Redmond man charged with child pornography following largest probe in history

ATTN:  The addesses of  registered sex offenders living in and around Redmond is posted on this link

Redmond man charged with child porn following largest probe in history 

By Levi Pulkkinen, August 3, 2011

SeattlePi.com

"A Redmond man is among 72 men charged with child pornography-related crimes following what’s been described by Justice Department officials as the largest child pornography prosecution in the nation’s history.

Late last month, federal prosecutors in Seattle filed child pornography charges against Eric Karl Myszke-Francis, a Redmond man accused of sharing images of abused children over the “Dreamboard” site."

Read More >> 

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Community greets Swedish/Issaquah at opening celebration : The Issaquah Press

Evan Jackson, 3, rides on the shoulders of his dad Kyle as the Issaquah Highlands
 residents and thousands of others attend Swedish/Issaquah’s public open house Saturday. By Greg Farrar

Issaquah Press
By Warren Kagarise

Community greets Swedish/Issaquah at opening celebration : The Issaquah Press

"Hospital executives and designers spared no expense to create a Swedish Medical Center campus to connect to the surrounding community and, on Saturday, curious residents from Issaquah and across the Eastside embraced Swedish/Issaquah as the $365 million hospital opened for a whirlwind of public tours.

Organizers estimate 22,000 people descended on the 18-acre campus during the daylong event. The hospital’s opening celebration served as the centerpiece at Highlands Day, a neighborhood festival in the Issaquah Highlands."  Read More>>

Police Safety Alert for Redmond adults, youth and international residents

Jim Bove
Redmond Police Outreach

from the desk of Jim Bove, Redmond Police Community Outreach.... 

With 4th of July coming in, oh, about four days, please remember that the sale, personal possession, and use of all fireworks within the city limits of Redmond are prohibited by City ordinance.  See city’s press release regarding fireworks and the locations of firework shows in the area.

ATTENTION:  International residents!  Extra! Extra!  Do you know, a great international resource is available for you on the city website?  Translations to over 30 languages are available!   Go to any city webpage like www.redmond.gov/police.  On the top right-center find a “language” tab—click on that and choose your language to read up on emergency response and more!

A couple quick, informative articles:  Child Predators: The Online Threat Continues to Grow (FBI) Stop ID thieves from stealing your kid's credit (MSNBC.com)  Feel free to pass along to others….Be safe!

Jim Bove
Redmond Police Department
Community Outreach Facilitator
(425) 556-2545
jbove@redmond.gov

North Redmond's sidewalks to nowhere

Sidewalks and bike lanes on NE 116th Street



Crosswalk and bike lane to nowhere 



Sidewalk to nowhere; containers block bike lane

COMMENT FROM READERS:

We've brought up the issue of lack of sidewalks and safe crossings on 116th with city representatives on multiple occasions going back to 2006. The city's position is that developers are responsible for building sidewalks. Unfortunately the city has allowed multiple loopholes allowing developers to avoid their responsibilities. For example, the neighborhood at the SE corner of 172nd is long since completed, but no sidewalk on 116th was ever constructed. Even when sidewalks were built, in many cases they were very narrow strips adjoining the road with no planter strip or other buffer. Meanwhile, the roundabout at the intersection of 116th & 172nd has been pushed out (again) to 2015, leaving us with likely the most unsafe intersection in the city.
     Kudos to Buchan Homes, which built a very nice sidewalk along 116th for Whistler's Ridge.
-Andy Raffman

"...Placing the blame for this "unfinished work" on developers is unacceptable. It is the City that approves plans, and regulates construction projects. We are lucky to have good home builders in Redmond, but we need a stronger handle on "the planning side."
- Richard Morris

Post and Photos By Bob Yoder

Redmond police tracks down teenage suspect with social media

Jim Bove
Redmond Police

from the desk of Jim Bove, Community Outreach, Redmond Police....

