The Kent Police Department has created a website showcasing photos of 160 recovered stolen items including electronics, wallets, purses, backpacks, stereos, baby clothes and even a wedding dress; some of which may have been originally swiped in the Burien/South King County area.
According to police, a man and woman who are suspected of breaking into more than 100 cars have been busted. Now, they want to return the stolen items to their rightful owners.
The suspects were apparently caught when they used stolen credit cards at local businesses. Police then followed their trail and recovered the stolen stuff in a storage locker as well as at local pawn shops.
According to the website:
Suspects Mode of Operation:
Type of crime: Vehicle prowls (car break ins)
Method of entry: Break window or force door lock
Types of vehicles: Different types and styles but they favored FORD F-series trucks
Property targeted: luggage, purses, laptop computers, GPS units, assorted tools, backpacks, cameras, MP3 players, I-Pods, cell phones, CD players, car stereos, jewelry, anything of value.
Estimated time range of criminal activity: Past 3-4 months
Focus area of vehicle prowl activity: Kent, Tukwila, Renton, SeaTac, Burien, South Seattle, Unincorporated areas of South King County. Collateral areas that may have been impacted as well are: Des Moines, Federal Way, Auburn, Bellevue.
If you were the victim of a car break-in between Oct. 1, 2009 and Feb. 4, 2010, your stolen items may be in police custody – check this website now and see if you recognize anything; if you do, contact Officer Bateman at (253) 856-5894 or via email: kbateman@ci.kent.wa.us.
The recovered stolen property includes (click on links below to see individual pics):
Is this your Pirate Stuff? The Kent PD might have it...
- Laptops
- Cell phones
- MP3 players
- Car Stereos
- Unusual, miscellaneous stuff like:
Some items have been claimed and returned, but most are still in evidence and awaiting rightful return to their owners – so check out the website here.
| Dec ’09 |
| 5 |
| 9:00 am |
| Dec ’09 |
| 9 |
| 12:00 pm |
King County Public Health announced Monday (Nov. 30th) that it is opening up four free H1N1 vaccine clinics beginning this Saturday, Dec. 5th, then again on Wednesday, Dec. 9th, as a way to provide access to people at highest risk for H1N1 influenza (swine flu) who cannot afford to pay.
The nearest clinics will be in Renton or Federal Way, with 4,000 doses total (distributed to all 4 sites) available on Saturday, Dec. 5th, from 9am to 5pm and 1,000 doses total on Wednesday, Dec. 9th, from Noon to 7pm; here’s the list:
- Renton Public Health Center (3001 NE 4th St., Renton)
- Federal Way Public Health Center (33431 13th Place S., Federal Way)
- Columbia Public Health Center (4400 37th Ave S., Seattle)
- North Public Health Center (10501 Meridian Ave N., Seattle)
Future clinic dates will be scheduled as more vaccine becomes available.
According to a press release:
More H1N1 influenza vaccine continues to arrive every week, and most vaccine is still going to local health care providers for at risk patients. Local pharmacies are also receiving limited ongoing allocations.
“As more vaccine comes into the community, we’re continuing to allocate limited amounts to people without insurance or who can’t afford to pay,” said Dr. David Fleming, Director and Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County. “We encourage people to seek H1N1 vaccine through their health care providers or through pharmacies if they can afford the administrative cost or if insurance covers it.”
An estimated 280,000 people in King County who are at high-risk for complications have already been vaccinated for H1N1 influenza and an additional 90,000 doses of vaccine is on the ground or in the process of being shipped to vaccine providers in the county. Though flu illness seems to have peaked locally, at least temporarily, H1N1 illness continues in the community, and vaccination is the best wait to protect against H1N1 influenza.
On December 5, there will be a total of 4,000 doses of vaccine available across the four sites, and on December 9, there will be 1,000 doses of vaccine. Vaccinations are first come, first served, and no reservations will be taken. If demand is high, people will be given a time later that day to return for a guaranteed vaccination. Once supply is exhausted, people will be told as soon as they arrive.
The ability to pay will be determined on the honor system, and it will be assumed that people getting vaccinated at one of the four clinics cannot afford the administrative cost of H1N1 vaccination.
Most of the vaccine arriving to King County continues to be allocated to health care providers so that they can vaccinate patients who are most at risk, including:
- Pregnant women
- People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
- People between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old
- People between 25 through 64 years of age with chronic health conditions or weakened immune systems
- Healthcare and emergency workers
People who are recommended to receive H1N1 vaccine should continue to seek it. Vaccine supply is gradually improving each week, and it is expected that eventually there will be enough vaccine in King County for anyone who wants it.
