Man runs down street with knife on Education Hill: Police Blotter for 1/30

Weapons Offense	19:42:22 01/30/2013	13-001733
EDUCATIONHILL	86xx block of 164 AVE NE
Redmond Police responded to a report of a man running down the street with a knife. There was no injuries upon contacting the man. He had run away from his family's apartment. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Theft-From Mtr Vehicle 22:38:21 01/30/2013 13-001745 CITYCENTER 78xx block of LEARY WY Redmond Police took a car prowl report. No suspect info. Theft-From Mtr Vehicle 22:24:06 01/30/2013 13-001744 CITYCENTER 78xx block of LEARY WY Redmond Police took a car prowl report. No suspect info. Theft-From Mtr Vehicle 20:32:48 01/30/2013 13-001738 CITYCENTER 164 AVE NE & CLEVELAND ST Redmond Police responded to a report of a vehicle prowl. The suspect stole a large felt hat but left everything else in the vehicle. No suspect information. Read More >>

Tyler Daniel becomes 100th Eagle Scout in troop's 50 year history

Redmond Scout Earns Eagle Scout Rank
 

Redmond Boy Scout Troop 550 would like to congratulate Tyler Daniel on becoming the 100^th Eagle Scout in the troop’s almost 50 year history.

Tyler Daniel attained the rank of Eagle Scout on January 8^th, 2013. Achieving this rank demonstrates a strong commitment to community service, leadership, and scouting values.

 

Tyler joined Troop 550 in March of 2008. During his time as a Boy Scout, he earned 29 merit badges as part of his requirements to achieve Eagle rank.
 

Tyler led a landscaping and beautification project at Evergreen Middle School for his Eagle project (completed June 2012).
 

Troop 550 in Redmond was established in 1964 and is sponsored by the Redmond United Methodist Church. 
 

For more information about Scouting, please see the Chief Seattle Council website at www.seattlebsa.org.

City of Redmond hosts blood drive in Public Safety Building

Hi Everyone!

We are looking forward to returning to City of Redmond on February 11^th. We hope that you can all stop by and donate. The Puget Sound is currently experiencing a shortage of blood we are hoping you can help us fix the problem by following up your sleeves on the 11^th

Your single donation will help three patients in need. Will you donate?

Monday, February 11^th
City of Redmond Blood Drive in Public Safety Building
9:00am to 3:00pm(closed 11:00 to 12:00)

Reserve a time please contact Maggie Lovell at 425 556 2383 or mlovell@redmond.gov

If you donated at the last drive or prior to December 14th, you will be eligible to donate at this drive .

For questions about donating and eligibility, please contact PSBC at 800-398-7888

PLEASE ASK A FRIEND TO DONATE WITH YOU! ALL DONORS WELCOME

Thank you for your support!

Emily Hubbard
Donor Recruitment Representative

Lake Washington School District institutes new variance process

Historically, students in Lake Washington School district have been able to choose which high school they attend. The district provided this opportunity through a high school open enrollment policy that accepted all high school in-district variances, which allow students to attend a school other than their neighborhood school. However, the addition of ninth grade students to high schools increased the number of students in those schools. That reduced the space available for students on variances.

As a result, the district has developed a new process for awarding available variances where the school’s space available is less than the anticipated demand. Each year, the district will review each high school’s capacity and the projected enrollment without additional variances to determine how many in-district variances the school can accommodate. If more applications are submitted than space available, the new process, developed with input from a parent survey, will be followed.  Read more >>

NAMI Eastside sponsors "Youth in Crisis" conference

NAMI Eastside and its sponsors are pleased to announce our Youth in Crisis conference to be held on Saturday, March 9^th at the Northshore Baptist Church located at 10301 NE 145^th St. in Kirkland from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm.

The heartbreaking tragedies that occurred in recent weeks both in Connecticut and Oregon, highlight the serious mental health issues facing our local communities and the nation. NAMI’s conference goals are to educate families, mental health providers and educators; to help them identify the early warning signs of mental illness, especially as it relates to lethal violence and suicide in our youth; give hope to those facing a mental health crisis and to help reduce the stigma associated with mental illness.

The conference will start with a Keynote Speech presented by Dan Reidenberg, PsyD , Director of SAVE (Suicide Awareness Voices of Education).  Read more >>

Police Blotter on January 24: Grasslawn residence burglarized from rear sliding glass door.

