Attorney Christopher M. Davis wrote an interesting piece on his blog Tuesday (Sept. 21st), about his Burien client Jeanette Cunningham’s case about a “dangerous” pit bull dog that attacked her in July (we first covered this story here and here).

As many of our Readers will recall, Jeanette had to have major facial surgery to “get her smile back” because of the attack. Her face was disfigured in the attack, with the majority of the damage done to her mouth and chin area, caused by the dog jumping up and biting her face. A fundraiser auction was held for her Aug. 31st, and over $5,500 was raised for her.

A hearing was held in Burien this morning, where it was discovered that Burien’s animal control department had already released the pit bull back to its owners. Apparently city laws only permit it to “ban” animals from city limits, not to destroy or euthanize the dog.

Davis writes:

This morning I attended a “Dangerous Dog” hearing in the City of Burien. The hearing involved an appeal by the owners of a dangerous pit bull dog. The owners were appealing the City’s determination that the dog was dangerous and should be banned from the city limits.

The dog owners, Gabriele and Juan Garcia, appealed the City of Burien’s decision to declare the animal dangerous and then ban it from the City. That determination was eventually upheld by the hearing examiner this morning (Tuesday, Sept. 21).

The dog owner testified this morning that the animal has since gone to live with relatives in the City of Yakima where it will likely live out the remainder of its life. What’s unclear is whether the City of Yakima has any idea that a dangerous dog is now living within its boundaries. My guess is that it has no idea, particularly when the City of Yakima also has a law banning pit bulls.

Nonetheless, I have to seriously question the wisdom of the City of Burien for not adopting a dangerous dog ordinance that allows it to euthanize an animal that has already seriously maimed and disfigured a human being within its boundaries.

Read the rest of Davis’ blog here.

Here’s a video report by Q13 Fox on this story:

Here’s another from KING-TV:

So what do YOU think? Should the city have euthanized the pit bull or not? Please take our Poll or leave a Comment below:

According to the King County Sheriff’s Department, a 64-year old SeaTac man was critically injured when homemade fireworks exploded Sunday night (July 4), sending him to Harborview Medical Center.

Police say that a 52 year-old resident of a house in the 2800 block of South 138th Street built a homemade “aerial device” by tying together a bundle of sparklers. He placed the sparklers in a tube, and then into a concrete cinder block to brace it. When the man lit off the “rocket’, it exploded in place, sending pieces of the concrete block in all directions.

The 64-year old victim was standing about 15 to 20 feet away when the device detonated. He was hit in the head by part of the cinder block, causing a serious head injury, which, according to the fire department, was life-threatening.

Other pieces of the block struck a nearby car, denting the door and breaking the window. The house and the garage door were also hit.

Both men live at the residence, as does the victim’s adult daughter. No one else was injured.

The Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit and Bomb Disposal Unit are investigating.

No arrests have yet been made and the investigation is continuing.

Jeff Kearney, the mentally-challenged man who was the victim of a hit-and-run last November in White Center (read our previous coverage here), will be honored by the city of Burien at City Hall on Monday, May 3rd at 7pm for his endless hours of service to the city and his survival despite the odds.

After being struck in a crosswalk at 16th SW and SW 106th, Kearney went in to a temporary coma, suffering from brain trauma, multiple broken bones and other injuries. His recovery slowly continues over the months as he fights to re-learn to walk and perform basic daily functions.

Kearney has worked for years as part of Burien Team Clean Sweep, which is part of the nonprofit Discover Burien Association, keeping the city free of debris and trash. A familiar face around Burien and White Center, he has volunteered untold hours at community events, ranging from the Father’s Day Car Show to Winterfest. Kearney also helped out by regularly performing a variety of tasks at Burien’s Farmers Market as well, and on a personal note, everyone here at The B-Town Blog looks forward to seeing him there again this summer!

The special needs 37-year-old will be honored with an official city proclamation during the Burien City Council meeting on May 3rd. The meeting will start at 7pm in the council chambers on the first floor of the joint Burien City Hall and Burien Public Library building at 400 S.W. 152nd St., Burien.

Sadly, the hit-and-run driver is still at large. Discover Burien is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the responsible person. Anyone having information should contact the King County Sheriff’s Office at 206-296-3311 or 911.

