Jurors rule in favor of officers in Issaquah police inquest
May 23, 2012
Issaquah Officer Brian Horn uses a map to indicate key locations Tuesday at the inquest into the death of Ronald W. Ficker in a September shootout against Horn and other officers. By Greg Farrar
NEW — 6 p.m. May 23, 2012
Jurors deliberated only 19 minutes Wednesday before determining Issaquah police officers faced a life-threatening scenario and properly used lethal force to stop a rifle-toting man on the Clark Elementary School campus last year.
Officers feared Issaquah gunman could escape, shoot bystanders
May 23, 2012
NEW — 8 a.m. May 23, 2012
Police involved in a shootout at Clark Elementary School feared the gunman could escape from the campus and shoot bystanders in surrounding neighborhoods, and resorted to lethal force to eliminate the threat, officers involved in the shooting testified at a court hearing Tuesday.
Police fatally shot Ronald W. Ficker, 51, in late September after the rural Maple Valley man abandoned a rental car at a downtown intersection and, carrying rifles and ammunition, set off in the direction of school campuses and, along the way, brandished firearms to passers-by. Moments later, at about 11:30 a.m. Sept. 24, Ficker shot at bystanders and police officers on the Clark Elementary campus.
The tense moments after Ficker reached the school grounds formed the basis for the Tuesday testimony at a King County-led inquest into the actions of officers involved in the shootout — Laura Asbell, Brian Horn, Christian Muñoz and Jesse Petersen.
Issaquah Police Department searches for violent home invasion suspects
May 22, 2012
Issaquah police asked for assistance from the public May 18 to find the suspects from a home invasion robbery after men stormed a residence and stomped on a woman inside.
Police said a white man and a black man forced themselves into a woman’s apartment at about noon May 16.
Issaquah Detective Ryan Raulerson said the woman did not know her attackers. He said police did not know whether the crime was random or if the woman had been targeted.
The woman inside the apartment said the white man stomped on her face and kicked her several times. The suspects asked her, “Where is it?” repeatedly as they ransacked the residence.
Police believe the suspects searched the residence for narcotic medications. The suspects then fled the apartment on foot, carrying some of the woman’s prescription medication.
VFW hosts Memorial Day commemoration in Issaquah
May 22, 2012
Issaquah residents will have the opportunity to remember and celebrate local veterans who have given their lives in the line of military service at 10 a.m. May 28 at Issaquah’s Hillside Cemetery in an annual observance of Memorial Day.
The Issaquah High School Junior Naval ROTC will facilitate a 21-gun salute and provide the color guard for the event. It will be the final public performance of the group after more than 40 years of service, event organizer Dave Waggoner said. ROTC will no longer be offered at the school after this school year.
King County officials urge river safety as temperatures rise
May 22, 2012
More sunshine and balmier temperatures in the forecast mean more people heading to area rivers.
King County officials urge recreational river users to use caution due to the effects of significantly greater-than-average mountain snowpack on waterways.
Even though air temperatures continue to rise, rivers, lakes and Puget Sound all remain cold, and recreationists should use caution around open water.
Officials recommended kayakers, boaters, rafters and other river users check conditions and scout rivers thoroughly for hazards before getting in the water.
“Rivers are dynamic systems, and they are always changing,” King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks Director Christie True said in a statement. “Warm weather and cold water can be a dangerous combination, and we urge all river users to exercise a high degree of caution and awareness when recreating on any of King County’s beautiful rivers.”
King County leaders adopted a measure last spring to require personal flotation devices for users along the Raging, Snoqualmie, Tolt, Cedar, Green, Skykomish and White rivers in unincorporated areas. The measure expired in October.
“If you’re looking to swim, there are much safer places to be than in the rivers, such as our local pools and lifeguarded beaches,” Dr. David Fleming, director and health officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County, said in a statement. “If you choose to enjoy the rivers for other recreational activities, we want you to return home safely. Please use caution and wear a PFD on the water.”