RPD Public Info for 24 Hours preceding 05:54:01 on Thursday, January 24 2013

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[Unknown Description]	23:43:50 01/23/2013	13-001303
CITYCENTER	81xx block of 161 AVE NE
Redmond Police responded to a male in the female restroom, who was subsequently arrested for drug paraphernalia.

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Redmond Stolen Veh Recovery	22:09:47 01/23/2013	13-001300
[Unknown District]	175xx block of NE 156 ST
Redmond Police recovered a stolen vehicle out of Redmond.

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Theft-Shoplifting	20:32:08 01/23/2013	13-001294
OVERLAKE	21xx block of 148 AVE NE
Redmond Police investigating a shoplifting at a local business.

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Burglary, Resident, Unlawf Ent	18:48:24 01/23/2013	13-001288
GRASSLAWN	84xx block of 139 AVE NE
Redmond residence was broken into sometime during the day. Entry was made through the unlocked rear sliding glass door.   Read More >>

Downtown Senior Housing project is under study by City Council

At last night's meeting, the City Council studied ARCH's proposal for a Senior Housing project in Downtown Redmond. 

The subject site - just north of Wells Fargo - is approximately 0.81 acres, located at 8550 160th Avenue NE across from the entrance to the municipal Public Safety campus.  The property is essentially flat and narrow and was acquired with non-utility funds a number of years ago for the purpose of City Hall campus expansion.  According to the administration: "the site is an attractive location for senior housing due to its proximity to transit, Sammamish River trail, Bella Bottega shopping,  medical services, the library, and the Redmond Senior Center. The project concept is for 50 to 70 units of senior housing, with a unit mix of mostly one-bedroom units with some studio and two-bedroom dwellings. Assuming Council adoption of the Planning Commission's recommendation for amendments to the Downtown zoning, the height limit in this location will be five stories. No street-level retail is expected. One constraint of the site is that there is no sewer main adjacent to the site, and therefore a new sewer main will need to be constructed, most likely to the south side of NE 85th Street."

 

Councilmembers Allen, Stilin, Margeson and Flynn all felt the structure should be five stories to hold as many units as can be designed with good architectural standards.  Allen said she lives right next to the site in a 3-4 story building and saw no problem with five stories.  Stilin thought the seniors lucky enough to get a top unit would enjoy nice views of the valley.  He asked for "good materials" for construction since it was so close to the city campus.  Margeson didn't want a tower right next to the sidewalk but hoped the architects could step the building back from the sidewalk to five stories.  Staff and council expected demands for parking would be less. 

Rent on a one bedroom apartment would be $1100-1250 for someone with an income ranging from $45,000-$52,000.  Rent would be $425-925 for a one bedroom at incomes between $19,000-39,000.  Funding sources are public, private, tax credit and tax-exempt.  ARCH was targeting their proposal for state funding this Fall or next.  The city would lease their land at no cost for 70 years.   The city council took no action to approve the plan.   

Report and photo by Bob Yoder

2013 Citizen Police Academy applications underway

Redmond, WA – If you wonder what goes on behind the scenes at a police department…if you are interested in a law enforcement career but aren’t sure…if you despise the police and have a list of questions that begin with, “Why do you all…,” then the Redmond Police invite you to its 2013 Citizen Police Academy.

The free program is designed to provide citizens firsthand information about the department and the justice system. The intent is not to train citizens to be police officers, but to increase the understanding of services and tasks faced on a daily basis. Topics include patrol procedures, traffic enforcement, hostage negotiations, SWAT, K9, traffic collision investigation, and more.

The 2013 Citizen Police Academy begins Wednesday, March 20, 2013 and takes place for a total of ten consecutive Wednesdays from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. Priority is given to those who work or live within the Redmond City limits and apply before the February 28^th priority deadline. More information and applications can be found at:www.redmond.gov/PublicSafety/Police/tips/policeacademy

 

“The Redmond Citizen Police Academy is a great way to learn about all the responsibilities, functions, standards, and expectations of our Police Department,” commented Redmond resident Marie Emerson who attended the academy in 1999 and again in 2012. “In addition to hearing stories ‘from the streets’ you gain a solid appreciation for the ongoing training that Redmond officers receive.”

 

Jim Bove

Redmond Police Department

Community Outreach Facilitator

8701 160th Ave NE

Redmond, WA 98052

(425) 556-2545

Al DeYoung shares memories of his family growing up in Woodinville in the 1930's and l940's: RHS meeting Feb 9

 

History is happening in the Redmond area and we welcome you to our meeting. The Redmond Historical Society (RHS) will meet on Saturday, February 9, 2013, 10:30 a.m. to noon, at The Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center, 16600 NE 80 Street, Redmond, WA. 

