Prosecutors charge man for masturbating outside Issaquah coffee stand
February 10, 2012
NEW — 7:15 a.m. Feb. 10, 2012
Prosecutors said a 31-year-old man attempted to break into a Northwest Gilman Boulevard coffee stand and then masturbated outside as terrified employees called police.
Preston resident Samuel K. McDonough faces a felony indecent exposure charge for the Feb. 2 incident. Police also arrested McDonough for indecent exposure in 2006, 2008 and last year.
Prosecutors said the latest incident occurred at about 8:30 a.m. at the BigFoot Java stand, 736 N.W. Gilman Blvd. The two female employees said McDonough purchased a drink and then asked to use the restroom inside the drive-thru coffee stand, court documents state.
The women refused to allow the man to enter. Then, he sat outside and started blowing kisses at the employees.
AtWork! endures theft, vandalism
February 7, 2012
Over the weekend of Jan. 21-22, someone broke into the grounds of the Issaquah AtWork! recycling facility on Northwest Juniper Street.
But, contrary to rumors, the thieves did not cause extensive damage or make off with enough in stolen goods that AtWork! clients lost any work, according to CEO Chris Brandt.
Based in Bellevue, AtWork! serves persons with special needs, aiding them with finding employment or providing them with employment.
Police reports show that on the morning of Jan. 23, AtWork! officials reported someone cut the wires on three machines at the Issaquah AtWork! facility, Issaquah Police Patrol Sgt. Bob Porter said. Police reports further said about 200 feet of wire was taken. Police put the value of the theft at about $1,500; Brandt said that was roughly the cost of repairs.
The AtWork! facility was then the victim of another crime. At about 12:30 a.m. Jan. 28, police arrested two people who allegedly were attempting to leave At Work! with various computer parts, Porter said. The two were charged with obstructing justice and third-degree theft.
Police plan anti-DUI blitz for Super Bowl Sunday
February 2, 2012
NEW — 3:45 p.m. Feb. 2, 2012
Expect to see extra police cruisers on roads in Issaquah and King County as officers look for impaired drivers on Super Bowl Sunday.
The evening of the Super Bowl game is historically a dangerous time on Washington roads due to the high number of people driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Police in Issaquah plan to participate in the anti-DUI blitz. Officers in nearby cities and Washington State Patrol troopers plan to participate, too.
“Make the right call and choose a safe ride home this weekend,” Dr. David Fleming, director and health officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County, in the statement. “Before your party begins, designate a sober driver, ride the bus or take a cab.”
Half of all traffic deaths in Washington state on the Super Bowl evening involved impaired drivers. Since 2009, police arrested 191 people for DUI on Super Bowl Sunday in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties.
Ordinance faces test as marijuana collective applies for license
January 24, 2012
In the initial test for a landmark medical marijuana ordinance enacted last month, a patient-run collective at the center of discussions about changes to city rules applied for licenses to operate.
The application from the nonprofit medical marijuana operation, GreenLink Collective, came after planners, officials and residents crafted a medical marijuana ordinance designed to balance public safety concerns and patients’ access to the drug.
GreenLink organizers applied to occupy units E, F and G in a commercial building at 160 N.W. Gilman Blvd. The organization does not intend to grow marijuana in the space. GreenLink founders Jake and Lydia George applied for the license on behalf of the organization Dec. 19, the day the ordinance took effect.
Snow blankets region, but officials report few headaches — so far
January 17, 2012
Snow blanketed Issaquah and the Puget Sound region Jan. 15 and 16, as officials and residents prepared for more challenging conditions in the days ahead.
The potential for more snow — plus flooding as the snow melted — reminded emergency planners to gird for harsh La Niña conditions, albeit later in the season than expected.
“It’s going to be pretty messy in the next couple of days,” said Johnny Burg, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Seattle. “People should just pay attention to the forecast.”
