Pedestrian hit in Mountlake Terrace

Monday, January 15, 2024


Northbound I-5 was fully blocked in the Mountlake Terrace area near 220th St SW after a collision involving a pedestrian. All lanes are blocked and vehicles are being detoured off the freeway at 220th St SW and rejoining at 196th St. SW. 

Medical Aid, Fire Assistance, and the State Patrol have arrived on the scene. WSP is investigating.

Last updated: 01/15/2024 12:38 AM


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Severe Weather Shelter hosted nine people its first night open

Urban League shelter staff
Photo courtesy KCRHA

The North King County Severe Weather Shelter up and running for this activation!

Located at St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church and staffed by Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, this shelter is the result of months of collaboration that began with 5 cities in North King County signing the Interlocal Agreement that unifies homelessness response under the KCRHA, a grant funding process in the fall of 2023, and MANY people coming together to successfully launch the shelter in time for this cold snap.
 
On its first night open, they were able to offer a warm place to stay to nine unsheltered community members in North King County.

Connections Health Solutions donated 70 blankets
Photo courtesy KCRHA

A major thank you to everyone who was involved in making this happen—including Connections Health Solutions, which donated 70 blankets to keep those in need warm during severe weather.

Get info on shelters around the region on our Severe weather page


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State Fire Marshal: Candle hazards and safety

Sunday, January 14, 2024

Photo by Nicola Fioravanti on Unsplash


Olympia– Candles are pretty to look at and provide lighting, but they are a cause of many residential fires and fire deaths. 

Lit candles are also used in religious services, both in places of worship and at home, and should be handled with care. 

The Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office would like to remind everyone that a candle is considered an open flame and can easily ignite anything that can burn.

Nationally, an average of 20 home candle fires are reported each day. In 2022, Washington State reported 2,010 fire incidents caused by open flames that resulted in over $21 million in damage.

The SFMO would like to remind everyone about candle safety –
  • Blow out candles when you leave the room or go to bed.
  • When using candles, ensure that they are placed in a sturdy candle holder. If handheld, candles should not be passed from one person to another.
  • Lit candles should not be placed in windows where a blind or curtain could catch fire.
  • Keep candles at least one foot away from items that can burn.
  • Never use a candle if medical oxygen is used in a home.
  • Don’t leave children alone in a room with at burning candle and keep matches and lighters up high and out of children’s reach.
  • When used for religious services, burning candles on or near tables, alters, or shrines, must be watched by an adult. If a candle must burn continuously for any services, ensure that it is enclosed in a glass container and placed in a sink, on a metal tray, or in a deep basin filled with water.
  • Don’t burn a candle all the way down – put it out before it gets too close to the holder or candle container.
  • Consider using battery powered flameless candles that simulate the real candle feel.
For more information, contact the State Fire Marshal’s Office or at 360-596-3929.


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Harvest Wonton Noodles

Harvest Won Ton Noodles celebrates one year in business

Located a few blocks north of Shoreline on SR 99 (Aurora) in Edmonds' International District, Harvest Wonton Noodle is a family run restaurant celebrating its first year in business.

The Ko family immigrated here from Hong Kong. Sam Ko had 30 years of experience in the kitchen industry building his skills. Sam's wife Idy and daughter Aurysia are an important part of the business.

Our food is different from others because we want our customers to feel at home with an exchange of a plated dish making a difference to their day. Building meaningful connections and community around our Edmonds and PNW area telling our family story of Hong Kong authentic food.

Beef chow fun

All our dumplings, wontons are made fresh daily handmade

Here are some customer favorites - Chow Fun with Beef, Spicy Dumplings, Wonton Beef Brisket Noodle Soup, Curry Beef Brisket Rice, Seafood Dan Dan Noodle. 

Dumplings

Harvest Won Ton Noodles
22931 Hwy 99 Edmonds, WA 98026
Telephone : 425-967-3899

Hours: 
  • Tuesday to Thursday 11:00am - 8:30pm
  • Friday - Sunday : 11:00am  -  9pm
  • CLOSED - MONDAY

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A Thick Description of Harry Smith, Vol.1 at the UW School of Drama January 19-28, 2024

The School of Drama at the University of Washington is pleased to present A THICK DESCRIPTION OF HARRY SMITH, VOL. 1, a play written by Carlos Murillo, directed by graduate M.F.A. Directing student Nick O'Leary, Friday, January 19, 2024 – Saturday, January 28, 2023, at the Floyd and Delores Jones Playhouse.