 

Al DeYoung will share memories of his family and growing up in Woodinville in the 1930s and 1940s. His family operated many businesses, including brother Lowell’s TD Feeds in Redmond. Al has spent most of his adult life in public service. He has been a Commissioner of Public Hospital District 2, which is the Evergreen Hospital Medical Center, for 33 years, and a Northshore School Director for three years. His daughter, Lucy, is treasurer of the Woodinville Heritage Society. Don’t miss this meeting.  Read More >>

OLE to host Community Fitness Fair and Spring Soccer Registration on January 25

One League for Everyone (OLE) is a Redmond-based non-profit program under Lake Washington Youth Soccer Association. It provides financial assistance to low-income families served by LWYSA (Redmond and Kirkland) by covering all soccer fees, providing gently used soccer gear, and enabling families to attend practices with games. As part of this program OLE is extending its services to educate on health, nutrition, exercise, family skills such as parenting tips, internet safety tips, etc.

On Friday, January 25, 2013 OLE is hosting a Community Fitness Fair and Spring Soccer Registration from 6:00PM-8:00PM at Albert Einstein Elementary located at 18025 NE 116^thStreet, Redmond, WA. The Community Fitness Fair and Spring Soccer Registration event is inteded to be a fun and educational forum for children and families who qualify for free or reduced school lunches to not only register and obtain gently used soccer gear for LWYSA spring soccer season. In addition we OLE is partnering with local agencies and companies including Hopelink, Just Garden Project, Molina Healthcare of WA to promote health, nutrition and fitness. During the event we are excited to have the following guest speakers & presentations:

· Positive Parenting from esteemed marriage family therapist, Donna Wilson M.A., LMFT, LPC, LCDC;

· Staying Safe on the Internet by Scott Wallin, Board Member, Hopelink;

· Penny Lara from Public Health Services, King County.

 The event is free to attend and free for companies to participate. Volunteers are assisting with registering families who qualify for the reduced soccer registration fees, into LWYSA Spring Soccer programs. Volunteers are continuously collecting and re-distributing gently used cleats, shin guards and apparel. Equipment donations can be dropped off at the LWYSA Office. For more information contact OLE at info@oneleagueforeveryone.org.

Let me know if you have any questions. We are hoping to get the word out next week to promote participation. This is a great resource for low-income families to feel a part of the community and become more educated on healthier living.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Tracey Schofield

Superintendent Pierce approves Rosa Parks boundary plan - Parents speak up again

After a Work Session with the School Board Superintendent Pierce recommended "Scenario C with Grandfathering" as a solution for the severe overcrowding at Rosa Parks.   During the Work Session preceding Pierce's recommendation, Director Chris Carson suggested being open to allowing the 29 kids in the Deveron development to be varianced to Wilder providing "it didn't cost the district millions."  Director Siri Bliesner agreed saying this could help to keep the neighborhood intact.  (Siri spent time walking the neighborhood.)  Pierce said the Boundary Committee would review the board's recommendation and get back to them by their next business meeting  The cost of moving a portables is $250,000 and this potential expense has to be considered.

Three parents spoke up after Pierce's recommendation.  A Wilder parent and past PTSA officer felt the new Redmond Ridge East students would be well received by the Wilder community.  "With the 6th graders gone the place is empty - its kinda sad." he said.  From the many parents he spoke with he personally felt "the Wilder parents are good with it." 

Parent Julianne expressed "grave concern about the pedestrian safety at Rosa Parks owing to site over enrollment."   She said according to the district, "the ideal school size is 483" and now the campus is sprawling with over 700 students attending and "drivers growing exponentially."  Even though Rosa Parks is a walking school she said large wildlife and the more distant Deveron neighborhood contribute to driving.  She complimented "the heroic Rosa Parks staff who put themselves at risk at chaotic intersections" as not being enough without controlling site over-enrollment.  "Student safety should always be the district's top priority" Julianne concluded.  Karen, the third speaker said the overcrowding that's happened to Rosa Parks should never have to happen to another school. 

Reported by Bob Yoder

Five Lakeview Elementary parents complain about "Leader in Me" program - Superintendent to reconsider

Editor's Note:  This article was published in 2013

Superintendent Pierce to review Instructional Materials Committee (IMC) Policies and Procedures and reconsider the Covey "Leader in Me" program. 