Visit the Public Health H1N1 influenza website at www.kingcounty.gov/health/H1N1 for updates on vaccine availability in the community or call the Flu Hotline at 1-877-903-KING (5464), which is staffed with operators to answer questions from King County residents about H1N1 influenza. Hours of operation with operators are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, with special 24-hour nurse line service extended over this weekend for people with flu seeking medical care advice. Recorded information is available 24 hours a day.
| Nov ’09 |
| 11 |
Veteran’s Day is this coming Wednesday, Nov. 11th, and Brown Bear Car Wash will be honoring vets and current service military (as well as spouses) with free car washes all day.
The nearest location is the one in Des Moines, located at 22706 Marine View Drive; others are in Federal Way, Kent, Auburn and Renton (see list below).
As a way of saying “thanks” to our military, Brown Bear will be offering free “Bear Essential” car washes to all current or former members of the military, including spouses.
“Our organization is proud to honor veterans and service personnel,” said Brown Bear President and founder Vic Odermat, himself a Marine Corps veteran. “While the washes are free, we know that freedom is not. This is a way for us to show our support and gives us a unique opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to people who sacrifice so incredibly for our freedom.”
Odermat said the offer will operate on an honor system and no verification or documentation is required. Drivers should identify themselves as a current or former member of the military to the wash attendant.
Odermat started Brown Bear in Seattle in 1957 with one location. They now own and operates car washes throughout the Puget Sound area and Spokane.
Here’s a list of participating locations nearby:
- 22706 Marine View Dr., Des Moines
- 34017 Hoyt Rd. SW, Federal Way
- 814 Auburn Way S, Auburn
- 1202 W Meeker St., Kent
- 800 S Grady Way, Renton
- 621 Rainier Ave. S, Renton
- 77 Rainier Ave. S, Renton
| Aug ’09 |
| 27 |
GOOD NEWS: Brown Bear Car Wash is celebrating its 52nd anniversary with FREE car washes this Thursday (Aug. 27th).
BAD NEWS: You’re going to have to drive to either Renton, Kent, Auburn or Federal Way to get one.
Note that not every Brown Bear location is feeling generous – here are the only ones participating in South King County:
- 800 S Grady Way, Renton
- 1202 W Meeker St., Kent
- 621 Rainier Ave. S, Renton
- 77 Rainier Ave. S, Renton
- 814 Auburn Way S, Auburn
- 34017 Hoyt Rd. SW, Federal Way
For other locations, see www.brownbear.com.
Here’s some promo copy from their press release:
Over the last four years, the Seattle-based company has washed a total of 53,623 cars for free on their annual free car wash day held each August.
As a way to say “thank you” to area residents for over 52 years of patronage, Brown Bear will be offering free “Bear Essential” car washes to the public Thursday, August 27, from 8am to 8pm at all of the company’s automated “tunnel wash” locations in the Puget Sound area:
“We are extremely grateful to the people of Puget Sound for their decades of patronage. Our annual free car wash day is one way we can show our appreciation,” said Brown Bear founder and owner Vic Odermat. “Weather cooperating, we anticipate this year’s event to be our best ever. As in years past, our employees and car washes will be ready to efficiently meet the demand.”
Odermat started Brown Bear started in Seattle in 1957 with one location at 15th Ave West in Seattle. Brown Bear now owns and operates car washes throughout the Puget Sound area and Spokane. The family-owned company, through its parent company, Car Wash Enterprises, Inc. owns and operates a total of 40 car wash facilities in Washington State as well as a large network of gas stations and convenience stores. It is one of the largest privately held car wash chains in the U.S. and is widely recognized within the industry as being a leader in the environmental movement.
Detectives from the King County Sheriff’s Department are turning to the public in the hopes of identifying this pair of likely mail thieves who used a stolen debit card in several area cities:
This photo was taken in early June of the suspects using the stolen card in Puyallup.
The two suspects “hit the motherlode” when they stole mail which included a brand new debit card and PIN.
The stolen card was subsequently used in Federal Way, Tacoma, Tukwila, and Puyallup.
The fraud was discovered recently when unknown charges popped up on the victim’s new debit card account. The bank had supposedly mailed the card and PIN in separate envelopes, but both appeared to have been stolen from the mail.
The victim is a resident of SeaTac, and the loss is several thousand dollars.
If anyone recognizes the suspects they are asked to call the King County Sheriff’s Office at (206) 296-3311 (24 hours) or 9-1-1.
| Apr ’09 |
| 24 |
| 10:00 am |
The King County Housing Authority and Federal Way Public Schools Americorps teams, in conjunction with Washington State Parks, are hosting an Earth Day Fair at Saltwater State Park in Des Moines (map below) this Friday, April 24th from 10am to 2pm.
