June 2013

The following letter was sent to Seattle Public Schools staff, students and parents on June 12, 2013:

Dear Seattle Public Schools community:

As the 2012-2013 school year draws to a close, I want to thank you all for welcoming me in my first year as your Superintendent. It has been a pleasure to get to know the schools and community and learn about the ideas and concerns each of you have. My conversations with educators, students, families, staff and community members have provided insight for changes and priorities, both for this year and for the future.

Throughout the year we’ve celebrated successes and addressed challenges. The 2,900 students graduating from high school this year are a visible reminder that our primary purpose continues to be ensuring that students graduate prepared for college, career and life.

We are building for the future

CONTACT: Sgt. Katie Larson
(206) 255-0778 C
(206) 296-7528 O
Case No.13-011809

Help needed to identify violent bank robbery suspect

The suspect pictured below is suspected of committing a series of bank robberies the first on January 16, 2013 at a Key Bank in Newcastle. The suspect most recently robbed the Sterling Savings Bank in Burien on June 8, 2013.

These are “take-over” robberies where the suspect is not afraid to control both customers and employees. The suspect is escalating in violence. He fired a gun at one branch and struck a bank teller with his fist in another.

The suspect is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the King County Sheriff’s Office, the Seattle Police Department or the FBI. Crime Stoppers is also offering a reward. All investigators are part of the Safe Streets Task Force.

The suspect is described as a black male, 5’07”, medium build, wears a mask but often forgets to pull it over his face (hence the photo’s). Additional photo’s available.

The West Seattle Herald is pleased to announce a new advice column entitled ‘Maggie's Field Notes.’ The Herald is looking to you guys to help make this work. We want to hear from you. Is your mind churning over a work-related decision? Are you wondering how to deal with a personal situation at home or starting up a new relationship? Ask Maggie completely anonymously for any advice, at maggiesfieldnotes@gmail.com. We look forward to it!

Dear Maggie:

Throughout the years, I've taken on the role of mediator between my parents and siblings. Everyone comes to me with gripes and complaints, and they’re always asking for my opinion on their situations. I am the middle child and have been playing the "listener" of my family forever. After I give them my opinion on what's happening, they use what I say against me as a base in their arguments with the other family members. How do I get out of this terrible family role?

-Mother's Mediator, West Seattle

Dear Mother's Mediator:

Playing faster, scoring better, hitting more lofted irons into greens, improving pace of play and having more fun on the golf course are at the heart of the first-ever TEE IT FORWARD Weekend jointly promoted by The PGA of America and the United States Golf Association. During the weekend of June 22-23, The PGA and the USGA are encouraging golfers to move up a tee to improve their experience on the golf course.

TEE IT FORWARD, which was first introduced in 2011 as a way to increase the enjoyment of golf, has been widely acclaimed by golfers, golf course operators and industry leaders, including golf legend Jack Nicklaus.

“Golf is a game that should be fun to play, but many golfers make it far too hard by playing from distances that don’t match up to their abilities,” said Nicklaus. “I encourage everyone playing golf on June 22-23 to move up and give TEE IT FORWARD a try. They’ll find the game much more enjoyable…and maybe they’ll even make a few more pars and birdies along the way.”

A second championship game went to the Dodgers by a 22-12 score in the PacWest Little League Majors tournament Sunday.

The Dodgers had defeated the previously undefeated Orioles, 12-9, the day before to set up the second meeting for the title.

The game started off with John Kemp pitching the Dodgers to a 10-4 lead after four innings.

Depleted of pitching after three games to get from the loser's bracket to the championship games, the Dodgers managed two outs before surrendering home runs to Noah Gordon and Bernie Jones in an eight-run fifth inning for the Orioles. The top of the sixth brought up the top of the Dodgers' lineup and they exploded for a 12-run inning.

Mark McClean picked up the win and held the Orioles scoreless in the bottom of the sixth for a final score of 22-12.