The suspect vehicle had damage to the left front fender, and lost its driver’s side exterior rear-view mirror at the scene. It is probably maroon in color, a Chevrolet or GMC product, and is likely one of the following models:

• GM or Chevrolet full size pick-up: 1988-1989
• Blazer or Jimmy: 1992-1994
• Suburban: 1992-1999
• GMC Yukon: 1992-1999
• Chevrolet Tahoe: 1995-1999

If you recognize the suspect vehicle or have any leads, please call the King County Sheriff’s Office at (206) 296-3311 (24 hours) or 911.

Police say that at approximately 12:11pm, Haybe Ahmed, 46, of Tukwila, was driving his 1991 Toyota Camry northbound on SR-509 in lane 1 when he drove across lane 2 and collided with the left guardrail just north of 128th Street.

The guardrail, which was completely embedded inside the passenger compartment (see photos below), prevented Haybe from crossing into the southbound lanes and causing a head-on collision.

Haybe was trapped inside the vehicle until medics arrived and were able to extricate him.

Ahmed was transported to Harborview Medical Center with life-threatening injuries, and Troopers are investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision.

It is undetermined at this time if alcohol and/or drugs were a factor.

The left lanes of both northbound and southbound SR-509 were closed at 128th St for approximately 2 1⁄2 hours while troopers investigated the scene.

Here are photos from the scene courtesy WSP:

The King County Sheriff’s Department announced Thursday morning (Nov. 19th) that they need help in finding the vehicle that struck and critically injured Jeff Kearney, who was struck in a White Center crosswalk on Tuesday.

Kearney, 36, well-known in Burien as part of “Team Clean Sweep,” was crossing 16th Ave SW in the crosswalk at SW 106th.  The suspect vehicle was southbound on 16th when it struck him.  The vehicle slowed but did not stop and was last seen driving off southbound on 16th.

Kearney was taken to Harborview Medical Center in critical condition, where he remains.

According to police, a driver’s side exterior mirror was found at the scene.  There will also be damage to the left front fender.

The vehicle is probably maroon in color, a Chevrolet or GMC product, and is likely one of the following models:

• GM or Chevrolet full size pick-up: 1988-1989
• Blazer or Jimmy: 1992-1994
• Suburban: 1992-1999
• GMC Yukon: 1992-1999
• Chevrolet Tahoe: 1995-1999

If anyone recognizes the suspect vehicle they are asked to call the King County Sheriff’s Office at (206) 296-3311 (24 hours) or 911.

PREVIOUSLY:

Sad news for Burien – a hit and run accident late Tuesday afternoon (Nov. 17th) on 16th SW in White Center has put Jeff Kearney (pictured, left) in critical condition in a medically-induced coma in Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

Jeff is known to most everyone in Burien as a huge part of “Team Clean Sweep,” and you’ve probably seen him or talked to him at one of the city’s many local events over the last several years. Despite being mentally-challenged, he is a very happy, gregarious, kind and hard-working 36-year old who seemingly knows everyone in town (especially the ladies).

On a personal note, we would often see Jeff at the weekly Farmer’s Market, and he’d always ask us how we were doing, where Janet was, how our parents were, how our spouses were and more, and we thoroughly enjoyed his company.

According to the King County Sheriff’s Department, the hit and run happened around 5:33pm Tuesday (Nov. 17th), when Jeff was crossing a marked crosswalk in White Center. The suspect vehicle was driving southbound on 16th SW at around 35mph, and struck him while he was still in the crosswalk, throwing Jeff some 30 feet. The vehicle, identified as a black SUV or truck, slowed down, then took off southbound on 16th. Reports are that an external side rear-view mirror fell off the vehicle. The driver is still at large.

Jeff Kearney, left, with Debra George.

“Jeff’s in a medically-induced coma right now,” said Mike Lindorff, his legal guardian and uncle. “He’s got minor fractures on his back and face, but the most concerning thing right now is that he has bleeding on the brain. They have drilled a hole in his head and are trying to reduce pressure so they can wake him up, and they won’t know if he has brain damage until then.”

Everyone here at The B-Town Blog, especially the ladies who were all well-known by him, send our hopes, prayers and meditations to our friend Jeff Kearney for a full and speedy recovery.

We ask also that our Readers take a moment to look at Jeff’s photo and send positive vibes his way.

Also, according to Debra George, who worked closely with Jeff:

“If you’d like to drop anything off you can drop it off at the Mark Restaurant & Bar (918 SW 152nd Street) and I will make sure it gets to him as soon as he is out of ICU.

Thank you for your kindness.”

On another note, we hope that the police catch the hit and run driver and that justice is fully served.

If you have any information on a suspect black SUV or truck that is missing a side rear-view mirror, please call 911 immediately.