UPDATED:  A male juvenile approached a group of kids near the BMX bike park last night, 6/22.   He asked one of the kids if they wanted to purchase an IPOD he had stolen.  Read More >>

Neighborhood Commercial: Grocery stores in neighborhoods?

BACK IN TIME:  This 2011 report explains how the City plans to zone commercial businesses in our neighborhoods.  

Grocery stores in neighborhoods? Coffee shops? Supermarkets?  Retail? Fruit and vegetable markets?  Will our neighborhoods be rezoned someday to allow for these businesses?  

On June 14, 2011 Redmond City Council spent another of many "study sessions" reviewing "neighborhood commercial" (NC) rezoning.  Planner Kim  Dietz's goal was for council to decide on where NC can be situated in the community and how to prevent "commercial creep."

The NC rezone method agreed upon by council includes certain requirements :

• no more than one commercial development concentrated in each of six different neighborhood areas spread throughout the city.
• rezones are no larger than 1-acre and predominantly near residential.
• development must be in close proximity to one of  the following three concentrations: a business, home, or recreation e.g. park. 

Vice President Pat Vache' noted this criteria will keep development on NE 116th only at both ends of the road, east and west. Councilmember Hank Margeson commented earlier this year that the "PCC" development on 116th and Avondale was an example of a good neighborhood commercial development.  Councilmember David Carson was concerned NE 116th could turn into a strip mall.  Vache' reminded Carson only one NC rezone was allowed per neighborhood area.  

Councilmember Kim Allen said "from an historical perspective NC has always been around." Councilmember Hank Margeson said, NC "is more open today but, is not wide open". 

Planner Kim Dietz reminded council that "none of our neighborhood plans (citizen advisory committees) say 'no' to neighborhood commercial.  Some were silent or speak to general support or a higher level of support..."   The Bear Creek neighborhood had a high level of support.

Margeson referred to his experience on the Education Hill Neighborhood Advisory Committee when citizens were committing to keeping an open mind.  He said  "The advisory committee was asked: do you want to encourage NC more?,,, find a spot where it might fit?,,, vs. a simple 'yes' or 'no' question." 

Councilmember  John Stilin wanted to understand what "keeping an open mind meant."   The Idlewood Neighborhood process requires a land use review in addition to a rezone. When pressed, Planner Dietz said neighbors could "opt out" of a project but, the final decision rests with Council. President Richard Cole clarified that when a developer applies for a project in any neighborhood, it would have a "review panel" (composed of neighbors and staff).  Vice President Pat Vache' concurred and the entire council,  agreed in silence.   
 
Council's final review was centered on concerns of 7/11 type convenience stores. Cole is extremely outspoken against these stores in our neighborhoods, as is Allen.  Councilmember Allen, a land-use hearing examiner in Kitsap, said these types of stores would be "regulated out" by hours and large signage.  Stilin said the focus should be on "aesthetics".  "7/11's" have a limited line of goods.  The types of projects allowed by council are:  supermarkets, fruit and vegetable markets, retail, cafeteria, restaurants, take-out, coffee shops.  Councilmember Hank Myers said all commercial projects would be subject to the Design Review Board.  Council will review the development criteria every five years.   

Citizens may comment at the Hearing scheduled for July 19.  Council has a final study session on August 9 and will vote on it September 6, 2011.
 
 Bob Yoder

July 19 Hearing - document

Deer roam into Rose Hill neighborhood

Douglas Burchard

"We looked outside our window in the Spirit Brook neighborhood of Rose Hill this evening, and were amazed to see deer. They seemed non-plussed to have us walk outside and take their picture. However, we were careful not to surround them, startle them, or get too close. What a neat city we live in."

Photo album of deer activity in Rose Hill neighborhood.    By Douglas Burchard, 6/12
Do you have photos of local wildlife, too?   Send them on!  

Fire fighters play paddle ball at Redmond Junior High



Redmond Fire and Medic Trucks parked at Redmond Junior High
in the sun late Friday afternoon

  

Redmond fire fighters and medics playing paddle ball on
the tennis courts today. 