Issaquah police crack down on liquor sales to minors
January 17, 2012
Issaquah police and the Washington State Liquor Control Board joined forces late last month to crack down on businesses serving alcohol to minors.
Officers cited six people for furnishing liquor to minors during the Dec. 21 operation. The crackdown encompassed businesses throughout Issaquah.
Such enforcement is part of the routine compliance checks conducted by the liquor board and law enforcement agencies.
“Enforcement of all of the liquor laws — not just these — are important,” Police Chief Paul Ayers said. “They’re there for the purpose of making sure that a person can go into a bar and have a drink if they want, but that they’re not driving after being overserved or that they’re not underage and having alcohol. It’s just important that we enforce all of those laws.”
New Year’s holiday weekend leads to DUI arrests
January 10, 2012
State troopers arrested 253 people suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs during the New Year’s holiday weekend.
“It is always the hope that the new year starts with people driving safe and sober,” Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste said in a statement. “But, I am proud that our troopers are out ensuring impaired drivers are taken off the roads.”
The number of people arrested statewide for DUI by troopers during the holiday weekend decreased from the 286 people arrested for DUI during the same period in 2010. The total from the 2011 holiday weekend includes 32 people involved in DUI collisions.
The holiday weekend started at 5 p.m. Dec. 31 and ended at midnight Jan. 2.
Inquest ordered in Issaquah police shooting
January 3, 2012
Jury is assigned to fact-finding mission in death of gunman
The search for more information about a lethal September shootout on the Clark Elementary School campus is due to deepen soon, as a court inquest into the officer-involved incident opens.
Ronald W. Ficker, 51, died in a firefight against Issaquah police officers on the school campus. The gun battle ended a meandering midday journey across downtown Issaquah after the rifle-toting Ficker brandished guns at passers-by.
In a decision expected since the Sept. 24 shootout, King County Executive Dow Constantine on Dec. 27 ordered the inquest — a standard procedure in officer-involved shootings. The order directs King County District Court Presiding Judge Barbara Linde to assign a judge to set a date and conduct the inquest.
Linde did not set a date before county offices closed for the New Year’s holiday.
Officers help Santa Claus deliver Christmas cheer to family in need
January 3, 2012
Santa Claus holds the door for (from left) Issaquah Police Cmdr. Scott Behrbaum, Chief Paul Ayers and Officer Karin Weihe as a brigade of officers prepare to deliver Christmas gifts. Contributed
In a Christmas tradition, Issaquah police officers and department employees spread some holiday cheer to local families Dec. 21.
Each Christmas, the Issaquah Police Department adopts a needy family, gathers items from a Christmas wish list and then accompanies Santa Claus for a special delivery.
Santa receives some help from officers — a ride in a police vehicle — to present the gifts to the family.
Once the department picked a pair of families in need, agency employees snapped up items from the wish list.
Then, department employees wrapped the gifts for the family, headed to the home and — spoiler alert — Motorcycle Officer John Lindner donned a red suit to portray Santa Claus.
Troopers arrest 161 motorists for DUI during holiday weekend
January 3, 2012
State troopers arrested 161 motorists suspecting of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs during Christmas weekend.
The figure is down from the 194 arrests troopers made during the period last year. The tally does not include arrests made by local law enforcement agencies, although the Issaquah Police Department is participating in holiday season drunken driving patrols.
“We’re going in the right direction, but these numbers are still too high,” Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste said in a statement. “There’s just no excuse for putting yourself and others at risk by driving while impaired.”
The state patrol noted three fatal collisions during the holiday weekend. Troopers believe alcohol or drugs contributed to the death of a 47-year-old Chehalis man on State Highway 2 in Snohomish County. Investigators said the driver went around barricades and drove onto a pedestrian walkway, killing a man and injuring another.
No fatal collisions occurred during the same period in 2010.
Through Nov. 30, state troopers had arrested 20,130 motorists for DUI for the year — or up about 1 percent from the same period in 2010.
