Competitive barbecuer is fired up to win grilling’s top prizes
Local athletes take to the podium at state track championships 4Sports,
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The IssaquahPress
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
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Relay for Life event returns to Issaquah By Peter Clark pclark@isspress.com
YOUNG AND OLD HONOR THE FALLEN
IF YOU GO
After years away from its home base, Relay for Life will return to the high school where it began. On June 7 and 8, the 15th annual fundraiser for the American Cancer Society will bring out teams of people who have collected money from the community for an all-night endurance event. It will involve a 20-hour team walk around the school’s track, coupled with entertainment and additional events to raise money. Last year, nearly 900 people took part. Organizers are expecting even more this year. “We’re excited to be back at Issaquah High School,” Event Chairwoman Gwen Schweitzer said. “We’ve been four years at Skyline High School and we are excited about the new gym at Issaquah.” With Skyline currently facing remodeling, she said organizers hope to rotate between the schools. The relay will kick off at 6 p.m. June 7 with a survivor’s victory
15th annual Relay for Life 46 p.m. June 7 through 2 p.m. June 8 4Issaquah High School 4700 Second Ave. S.E. 4Learn more at issaquahrelayforlife.org. lap. While the main attraction goes through the night, it will be coupled with many opportunities for entertainment and fundraising. “We have a great activities committee from Skyline High School,” Schweitzer said. “They have a great lineup.” Between a silent auction, food from the California Pizza Kitchen, crafts and games, she said organizers are looking to make it an exceptional time for all those who have donated their time and money. For those who cannot make
By Greg Farrar
Geddy Brandt, Liberty High School sophomore, and her other Naval Junior ROTC color guard members, present arms May 27 at the annual Memorial Day observance, held this year at the Issaquah Valley Senior Center instead of Hillside Cemetery due to inclement weather.
SLIDESHOW
See RELAY, Page A5
See more photos from the annual Memorial Day observance at www.issaquahpress.com.
Timeliness of second Klahanie annexation meeting questioned By Peter Clark pclark@isspress.com A second public meeting to present data collected in a potential Klahanie area annexation study was led May 22, bringing no new information to a larger audience. While the last meeting was held in Issaquah, presenters Tom Nesbitt and Cynthia Stuart, from Nesbitt Planning and Management, brought their findings to Klahanie at Challenger Elementary School. More than 60 people gathered in the school’s multipurpose room to watch a slideshow of the same numbers shown at the first public meeting and to the City Council. Nesbitt delivered the same message to the audience, made up largely of Klahanie potential annexation area residents. He detailed the large revenue bases, the large cost factors and
the $6 million startup cost that the city would incur in the event of an annexation. He ended with the same findings, that homeowners in the Klahanie area could expect a tax decrease and the city of Issaquah would see increased revenue, provided it receives the state’s income tax credit for annexation. Even before the presentation could begin, vocal members of the audience from the Klahanie PAA asked questions about the timeliness of the meeting. Many were questioning how the process had continued for so long without their knowledge of those proceedings. The questions surrounded the existence of a potential annexation area at all and the proximity to Sammamish as opposed to an annexation by Issaquah. “Issaquah’s potential annexaSee ANNEXATION, Page A3
Squak Mountain State Park parking area closed The day-use parking area of Squak Mountain State Park will be closed until late summer or early fall, according to a news release from the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. Forest health issues have been identified in the park. Native tree pathogens, primarily laminated root rot, are attacking Douglasfir trees in developed areas. The disease, which affects the roots and lower stems of certain conifer tree species, has the potential
to cause healthy-looking trees to fall without warning. A public meeting and tour is expected to be held in late spring to explain the Squak Mountain project and seek public comment. Details of the meeting/tour will be released once the date is scheduled. Squak Mountain State Park is a 1,545-acre, day-use park just outside of Issaquah. The forested park features miles of trails in wilderness solitude for both equestrians and hikers alike.
Inside The Press A&E................ Classifieds....... Community..... Let’s Go!..........
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Obituaries....... B3 Opinion........... A4 Police & Fire �� B5 Sports.............. B4
By Greg Farrar
Ron Howatson (left), a retired Navy Seabee and Korean War veteran, and other comrades in the Albert Larson Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3436 stand at attention. An audience of more than 150 people, including many veterans, their families, residents, plus Boy Scout Troop 709 and Cub Scout Pack 639, heard remarks from State Rep. Jay Rodne, saw a 21-gun salute and heard the playing of ‘Taps.’
Palm reader arrested in $25,000 scam By Peter Clark pclark@isspress.com A psychic/palm-reading scam that ran on Front Street has been exposed, according to court documents. Paula Ann Adams, 36, of Issaquah, is accused of stealing in excess of $25,000 from a client of the Psychic Palm Reading Store. She’s been charged with one count of first-degree theft and five counts of second-degree theft, according to charging documents. The victim said in audio interviews with investigating officer Detective Shelby Shearer that she “was going through a divorce with her husband which had created a very vulnerable time in her life.” In November 2012, she said sought spiritual guidance, had
seen the store on her commute and began to visit the shop at 195 Front St. N. After a few readings, Adams informed the victim that the reason she had problems was due to “blocked chakras,” according to charging documents. Adams told the woman that the way to cleanse the chakras would be to clean money involved in the divorce, the charging documents state. She had the victim withdraw $25,000 in cash and purchase $4,000 in Nordstrom gift cards under the pretense that the funds would ceremonially become clean and returned. After several months, the victim asked for the money to be returned. Adams promised she was holding onto the cash and the gift cards “for her spiritual work,” the charging
Quotable “I’m excited by getting to know individuals, but also the community, and see where God is calling them and helping them remove the barriers to that call, helping them find their path.”
— The Rev. Katherine Sedwick New St. Michael’s rector (See story on Page B1.)
documents state. The victim then reported the issue to the police. Adams had spent the gift cards on a range of items, including Tory Burch and Christian Louboutin shoes and men’s suits. The Bellevue Police Department performed some undercover detecting to see the palm-reading scam in operation. Adams, calling herself April, told the undercover officer that she had blocked chakras that could be cleansed over seven sessions for $500. The crime occurred in Bellevue and Issaquah between Nov. 26, 2012, and Jan. 13, 2013, according to charging documents. The police arrested Adams on March 5. Her arraignment is set for May 30.
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