November 2006

Val Seid named KingCo 'Coach of the Year'

By Dean Wong

Despite a season-ending playoff loss on Oct. 28, the future of the Ballard Beavers holds great promise with a talented roster and the KingCo 4A League's top coach, Val Seid.

Seid was voted the Coach of the Year by his fellow coaches. In his first year as head coach, Seid led the Beavers to their first playoff appearance since the school joined KingCo in 2004.

Ballard finished the regular season with 6-4-0 league record.

"It feels good the coaches felt like I deserved it," said Seid.

Hard work paid off for two Ballard Beaver boys' tennis players this season as they earned the right to play in the KingCo 4A Tournament at the Nordstrom Tennis Center.

The Beavers number one singles player, Mitchell Chavez started the tournament in the second round, beating Rodrigo Banderia of Eastlake 6-0 and 6-2. Chavez then lost to James Russell of Juanita. No score was reported.

Kevin Baulmer, Ballard's number two player was matched up with Tom Plunkett of Garfield in the first round.

In cross country, the Ballard Beavers needed to finish in fourth or better to qualify for state and were in position to do so with Meaghan McClure in 25th place and 50 meters from the finish line.

During the meet, held at Finn Hill Junior High School in Kirkland, Head Coach Bruce Drager shouted encouragement to his girl runners, informing them of their position and telling them to overtake the runners ahead of them.

McClure was 50 meters from the finish when she passed out from hyperventilation.

1. Officers arrived at the scene of a physical domestic dispute called in from an apartment complex at 27912 Pacific Highway South. Upon arrival, the officers spoke with the suspect, who stated that after a physical argument about her leaving the home, she "trashed" all of her partner's belongings. She told officers that she asked the victim to call police. The victim concurs with this story. Over $1500 in damage was done in the home home, some of it with a knife. Both parties denied any physical assault. Officers snapped a few photos of the scene.

It was pretty cold last week, just as the weather guy had warned us, so and I stocked up on fire logs in preparation for the first fire in my new woodstove.

I popped open the door and made the usual kindling teepee, then pulled out my secret weapon.

I don't mess with matches anymore since I've discovered the beauty the propane torch.

Although the city catches a lot of flack about the peculiar timing of its traffic lights, it appears as though its roadway experts have taken a step towards eliminating some of the confusion in navigating Federal Way's arterials.

According to Rick Perez, Traffic Engineer for the city, Federal Way is installing a new type of traffic signal display dubbed a "Flashing Yellow Arrow" at the busy intersection of 9th Avenue South and South 336th Street.

The new contraption will begin service on November 8.

This type of display has been undergoing experimentation natio

Federal Way announced last week that it has added another large piece of property to help realize its downtown revitalization goals.

Mr. and Mrs. Andrew C. Cratsenberg Sr. and the city have negotiated an agreement that will transfer ownership of the 4.4 acre former AMC Theater site in downtown Federal Way to the city for $4.1 million.

The property, located at 31600 20th Avenue South and adjacent to the new Federal Way Transit Center, is considered an excellent candidate for redevelopment.

The Federal Way Police Department is providing the following information to the public concerning a Level 3 Registered Sex Offender residing in the 1700 Block of 305th Place South.

Percy Comeslast is a 28-year-old male, 5'07" tall, approximately 175 pounds, with brown eyes and brown hair.

In August of 2000, Comeslast entered an open window of a residence and attempted to sexually assault the female resident.

On October 26, 2006, the Federal Way Police Department arrested 13 individuals for soliciting a prostitute in the City of Federal Way.

Members of the Special Investigations Unit, Pro-Act Team, and Federal Way Police Patrol Officers teamed up for an undercover prostitution operation.

Boating

Coast Guard Auxiliary

Ongoing

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Des Moines Flotilla No. 32 regularly offers Boating Safety and Seamanship courses at Mount Rainier High School.

They cover the full range of boating safety subjects, including federal requirements, basic piloting, marlin spike, seamanship and boat handling.

The instruction is free, although there is a nominal fee for the student text and work books.