seventh through ninth grade. High schools would include ninth grade through 12th grade instead of 10th grade through 12th grade. "We're one of the few districts left in the state that don't have that particular configuration," Francois said of the new configuration. "I think we still do a great job as a school district, but there are some sacrifices, or challenges, perhaps, that we have associated with that." In the existing grade level configuration, sixth graders in elementary schools miss out on daily science instruction in science classrooms from science specialists. Nearly one-third of the district's ninth graders are bussed to high schools on a daily basis for world language, advanced math, and career technology courses that aren't practical for the district to offer in junior high schools.And some ninth graders don't view themselves as high schoolers and don't realize their grades and coursework are affecting graduation and college admission. The district would also design new boundaries for each school to create a service area for the new school and to adjust enrollment evenly across schools. It might also consolidate schools in the eastern part of the district with low enrollments, Francois said -- a suggestion that Woodinville Mayor Bernie Talmas opposed. "Our Leota Junior High is way overcrowded. You may be considering it the opposite way, but the kids are in trailers," Talmas said. "Kids are entitled to be in a real school. I understand the need to have all this money go to the high schoo Read more...
New school and grade level reconfiguration could ease crowding
The Woodinville Weekly - The Northshore School District plans to build a new high school in the northern end of the district to deal with overcrowding, Superintendent Larry Francois announced at a meeting between the school district and the Woodinville, Bothell, and Kenmore city councils on May 9. The new high school is projected to open in fall 2017. Along with reconfiguring grade levels and adjusting the boundaries that determine what geographic areas are served by which schools, building a new high school will help the Northshore School District deal with growth in the north Bothell and south Mill Creek area. "Over time, Bothell High School will not be sufficient in size to accommodate the number of students that will be coming its way," Francois said, noting that there are more than 3,300 housing units in development in the school district, which will mean more students. The district purchased a site for the new school, the 61-acre Goemaere property that adjoins Fernwood Elementary, in spring 2012. Francois estimated the school would cost around $120 million to build and $1.75 million in annual operating costs. The district plans to pay for the new school with bonds and levies raised in the February 2014 election. The district also wants to reconfigure grade levels. Elementary schools would include kindergarten through fifth grade instead of kindergarten through sixth grade. Junior high schools would include sixth grade through eighth grade instead of seventh through ninth grade. High schools would include ninth grade through 12th grade instead of 10th grade through 12th grade. "We're one of the few districts left in the state that don't have that particular configuration," Francois said of the new configuration. "I think we still do a great job as a school district, but there are some sacrifices, or challenges, perhaps, that we have associated with that." In the existing grade level configuration, sixth graders in elementary schools miss out on daily science instruction in science classrooms from science specialists. Nearly one-third of the district's ninth graders are bussed to high schools on a daily basis for world language, advanced math, and career technology courses that aren't practical for the district to offer in junior high schools.And some ninth graders don't view themselves as high schoolers and don't realize their grades and coursework are affecting graduation and college admission. The district would also design new boundaries for each school to create a service area for the new school and to adjust enrollment evenly across schools. It might also consolidate schools in the eastern part of the district with low enrollments, Francois said -- a suggestion that Woodinville Mayor Bernie Talmas opposed. "Our Leota Junior High is way overcrowded. You may be considering it the opposite way, but the kids are in trailers," Talmas said. "Kids are entitled to be in a real school. I understand the need to have all this money go to the high schoo Read more...
Tuesday, May 14, 2013 -- 11:57 am
Police Beat - May 13, 2013
The Woodinville Weekly - BROTHER, CAN YOU SPARE YOUR WALLET?Police were called to the report of an aggressive panhandler in the 17300 block of 140th Avenue NE who was following customers from the store to their vehicles demanding money. The panhandler made claims of being a professional, living in an apartment in Bellevue and earning up to $30/hr or $150 per day from extremely generous citizens in Woodinville. Due to his aggressive nature in requesting money and intimidating customers, he was trespassed from the restaurant. Police advise the public NOT to give money to any panhandlers in the city and to call 911 to report aggressive or intimidating behavior. This fellow needs to get a REAL job. MY PRECIOUS ...The only thing more enticing than a gold ring to Gollum is an unattended laptop or tablet in an automobile. A thief or thieves helped themselves to their Precious in the 13400 block of NE 177th Place and the 13700 block of NE 175th Street. You, too can magically extend the life of your favorite apparatus by keeping it with you, rather than letting it fend for itself in the car. HOT COMMODITIESCars weren't the only victims of pirated playthings. Loss prevention officers reported two separate thefts of Play Station and X-Box hard drives from a store in the 13900 block of NE 178th Place. A suspect in previous thefts from adjoining jurisdictions was identified through video. A Woodinville detective is investigating. WHAT NOT TO DO WHEN YOUR LICENSE IS SUSPENDEDThe first thing not to do is a no-brainer: Don't drive! There's probably a good reason why that license was suspended. Tip number two is refraining from traffic violations which catch the attention of law enforcement. Woodinville Police cited and released two such offenders after busting them for traffic infractions. Don't they teach this in Driver's Ed any more? Read more...
Police Beat - May 13, 2013
The Woodinville Weekly - BROTHER, CAN YOU SPARE YOUR WALLET?Police were called to the report of an aggressive panhandler in the 17300 block of 140th Avenue NE who was following customers from the store to their vehicles demanding money. The panhandler made claims of being a professional, living in an apartment in Bellevue and earning up to $30/hr or $150 per day from extremely generous citizens in Woodinville. Due to his aggressive nature in requesting money and intimidating customers, he was trespassed from the restaurant. Police advise the public NOT to give money to any panhandlers in the city and to call 911 to report aggressive or intimidating behavior. This fellow needs to get a REAL job. MY PRECIOUS ...The only thing more enticing than a gold ring to Gollum is an unattended laptop or tablet in an automobile. A thief or thieves helped themselves to their Precious in the 13400 block of NE 177th Place and the 13700 block of NE 175th Street. You, too can magically extend the life of your favorite apparatus by keeping it with you, rather than letting it fend for itself in the car. HOT COMMODITIESCars weren't the only victims of pirated playthings. Loss prevention officers reported two separate thefts of Play Station and X-Box hard drives from a store in the 13900 block of NE 178th Place. A suspect in previous thefts from adjoining jurisdictions was identified through video. A Woodinville detective is investigating. WHAT NOT TO DO WHEN YOUR LICENSE IS SUSPENDEDThe first thing not to do is a no-brainer: Don't drive! There's probably a good reason why that license was suspended. Tip number two is refraining from traffic violations which catch the attention of law enforcement. Woodinville Police cited and released two such offenders after busting them for traffic infractions. Don't they teach this in Driver's Ed any more? Read more...