“Be Water Wise” is the theme, and elementary and middle school students will have the opportunity to do interactive activities and visit information booths.
Here are the details:
WHAT: Earth Day “Be Water Wise” event at Saltwater State Park
WHEN: Friday, April 24th from 10am to 2pm
WHERE: Saltwater State Park, located at 25205 8th Pl South in Des Moines (map below)
INFO: This event will allow students to examine the water around them and the life impacted by it. They will learn to play safely in water and participate in fun arts and crafts. Representatives will also be there from a variety of water-related fields planting seeds for future career ideas for students.
So far the tentative schedule and events includes:
- 11am/12:45pm: Beach/forest walks
- 11:45am-12:45pm: Entertainment
- Activity and information booths will be open the entire time
- Explore Careers in Marine Science, National and Community Service, Education and Environmental Science
- Meet Divers, Park Rangers and Marine Biologists
NOTE: They will be able to accommodate a limited number of students for this event. To reserve a spot for your class contact: Malia Delacruz, KCHA AmeriCorps at 206.870.4294 or saltwaterearthday@gmail.com
View Larger Map
Metro Transit, along with Sound Transit, are considering changing several area bus routes, so if you ride public transportation around here you might want to let them know your thoughts.
Here are some snippets from a Metro press release:
King County Metro Transit and Sound Transit are working together on possible changes to bus routes serving portions of Burien, Federal Way, Kent, SeaTac, Tukwila, and the Tukwila Sounder Station. The changes would be made to connect Metro buses with Sound Transit’s Link light rail and Metro’s new RapidRide service, and to improve overall bus service in southwest King County.
Link will provide frequent, fast, and reliable service between Sea-Tac International Airport, Tukwila, southeast Seattle, and downtown Seattle. RapidRide is Metro Transit’s new, streamlined bus service that will provide frequent, all-day service in five high ridership corridors. The A Line will run between Tukwila International Boulevard Link Station and Federal Way on Pacific Highway S/International Boulevard (State Route 99) beginning in 2010.
Last fall, Metro asked community members what they thought about some suggested changes. More than 1,100 people returned questionnaires or commented in other ways. Most of the comments were about the proposed routes and service levels. People also expressed concerns and made suggestions about safety, fares, travel times, transfers, reliability, and frequency of service. After considering the comments, Metro revised many of its proposals.
Tonight (Tues. Feb. 3rd) is the final “Open House” where Metro will present ideas:
FEDERAL WAY (open house)
- Tuesday, Feb. 3, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Federal Way Community Center, 876 S 333rd Street. Served by Metro Transit DART Route 903.
To give your feedback, go to this website, where you can read more information as well as:
- Complete a questionnaire.
- Attend an open house. Express your views directly to transit staff and members of Metro’s community sounding board. Times and places are listed above.
- E-mail your comments to metro-feedback-sw@kingcounty.gov
- Call Metro’s message line at 206-296-4511 and record your comments.
- Mail your written comments to:
King County Dept. of Transportation
Community Relations
KSC-TR-0824
201 S Jackson St.
Seattle, WA 98104
- Fax your comments to 206-263-3489
Highline Community College administrators announced Friday their decision on how to deal with the college’s $2.1 million financial hit necessitated by Gov. Chris Gregoire new budget cuts:
- Closing their Federal Way branch campus (map below)
- Closing the Early Childhood Learning Center, the college’s childcare center for students
These closures, along with reductions within individual program areas, will mean the elimination of 44 full-time positions.
These cuts go into effect July 1st.
“The downturn in the economy has hit home, and the college must make difficult choices to address the shortfall in the state’s budget,” said Highline President Dr. Jack Bermingham. “We are committed to preserving core functions, yet will significantly scale back selected services and offerings. Our number one goal with these cuts is to protect instructional capacity, maintain core student services and sustain the essential administrative infrastructure of the Highline.”
Highline’s Federal Way campus offers basic skills and non-credit business courses. It is also home to the Puget Sound Early College (PSEC), a dual-enrollment credit cohort program for high school juniors and seniors.
“We are committed to serving the Federal Way community,” said Bermingham. “In conversations with Federal Way city officials, we are working together to find ways to continue to provide services in Federal Way.
In the future, as the economy recovers and the College receives additional resources, we hope to find another facility more centrally located, and better served by public transportation. ”
College officials will hold two community forums on the Federal Way campus. For PSEC students and parents, the forum is scheduled for Feb. 4 at 7 p.m. A second forum for the community is scheduled for Feb. 11 at 7 p.m.