By Carlos Murillo, Directed by Nick O’Leary
January 19-28, 2024 
4045 University Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105

Tickets: $10-$20 | Buy Tickets here

Immerse yourself in the captivating world of the proto-psychedelic masterpiece,
Notes from the Creators:

Nick O’Leary (Director): "Harry Smith was real, and this play is a rediscovery of the magic of the American experiment." 
Carlos Murillo (Playwright): "In the age of forgotten playwrights, Javier C's absence intrigued me. ‘A Thick Description of Harry Smith’ is not just a play; it's a call to unearth the hidden narratives that shape us."
Step into the enchanting world of the proto-psychedelic masterpiece, a captivating journey through the eclectic life of Harry Everett Smith — filmmaker, musicologist, painter, anthropologist, collector, occultist, and fabulist.
Show Highlights:
Dates & Performances: 
  • January 19-28, 2024
  • Jan 19-20, 24-27: 7:30 pm
  • Jan 21, 27-28: 2:00 pm
Run Time: Approx. 2 hrs. 40 mins with a 10-min intermission.
Warnings: Haze, amplified sound, mild mature themes, and sexual content.

Tickets, Contact & Accessibility:
About the UW School of Drama

The University of Washington School of Drama develops innovative and courageous artists and scholars poised to be the creative leaders of tomorrow. Degrees offered include a BA, an MFA, and a Ph.D. 

The School of Drama’s public season features fully produced shows and Lab projects in five different venues on the Seattle campus. These productions provide further opportunities for practice, experimentation, and exploration — often alongside prominent, internationally known artists. We believe in the power of theatrical storytelling to elevate individual and collective voices, promote understanding, and nurture compassion.


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Local non-profit seeking volunteer Social Activities Committee leader

Kristine, one of NNN Board Directors at our 2023 Member/Volunteer picnic

Did you make a New Year’s Resolution to volunteer more to help your community? Here’s a great volunteer opportunity to help your neighbors continue to age well in their own homes. 

As Northwest Neighbors Network (NNN) prepares to celebrate our 5 Year Anniversary this year, we’re looking for a new chairperson for our Social Activities Committee! We have a strong team of enthusiastic, dedicated volunteers on the committee, and are looking for a new committee chair in the new year.

It’s here! Your year to make a difference in combating social isolation for your neighbors. 

In this non-profit leadership role, you will lead an interactive team of volunteers in continuing the great framework put in place over the last four years. 

We’re looking for a new committee chairperson for the new year, and ideally you’ll bring your leadership skills and organizational skills to help ensure our calendar runs smoothly. 

You’ll be helping the committee support current activities and exploring new activities for our members to stay socially engaged. If leading meetings, running reports, writing/editing newsletter articles is your passion, this may just be what you’ve been waiting for. 

You’ll volunteer from your own home, and report team status updates to the Board of Directors and work closely with our Director of Community Operations and Outreach. While some reports are due each month, you get to set your own schedule of volunteering your time.

NNN serves Edmonds, Woodway, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, Brier, Shoreline and Lake Forest Park. 

Our mission is to create neighborly connections, fostering engagement, and empowering seniors and adults with disabilities to thrive in the place they call home. 

We achieve this mission by providing a community of dedicated NNN volunteers who help seniors and individuals with disabilities on a wide range of neighborly tasks such as transportation and household chores. 

In addition, NNN offers a rich array of social connections and educational opportunities that support our neighbors’ desires to thrive in place.

If you are interested in applying for this position, please contact NNN’s Board President, Suzy Chandler: suzy@northwestneighborsnetwork.org.

Visit the website or Facebook page

--Suzy Chandler


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Cartoon by Whitney Potter: It's COLD!

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Night closure of northbound I-5 King County Metro off-ramp and SR-104 off-ramp

On Tuesday, January 16, 2024 Sound Transit will close the northbound I-5 King County Metro off-ramp at NE 159th St and the northbound I-5 off-ramp to SR-104 (NE 205th) for barrier placement work. 

This work is part of the Lynnwood Link Extension.

Detour route is in place for drivers (see maps). 

Crews will work at night to minimize effects on traffic.

Residents should expect construction noise at night.

Some bus routes may be affected. Check the King County Metro website for details.

Northbound I-5 off-ramp to SR-104 (NE 205th)
  • Tuesday, Jan. 16, from 9pm to 5am the following morning.

Northbound I-5 King County Metro off-ramp
  • Tuesday, Jan. 16, from 10pm to 4am the following morning.

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Pam Cross: So... just what is a Concept Design

The sign at Hillwood Park is a statement of concept design.

By Pam Cross

It seems as if every time we turn around we are looking at a Concept Design for a new building, a new car, a new plane, a new park, or the latest expansion of Sound Transit. So what exactly is a Concept Design?

A concept design refers to the early idea or plan that will guide the design of a specific project. It is the very basic structure of what something will look like upon completion. Because it is preliminary, the concept design must be fluid.

Example: Park Concept Design

Once a bond measure passes the voters and the funding is available, the real work begins. The park has to be designed, construction plans need to be drawn up and the actual building of it needs to be opened up to the public for bidding. There are a multitude of steps along the way and each is critical to ensuring the project is successful.

The pictures we see on the City’s website and in the presentation materials are design concepts that reflect the priorities from public feedback regarding the types of park amenities desired, and provide a general idea of how the park improvements may look.

