December 2011

AUBURN - Alameda, California, capitalized on its size and player roster advantage to deal Foster a girls basketball 67-23 loss on Tuesday, Dec. 20, as part of the Northwest All-Stars Les Schwab Winter Classic.

Against the short-handed Bulldog squad, the talented Hornets swarmed the Auburn Adventist Academy courts to deliver deadly stings that would prove to be fatal to any Foster hopes of victory.

While successfully executing its inside-outside game, Alameda dealt out destruction on defense with steals while controlling the rebounds.

The Hornets flew to the first 15 points of the game en route to a 24-3 first quarter lead that projected out to the overwhelming victory.

Six-foot, one-inch junior Marie Bertholdt led all scorers with 19 points - 15 in the first half - while Geena Greene was also in double figures with 14.

Guard Bianca Benevides hustled on the court for 10 Foster points.

When Foster has all the pieces of its roster put together in January, the true nature of this talented team will be revealed in its full reality.

Although it was the University of Washington Huskies that defeated the Washington State Cougars 38-21 in this season's Apple Cup held at Century Link Field on Nov. 26, graduates from the Highline area high schools representing both Seattle and Pullman had cause to be thankful and excited.

For the Husky football squad, seniors Senio Kelemete and Everette Thompson plus junior Luther Leonard led the way as they looked forward to bowl game action which turned out to be the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio against the Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III-led Baylor Bears on Dec. 29.

After an outstanding high school career - including being honored as the Seamount League's Lineman of the Year on both offense and defense - at Evergreen High School, the 6-4, 301-lb Kelemete played in eight of the Huskies' 12 games as a defensive tackle in 2008. The 2007 Wolverine graduate notched three unassisted tackles during the season.

29-year-old Johnny Rourn pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree murder (for the shooting death of Jayme Thomas) and second-degree assault (for injuring a 24-year-old male friend of Thomas's) on Dec. 22, according to King County Prosecutors.

Rourn is charged in the shooting that occurred on Nov. 5 at Redondo Beach in Des Moines.

His next court date is January 31 at 1:00pm in courtroom GA at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center. Rourn remains in jail on $1 million bail, according to Ian Goodhew with the prosecutor's office.

For additional background on the case, please check out The Highline Times story, "I shouldn't have given him that gun" Suspected shooter in Jayme Thomas case charged with second degree murder

Although it was the University of Washington Huskies that defeated the Washington State Cougars 38-21 in this season's Apple Cup held at Century Link Field on Nov. 26, graduates from the Highline area high schools representing both Seattle and Pullman had cause to be thankful and excited.

For the Husky football squad, seniors Senio Kelemete and Everette Thompson plus junior Luther Leonard led the way as they looked forward to bowl game action which turned out to be the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio against the Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III-led Baylor Bears on Dec. 29.

After an outstanding high school career - including being honored as the Seamount League's Lineman of the Year on both offense and defense - at Evergreen High School, the 6-4, 301-lb Kelemete played in eight of the Huskies' 12 games as a defensive tackle in 2008. The 2007 Wolverine graduate notched three unassisted tackles during the season.

The first time, night time Farmers market was staged at Junction Plaza Park in West Seattle on Dec. 22. Back to back Sunday holidays with Christmas and New Years made trying this special event a good way for people to stock up on last-minute farm fresh goodies. The normal Sunday farmer market will not be open those two days.

Among the items for sale were winter squashes, potatoes and other root veggies, winter greens and other winter produce, fresh cut flowers, sweet treats, and some of the finest meats, cheeses and fish available. There was live music, hot cider and genuine chestnuts – actually roasting on an open fire.

After Dec 22, the growers will take a break and and then be back for the regular market every Sunday starting January 8, 2012.

http://www.seattlefarmersmarkets.org/markets/west_seattle

Dec. 21 marked the precise midpoint for the four-year term of King County Executive Dow Constantine. In honor of this milestone, his office has published a list of Constantine's achievements during his first two years in office.

"The common theme of many of our accomplishments is partnership - finding a way for people to work together who maybe didn't work so well together before," said Executive Constantine in the press release.

According to the statement, Constantine took office with a reform agenda that promised to develop a culture of performance that changes the way King County does business; embrace new ideas to bring reform to County government; forge innovative partnerships; and provide the infrastructure for transportation that is critical to building prosperity and competing for aerospace and other family-wage jobs.

Two years into the current term, Constantine's administration cites the following among their accomplishments:

- King County is back on sound financial footing, through performance-based management that is reducing growth in the cost of government and leading to budgets that are sustainable and live within means.

By Anne-Marije Rook

Dec. 21 marked the precise midpoint for the four-year term of King County Executive Dow Constantine. In honor of this milestone, his office has published a list of Constantine's achievements during his first two years in office.

"The common theme of many of our accomplishments is partnership - finding a way for people to work together who maybe didn't work so well together before," said Executive Constantine in the press release.

According to the statement, Constantine took office with a reform agenda that promised to develop a culture of performance that changes the way King County does business; embrace new ideas to bring reform to County government; forge innovative partnerships; and provide the infrastructure for transportation that is critical to building prosperity and competing for aerospace and other family-wage jobs.

Two years into the current term, Constantine's administration cites the following among their accomplishments:

Mayor Mike McGinn called on Police Chief John Diaz on Wednesday, Dec. 21, to begin carrying out reforms urged by the US Department of Justice in its report of the Seattle Police Department use of force.

The DOJ report, released last week, criticized the SPD was for its excessive and unconstitutional use of force. A letter containing the complete findings was delivered to Mayor McGinn and Police Chief Diaz.

On Wednesday McGinn announced that he has ordered Diaz to immediately begin implementation of reforms outlined in the DOJ's report.

"We have heard from the public and now the federal government that more must be done. We agree. Let us be very clear: we are committed to reform," McGinn said. "This process of change cannot wait."

McGinn stated that the city will also convene a public review panel to oversee the implementation of these reforms.

"The people of Seattle deserve a police force that fights crime in a way that is fair and equitable. We deserve a police force that is well trained and accountable for its actions. We deserve a police force that is respectful and professional in all areas, and worthy of the community’s trust," McGinn said in his letter.

The Department of Justice issued a stinging criticism of the Seattle Police Department just five days ago, calling the department "broken" with regard to "excessive and unconstitutional use of force." Wednesday, Dec. 21, Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn issued a letter detailing changes and ordering a review of the department.

His letter states that "a public review panel to oversee the implementation" of the reforms he is calling for will be established.

Since the use of force was the focus of the DOJ critique, the reforms McGinn outlines will change the way the department will review use-of-force incidents.

Chief John Diaz created an interim "Force Review Board" 90 days ago consisting of supervisors, use-of-force trainers and commanders that meet weekly to review every use-of-force incident.

Another change calls for a new system of direct supervision of one sergeant per squad.

On December 20, King County Executive Dow Constantine and Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn announced the renewal of federal homeless assistance grants totaling more than $21.8 million. These funds make it possible to continue to provide a range of housing and supportive services for individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

One of the beneficiaries of the grants is Crown Hill's Labateyah Indian Youth Home. The organization was awarded $343,56, which will help them continue to provide housing and services to homeless youth.
 
“These annual grants are essential as we work to help people rebuild their lives and find safe and stable housing,” said Mayor McGinn in a press release. “The federal funds are especially important in our efforts to preserve basic human services in Seattle and throughout the region.”