I've seen fire trucks parked at Redmond Junior High before and wasn't sure what was going on. Saw em again today. Fire gear was out, but no smoke. No alarms. No hoses. No water. No one flat on the ground getting CPR. Then, Pam waved towards the tennis courts....

Low and behold we saw about eight fire fighters playing paddle ball.  They were good!   Lean and agile and moving quickly, these guys are definitely athletes.  With the short paddles they were really zipping around.

You know how Microsoft is known for their "team building" events where they go bowling or do some other activity in small groups?   I figure this is a team building exercise, a moral booster, and a fun way for our fire fighters to stay fit.   The Redmond Police were out running for the Special Olympics today.  Why not a little team building for Redmond Fire where their fitness is on display!

Next time I see them playing, I'll stop by and say hi.  Perhaps I'll see the new fire chief?  Or even the Mayor?   Mayor John lives only five minutes away!

Opinion by Bob Yoder
IPhone Photos by Yoder

Redmond Saturday Market Events and "Market Thymes"

What's Fresh - What's New - Events and Happenings at the Best Market on the Eastside!

Redmond Saturday Market
7730 Leary Way NE
Redmond, Washington 98052
May through October - Every Saturday - 9 to 3 PM
Martha Tyler - Market Manager - 425-556-0636

info@redmondsaturdaymarket.org
http://www.redmondsaturdaymarket.org/

Hi Everybody! Here's the latest edition of the new "Market Thymes".  We want you to be informed about all the terrific events we have planned for you this season. Do you want to read Market updates and  know someone who would like to receive the weekly "Market Thymes"? Just go to our website and click on the envelope to sign up for it. http://www.redmondsaturdaymarket.org/

Marchione Administration holds "networking meetings" for Education Hill and North Redmond residents.

Redmond Neighborhoods (9)

OPINION:  One of Mayor Marchione's goals this year is to improve government transparency in the Neighborhoods of Redmond, including Overlake.  John's Administration is implementing  "The Neighborhood Network" program to build on city government visibility, networking opportunities and awareness of our neighborhoods.

Education Hill and North Redmond Network Neighborhood meetings were held earlier this month.  Per 2010 US Census, the Education Hill neighborhood population is ~12,000 residents; the North Redmond neighborhood population is ~ 4,000 residents.  This census information and the following letter from Kim Dietz was generously provided by the Marchione Administration upon request.    B.Y.

from the desk of Kim Dietz...  

The April 7th Neighborhood Network meeting went quite well.  Approximately 30 neighbors from the Education Hill and North Redmond neighborhoods attended.  Councilmember Cole was also in attendance.   Read more of Kim's Letter >>

My experience removing "second growth" trees from our Redmond yard

Pam on a tree stump in our front yard

UPDATED: 04/2022  As much as I love trees, it was time to remove this double-trunk Doug fir from our front yard.  The tree diameters for each "fork" at breast height was 27 inches.  This one was a 70-year old, second  growth, beauty and it wasn't an easy decision.

When we moved into our "East Firs" Burnstead home 25 years ago, the fir was about half the size.   But, for about the last 7-10 summers the tree sucked up every drop of water around it, killing off our shrubs and grass.   Acidic pine cones, needles and branches dropped like rain on the roof.  Street appeal?  Suffocating.  Only 18 feet from our house, the exposed tree was a potential hazard.  So after much thought I filed for a city tree removal permit and hired Rudy Schulze of "Top Notch Tree Service" (360-420-9970) to do the work.

Towering  double-trunk fir on the left was removed
after getting a permit from the city.

We thought about removing only the large trunk and leaving the smaller one.  But, Rudy and one other certified arborist said no; that taking one trunk out would be like pruning more than 50% of the tree - not a healthy choice.  So, by the arborist's definition I removed two large significant trees joined at the hip. 