The City of Shoreline website states:
 
“There will be a public engagement process incorporated in the final design process. What won’t change in the final design are the amenities that are going into each park and the general location of the amenities.”

There is a lot of work that is still to come: design, construct, improve, obtain permits, renovate, acquire, develop, or equip, all necessary appraisals, inspection and testing, demolition, administrative expenses, permitting, mitigation, construction, and so forth. So completion is a long way from a concept design.

If we look at the actual wording of Parks Proposition 1 we see the following: (emphasis is mine)


“The Projects shall include the acquisition of real property as necessary to locate such facilities. The City shall complete the Projects at the time, in the order and in the manner deemed most necessary and advisable by the Council.

"The Council shall determine the exact specifications for the Projects, and the components thereof, as well as the timing, order and manner of completing the components of the Projects. The Council may alter, make substitutions to, and amend such components as it determines are in the best interests of the City and consistent with the general descriptions provided herein.

"If the Council shall determine that it has become impractical to design, construct, improve, obtain permits, renovate, acquire, develop, or equip all or any component of the Projects by reason of changed conditions, incompatible development, costs substantially in excess of the amount of Bond proceeds or tax levies estimated to be available, or acquisition by or dependence on a superior governmental authority, the City shall not be required to provide such component or components.

"If all of the Projects have been constructed or acquired or duly provided for, or found to be impractical, the City may apply remaining proceeds of the Bonds authorized herein (including earnings thereon) or any portion thereof to other park, recreation and open space capital purposes or to the redemption of the Bonds as the Council, in its discretion, shall determine.”

Clearly changes can be made by the City after the proposition has been passed. None of this information was hidden in “the fine print” - it is clearly stated in the proposition.

We have to remember that landscaping takes time to grow and the “finished product” likely won’t look finished for some time.



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The Shoreline Teen Center

Shoreline Recreation Center
Photo courtesy City of Shoreline

The Shoreline Teen Center
Richmond Highlands Recreation Center

The Shoreline Teen Center is a free teen center for youth aged middle school-18 years old. 

We provide hot food as well as many activities. We have basketball, pool, ping pong, foosball, video games, and art daily. 

All activities are free of charge. 

For event information email mhale@shorelinewa.gov and for more information on our teen programs email aelliott@shorelinewa.gov or find us on Instagram @shorelineteenprograms

Hours (Sept-June)
  • Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 2:30pm - 6:00pm
  • Wednesday 1:00pm - 6:00pm
  • Friday 2:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Saturday Middle School Night 6:00pm - 10:30pm

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UW Med: A fall expert’s tips to avoid falls on ice

Dr. Elizabeth Phelan, Medical Director of the 
Fall Prevention Clinic at UW Med
Dr. Elizabeth Phelan, professor of gerontology and geriatric medicine and medical director of the Fall Prevention Clinic at Harborview Medical Center, says ice and snow really level the playing field: People of all ages are equally prone to fall.

Falling on an icy surface can result in a range of injuries including ligament and tendon tears, broken bones and concussions.

“Research out of Nordic countries and the UK shows that there's double to triple the number of emergency room visits and hospitalizations due to falls from ice and snow,” Phelan said. 

This is the case even when a person has good balance so carefully consider whether it’s necessary to venture out in icy conditions.

“If people are having difficulty recovering from a fall, that is something they should speak with their healthcare providers about,” she added.

If you must walk outdoors when it’s icy, here are tips for traversing icy conditions safely:
  • Wear slip-resistant footwear that can reduce fall injuries by approximately 60%.
  • Keep your hands free and out of your pockets in case you need to balance or brace yourself.
  • Limit the number of items you’re carrying to ensure better balance.
  • Avoid looking at your phone while walking.

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"Persistence" - a concert featuring music of strength and tenacity at Shorecrest HS PAC on February 10, 2024

Seattle Wind Symphony will perform "Persistence" - a concert featuring music of strength and tenacity at the Shorecrest HS Performing Arts Center on February 10, 2024 at 7:30 pm. 

The program includes some truly inspiring works by contemporary composers, like Omar Thomas's "Of Our New Day Begun," as well as classics like the Finale from Symphony No. 5 by Shostakovich. 

We are honored to feature the Northwest African American Museum's African American Cultural Ensemble choir in this performance as well.

Tickets are on sale now and more information can be found at seattlewindsymphony.org.


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Mayor Chris Roberts proclaims Korean-American Day in Shoreline

Saturday, January 13, 2024

Local volunteers from the Korean culture room at
the 2017 Shoreline Arts Fair. Photo by Shoreline Area News

On Friday, January 13, 2024, Mayor Chris Roberts declared,
I am honored to proclaim today as Korean American Day in the City of Shoreline. Today commemorates the first Korean immigrants to the US in 1903 & we celebrate the countless ways Korean Americans have made an invaluable impact on our nation.


