September 2006

North Highline Fire Chief Russ Pritchard announced last week that he will retire as of Dec. 31.

The North Highline Fire District Commissioners (Fire District 11) have decided to "go in another direction," Pritchard told the Times/News.

His salary was raised by a unanimous vote of the commission to $16,500 a month, including longevity compensation, at their Sept. 7 meeting.

"We do these things as a board," said Commissioner Barbara Peters. "It's all part of a package deal.

"Nobody forced Russ out.

Burien celebrated the opening of a new neighborhood park on Sept. 15.

City staff members, neighbors, and members of the family whose father donated the land in 1999 gathered at the park for the dedication.

Mathison Park, at 533 S. 146th St. in east Burien, is named after Ted and Bernadine Mathison. They bought the mostly-wooded five acres in 1941 from the Sunnydale Goat Dairy and moved there in 1944.

Ted Mathison built a pumice block house on the site that is still standing.

The King County Council honored the late Judy Duff, a noted North Highline area activist, in a ceremony at its Sept.

Remember the good old days of "the Lindy Hop," "the Shag" and "the Tango?"

The musical memories of the 1930s and 40s that you (or your parents) may have listened to as you "cut the rug" or "jitterbugged" the night away?

If so, go see "The All-Night Strut," the Seattle Performing Arts Fellowship's season-opening extravaganza.

The fine folks at SPAF have come up with a real crowd-pleasing evening of sparkling singing, suave dancing and a little flirting thrown in for good measure.

The evening starts out with "Chattanooga Choo-Choo" (you remember, "pard

School spirit and a high school homecoming parade will add traditional fall pep to Burien's fifth annual OctoberFest/Von Boorian Days on Saturday, Sept. 30, and Sunday, Oct. 1.

New this year, the Highline High School Homecoming Parade at 10 a.m.

U.S. Sen. Patty Murray joined Sound Transit and Port of Seattle officials on Sept. 22 to break ground for a light rail extension directly to Sea-Tac International Airport and major airport roadway improvements.

"Extending light rail service to the airport will give travelers fast and reliable service to and from downtown Seattle," said Murray.

"Sound Transit Link light rail projects are helping connect communities, reduce congestion, increase mobility, and grow our economy.

after boys find gun

A 16-year-old Evergreen High School student was accidentally shot and killed on Sept. 21 by a 16-year-old relative.

Sgt. John Urquhart, King County Sheriff's Office spokesman, said around 9:30 p.m. the boys were in the basement of a home in the 12000 block of Occidental Avenue South.

The suspect was showing the victim, Michael Miller, a gun he reportedly had found on the street when it accidentally went off. The bullet struck Miller in the chest, fatally wounding him.

Football

Highline 19, Mt. Rainier 13

Anthony Watkins rumbled for a 10-yard touchdown and a 35-yard run for the Highline Pirates on Friday and J.J. Campos Jr. made the first kick but the second PAT attempt was missed.

Craig Robinson of Mount Rainier then scored on runs of 2 and 1 yards with a pass for two failing after the first and a successful Cesar Luna kick following the second.

Watkins got the last word in to win it for Highline. He scored on a 58-yard run and a failed pass left the final score at 19-13.

Kennedy 35, Hazen 0

John F. Kennedy avoided a knockout punch at home and finally came off the ropes to earn a unanimous 3-0 decision against Evergreen of White Center Thursday night in an entertaining and explosive Seamount League King Division girls volleyball main event at the Lancer court.

Kennedy ran its records to 10-1 overall and 5-0 in league while Evergreen ended the night at 3-2 in league play.

"Evergreen has some really outstanding players," said Lancer head coach Tom Muckerheide.

Some people at the farmer's market were surprised that Elsbeth could wander around during her hip replacement rehab. She uses a walker while looking for bargains in blueberries and peaches and maybe some fresh corn.

It is not easy. We carry a small wooden stool in the trunk and when I place it by the car door she can step on it and grab a strap and hoist herself into the car.

To get out she just kind of slides out on her bottom till her feet hit the ground.