Tuesday, May 14, 2013 -- 10:57 am
Falcons top cougars for KingCo Title
The Woodinville Weekly - Photo by Derek Johnson Woodinville's Stephen White warms during the KingCo Tournament's championship game on May 9th. The power-throwing right-hander tossed a 3-hitter to beat Bothell 3-1.On May 7th, Woodinville pitcher Stephan White sat in the bleachers to watch Bothell and Eastlake battle in their playoff game, knowing that he'd face the winner in the conference championship game two days later. That extra effort paid off at Woodinville High School on May 9th. White tossed a complete game 3-hitter as the Falcons knocked off Bothell 3-1, to capture the 2013 KingCo 4A title. White teetered slightly in the first inning, surrendering his only run of the night, when Bothell's Saige Tyndall drove in a run off a line drive single. From there, White settled into a powerful groove, retiring the final 13 batters he faced. Notable was his off-speed curveball, which complimented his fastball and kept the Cougars lunging all night. One such pitch in particular buckled the knees of Bothell's promising sophomore Peyton Cordova-Smith, for strike three. "Normally the top of their lineup is pretty productive," White said. "So I tried to stay soft with them when I could but go hard when I needed to. In the first couple innings I didn't really feel it, but toward the later innings I definitely felt it." In the bottom of the second inning, Woodinville's Matthew Spencer ripped a double into the gap that tied the score at 1-1. In the bottom of the fourth, Falcon shortstop Caleb Hamilton stepped up to the plate with runners on first and second and two out. His boisterous teammates could be heard from the dugout, ratcheting up the intensity and shouting "Come on Hammy!" and "HAMBONE!" Hamilton promptly lined an RBI single to left field that put the Falcons up for good. An inning later, Michael Boyd wrapped up the scoring by smashing a double and driving in a run, to give the Falcons a 3-1 lead. From there, White closed the deal and slammed the door, outdueling his Bothell counterpart, the talented Travis Dohr. In the game's aftermath, White hoisted the KingCo championship trophy aloft along with his teammates and coaches as they celebrated on their home field. Woodinville proved to be the big surprise of this year's KingCo Tournament, having only posted an 8-6 conference record during the regular season. "No one thought we could do it at the beginning of the year," White said. "We were probably written off because we weren't as talented as last year's team. But it's the best team I've ever been on. I love these guys. We're family here." Woodinville, with a 15-7 record, and Bothell, with a 13-10 mark, will both advance to the 4A state tournament. Read more...
Falcons top cougars for KingCo Title
The Woodinville Weekly - Photo by Derek Johnson Woodinville's Stephen White warms during the KingCo Tournament's championship game on May 9th. The power-throwing right-hander tossed a 3-hitter to beat Bothell 3-1.On May 7th, Woodinville pitcher Stephan White sat in the bleachers to watch Bothell and Eastlake battle in their playoff game, knowing that he'd face the winner in the conference championship game two days later. That extra effort paid off at Woodinville High School on May 9th. White tossed a complete game 3-hitter as the Falcons knocked off Bothell 3-1, to capture the 2013 KingCo 4A title. White teetered slightly in the first inning, surrendering his only run of the night, when Bothell's Saige Tyndall drove in a run off a line drive single. From there, White settled into a powerful groove, retiring the final 13 batters he faced. Notable was his off-speed curveball, which complimented his fastball and kept the Cougars lunging all night. One such pitch in particular buckled the knees of Bothell's promising sophomore Peyton Cordova-Smith, for strike three. "Normally the top of their lineup is pretty productive," White said. "So I tried to stay soft with them when I could but go hard when I needed to. In the first couple innings I didn't really feel it, but toward the later innings I definitely felt it." In the bottom of the second inning, Woodinville's Matthew Spencer ripped a double into the gap that tied the score at 1-1. In the bottom of the fourth, Falcon shortstop Caleb Hamilton stepped up to the plate with runners on first and second and two out. His boisterous teammates could be heard from the dugout, ratcheting up the intensity and shouting "Come on Hammy!" and "HAMBONE!" Hamilton promptly lined an RBI single to left field that put the Falcons up for good. An inning later, Michael Boyd wrapped up the scoring by smashing a double and driving in a run, to give the Falcons a 3-1 lead. From there, White closed the deal and slammed the door, outdueling his Bothell counterpart, the talented Travis Dohr. In the game's aftermath, White hoisted the KingCo championship trophy aloft along with his teammates and coaches as they celebrated on their home field. Woodinville proved to be the big surprise of this year's KingCo Tournament, having only posted an 8-6 conference record during the regular season. "No one thought we could do it at the beginning of the year," White said. "We were probably written off because we weren't as talented as last year's team. But it's the best team I've ever been on. I love these guys. We're family here." Woodinville, with a 15-7 record, and Bothell, with a 13-10 mark, will both advance to the 4A state tournament. Read more...
Tuesday, May 14, 2013 -- 10:51 am
WHS Girls Golf: Machida knows the way to Vancouver
The Woodinville Weekly - Photo by Derek Johnson Woodinville sophomore Yuri Machida prepares to tee off during the Kingco 4A tournament at Willows Run on May 7. The 16-year old has been playing for 10 years. When I shook hands with Marc Medley, the Woodinville golf coach looked ready for action. We were at Willows Run Golf Course in Redmond, which was hosting the girls Kingco 4A Tournament May 6-7. Today was the final round, and the 33 remaining girls would now compete to determine which dozen would advance to the state tourney. One Falcon remaining in the mix was Yuri Machida. The diminutive and soft-spoken sophomore looked confident as she shook this reporter's hand before joining players from Eastlake and Issaquah to form their foursome at the first tee. As the girls teed off and started down the fairway, Medley and I followed along. "When you have someone like Yuri she sets a good example for her teammates," Medley said. "She's hardcore. She plays in tournaments during the summer and practices on her own. She's very self-driven." Medley is now in his fourth season as girls coach, having also coached the boys team for the past seven years with great success. "This season was a little bit of a struggle," he said. "I had 3-4 girls who had never played 9 holes before when the season started. Then I had 3 others who only started playing last year. When they are so new to the game, the goal for me is to give them a foundation. It really comes down to their own personal drive, because in the summertime they need to practice on their own to truly get better. Really, my goal is to get them interested and keep them interested and make it fun for them. "It's also tough because the weather can be difficult at times," he said. "Sometimes they're playing in the cold and rain. So it can be a little off-putting to some of the girls." I asked which player made the most progress. "The only senior we had this year was Varisha Khan," he said. "She came in two years ago and was pretty new to the game. She was scoring in the 60s for nine holes. She started playing more and practicing. She became proud of her accomplishments. This year she posted some scores in the high 40s to lower 50s. She dropped her average quite a bit and just barely missed the cut yesterday -- which she really wanted. But it was good to see that passion and drive to compete and make it to the next level." With Khan the lone senior, the rest of the roster teems with youth. Juniors include Katie Daniels, Lily Kristjanson, Ashley Glinn, Elena Wagar and Elena Simons. In addition to Machida, the sophomores are Bailey Longoni and Adrianna DeNike. Not only will a year's experience help, but Medley said he's seeing encouraging signs. "I heard comments yesterday from several of them," he said. "Comments like `I want to get better. I want to practice.' It's good to have someone on the team like Yuri who goes out and practices on her own. She helps the other girls, and they can view her as a role model in terms of how much she p Read more...