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Hummingbird feeder alert: birds can't drink frozen juice

By Gordon Snyder

I’m a hummingbird fan. I love watching and photographing them.

We have had feeders in the front and back yards for years. When it’s very cold like now, our resident hummers are dependent on us keeping their feeders thawed out. They can’t drink frozen juice.


Photo by Gordon Snyder
As soon as I hung this thawed feeder, I got a quick "Thank You Look” from this Anna's Hummingbird.

Notice the feathers are fluffed to make the warmest down coat. He was even flying around the feeder all puffed up to stay warm as possible.

Heated hummingbird feeder
Photo by Gordon Snyder
Next, I set up a heated hummingbird feeder and within seconds a Boss was guarding it selfishly.

All our hummingbird feeders were frozen solid from this cold front. To thaw them out, put them in a sink or container because they will leak sugar water as they warm.

As the warmed feeders were rehung, they were in high demand. But as usual, the hummers began setting territories. Our Anna’s Hummingbirds don’t share…

Thaw feeders in a sink because they will leak suger water as they warm.
Photo by Gordon Snyder
After thawing out and setting up a couple more feeders, the Anna's managed to share. But only between flights chasing each other away from “their” feeder. Then, during the chase, another one snuck in and filled its belly.

Please, it’s going to be cold for the next several days and nights. If you have hummingbird feeders, bring them inside at night. Then, put them outside in the morning.

The hummers will be waiting for you. You will bring joy to them and yourself.


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Maddy Lambert serves as a page in Washington State Senate

Maddy Lambert served as a page to Sen. Jesse Salomon
Photo courtesy Legislative Services

OLYMPIA- Maddy Lambert from Einstein Middle School served as a page for the Washington State Senate during the opening week of the 2024 legislative session. Sen. Jesse Salomon (D-Shoreline) sponsored her time at the Legislature.

The page program offers a hands-on opportunity for students to find out how state government works. During week-long interactive learning experience, students are visited by guest speakers and get to draft their own bills. Students also get to explore the Capitol Campus by delivering papers for Senate staff.

Lambert, 14, is a resident of Shoreline. She enjoys watching TV, playing video games, and skiing.

Lambert said she committed to being a page because her mom and her aunt were in the page program as well.

Pages also create their own bill to be heard in a mock committee meeting in between their day-to-day tasks. Lambert’s bill would have public schools, especially high school, start later as high school starts “way too early.”

Her favorite parts of the program included hanging out with the security guards and exploring the different buildings of campus.

For more information about the Senate Page Program, contact SenatePageProgram@leg.wa.gov.


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Dr. Gloria Burgess and the Community Foundation of Snohomish County to be honored at Tribute to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday January 15

Dr. Gloria Burgess
Dr. Gloria Burgess and the Community Foundation of Snohomish County, two community icons with long histories of enriching local communities through their work in philanthropy, continuous learning, mentorship, and economic empowerment, have been selected as the 2024 Beloved Community Award recipients by the Lift Every Voice Legacy (LEVL) Board of Directors, it was announced this week.

The awards will be presented by LEVL at the 6th Annual Tribute to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – Inspiring a Beloved Community in Song, Spoken Word and Dance program beginning at 6pm on January 15, 2024 at the Edmonds Waterfront Center, 220 Railroad Ave, Edmonds WA 98020.

General admission tickets for the Evening Program are $15 and can be purchased through Eventbrite or at the LEVL website: beloved4all.org

Burgess, who lived in Edmonds for 36 years before her recent out-of-state relocation, is CEO and President of Jazz, Inc. and is recognized as a trusted advisor, consultant, and executive coach locally and worldwide. 

She is known for her grounded approach in intercultural competence, appreciative inquiry, and advocacy on tough issues related to race, reconciliation, reflective thought, and leadership. 

“She has a calming nature but the strength and depth of her knowledge and wisdom has made her a lasting icon of coaching and mentoring to many of us for more than three decades,” said Donnie Y. Griffin, LEVL’s Founder and President, quoting a statement from one of her award nominators.

In addition, along with her husband John, Gloria administers the family foundation providing program support and financial assistance to children and youth with emphasis on leadership, technology, the arts, and cross-cultural citizenship.

“The Community Foundation of Snohomish County (cf-sc) in Everett does not make much of a fuss about promoting its work throughout Snohomish County but its fingerprints can be found on the good works of several non-profit projects in small and large population service areas. This is particularly the case among Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) community-based organizations,” commented Griffin.

During the COVID-19 pandemic period, the foundation natured and financially assisted over 70 BIPOC-led nonprofit organizations in Snohomish county as part of a CARES Act co-hart support group. "Many of which would have never survived the harsh economic downturn," Griffin added. 

“The Community Foundation of Snohomish County has made a commitment to advance equity and social justice by transforming itself into a diverse, equitable, and inclusive foundation, “according to its public statement on equity.

With 50 percent of its staff and 75 percent of its Board of Directors consisting of people of color, it appears the foundation is living up to its equity values internally as they are externally, Griffin noted.