Some tips:  Watch out for the "Evergreen" arborist companies.  A few of them aren't arborists and just want your money. I was quoted $2,000 just for this tree.  I paid Top Notch $950 and a tip.  They dropped the limbs next to my vine maple with precision.   The next day, Rudy's partners hauled away all the wood for free and offered affordable stump grinding services.  Not only pros, but personable!   Visit the the International Society of Arboriculture website to find an ISA certified arborist.

The city requires a permit for removing "significant trees" and Landmark Trees. There's no fee.  For me, when hugging a large tree I know it's a Landmark when I can't touch my fingers.  You're allowed to remove up to two healthy "significant" trees (six inch diameter more) or one Landmark every 365 days with a permit.  

I found the permit here by searching Google. Read the fine lines.  Every tree you remove a tree you must replace it with a smaller tree.  If this is a hardship and you love trees, the City is updating their tree regulations and you may be able to donate to a Tree Fund.

Photos and Story by Bob Yoder, March 23, 2011

Redmond Police Issue More Than 1,500 Citations In First Two Weeks of Camera Enforcement Period - Redmond, WA Patch

Redmond Police Issue More Than 1,500 Citations In First Two Weeks of Camera Enforcement Period - Redmond, WA Patch:  by Caitlin Moran, "RedmondPatch"

Officials stressed that officer discretion is always used when deciding whether or not to issue a ticket.

Richard Cole, Hank Margeson and John Stilin observe a video demonstration of the city's red light cameras at a meeting on Tuesday. Photo Credit Caitlin Moran

"The number of camera-enforced citations issued so far this month is on pace to exceed the 1,900 warnings that were issued during a one-month warning period earlier this year, Redmond Police Chief Ron Gibson told the City Council's public safety committee at a meeting Tuesday afternoon.

The Redmond Police Department issued a combined 1,586 citations between March 3 and 16 at the three intersections with red light cameras and one school zone with a speed camera.

Gibson said he believes the number of violations confirms earlier traffic studies that identified the intersections as problem areas.

'I think that bears out the fact that the studies show there's a high number of violations at these intersections,' he said."   Read More...

By Caitlin Moran, Editor of RedmondPatch
About Caitlin
RedmondPatch, 3/23

#####

Comment from the RNB Editor:   As of 3/19 a  petition is circulating to ban the Redmond red light pilot program.   http://bancams.com/petition/redmond/

OPINION: Swedish/ER advertising is misleading and unfair

UPDATED OPINION:   I woke up this morning, 3/21, to yet another Swedish ER television commercial touting "SWEDISH ER ... the only 24/7 ER in Redmond just popped up".   They show a blue circle "popping up" on a Redmond "neighborhood" map.  (1) (2)

This Swedish television promotion is unfair and misleading.

So how is Swedish untruthfull and misleading the public? 

• First, Swedish is not the only 24/7 ER open for business in Redmond right now.  Evergreen Medical Center/Redmond ER is open for business on March 21, too.  Evergreen had their ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday (3/19) and their doors are open to ER patients today, March 21.   In fact, Evergreen/Redmond's Urgent Care, Primary Care and Speciality Care are open, as well.  I  confirmed this with Sherry Grindeland,  the Evergreen Communications specialist.
• Swedish promotes themselves as a "Neighborhood ER" and outpatient service.   The ED structure is located right across from UPS on a 'highway', not far from Cadman Gravel and right next to a veterinarian business that according to an employee, doesn't want them as neighbors. (egress/ingress issues). 
• No schools, residential sidewalks, pedestrians or plethora of small businesses are to be found, or expected.  Do you call this a neighborhood? 
• During the Swedish/ER opening ceremony this winter Swedish top brass proclaimed (to an audience of mostly Swedish/Seattle employees) that their massive medical complex ("big box") will stimulate the local economy. It will.  Even the Mayor spoke to the "vibrancy" and growth Swedish would bring to Redmond.  
• Truth be said and observed by the vet business and current commuter traffic - Swedish/Redmond ER plugs up traffic flows on Union Rd.    Local small business considering moving to Union Hill Road are deterred owing to blockage of ingress and egress.  
• Yes, Swedish/ER will bring in the big bucks to Redmond from highly paid Swedish workers.  But, the immediate "neighborhood" and businesses around Swedish will remain stale and lack healthy diversity.  

