January 2015

By Tim Clifford

On Jan. 22 at 1 p.m. deputies with KCSO served a search warrant on a residence located 12400 block of 12 Ave. S. that has been a source of numerous crimes and complaints over the last few months.

Detectives have been watching the home closely after recovering seven stolen vehicles from the property over the last two months. A warrant was granted to detectives following the arrest of two felons, male and female, for Violation of the Uniform Firearm Act on Jan.21who are known to reside at the house.

Squatters had taken over the home which is bank owned and multiple arrests were made during the raid after stolen mail, credit cards and checks were recovered. Methamphetamines and guns were also recovered by detectives. Those arrested are facing charges of fraud and possession of stolen property.

While searching through a vehicle connected to the address officers recovered an illegally altered rifle.

The home has been boarded up again with signs deeming it to be uninhabitable.

by Tim Clifford

On Jan. 21 at a 1 p.m. officers with the Major Crimes Unit arrested two suspects believed to be responsible for a string of motel robberies in SeaTac and numerous other jurisdictions.

Officers apprehended the duo as they were checking out of a hotel on the 19200 block of International Blvd. in SeaTac. The arrests were made without incident.

“We’re just glad they are in custody and won’t be able to rob motels anymore,” said Sergeant D.B. Gates with the King County Sheriff’s Office.

The suspects are described as being transients in their mid-20’s who were living off of the money stolen during their robberies. 7 of the 12 robberies were committed against businesses in the SeaTac area.

Both suspects were booked into the King County Jail for investigation on First Degree Robbery. The suspects should have their first appearance in court today some time.

Burien Police discover burglar and burglary
According to the Burien Police Department, officer Garske responded to reports of a burglary on the 2200 block of South 120th Street in north Burien before both arresting a burglar and discovering a second burglary. While patrolling the area around the reported burglary, Garske spotted a man acting suspicious and struck up a conversation with him. Following the conversation, the officer discovered that the man had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. After detaining him, the officer discovered a prescription bottle on his person belonging to an unknown individual. Upon arriving to the address listed on the prescription bottle, officer Garske discovered that the door had been kicked in and and the home burglarized. After a further investigation by detectives, the suspect confessed to several separate burglaries.

Crimes reported between 1/4/15 and 1/18/15

Home and Business Larceny/Burglary:

The Monday after the sensational Seahawks NFC Championship win, several radio stations chose to use the same word to describe this event. And the Seattle Times used this word as their giant front page headline: MIRACLE! Oh, really? This was not an event that contradicts scientific law or definitely not an act of God! This does not equate to Jesus turning water into wine. Using this perspective does not give the Seahawks players and coaches any credit for this unbelievable comeback and win, taking us into the Super Bowl, 2 years in a row. Jerry Brewer hit the nail on the head: ‘Improbable rally defines a Seattle team that never gives up’. BINGO. It was simply pure determination, absolute focus and blood and guts from this incredible team – with their diehard fans right with them for every step, blow, and pass. As Russell’s pass floated in the air, on its way into Jermaine’s hands, the fans knew already that the team that they loved so dearly was headed to the Super Bowl! By the way, does anyone have a link to Jesus (email, Twitter, cell#)? We will need lots more wine when the Seahawks win the Super Bowl again on Feb 1st.

David S.Gooding
Normandy Park

By Kyra-lin Hom

Historical dramas have always captured our imaginations. Like fantasy and science fiction, stories from our past transport us to another time and (often) place. When done well they are immersive, engaging and educational. Some of my favorite books in elementary school were from the Dear America series, historical fiction novels written like diaries.

Using the embellished narrative as a vehicle for sharing history is no new thing. Homer's Iliad and Rustichello da Pisa's The Travels of Marco Polo are a couple of famous examples that have themselves made it into the history books (there's a little meta for you). The truth of these manuscripts in particular was even taken for granted for many, many years before being brought into question. Their accuracy is now the topic of heated scholarly debate.

Following this tradition, many grade school teachers and even some college professors have brought historical fiction into the classroom. Beyond piquing curiosity and bringing to life nuanced details textbooks skip or drone over, historical fiction encourages students to interact with the material.

Metro and the City of Burien are working together on an alternative service to replace the parts of Route 139 that were used the most.

We’re considering two possible routes for the shuttle. Both would serve Seahurst, downtown Burien and the Burien Transit Center, Highline Medical Center, and Gregory Heights. Both would use a combination of scheduled service along a marked route plus a flexible service area where riders can call in advance to request a pickup. There are differences in travel times, how often the shuttle would run, and how service would operate in Gregory Heights. Learn more about what's being considered. 

Tell us what you think by Feb. 5
• Take an online survey.
• Come to a meeting on Thursday, Jan. 29, 6:30 p.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Parish Hall, 15226 21st Ave SW, Burien

The King County Housing Authority announced today that it will open its waiting list and accept new applications for its Housing Choice Voucher program for the first time in nearly four years.

Housing costs in the Seattle region have steadily climbed over the past year, while incomes have barely increased or in many cases, continued to decline. Households with low-skilled workers, elder or disabled individuals and poor families with children are increasingly having difficulty keeping up with rising rent and utility costs. The Housing Choice Voucher program, widely known as Section 8, currently helps about 11,000 low-income households in King County outside of Seattle and Renton pay their rent. One key initiative under this
program is the issuance of housing assistance to homeless and disabled veterans.

During the 2013 federal budget sequester, the Section 8 program stopped re-issuing vouchers for 11 months. While KCHA resumed issuing vouchers once

The Burien City Council is going to the dogs once again—this time on Monday, Feb. 2.

A few years ago, city lawmakers hosted several dogs and their owners at a regular council meeting. That time, the canines and their people were trying to convince council members to approve an on-leash dog park in the city.

The dogs are returning in triumph on Feb. 2 as Kellie Bassen, chair of B-Town Dog Group, will present the city a $15,000 check for the dog park.

The check represents the amount Bassen’s group agreed to raise for the off-leash park. The city will match the group’s amount and a Burien business is expected to contribute the remaining amount needed in exchange for naming rights.

The off-leash facility will be located in the upper portion of Lakeview Park, 422 S.W. 160th St.

The nonprofit group is asking owners to bring their well-behaved dogs to the 7 p.m. council meeting at city hall, 400 S.W. 152nd St., not only to celebrate but also to urge lawmakers to budget park construction for this year instead of 2016.

By Tim Clifford

When asked what her favorite aspect of the Pacific Northwest is world record holder Katie Spotz gave a unique answer.

“I don’t know if I’m supposed to say this or not but I feel like your air tastes so good here, like every time I’ve been here,” she replied bashfully.

Speaking at Evergreen High School on Jan. 15 Spotz made a stop at the campus as part of the Seattle “leg” of a 5-city-tour she is doing for the organization H20 For Life, a group focused on raising awareness about clean water availability around the globe. Beginning in Minneapolis in September the speaking engagements have rolled through Nashville and Seattle and will continue through New York and Phoenix starting next week.

The last time that Spotz was visiting the Pacific Northwest she officiated the wedding for a bicyclist friend and his wife at the base camp for Mount Rainier. Only speaking engagements were on the schedule this time around.