Issaquah’s only locally owned newspaper
THE ISSAQUAH PRESS
118th Year, No. 6
Thursday, February 9, 2017
issaquahpress.com
School district: Financial return on Winterbrook sale must be maximized
Authorities track down SUV wanted in Beaver Lake killing The Seattle Times and The Issaquah Press The King County Sheriff’s Office recovered a gold Infiniti SUV in Renton on the evening of Feb. 2 that was allegedly used to run down a 22-year-old Klahanie man at Beaver Lake Park in Sammamish. Detectives had been looking for the vehicle since Jan. 25, when Moises Radcliffe was struck after firing shots at the SUV carrying a group of suspected car prowlers who had allegedly broken into his car and stolen his girlfriend’s purse. Charges filed Feb. 1 against the woman arrested in connection with his death provide new details of the chaotic incident. Ka’Deidre Rials, 23, of Kent, was charged with felony hit-andrun for failing to stop and provide aid to Radcliffe, who fired multiple shots at Rials’ vehicle as he apparently tried to stop the SUV from leaving Beaver Lake Park, charging papers say. Arrested Jan. 28 in Skyway, Rials was also charged with second-degree identity theft and two counts of second-degree vehicle prowl.
County proposal rejected because it was ‘significantly below asking price’ By Lizz Giordano lgiordano@isspress.com Neighbors of Winterbrook Farm continue to apply political pressure with the hope the Issaquah School District will sell the land to King County to be preserved. The school district intended to use Winterbrook Farm, located at 21207 SE May Valley Road across the road from the Squak Mountain trailhead parking area, to build more schools for the growing district. But a reinterpretation of the Growth Management Act deemed the land not appropriate for siting a school, according to Jake Kuper, chief of finance and operations for the district. With those plans scuttled, the school district now has the fiduciary responsibility to recoup the cost of the land and any expenses associated with it, Kuper said. “It’s our responsibility to try to maximize the sale to the benefit of the school district,” said Lisa Callan, school board president. The 80-acre Winterbrook Farm property was purchased by the district in 2006 for $3.33 million.
See KILLING, Page 11
See WINTERBROOK, Page 11
Owner of Talus landslide parcel asks that nearby development be halted By Lizz Giordano lgiordano@isspress.com Owners of the property impacted by the 2015 Talus landslide have filed an appeal challenging a hearing examiner’s decision to grant final plat approval to subdivide two adjacent lots and move forward with development. ORA Talus 90 LLC, owners of what’s known as Parcel 9, worry that if construction is allowed to begin on the nearby lots, known as Parcels 7 and 8, it will undermine their site’s stability. They said the dangers raised by work being performed on adjacent lots were not addressed prior to plat approval. A Jan. 4 decision by the city’s hearing examiner granted approval to subdivide the 28.8 acres
Greg Farrar / gfarrar@isspress.com
The Liberty High School NJROTC Color Guard stands Jan. 27 for the first time at midcourt with the Class of 2015’s gift, a giant flag unrolled by electric motor from a receptacle in the rafters, as the National Anthem is performed before the Patriots’ girls and boys basketball games against Mercer Island.
LIBERTY’S NAVY ROTC ISSUES DISTRESS CALL By David Hayes dhayes@isspress.com Liberty High School is in jeopardy of losing its Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps program. After years of declining enrollment, Capt. John Deehr, the program’s commanding officer and senior naval science instructor, said that if the program has fewer than 100 cadets on Oct. 1,
the U.S. Navy will pull funding and decommission the unit. “We’ve got 71 cadets right now. We need 100 to maintain the program,” Deehr said. “Right now, it’s on probation. Not by the school district, but by the Navy, as it’s a Navy-funded program.” The Navy requires schools with under 1,000 students to maintain
Learn more about Liberty High School’s Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corp program at libertynjrotc.us.
By David Hayes dhayes@isspress.com Bellevue Brewing Company announced Jan. 27 on its Facebook page it is seeking to open a second location on Issaquah’s Front Street at the former Staples building. Owner and managing member John Robertson said he’s been in discussions with the City of Issaquah over the last year and with the property owner over the last six months. When the former property became available, he said he jumped at the chance for expansion. “I’ve always loved Issaquah,” said Robertson, 49, a graduate of Newport High School. “For craft beers, one of the challenges is lack of real estate for inventory. So I had to do it. It’s an amazing location.” See BREWING, Page 10
See LIBERTY, Page 10
Program helping combat vets in need expands beyond dentistry
See TALUS, Page 11
By Lizz Giordano lgiordano@isspress.com
TO OUR READERS AND ADVERTISERS The Issaquah Press and her sister newspapers in The Issaquah Press Group will cease operations in print and online on Feb. 24. We will publish our final two editions of the print edition of The Issaquah Press on Feb. 16 and Feb. 23.
ON THE WEB
Front Street’s Staples building may become brewery, restaurant
Lizz Giordano / lgiordano@isspress.com
Dr. Theresa Cheng (left), founder of Everyone For Veterans, and Jennifer Shelton, program coordinator, are expanding their organization to offer more to low-income combat veterans than just dental care.
War veterans are frequently thanked by the public for their service, but one Issaquah nonprofit is challenging the community to do more. Using a model that initially connected low-income combat veterans with dental services, Everyone For Veterans is expanding to include other goods and services that local community members can offer for free.
What began as a yearly volunteer event 10 years ago — providing free dental care to low-income combat veterans and their spouses by Dr. Theresa Cheng’s Issaquah dental office — has since grown to linking those men and women around the country with local dentists. Redmond-based dentist Dr. Garrick Lo, who always had great respect for veterans, waited See VETERANS, Page 2 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
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One Dollar
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The Issaquah Press
FRONT AND SUNSET
Hi, developers? Can you give this a quick read?
On this occasion, however, we were genuinely aghast at the public-relations babble posing as news in the pages of the Issaquah Highlands Council’s newspaper. A quick primer on how legitimate newsgathering works: A story topic is researched, interviews are conducted, the story is written, the story is edited and, finally, the story is published, followed by high-fives all around. But the content within the pages of Connections, the newspaper in question, goes through an extra step. We’ll hand the microphone over to Highlands Council Executive Director Christy Garrard and let her explain via her letter to readers on Page 19 of this month’s edition of Connections. “Before we publish a blog post or articles (like those in this annual Development Update issue) we vet the information with the appropriate party (city, developer, IHCA, etc.),” Garrard wrote. That, dear reader, should make your skin crawl. The fact that the City of Issaquah or a developer can hold sway over newspaper content casts a pitch-black shadow over the entire publication. We can hear the objections
Last week, we rolled out our “Rechristen Issaquah” contest, and boy howdy were we overwhelmed with entries. Color us flabbergasted at how many of you — 3,052 emails in all — went in hot pursuit of our prize pack, which includes a coveted Atlas Apartments T-shirt, a $25 gift certificate to Fischer Meats and a dusty lanyard from the Snoqualmie Casino that we found in the wayback of a desk drawer. Email-by-email, we flipped through our inbox, which
THANK YOU, SUBSCRIBERS
Veterans
Each week, we thank those who renew their voluntary subscriptions to Issaquah Press Group newspapers or subscribe for the first time. We are grateful for your support of independent community journalism.
now: But-but-but Connections isn’t really a newspaper! To which we counter with the Highlands Council’s own verbiage on its website: “Connections News is a monthly community newspaper written mostly by volunteer-resident writers; edited and published by Issaquah Highlands Council.” At the top of each edition are the words “Issaquah Highlands Community News.” The Highlands bigwigs need to stop sullying the word “news” and replace that line with something more accurate. We suggest: “Issaquah Highlands Vetted Information.” • • •
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groaned under the weight of the extra traffic. Ultimately, from the crowded field emerged a clear winner: “Squakenstein,” submitted by reader Tom Anderson. Our esteemed panel of judges loved the notion of how Squakenstein conveys that our city is “mutating out of control” and has become a burg that was “brought to life, only to run amok because of the arrogance and carelessness of its creators.” Congratulations, Tom. We doff our fedora to you. Kudos, as well, to our contest’s runner-up finisher, reader Sarah Crow, whose entry “Issablah” succinctly summarized how we’re quickly becoming just another homogenized Eastside yawner of a town. Crow will receive a flimsy made-in-China Atlas Apartments drawstring bag for her creative efforts. • • •
What is it with the four-way stop at Northeast Park and 25th Northeast? We have the misfortune of being forced through that intersection (it’s the one near Zeeks Pizza) as we take our newshound to the city’s only off-leash area, the charmless mud bog known as the Bark Park. This Highlands crossroads seems to be a magnet for society’s worst drivers. It’s a 50-50 proposition we’ll see someone blow through the stop signs while we sit waiting to proceed. • • •
We know that many readers enjoy our Police & Fire report, but unfortunately, for the second
HOW TO HELP On Feb. 28, Everyone For Veterans is hosting a 7:30 p.m. screening of the movie “Thank You For Your Service” at the Issaquah Highlands Stadium 12, 940 NE Park Drive, to raise awareness about the challenges faced by low-income combat veterans. Tickets sales cover the cost of the screening, while additional donations for the organization will be accepted. Tickets are $11.50; all veterans receive a free ticket. More information about the screening can be found at everyoneforverterans.org.
seven years before Cheng connected him with a local low-income combat veteran. He said the team at his office really enjoys serving this veteran. “People giving Leslie Danforth get just as much out of it, if Neal Jensen not more, than the people getting,” Lo said. ANSWER TO #1064 ANSWER TO #5376 Lo even enlisted a A C I D R A B I D OR C A supplier and laboratory his RA N I T O A D E B ON Y office uses to donate items T A RO AR CS P L AC E and lab work needed in the B L A CK A ND B L U E comprehensive dental care H EW E A T I A N A RA P A H O M E D DL E for that veteran. E EL S O I S E A L E R T “All it took was a MO L AR B A I T M I NG 10-minute conversation,” A N T E A D E N MU T E S Lo said. S E E DE R D EMO T E S After seeing an S S R O V A G I G outpouring of support from P RE EM I N E N T L Y the dental community, “People do want to help, T H E E E A G L E N A S T Cheng, founder of Everyone but don’t have a way to E A S T T WE E T R I T E S I S I H E E D S E N OS For Veterans, and program connect.” coordinator Jennifer If a low-income combat Shelton began working on veteran wants anything to broadening the services improve their lives, it can WE REPORT. their organization offers. often be a financial stretch, THEY REPEAT. “If that’s how the dentists said Cheng. Even little feel, what about the others things, like a fishing rod or Support independent in the community?” Cheng a gym membership, can community journalism. SANDY/LAURA rememberedF.ePROOF.IP.CMYK. thinking. have a big impact on a low-
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week in a row, IPD Blue failed to send us the weekly report of investigations. After your favorite newspaper received only one weekly report during the entire month of November (we would normally receive four), our office hobgoblin — this fishwrap’s crotchety editor — sent the police chief a letter noting the recent inconsistencies. The chief assured us he wanted exactly what we wanted: A weekly report to media outlets that was issued with reliability. Yet here we sit. No reports for the second week in a row. So what recourse do we have? It is certainly within our rights to file public records requests for every police report filed every day of every week in which we do not receive a summary from the police department. But we’d rather not do that. We’re not looking to cause extra work for the department, and we’re not too interested in wasting our time flipping through pages of reports describing keys locked inside of cars or complaints about barking dogs.
income combat veteran’s life. Or a low-income combat veteran might need a haircut before a job interview, which is where the community can step up, and Everyone For Veterans is there to help connect. Integration back into society for combat veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder can be a difficult process, and often they lose family or friends in the process, Shelton said. She said the program was about befriending veterans and “making them feel part of society again.” “The idea of supporting our veterans is not the same as donating money,” Shelton said. “We want the community to become part of their lives.” Cheng emphasized the importance of the personal involvement her organization was trying to foster with the individual wanting to help and the low-income combat vet. She describes the act as “finding a solution” to a mission. After vetting low-income combat vets, Everyone For Veterans will connect them
While we’re kept in the dark about police activity and the crime that’s occurring around town, the city keeps pumping sunshine on social media, including 100 interactions on Twitter and more than a dozen Facebook posts since we last received a police report. How’s this for irony: The city can’t manage to get us information on crime but has the time to post photos to Facebook of an Issaquah police officer engaged in a snowball fight Monday. Twitter, Facebook, YouTube videos — the city fills up those channels without fail, yet it can’t manage to send one police roundup to the local media each week with any consistency. We’re sure the city would prefer you hear as little as possible about local crime — do you think that might have something to do with it? There are only two, yes two, Front and Sunset columns left before we ride off into the sunset. Send your tips, complaints, praise and bad poetry to frontandsunset@isspress.com.
