January 2013

At Large in Ballard: Filling a need

The week before Seattle Schools’ winter break was a heartbreaking time all over the country and very difficult for every grade school teacher who could imagine those classrooms so clearly. It was also the week Mrs. Niemeyer, 2nd Grade teacher at North Beach Elementary School, had been coordinating since late October: the second annual Fill to Feed during morning school patrol.

She had sent out “masses of invitation emails” and had confirmations from Evening Magazine, Senator Jeanne Kohl-Welles, Superintendent José Banda and Fire Station #35. Unfortunately the Mayor and someone from the Seahawks weren’t able to make an appearance during the students’ attempt to meet or beat the 2011 fundraising total of $1,200.

It was Meeghan Black from Evening Magazine, scheduled to film their show from North Beach on Monday, Dec. 17 who asked, “Will you still do it?”

Perhaps because she’s a parent to two daughters as well as an elementary school teacher Filina Niemeyer knew there was even more incentive to go forward with Fill to Feed; there needed to be positive action, there needed to be good in the midst of a tragedy that couldn’t have seemed more personal.

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Pet of the Week: Parker was originally Seattle so she's home

Parker is a Shepherd mix and the dog of Brandon Bogart and Annie Spring. The couple got Parker (who is a girl) in San Diego 3 and 1/2 years ago, as a rescue dog from Second Chance Dog Rescue in Point Loma. "She grew up as a kind of beach dog in San Jose for about a year and a half." Annie said, "and just came back to Seattle."

The couple are both originally from Washington State.

When they got Parker she had "two birthdays," the couple said that were 5 and 1/2 months apart. "It was very weird."

At the rescue facility Parker's original name of all things was, "Seattle." They had a previous dog that had passed away and Parker's was, "the first face we saw that didn't make us sad," said Annie.

They feed her Science Diet Lamb and Rice and since, "she's not a food motivated dog," said Annie they give her the Costco treats and usually in the "Kong" toy...a rubber dog toy into which treats can be stuffed.

Since coming to Seattle Parker, who the couple describe as somewhat timid has yet to make any canine friends but in San Diego she had a few. "She's a dog park dog so we take her to Magnuson Park."

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Two trailers and a box truck reported stolen from SeaTac with 7,000 WII-U game consoles recovered empty

Trailers Recovered in WII-U Thefts- Games Still Missing

King County Sheriff’s detectives said that two trailers and a box truck that were reported stolen from SeaTac on December 16th and were loaded with 7,000 WII-U game consoles have been recovered empty.

On December 19th, the box truck was located in Fife parked near a warehouse. The business logos had been removed from the truck.

On December 30th one of the trailers was recovered in Auburn near 277th and D St. The logos and Vin# had been covered with white paint. Additionally, “S.S. Trans” was painted on the front of the trailer.

The remaining trailer was located on January 2nd near Carson, California. The trailer’s logo had also been covered with white paint and marked with “S.S. Trans.”

SeaTac detectives are working with the Los Angeles based “Cargo Theft Task Force” on the case. Detectives said that the reward in the case has also been increased to $10,000 thanks to donations from private businesses.

The City of SeaTac contracts with the King County Sheriff’s Office for police services

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Teen charged as adult in home invasion robbery and rape near Burien

By all indications, the apartment was selected at random.

Two young men armed with handguns equipped with laser pointers were waiting at the base of a set of stairs in unincorporated King County, east of White Center and just north of Burien (in Top Hat). It was Nov. 12, 2012, it was dark outside, and the stairs led to the unit of a couple in their twenties and their 18-month-old son.

A 20-year-old man pulled up to his house on 6th Ave. S. around 8:40 p.m. after watching a football game with friends. His 23-year-old girlfriend was inside, and their infant was sleeping soundly on the couch.

As the man walked up to the stairs he saw the two men standing on either side and, before he knew what was happening, handguns were drawn and he was being forced to the door with a firearm aimed at his head.