“Dr. Gloria Burgess and the Community Foundation of Snohomish County are excellent role models of our Beloved Community values -- creating communities free of hatred, injustice and poverty,” Griffin said. 

“LEVL is excited to shine a light on their good works,” he continued. 

In addition to the Evening Program, A Beloved Community – Morning Program for children and families will take place from 9:30 to 11:30am also on January 15th at the Edmonds Waterfront Center. 

Admission to the Morning Program is free and will feature local performers in addition to a variety of fun activities specially designed for children and families such as a cooking demonstration for children, art workshops, tap and ballet dance lessons, and children's storytelling.


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Suspect arrested after murder of Edmonds rideshare driver

Members of Shariif's family outside the courtromm
Photo by Nick Ng
Edmonds Police have arrested a suspect in the January 3, 2024, murder of 31-year-old Abdikadir Gedi Shariif. 

The suspect, twenty-one-year-old Edmonds resident Alex Matthew Waggoner, was arrested around 2:30pm Wednesday, January 10, 2024 without incident by members of the Snohomish County Violent Offenders Task Force (VOTF). 

He was arrested after he walked away from his residence in the 23500 block of Edmonds Way. 

At the time of his arrest, the suspect was armed with two handguns and was wearing body armor. There were no injuries as a result of his arrest. 

He was transported to the Edmonds Police Department, where detectives interviewed him before he was booked into the Snohomish County Jail for 2nd-degree Murder. Bail has been set at $1 million.

Just after 10:15pm on January 3rd. Mr. Shariif was working as a rideshare driver and had just dropped off a customer returning from vacation. 

After departing the drop-off, Mr. Shariif drove westbound on 236th St SW in Edmonds and, with a green signal, began making a left-hand turn onto Edmonds Way. 

The suspect was crossing from west to east at the same crosswalk Mr. Shariif entered during his turn. 

According to the police report, dash and interior cam video from the victim’s car indicates that while making the turn he was “distracted looking down at his phone” and “narrowly missed” the suspect in the crosswalk. 

The video also indicates that Shariif then slowed down his car, rolled the driver's window down, and appeared to begin to say “I’m sorry” when the suspect immediately began shooting at him. 

Without warning, the suspect fired multiple times at Mr. Shariif, mortally wounding him. He later died at Harborview Medical Center.
 
Detectives received multiple tips and collected several types of evidence during the investigation. 

Numerous search warrants were also served to recover physical, digital, and other types of evidence. After his arrest, a search warrant was served on the suspect's residence, and additional evidence was recovered. 

New witnesses were also contacted and interviewed at this location.
This investigation is an excellent example of community involvement, tireless detective work, and collaboration among law enforcement partners. 

Now that the suspect is in custody, detectives will continue their investigation to include a thorough analysis of the firearms that were recovered.

--Information from MyEdmondsNews.com was used in this story


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Court hearing Tuesday for challenge to presidential primary ballot

OLYMPIA — Under the process outlined in RCW 29A.68, Kitsap County Superior Court has scheduled a hearing Tuesday, January 16, 2024 for a court filing contesting ballot placement for the March 12 Presidential Primary.

The challenge filed in Kitsap County January 10, 20024 contests the eligibility of Donald J. Trump for the office of President under the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

“I am committed to presenting Washingtonians with the opportunity to make their voices heard in the Presidential Primary March 12, which requires printing ballots and sending them to registered voters weeks ahead of Election Day,” Secretary of State Steve Hobbs said. 
“Our state’s process gives the courts an important role in answering questions about eligibility. I look forward to having this question resolved in a timely fashion.”

Washington’s Office of the Secretary of State oversees a number of areas within state government, including managing state elections, registering corporations and charities, and governing the use of the state flag and state seal.


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National Popcorn Day at the Crest Friday January 19, 2024


This year for National Popcorn Day on Friday the 19th, #LandmarkTheatres wants to give back.

With your purchase of a movie ticket, you will get free popcorn with refills! 
Limit to one per customer.

The Crest, located at 16505 5th Ave NE in Shoreline's Ridgecrest Neighborhood, is a Landmark Theatre. 


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Arrest in Kenmore after suspect attacks Safeway employee with a boxcutter

Boxcutter taken from suspect
Photo courtesy Kenmore Police
From the Kenmore Police Department:

You may have seen a prolonged police response at Safeway yesterday afternoon that was witnessed by many in the community, and we wanted to provide some context.

A male who has been frequenting the area over the past few weeks shoplifted a basket full of items from Safeway. 

He was contacted by a store employee, who the suspect then attacked. The suspect then went back inside the store. 

Employee was wearing this apron when
suspect started waving a boxcutter around
Photo courtesy Kenmore Police
Another employee intervened when the suspect pulled out a box cutter and began waving it in a slashing motion, cutting the apron of the employee in the process. 

An Officer arrived soon after and took the male into custody without incident. 