About Evergreen  
According to the Evergreen website:  "Evergreen Medical Center/Redmond will bring a whole new level of care to downtown Redmond, where primary care, urgent care, lab and imaging services will be conveniently together under one roof...along with a 24/7 emergency department.  The four-story, 48,000-square-foot facility is located at the Bella Bottega shopping center in the heart of downtown Redmond."

No question, Evergreen will bring traffic and parking congestion to the area and the ambulances will be a pain.   But every Bella Bottega business I've talked to in my survey said they were happy with the new business Evergreen will bring.  More residents will take to the sidewalks; new businesses will emerge nearby, happy to be close to Evergreen and our downtown.  Our nearby residential neighborhoods, including the downtown neighborhood, will truly be more vibrant.    In addition, the Urgent Care resources Evergreen/Redmond offers provide valuable service to the prudent consumer.

Swedish is obviously aggressive in self-promotion.  They are clearly stretching the truth by claiming a Redmond neighborhood location and saying they are the only ER game in town today.  The question of future trust arises.   At least for me.   Please share your opinion below this post or by Letter with your name to remondblog@gmail.com  

(1)  On 3/23, two days after this post, Swedish made a change and corrected their ad. 
(2)  On 3/25, Swedish advertised on CNBC they had the only 24/7 ER in Redmond.  I think the point is made. 

Opinion By Bob Yoder

LETTER: A tribute to the great people in my neighborhood! By Jim Contreras

Thanks for the news, Jim...

LETTER:  Last Wednesday while I was out walking in my neighborhood, I stumbled on uneven pavement and fell face first. Two students (I think from Redmond Jr. High) were walking by and came over to see how I was. I asked them to call my wife, which one did and even included exactly where I was in the neighborhood. A school crossing guard also saw me down and called 911. The aid car came immediately and was already assisting me by the time my wife arrived. They were wonderful - very caring, considerate and patient - to this old senior citizen! So a HUGE RAVE to the students, the crossing guard (from Norman Rockwell Elem) the neighbor whose house I fell in front of, and the emergency medical team who helped me. The neighbor stayed with me and swapped stories about being in the Air Force. This is a tribute to the great people in this Redmond neighborhood. Thank you very much! Unfortunately, I wasn't able to contact the students, so I hope they read this in the Times!  [How about the Redmond Neighborhood Blog, Jim? :]

Jim Contreras
Redmond, WA

Google Images photo

OPEN HOUSE: "Swedish Redmond Primary Care" - Election Day, February 8, 6-8pm

This is a rendering of a Swedish Redmond Primary Care "pod." on the second floor.

Updated:  OPEN HOUSE:  "Please join us at our new location for our Primary Care Open House on February 8th from 6-8pm.  Tour our new space, meet the doctors and get your general health questions answered for free!" 

Swedish Redmond Primary Care - location and office hours 

18100 N.E. Union Hill Rd.
Redmond, WA 98052
Phone: 425-702-8689
Fax: 206-320-5191
Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
(*No Urgent Care)

Read More>>

Evergreen Hospital Medical Center Ranked in Top Five Percent in Nation

CEO Bob Malte

     
 Evergreen Hospital Medical Center Ranked in Top Five Percent in Nation

For the third consecutive year, Evergreen Hospital Medical Center has been ranked among the nation’s top five percent of hospitals and named a Distinguished Hospital for Clinical Excellence™. The Clinical Excellence award was based on a study of mortality and complication rates by HealthGrades®, the nation’s leading independent healthcare ratings company. Nearly 5,000 hospitals were included in the study.