WHS Girls Golf: Machida knows the way to Vancouver
The Woodinville Weekly - Photo by Derek Johnson Woodinville sophomore Yuri Machida prepares to tee off during the Kingco 4A tournament at Willows Run on May 7. The 16-year old has been playing for 10 years. When I shook hands with Marc Medley, the Woodinville golf coach looked ready for action. We were at Willows Run Golf Course in Redmond, which was hosting the girls Kingco 4A Tournament May 6-7. Today was the final round, and the 33 remaining girls would now compete to determine which dozen would advance to the state tourney. One Falcon remaining in the mix was Yuri Machida. The diminutive and soft-spoken sophomore looked confident as she shook this reporter's hand before joining players from Eastlake and Issaquah to form their foursome at the first tee. As the girls teed off and started down the fairway, Medley and I followed along. "When you have someone like Yuri she sets a good example for her teammates," Medley said. "She's hardcore. She plays in tournaments during the summer and practices on her own. She's very self-driven." Medley is now in his fourth season as girls coach, having also coached the boys team for the past seven years with great success. "This season was a little bit of a struggle," he said. "I had 3-4 girls who had never played 9 holes before when the season started. Then I had 3 others who only started playing last year. When they are so new to the game, the goal for me is to give them a foundation. It really comes down to their own personal drive, because in the summertime they need to practice on their own to truly get better. Really, my goal is to get them interested and keep them interested and make it fun for them. "It's also tough because the weather can be difficult at times," he said. "Sometimes they're playing in the cold and rain. So it can be a little off-putting to some of the girls." I asked which player made the most progress. "The only senior we had this year was Varisha Khan," he said. "She came in two years ago and was pretty new to the game. She was scoring in the 60s for nine holes. She started playing more and practicing. She became proud of her accomplishments. This year she posted some scores in the high 40s to lower 50s. She dropped her average quite a bit and just barely missed the cut yesterday -- which she really wanted. But it was good to see that passion and drive to compete and make it to the next level." With Khan the lone senior, the rest of the roster teems with youth. Juniors include Katie Daniels, Lily Kristjanson, Ashley Glinn, Elena Wagar and Elena Simons. In addition to Machida, the sophomores are Bailey Longoni and Adrianna DeNike. Not only will a year's experience help, but Medley said he's seeing encouraging signs. "I heard comments yesterday from several of them," he said. "Comments like `I want to get better. I want to practice.' It's good to have someone on the team like Yuri who goes out and practices on her own. She helps the other girls, and they can view her as a role model in terms of how much she p Read more...
Tuesday, May 14, 2013 -- 10:46 am
Bothell staves off Eastlake in Kingco tourney thriller
The Woodinville Weekly - Photo by Derek Johnson Bothell's Colby Nealy prepares to deliver a pitch during a playoff game May 6 against Eastlake at Woodinville High School. The junior right-hander gave up 3 earned runs and was credited with the victory. It was a tightrope finish that would've made the famous daredevil Nik Wallenda proud. Bothell held off a furious rally by Eastlake to claim a 6-5 win on May 6. The victory advanced the Cougars to the Kingco Championship game against Woodinville May 9. In the game's early stages it seemed the Cougs would cruise to easy victory. In the top of the first, shortstop Cameron Costa ripped a line drive single past the diving shortstop to drive in Daniel Fredrickson and Cameron Gale, to stake Bothell to a 2-0 lead. It stayed that way until the third inning, during which there was some controversy followed by fireworks. With two Bothell runners aboard and two outs, Costa was up again. He slashed a grounder deep into the hole at short and raced up the first base line for what promised to be a bang-bang play. To many fans who saw it, the throw seemed to nip him in time -- but the umpire ruled him safe. Gale scored on the play from third, making the score 3-0. Next up was senior third baseman Camden McLeod. And the big guy turned on a pitch and hit a towering fly ball deep down the line in left field. It kept arcing and carrying before finally sailing over the fence for a 3-run dinger. The scoreboard now read: Bothell 6, Eastlake 0. "In my first at-bat I had struck out and I was way too long with my swing," McLeod said later. "The second time up, it was a 1-0 count and I was looking for a fastball and I got one down the middle of the plate. I took advantage of it." The homer gave Bothell starting pitcher Colby Nealy a comfortable 6-0 cushion. But Eastlake refused to wave the white flag, and began to chip away. The Wolves chased Nealy in the bottom of the 4th with 3 runs, to slice the deficit in half, 6-3. Bothell senior Evan Harder replaced Nealy, and then he and teammates hunkered down for the wild finish. In the bottom of the 6th, Eastlake got 2 runs, and now trailed only 6-5. By the next inning, bottom of the 7th, it was do-or-die time for the Wolves. With runners on first and third and two outs, tension ran high as Harder was walking the tightrope. Bothell manager Paul Moody called time out and went out to the mound to powwow with his pitcher. "Coach was telling me to be myself and do what I can do," Harder said. "It was a nerve-wracker." The next batter for Eastlake was Ryan Teasell. Early in the count, Harder threw him a fastball down the middle of the plate. Teasell turned on it and hit a sharp grounder toward third. But Camden McLeod was there to field it cleanly and fire it to first, for the game's final out. Fervent cheering erupted from Bothell fans as the Cougar players and coaches celebrated on the field with high-fives and backslaps. Meanwhile, the somber Eastlake players saw their title hopes dissolve in defeat. But for B Read more...