“The idea of supporting our veterans is not the same as donating money. We want the community to become part of their lives.” -Jennifer Shelton Everyone For Veterans program coordinator
with volunteers who are personally charged with fulfilling a mission that will benefit the participant. “To get that community involvement really touches a veteran’s life,” Cheng said. With a 100 percent placement rate, Everyone For Veterans connects roughly 50 veterans a year with local dentists. Cheng and Shelton want to serve more veterans but have hesitated to advertise their organization for fear they would be inundated with requests. Comprehensive dental care, which is the program’s goal, often takes multiple visits and can be hard for dentists to work into their already busy schedule. Therefore, Cheng prefers to send each participating dentist only one vet per
year. The organization needed a way to streamline the process of finding and recruiting additional dentists. So they partnered with Code Fellows, a trade school specializing in programming and software development whose students often take on philanthropic projects, to develop an app. Cheng hopes to eventually expand the app, expected to be released in the spring, to other services and goods that any member of a community could offer, not just dentists. But for the time being, community members can sign up online to help. “They have sacrificed so much,” Shelton said. “We need to get all civilians to get involved.”
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Because the Issaquah Police Department yet again failed to provide us with a weekly summary of police investigations, please enjoy this 1898 account in lieu of our Police & Fire report.
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or some reason known only to the oh-so-divine-yetoh-so-profane gods of journalism, we were flipping through a rag other than our own the other day. Talk about an exercise in futility. Usually, we chuckle at the poor news judgment and move along with our day.
The Issaquah Press
Thursday, February 9, 2017 •
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School district moves forward in uncertain budget climate The Issaquah School District is trying to cover as many eventualities as possible in developing its next budget as state lawmakers continue to spar over the best way to comply with the McCleary decision and fully fund education. The school board approved the administration’s budget development guidelines with no changes to the previous year during its Jan. 25 meeting. Chief of Finance and Operations Jake Kuper said that with no stability, developing next year’s budget has him nervous. “I’m more nervous this fiscal year than during the Great Recession,” Kuper said, “because then we had a negative outlook, we knew it was going down and had a reason to reduce programs. Inaction by the Legislature is not where we’d like to be.” Approval of the administration’s guidelines is the first public step of the budget process to determine if its parameters are acceptable to the board, Kuper said. That includes compensation, reserves and guiding the resources.
“It’s the same document we legally used in Olympia or San Francisco when presenting to Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s, giving us broader budgetary guidance,” he added. The amount school districts can raise through local levies is 28 percent of their base. That is set to decline to 24 percent in 2018, which would cause a $4 million hit to the Issaquah School District. House Bill 1059 would delay that reduction by a year. Until any action is taken at the state level, Kuper told the school board he will continue the budget process as he would in good times or bad. “My strategy is to build a full-cost, rollup budget,” Kuper said. “Enrollment projections begin in October and have been sent out preliminarily. From that point, our ratio-driven staffing is designed. Most of our staffing positions are based on ratios, with K through 12 a huge part of staffing. We build a full-cost estimate of staffing by bargaining unit — we do it by chunks so we can add in any new negotiated pay, and we may bargain for settlement patterns, but it’s too soon to
determine that.” read the tea leaves and ally reluctant to talk about they can take in a system Kuper plans to be done guess somewhere in the potential reductions in like Issaquah’s, includwith that portion of planmiddle what the revenue is force, but he knows of some ing borrowing from other ning by March. He’ll then going to be,” he said. legislators who are confunds. present his projected Board member Anne sidering not voting for the But Thiele said that he expenses to Superintendent Moore said that uncertainty levy-extension bill. would rather not have to Ron Thiele. has many of her constitu“Some have even said, take those steps. “We would then deterents nervous. ‘Well, maybe the pressure “There’s all kinds of mine if we need to make “I just talked with a mom will come when some of the budgetary decisions we any reductions and what whose child is a teacher pink slips will start getting can make in a system like those reductions would look in our district, a first-year delivered,’ ” he said, adding ours. I would argue, in this like,” Kuper added. teacher, and is very nervous many young teachers would environment, that’s a last Kuper expects the disabout all of this,” Moore rather leave than put up resort,” he said. “We’re gotrict’s full operating budget said. “My advice was just, with that threat. “You’re ing to do everything we can to be about $250 million. be calm. ... Just be calm messing with people’s lives.” to keep ourselves staffed But with only a few revand stay the course with us, Kuper said in addition to up. But I’m not making any enue drivers to draw from, because we don’t want to dipping into the $1 million promises. Part of my frushe said the administration lose these teachers.” reserve fund, there are tration is that this doesn’t won’t know the full revenue Thiele said he’s reother budgetary maneuvers need to be happening.” picture until much later. “We’ll make full-cost assumptions and work backwards from there,” he said. If the Legislature hasn’t done anything by then, then he and Thiele will come back to the school board in April to make a determination on how much reserve the administration may or may not use and what programs it may or may not change. Kuper said the administration would have a much clearer picture once the two chambers of the Legislature drop their budgets. “We know what the 1440 NW Gilman Blvd #4, Issaquah, WA • 425.270.3411 • www.marlowsfinejewelry.com governor has, then what Located in Meadows/QFC Shopping Center • Facing Countryside Floral 0130 LAM the HouseCHARLES.ePROOF.IP.CMYK.PDF and Senate have,
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By David Hayes dhayes@isspress.com
05.18567.THU.0202.6X13.45.LAM
Sun, March 19, 2017 10 a.m. - Noon
Dog owners and walkers are invited to bring their best pals for a walk around the park on a 5k trail or 3k all-accessible option. There will be an Agility Course along the way for added fun for the dogs, and all dogs will be invited to perform their best trick! In addition, Doggie Village will include booths from local dog service providers. An exciting raffle will include special items from these and other local pet-friendly businesses and organizations. The 2nd annual Walk’n Wag will raise funds for more park improvements. Come meet other dog owners in the community, make new friends and enjoy the park!
COST:
$15 Kids 15 or younger $20 Ages 16+ Early bird special! Register by March 1 and get two Walk’n Wag neckerchiefs (one for you, one for your pup!) PLUS a free raffle ticket! For more information, call 425-577-3657 email director@flssp.org
March 19 is a FREE day at the park, so no admission fees Register at EventBrite.com — search for Walk’n Wag Additional neckerchiefs and raffle tickets will be for sale at the event.
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And media sponsors:
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Thanks to our sponsor:
OPINION
THE ISSAQUAH PRESS
Thursday, February 9, 2017 • 4
FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK
Courtesy of Michael Sladek / msladekphoto.com
A detail of the stained-glass work at the Providence Heights College chapel. Fourteen massive triangular windows crafted by world-renowned glass artist Gabriel Loire in 1959 illuminate the chapel’s sanctuary and nave.
Make your voice heard in defense of history, art and architecture
P
ull out your smartphone — right now, please, while I have your attention — and enter the following information into your calendar: 4Friday, February 23. 45 p.m. 4Eagle Room, Issaquah City Hall. 4King County Landmarks Commission meeting. If you’re averse to technology, write it in your datebook, on your wall calendar, whatever. It’s time to speak up for Providence Heights College. This meeting of the landmarks commission is your opportunity. It is a rare moment where your voice can be heard by a completely neutral group, one that doesn’t have a financial stake in the outcome. One that just might listen to the will of the people instead of the siren’s call of the almighty dollar. In the past few weeks, demonstrators across the country have shown strength in numbers that Scott could not be ignored. On the hyStoddard perlocal level, this Feb. 23 meeting calls for such a response. Public Press editor testimony will assist the commission in determining whether Providence Heights meets landmark designation criteria. Let’s be clear: Providence Heights College deserves protection. It is well worthy of preservation. It can serve Issaquah and Sammamish in a new capacity — but only if its owner is willing to listen. The odds, however, say the new owner will not listen. Although the campus is currently owned by The City Church of Kirkland, the Issaquah School District is acquiring the property through the use of eminent domain. The district has made no indication it wants anything to do with preserving, or even repurposing, Providence Heights. Its silence is absolutely deafening. The hilltop campus on 228th Avenue, though, is bigger than the district. It is art. It is history. It is architecture. The light that streams into the chapel at Providence Heights passes through 14 towering stained-glass windows by French artist Gabriel Loire. I have discussed with Loire’s son, Jacques, the possibility that his father’s work in Issaquah could be destroyed, and he is incredulous. The campus played a significant historical role with regards to the Sisters of Providence’s education of religious women, elevating their instruction to an equivalent of “the higher learning long provided for male clergy,” according to the landmark nomination. It has been reported that the Sisters of Providence spared no expense in having the campus built. We are increasingly surrounded by modern-day slapdash construction, yet right here in our midst we have an exemplary example of midcentury architecture, in particular Seattle architect John W. Maloney’s modern interpretation of Gothic religious architecture in the chapel. It is imperative we preserve these important pieces of our cultural past. Make your voice heard. Do not let Providence Heights go quietly into the darkness. More online: theeastside.news/providenceheights Email editor Scott Stoddard at sstoddard@isspress.com. Twitter: @scottstoddard Facebook: facebook.com/presseditor
OFF THE PRESS
Readers, athletes, fans — thank you for making a boy’s dream come true
T
wenty-five years ago this summer, my dad and I came to the Kingdome so I could see my first big-league baseball game — Yankees vs. Mariners — and we decided to take a tour of the stadium, too. The Kingdome was never much for aesthetics, but to a 12-year-old boy who loved sports, it was heaven. When we entered the press box and gazed down upon the field, I quickly realized sports reporting would be a pretty cool profession. This month, when The Issaquah Press Group closes, it’s possible I may have written my last game story. It’s not a financially good time to be in the media, and that’s especially true of newspapers. That’s no secret. Long before our closure was announced, I’d been feeling a creeping trepidation about my career path. Journalism teachers and former bosses had warned me, “You don’t get into this business to get rich,” and they were right. I did it because I love storytelling. And much of my 14 years in newspapers were spent in the press boxes, gymnasiums and bleachers of the local high schools. There’s nothing like capturing the beauty of a sporting event — passion, courage, heartbreak, exhilaration — in the span of a few hours and a few hundred words.
My job here has evolved quite a bit over the course of three-and-a-half years. We used to have a larger staff, of course, and I split my time between sports, community features and school Neil news. Skyline and Pierson Eastlake were the Press reporter only schools I covered. Gradually, I added Eastside Catholic, Issaquah, Liberty and Mount Si to the list. We’d be here all day if I tried listing every interesting person I’ve met. I’ve been in the homes of city council members Mariah Bettise and Christie Malchow; countless authors, artists, athletes and musicians; and over the years I’ve had my fair share of celebrity encounters (Bernhard Langer, Lydia Ko, Kenny Mayne, Steve Sarkisian, Megan Rapinoe, Isaiah Thomas and Ken Carter, the man who inspired the movie, “Coach Carter.”) Journalism is often a thankless job, but we do get occasional reminders that we’re doing something positive in our community. A handwritten thank-you note from Liberty football coach Steve Valach. A hug and a dish of homemade salsa from Eastlake
parent Karey Pierzchalski. Dozens of articles lining one of Skyline’s halls. I’m most grateful, however, for the chance to meet a lot of great kids. For the vast majority of athletes I write about, their high-school years are the apex. They’ll never play competitively again. The memories they make in front of their friends, relatives and teachers can never be replicated and the only place they’re archived is in the local newspaper. And when the stories stop, the community is the true casualty. For that reason, I encourage readers to support every media outlet they can. The remaining publications on the Eastside are no longer our competition. Please consider a paid subscription or moving your classified ads away from Craigslist. If you’re a business owner, every dollar you invest in your local paper gets reinvested — and then some — in your bottom line. And from the bottom of my heart, thank you for giving that 12-yearold boy in the Kingdome press box a chance to follow his dream. Email sports reporter Neil Pierson at npierson@isspress.com. Twitter: @ eastside_neil Off The Press is a weekly column by members of The Issaquah Press news staff.