What came next was a traumatic experience no one hopes to endure, and one of the men authorities allege is responsible for the crime is behind bars, charged with first degree robbery and first degree rape by the King County Prosecutor’s Office on Jan. 7.

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Trucks from WII Theft found- NO WII's

Update

Trailers Recovered in WII-U Thefts- Games Still Missing (King County Sheriff's Office press release)

SeaTac detectives said that two trailers and a box truck that were reported stolen from SeaTac on December 16th and were loaded with 7,000 WII-U game consoles have been recovered empty.

On December 19th, the box truck was located in Fife parked near a warehouse. The business logos had been removed from the truck.

On December 30th one of the trailers was recovered in Auburn near 277th and D St. The logos and Vin# had been covered with white paint. Additionally, “S.S. Trans” was painted on the front of the trailer.

The remaining trailer was located on January 2nd near Carson, California. The trailer’s logo had also been covered with white paint and marked with “S.S. Trans.”

SeaTac detectives are working with the Los Angeles based “Cargo Theft Task Force” on the case. Detectives said that the reward in the case has also been increased to $10,000 thanks to donations from private businesses.

The City of SeaTac contracts with the King County Sheriff’s Office for police services.

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Teen charged as adult in home invasion robbery and rape near White Center

By all indications, the apartment was selected at random.

Two young men armed with handguns equipped with laser pointers were waiting at the base of a set of stairs in unincorporated King County, east of White Center and just north of Burien (in Top Hat). It was Nov. 12, 2012, it was dark outside, and the stairs led to the unit of a couple in their twenties and their 18-month-old son.

A 20-year-old man pulled up to his house on 6th Ave. S. around 8:40 p.m. after watching a football game with friends. His 23-year-old girlfriend was inside, and their infant was sleeping soundly on the couch.

As the man walked up to the stairs he saw the two men standing on either side and, before he knew what was happening, handguns were drawn and he was being forced to the door with a firearm aimed at his head.

What came next was a traumatic experience no one hopes to endure, and one of the men authorities allege is responsible for the crime is behind bars, charged with first degree robbery and first degree rape by the King County Prosecutor’s Office on Jan. 7.

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Krakowiak ousts Clark as Burien deputy mayor

With the absence of council members Joan McGilton and Gerald Robison at the Jan. 7 Burien City Council meeting, Rose Clark was replaced by Lucy Krakowiak as deputy mayor.

Councilmember Jack Block Jr. nominated Krakowiak while Mayor Brian Bennett nominated Clark.
Block, Krakowiak and Councilmember Bob Edgar voted for Krakowiak. Bennett and Clark voted for Clark.

McGilton and Robison usually vote with Bennett and Clark to make up a council majority while Krakowiak, Block and Edgar often form a voting block.

City Manager Mike Martin suggested the deputy manager vote, normally scheduled for the first council meeting of the new year, be postponed until all members were present.

Block noted he was not present last year when the council voted for mayor and deputy mayor. Bennett is serving a two-year term as mayor.

Noting the absence of the two council members, Block said, “It is unfortunate but city business must gone on.”

Clark argued the council has a history of not voting on important issues when members are absent.

Neighborhood
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Ballard High baseball preview

Over on the Ballard High School's baseball home page, head coach Doug Montgomery gives us a nice preview of the baseball season to come. You can read it in full below.

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The Ballard Baseball outfield will once again be lead by 4-year letterman and recent Santa Clara signee Rory Graf-Brennen. Rory was a 2nd Team All-KingCo Honoree last season as a junior, after hitting .339, with an astounding .541 on-base percentage, and .559 slugging percentage. We expect Rory's quickness to have a big impact atop the batting lineup, and in center field as well.

Neighborhood
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Construction worker injured when pallet falls

A 37-year-old construction worker was injured today when a pallet apparently fell on him. He suffered non-life threatening injuries but it was serious enough to send him to the hospital.

The accident happened in the 4500 block of 42nd Ave. S.W. where construction workers are building a seven-story mixed-use building with retail space and 131 apartments.

More details on the project can be found here.

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