The suspect was booked into the King County Jail for two felonies: Robbery (involving a weapon) and Assault- 2nd degree.

The Kenmore Safeway is located at 6850 NE Bothell Way, Kenmore, WA 98028.

The Kenmore Police Department is a contract agency with the King County Sheriff's Office.


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WeatherWatcher: The cold is here, coldest air since December 21, 1990

 

Band of clouds in the weak convergence band on the leading edge of the modified arctic front.
January 11, 2024, photo by Gordon Snyder

Thursday afternoon, as arctic air surged out of Canada, a leading convergence band of clouds and snow showers in a northwest to southeast line developed near Marysville and slowly moved south. 

Initially passing through Everett and south Snohomish County, it then moved into Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, and other east side communities such as Kenmore and Kirkland. Some of the showers made it past downtown Seattle and Bellevue before drying out.

The arctic air is here now, and it has turned out to be the coldest arctic air our region has seen since December 21, 1990, where we had a daytime high temperature of 14°F. 

Our high temperature on Friday was set at midnight at 25°F. Later Friday morning about an hour after sunrise our low temperature was set at 13°F, only to rise in the daytime hours to 18°F before the sunset. 

Another interesting thing that happened Friday is sublimation. The small amount of snow that accumulated in the area started to evaporate. This arctic air mass is very dry, with dew points in the single digits. When you have very dry air, snow and ice can transition directly from a solid state into water vapor. 

I observed an icicle do this in my back yard. Instead of melting, it evaporated slowly throughout the day with no visible liquid water. The evaporation started during the overnight hours Friday morning.

What's ahead:
Saturday could be an even colder day yet; we are looking at low temperatures into the low teens or possibly single digits (if you're away from the Puget Sound or Lake Washington.) Daytime high temperatures may once again not make it past the 20°F mark. 

Some clouds are possible on Saturday and maybe even a stray flurry as a storm passes us to the south. Portland, Oregon is expected to get the bulk of that snowstorm. 

That said, there still has been a lot of change in the forecast so uncertainty remains. There is an extremely slight chance that we might see a snowfall Saturday or Saturday night.

Sunday is expected to be sunny and cold, but temperatures are expected to come up a little bit and bring us into the low to mid 20's for a high temperature. Lows will be dipping down into the upper teens or low 20's Sunday night.

Monday and Tuesday are expected be mostly clear and sunny as well with each day getting a little bit warmer. 

Our next Pacific storm approaches Tuesday afternoon and evening, and there is a lot of disagreement how that will start out. 

I will do another update on Monday, but at this time forecasts are leaning towards a snowy start with an eventual transition to above freezing temperatures and rain by Wednesday afternoon or Thursday.


For current weather conditions in Shoreline visit www.shorelineweather.com


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Snow clouds leading in the cold front

Friday, January 12, 2024

Snow clouds by Gordon Snyder

Tonight I drove from Kirkland to Shoreline just a short time after Gordon Snyder took this photo from Horizon View in Lake Forest Park.

As I left Kirkland, tiny pellets of ice started to come down - graupel - bouncing off the pavement and rolling around. 10 blocks later, it was a fine mist of rain. A few blocks after that it appeared to be a rain-snow mix.

Another mile and just into Kenmore, there was no precipitation and the pavement was dry. In central Kenmore it started up again and it kept changing as we drove into Lake Forest Park and on to Shoreline.

Every ten blocks it would change.

The sky was beautiful - slightly darker than Gordon's photo. A huge black cloud that looked like something from a horror movie. Then blue sky. Then a cloud like the one in the middle but with cut-outs as if some giant was dipping spoonfuls of cloud for a snack.

The whole sky was like that .At one point there was a slightly wispy cloud skittering along below the thick ponderous clouds above it.

It's one thing to sit in the house and listen to my trees throwing things at my roof but it's a real treat to be outside and actually watching the weather that Carl Dinse talks about in his reports.

A few hours later my deck was white - but nothing measurable. Carl says the arctic front is officially here and there's more to come.
 
--Diane Hettrick


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Salomon introduces bill to protect salmon from toxic chemical

Sen. Jesse Salomon, D-32 on the floor of the state senate

Senate Bill 5931 would expedite Department of Ecology review and regulation of the toxic chemical 6ppd-quinone. Ecology would determine initial regulatory actions by June 2025 and adopt rules to implement those regulations by June 2026.

6ppd makes its way into waterways through roadway runoff. Studies have linked it to salmon mortality, and it is the most common killer chemical for coho salmon. The substance can kill coho salmon after only a few hours of exposure.

“The science is as clear as it could be,” Salomon said, “this chemical is killing salmon at an alarming rate. 
"We’re spending billions of dollars to remove culverts which prevent salmon from accessing spawn areas, but this chemical is killing them before they can even make it to those culverts. We need to ensure that we aren’t sabotaging our restoration efforts.”