DIGITAL INSIGHTS
Saying goodbye to this special community will be particularly bittersweet
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hen I joined The Issaquah Press Group right out of college in 2012, my main focus was our monthly Newcastle News paper, Liberty High School sports and the occasional Issaquah community feature. More than four years later, my job is significantly different. I’m still the only general news reporter dedicated to covering the Newcastle community, but I’ve taken over coordination of the online presence for all four papers, managing the websites, Twitter and Facebook accounts. You probably saw my byline less in The Issaquah Press as my duties shifted to producing more online content, but I was no less engaged in the communities we cover, particularly Issaquah and Sammamish. When we say goodbye at the end of the month, it will be particularly bittersweet for me, because I grew up in this community. I was raised in Sammamish and funneled through Issaquah schools, going from Sunny Hills Elementary to Pine Lake Middle before graduating from Skyline. As we prepare our final editions, I want to thank everyone who allowed me to tell their stories and become a part of your community.
Liberty High School Until this year, I covered high school sports. As my duties shifted online, reporter Neil Pierson took Liberty High School sports off my plate. They say there’s no cheering in the press box, but I’ll admit it right now, the Liberty community made a Patriot fan out of me. That’s a big deal coming from a Skyline High School graduate who loathed playing against the Liberty softball team as a student. And “loathed” is not an exaggeration. In my senior year, it was the
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Patriots who beat us out for a state berth, something that I remember nearly a decade later. But if the Spartans and Patriots met on a playing field today, I’d be Christina rooting for Liberty Corrales- and the tight-knit community that Toy made me feel like Press digital editor a family member over the past few years. An underdog mentality that comes with being a small, often-ignored school at the edge of the district is what fuels the Patriot spirit and crafts an unrivaled bond among teachers, staff members, students, coaches and families. After covering the community, I understand more than ever that those who ignore the little 2A school in the Renton Highlands do so at their own loss. I want to thank all of the coaches and staff members over the years that have gone out of their way to give me access to their students and programs. I can’t say enough about Kris Daughters and her powerhouse swim teams — it was an honor getting to watch you all hoist state championship trophies. Tennis coach Mike Salokas’ passion for his athletes is so inspiring. He fought harder than anyone to make sure his teams’ new courts were the best they could be as they were relocated to Tibbetts Valley Park during the school’s construction. I couldn’t be happier for longtime golf coach Jon Kinsley, who saw a lot of bad golf before helping the boys team capture a state title last year. Liberty basketball coach Omar Parker’s fiery passion on the bench can seem kind of scary during games,
General manager CHARLES HORTON
but when you meet him, you see a devoted, friendly mentor. I will also miss interacting with Michelle Munson, the school’s activity coordinator, and Dave Montalvo, Liberty’s school resource officer. Their passion for the Patriot community is inspiring and certainly contagious. Lastly, I want to thank Steve Valach for allowing me to be a small part of his Patriot community. I don’t think I can ever express how privileged I feel to say I know Steve Valach, a man who puts sportsmanship, pride, citizenship and family before winning. He runs a football program the right way and Liberty is lucky to have him. Steve, you’ll always have a fan in me.
Social media
I want to thank any schools, businesses and residents who ever shared one of our Facebook posts or retweeted one of our tweets. Sharing our content with your friends, family and community mattered more than you know. Those shares that generated additional views to our site were critical and an underrated reason why we saw huge gains in our site traffic over the past year. It’s been a pleasure interacting with you over the papers’ Facebook and Twitter accounts. Thank you to local photographers Shubha Tirumale and Stan Yuan for sharing your beautiful pictures over the years. Thank you to readers who offered story tips over the social networks. A quick heads up: The availability of our online content after our closure is a work in progress. However, digital copies of print editions dating back to 2011 are always available at bit.ly/ issaquahpressarchives. Christina Corrales-Toy is the digital editor of The Issaquah Press. Twitter : @ByChristinaCT
Editor
SCOTT STODDARD
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The Issaquah Press
Thursday, February 9, 2017 •
5
OPINION TO THE EDITOR Journalism
Issaquah
Would community support an online-only Issaquah Press? As a lifelong reader of The Press, I am alarmed and dismayed to hear of its closure. I’m concerned about the critical role a local newspaper plays in keeping residents informed of important developments, collecting community feedback, holding local government accountable and providing a consistent forum for community cohesiveness. What concerns me most is that an online presence is not even an option. I have been wondering what action can be taken for The Press to continue, even if solely online. Are there lessons learned from KNKX’s recent and highly successful effort to become an independent and thriving radio station all on its own (separate from PLU)? Can we apply those lessons to The Press? KNKX’s evolution was based on a groundswell of need and resounding public support. Given the phenomenal public response to The Press’ closure, I have the sense that we might have the same support here in Issaquah. Can we try it? I’m not a journalist and I don’t have deep pockets, but I’m willing to help in any way I can. We need it more than ever. Save The Issaquah Press!
Heidi Kayler Issaquah
Journalism
Editor made The Press relevant, transformed quality of writing Mr. Stoddard, thank you for all the great work you’ve done in leading The Issaquah Press and its staff on the path of excellence in journalism. You have set a high bar for the reporters and transformed the quality of their writing. You have made the paper relevant and critically important as a vehicle for transparency in the activities of the city government and other agencies that affect our quality of life. You have let us celebrate our schools, the victories of sports teams, and the arts, culture, and festivals that make Issaquah a vibrant community. In like manner, your website reflects all the best practices for accessibility and easy navigation. As an independent newspaper and as the eyes and ears of our community, indeed, as a means of informing the decisions we make as citizens, I will greatly miss your presence.
Patricia Duke Issaquah
Journalism
Press is immensely valuable, yet slipping through our fingers Dear Issaquah Press and residents: A presence of immense value is slipping through our fingers. I have started at least four letters to The Press since reading that The Press is ceasing print in February, trying to formulate what it means to the community to lose the reporting of the weekly Issaquah Press, for you have been the steady “heartbeat” of the community. Words can barely describe the void that will be created when we no longer have a “watchdog” that reports and prints the local happenings, and more important is their dedication to helping us understand what is going on in our community with developments that impact our quality of life, and what is planned for the city’s future. When I could not and did not attend the many city meetings regarding what was being planned and done in the name of a better community, The Press was always there to report back to the community. The Press was our eyes and ears to all of the development issues and concerns before the city departments and the citizens. As many have written — I, too, wonder who is NOW going to provide us with information regarding the fast-pace development that is occurring and planned for our city. The Press has given us details that have allowed citizens to give feedback to the city officials from those who have to live with the consequence of rapid development. With each new development, our city’s quality of life deteriorates bit by bit. The Press provided information that slowed down the “paving over” of the quality of life in the city.
Environment
Best use of Winterbrook Farm property is not residential
Scott Stoddard / sstoddard@isspress.com
The Jan. 26 edition of The Issaquah Press is shown in a coinbox outside of the Issaquah Brewhouse on West Sunset Way. I have been a subscriber for most of my 40 years as a resident. When The Press closes its doors, a deep and dark “fog” will envelop the city, for without The Issaquah Press’ weekly presence, NO other printed media will cover our local issues as thoroughly as The Press has done. I am sorry we residents could not fully appreciate your value and service to the Issaquah community. I want to thank Scott Stoddard, the editor, for his year of leadership, and the staff for their immense dedication to the city residents in providing outstanding coverage. I was looking forward to more years of print under Scott’s direction, for he and his team had Issaquah’s back, and for that I will be forever grateful. Your work to give us coverage of events and development in and around Issaquah will be sorely missed. Thank you for printing my letters of concern and I wish the whole staff the best.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION: WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR Something on your mind about your city? Tell us about it. The Issaquah Press welcomes letters to the editor about local issues — 300 words at most, please. Please note: We do not publish letters that have been printed in other publications. We may edit your letter for length, clarity or inappropriate content. Include your phone number (it will not be published). Send letters via email to editor@isspress.com, and please write “Letter to the Editor” in the subject line of your email. Alternatively, mail your letter to: Editor, The Issaquah Press, P.O. Box 1328, Issaquah, WA 98027
and theeastside.news website.
two copies of The Press each week — the one in my mailbox and one thrown in my driveway. I called twice and requested The Press stop throwing a paper in my driveway. My request was ignored and I continued to recieve two copies of The Press each week. Annoyed, I stopped my subscription. Why bother, I wondered. Issaquah DOES NEED an independent newspaper! Why weren’t subscriptions handled in a manner similar to NPR’s pledge drive or even the Press’ annual Christmas fund drive? Give your readers a deadline: We need “this many” subscribers by “such and such a date.” Had we been given a sense of urgency, I believe the community would have responded. I hope that soon, a truly independent Issaquah Press will reestablish itself. Local newspapers are critical to America’s towns. Through our local papers, we stay informed and connected.
Geraldine Carey Together they have a circulation Issaquah
Journalism
Something should — and must — be done to save The Press The Issaquah Press is closing ... what?! You’ve got to be kidding, right? How can an independent newspaper that has been in circulation for 117 years suddenly vanish? With all of our local reporting getting swallowed up by the not-so-local Seattle Times ... it is incomprehensible. According to General Manager Charles Horton, this conclusion was made to shut the paper down “after several months of exploring different paths for a sustainable future.” Well, why then are readers now only hearing about it? It seems even the staff was caught off-guard. Why haven’t we, as members of the community, been included in such an important decision? Horton was quoted as saying, “I’m sorry we weren’t able to get where we needed to be.” Where is that exactly? And what can be done to keep our free and independent press in circulation? Perhaps some kind of fundraiser, grant application or consolidation of the Eastside papers? It seems not only unwise to shut down such a valuable voice of our growing community, but also insulting! We the people, who have read and appreciated this weekly publication for years, have not even been allowed to have a say in the matter. I am confident that there are many, many others who would agree with me on this, and that something should and must be done to save The Issaquah Press!
Sarah Crow Issaquah
Journalism
Why not put The Press up for sale as a civic opportunity? The Seattle Times is the owner of The Issaquah Press Group. This includes the local papers —The Issaquah Press, Sammamish Review, SnoValley Star and the Newcastle News —
of 45,000. The general manager has announced they will cease operation of these historic papers on Feb. 24, 2017. If these were paid subscriptions of $26 per year, that would be an income of $1.17 million. In addition, there would be advertising revenue. Instead of shutting the door on these local communities, why not offer the business for sale as a civic opportunity? Communities would be served. Jobs would be saved. Businesses would be supported. Help us save our local papers.
Marianne Wilkins Sammamish
Journalism
We grieve the loss of vital and independent voice of The Press We were saddened to learn of the demise of The Issaquah Press. As 24-year residents of Issaquah, we have appreciated the outstanding work of the reporters and editors. At a time when the role of a free press is of paramount importance to the common good and the state of the union, we grieve the loss of your vital and informative voice. Thanks so much for your good work and the work of your colleagues. You will be missed.
Larry E. Thomas Issaquah
Journalism
Local papers are how America’s towns stay informed, connected I am writing to express my dismay at the closing of The Issaquah Press.For nearly 40 years, I have read The Press for its coverage of school events and community news, as well as births, milestones and obituaries. And it has been critical in raising funds each year for Issaquah’s Community Fund. The paper has been the fabric that has tied us together as a community. I truly grieve its passing. And I also have to express my frustration. I was a faithful subscriber for more than 30 years, but then I started getting
Well-done story about the Winterbrook Farm property on May Valley Road. The Issaquah School District bought this site in a misguided effort to put one or even two schools on the site. Even if the laws restricting schools on rural lands were changed, this site is not where schools should be located. There are two salmon creeks on the property, large areas of wetlands and seasonal flooding, and a very active wildlife corridor connecting Tiger, Taylor and the Cedar River Watershed to Squak Mountain. The herd of up to 30 elk regularly seen on the property are often cited, but the long-term health of other species also depend on connected habitat areas. This property has the potential of connecting Squak trails to the Log Cabin Reach property and the Cedar River Trail. Unfortunately, the south 40 acres abuts the Cedar Hills Regional Landfill property. The county has so far spent millions successfully stopping landfillcontaminated water from coming into a stream on the property that feeds Issaquah Creek and that in the past impacted hatchery operations. The county has gone to great expense to deal less-successfully with an “aroma” issue created by the landfill, where under certain weather conditions the smell from garbage dumped over several decades impacts this property. Hardly a place for a school or the place to try and market high-end estate homes. A developer has an option on the property and is going through a feasibility process. We can only hope all critical area and “aroma” issues are recognized and understood. Overall, the highest and best use for this property is not residential. The county recognizes the best uses for this property and is a ready and willing buyer at a properly done appraisal price that considers the assets and liabilities of this property. Admittedly, likely for less than a developer thinking of marketing mansions on this property will pay or what the school district thinks this highly impacted stinker is worth.
