October 2014

by Tim Clifford

Suspect stays on roof
Shortly after 3 a.m. on Sep. 30 police received a call from the 3000 block of S.W. Avalon WY reporting a burglary in progress. The suspect, initially described as a white male but later discovered to be a white female with long dirty blonde hair, was seen climbing through a window by a neighbor.

When officers arrived and began walking around the house they realized the suspect was still inside and began shouting at her to come outside. The suspect first tried to get away by leaving through a basement entrance but doubled back when she saw officers were waiting at that door as well. The suspect then went upstairs and climbed out a window on the second story and began to lie flat on the roof with her arms and legs spread.

The officers, yelling at her with both her Miranda Rights and orders to come down, took out video cameras and began recording the event as evidence for later charges. This also allowed the officers to have the neighbor who made the initial call come out and make a positive identification on the suspect.

by Pat Cashman

“Marriage is like a dull meal with the dessert at the beginning.” Henri, Comte de Toulouse-Lautrec, French painter (1864-1901)

Someone once asked a famous WW2 general, “What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?”
He replied, “To marry the girl I did.”
“And who gave you that advice?”
“She did.”

My wife gives good advice. And so it came to be that on an October day many moons ago, she decided that we should get married. While I was crazy about the woman, I had cold feet. She suggested thicker socks. That seemed to do the trick.

The wedding was to take place in a beautiful catholic church here in the Northwest. Unfortunately, the beautiful Catholic Church was yet to be built---and so the service was set for the parish’s temporary quarters: A school gymnasium.

Further mention of that gymnasium in a moment.

by Ken Robinson
Editor

(Editor's disclaimer: I spend five days at Camp Waskowitz in 1956 as a sixth grader at Beverly Park Elementary. At the camp, I learned about how to determined the age of trees, the different types of conifers in the Northwest, to identify various plants in the understory of the forest and what it is like to sleep in a dorm with a bunch of other sixth graders as the first time away from home. I asked got scolded by one of the adult kitchen staff for tossing a dish towel over my shoulder while waiting for a wet pot to come my way for drying when I was on KP duty.)

If you went to school in the Highline District in the sixth grade, you probably went to Camp Waskowitz.

And it is also likely you have strong memories of visiting this quintessential Northwest place near North Bend that has been a treasure of the district since 1947.

By Shakira Ericksen

Tempers flared and emotions rose when Des Moines residents voiced their opinion during a public hearing related to tree regulations.
Over 50 people packed into City Hall to unanimously condemn the proposed ordinance 14-043-A. The ordinance was criticized for lack of clarity, lack of view protection, unclear permitting processes, unclear permit fees and technical and confusing language.

The proposed ordinance could cost citizens anywhere from $150- $13,000 in permits to cut trees and clear land. Cost is determined by what area the land is located on. If the trees in question are in a shoreline or critical area the cost rises significantly because various reports that may be required.

No clear cost or permitting criteria was provided in the ordinance – which led to general confusion among the audience and city council members.

One Des Moines resident was on the verge of tears while another stormed out after declaring themselves to be disgusted with the council.

Surveillance video from a robbery last summer along Des Moines Way S. has surfaced. It depicts a man in his 20-30's with dark, short cropped hair, a possible tattoo on his left forearm and he might be wearing some type of neckware. He was dressed in slacks and a collared shirt, not your typical burglary attire.

The thief escaped with video equipment, liquor and cash in what appears from the video footage to be an extended visit on the property of a few hours of time. Entry was via a window pried open with what could have been a large screwdriver.

If you recognize this person please contact the King County Sheriff at (206)- 296-3333

Tukwila teen in critical condition after stabbing in park

Deadline for receiving items for Community Calendar is 5 p.m. Wednesday for the following week’s Times/News. Events are published based on timeliness and space availability. Email submissions to: calendar@robinsonnews.com Items can be accepted from nonprofit groups and government agencies only. Others may call Dona Ozier at 206-708-1378 for inclusion in our “Out & About” advertising section.

Southwest Suburban Sewer District Board of Commissioners Regular meetings are held on the First and Third Tuesdays of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the district office located at 431 S.W. Ambaum Boulevard, Burien, WA. Contact number: 206-244-9575.

By Matt Wendland

Hundreds of people gathered at Seahurst Beach this weekend for a public celebration of the park’s reopening after a major restoration project that spanned two years.

Friday evening's Seahurst Beach Reopening Celebration was put on by the City of Burien’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services department and sponsored by the Environmental Science Center, which is located at the north end of the park, and Burien Press, a specialty coffee shop in downtown Burien.

An estimated 750 people of all ages, took part in flashlight tours of the park, s’more making, sing-a-longs, and listening to Native American storytelling around a campfire. They also took part in learning about the local ecosystem and wildlife with the Environmental Science Center, drinking coffee and hot chocolate and of course, watching a stunning sunset over the Puget Sound.

On Tuesday, September 30, the Washington Health Care Association (WHCA) recognized El Dorado West resident Marie Montes, 94, as this month’s Silver Spotlight winner. An award ceremony was held at El Dorado West, a Village Concepts retirement, assisted living and memory care community located in Burien, Wash.

The Silver Spotlight Award Program is designed to honor the achievements from individuals whom now reside in assisted living and skilled nursing facilities throughout the state of Washington. Montes will be featured in a 2015 pictorial calendar with other statewide award winners, and is invited to a reception at the Governor’s Mansion in Olympia, Wash. on December 4, 2014.

“Village Concepts is honored that one of our residents in our communities received this prestigious award,” said Tracy Willis, corporate director of development at Village Concepts. “Marie is a beloved seamstress and artist, and her dedication in learning the craft of tailoring on her own and giving back to the community is receiving the recognition it deserves.”

To the editor,

After voters approved school construction bond measures in 2002 and 2006, Highline Public Schools replaced most of the district’s deteriorating elementaries and Mt. Rainier High with modern safer schools designed for learning in the 21st Century.

Each project came in on time and on budget. The district also leveraged the bond funds to qualify for additional millions of dollars in Port of Seattle, state and federal matching funds to rebuild even more schools.

Additionally, the district saved taxpayers nearly $10 million by refinancing the existing bonds. Now with the economy on the mend, Highline Public Schools is asking the voters in November to approve a school construction bond to replace, renovate, and repair schools.