According to the Environmental Research Institute of the States, 6ppd is the second most deadly toxin to aquatic creatures ever studied. 

Already, the Institute for Fisheries Resources and the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations have filed a lawsuit against tiremakers alleging that they are violating the Endangered Species Act by using this known toxin. 

Additionally, the EPA has responded to a petition submitted by several Native American tribes, stating that it is “necessary to initiate” risk management rulemaking under the Toxic Substances Control Act “to address the risk to the environment from 6ppd-q.”

“I stand with our tribes in calling for the regulation of this chemical and the protection of our vulnerable salmon,” Salomon said. 
”We need to make our intent to regulate this chemical clear and let tiremakers know that they need to be working with us to find an alternative substance which doesn’t present such serious risk to our salmon.”

Currently, all vehicle tires contain 6ppd, which makes the tires flexible and slows their degrading. According to Professor Ed Kolodziej, whose team first discovered the toxicity of 6ppd, removing the chemical “from motor vehicle products and focusing on the use of non-toxic chemicals … [is one] of the cheapest and most effective options,” for ensuring the health of Washington’s salmon.

“I’m hopeful that this bill will allow the state of Washington to manage the risk of this chemical and make clear the dire need for a replacement,” Salomon said. “We’ve made important progress on salmon restoration; we need to keep at it and find a way to make our waters less toxic to Washington’s fish.”

The bill was heard in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology at 1:30pm on January 9, 2024. You can follow its progress here.


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Kimberly Rudolph, Kindergarten teacher at Lake Forest Park Elementary School earns National Board certification

Kimberly Rudolph, National Board Certified Teacher
Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools
Kimberly Rudolph, Kindergarten Teacher at Lake Forest Park Elementary School, who recently earned her National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) certification.

Kimberly joins the ranks of 90 Shoreline School District educators who've earned and maintained this certification. See the list here

National Board Certification is a voluntary, advanced professional certification for PreK-12 educators that identifies teaching expertise through a performance-based, peer-reviewed assessment. 

Through National Board Certification, teachers demonstrate that their teaching meets the profession’s standards for accomplished practice through a rigorous, peer-reviewed and performance-based process, similar to professional certification in fields such as medicine. 

In achieving Board certification, teachers prove their ability to advance student learning and achievement.


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Sound Transit Board approves Goran Sparrman's appointment as interim CEO

Goran Sparrman appointed interim CEO
for Sound Transit
The Sound Transit Board of Directors today approved the one-year appointment of Goran Sparrman as the agency’s interim CEO.

"In the next nine months, we will expand Link light rail at a scale never before seen at the agency, and we’re excited to have Goran’s skillset and background leading the way," said Sound Transit Board Chair and King County Executive Dow Constantine. 
"This is ambitious, exciting and, of course, daunting. The Board believes in Goran’s ability to lead the agency through this transformative period of growth while continuing to focus on delivering reliable, frequent, and safe transit service for all our passengers."

"I am looking forward to joining with the dedicated professionals at Sound Transit to celebrate the upcoming successes and tackle the challenges ahead," said Sparrman. "By working together creatively and efficiently, I am confident that we will be able to deliver for the residents of our region."

Sparrman’s first day at the agency will be January 13, 2024. Departing CEO Julie Timm’s last day at the agency is January 12. Timm announced her resignation last month in order to return to the East Coast to take care of family matters.

Sound Transit builds and operates regional transit services for growing urban areas of Washington’s Pierce, King, and Snohomish counties. The region is home to more than 50 cities and more than 40 percent of the state’s residents, who have authorized the most ambitious transit expansions in the nation. 

This year, Sound Transit will open light rail extensions to Lynnwood and from South Bellevue to Redmond Technology Center. The system is the first nationally to operate entirely on carbon-free electricity.


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Meet the Western White Pines of Hamlin Forest

A volunteer (obscured behind a blackberry bramble) clears noxious weeds from
the base of this impressive Western White Pine at Hamlin Park.

By Oliver Moffat

Hamlin Park is home to many impressive native trees but the forest’s population of Western White Pines (Pinus monticola) stands out as especially noteworthy. We are lucky to have so many big, mature Western White Pines in our Shoreline neighborhoods. 

In contrast, entire forests of ghostly white pine snags are a common site in the Cascade range as a result of deadly disease.

Large pine cones and five-needle clumps from Western White Pine are a common site on the forest floor in Hamlin Park. Photo by Oliver Moffat

For the past one hundred years, Western White Pines have been under attack by a fungal disease called white pine blister rust which has killed 90% of the white pines in our region. 

The fungus (Cronartium ribicola) is believed to have been introduced from Asia a century ago. Blister rust is not spread from pine to pine, instead, it has a complicated life cycle involving a stage spent living in currents and gooseberries (genus Ribes) before infecting white pines.