David Kappler
Laura Foreman Issaquah
Journalism
Irony: A newspaper delivered for free ran out of money Irony in the news (in regard to the closure): It’s ironic and sad, of course, that the way I found out about the newspaper closing is in the newspaper itself. The newspaper that I’ve been subscribing to for a while now. I live just inside the Issaquah School District boundary and my son is a student at Liberty. I get the Renton Reporter delivered free but it includes very little about what is going on at Liberty, even though the school resides in Renton. When I discovered The Issaquah Press includes sports coverage and other activities at Liberty, I immediately subscribed. It was worth the small subscription fee to get what’s important to me. It’s also ironic that a free paper ran out of money. If something that’s being given away for free runs out of money, start asking the people partaking in the free service to provide some money for that service. It’s basic economics. I know it’s not that simple, but I wish someone would have asked me first. Maybe we could have come up with some other options. Wait, this is a newspaper. What about asking its readers for ideas about how to sustain the service? Would that be too ironic?
Ken Bouvier Renton
Journalism
The newspaper should soldier on as a web-based operation Why can’t the Issy Press soldier on as a web-based news source? Seems like an enormous loss to the community. There will be no local outlet to keep us abreast of community affairs. Sorry to see The Press end like this. Best of luck to you all and thank you for your years of valuable service to us all. You will be sorely missed.
Russ Garner
Issaquah
Community
Issaquah Highlands HOA pushing politics on Facebook
To my amazement, the Issaquah Highlands homeowner association recently endorsed sanctuary cities on its official “Issaquah Highlands” Facebook page. It did so by sharing a statement by the Issaquah mayor that indicated the City of Issaquah’s continued status as a sanctuary city. The HOA might have an excuse if its practice was to automatically share every single City of Issaquah post, but it doesn’t. It shares a very small percentage of the city’s posts. And, to remove any doubt, the HOA made its position quite clear by adding a heart symbol. It’s outrageous that our HOA took a position on a political issue. That’s not its job and none of its business. We fund the HOA to maintain our parks, promote community events, etc., not to take positions on illegal immigration, abortion, gun rights, school vouchers, the death penalty or any other issue. The “Issaquah Highlands” name on the Facebook post makes it appear like it’s the official position of the entire neighborhood. Technically, the Issaquah Highlands Facebook account is controlled by the Highlands Council, one of the neighborhood’s two governing bodies. Highlands Council staff members seem to have problems keeping their personal opinions and beliefs separate from their professional duties. In the past, the executive director, Christy Garrard, improperly used her position and neighborhood resources to encourage residents to attend church services at her church. It appears that they haven’t learned that they should put their opinions on their personal Facebook pages instead of pretending to speak for me and other residents on the neighborhood’s official page. Ironically, part of the Highlands Council’s mission is to foster diversity. Apparently that doesn’t apply to diversity of opinion on political issues. Regardless, the HOA’s hypocrisy aside, that post should immediately be deleted.
6 • Thursday, February 9, 2017
The Issaquah Press
HOOPIN’ AND HOLLERIN’
JANUARY STUDENTS OF THE MONTH Phillip Tasker
Daley Potter
Issaquah High School
Issaquah High School
Leadership department. ASB president, ASB activities coordinator, sophomore class president. AP Scholar in five classes, 3.78 GPA, scholar-athlete, Pride and Tradition award. A model for peers of kindness, citizenship and leadership and dedicated to improving school culture.
Career & Technical Education department. DECA co-president, DECA Internationals qualifier, DECA State qualifier, DECA member of the month, Pride and Tradition award. National Honor Society. Poised under pressure, she goes above and beyond duties. Goal of an MBA degree.
Ian Weiss
Laurie Willoughby
Career & Technical Education department. CTE Student of the Year, Honor Society, Robotics Team. AP Scholar, Computer Science. Robotics Club past president. Led team that won PSCSTA novice division programming contest and sixth in advanced division, each against 130 teams.
Leadership department. Member of Inter-District Schools Committee. A four-year ASB officer and event planner. Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership volunteer. A leader with strong communication skills, work ethic and a servant leader heart. Models respect, integrity and excellence.
Liberty High School
Liberty High School
Photos by Greg Farrar / gfarrar@isspress.com
The Issaquah School District Special Olympics basketball team played a home game Feb. 2 at Issaquah High against the Ingraham Rams from Seattle, and the atmosphere had all the trappings of any varsity squad contest. The crowd was vocal, the pep band entertained, students raised posters for players, cheerleaders cheered and the dance team performed a halftime routine. Ingraham emerged victorious, however, 48-33.
Above: Issaquah’s Kendall Lum drives the ball up
the court during the first quarter.
Village Theatre’s Beta Series presents ‘Writing Kevin Taylor’ “Writing Kevin Taylor” takes the stage Feb. 17 in the second production of the Village Theatre’s new Beta Series, an expansion of the Village Originals program that supports the development of new works. “Writing Kevin Taylor” explores the story of a New York City novelist who is stuck in a rut. After his façade cracks on public television, he resigns himself to life as a washed-up bachelor — that is, until an enthusiastic teenage fan arrives on his doorstep offering to be his intern. The show features a cast of three: Village Theatre vet
Joshua Carter in the title role of Kevin Taylor, Andi Alhadeff, previously seen at Village Theatre’s Festival of New Musicals, as Kevin’s ex-wife Julia and Caden Brauch as Tyler — Kevin’s off-beat employee. The Beta Series thrives on the feedback of its audience, so surveys will be distributed to all attendees. In addition, select shows during the first five performances of the run will include talkbacks with the writers. “Writing Kevin Taylor” runs from Feb. 17 to March 5. For tickets, go to villagetheatre.org or call the box office at 392-2202.
RESTAURANT INSPECTIONS Inspections were performed Jan. 23-29 by Public Health, Seattle and King County. A food establishment inspection is only a snapshot of the operation during a limited time. Readers should look at more than one inspection (view inspection reports online at theeastside.news/inspections) to get a better idea of the overall operation. Red violations: High-risk factors are improper practices or procedures identified as the most prevalent contributing factors of foodborne illness or injury. One red critical violation equals an unsatisfactory inspection. County environmental health specialists work with operators to make sure these violations are corrected before they leave the establishment. Blue violations: Low-risk factors are preventive measures to control the addition of pathogens, chemicals, and physical objects into foods.
Emerald City Smoothie 1480 NW Gilman Blvd. Jan. 25: Routine inspection, 10 red, 5 blue Las Margaritas Restaurant 59 Front St. N. Jan. 24: Routine inspection, 0 red, 0 blue Target — Groceries 755 NW Gilman Blvd. Jan. 24: Routine inspection, satisfactory, 0 red, 0 blue Target — Starbucks 755 NW Gilman Blvd. Jan. 24: Routine inspection, satisfactory, 0 red, 0 blue Tiger Mountain Country Store 14331 Issaquah-Hobart Road. Jan. 23: Routine inspection, satisfactory, 0 red, 15 blue
435 or more red violation points require a reinspection within 14 days.
Tuscan Stone Pizza No. 3 5530 E. Lake Sammamish Parkway SE Jan. 25: Routine inspection, satisfactory 0 red, 0 blue
490 or more red violation points or 120 total violation points (red and blue) require closure of the establishment.
Tuscan Stone Pizza No. 4 5530 E. Lake Sammamish Parkway SE Jan. 25: Routine inspection, satisfactory 0 red, 0 blue
12th Avenue Cafe 775 NW Gilman Blvd. Jan. 25: Routine inspection, 10 red, 5 blue
Tuscan Stone Pizza No. 5 5530 E. Lake Sammamish Parkway SE Jan. 25: Routine inspection, satisfactory 0 red, 0 blue
Left: Students in the cheering section hold posters in support of the Issaquah players.
The Rotary Club of Issaquah names local students of the month. Students are nominated for the honor by department heads at their respective schools.
ENGAGEMENT
OBITUARIES
Corra, Gai Rick and Kathy Corra of Beaux Arts Village announce the engagement of their son Britt Corra to Andrea Gai. The future groom graduated from Issaquah High School in 2000 and holds degrees from the University of Washington and Seattle University. He is a program manager at Microsoft. The bride-to-be, the daughter of Don and Kristie Gai, graduated from Redmond High School in 2005 and Washington State University in 2009. She works as a nurse at the University of Washington. The couple will marry May 20, 2017, at St. James Cathedral.
Julie P. Nierenberg, a longtime resident of Issaquah, passed away on January 26th 2017. She was 97 years old. Mrs. Nierenberg has donated her body to the University Of Washington School Of Medicine. At her request a family memorial will be held at a later date. Julie Nierenberg Julie was born, raised and educated in Alberta, Canada. She moved to Montana in 1949 and married Ed Nierenberg in 1953. They moved to Issaquah with their three children in 1955. Her husband passed away in 2003. Mrs. Nierenberg was an Income Tax Consultant for many years. In 1984 she sold her business and retired. Her husband, an Insurance Agent, had retired in 1983. They purchased a motor home and began traveling the United States and Mexico in addition to spending the winter months in Yuma, Arizona. Germani, Peck Julie was an avid Duplicate Bridge player and a member Angelica Germani and Cody Peck of Seattle were married of the American Contract Bridge League. In 1994 she was awarded a Life Master Certificate in recognition of outDec. 3, 2016, at Beecher’s Loft in Seattle. John Whitaker, standing achievement in Duplicate Bridge competition. uncle of the groom, officiated. Angelica is the daughter of Julie is survived by her Daughter, Sheila LaDoux (Larry) David and Evangeline Germani of Issaquah. Cody is the son of Omak Washington. Her sons Ellis Nierenberg (Kathy) of of Calvin and Audrey Peck of Fernandina Beach, Fla. Angelica graduated from Liberty High School in 1999 and Se- Orando Washington and Rich Nierenberg (Linda) of Sammamish Washington. In addition to her children Julie was attle University in 2004. She now works in the Seattle city attorney’s office. Peck went to high school in North Carolina proud to have six grandchildren, fourteen great grandchilbefore graduating from Cochise College in 2010 and Ameri- dren and two great great grandchildren. can Military University in 2014. He works at Boeing.
