News Stories - East King County

Eastside’s largest Independence Day celebration returns to Downtown Park

This Independence Day, more than 60,000 people are expected to gather from throughout the region in Bellevue Downtown Park to celebrate the 2008 Symetra Bellevue Family 4th, presented by Washington Square.

Retirement home bus catches fire; no injuries

The U.S. Department of Labor has reached a settlement to recover $660,000 in back wages for 70 employees of Malay Satay Hut restaurants in the Eastside’s Overlake area and in Seattle, for alleged violations of the overtime, minimum wage and recordkeeping requirements under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Body found near Overlake emergency room identified

A smattering of incident reports taken from the Bellevue Police Department.

Strike shuts several downtown Bellevue business projects

Many among the crowd did not hesitate to shout out the familiar line that the sound of galloping evoked. “Hi-yo Silver, away!” The group of nearly 100 people gathered last Friday at the Coast Bellevue Hotel where the Radio Enthusiasts of Puget Sound organization presented “A Grand Salute to Shows and Stars from the Golden Age of Radio.”

Seattle-area Malay Satay Hut employees to get $660K in back wages

The old man was lying in bed, asleep with mouth open and no teeth. A single light bulb hung over his head. It made John Stilz angry then, and it still motivates him 25 years later. As the East King County Ombudsman for Long-Term Care, Stilz and his team of 15 volunteers advocate and mediate for residents of assisted-living facilities and nursing homes. They currently resolve about 100 issues a year.

Bellevue Police Blotter | July 2

Z’Tejas Southwestern Grill will host a six-course dinner paired with six different Patron Tequila cocktails to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue.

Radio enthusiasts relive medium's Golden Age at Bellevue hotel

Eastside man solves assisted living issues, one at a time

Strawberry Festival rolls through Crossroads Park

Drinking tequila benefits Bellevue Boys & Girls July 15

Issaquah Amateur Radio Club ‘hams’ it up on Field Day

“Whiskey Seven Bravo India, Whiskey Seven Bravo India.”

Issaquah church group builds home for family in Mexico

As they arrive home today, their bodies will be tired and worn, their hearts full and their minds already thinking ahead to next year. The 38-member mission group from Issaquah Christian Church have spent the past week building a needy family a new home in Mexico. Almost immediately they will switch over to selling fireworks to help pay for next year’s trip.

Some residents worry about restrictions in tree ordinance

Issaquah City planners are making progress on a new tree preservation code, but public opinion of the plan remains lukewarm.

Malfunctioning lamp caused Burner house fire

Investigators said the fire that destroyed the Ames Lake home of Eighth Congressional District candidate Darcy Burner was caused by a malfunctioning electrical device, according to Sgt. John Urquhart of the King County Sheriff's Office.

State predicts future I-90 problems

Traffic on Interstate 90 westbound through Issaquah in the mornings is typically pretty sludgy.

When strength meets faith

A Sammamish man and five other people were indicted by a federal grand jury in Seattle last week for conspiracy and wire fraud in connection with an estimated $8.5 million mortgage fraud scheme conducted in 2004 and 2005.

Sammamish man indicted for mortgage fraud

“When you’re driving you need to be driving,” WSP Chief John R. Batiste said in a press release. “We’d prefer that drivers didn’t talk on their cell phones at all. But if you must, please stay safe by using a headset or speaker-phone.”

Hands-free cell phone law kicks in July 1 | Issaquah News Briefs

Life Enrichment Options, or LEO, announced the winners of this year’s Employers of the Year at the Issaquah Chamber of Commerce luncheon last week. Winners this year included Sherm’s BBQ Bistro for the small business, Providence Marianwood for the medium-sized business and the Fred Meyer in Issaquah for the large business.

Employers of the year named at Issaquah Chamber of Commerce luncheon

Phil Pitruzello, an 84-year-old retired professor from New York University, helped a man who couldn’t get out of bed. As a volunteer for the Washington State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, Pitruzello listens to the concerns and complaints of people in adult care facilities to help make sure they’re getting the treatment they deserve.

State care program lends an ear and a helping hand to seniors

Kirkland online: Community voices popping up all over the Web

Only a few years ago, Kirklanders could keep up with local news in a copy of the Kirkland Courier, the King County Journal, a Seattle daily or through any number of evening news stations.

Kirkland cyclist in stable condition after getting hit by truck

A 43-year-old Kirkland male who'd been riding a bicycle was in stable condition at Harborview Medical Center after being hit by a pick-up truck in Redmond around 8:30 a.m. yesterday.

Kirkland man claims $1 million raffle ticket

Ralph Arnett, an IT worker from Kirkland, thought his odds were pretty good when he picked up the phone on the afternoon of June 27 to call the Washington State Lottery’s customer service line. He'd just learned that a winning raffle ticket worth a million dollars had been sold in Kirkland -- at the same Shell station where his was purchased.

Google complex will impact more than just traffic

If current plans hold, Google’s growth at its new Sixth Street South offices will make it Kirkland’s second largest employer.

Which do you prefer? City still taking comment on Parkplace

After a crowd in the hundreds and a political rally-esque atmosphere nearly overwhelmed City Hall last month, city staff made sure the venue could accommodate a large, raucous crowd at another Parkplace hearing last week.

