The debate over whether Burien should annex North Highline dominated local news in 2006.

However, plenty of other important events occurred throughout the year.

Here's a month-by-month review of what made news in Highline communities this year:

January

Burien City Manager Gary Long, who retired after losing the support of the new council majority, warned that the North Highline annexation decision is "as important as the decision the voters made to incorporate in 1993."

The Port of Seattle, operators of Sea-Tac International Airport, and its main contractor were fined $81,000 for allowing six releases of muddy water from the third runway project. The state Ecology Department imposed another $20,000 fine for the release of untreated storm water from aircraft preparation and taxiing areas.

February

Burien gynecologist Charles Momah was sentenced in King County Superior Court to 20 years in prison for raping and fondling female patients as well as insurance fraud and filing false health care claims.

March

A $148 million Highline schools bond was passed on the first attempt. The bond finances school construction, technology upgrades and security improvements.

The design for a new Burien City Hall and King County Regional Library in the planned Town Square was approved.

Des Moines lawmakers authorized a police substation at the Redondo Square Shopping Center. They also awarded $90,000 to former city council members to cover legal expenses they incurred while in office.

A citizen task force reported on plans to make Des Moines a better place to live.

Burien, Seattle and King County agreed to work together on annexation issues.

April

Highline students held two protests against proposed immigration reform measure in the U.S. Congress.

SeaTac council members voted to rebuild the McMicken Heights fire station. Four adjoining properties will be purchased to accommodate the station's expansion into a department headquarters and training facility.

Ground was broken for construction of downtown Des Moines' first new office building in five years. It will be the tallest building in the downtown core.

May

The third time was the charm as Des Moines voters passed a property tax levy lid lift to restore police staffing to 1999 levels.

A private investigative agency reported there was no evidence to suggest that Burien Mayor Joan McGilton and Councilman Gordon Shaw had used their political influence to obtain an alleged illegal water hook-up through McGilton's property.

Four new members were elected to the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council. Three incumbents were re-elected while two others were defeated.

Burien residents voiced their concerns about annexing North Highline during the first of three "community conversations."

June

First-degree murder charges were filed against Velma Ogden-Whitehead, her 18-year-old son and his 17-year-old friend in the 2005 shooting death of her husband, Ronald Whitehead.

Highline schools' assessment director reported that 439 10th graders passed all three sections of the Washington Assessment of Student Learning tests, making them eligible to graduate high school. Another 725 sophomores failed to meet state standards in reading, math and writing.

Water District 49 commissioners voted 2-1 against renewing the contract of district manager Dale Cap. Commissioner Jim Henry, who voted to keep Cap, angrily walked out of the meeting following the vote, then resigned.

Burien council members during a special meeting indicated they were cool toward full annexation of North Highline.

July

Fireworks were blamed for a massive fire that destroyed the old Boulevard Park Elementary School.

A survey, commissioned by the Port, reported that only 37 per cent of residents near the airport are aware of third runway construction activities. The runway and its impacts "are not top of mind for residents of the area," the survey concluded.

Major renovation of First Avenue South in Burien began.

Miss Burien 2006 Melody Gilbert and Miss Burien 2005 Amelia Gilbert made history as the first sisters to compete against each other for Miss Washington. Amelia was named third runner-up while Melody was selected as fourth runner-up. Two-time Miss Burien first runner-up Jackie Graybill made it into the top 10.

Members of Burien Residents Against Annexation ripped into the idea of Burien annexing North Highline during an emotional Burien council meeting.

The state Supreme Court ruled that former Des Moines Councilman Gary Petersen had no conflict of interest in owning his towing company and providing services for the city while serving on the council.

August

Burien lawmakers decided to consider a partial annexation of North Highline.

Burien Planning Commission members got an earful from angry residents about annexation during a public hearing.

Funding for three King County Sheriff's deputies assigned to high schools was left in the new $161.3 million operating budget passed by board members.

According to a Seattle Times analyses, four of nine areas in King County with affordable housing are in Highline.

September

The Burien Planning Commission told council members they should reconsider studying only partial annexation and designate the whole area as a potential annexation area.

SeaTac voters narrowly rejected a property tax increase to fund replacement of two fire stations and hire more firefighters.

North Highline Fire Chief Russ Pritchard announced he would retire at effective Dec. 31. After commissioners told Pritchard they wanted to "go in another direction," they raised the fire chief's pay to $16,500 per month.

October

Burien officials took turns wielding a sledgehammer against a wall in a ceremonial groundbreaking for the Town Square project.

Port staff celebrated the completion of the third runway embankment.

Ex-Highline schools superintendent Robert Sealey died of cancer in his Lake Burien home.

Some Burien restaurant owners raised conflict of interest charges against Discover Burien executive director Debra George. They said her involvement with the Mark restaurant in direct competition with their businesses. The city of Burien helps fund the organization.

November

The Burien City Council voted to designate the full North Highline area as a potential annexation area under the city's comprehensive plan.

Carl Jensen, Highline's Citizen of the Century, died of cancer at the age of 97. Jensen is credited with acquiring Camp Waskowitz and founding Highline Community College.

The college board of trustees terminated the contract of Highline College President Priscilla Bell.

Michael H. Martin, former Kent chief administrative officer, was named Burien's new city manager.

Bekka Simmons was crowned Miss Burien 2007.

December

King County Sheriff's Deputy Steve Cox was shot and killed while interviewing a witness to a shooting at a North Highline home. The witness also died from gunshots from his own weapon.

The state Supreme Court declined to hear a case challenging condemnation of the land and building occupied by Meal Makers restaurant. Owner Kevin Fitz closed his business after the city assumed his lease.

Seattle council members voted to study full annexation of North Highline.

A powerful windstorm toppled trees and left many area residents without power for days.