Supreme Court hears challenge to Costco-backed liquor privatization
May 22, 2012
Opponents of liquor privatization urged state Supreme Court justices May 17 to overturn Initiative 1183, less than a month before the switch from a state-run liquor system to private entrepreneurs.
If the high court overturns the Costco-backed measure, state-run liquor stores could remain open and retailers could not sell spirits. The changeover is scheduled to occur June 1, and a ruling is expected before then.
Opponents said I-1183 violates the single subject rule for statewide ballot initiatives.
In addition to the liquor privatization language, I-1183 included a section directing $10 million to public safety, in addition to the liquor-privatization language.
Campaign season starts as candidates file for election
May 22, 2012
The ballot voters receive in the mailbox by late July is all but certain to contain some familiar names, as elected officials campaign for higher offices and other candidates try another run for elected office.
The period for candidates to enter races up for election on the August and November ballots ended May 18 in a buzz of activity.
Local voters face choices in countywide, legislative, statewide and federal offices.
Voters pick the top two candidates, regardless of party affiliation, Aug. 7 in the all-mail primary election. The top vote recipients then advance to an all-mail general election Nov. 6.
Former Issaquah School District bus driver set to appear in court for child porn
May 22, 2012
The former Issaquah School District substitute bus driver and former Eastside Catholic High School teacher involved in a child pornography case is due in court soon.
Andrew Bernard Rekdahl, 29, faces child pornography charges after federal prosecutors said the Carnation resident shared explicit images and videos of boys online from his home computer.
The preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled for 10 a.m. May 24 at the Seattle federal courthouse before Magistrate Judge James P. Donohue.
Department of Homeland Security agents arrested Rekdahl at a school district facility May 10 after a monthslong sting operation.
Rekdahl faces one count each of possession and distribution of child pornography. If convicted, he faces up to 40 years in prison.
In January, an agent noticed a user named Hboyandy sharing explicit videos through a file-sharing website. Then, using a publicly available software program, the agent identified the IP address of Rekdahl’s computer. The investigation continued until the May 10 arrest.
Federal agents said no evidence exists to indicate any inappropriate or illegal activities occurred as Rekdahl worked for the district.
District administrators asked parents concerned about the incident to email DriverConcerns@issaquah.wednet.edu.
City Council could decide on controversial plastic bag ban
May 22, 2012
City Council members could decide on a controversial plastic bag ban June 4, after a monthslong process to collect public input.
The legislation last reached the council for a possible decision April 2, but after listening to comments from environmental organizations and plastics manufacturers — but only a handful of remarks from city residents — members delayed action.
In a push to collect more input on the proposal to outlaw plastic bags at Issaquah businesses, the council scheduled another opportunity April 30 for the public to comment on the proposed ban. Members heard input similar to the comments at the April 2 meeting.
In addition to limiting most plastic bags, the legislation requires retail stores to collect 5 cents for each paper bag provided to customers. The fee is meant to help retailers offset the cost of the change.
Supporters said a plastic bag ban could reduce landfill waste and marine pollution. Opponents said the legislation could lead to lost plastics manufacturing jobs in the region.
The local proposal is similar to ordinances in Seattle, Bellingham, Edmonds and Mukilteo.
Plan progresses to relocate rural fire station near Issaquah
May 22, 2012
Construction should start on a May Valley fire station next summer, as local fire officials relocate firefighters and equipment deeper into Fire District 10 from a station close to the Renton city limits.
In late April, officials from Fire District 10 — May Valley, Mirrormont and other communities near Issaquah — completed the process to issue $5.5 million in construction bonds to build a May Valley fire station and complete other projects throughout the district.
Fire District 10 is the Eastside Fire & Rescue partner serving residents in Klahanie, May Valley, Mirrormont, Preston and Tiger Mountain in the Issaquah area, plus Carnation in rural King County.
The district encompasses about 130 square miles and about 28,000 people.