Bothell staves off Eastlake in Kingco tourney thriller
The Woodinville Weekly - Photo by Derek Johnson Bothell's Colby Nealy prepares to deliver a pitch during a playoff game May 6 against Eastlake at Woodinville High School. The junior right-hander gave up 3 earned runs and was credited with the victory. It was a tightrope finish that would've made the famous daredevil Nik Wallenda proud. Bothell held off a furious rally by Eastlake to claim a 6-5 win on May 6. The victory advanced the Cougars to the Kingco Championship game against Woodinville May 9. In the game's early stages it seemed the Cougs would cruise to easy victory. In the top of the first, shortstop Cameron Costa ripped a line drive single past the diving shortstop to drive in Daniel Fredrickson and Cameron Gale, to stake Bothell to a 2-0 lead. It stayed that way until the third inning, during which there was some controversy followed by fireworks. With two Bothell runners aboard and two outs, Costa was up again. He slashed a grounder deep into the hole at short and raced up the first base line for what promised to be a bang-bang play. To many fans who saw it, the throw seemed to nip him in time -- but the umpire ruled him safe. Gale scored on the play from third, making the score 3-0. Next up was senior third baseman Camden McLeod. And the big guy turned on a pitch and hit a towering fly ball deep down the line in left field. It kept arcing and carrying before finally sailing over the fence for a 3-run dinger. The scoreboard now read: Bothell 6, Eastlake 0. "In my first at-bat I had struck out and I was way too long with my swing," McLeod said later. "The second time up, it was a 1-0 count and I was looking for a fastball and I got one down the middle of the plate. I took advantage of it." The homer gave Bothell starting pitcher Colby Nealy a comfortable 6-0 cushion. But Eastlake refused to wave the white flag, and began to chip away. The Wolves chased Nealy in the bottom of the 4th with 3 runs, to slice the deficit in half, 6-3. Bothell senior Evan Harder replaced Nealy, and then he and teammates hunkered down for the wild finish. In the bottom of the 6th, Eastlake got 2 runs, and now trailed only 6-5. By the next inning, bottom of the 7th, it was do-or-die time for the Wolves. With runners on first and third and two outs, tension ran high as Harder was walking the tightrope. Bothell manager Paul Moody called time out and went out to the mound to powwow with his pitcher. "Coach was telling me to be myself and do what I can do," Harder said. "It was a nerve-wracker." The next batter for Eastlake was Ryan Teasell. Early in the count, Harder threw him a fastball down the middle of the plate. Teasell turned on it and hit a sharp grounder toward third. But Camden McLeod was there to field it cleanly and fire it to first, for the game's final out. Fervent cheering erupted from Bothell fans as the Cougar players and coaches celebrated on the field with high-fives and backslaps. Meanwhile, the somber Eastlake players saw their title hopes dissolve in defeat. But for B Read more...
Wednesday, May 8, 2013 -- 3:20 pm
Family, students remember 'Coss' as father, teacher, friend
The Woodinville Weekly - Earl "Coss" Cossey was an inspiring teacher and coach, a practical joker, a professional parachuter and pilot, and a diehard Huskies fan, according to his son Wayland and his daughter Kori. Cossey, 71, was found murdered in his home on Friday, April 26. Police are still investigating the crime. According to Kori, Cossey was born in Peoa, Utah and moved to Seattle in his teens. He started his teaching career at Leota Junior High in Woodinville when the school opened and taught there for 25 years. He was a "lifelong school teacher" and also coached the basketball, baseball, softball and football teams, Wayland said. "Literally thousands of young men and women had the opportunity to learn from him on the field." Cossey's antics as a math, computer and air sports teacher are local legends. Kori remembers that her father kept a large jar of chewed gum he had confiscated from students and called the mixture "gumbo." If a student was caught chewing gum three times, the student would have to chew a piece of gum from the jar. Wayland described his father as having "an infectious spirit, [being]very very funny and sharing the mentality of a junior high school student -- even though he was much older." Cossey also entertained students by parachuting onto the field on Leota Lions Day. Students threw their shoes near Cossey's landing point, and a prize went to the owner of the shoe that Cossey picked up as he landed. Kori said her father's knowledge went beyond the academic subjects he taught. "He had a unique knowledge set. He taught our whole family practical skills on how to fix things. He definitely had street smarts and understood how to do practical things, which is something I really appreciate. He was a very willing and patient teacher." Bill Lyons had Cossey as a teacher for math and air sports -- which included building and launching model rockets and balsa airplanes -- in the early 1980s. Lyons also played on the varsity baseball team, which Cossey coached. "He seemed like he was always happy to see you," Lyons recalled. "You got a good vibe from him when you walked into his class ... He's one of those people who once they're gone, you realize how much they meant. There're a lot of people who went to that junior high who'll miss him." Eric Isaacs, also one of Cossey's former students, remembered him as "an incredible teacher" and as a role model who shaped Isaacs's career. "He introduced me to computer programming on the Radio Shack TRS-80 computers and later on the Apple II, both programming in BASIC," Isaacs said. "I took those skills I first learned in my three years at Leota and became a software developer. His influence was big on my life. He was one of those teachers who you look back on and hope you'll see again. I'm very disappointed to learn that will never happen now. He was a great guy. I pray for him and his family, and I pray for justice." Besides Cossey's influence on his students, he was helpful and caring even to strangers. "He Read more...
Family, students remember 'Coss' as father, teacher, friend
The Woodinville Weekly - Earl "Coss" Cossey was an inspiring teacher and coach, a practical joker, a professional parachuter and pilot, and a diehard Huskies fan, according to his son Wayland and his daughter Kori. Cossey, 71, was found murdered in his home on Friday, April 26. Police are still investigating the crime. According to Kori, Cossey was born in Peoa, Utah and moved to Seattle in his teens. He started his teaching career at Leota Junior High in Woodinville when the school opened and taught there for 25 years. He was a "lifelong school teacher" and also coached the basketball, baseball, softball and football teams, Wayland said. "Literally thousands of young men and women had the opportunity to learn from him on the field." Cossey's antics as a math, computer and air sports teacher are local legends. Kori remembers that her father kept a large jar of chewed gum he had confiscated from students and called the mixture "gumbo." If a student was caught chewing gum three times, the student would have to chew a piece of gum from the jar. Wayland described his father as having "an infectious spirit, [being]very very funny and sharing the mentality of a junior high school student -- even though he was much older." Cossey also entertained students by parachuting onto the field on Leota Lions Day. Students threw their shoes near Cossey's landing point, and a prize went to the owner of the shoe that Cossey picked up as he landed. Kori said her father's knowledge went beyond the academic subjects he taught. "He had a unique knowledge set. He taught our whole family practical skills on how to fix things. He definitely had street smarts and understood how to do practical things, which is something I really appreciate. He was a very willing and patient teacher." Bill Lyons had Cossey as a teacher for math and air sports -- which included building and launching model rockets and balsa airplanes -- in the early 1980s. Lyons also played on the varsity baseball team, which Cossey coached. "He seemed like he was always happy to see you," Lyons recalled. "You got a good vibe from him when you walked into his class ... He's one of those people who once they're gone, you realize how much they meant. There're a lot of people who went to that junior high who'll miss him." Eric Isaacs, also one of Cossey's former students, remembered him as "an incredible teacher" and as a role model who shaped Isaacs's career. "He introduced me to computer programming on the Radio Shack TRS-80 computers and later on the Apple II, both programming in BASIC," Isaacs said. "I took those skills I first learned in my three years at Leota and became a software developer. His influence was big on my life. He was one of those teachers who you look back on and hope you'll see again. I'm very disappointed to learn that will never happen now. He was a great guy. I pray for him and his family, and I pray for justice." Besides Cossey's influence on his students, he was helpful and caring even to strangers. "He Read more...