WEDDING
Rita Anne Dye
Rita Anne Dye of Issaquah, loving wife to Robert and treasured mother of Patrick and Robbie, passed away Wednesday, February 1, 2017 in Kirkland. A funeral mass will be said 11am, Monday, Adair Gladden Rush February 13, 2017 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Issaquah. Friends are invited Cassandra and Tobias Rush announce the birth of their son to view photos, get directions and share Rita Anne Dye memories in the family’s online guest Adair Gladden. Adair was born Dec. 14, 2016, in Kirkland, book at flintofts.com. Flintoft’s Funeral Home, 425-392weighing 8 pounds, 2 ounces. He joins 7-year-old sister Kas6444. en and 3-year-old brother Heron. Grandparents are Robert and Pamela Zenker of Issaquah and Ron and Paulette Rush of Tillamook, Ore. Great-grandparents are Gary and Beverly To place a paid obituary in The Issaquah Press, Rush of Las Vegas, Jerry and Maxine Richter of Tillamook, call Claire Cook at 392-6434, extension 232, Ore. and Lyn Melton of Cottage Grove, Ore. Cassandra is a LAURA F.FINAL.IP.CMYK.REV1 0116 LAM.REV2 0116 LAM or visit us online at issaquahpress.com. 1999 graduate of Liberty High School.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
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LIVING
THE ISSAQUAH PRESS
Thursday, February 9, 2017 • 7
Keeping up with Klahanie’s MMA couple By David Hayes dhayes@isspress.com Amy Montenegro made local headlines back in 2013 when her then-boyfriend Dex proposed to her in the ring right after winning a mixed martial arts fight. Amy was again in the headlines Jan. 14, this time nationally, after winning an MMA pro fight of her own despite being choked out to the point of losing consciousness. “That was crazy, one of those things,” Amy said from her Klahanie home. “I remember flying home on the airplane afterwards and thinking ‘Did all that really happen? In one fight?’ It hadn’t really registered yet. So much happened. I didn’t realize there’d be such an explosion on social media.” The Invicta FC strawweight, 115-pound fight pitted Amy, knicknamed “The Resurrection,” against Celine Haga in a memorable, back-and-forth affair wracked by two controversies at the bell. In the first round, Amy appeared to apply an arm bar that forced Haga to “tap out,” which normally would mean admitting defeat to get the hold released and the referee to stop the match. However, the tap occurred right as the bell rang, ending the round and forcing Amy to release the hold and continue fighting into the second round. The tables were turned in the third round when Haga applied a chokehold on Amy. Rather than tap, Amy appeared to pass out,
Courtesy of Amy Montenegro
Klahanie couple Dex and Amy Montenegro both have multiple MMA fights under their belts. Amy is continuing her pursuit of a title while Dex has decided to retire. which also would have ended the fight. However, the referee again ruled the hold occurred at the bell, even though Amy was unable to continue had the bell not rung. Instead, the match was determined by points, with Amy winning 29-28 on all three judges’ cards. Haga has since lost an appeal
to the Missouri Office of Athletics to get the result overturned. Amy has tried to remain gracious in victory. “I’ve heard so many negative comments in the past few weeks — bad about Invicta, the Missouri Athletic Commission, all over about the refs, about me. I’m just not surprised by anything anymore,” Amy said. “I’ve nothing
negative to say about Invicta.” The win left her professional record at 8-2. “I love fighting for Invicta. It’s really the best promotion I’ve fought for. They treat you well, get a lot of publicity and they run an excitingly smooth show,” Amy said. While Amy continues to train for a hopeful match in May, Dex, in the meantime, has had to step back from in-the-ring matches. “I retired after my last fight in May,” he said. “It was the best move for my family to step back as far as fighting and help Amy and our daughters’ goals in life.” Dex’s own pro fighting career had been beset by injuries. Early on, it was a knee injury after just his second pro match. In 2015, he was kicked during sparring and broke a rib, learning later that he had also suffered a punctured lung. He also lost 25 pounds from his fighting weight of 160 in a matter of days. After training hard to get back in shape, he experienced sharp, stabbing pain in his chest and heart. Rather than go to a scheduled fight, Amy took him to the hospital. “We found out my lung had been punctured. If I’d been kicked there, I would have died,” Dex said. To make matters worse, the same injury later occurred on the other side of his rib cage, again setting back his pro career. After healing, Dex fought just twice more, losing both. In
the first bout, the ref stopped it quickly. The second went the distance, but he lost by decision. “It was a good fight to go out on,” Dex said. Amy continues to work as a nurse at Issaquah Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Dex is looking to manage fighters and breed and train service dogs — anything other than fighting to stay well-rounded, he said. That includes managing their family. Visit their Facebook pages and you’ll see plenty of photos of their two American Bullies, Mini Mouse and Mighty Mouse, and their two daughters, Cici and Lilli. Amy and Dex both predict big things ahead for Lilli, who just finished the wrestling season at Beaver Lake Middle School with a 13-0 record, including 12 victories by pin. Together, Amy and Dex manage the Gracie Barra gym in Bellevue that specializes in Brazilian jujitsu training. “It just kind of happened,” Amy said. “We were there 9-to-5 training anyway. We’d cover classes here and there, help out, hold the fort down, and it just turned into more.” They recently demonstrated the Gracie Barra style on KINGTV’s New Day morning program. Despite Amy’s busy schedule, she still has her sights on winning an Invicta title. “That’s my first goal,” she said. “Or get a fight that gets me into contention for a title shot next, something that moves me toward a title fight.”
135 E. Sunset Way Arts Commission meeting, 6:30 p.m., Coho Room, City Hall, 135 E. Sunset Way Issaquah Library Book Club: “The Marriage of Opposites,” by Alice Hoffman, for adults, 6:30-8 p.m., Issaquah Library, 10 W. Sunset Way, 392-5430
St. N., arteast.org, 392-3191 Citizenship Classes, for adults, 4:30-6 p.m., Issaquah Library, 10 W. Sunset Way, 392-5430 Double Play, ages 21 and older, 6-9 p.m., Pogacha, 8-11 p.m., 120 NW Gilman Blvd., no cover charge, pogacha.com Development Commission meeting, 7 p.m., City Council chambers, City Hall South, 135 E. Sunset Way “The 39 Steps” presented by Village Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $35-$70, Francis Gaudette Theatre, 303 Front St. N., villagetheatre.org, 392-2200
LET’S GO! FRIDAY, FEB. 10 Tea Discovery, ages 10 and older, 10-11:30 a.m., Experience Tea, 195 Front St. N., $25, experience-tea.com Electronic Recycle Event, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., PC Fix, 1320 NW Mall St. Suite D, 394-1011 Play & Learn: Chinese, ages 2-5, 10:30 a.m. to noon, Issaquah Library, 10 W. Sunset Way, 392-5430 Mommy and Me: Tot Shabbat, ages 6 months to 3 years, 10:30-11:30 a.m., 24121 SE Black Nugget Road, free, register at nsfarkash@gmail.com, learn more at chabadissaquah.com/Tot-Shabbat Print Night Out, featuring block printing instruction with light snacks and refreshments, ages 18 and older, 6:30-9:30 p.m., artEAST Art Center, 95 Front St. N., $55/members, $60/nonmembers, sign up at arteast.org Hops & Shots Winter Beer Festival, for adults, 6-9 p.m., Gilman Village, 317 NW Gilman Blvd., $35, downtownissaquah.com Wheel Throwing three-week course, 6-9 p.m., artEAST Art Center, 95 Front St. N., arteast.org, 392-3191 Parents Night Out: Valentines Party, ages 3-12, 6:30-10:30 p.m., Sammamish Community YMCA, 831 228th Ave. SE, Sammamish, $25/members, $35/ nonmembers, register at bit.ly/2k5PSXS Manga Night: Papercraft, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Museo Art Academy, 300 NE Gilman Blvd., $29, museoart.com Harmonious Funk, 7:30-11:35 p.m., Vino Bella, 99 Front St. N., 391-1424 “The 39 Steps” presented by Village Theatre, 8 p.m., $35-$70, Francis Gaudette Theatre, 303 Front St. N., villagetheatre.org, 392-2200
SATURDAY, FEB. 11 Tree Potting at Mountains to Sound Greenway Native Plant Nursery, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Lake Sammamish State Park, 2000 NW Sammamish Road, all ages, register at
mtsgreenway.org Valentine card printmaking drop-in class, 10 a.m. to 1p.m., artEAST Art Center, 95 Front St. N., arteast.org, 392-3191 AARP Tax Help, for adults and seniors, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Issaquah Library, 10 W. Sunset Way, 392-5430 Issaquah Alps area dog hike, 10 a.m., easy 4-6 miles, up to 900-foot gain, meet at 175 Rainier Blvd. S., 481-2341 Habitat Restoration Event, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Lake Sammamish State Park, 2000 NW Sammamish Road, individuals sign up at bit.ly/2kWVV2B, groups sign up at bit.ly/2k0yNfu, learn more at lakesammamishfriends.org Woo at the Zoo!, all ages, featuring Valentine’s Day themed mini-lectures and animal enrichment demonstrations, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Cougar Mountain Zoo, 19525 SE 54th St., cougarmountainzoo.org, 392-6278 Super Cool Science Show, all ages, 11 a.m. to noon, Springfree Trampoline, 1875 NW Poplar Way, free, springfreetrampoline. com Tradition Plateau hike, noon, moderate, 6 miles, 600-foot gain, meet at 175 Rainier Blvd. S., 652-2753 “The 39 Steps” presented by Village Theatre, 2 and 8 p.m., $35-$70, Francis Gaudette Theatre, 303 Front St. N., villagetheatre.org, 392-2200 Bulgarian Voice of Seattle Women’s Choir, all ages, 2-3 p.m., Sammamish Library, 825 228th Ave. SE, Sammamish, 392-3130 Father-Daughter Valentine Dance, girls grades K-2 at 4-6 p.m. and girls grades 3-5 at 7-9 p.m., Issaquah Community Center, $20/adult residents, $26/nonresidents, $40/at the door, register at iplay. issaquahwa.gov Love in the Big Easy, adults 21 and older celebrate Valentine’s Day with Mardi Gras-style music and libations, 6-9 p.m., Blakely Hall, 2550 NE Park Drive, $25/ person, purchase tickets at bit.ly/2k12JIk Swingin’ in Vienna, featuring waltzes by the Evergreen Philharmonic Orchestra and
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big band swing dancing by the Issaquah Jazz Band, plus fancy desserts, 7-10 p.m., Issaquah High School, 700 Second Ave. SE, $25/adults, $20/students, evergreenphil. org Second Saturday Films: Alfred Hitchcock’s “Rope,” 7-9 p.m., Eagle Room, City Hall, 130 E. Sunset Way, free Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance’s Winter Stoke party and fundraiser, 7:3010:30 p.m., Gerk’s Ski and Cycle, 1875 NW Poplar Way, advance tickets $15/ members, $20/nonmembers, purchase at bit.ly/2k0UFr6 Copastetic, 7:30-11:35 p.m., Vino Bella, 99 Front St. N., 391-1424 Big Dog Revue, ages 21 and older, Pogacha, 8-11 p.m., 120 NW Gilman Blvd., $5 cover charge, pogacha.com
SUNDAY, FEB. 12 Lakemont Loop hike, 9 a.m., moderate, 7.5 miles, 1,400-foot gain, meet at 175 Rainier Blvd. S., 902-6255 Photography Composition class, ages 18 and older, two Sundays 1-4 p.m. Feb. 12 & 26, artEAST Art Center, 95 Front St. N., $80/members, $85/nonmembers, register at arteast.org “The 39 Steps” presented by Village Theatre, 2 and 7 p.m., $35-$70, Francis Gaudette Theatre, 303 Front St. N., villagetheatre.org, 392-2200
MONDAY, FEB. 13 Little Si hike, 9 a.m., moderate 4 miles, 1,160-foot gain, meet at Snoqualmie Ridge Starbucks, 7730 Center Blvd. SE, Snoqualmie, 394-8657 Figure Drawing Poses drop-in classes, 10 a.m. to 1 p .m., artEAST Art Center, 95 Front St. N., arteast.org Rovin’ Fiddlers Valentines Day performance, 3-5 p.m., Issaquah Valley Senior Center, 75 NE Creek Way, rovinfiddlers.com Council Committee Work Session, 6:30 p.m., City Council chambers, City Hall South,
TUESDAY, FEB. 14 In the Mood for Love or Not: Valentine’s Day and Chocolate Tasting Party, for adults and seniors, 1:30-2:30 p.m., Issaquah Library, 10 W. Sunset Way, 392-5430 Hearing Examiner: Windward Development (1763 Newport Way NW), 1:30 p.m., City Council chambers, City Hall South, 135 E. Sunset Way Teen Open House, homework and tutoring help for teens, 3-5 p.m., Issaquah Library, 10 W. Sunset Way, 392-5430 Muddy Buddies February, ages 7-11, 4-5:30 p.m.; Club Mud February, ages 12-16, 5:30-7 p.m., artEAST Art Center, 95 Front St. N., arteast.org, 392-3191 One-on-One Computer Help, for adults, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Issaquah Library, 10 W. Sunset Way, 392-5430 Council Services & Safety Committee meeting, 6:30 p.m., City Council chambers, City Hall South, 135 E. Sunset Way “The 39 Steps” presented by Village Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $35-$70, Francis Gaudette Theatre, 303 Front St. N., villagetheatre.org, 392-2200
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 15 Senior Center Trip: Twede’s Café and Snoqualmie Falls, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., meet at Issaquah Valley Senior Center, 75 NE Creek Way, $5, register at least two days in advance at front desk Listening Mothers, for newborns to 6 months, 8-week course, noon to 2 p.m., Swedish Hospital Issaquah, 751 NE Blakely Drive, $195, register at bit.ly/2jDcMGC Youth Painting February, ages 8-12, 4-5:30 p.m., artEAST Art Center, 95 Front
THURSDAY, FEB. 16 Hearing Examiner: Solway Townhomes (775 Fourth Ave. NW), 10 a.m., Eagle Room, City Hall, 130 E. Sunset Way Free Microsoft Office Specialist Certification Tests, for adults and teens, 11 a.m. to noon, noon to 1 p.m. and 1-2 p.m., Issaquah Library, 10 W. Sunset Way, register at bit.ly/2kX0FoL Teen Open House, homework and tutoring help for teens, 3-5 p.m., Issaquah Library, 10 W. Sunset Way, 392-5430 The Anime Club meeting has been canceled One-on-One Computer Help, for adults, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Issaquah Library, 10 W. Sunset Way, 392-5430 Friends of Sammamish Library Monthly Meeting, for adults, 6-7:30 p.m., Sammamish Library, 825 228th Ave. SE, Sammamish, 392-3130 Study Zone, homework and tutoring help for grades K-12, 6-8 p.m., Issaquah Library, 10 W. Sunset Way, 392-5430 Talk Time Class, for adults, 6:30-8 p.m., Issaquah Library, 10 W. Sunset Way, 392-5430 Council Infrastructure Committee meeting, 6:30 p.m., City Council chambers, City Hall South, 135 E. Sunset Way “The 39 Steps” presented by Village Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $35-$70, Francis Gaudette Theatre, 303 Front St. N., villagetheatre.org, 392-2200
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THE ISSAQUAH PRESS
Thursday, February 9, 2017 • 8
Wildcats discover late-game mojo to upset Spartans BOYS BASKETBALL MOUNT SI 56 SKYLINE 53 By Neil Pierson npierson@isspress.com The Mount Si Wildcats haven’t had a lot of luck or success at the end of games this season, losing nine times by eight points or less. But with the stakes seemingly rising every time Mount Si steps on the court, the team is finding some good fortune and a killer instinct. The Wildcats needed both on Jan. 31 to upset firstplace Skyline. Tyler Patterson’s late 3-pointer, coupled with a pair of Skyline misses at the free-throw line, were enough to push Mount Si to a 56-53 victory in Class 4A KingCo Conference boys basketball action in Snoqualmie. “We’ve had some heartbreakers this year, so maybe it’s just things balancing out,” Mount Si coach Jason Griffith said. “Maybe it’s our guys understanding what it takes to get stops. “I felt, defensively, in the last two minutes, we were really good and forced a couple really tough shots. If we clean up boxing out, maybe the game is not as close as it was.” The Wildcats (8-12 overall, 6-8 KingCo) needed the win to remain in control of their own destiny for a playoff spot. And they clinched the No. 5 seed to this week’s KingCo tournament when they beat Woodinville, 6254, on Feb. 4. Meanwhile, Skyline (12-6,
Greg Farrar / gfarrar@isspress.com
Issaquah’s Kaleb Solusod wrestles Bothell’s Jay Smith at 160 pounds for the Class 4A KingCo championship Feb. 4. Solusod won the conference title with a 9-0 victory.
