March 2006

The Blessing of the Fleet ceremony at Fishermen's Terminal symbolizes hopes for a safe journey by people who make their living on the sea. But two days before the event, tragedy struck one fisherman just a few feet from where the blessing took place.

On Sunday, March 12, fishermen, family members and community leaders gathered to wish fishermen well about fifty feet from where the bodies of two people were recovered two days prior.

Seattle Police have arrested a 52-year-old man in connection to the robbery of Irma Andrews in the Green Lake area last June. Andrews later died of head injuries that may have because of a fall during the robbery.

King County Prosecutors are now in the process of filing charges in five separate cases, relating to five victims linked to the suspect's crime spree dating back to February of last year. He faces two counts of Robbery in the First Degree, three counts of first-degree theft, residential burglary, possessing stolen property and forgery.

Carkeek Park is a 216 acre green space between Blue Ridge, Broadview and Shilshole Bay. It is one of the woolliest parks in Seattle. Within its boundaries are ravines, creeks, steep hillsides, beach front access and six miles of trails, all bordered by thick foliage. Residents in the area have become concerned about something growing around the park beyond sword ferns and lichen.

Neighbors are raising awareness about an increase of crime around the park's borders, and held a meeting last Wednesday, March 8, with Seattle City Council President Nick Licata, Police Chief R.

Coretta Scott King award winners

By Chris Gustafson

The Coretta Scott King awards are given yearly to recognize titles by African American authors that inspire and educate young people.

Skip Priest didn't get much sleep last week.

A diverse group of more than 60 advocates for youth-from sports coaches to city prosecutors-filled council chambers last Monday, each with the goal of protecting children affected by domestic violence.

Although each of them came from diverse backgrounds, they all carried with them the story of a child or children shattered by violence in their homes.

Gary Ernsdorff brought the memory of Michael.

The young boy-his life seriously and adversely impacted by abuse-quickly became the ad hoc mascot of a community forum to review Federal Way's response to children expo

Some see graffiti and tagging as an urban blight and eyesore; others view as it as post-modern public art.

Whatever side of the fence your allegiance stands, residents of Federal Way have seen an explosion of graffiti around the city in the past 18 months. On fences, sides of commercial buildings and ever increasingly, on residential garages and homes.

"It's really strange, about 13 years ago we had a big problem, particularly at the schools. Then it went away and we had almost no reports of graffiti for a long, long time.

As I write this it is snowing and I am reminded of our first winter living in Federal Way. This was long before the shopping metropolis it is now, long before incorporation, long before Interstate 5. In fact it was 1940 and my new bride and I had found a run down summer place on the north shore of Star Lake off 272nd. It rented for only $15 bucks a month and we were dazzled by the knotty pine paneling throughout the one bedroom charmer and the big fieldstone fireplace in the big living room.

Thursday night I went to dinner with my pal Little Ricky and his girlfriend. The dinner was a payback from Mrs. A and myself for some very nice granite tile work Ricky did for us in our kitchen at home. He always refuses money for stuff he does for friends and so we got him a gift certificate from the boat store and offered to take him out for a meal.

Ricky is not the tallest guy around, hence my nickname for him, but his personality is larger than life. Always smiling and quick with the teasing, he has tons of friends and we are glad he counts us among them.

Thief steals keys, truck while victim naps

1. A man contacted police to report the theft or unauthorized use of his blue 1989 Ford while parked at a friends house on the 29000 block of 18th Avenue South. The man told police that he left his keys in his coat pocket while he took a nap. When he awoke, he noticed his keys, his Ford truck and another acquaintance at the residence were gone. He is not certain whether the suspect took the vehicle. Officers are investigating the whereabouts of the suspect.

Music thieves on the loose

2. Sometime between 3 a.m.