Wednesday, May 8, 2013 -- 3:19 pm
Appeals filed to stop park construction
The Woodinville Weekly - The City of Woodinville and local nonprofit group Neighbors to Save Wellington Hills Park have filed appeals to try to stop construction of a park where the Wellington Hills Golf Course now stands. They say the planned park violates the Land Use Protection Act, the State Environmental Policy Act and the Growth Management Act. Both sides in the ongoing debate about the park believe they have Woodinville residents' best interests at heart, but they disagree markedly about what kind of park would really benefit Woodinville and surrounding areas. The proposed Wellington Hills County Park would be located east of Snohomish-Woodinville Road and State Route 522, along 240th Street SE. The site falls within unincorporated Woodinville, on the Snohomish County side of the Snohomish-King County border. The 104-acre proposed park would include four lighted synthetic turf sports fields, three grass fields, playgrounds, picnic areas, two off-leash areas for dogs, walking and biking trails and open areas. According to Alexandra Sheeks, assistant to the Woodinville city manager, the City of Woodinville filed an appeal because of concerns about the park's effect on the environment, on traffic and on stormwater. "We filed an appeal and said they hadn't considered the full impacts," Sheeks said. Todd Bailey, a representative for Neighbors to Save Wellington Hills Park, said the group had similar reasons -- the traffic, noise and damage to the environment the park will cause -- for filing its appeal, which is independent of the City of Woodinville's. Snohomish County will widen and add a sidewalk to 240th Street SE, which runs through the middle of the park, but Bailey doesn't think this would be enough to support the additional traffic the park will draw to the area. He also fears increased traffic on that road will pose a safety hazard by slowing down emergency response vehicles. The lights and noise from the park will disturb people who live near Wellington Hills, according to Bailey, who pointed out that the noise from Pop Keeney field in Bothell can be heard up to two miles away. Also, leveling the ground and creating synthetic turf fields will displace animals that were able to survive on the grassy golf course. Neighbors to Save Wellington Hills Park thinks the park that Snohomish County has designed isn't suited for a rural area such as Woodinville. The group wants the proposed park to be replaced with a "natural-style park" designed for a rural area, such as the Burke-Gilman trail, or for the current design to be built elsewhere. "We think it'd be great to have a rural park, but if you're going to build an urban sports complex, build it somewhere that can handle it," Bailey stated. Tom Teigen, Snohomish County parks director, wasn't surprised by the appeals, but he contradicts some of the park's opponents' concerns, saying that Snohomish County considered several other locations for the park, but this property was the only one they were able to purcha Read more...
Appeals filed to stop park construction
The Woodinville Weekly - The City of Woodinville and local nonprofit group Neighbors to Save Wellington Hills Park have filed appeals to try to stop construction of a park where the Wellington Hills Golf Course now stands. They say the planned park violates the Land Use Protection Act, the State Environmental Policy Act and the Growth Management Act. Both sides in the ongoing debate about the park believe they have Woodinville residents' best interests at heart, but they disagree markedly about what kind of park would really benefit Woodinville and surrounding areas. The proposed Wellington Hills County Park would be located east of Snohomish-Woodinville Road and State Route 522, along 240th Street SE. The site falls within unincorporated Woodinville, on the Snohomish County side of the Snohomish-King County border. The 104-acre proposed park would include four lighted synthetic turf sports fields, three grass fields, playgrounds, picnic areas, two off-leash areas for dogs, walking and biking trails and open areas. According to Alexandra Sheeks, assistant to the Woodinville city manager, the City of Woodinville filed an appeal because of concerns about the park's effect on the environment, on traffic and on stormwater. "We filed an appeal and said they hadn't considered the full impacts," Sheeks said. Todd Bailey, a representative for Neighbors to Save Wellington Hills Park, said the group had similar reasons -- the traffic, noise and damage to the environment the park will cause -- for filing its appeal, which is independent of the City of Woodinville's. Snohomish County will widen and add a sidewalk to 240th Street SE, which runs through the middle of the park, but Bailey doesn't think this would be enough to support the additional traffic the park will draw to the area. He also fears increased traffic on that road will pose a safety hazard by slowing down emergency response vehicles. The lights and noise from the park will disturb people who live near Wellington Hills, according to Bailey, who pointed out that the noise from Pop Keeney field in Bothell can be heard up to two miles away. Also, leveling the ground and creating synthetic turf fields will displace animals that were able to survive on the grassy golf course. Neighbors to Save Wellington Hills Park thinks the park that Snohomish County has designed isn't suited for a rural area such as Woodinville. The group wants the proposed park to be replaced with a "natural-style park" designed for a rural area, such as the Burke-Gilman trail, or for the current design to be built elsewhere. "We think it'd be great to have a rural park, but if you're going to build an urban sports complex, build it somewhere that can handle it," Bailey stated. Tom Teigen, Snohomish County parks director, wasn't surprised by the appeals, but he contradicts some of the park's opponents' concerns, saying that Snohomish County considered several other locations for the park, but this property was the only one they were able to purcha Read more...
Wednesday, May 8, 2013 -- 3:18 pm
DUI reenactment shows life can change in an instant
The Woodinville Weekly - With prom, graduation and summer festivities approaching, emergency responders want to remind teenagers that life can change in an instant. Woodinville Police deputy and school resource officer Benjamin Callahan coordinated a true-to-life reenactment of a DUI accident in the Woodinville High School parking lot Friday morning. Woodinville Police, Woodinville Fire & Rescue, Airlift Northwest, Redmond Medic One and Washington State Patrol officers were all on site to show WHS seniors what could happen with "one bad choice." The scenario included two vehicles, one with three passengers and one with four. In the four-person vehicle, responders assessed two passengers with minor injuries, one with critical and one with serious injuries. The driver needed to be airlifted as he required immediate surgery. It took about 30 minutes for a helicopter to arrive on scene. In the car with three people, the front passenger was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected and died at the scene. A rear-seat passenger had serious head injuries. The driver claimed to have had "a couple of beers and smoked some weed." He was arrested and faced multiple charges: under-age drinking, vehicular homicide and several counts of vehicular assault. The drill was recorded by WHS students and shown on closed circuit television to the rest of the student body reinforcing the life-changing effects of one bad choice. Read more...
