June 2008

"Fewer Schools-More Money"

That definitely won't be the rallying cry for those supporting a school-construction bond that could be on the ballot in March.

However, with rapidly rising construction costs, that would be the reality Highline Public Schools board members were told last week.

Assistant Superintendent Geri Fain pointed out the $189.5 million bond approved in 2002 to pay for 10 projects, including replacement of seven schools, would cost $407 million if passed in 2008.

The $148 million bond, passed two years ago for technolog

The Des Moines City Council approved on June 26, with two conditions, the city's six-year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for 2009-2014.

The conditions consisted of removing Redondo Beach Drive from the list of priorities and moving Kent-Des Moines Road improvements up on the priority list.

Improvement projects include phases two and three of the Des Moines Creek Trail Project, North Twin Bridge repairs, Saltwater Bridge repairs, street and road improvements, roadway reconstruction and intersection improvement on Marine View Drive, and Barnes Creek Nature Trail c

The Hi-Liners DownStage Center has announced an exclusive three-performance engagement of Disney's "Mulan Jr." July 11-13 at the Kent-Meridian Performing Arts Center, located on the campus of Kent-Meridian High School.

These performances highlight a couple of firsts for the Hi-Liners, a Burien-based non-profit youth theater company.

This is their first time generating a production in the city of Kent and the first time they have been named the featured theater event for the Kent Cornucopia Days, sponsored by the Kent Lions.

Under the eye of Maggie Rasnick, gues

A bank robber has hit the KeyBank in Burien twice this month. Both robberies were on Saturday mornings. No gun was seen and a note was passed to the teller in each robbery.

The bank is located at 655 S.W. 152 St.

The first robbery was on June 7th at 11:30 a.m. The robber left the bank in a full size, older medium-blue Ford pick-up truck without a canopy.

The most recent robbery on June 21st was at 10:10 a.m.

South Highline National played West Seattle tough, but was roughed up via a sixth-inning rally for a 7-6 loss in a Little League District 7 All-Stars 10-11 year olds winner's bracket final match-up at Pacwest Fields Wednesday.

"We've always played each other tough," said Doug Thurber, SHN manager.

Led by some good pitching by committee from relief pitchers, Jeremy Hoefer and Sam Maitland, and, not to forget starter Robert Jones, the South Highline National 10-11 All Stars team, which bounced back from a demoralizing, 7-6, last-ups loss to West Seattle two nights earlier, beat Rainier, 7-1, in the loser bracket final at Pacwest Fields Friday.

Now SHN's 10-11 all stars gets to play West Seattle again, which was a game played Saturday morning (after press time) for all the marbles of getting to represent District 7 at state.

"We can play with those guys," said manager

Boating

Coast Guard Auxiliary

Ongoing

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Des Moines Flotilla No. 32 regularly offers Boating Safety and Seamanship courses in the Federal Way and Des Moines areas.

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.

On June 22 at 12:02 a.m. Federal Way Police and Fire personnel were called to the 2600 block of Southwest 333rd Place to a report of an injured child.

Upon arrival, officers contacted the father of the male seven-month-old victim. The father was holding the deceased child.

The final end to what was for a while an historic building and it seems fit that there is an Historic Ballard sign to the left of the photo. The Denny's restaurant was demolished by crews on Wednesday morning, clearing the land for yet another Ballard condominium. Photo by Mel Kang.

Pro instruction offered

Local tennis professional Steve Walters again offers area tennis lessons at outdoor locations this summer. Walters, certified Pro 1 by the United States Professional Tennis Association since 1986, has coached at some of the world's top tennis resorts and academies in Florida, California, Texas and Canada. Also he traveled on the men's professional tour, including the 1988 U.S.