Issaquah, Skyline dominate KingCo 4A wrestling tournament By Neil Pierson npierson@isspress.com
Tickman needed only 1 minute, 24 seconds to pin Bothell’s Trevor Crabb in One point was all that the finals. He also won an separated the Issaquah 11-5 decision over Bothell’s Eagles and Skyline SparBryce Ames and pinned tans during their Class 4A Skyline’s Justin Melendez in KingCo Conference wres38 seconds. tling dual meet, so it was no Solusod cruised to a 9-0 surprise to see the squads major decision in the finals finish first and second, over Bothell’s Jay Smith. respectively, at their first He also beat Bothell’s Matpostseason meet. thew Kendrick (4-3) and See WILDCATS, Page 9 Issaquah successfully Skyline’s Akash Yechuri defended its KingCo 4A (pin in 2:19). tournament title Feb. 3 at A week after they wresJuanita High School in Kirk- tled to decide the KingCo land. The Eagles scored 203 dual title, Pearson and points and bested runnerSkyline’s Chris Harper met up Skyline (169), with the again in the 182-pound district rivals combining for finals. Pearson bested seven individual champion- Harper for a second time At Lake Washington High School ships and 22 allocations to this season, 5-3. Feb. 10 this week’s Region 2 chamIssaquah also had a pair Boys pionships. of second-place finishers in Skyline vs. Woodinville/Issaquah Issaquah, which finished Nathan Asistin (113) and winner, 6 p.m. 7-0 to win the conference’s Chase Helgeson (170). Bothell vs. Inglemoor/Mount Si dual-meet crown, including Asistin advanced to the fiwinner, 7:45 p.m. a 34-33 win over Skyline on nal with a 9-8 decision over Feb. 11 Jan. 26, had three wrestlers Skyline’s Cole Turner, but Girls win their divisions at the Skyline’s Kenta Despe won Woodinville vs. Eastlake/Issaquah KingCo meet: William Tick- the title at 113 by pinning winner, 6 p.m. man (120 pounds), Kaleb Asistin late in the second Bothell vs. Inglemoor/Skyline Solusod (160) and Dean period. winner, 7:45 p.m. Pearson (182). Helgeson topped Mount
4A KINGCO BASKETBALL TOURNAMENTS
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4A REGION 2 WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS At Skyline High School Feb. 11 First-round matches start at 10 a.m., finals at 5 p.m. Eight KingCo Conference schools and eight North Puget Sound League Cascade Division schools will be in attendance. The top four finishers in each weight class advance to the Mat Classic state championships, Feb. 17-18 at the Tacoma Dome.
Si’s Antonio Gil with a 41-second pin and gutted out a 2-1 decision over Eastlake’s Roggen Kopper. But Helgeson fell victim to Mount Si senior Mason Marenco in the finals, get-
ting pinned by the returning state medalist late in the first period. Issaquah’s other regional qualifiers included thirdplace finisher Carson Tanner (106), and fourth-place finishers Ellis Losey (138), Kamil Solowieji (152), Tobin Lewis (195) and Caleb Lee (285). Terry Zaragoza (220), Mitchell Barnes (285), Pavel Hoffelaer (126) and Jacob Lerch (120) will be regional alternates after taking fifth place. Skyline had four conference champions thanks to the efforts of returning state qualifier Scott Huff (138), Kona Bertolino (106), Nick Beatty (195) and Despe (113). Huff won a showdown with Mount Si’s Spencer Marenco in the title match, pinning him in 1:57. Huff was sharp in two earlier
victories, needing just 38 seconds to pin Eastlake’s Matt Brookshier and Woodinville’s Vincent Grossrieder. Bertolino’s run to the KingCo title included a 48-second pin of Woodinville’s Jonathan Ruana, a 2-1 decision over Tanner of Issaquah and a 6-4 decision over Newport’s Josh Lee. In a sparsely-filled bracket at 195, Beatty needed only two wins to claim the title, pinning Bothell’s Walker Hardan in 3:59 and knocking off Newport’s Caleb Richardson, 7-2. The Spartans got a second-place effort from Zach Froeber (132); thirdplace points from Cole Turner (113), Paul Abboud (138), Jaron Jin (145), Matt Oss (220) and Caleb Inton (285); and a fourth-place finish from Thomas Jakle (106).
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The Issaquah Press
Thursday, February 9, 2017 •
9
POLICE & FIRE The Police & Fire report does not appear this week because the Issaquah Police Department did not provide a summary of investigations by press time.
Skyline athletes celebrate signing letters of intent
Wildcats from page
By Neil Pierson npierson@isspress.com
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9-5) lost its chance at the KingCo regular-season title. For nine Skyline studentThe Spartans fell Feb. 3 to athletes, Feb. 1 was the end visiting Eastlake, 63-54, and of a long, arduous process will be the No. 2 seed when to determine the next few the tournament’s doubleyears of their lives. elimination round begins High-school athletes Feb. 10. around the country were Mount Si senior point able to sign the dotted line guard Gavin Gorrell was of their National Letter of elated following the victory, Intent on the first day of posing for photos with his the NCAA’s winter signbaseball teammates who’d ing period. That included joined the student section. three football players, three The home crowd may soccer players and three have played a part in the fastpitch players at Skyline. result as Skyline’s Freddy Coach Mat Taylor’s Jarvis could’ve won the football program, long game for the Spartans. With renowned for produc2.9 seconds left, he grabbed ing standout athletes, is an offensive rebound and sending three more to the was fouled, but missed next level: Linebacker Alex the ensuing free throws as Neil Pierson / npierson@isspress.com Diegel (Central WashingMount Si’s fans did their At a Feb. 1 ceremony, Skyline High School recognized this year’s student-athletes who signed their National Letter of Intent to play college ton), defensive back Bradbest to distract him. sports. From left to right are Alex Diegel, Cameron Tingey, Riley Gill, Alexa Kirton, Ben Smith, Molly Monroe, Bradley Kim, Molly Spaniac, Henry ley Kim (Air Force) and Taylor Upton sank two Henry Bainivalu, one of the Bainivalu, Lauren Lo and Caroline Bowman. foul shots for Mount Si to nation’s top offensive-line make it a three-point game. With only 1.5 seconds to recruits, who will stay in his big of a thing to me,” he what she could to a squad fastpitch program reached Skyline baseball players score, Skyline’s last chance back yard at Washington. said. “I played it because it that placed third at the the state tournament for Riley Gill and Ben Smith, evaporated on an errant “Ever since sophomore was fun. My friends did it Class 4A state tournament. the first time since 2004. who signed their LOIs in inbounds pass. year, when the offers start- and obviously it was a big “It was difficult but I was And three players who November with San Fran“This is one of the bigger ed coming in, this was the part of my life, but I never focusing on getting myself signed LOIs were a big cisco and Bucknell, respecdate where everything had really looked ahead that strong,” Monroe said. “I reason why. tively, were also honored at wins of my whole career here,” said Gorrell, who led to be final and this is when I much. wanted to support my team, Pitcher Caroline Bowman Wednesday’s ceremony. had to know where I’m go“As soon as I came here, but also I had to prioritize (San Jose State), outfielder Issaquah High School has all scorers with 21 points. “It was fun. I’ve never ing to be for the next four or I looked at the legacy that playing in college.” Lauren Lo (Western Wash10 known signees who will five years,” said Bainivalu, Skyline has had, and all Most college soccer play- ington) and outfielder Molly be recognized at a ceremo- heard this place that loud before.” a 6-foot-6, 302-pounder of the people that came ers are unearthed at the Spaniac (Claremont-Mudd- ny in April: The Spartans had a 37-35 who had scholarship offers through here, and it meant select level and Monroe Scripps) led the Spartans to 4Morgan Bevell, fastlead entering the fourth from at least a dozen highso much to me to be able proved herself at Eastside a conference tournament pitch, Brigham Young profile programs, including to contribute and give my FC, where she played at last title and a 19-7 record. 4Kennie Beighle, soccer, quarter. But the final eight minutes were topsy-turvy, Michigan, Nebraska and couple of cents to the legend summer’s U.S. Youth Soccer Lo had to recover from Lewis and Clark (Ore.) featuring three ties and Southern California. that Skyline has become.” National Championships. a serious injury that took 4Tanner Davis, basketeight lead changes. “I’m super excited that it’s Skyline’s girls soccer “We’ve been pretty much away her entire sophomore ball, Northwest University Jarvis posted up and finally here and I’m going program has also built a the same group of girls season. The ordeal served 4Madison Flores, soccer, scored to give Skyline a to be a Dawg. It means the dynasty under coach Don since fourth grade and the to “put things in perspecDaemen College (N.Y.) 53-51 lead, and Ben Smith world to me.” Braman, who saw three of coaches we’ve had – Tom tive,” she said. 4Jack MacDonald, socstole the ball moments Bainivalu’s family rehis seniors ink Division I of- Bialek and Michelle French “I knew that if I was gocer, Northwest University later to put the Spartans in located from Gig Harbor fers: Forward Alexa Kirton – they’ve just developed ing to be back in the game 4Kaylene Pang, soccer, control. to Sammamish prior to (New Mexico), goalkeeper such a great group of and compete with the other Washington But the Wildcats were his freshman year. And Molly Monroe (Cal Poly) and people,” Monroe said. “I recruits, that I’d have to 4Emma Rogers, lacrosse, able to coax a miss, grab a Henry flourished under his defender Cameron Tingey wouldn’t have wanted to work really hard,” she said. Occidental College (Calif.) rebound and move the ball coaches’ and teammates’ (Utah). grow up playing with any“I was at the batting cages 4Jackson Suh, tennis, quickly up court. They set wings. Monroe didn’t see the one else.” almost every day.” California-Berkeley up a play called “Fist” that “Before moving here, field at Skyline in 2016 due Monroe’s father played She’s considering study4Nikki Stephens, track involves a high pick and roll football really wasn’t that to an injury, but she gave football at Cal Poly and her ing kinesiology at Western and field, Florida grandfather was a threeWashington and likes the 4Nicole Victory, lacrosse, for Gorrell. “I was going to the hole sport athlete there. program’s emphasis on aca- U.S. Naval Academy and I saw Tyler (Patterson) “I’m continuing the demics and family life. In addition, Liberty High with his hands ready,” Gorlegacy,” she said. “I’ll be “It’s like a home away School senior Ethan Diaz a third-generation athlete from home because it’s not signed to play men’s soccer rell said. “Whenever that’s there, he’s ready to shoot there.” too far, not too close,” Lo at Western Washington it.” Last spring, Skyline’s said. University. To place your ad call: 425-392-6434, ext. 229 Gorrell’s pass to the left Deadline: Monday 11am 5376 corner found Patterson and the freshman sharpshooter CROSSWORD PUZZLE #5376 001-Real Estate for Sale 062-MERCHANDISE knocked down the go-ahead DOWN ACROSS 3-pointer with about 15 sec1. Saudi or Jordanian 1. Bitter substance 079-Items Wanted onds left. Patterson scored 2. Rob Reiner’s dad 5. Killer whale 12 points on the night, all of 3. Early Peruvian 9. Unreasonably CASH PAID!!! 4. Fired them from outside the arc. zealous Record LP’s, 45s, Reel‑to‑Reel 5. Capital city 14. Indian princess Griffith said it might’ve Tapes, CD’s, Old Magazines\ 6. Animal’s color 15. Warty creature been the most clutch shot Movies\VHS Tapes. Call TODAY! 7. Jack, for one 16. Black 206‑499‑5307 he has seen from a 14-year8. Building material 17. Curves old during his coaching 9. Fame 18. Edible tuber 130-EMPLOYMENT SINGLE FAMILY HOME career. 10. Skilled 19. Deposit “We’ve been talking to 11. Reptile 20. Bruised 134-Help Wanted BEAVER LAKE $1,398,000 12. Abbr. after Mattel him, actually, during the 23. Fell or General Mills 24. Dine season about understanding BY APPT: Boitano Homes 13. Coloring 25. Suffix for civil how to hit shots like that,” New Construction. 2 story w/ 21. Retained or guard Griffith said. “You’ve got to basement. 4 bdrm/3.5 bth. Den 22. Like a poorer excuse 28. Wyoming Indian put yourself in the situation & bns room plus flex rm. 1 acre. 25. Imagine 32. Interfere first before you can make 26. Friendly nations #977049. K. Gervasoni 34. Open-eyed 27. Fits snugly the first one.” 425-503-3053/425-392-6600 35. River in Europe 28. Skirts of the sixties Era Living is a respected leader in Skyline’s Kellan Przybyls37. Sea denizens retirement living and has immediate 29. Apartment 38. Chinese dynasty ki finished with 16 points to opportunities for full‑time and dweller, often 39. Gum growth lead the Spartans, but had REDMOND $2,395,000 part‑time housekeepers. If you are 30. Head covering 40. Purposely antagonize only three in the second half passionate about seniors and HORSE FARM 31. Greased 41. Feed the kitty dedicated to making a difference as Gorrell stayed in his hip 33. High society misses 42. City in Yemen SCOTTIt Z.noPROOF.IP.CMYK. BY APPT: 26 acre farm/ apply in person at pocket. was a tough as34. Collect 43. Tones down
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050-Garage Sales Local GARAGE SALE Saturday 2/11 & Sunday 2/12 9am ‑ 4pm 480 NE Birch St. Issaquah
22975 SE Black Nugget Rd. Issaquah, WA 98029 with Julie Cain or online at https://careers‑eraliving.icims. com/jobs/1722/housekeeper/login. 136-Elder Care Needed SENIOR CARE Need experienced woman with elderly people. One hour in the morning. Prefer someone from the Tiger Mountain area. 425‑392‑4405
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Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy As To Students The Eastridge Christian School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, and other school-administered programs.