While the Governor reduced budgets, she did not decrease Highline’s full-time equivalent student target. This means Highline must serve the same number of students with considerably less funding. As a result, students will encounter larger classes, fewer course choices and less convenient class locations.
“There is a growing demand for our services,” said Jeff Wagnitz, vice president of Instruction. “The economic downturn and resulting layoffs mean more people are looking to us for retraining. Highline has had record enrollments, but the college has struggled to meet this demand. Fewer resources next year will exacerbate student access. ”
Since the first signs of the economic downturn last year, hiring at the college has been carefully scrutinized. Of the 44 positions eliminated, seven were vacant. In making these decisions, Highline officials say they have tried to make cuts that would minimize impact on students.
“Highline is a strong institution,” said Bermingham, “and we are hopeful for a turnaround in the state’s economy. These measures will ensure that we continue to prepare our state’s workforce for the jobs of today and tomorrow to restore stability and prosperity. Highline Community College will remain a key resource for the state’s economic recovery and is clearly essential in providing higher education and training for our community.”
Highline Community College was founded in 1961 as the first community college in King County. With approximately 10,000 students and 350,000 alumni, it is one of the state’s largest institutions of higher education. The college offers a wide range of academic transfer and professional-technical education programs, with day, evening, online and weekend classes.
With the most diverse population of any college in Washington State, Highline takes a multicultural approach to education for the success of all its students and the prosperity of its surrounding communities. Alumni include former Seattle Mayor Norm Rice, entrepreneur Junki Yoshida and Washington state poet laureate Sam Green.
More information at their website.
3:30pm UPDATE: Still snowing in Burien (although lighter down near the water) and our own estimate as to accumulation is between 4 and 5 inches, as measured on top of the official Mini Cooper Blogmobile and a backyard table.
Here are some snow photos taken by BTBers Scott Schaefer and Janet Grella:
The sun attempts to break through the snow clouds.
The B-Town Blogmobile suddenly looks edible.
One of Burien's cutest residents shows off her Snowman.
A Metro Access Van got stuck trying to climb SW 160th.
Entering Burien from the West 518 isn't a problem – as long as you know how to drive in the snow.
Ironically, even though this driver was in an Audi Quattro, he still had to get towed near the 509/518 interchange.
Driving down into the scenery at Three Tree Point was like falling into a holiday postcard.
More snow photos coming soon. If you have some, please either email us directly or add ‘em to our Flickr Group so we can share them.
PREVIOUS UPDATES:
12:25pm UPDATE: Highline Public Schools is sending its middle and high school students home early; here’s their bulletin:
- Buses will pick up students at Puget Sound Skills Center at 11:45 a.m. and return them to their high schools.
- High schools will be dismissed at noon.
- Middle schools will be dismissed at 12:30.
- Emergency bus stops will be used on all bus routes.
- All after-school and evening activities, sports, and events and evening building use have been canceled.
- Also, we hope to make decisions about tomorrow this evening.
11:25am UPDATE: The snow is still falling (harder now) in and around Burien; looks like we’re close to 2-3 inches down by the water, which usually is half of what’s accumulating up in the main B-Town area; Postal Service has delivered though (nuthin’ stops them), and according to BTB Reader Jenn Ramirez-Robson:
“Road conditions are getting treacherous in and around Burien. 2 inches in Shorewood and cars spinning out everywhere. No one should drive unless they absolutely have to.”
Jenn also alerts us to this rather interesting statement from the Highline School District’s website:
Due to late developing snow, we have closed all elementary schools today. Because weather conditions worsened after secondary students were already in school or en route to school, we have decided to keep all middle schools and high schools open today. We will monitor conditions throughout the day and determine whether an early release is necessary.
School delay or closure decisions are very difficult to make because they must be made very early in the morning with the best information we have at the time. We recognize that schedule changes, especially late-breaking ones, create many difficulties for families and employees. We regret the inconvenience. Please know that we make these decisions with student safety as our primary consideration.
Have some snow photos to share? Please either email us or add ‘em to our Flickr Group so we can share them.
8:48am UPDATE: ALL HIGHLINE GRADE SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED TODAY, while Middle & High Schools will have a 1-hour delay.
Here’s the latest school info (our source is http://www.schoolreport.org):
- Highline School District: ALL GRADE SCHOOLS CLOSED; MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOLS 1 HOUR LATE
Limited Bus Transportation. No Out-of-District Transport. - John F. Kennedy High School: CLOSED
- St. Francis of Assisi: CLOSED. All Activities Canceled
- Hamlin-Robinson School: CLOSED
- Westside School: CLOSED
- Seattle Public Schools: CLOSED
- Tukwila Public Schools: CLOSED
- Federal Way SD: 2 HOURS LATE
Emergency Bus Routes, No AM Kindergarten, Preschool, or Shuttles. No AM/PM HDST, ECEAP, ELO, or Puget Sound Skills, No Activity Buses, No Elementary Breakfast Programs, No Out-of-District Transportation.