Five Lakeview Elementary parents spoke up at last night's school board business meeting complaining about the November 9 implementation of self-help guru Covey's "Leader in Me" program.   One parent, Allison, of a 4th grade boy objected to dividing his class into "leaders" and "non-leaders" and then being told "you are a leader if you can walk quietly in the hallway."   Allison said her child was gifted in math, art, piano and at 9 years of age could program games on his hand-held device.  "I'd say my son is as leader in technology and the arts but this isn't realized by this program."   She said a school counsellor agreed there was miscommunication with the parents about the program, that 100% of the teachers had not bought in on the program and the PTSA was neutral about it.

One parent said the program had been implemented but was never fully reviewed.   He said only the 5th grade class materials were reviewed by just one person - with no review in the other three grades. 

According to parent Molly, "the Instructional Materials Committee (IMC) isn't the right decision-making process for a program of this scope."   She said the program involves 3-6 days of training per teacher, six teacher guides, 5 workbooks, 1 story book, online materials and posters.  The program costs $75,000 and is "ubiquitous," in all classes including the library, PE, and music.  "It is big" said Molly.  "It is not reviewed by any 3rd party educator specialist and no data is available that proves the Covey marketing information is true."   She complained the program takes three years to fully implement and requires promotion to other schools "that screams of pyramid marketing."

President Jackie Pendergrass asked Superintendent Pierce to respond to the Lakeview parents.   Ms. Pierce said she would review the IMC process and procedures in light of this case.  She also said the IMC would reconsider the "Leader in Me" program. 

Bob Yoder

Washington State Auditor's Office gives Evergreen Health passing marks on Accountability Audit

This Washington State Auditor's Office (WSAO) report contains the results of our independent accountability audit of Evergreen Health from January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011.

WSAO evaluated internal controls and performed audit procedures on the activities of the District. We also determined whether the District complied with state laws and regulations and its own policies and procedures.

In keeping with general auditing practices, WSAO does not examine every transaction, activity or area. Instead, the areas examined were those representing the highest risk of noncompliance, misappropriation or misuse. The following areas were examined during this audit period:  Patient billing adjustments  Cash receipting:  Redmond Primary Care  Woodinville Primary Care  Patient registration  Images Café

 General disbursements  Payroll  Credit cards  Foundation services  Procurement RESULTSIn the areas we examined, the District’s internal controls were adequate to safeguard public assets. The District also complied with state laws and regulations and its own policies and procedures in the areas we examined.

"Droplets," by John Reinke

Frost melts into droplets on a grass frond at the Redmond Senior Center/ JOHN REINKE

Twenty-five LWSD teachers achieve National Board Certification

Twenty-five Lake Washington Teachers Achieve National Board Certification
204 National Board Certified teachers in district

Redmond, Wash. – Twenty-five Lake Washington School District teachers achieved National Board Certification®, as announced by theNational Board for Professional Teaching Standards. There are currently 204 National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT) working full-time in the district’s schools.

“Lake Washington School District prides itself on the caliber of its teaching staff and we’re grateful to have so many teachers commit themselves to excellence,” said Superintendent Traci Pierce. “The National Board Certification process directly benefits our students because teachers increase their capacity to evaluate the best classroom strategies for academic success.”   Read more >>

Community Digest of events for the week

VIEWPOINT PARK WORK PARTY. Join the Green Redmond Partnership for a work party at Viewpoint Park from 12:00-2:00 on Wednesday, Jan 16th 2013. Contact Marilynn Leland to register. If you are under 18 and attending the event without a parent or guardian please come to the event with the waiver below signed by a parent or guardian. If you are under 18:Click here to download the Youth Volunteer Waiver.

OLD FIRE HOUSE CONCERT. Come to the Old Fire House Teen Center for Suggestion Box & guests on Friday, January 18th at 7 pm. Cost: $8

FACING FAMILY TROUBLES? If you are a parent whose child is challenged with drugs, poor behavior, or other problems, the Sammamish Plateau Parent Networking Group invites you to two free workshops featuring Bill Dean, who has assisted hundreds of families to become whole and healthy through his coaching. Workshops will be held on January 28 at the EX3 Teen Center (825 228th Avenue NE, Sammamish) at both 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM and 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM. For more information, contact Cherry O'Neill.