Evergreen Hospital is one of only three hospitals in Washington to receive the HealthGrades’ 2011 Distinguished Hospital for Clinical Excellence Award™. It is the only Washington hospital to achieve the award the past three consecutive years. Nationally, only 268 non-federal hospitals received this distinction.

“We are proud of this continued recognition and the world class outcomes our physicians, nurses, technologists and staff achieve,” said Evergreen CEO Bob Malte. “And we are even prouder because of what this means for the health and well-being of our communities. Every day, we recommit ourselves to working together to enrich the health and well-being of every life we touch”

Updated: 70-75% of responses from Redmond Fire Stations are for medical emergencies.

Rendering of Fire Station 17 - Courtesy of City of Redmond

The public is invited to join the City of Redmond at the groundbreaking ceremony for Fire Station 17 in North Redmond on Thursday, January 27 at 10 a.m.

Mayor John Marchione, City Councilmembers and Fire Chief Tim Fuller, among others, will be in attendance. Light refreshments will be served.

Fire Station 17 is scheduled to house a Medic One unit when it opens.  In a meeting with Council President Richard Cole today, Mr. Cole indicated response times should improve in the North Redmond/Education Hill area.  Units will avoid the traffic congestion of Avondale, Novelty Hill Rd, and Redmond-Woodinville Road.  He said a Medic unit will be housed in Fire Station 17 in advance of the fire trucks since Medics respond to 75% of all emergency fire calls.

No parking for the general public is available on-site. Guests must park in the north lot of the Church of the Holy Cross, 11526 162nd Ave. N.E. Access to the lot is best from NE 116th Street just east of 162nd Avenue NE. Shuttles are available from 9:30 to 9:55 am to take guests from the parking lot to the site and return them to their cars at the completion of the ceremony.

Reported by Yoder

Source:  Council President Richard Cole
Marta Gronlund, City Communications



Evergreen Medical Center / Redmond opens March 21

24/7 EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT  + FULL LAB + IMAGING + SPECIALTY & PRIMARY CARE

>>>click here for more

Don't know where to go?   What to do? 
Stay Home?  Doctor?  Urgent Care?  ER?
Ask a friendly nurse at:    425.899.3000
No charge - tax dollars at work.

 URGENT CARE + LAB + IMAGING + PRIMARY CARE - EXTENDED HOURS

>>>click here for more

Redmond's Chanel Cogan hospitalized for months from 100-foot fall returns home

 by ERIC WILKINSON / KING 5 News

KING5.com story:   Redmond Teen Hospitalized for Months by 100-foot fall returns home.
Posted by King 5.com on December 29, 2010 at 6:11 PM

REDMOND, Wash. -- Doctors still don't know if Chanel Cogan will ever lead a normal life.

"They used the word 'if' she wakes up from the coma," says her mother Mimi. "That was a very solemn day." Chanel's is a life that's been filled with "ifs" lately.

Chanel had just graduated from Redmond High School and was camping with friends at Lake Kachess when she slipped on a trail and fell off a 100-foot cliff. Her friend Tanner Aaron watched in horror as she waved to him, and then plummeted out of sight.

"That's the main question is why Chanel? Why did this have to happen to Chanel?" says Tanner.

Chanel suffered a traumatic brain injury, complicated by a stroke that came at the same time. Injuries from tree limbs nearly forced the amputation of her arm, but they ultimately broke her fall and saved her life -- barely. She sat in a coma for six agonizing weeks. Her family and friends never left her side, sometimes defying doctors' orders.  Read More >>

Lots of people are walking the innovative NE 36th Street Bridge sidewalks -- Driving the Roundabout





Walking the NE 36th Street Bridge is an opportunity to get outside, socialize, exercise and de-stress

Clip of Redmond's First Roundabout In-Action! 

 53s

Have you walked the bridge, yet?   Do you have something to say about it?  

Report, Photo, and Video By Bob Yoder
Photos on 12/15 - 2nd day