December 2006

Deputy Steve Cox, who was killed in the line of duty on Dec.

Raymond O. Porter, 23, of Burien, killed himself-apparently accidentally-as he fell wounded in a gun battle with King County Sheriff's deputies early the morning of Dec. 2.

Porter, a reputed gang member, had just mortally wounded Deputy Steve Cox, shooting him twice in the head.

The officer inside a White Center home was interviewing him at the time.

One of the shots that killed Deputy Cox reportedly was made execution style.

Porter's death ended a violent night in which he was a central figure.

Around 10 p.m. Dec.

Burien officials applauded a favorable decision by the Washington Supreme Court last week that clears the way for development of the city's planned Town Square.

The high court decided not to hear a case challenging the city's condemnation of the land and building, occupied by Meal Makers restaurant, so a street can be built there as part of the downtown project.

Meal Makers' owner Kevin Fitz announced last week he will close his eatery on Friday, Dec.

Home displays of Christmas lights again brighten dark evenings this holiday season.

If you have a festival of lights in your yard that attracts drive-by holiday viewers, or have favorite displays in the Highline area that you enjoy seeing, please let us know.

A list of home displays based on readers' references will be published in the Dec. 20 Times/News so others can enjoy them, too.

E-mail the street address or block where these displays are located to newsdesk@robinsonnews.com by 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec.

Public Health - Seattle & King County and South King Fire & Rescue recently introduced a new King County Medic One unit for the Des Moines-Federal Way area.

The new paramedic unit - known by its call sign as Medic 13 - is quartered at South King Fire & Rescue Station 26 in Des Moines.

Its primary service area is Des Moines, Federal Way, SeaTac, Kent and Normandy Park.

Medic 13 will also provide backup, as needed, for the other seven paramedic units in King County Medic One.

Service began on September 1, 2006.

"Medic One is one of our great

For over 20 years, members of the South King Fire & Rescue Fire Department have helped needy families during the holidays.

Editor's note: This is the first of two articles on a "changing of the guard" at Highline Medical Center in Burien.

Officers were called to a High Point area residence after a woman got no response from her mother and could not open the door. Officers found that the door would open about an inch but no farther. They beat on the door and yelled "Seattle Police," repeatedly, with no result.

If you want to have fun this Christmas here is what you can do.

First you and your big brother walk about a half mile in frigid weather to a tree lot on the 24th and buy two scraggly trees, pay the man 50 cents and carry them home trying not to drag them on the cement.

Take them down in the basement and find your Dad's brace and bit and bore some holes in the trunk of the best tree and cut off some good branches from the extra tree and insert into holes you bored.

Many Sealth High School graduates remember Solomon "Sol" Birulin's familiar presence. He carried out his duties as half-time teacher of English, French and Russian while serving half time as curriculum coordinator. Sol was urged to prepare to become assistant principal, but he declined the title.

Sol was born in 1921 of Russian Jewish parents who had escaped from Russia to the city of Tientsin in China where he attended an English school. Early on he showed his striving for excellence by becoming the school's tennis champion and at age 17, junior chess champion.