COLLEGE SORORITY INFORMATION FORUM. The College Sorority Information Forum will take place Tuesday, March 5, 7 p.m., at the Redmond Library in Meeting Room 1. This is designed for high school girls and their parents who want to learn about college sorority membership.Overlake Alumnae Panhellenic sponsors the event, which is free and registration is not required. For more information visit www.overlakealumnaepanhellenic.org.

WILDERNESS SUMMER CAMPS. The Wilderness Awareness School offers a variety of overnight camps for teens.

INTERNATIONAL SUMMER CAMP. The Northwest School offers an International Summer Camp for students up to 16 years old.

 

Source: Redmond PTSA Mustang Weekly 

Lake Washington Institute of Technology receives $10,000 grant for emergency operations center

LWIT Receives $10,000 Puget Sound Energy Foundation Grant

Kirkland, Wash.: Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LWIT) recently received $10,000 from Puget Sound Energy Foundation to support the development of an emergency operations center (EOC) for the College. An EOC works as a centralized communications command post for police, fire, campus security and any other agency involved in a campus-wide emergency such as a fire, hostage situation, shooting, gas leak, or other life-threatening situation.

“We’re excited to develop a fully-functional EOC thanks to this generous grant,” said Patrick Sturgill, LWIT manager of safety and security. “We’ll now be able to effectively manage an emergency response, coordinating with local first responders like police and fire to increase the value and speed of response. While it’s mainly a service for our campus, our EOC will be available for local agencies to utilize in our immediate neighborhood if needed. ”   Read More >>

King County and Seattle to hold gun buyback safety event

King County and Seattle to launch Gun Safety Initiative

First gun buyback program in 20 years to take place later this month

King County Executive Dow Constantine, Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn, Seattle Police Deputy Chief Nick Metz, Dr. David Fleming of Public Health – Seattle & King County, Renee Hopkins of the Seattle Police Foundation, and Reverend Aaron Williams of Seattle’s Mount Zion Baptist Church today announced a new Gun Safety Initiative, including a gun buyback program. Former Seattle mayors Greg Nickels, Norm Rice, Charles Royer and Wes Uhlman are serving as co-chairs of the program.

The countywide gun buyback initiative will provide a monetary incentive to individuals who turn in firearms, while engaging our communities toward a common goal of reducing gun violence. The first gun buyback will be held on Saturday, January 26, 2013, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, in downtown Seattle in the parking lot underneath Interstate 5 between Cherry and James Streets.  Read More >>

Two citizens protest impacts of proposed Valley Furniture redevelopment

Valley Furniture in downtown Redmond (8178 164th Ave NE) sits on quite a large lot - 1.15 acres with significant trees.  MacDonald's Book Exchange sublets on the site.   Both are scheduled to be torn down with the trees sometime this summer providing permits are approved for a new 215 unit multi-family residential project containing over 4500 square feet of retail. 

Two citizens complained about the project at the last council meeting saying the project would change the look and feel of the neighborhood, stress nearby 165th Ave NE, and cause parking congestion. 

Kimberly Price said the project is "equivalent to a Redmond 160 or Cleveland building in her  townhouse backyard".  She quipped her kids would be yelling at the builders as the six-floor complex was raised above her two-story townhouse.  She complained that 165th Ave. had poor visibility and wasn't designed to service 215 additional units and retail space. 

Heather, the first speaker, scrutinized the parking plan and the land use process complaining citizens weren't given notice of the complete removal of the landmark trees.  She said that only 230 parking stalls are planned by the city for the project when 272 are required according to code.  She quoted city code that 1.25 parking stalls are required for all projects over 6 units and 3.5 stalls are required for every 1000 sf of commercial space.  (Limited additional structured and street parking will be available). Heather was concerned that 50% of the parking space was marked for compact cars and that larger vehicles would have to park on the street or elsewhere.

The mayor advised council that an appeal has not been filed at this time.   Kimberly asked Council to "reconsider the size, scale, scope of the project and how close it comes to the property boundary" of the adjacent residences. 

Reported by Bob Yoder     

Citizen submits 70 signatures to Mayor Marchione requesting safer crosswalks in Grasslawn Park

At this week's Council meeting a Grasslawn resident, Carl, asked the Marchione Administration for additional traffic safety on the Grasslawn Park crosswalks adjacent NE 70th.  He recommended, flags, additional lighting and blinking lights at the crosswalk similar to what the City of Kirkland installed a mile west.  Carl said he almost lost his grandson on December 14 at the NE 70th Street crosswalk at Grasslawn Park.  He submitted 70 signatures from residents to the Mayor asking for improved safety measures. 

Reported by Bob Yoder