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10 • Thursday, February 9, 2017
The Issaquah Press
Liberty from page
“I am thrilled to welcome Bellevue Brewing Company to our community,” he wrote. “I applaud John Robertson’s vision to transform a vacant space into a working brewery with even more restaurant and specialty retail options for our residents and visitors. This major investment demonstrates that our community is a great place to do business, and I look forward to the opening of Bellevue Brewing Company at Issaquah.” Robertson opened Bellevue Brewing Company in 2012 after 18 years in commercial real estate. He said he developed a taste for craft beers in 1993 while traveling abroad. “That’s when I went to Germany and had real beer for the first time,” he said. “Germans take their beer seriously. It’s not that yellow, fizzy crap. It’s the kind that makes you stand up and take notice,” he said. “So I came back, put my degree to work in commercial real estate. Then in 2009, when the economy hit the wall, I decided to open a brewery. I wanted to do a lot more, something fun, to help the city. That’s when the idea for a Bellevue brewery was born.” Bellevue Brewing Company features 15 different beers — six in its Discovery Series, six in the Adventure Series and three for charity.
“We brew two beers for KZOK that are full-time, charitable beers, that go to help Ronald McDonald House, Northwest Harvest and the Boys and Girls Club,” Robertson said. “We wanted to spread the wealth and help kids. They’re our most vulnerable in society. This is a way to invest in them. “We also have a beer for the Washington Trails Association, who works with at-risk youth they help get out into the natural world. It’s a beneficial program for those kids coming from the hardscape of cities,” he added. Robertson said the competition and quality level within the craft beer industry is steep. So they needed to do something to set themselves apart, in their philosophy and their product. “We decided to focus on community and charity support for children in our charter,” he said. “When it comes to beer, we strive for something that is exceedingly balanced and highly aromatic.” He added he didn’t want Bellevue Brewing Company to follow the trend of other crafters who are developing crazy, out-ofbalance flavors or catering only to an adult clientele. “Most craft breweries are for 21 and older and are not really feasible for the entire family to go out and relax. We saw a need in that demographic,” he said.
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at least 10 percent enrollment. For schools with more than 1,000 students like Liberty, the minimum is 100. For some students, like fouryear participant Cadet Lt. Cmdr. Jenafer Johanson, losing the program would be devastating. “It would be horrific, to be honest,” she said. “It would be heartbreaking to me because I’ve seen the way it’s affected so many people, and affected me. I came into the program the shyest person, barely able to lift my head up and talk to five people.” After four years, she’s leading a 71-person unit, talking in front of friends and family, and giving speeches. “ROTC can really bring shy people out of their shell and prepare them for adulthood,” she said. Liberty’s NJROTC program, which has been around since 2002, could share the same demise as Issaquah High School’s. Due to falling enrollment within Issaquah’s unit and other budget reductions within the U.S. military at the time, the Navy disestablished the unit and about 20 others nationwide at the end of the 2012 school year. Just eight months into his new job, Deehr is ready to fight to keep that from happening at Liberty. In his 30-year Navy career, Deehr was a surface warfare officer, a ship driver by trade. Deehr served aboard six ships — three as executive officer and two as commanding officer. After running the University of Washington’s ROTC program in Jan. 15, 2016, as his last active duty command, and retiring in March, Deehr wasn’t ready to leave the service behind. He signed on to run Liberty’s NJROTC program on July 1. “I didn’t have a real sense of service when I joined. But I developed it over the years, a love of country,” Deehr said. “I loved working with young sailors, watching them develop. As you
Courtesy of Liberty NJROTC
Holding the Liberty Patriot Company ensign are (from left) outgoing Unit Commanding Officer Cadet Lt. Cmdr. Jenafer Johanson, incoming Unit Commanding Officer Cadet Lt. Cmdr. Samantha Petersen, incoming Unit Executive Officer Cadet Lt. Zachary Simington and outgoing Unit Executive Officer Cadet Lt. Garrett Waters. get up in rank, you see kids you’ve worked with after years gone by, now they might be a chief petty officer. Kids develop and grow.” His plan was to continue guiding youth on their life’s journey. Instead, he finds himself trying to keep the very tool that would help him point the way. One of the biggest hurdles he must overcome is misconceptions the public has about the NJROTC program. “Some people don’t know this program exists. A lot of others have the impression if you join the ROTC, you have to join the military afterwards. Nothing could be further from the truth. I have no recruiting mission. My job is not to recruit anyone into the military service,” Deehr said. He said he doesn’t care if the students go into the military or not after participating in the NJROTC program. For example, Johanson, who has earned nearly every possible ribbon and award in her four years in Liberty’s program, is instead using the experience as a springboard to get into medical school to become a surgeon. Deehr only has
two cadets who’ve committed this year to enlisting in the U.S. Marines, another one thinking about joining the Air Force and a fourth working to meet the requirements to join the Coast Guard. But for Deehr, they’re the exception. “I only care if they walk out that door a good citizen, that they’ve developed some patriotism and go on to lead good, productive lives,” he said. “I just want to give them a little bit of leadership experience they can utilize no matter which field they go into.” To help them get that experience, Deehr is beefing up recruiting efforts from the middle school level on up. A student can join any year, freshman through senior. The benefits pay off the longer a student is in the program, especially if the student does join the military after graduation. Complete three years in the program and the student will get meritoriously advanced to seaman rank in the Navy at the end of boot camp or seaman apprentice after two years, he said. In the Marine Corps it’s private first class after three years in the program. In the meantime, students earn
Brewing from page
credits toward graduation while enrolled in the NJROTC program, including one elective, one career/technical education and one physical education. And it’s not an afterschool activity. Students take classes five days per week. “I teach class every day — four curriculum freshman to senior year, Naval Science 1, 2, 3 and 4, that covers everything from seamanship, shipboard terminology, history, science, weather classes, maneuvering board, leadership and ethics,” Deehr said. In addition, the unit performed 1,000 hours of community service in the first semester, including school service, security at home football games and color guard. To make the program more attractive to new recruits, Deehr is looking into bringing in two big programs — SeaPerch, an underwater remote operated vehicle program, and Cyber Patriot, a cyber warfare project that competes against all the other NJROTC programs across the nation. “I’m trying to get the computer science kids into the program with that one,” he said. He added he’s also looking to re-
cruit students from nearby Hazen High School. One hurdle is he’s allowed by law to only teach the courses at Liberty. And students from other schools may find it difficult to match up their schedule to Liberty’s block schedule, creating transportation issues. In addition, as much instruction as the job requires, Deehr currently finds himself a one-man operation. Due to unforeseen circumstances, his second-in-command left shortly after school started. Deehr has received an application for another instructor, but the applicant can’t start until May. The situation has left even some of the cadets uncertain about the unit’s future. “A lot of kids thought the program was going away. I asked the kids just a couple weeks ago, ‘How many of you think the program is going away?’ A few raised their hands. I told them it’s not going away. We need to get to 100 cadets. But I told them that’s up to you to help me get there,” said Deehr. Helping fill the gaps in adult leadership is emergency substitute James Harcourt, himself a four-year veteran of Vietnam. In the few short months he’s been helping out, one of the things Harcourt truly likes about the NJROTC program is that it brings about a level of discipline and orderliness out of the students they didn’t know they had. “I haven’t seen what the program was before, but I’ve seen what it has become since,” Harcourt said. “With Capt. Deehr, it’s become very much an ROTC organization — inspiring and motivating, two principle aspects of high school education. There is no one more committed to the program than Capt. Deehr.” Johanson added she’d hate to see students losing out on opportunities to follow in her footsteps if the program was canceled. “I like most the atmosphere it creates, a family atmosphere you don’t find in that many high school programs in general,” she said. “It just makes us really close. It’s been something I’m going to cherish forever.”
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The new location will be more than double the size of his current location in Bellevue, going from 12,000 square feet, which he splits between production and retail taproom, to 25,000 square feet. Robertson said he plans to split the use at the new location as well, adding some tenants, hoping to add some dynamism to the property. Robertson said talks are in the feasibility phase. “We’ll get our conceptual plans together and meet with code enforcement, building and land use and all the stakeholders — the buyer, the police, health department, you name it. There, we’ll find out what works and what needs to be changed and get the formal application back in at the beginning of March,” he said. The building is owned by Portland-based PacTrust, which manages more than 12 million square feet of commercial and retail properties in Washington, Oregon, California, Texas, Illinois and Washington, D.C. PacTrust’s leasing manager who oversees the Front Street property was traveling Jan. 31 and unavailable for comment.
Scott Stoddard / sstoddard@isspress.com
Bellevue Brewing Company wants to lease the former Staples building on Front Street North and open a brewery, a bar and a restaurant. Programming for the new Issaquah location being considered were laid out in the press release: 4Production space to support 40,000 barrels of fresh beer 4A broad culinary program with a Northwest focus featuring steaks, chops, seafood and woodfired pizza 4A full bar featuring artisanal craft spirits 4A live music program 4Seating to accommodate up to 700 4Private hospitality accommodations to serve groups up to 250 guests
4A rooftop deck 4150-plus surface parking stalls 4A multi-tenanted space to include a premier bicycle retailer, an artisanal sausage company and a high quality espresso shop Once through the feasibility phase, and the City of Issaquah has approved the building permits, Robertson looks to release more information and architectural renderings, with a target date of opening the new facility on Feb. 1, 2018. Mayor Fred Butler expressed in the press release his enthusiasm for a new brewery in Issaquah.