DUI reenactment shows life can change in an instant
The Woodinville Weekly - With prom, graduation and summer festivities approaching, emergency responders want to remind teenagers that life can change in an instant. Woodinville Police deputy and school resource officer Benjamin Callahan coordinated a true-to-life reenactment of a DUI accident in the Woodinville High School parking lot Friday morning. Woodinville Police, Woodinville Fire & Rescue, Airlift Northwest, Redmond Medic One and Washington State Patrol officers were all on site to show WHS seniors what could happen with "one bad choice." The scenario included two vehicles, one with three passengers and one with four. In the four-person vehicle, responders assessed two passengers with minor injuries, one with critical and one with serious injuries. The driver needed to be airlifted as he required immediate surgery. It took about 30 minutes for a helicopter to arrive on scene. In the car with three people, the front passenger was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected and died at the scene. A rear-seat passenger had serious head injuries. The driver claimed to have had "a couple of beers and smoked some weed." He was arrested and faced multiple charges: under-age drinking, vehicular homicide and several counts of vehicular assault. The drill was recorded by WHS students and shown on closed circuit television to the rest of the student body reinforcing the life-changing effects of one bad choice. Read more...
Wednesday, May 8, 2013 -- 3:17 pm
Police Beat - May 6, 2013
The Woodinville Weekly - LIKELY STORY Police happened upon an abandoned vehicle that had the hallmarks of recent accident damage. The owner of the car left a license plate behind, however, and on the day following his car's discovery called police to report that the car had been stolen. Skeptics that they are, the police found fault with the man's story, thus leading him to revise his narrative and admit that the car had, indeed, been in an accident. FOOTLOOSE After her car was hit by another driver, a woman called police when the man who made impact tried to evade responsibility by leaving the scene. Wisely or unwisely the woman and her family tried to block the wrongdoer's car, leading to her father's foot being run over. They provided the miscreant's license plate number to police, who were able to locate the man at his home. But he wasn't home for long: police hauled him into jail for both the hit-and-run as well as negligent driving. Read more...
Police Beat - May 6, 2013
The Woodinville Weekly - LIKELY STORY Police happened upon an abandoned vehicle that had the hallmarks of recent accident damage. The owner of the car left a license plate behind, however, and on the day following his car's discovery called police to report that the car had been stolen. Skeptics that they are, the police found fault with the man's story, thus leading him to revise his narrative and admit that the car had, indeed, been in an accident. FOOTLOOSE After her car was hit by another driver, a woman called police when the man who made impact tried to evade responsibility by leaving the scene. Wisely or unwisely the woman and her family tried to block the wrongdoer's car, leading to her father's foot being run over. They provided the miscreant's license plate number to police, who were able to locate the man at his home. But he wasn't home for long: police hauled him into jail for both the hit-and-run as well as negligent driving. Read more...
Wednesday, May 8, 2013 -- 3:10 pm
Hamilton stars as Falcons hold off Vikings, 5-3
The Woodinville Weekly - Derek Svanevik rapped two hits, and Stephan White and Davis Ballie each drove in two runs, as Woodinville topped Inglemoor 5-3 on April 29th at Woodinville High School. This night would be best remembered, however, by the overall play of Falcon shortstop Caleb Hamilton. Batting in the leadoff spot, his numbers may seem pedestrian -- 1 for 2 with 1 run scored. But in his four official at-bats, he reached base safely all four times. And in the field, the senior's dynamic presence was felt throughout the game, with special plays like the one he made in the top of the first. With the game underway, Inglemoor threatened to draw first blood -- but it never got that far. With two runners aboard, the Vikings' Brandon Edwards hit a chopper over the mound that spelled trouble. But Hamilton broke to his left to spear the ball, tag an incoming runner headed toward second, before pirouetting and firing to first for the electric double play. Overall for the night, Hamilton would record six assists and two put-outs, with flawless play in the field at shortstop. Offensively, Woodinville jumped out early in the bottom of the first. Falcon first sacker Davis Ballie smashed a bases loaded double to drive in two runs. A couple batters later, pitcher Stephan White lined a two-run single, to help bolster himself to a healthy lead. After surrendering two runs in the top of the second, White settled into a groove and held the visiting Vikes scoreless through the sixth inning. He left the game having pitched six innings and giving up one earned run on three hits. He walked three and struck out two. In the bottom of the sixth, the Falcons got an insurance run when right fielder Derek Svanevik grounded into a fielder's choice to score White. This upped the Woodinville lead to 5-2. In the top of the seventh, Eric Anthony entered for the Falcons in relief in an attempt to close things out. He faltered momentarily as the Vikings rapped two hits and pushed across a run. But with the score now at 5-3, and slight unease rising amid the home crowd, Anthony bore down. With one runner aboard and two outs, Anthony twirled in a sidearm curveball at which the final Inglemoor hitter flailed away for strike three. Game over. Woodinville's victory improved their record to 12-7 and ensured them a spot in the playoffs, which began May 4th (See page 1). Hamilton, a senior shortstop, finished the regular season with a robust .440 batting average and .547 on-base percentage. "The guys really stepped up tonight," he said afterwards. "We've been kind of average, but we really stepped it up and separated ourselves from Inglemoor." With his Woodinville career coming to a close, Hamilton will be playing for the Washington Huskies next season. He was asked to reflect on his prep years. "It was a good career," he said. "The coaches helped me to become a man. I was a little immature going into my sophomore year and the coaches helped me with that." Read more...