The Dodgers' offense was fueled by the hitting of Trenton Brown, who went 3-for-4 with two triples, a walk and five runs scored. Kemp hit 3-for-4 with two doubles, a walk and four runs scored and Ethan Weets went 2-for-3 with two walks and four runs scored.

Brown also played catcher and had a pickoff at first.

The Seattle Police Department is looking for three teens who reportedly lit their homework on fire near the intersection of California Ave. S.W. and S.W. Lander St. on the afternoon of June 14 in West Seattle.

Nothing like celebrating the last day of school with an arrest!

Police released the above "sketch" of Beavis and Butt-head, joking from their Twitter account: "Our sketch artist has already put together a composite of the homework-burning suspects."

Father’s Day weekend heats up with a sizzling car show, chili cook-off, carnival and Band-a-Palooza in downtown Burien June 13 through 16. Presented by the nonprofit Discover Burien Association, the events are affiliated with the city of Burien’s Wild Strawberry Festival June 15 and 16.

Details and a schedule of strawberry festival events were published in the June 7 issue of the Highline Times. The information is also available at www.highlinetimes.com.

New this year, Discover Burien’s Band-a-Palooza brings the mighty sound of nine full-fledged Pacific Northwest symphonic bands to the strawberry festival June 15 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Besides Band-a-Palooza on the Town Square Stage, the festival is hopping with live entertainment of every stripe, food and more.

Get thrilled, chilled or gently entertained during Spring Carnival Days from Thursday, June 13 through Sunday, June 16. Davis Shows’ full carnival operates June 13 and June 14 from 3 p.m. to close and June 15 and June 16 from 11 a.m. to close. The carnival closes each day when attendance becomes too light.

Victim gets jumped by three strangers at Golden Gardens

June 7, 11 p.m. Golden Gardens Park -- A person's trip to the bathroom on a night out at Golden Gardens with friends turned ugly fast when he was jumped.

Around 11 p.m., the victim was confronted by three unknown males on the way to the restroom, asking him what they had for them as if they intended to steal from him, the victim said. However, the victim said he didn't even have a chance to respond when he was suddenly smacked over the head with what he thought was a skateboard. The suspects then jumped on the victim after he fell, punching him in the head.

The victim nor any of his friends recognized the suspects, but the victim was able to remember some details. One was a 17-20-year-old, short, long-haired white male. Another was similar in age, but taller (6-foot), black, with longish hair. The victim said they were not students.

Information from Sustainable West Seattle

Sustainable West Seattle’s summer Outdoors in West Seattle series kicks off June 17th at 6:30 PM with a hike through one of Seattle’s most beautiful watershed environments – Longfellow Creek. This walk will demonstrate how Seattle residents’ everyday activities can impact the natural environment in their own backyards, and what everyone can do to help preserve the health of our urban watersheds.

In cooperation with Feet First, King Conservation District, and Sustainable Seattle, SWS Board Member Bryan Fiedorczyk will lead an urban hike through the Longfellow Creek Watershed. The creek drains almost 3000 acres of West Seattle and is one of only four waterways left in Seattle that flows freely year-round. This family friendly walk is estimated to be between 2 to 3 miles at a slow to moderate pace.

On June 13, a King County jury found Cu Van Truong guilty of first degree murder with a firearm enhancement for the shooting death of 24-year-old Jason Saechao at the Seattle Roll Bakery in White Center on Dec. 28, 2011.

Troung entered a not guilty plea to the charge in January of 2012, forcing the trial, and according to the King County Prosecutor’s Office, he faces a possible sentence of 40 to 50 years in prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set by the court.

In what detectives described as a revenge plot, Truong arrived at the Seattle Roll Bakery around midnight to confront Saechao about “bad mouthing” him and stealing a necklace from an acquaintance of Troung’s who was dating Saechao’s girlfriend while the shooting victim was in jail.

Witnesses to the murder initially told police the shooting was the act of a random robber, but later changed their stories after further investigation, identifying Troung as the shooter.