05.18568.IP.S
The Issaquah Press
Thursday, February 9, 2017 •
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Lizz Giordano / lgiordano@isspress.com
The Issaquah School District owns 80 acres of land on May Valley Road known as the Winterbrook Farm property. The district is in negotiations to sell the property to a Bellevue developer.
Winterbrook from page
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In October 2016, the school board authorized the sale of the land for $4.16 million to Bellevue developer William E. Buchan Inc. The developer is currently negotiating with the school district and working on a feasibility study on the land. Kuper said the county had ap-
Killing from page
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She was initially ordered held on $1 million bail, but a judge Feb. 1 lowered Rials’ bail to $300,000, said Dan Donohoe, a spokesman for Prosecutor Dan Satterberg. The King County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled Radcliffe’s death a homicide and determined he died from multiple blunt-force injuries from being struck, dragged and run over by the vehicle, charging papers say. Radcliffe, an Issaquah High School graduate, was the son of a Seattle police officer. “Although the charges presently filed against the defendant do not include homicide, the investigation into the death of Moises Radcliffe continues,” Senior Deputy Prosecutor Jeff Baird wrote in charging documents. According to the charges, Rials and two teenage girls committed at least two car prowls in the park’s parking lot. Rials broke a window in Radcliffe’s Subaru Legacy and stole his girlfriend’s purse, then quickly got into her SUV as the couple returned to the lot after walking their dog, the charges say. Radcliffe grabbed a gun from the trunk of his car and ran toward the SUV as it was backing out of a parking space, the charges say. He gave some kind of warning, then moved to the front of the SUV while pointing his gun at the occupants, charging papers say. He began shooting into the SUV’s windshield, then was struck by the vehicle and dragged “a considerable distance” before coming to rest near the parking lot exit, the charging papers say. According to the probablecause statement outlining the police case against Rials, the SUV was captured on video-surveillance footage just as someone threw a purse out the window, the statement says. Another woman at the scene discovered her car also had been prowled and her bank card was missing from her wallet, which she had left in her car, the statement says. A fingerprint found on a different card in the woman’s wallet matched Rials, it says. Court records show that Rials and a co-defendant were each
proached the school district about purchasing the property, but the offer was “significantly below the asking price.” “Ultimately, we have an obligation to all our taxpayers, not just ones closely located to the project,” Kuper said. He said the proceeds from the sale of Winterbrook Farm would be used for current projects. “If we are trying to maximize our dollar to meet the growth in our district, we have to maximize the sale of the Winterbrook
charged in July with four counts of identity theft, accused of prowling cars parked at Marymoor Park in Redmond and Robinswood Park in Bellevue, then using stolen credit cards to make a variety of purchases at local stores. A sheriff’s detective estimated the pair had stolen items, caused damage to car windows and run credit-card charges up to $12,000 over two weeks, charging papers say. Rials, who was out of custody, last appeared in court in that case on Jan. 11, two weeks before Radcliffe was killed, court records show. Detectives identified Rials and her two alleged accomplices through fingerprints and videosurveillance footage, the charges say. The two girls, ages 16 and 17, believed to have been with Rials have been arrested. During the course of the investigation, detectives attempted to speak to a 16-year-old boy, though his connection to the case isn’t clear in court records. He was charged Feb. 1 with firstdegree unlawful possession of a firearm. On Jan. 27, a team of detectives was preparing an undercover operation at a Des Moines apartment complex when they saw the 16-year-old boy and a 17-yearold approach their vehicle, armed with handguns, charging papers say. The detectives identified themselves and ordered the boys to drop their guns, the charges say. One of the teens fired, detectives returned fire and killed Mi’Chance Dunlap-Gittens, 17, the charges say. A 42-year-old sergeant and two detectives, both 36, were involved in the fatal shooting, according to Sgt. Cindi West. The 16-year-old ran away but was later found inside a nearby apartment and was arrested. The Klahanie restaurant where Radcliffe worked hosted a fundraiser to help his family pay for funeral expenses earlier this week. “Mo was a wonderful team member and will be greatly missed,” said Tim Taniguchi, Hop Jack’s general manager, in a press release. “This is just a small way we can help his family during this tragedy.” Seattle Times reporter Sara Jean Green and Issaquah Press digital editor Christina Corrales-Toy contributed to this report.
Farm property,” Callan said. “The amount of land that is available (inside the urban growth boundary) to accommodate schools is getting less and less and we are competing with global developers for that land and the price of the land.” King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn visited the Winterbrook Farm property and met with neighbors Jan. 31. Dunn did not respond to a request for comment. Val Moore, who is part of a
group of residents trying to save the farm, said the school district was in a difficult position, having purchased the land when land prices were peaking before the Great Recession hit. “Nobody can foresee that, but now the economy is good, now is the time they can give back to the community,” Moore said. A neighborhood meeting about the preservation of the Winterbrook Farm property has been scheduled for Feb. 13, 7 p.m., at Eastside Fire and Rescue’s
Station 78, 20720 SE May Valley Road. If Buchan chooses not to buy the land, Moore said, “this is (the district’s) opportunity to give back to a community that has been so supportive of all the school bonds. “We all have things in our lives we value that we can’t put a dollar sign on,” Moore said, rattling off a list that contained family, open space, wildlife and agricultural land. “These things are priceless, and we must work together to work protect them.”
Jerry Klein / aerialnw.com
An aerial view of the Talus development, including the landslide area at center, is shown in this May 2016 photograph.
Talus from page
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of Parcels 7 and 8 into 63 singlefamily residential lots along with tracts for infrastructure, open space and recreational trails. Parcel 9, where the slide occurred, is located within 300 feet of Parcel 7 and 8. It was not part of the hearing examiner’s decision. “Due to the significant slide which occurred and probable remediation requirements on Parcel 9, we think that it would be in the best interest of the public to confirm the stability of the existing and proposed configuration of Parcels 7 and 8,” the company’s lawyer wrote in a letter to the city dated Dec. 15. The letter is an exhibit in the filed appeal. Both the city and ORA Talus 90 agree the land does not appear to be moving. The company is asking for an independent reviewer to evaluate the impact construction on Parcels 7 and 8 will have on Parcel 9. The city had recommended the hearing examiner approve the final plat because it had met city standards. “Issues were considered and
were determined to be a nonissue by staff and the hearing examiner,” said Keith Niven, economic and development services director for the city. The landslide began Nov. 13, 2015, above the T-shaped intersection of Northwest Talus Drive and Shangri-La Way Northwest. It covered an area 450 feet in length and 250 feet wide, and 150 feet high from the bottom of the landslide area to the top. Because Talus is under a development agreement, the appeal goes before City Council for a decision. This is first time Niven can remember, in his 18-year career at the city, a situation where councilmembers have heard an appeal from a hearing examiner’s decision. The hearing is scheduled as part of the agenda of the Feb. 8 City Council meeting, which was delayed two days by snow. The hearing is open to the public but will be a closed record hearing, which means no new or additional information may be presented. The city remains in discussion with the property owner about who is responsible for the landslide — and liable for the cleanup. On Dec. 13, the city’s lawyer sent a letter to the owner of Parcel 9 to begin a discussion about fixing the damaged infra-
structure. ORA Talus responded with a letter dated Jan. 12 stating, “Responsibility for the slide has not yet been determined and indeed the City itself may be responsible in that its broken water pipe flooded the site.” In the letter, the company also stated it plans to work cooperatively with the city to develop an appropriate remediation plan. Niven said the city doesn’t want to use public money to pay for damage caused by a developer. The city estimates the cleanup to cost anywhere from $750,000 to $1 million. The city is beginning design work on a fix for the site, which the city aims to complete this summer. Niven said the conversation with ORA Talus 90 is ongoing. According to records on file with the secretary of state, ORA Talus 90’s registered agent is CT Corporation System in Olympia. The company’s governing persons is ORA Residential Investment LP, which is owned by The Resmark Companies. Resmark describes itself as “a full-service private equity real estate investment advisor headquartered in Los Angeles.” Resmark did not respond to a request for comment.
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The Issaquah Press
Scott Stoddard / sstoddard@isspress.com
Olde Town residents Angie Stark (right) and Scott Sutton make their way north on Front Street in Issaquah on the morning of Feb. 6. Between 6 and 8 inches of snow fell on the valley floor Feb. 6 and Feb. 7.
Schools close as snow blankets city By Christina Corrales-Toy ccorrales-toy@isspress.com Puget Sound officially recorded its snowiest winter since 2012 after a round of frosty weather slammed the area Feb. 5-6. Several inches of snow blanketed the ground in Issaquah and Sammamish, and the result was school and road closures, power outages and downed trees.
In Sammamish, more than 9,000 were without power at one point, as trees slumping under a heavy layer of snow brought down power lines. Issaquah experienced scattered outages as well. Weather forced the City of Issaquah to move its regular City Council meeting from Feb. 6 to Feb. 8. Issaquah City Hall, the community center, the senior
center and Julius Boehm Pool were closed Feb. 6. Sammamish closed all city parks and its community center. Despite a few closures, all of the city’s main roads were plowed and passable as of 11 a.m. Feb. 6. But side roads and neighborhood streets were a different story. “City work crews are continuing to work around the clock,” the city wrote in a snow alert up-
date. “It may be a while, however, before they can start clearing neighborhood roads.” Garbage service was canceled in both Issaquah and Sammamish. Issaquah’s Recology CleanScapes said residents’ normal collection day will be pushed by one day this week, with Friday customers moving to Saturday. In an early morning tweet, Eastside Fire & Rescue encour-
aged citizens to stay off the roads and watch out for emergency vehicles. The weather resulted in a rare snow day for students across the Eastside. The Issaquah and Lake Washington school districts kept kids home Feb. 6. There was no word on further closures as snow still blanketed the area at press time on the evening of Feb. 6.
Greg Farrar / gfarrar@isspress.com
A snow igloo takes shape as a group of Klahanie neighborhood girls demonstrate their construction skills Feb. 6 in the 4300 block of 252nd Place Southeast.
Scott Stoddard / sstoddard@isspress.com
Sledders have fun near the Community Center as snow continues to come down on the night of Feb. 5.
Scott Stoddard / sstoddard@isspress.com
Transit riders wait at a bus stop on East Sunset Way near Issaquah City Hall on the morning of Feb. 6
County, seeking permits for trail work, suffers setback in court By Lizz Giordano lgiordano@isspress.com A Superior Court judge dismissed three claims filed by King County against the City of Sammamish regarding permits for the final segment of the East Lake Sammamish Trail and an associated parking lot. Three other claims are pending and awaiting a court date, according to the court’s Jan. 23 decision. King County filed suit Jan. 3 against the City of Sammamish, calling the city’s refusal to process clearing and grading permit applications “illegal, arbitrary and capricious.” The county filed four permit
applications in October with the city related to the multi-use regional trail and parking lot near Northeast Inglewood Hill Road. Each project requires the county to obtain a clearing and grading permit and a shoreline substantial development permit. The city deemed the shoreline substantial development permits complete, but not the clearing and grading permits. The county was asking the court to deem the clearing and grading permit applications complete as of Nov. 30 so a redesign of the trail to comply with new regulations adopted by Sammamish was not necessary, according to court documents.
New city surface water design standards went into effect Jan. 1. The county argued that all application requirements have been satisfied and “the city’s refusal to vest King County’s clearing and grading permit applications has enabled the City to amend regulations that will apply to permit review,” according to court documents. The city contended “it cannot review the cleaning and grading permit applications until it knows what the final trail design will be and thus cannot consider the applications simultaneously,” according to court documents. The court dismissed several claims by the county, concluding that the state’s Land Use Petition
Act is the exclusive method of appealing the city’s completeness determination of the clearing and grading permits. The court is also allowing the county’s claim for monetary damages to also continue. Appeals were due by Feb. 3, according to Kim Adams Pratt, a lawyer representing the City of Sammamish. She said the city is planning to file a motion for clarification to fix typos but is not contesting Superior Court Judge Beth M. Andrus’ decision. Pratt declined to comment further due to ongoing litigation. King County did not respond to a request for comment. The completion of the East
Lake Sammamish Trail, an 11mile path that runs along the eastern shore of the lake, has been fraught with legal challenges. The county is currently upgrading the interim 12-foot-wide soft-surface trail to a 12-footwide paved path with 2-foot-wide gravel shoulders and 1-foot-wide clear zones on each side for a total width of 18 feet. Once completed, the East Lake Sammamish Trail will be part of a 44-mile regional trail that connects Golden Gardens Park and the Ballard Locks in Seattle with Issaquah and the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, passing through Bothell, Redmond and Sammamish.