Hamilton stars as Falcons hold off Vikings, 5-3
The Woodinville Weekly - Derek Svanevik rapped two hits, and Stephan White and Davis Ballie each drove in two runs, as Woodinville topped Inglemoor 5-3 on April 29th at Woodinville High School. This night would be best remembered, however, by the overall play of Falcon shortstop Caleb Hamilton. Batting in the leadoff spot, his numbers may seem pedestrian -- 1 for 2 with 1 run scored. But in his four official at-bats, he reached base safely all four times. And in the field, the senior's dynamic presence was felt throughout the game, with special plays like the one he made in the top of the first. With the game underway, Inglemoor threatened to draw first blood -- but it never got that far. With two runners aboard, the Vikings' Brandon Edwards hit a chopper over the mound that spelled trouble. But Hamilton broke to his left to spear the ball, tag an incoming runner headed toward second, before pirouetting and firing to first for the electric double play. Overall for the night, Hamilton would record six assists and two put-outs, with flawless play in the field at shortstop. Offensively, Woodinville jumped out early in the bottom of the first. Falcon first sacker Davis Ballie smashed a bases loaded double to drive in two runs. A couple batters later, pitcher Stephan White lined a two-run single, to help bolster himself to a healthy lead. After surrendering two runs in the top of the second, White settled into a groove and held the visiting Vikes scoreless through the sixth inning. He left the game having pitched six innings and giving up one earned run on three hits. He walked three and struck out two. In the bottom of the sixth, the Falcons got an insurance run when right fielder Derek Svanevik grounded into a fielder's choice to score White. This upped the Woodinville lead to 5-2. In the top of the seventh, Eric Anthony entered for the Falcons in relief in an attempt to close things out. He faltered momentarily as the Vikings rapped two hits and pushed across a run. But with the score now at 5-3, and slight unease rising amid the home crowd, Anthony bore down. With one runner aboard and two outs, Anthony twirled in a sidearm curveball at which the final Inglemoor hitter flailed away for strike three. Game over. Woodinville's victory improved their record to 12-7 and ensured them a spot in the playoffs, which began May 4th (See page 1). Hamilton, a senior shortstop, finished the regular season with a robust .440 batting average and .547 on-base percentage. "The guys really stepped up tonight," he said afterwards. "We've been kind of average, but we really stepped it up and separated ourselves from Inglemoor." With his Woodinville career coming to a close, Hamilton will be playing for the Washington Huskies next season. He was asked to reflect on his prep years. "It was a good career," he said. "The coaches helped me to become a man. I was a little immature going into my sophomore year and the coaches helped me with that." Read more...
Wednesday, May 8, 2013 -- 3:09 pm
WHS soccer: senior Michael Aldridge goes out a winner
The Woodinville Weekly - On April 30th at Woodinville High School, Michael Aldridge stepped onto the field for the final time. The senior captain and his fellow teammates lined up and prepared to face off against Newport to close out the 2013 season. It had been a season to forget. With only two wins and 11 losses, the Falcons were an afterthought in terms of playoffs. But for tonight, there was one last chance to play together. Woodinville coach Nathan Davis, dressed in black on this chilly evening, gazed intensely toward the field. He knew of Newport's offensive firepower and felt for his team to have any chance, they couldn't afford to fall behind early. Over the next couple hours, Newport blew several scoring chances, drawing oohs and ahhs each time from the crowd. The game remained a 0-0 squeaker until only 90 seconds remained in regulation. That's when Woodinville's Ionatan Kuperwajs got into prime position and booted the ball into the net for the game's only goal. Time ran out and Falcon players and coaches exalted. Davis hugged five players at once, shouting that he loved them and was proud of them. After a team meeting at midfield, the players dispersed and Michael Aldridge was intercepted by this reporter. "It's nice to get the win," Aldridge said. "We came together as a team. We played simple. I feel like it's one of the games where we worked for each other. "Even though we didn't make the playoffs, it's a good note to go out on." In a recent interview, coach Davis singled out Aldridge as being a positive and encouraging influence on the entire team. When told of this, Aldridge smiled. "My thing is just to control what we can control," he said. "You're going to have bad refs once in awhile. You're going to have those unlucky moments when you don't (get the goal). I think it's important to try to play simple. Keep your mental game, keep calm. If you do that, I think you can bring other people up. That's going to help your chances." Aldridge was asked to reflect on his senior season. "This is definitely one of the highest moments," he said gesturing toward the now empty field. "It's just nice, winning this last game. I feel like this is the only year that we've had a team that is bonded. "The low point was the game against Eastlake. That was one where everyone was just getting ... on each other. Afterward, we just sat them down and said 'let's control what we can control. Let's focus on us. We're going to work hard and a reward will come from it.'" When asked about coach Davis, Aldridge grinned. "I love him," he said. "He came here to a bunch of guys he didn't know in a brand new school. He's trying to develop a program. And he knows how to play the game. He understands what the game is about. He just knows to do the simple things and develop that team morale. "Davis is always joking with us," he said. "But he knows when to do it at the right times. He gets to know a player and then harasses ... them. For me, I was known as 'Lady Beckham.' He knows h Read more...
WHS soccer: senior Michael Aldridge goes out a winner
The Woodinville Weekly - On April 30th at Woodinville High School, Michael Aldridge stepped onto the field for the final time. The senior captain and his fellow teammates lined up and prepared to face off against Newport to close out the 2013 season. It had been a season to forget. With only two wins and 11 losses, the Falcons were an afterthought in terms of playoffs. But for tonight, there was one last chance to play together. Woodinville coach Nathan Davis, dressed in black on this chilly evening, gazed intensely toward the field. He knew of Newport's offensive firepower and felt for his team to have any chance, they couldn't afford to fall behind early. Over the next couple hours, Newport blew several scoring chances, drawing oohs and ahhs each time from the crowd. The game remained a 0-0 squeaker until only 90 seconds remained in regulation. That's when Woodinville's Ionatan Kuperwajs got into prime position and booted the ball into the net for the game's only goal. Time ran out and Falcon players and coaches exalted. Davis hugged five players at once, shouting that he loved them and was proud of them. After a team meeting at midfield, the players dispersed and Michael Aldridge was intercepted by this reporter. "It's nice to get the win," Aldridge said. "We came together as a team. We played simple. I feel like it's one of the games where we worked for each other. "Even though we didn't make the playoffs, it's a good note to go out on." In a recent interview, coach Davis singled out Aldridge as being a positive and encouraging influence on the entire team. When told of this, Aldridge smiled. "My thing is just to control what we can control," he said. "You're going to have bad refs once in awhile. You're going to have those unlucky moments when you don't (get the goal). I think it's important to try to play simple. Keep your mental game, keep calm. If you do that, I think you can bring other people up. That's going to help your chances." Aldridge was asked to reflect on his senior season. "This is definitely one of the highest moments," he said gesturing toward the now empty field. "It's just nice, winning this last game. I feel like this is the only year that we've had a team that is bonded. "The low point was the game against Eastlake. That was one where everyone was just getting ... on each other. Afterward, we just sat them down and said 'let's control what we can control. Let's focus on us. We're going to work hard and a reward will come from it.'" When asked about coach Davis, Aldridge grinned. "I love him," he said. "He came here to a bunch of guys he didn't know in a brand new school. He's trying to develop a program. And he knows how to play the game. He understands what the game is about. He just knows to do the simple things and develop that team morale. "Davis is always joking with us," he said. "But he knows when to do it at the right times. He gets to know a player and then harasses ... them. For me, I was known as 'Lady Beckham.' He knows h Read more...