Western White Pines can thrive in the sandy, gravely, low-nutrient soils that are common in the Hamlin Park area. It is possible that our Western White Pines have some genetic resistance that has allowed them to survive.
The trunk of a mature Western White Pine in Hamlin Park is evocative of a dinosaur’s leg
Photo by Oliver Moffat

There are a few easy ways to identify a Western White Pine. They drop copious amounts of long needles and large pine cones. You know you’re standing under a Western White Pine when the ground under your feet is littered with big cones and long needles. The needles of white pines grow in clumps of five.

A young Western White Pine makes new friends at the Hamlin forest restoration site
Photo by Oliver Moffat
While standing next to the massive trunk of a Western White Pine, you might image you are standing next to the foreleg of a Brontosaurus. The bark on mature trees can appear scaly like a lizard’s skin and are often green from from lichen and moss.

Stewards with the Green Shoreline Partnership host work parties in parks across the city where volunteers can help expand and protect our public forests. Work parties a great way to meet your human neighbors while also getting to know the flora who live in your neighborhood.

The Hamlin Park stewardship team hosts work parties most Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings. Learn more and signup for a work party in your neighborhood park


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North City Water: Providing adequate fire flow and water pressure for Shoreline's rapid development

Diane Pottinger
District Manager
By Diane Pottinger, District Manager
North City Water District

With all the new high-rise development in Shoreline, rumors have arisen that there’s not enough consistent water pressure to adequately service fire hydrants in the city. Thankfully, this is not true in North City Water District’s service area.

New high-rise developments, including single-family residential neighborhoods that are redeveloped with new, large multi-family structures, require larger water mains to meet their increased fire flow demands.

While North City Water District does not control or oversee this development, we are responsible for ensuring every new development permitted in our service area by the Cities of Shoreline and Lake Forest Park has adequate water pressure and fire flow, with water mains adequately sized to accommodate the new structures.

Managing The Process

Before any development is approved for a City building permit, the developer, property owner, or homeowner must begin by identifying all existing and potential water “units” that are or will be associated with the proposed property—including sinks, washing machines, showers, etc.—using the Uniform Plumbing Code to know how much water flows through the various units. We encourage they schedule a meeting with us so we can assist them in this process and discuss the potential project’s impact on the water system.

They must also obtain a permit from the applicable Fire District.

Then the developer, property owner, or homeowner must submit a request form and pay a fee to North City Water District to have us conduct a Fire Flow Analysis.

Conducting Fire Flow Analyses

A Fire Flow Analysis indicates how much water is currently available for the potential new development. We use a computerized hydraulic model to hypothetically assess the impacts on our water system in order to measure projected water flow to the new development. We analyze multiple factors—from the project’s location within our system, and the distance from the project to nearby fire hydrants, to project size and even intended construction materials.

Example: if a contractor approached us wanting to build a very large wooden structure for a multi-family or office space, we would run a hydraulic model to identify the available fire flow rates at specific hydrant locations in the system. Because a large structure built primarily of wood could require additional fire flow (as compared to the fire flow requirements of steel or concrete materials), we would need to identify which water mains needed to be upsized to meet the fire flow demand required by the Uniform Fire Code.

Continuing with this example, a structure built primarily of wood could require a large amount of new water mains. We would then need to conduct further analysis to determine the right diameters of the new water mains, since the diameter of every pipe in our closed loop system affects the flow rate in every other pipe (much like a human circulatory system, which includes everything from large arteries to smaller veins and capillaries). Selecting the right water main diameters ensures proper water pressure as well maximum velocity in each fire flow location.

Sharing all of this information with the developer early on in the process allows them to reconsider the type of building material before the project is too far along. It also determines whether the developer, property owner, or homeowner will be required to make additional improvements to the water system in order to accommodate the impacts of their project.

If the results of the Fire Flow Analysis indicate the District’s existing system can provide adequate fire flow to the proposed development, the District will issue a Certificate of Water Availability to the developer, property owner, or homeowner, and the developer can connect to our existing water system after they pay a connection charge.

When the results of the Fire Flow Analysis indicate the District’s existing system can not provide adequate fire flow to the proposed development, the developer, property owner, or homeowner must enter into a Water System Extension Agreement (WSEA) with North City Water District to make the necessary system improvements that will achieve adequate fire flow before connecting to our water system.

Growth Pays for Growth

During the negotiation of Water System Extension Agreements, we ask developers to pay for upsizing the water mains that go to their structures, and also have them construct the actual improvements using the very same set of design and system standards that we follow on our own projects.

This ensures the cost of the new water connection is paid for by the developer, which helps keeps our water rates affordable for everyone, while improving the overall water system.

Should you have any additional questions about water pressure, fire flow, or your water system in general, feel free to give us a call at 206-362-8100.

Founded in 1931, North City Water District (formerly King County Water District No. 42 then Shoreline Water District) currently serves approximately 25,000 people within the cities of Shoreline and Lake Forest Park, covering a roughly 5 square mile area. As a public water district, we operate independently from the City of Shoreline, WA

Photos courtesy North City Water


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