And here’s the latest from the National Weather Service:
… Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect until 10 am PST this morning…
A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect for the Seattle Bremerton area… the Tacoma area… and the Hood Canal area until 10 am PST this morning.
Snow showers will continue this morning then decrease this afternoon. Additional accumulations will be around an inch. North winds pushing southward across the Puget Sound region will converge with pre-existing south winds… causing snow showers to form. In addition… snow showers moving inland from the coast will cross the south part of Puget Sound.
Precautionary/preparedness actions…
A Winter Weather Advisory for snow means that periods of snow will cause primarily travel difficulties. Be prepared for snow covered roads and limited visibilities… and use caution while
driving.
Also, if you have to drive anywhere outside of Burien, please don’t – or at least check the webcams below (for latest images refresh your browser window):
Also keep your eye on the Weather Button on the right sidebar for the current temp and any new weather “Advisory.”
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The National Weather Service has a Winter Weather Advisory for Wednesday Dec. 17th, and says we should expect up to four inches of snow over the next 24 hours.
Also, most schools in the Burien area are closed (although JFK High School opens at 10:30am and St. Francis of Assisi starts 2 hours late) in anticipation of this major snow event:
- HIGHLINE SCHOOL DISTRICT: CLOSED
Administrative Offices Open. - JOHN F. KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOL: 10:30am START
- WESTSIDE SCHOOL: CLOSED
- ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI SCHOOL: 2 HOURS LATE
- HAMLIN-ROBINSON SCHOOL: CLOSED
- SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS: CLOSED
No Out-of-District Transport. Uncertain weather forecast and concern for staff and student safety. - TUKWILA SCHOOL DISTRICT: 2 HOURS LATE
No. A.M. ECEAP No. A.M. Preschool - FEDERAL WAY SCHOOL DISTRICT: 2 HOURS LATE
Emergency Snow Routes, WATCH FOR UPDATES, No AM Kindergarten, Preschool, or Shuttles. No AM/PM HDST, ECEAP, ELO, or Puget Sound Skills, No Activity Buses, No Elementary Breakfast Programs, No Out-of-District Transportation.
And now, your daily fix of a Winter Weather Advisory:
… Winter Weather Advisory in effect until 10 am PST Thursday…
The National Weather Service in Seattle has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the Seattle… Tacoma… Bremerton and Hood Canal areas… and the southwest interior… lower Chehalis valley and the central coast… which is in effect until 10 am PST Thursday. The Winter Storm Watch is no longer in effect.
Lower snow accumulations are expected over the southern part of western Washington today and tonight. This is due mainly to the central Puget Sound region being shadowed by the Olympics and southwest winds bringing above freezing air inland up the lower Chehalis valley from the central coast.
Over the central Puget Sound region… including Seattle… Tacoma… Bremerton and the Hood Canal area… up to 2 inches of snow is expected today. Another 1 to 3 inches may fall tonight as a convergence zone forms over the area. A total accumulation of 2 to 5 inches is expected through tonight… with the greatest amounts over the East Part.
Over the southwest interior… 1 to 3 inches of snow is expected today with an additional 1 to 3 inches tonight. The greatest amounts will be closer to the Cascades and east of the I-5
corridor.Over the lower Chehalis valley and the central coast… up to 2 inches of snow is expected today with another trace to 2 inches expected tonight. Total accumulations will be locally up to 4 inches. The greatest amounts will be further inland away from the ocean. Warmer air will produce mainly rain along the coast… with rain spreading further inland this afternoon as southwest winds send the warmer air up the Chehalis valley. The rain or rain and snow mixed will change back to snow tonight as the air mass cools off.
Over the Admiralty Inlet area… including Whidbey Island and Port Townsend… 1 to 3 inches of snow is expected today with up to 2 inches additional accumulation tonight. The lower amounts here are due to a combination of shadowing from the Olympics and the presence of slightly warmer air moving east through the Strait of Juan de Fuca. However… cooler air will move over area tonight as northeast outflow from the Fraser valley begins to develop. Total accumulations of 1 to 5 inches is expected.
Precautionary/preparedness actions…
Monitor weather forecasts and Road conditions carefully. Stay indoors if at all possible. Travel is likely to be adversely impacted through Thursday.