Lake Wash. School Dist. students stay above state WASL averages

Early results from the Lake Washington School District (LWSD) show local high school students are performing better on the statewide proficiency exam, which is required for graduation, than last year. District officials said preliminary results from the WASL for the 10th grade showed a slight improvement over 2007 and are still well ahead of the state average.

‘Party Patrol’ nabs 25 in Lakeview bust

Officers from the Kirkland Police Department and the King County Sheriff’s Office arrested 24 people for underage drinking at a party in the city’s Lakeview neighborhood near Yarrow Bay early Sunday morning, June 22. An additional arrest was made for furnishing liquor to minors. The arrests were made under a “Party Patrol” initiative by law enforcement agencies across the state to curb teenage drinking during graduation season.

Man seriously injured in 40-foot fall

It took Kirkland firefighters almost an hour to rescue a painter who fell at least 30 feet down a well and seriously injured himself while working at the new Juanita Bay Pump Station on June 27.

Police Blotter

Kirkland Police Department

Hefty fines possible for anyone caught with fireworks

Note to new Kirkland residents: The maximum penalty for getting caught possessing fireworks in the city is 90 days in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both.

'Lucky to be alive:' Burner moves forward after devastating fire

It was supposed to be Darcy Burner’s day for rest and relaxation. Instead, it was a day of devastation and near death, caused by a “faulty lamp.”

Forenza to speak at Rotary Club meeting July 10

The Redmond Rotary Club invites the public to attend their lunch meetings on July 10 and July 24. Meetings are from 12:15 p.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Redmond Marriott Town Center, 7401 164th Ave. NE.

‘Affordable’ housing on the way for Redmond Ridge

Quadrant Homes’ latest addition to the Villages at Redmond Ridge community will be Cascara at the Villages, with 156 new residences for active adults, off Novelty Hill Road in unincorporated King County.

Body found near Overlake emergency room

The body of a 44-year-old Bellevue man was found Tuesday night near Overlake Hospital.

Redmond band Big Dog Revue to return to Derby Days

The 2008 Redmond Derby Days theme is “Through the Decades” and there’s no better way to jog people’s nostalgic memories than with music they associate with their “good old days.” Because Derby Days is geared to fun-lovers of all ages, it’s fitting that the entertainment line-up for this year’s festival spans more than 50 years’ worth of popular music.

Kirkland bicycle rider in stable condition after being hit by truck in Redmond

A 43-year-old Kirkland male who'd been riding a bicycle was in stable condition at Harborview Medical Center after being hit by a pick-up truck in Redmond around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Burner's house destroyed by fire; cause still unknown

The home of Eighth Congressional District candidate Darcy Burner, on the 3600 block of West Ames Lake Road between Redmond and Carnation, was destroyed in a fire which broke out sometime between 7 and 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 1.

Eastside officials, residents review progress of 520 bridge replacement plan

Eastside community members, political leaders and residents joined together at Bellevue City Hall on Wednesday to review the latest progress of the State Route 520 Bridge Replacement and HOV Project. The open house gave the public a chance to view the current progress of the four key components associated with the project including: the proposed toll on the existing bridge, the pontoon construction, the design of the east side corridor and the proposed alternative plans for the west side corridor.

Bear sighting, teens fighting at Redmond's Hartman Park

Redmond's Hartman Park, atop Education Hill, was the site of two unusual occurrences on Wednesday, June 25.

Frable named new coach of Redmond High fastpitch team

Redmond High School hired Pat Frable as the new head fastpitch softball coach on Thursday.

Radio operators ‘ham’ it up on Field Day

“Whiskey Seven Bravo India, Whiskey Seven Bravo India.”

'Green' building codes move closer to reality for Sammamish

A process meant to encourage more natural, forested developments within the city of Sammamish is inching forward. For several years, city officials, staff, citizens and members of the development community have been meeting to craft a Low Impact Development (LID) code. The idea is to offer incentives to developers if they use building techniques such as reducing the footprint of buildings on sites, keeping more vegetation and using permeable pavement, all of which would help the environment.

Malfunctioning lamp caused Burner house fire

Kids sell lemonade — for a cause

Blaine Minton, 8, and his 6-year-old brother, Ryan, started the season last week behind a summer staple — a lemonade stand. But the money they earned wasn’t going toward a new bike or the latest video game.

Sammamish man indicted for mortgage fraud

“When you’re driving you need to be driving,” W

LEO honors three Issaquah businesses

Life Enrichment Options, or LEO, announced the winners of this year’s Employers of the Year at the Issaquah Chamber of Commerce luncheon last week.

One man listens, speaks for those in care facilities

Phil Pitruzello, an 84-year-old retired professor from New York University, helped a man who couldn’t get out of bed.

These kids didn’t ‘quack’ under pressure

Nine newborn ducklings have been reunited with their mama duck after a narrow escape from a stormwater drain, all thanks to the efforts of three local kids.

Redmond family leaves life behind to lead mission

Steve and Marianna Richardson are parents 12 times over. They’re about to increase that number to 200. The Redmond couple is packing up their life and four of their children, and moving to Brazil to lead a mission of 200 young men and women.