Wednesday, May 8, 2013 -- 3:06 pm
'Assisted Living' is a comedy with bite
The Woodinville Weekly - It's a fact that we are living longer, and that we can attribute this increased life expectancy to continuous breakthroughs in medical research and technology. No one would have imagined years ago that we would be able to survive illness to the extent we are currently experiencing today. Yet, with this optimism comes a host of concerns and issues looming on the horizon, most significant among them a possible collapse of the healthcare marketplace. Against this backdrop, Seattle playwright Katie Forgette imagines aged baby boomers living in a "prisonlike" senior residence, shortly after the demise of Medicare. In her play, "Assisted Living," now having its world-premiere at ACT Theatre, such facilities, once penitentiaries, are now nursing homes operated by the government under the Senior Provision Act, a.k.a. "SPA." The elderly who occupy them are forced to sell all their assets to pay for every item needed for their government-run care, even oxygen and bags for bodily fluids. In SPA Facility #273, the rules are strict, with specific times for chatting and for quiet. At night, a robot named "Hal" patrols the darkened halls and during the day, the residents are in the care of the bitter, ever-controlling Nurse Claudia (Julie Briskman). She rules the ward with an iron hand and a hypodermic needle, viewing her elderly flock with complete disdain and resentment. To her, these people are all worthless and undeserving of respect or compassion. She takes delight in stripping them of their dignity and in constantly reminding them of the bad habits they engaged in during their lives which led to their chronic health problems. In her mind, the residents are all leeches, who have drained society's resources, leaving her generation without any entitlements. Newly arrived resident Joe Taylor (Kurt Beattie) enters the scene to find an institutionalized community stripped of basic freedoms. Disturbed by these conditions, he makes it his mission to elevate the spirits of the other residents, who though deeply unhappy, appear resigned to accept their situation without a fight. They know if they dare to upset the status quo, Nurse Claudia will threaten them with banishment to the first floor, better known as the "twilight ward," where heavy sedation is the protocol. Those who are sent to this area of the facility never return. Taylor, who had been an actor, discovers other former actors at the residence and he persuades them to read plays together and to give a holiday performance for families and other residents. The activity becomes a way for the seniors to revolt against a dehumanizing system. Joining Taylor in this endeavor are Beatrice "Judy" Hart (Marianne Owen), Wally Carmichael (Jeff Steitzer), and Mitzi Kramer (Laura Kenny). Each of these individuals has learned to employ different mechanisms to cope with their predicaments. As a former nurse, Mitzi, for example, tries to continue to care for others by doing her own "rounds" at the facility. Read more...
'Assisted Living' is a comedy with bite
The Woodinville Weekly - It's a fact that we are living longer, and that we can attribute this increased life expectancy to continuous breakthroughs in medical research and technology. No one would have imagined years ago that we would be able to survive illness to the extent we are currently experiencing today. Yet, with this optimism comes a host of concerns and issues looming on the horizon, most significant among them a possible collapse of the healthcare marketplace. Against this backdrop, Seattle playwright Katie Forgette imagines aged baby boomers living in a "prisonlike" senior residence, shortly after the demise of Medicare. In her play, "Assisted Living," now having its world-premiere at ACT Theatre, such facilities, once penitentiaries, are now nursing homes operated by the government under the Senior Provision Act, a.k.a. "SPA." The elderly who occupy them are forced to sell all their assets to pay for every item needed for their government-run care, even oxygen and bags for bodily fluids. In SPA Facility #273, the rules are strict, with specific times for chatting and for quiet. At night, a robot named "Hal" patrols the darkened halls and during the day, the residents are in the care of the bitter, ever-controlling Nurse Claudia (Julie Briskman). She rules the ward with an iron hand and a hypodermic needle, viewing her elderly flock with complete disdain and resentment. To her, these people are all worthless and undeserving of respect or compassion. She takes delight in stripping them of their dignity and in constantly reminding them of the bad habits they engaged in during their lives which led to their chronic health problems. In her mind, the residents are all leeches, who have drained society's resources, leaving her generation without any entitlements. Newly arrived resident Joe Taylor (Kurt Beattie) enters the scene to find an institutionalized community stripped of basic freedoms. Disturbed by these conditions, he makes it his mission to elevate the spirits of the other residents, who though deeply unhappy, appear resigned to accept their situation without a fight. They know if they dare to upset the status quo, Nurse Claudia will threaten them with banishment to the first floor, better known as the "twilight ward," where heavy sedation is the protocol. Those who are sent to this area of the facility never return. Taylor, who had been an actor, discovers other former actors at the residence and he persuades them to read plays together and to give a holiday performance for families and other residents. The activity becomes a way for the seniors to revolt against a dehumanizing system. Joining Taylor in this endeavor are Beatrice "Judy" Hart (Marianne Owen), Wally Carmichael (Jeff Steitzer), and Mitzi Kramer (Laura Kenny). Each of these individuals has learned to employ different mechanisms to cope with their predicaments. As a former nurse, Mitzi, for example, tries to continue to care for others by doing her own "rounds" at the facility. Read more...
Monday, May 6, 2013 -- 4:02 pm
Wash. homicide victims ID mailed to family
Associated Press - King County sheriffs detectives say theyre trying to identify whoever mailed the credit cards and drivers license of a Woodinville homicide victim to his family. Read more...
Wash. homicide victims ID mailed to family
Associated Press - King County sheriffs detectives say theyre trying to identify whoever mailed the credit cards and drivers license of a Woodinville homicide victim to his family. Read more...
Wednesday, May 1, 2013 -- 7:03 am
DB Cooper parachute packer ID'd as homicide victim
KOMO TV - Full story available at KOMO TV Read more...
DB Cooper parachute packer ID'd as homicide victim
KOMO TV - Full story available at KOMO TV Read more...
Tuesday, April 30, 2013 -- 7:01 pm
DB Cooper parachute packer IDd as homicide victim
Associated Press - The man who packed the parachutes used by infamous skyjacker D.B. Cooper more than four decades ago has been identified as the victim of a homicide in Washington state. Read more...
DB Cooper parachute packer IDd as homicide victim
Associated Press - The man who packed the parachutes used by infamous skyjacker D.B. Cooper more than four decades ago has been identified as the victim of a homicide in Washington state. Read more...
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