Your locally-owned newspaper, serving North Bend and Snoqualmie, Washington
October 4, 2012 VOL. 4, NO. 40
Soccer team loses head-scratcher Page 8
Citizens worry about lack of warning following escape By Michele Mihalovich
Eagles clean up Grant helps spruce up Snoqualmie building. Page 2
Welcome to the Valley Spacelabs Healthcare moves into area. Page 2
Star wins awards SnoValley Star named No. 2 newspaper. Page 3
Fuzzy and comforting Family makes blankets for babies in the ER. Page 6
She’s a winner Valley student wins beauty pageant.
Page 9
Police blotter Page 10
Prsrt Std U.S. Postage PAID Kent, WA Permit No. 71 POSTAL CUSTOMER
Echo Glen Children’s Center neighbors voiced concerns about not being immediately notified of the potential danger when six inmates escaped the facility Sept. 22. Snoqualmie Police Chief Steve McCulley and King County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Sgt. Cindi West said they understand residents’ concerns, but want to assure people that nobody was in danger during last week’s incident because of quick law enforcement response, and the fact that the Guardian One helicopter, using thermal imaging, “had eyes on the inmates” almost immediately. Echo Glen, which is surrounded by wetlands and thick forest, was built in 1967, decades before Snoqualmie Ridge neighborhoods even existed, said David Griffith, director of institutions for Washington’s Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration in Olympia. It houses boys ages 10-16 and
females ages 10-21 who have her keys and radio. been convicted of felonies, he That boy used the keys to said, adding that Echo Glen is release the other unit inmates, a treatment facility where resiwho all sleep in separate rooms. dents are taught behavioral skills There were 13 boys sleeping and given tools to manage stress in that unit, and seven of them and anger. decided to stay, Griffith said, And while adding that the “Our first concern is the the campus is seven helped not surrounded the staff memhealth and safety of by a perimeter ber who was the kids, as well as the fence, the maxknocked unconimum-security scious and community.” cottage where alerted authorithe incident ties about the happened is surescape. — David Griffith rounded by a North Bend Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration Police Chief 20-foot fence. Griffith, Mark Toner who lives in said that by Snoqualmie and used to work 11:30 p.m., law enforcement at Echo Glen, said officials are were on the scene. He said 21 early in the investigation, but deputies responded, two of them it appears at least one of the with dogs, plus numerous offiinmates made up his bed to look cers from the Issaquah Police like he was sleeping, while he Department, Snoqualmie Police probably hid in a bathroom. and Washington State Patrol. He said that at 11:20 p.m., an He said the helicopter spotinmate struck a 57-year-old staff ted the inmates right away: One member on the head with a frowas apprehended immediately zen water bottle, and then took with the help of a canine, one
was caught after getting stuck in a tree, two cried out for help and were apprehended, and the remaining two were caught in thick brush by 2:03 a.m. Griffith said statistically escapes from Echo Glen are rare. “In the last 10 years, 3,347 have come to the center. Only 12 have managed to escape and that includes the recent six,” he said. “And all have been apprehended quickly and close to the facility.” Griffith said the center’s protocol for an escape is to notify law enforcement immediately, “which we did. We will look at our security protocol to see if we need to change it, but it’s pretty strict right now. Our first concern is the health and safety of the kids, as well as the community.” McCulley said SPD does have what is referred to as “reverse 911,” where a message can be sent to a targeted neighborhood. “But it’s old technology and See ESCAPE, Page 2
Fundraiser for nursery owner is set for Oct. 4
Clash of the Titans
Valley Center Stage is dedicating a special performance of “See How They Run” to honor and give back to Nels Melgaard, owner of The Nursery at Mount Si, who has given the community gifts of dedicated, unwavering support and a commitment to building community in the Snoqualmie Valley, according to a VCS press release. All proceeds from the performance at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 4, at 119 W. North Bend Way, will be given as a gift to Melgaard and his family to help them manage the costs of medical treatment and his recovery from colorectal cancer, a diagnosis he received in early August, according to the release. Decide the admission amount you would like to pay. Regular ticket price is $15. Those who cannot attend but would like to support Melgaard and his family, can donate at A Night for Nels on Facebook. Melgaard is facing months of treatment and recovery, according to the release.
Tyler Button, a Mount Si High School wide receiver, runs in just one of the many touchdowns against Sammamish High School Sept. 28. Mount Si won, 63-0, its third shutout of the season. Mount Si will face Bellevue Friday, for more on the upcoming game, see Page 8.
See FUNDS, Page 3
By Calder Productions