According to Sgt. John Urquhart of the King County Sheriff’s Department, a 41 year-old woman shot her 55 year-old boyfriend at least twice with a handgun around 10:30pm last night (Oct. 1st) in the 800 block of SW 117th, which is in the newly-annexed area.

The male victim was taken to Harborview Hospital in Seattle with non life- threatening injuries.

The couple live with the man’s brother and the woman’s 15 year-old son, both of whom were home at the time of the shooting.

The son called 911 and everyone except the female suspect made their way out of the house as deputies arrived.

The woman refused to come out of the house or communicate with deputies for over three hours. Eventually the Sheriff’s SWAT Team entered the residence and took the woman into custody just before 2am.

The female suspect was booked into the King County Jail for Investigation of Assault in the First Degree. A small caliber handgun was recovered inside the house.

According to The Seattle P-I, John Simmons, 22, has had charges of vehicular assault filed against him for losing control of his car and striking a woman and her three children (including twins in a stroller) at the intersection of SW 150th and 4th Ave SW in Burien on Aug. 30th.

Prosecutors contend that Simmons, from Tukwila, was driving drunk at 6:10pm on Aug. 30 when he allegedly lost control of his vehicle, skidded across oncoming traffic and up onto a sidewalk, where he struck a 31-year-old woman, her 7-year-old daughter and 11-month-old twins in a stroller.

According to Deputy Prosecutor Amy Freedheim, the woman and her youngest children suffered cuts and soft-tissue damage, and the 7-year-old girl’s leg was broken and required surgery.

After striking the family, Simmons apparently drove back onto the street and grazed a building before striking a utility pole and stopping. His car crashed, Simmons apparently then tried to flee the scene on foot but was tackled by a bystander and restrained until the cops arrived.

Simmons was charged earlier this month with vehicular assault and felony hit and run. He was booked into King County Jail following the crash and is currently being held on $25,000 bail.

Read the full story here.

Robin Dunkle of BTB Advertiser Howard and Marge Clothing (who recently spearheaded a meal drive) just sent us the following update on Jason Sanders of “The Bean” espresso, who broke his pelvis in a head-on collision in California in late December:

Our “MAN” Jason Sander’s from The Bean Espresso is doing great!

He is recovering nicely.

His Dr. gave the a-okay to use his walker and he is not required to use his wheelchair unless he needs to.

His pelvis had several fractures and now he is told by the Dr. he is about 90% healed on right side and 25% on left.

You can’t keep Jason down – he is in great spirits and very appreciative to all who have contributed to his aid in recovery.

Robin also reminds us that Howard and Marge is having a special Valentine’s Bash Party & Trunk Show this Thursday night (Feb. 12th) from 5pm-9pm, featuring:

• Valentine Treats
• Delicious Bites
• Drinks & Bubbly
• Raffle for an awesome Valentine’s Gift Bag filled with unbelievable Goodies and Surprises. Raffle will be called @ 7:30pm, and you must be present to win.
• Girls, bring your Guys! The guys will enjoy shopping our unique selection of men’s threads 25% – 50% off while getting Valentine Gift ideas for their Ladies!

All of us here at the B-Town Blog send our positive, healing thoughts to Jason, who we hope to see soon back at The Bean!

On Dec. 31st, we reported that Burien resident and businessman Jason Sanders (of Seahurst espresso stand “The Bean”) had been “moderately” injured in a head-on collision in California, suffering from a broken pelvis.

Jason may be coming home very soon, and Wednesday we received word from Robin Dunkle of BTB Advertiser Howard and Marge about a unique way to help him – she’s spearheading a “meal list” where volunteers can sign-up to make meals for him as he continues his recuperation with his father at home.

According to Robin:

So, word has it, Jason comes home this week.

We are getting our heads together and doing a weekly meal list.

Jason’s father will be here taking care of him so we are putting together a sign-up sheet to provide daily meals for Jason and his father over the next months.

If this sounds of interest to you and you would like to help out, please email Robin Dunkle @ howardandmarge@comcast.net.

I can email you the sign up list.

Jason will soooo appreciate this!  Thanks Burien!!

So, you heard the request – now it’s time to answer the call and help your neighbor…

Jason Sanders, 42, of Burien’s “The Bean,” an espresso stand across the street from BTB Advertiser Howard & Marge, as well as the Seahurst Post Office (see map below), was “moderately” injured in a head-on car collision last Saturday, Dec. 26th.

According to the folks at The Bean, Jason was apparently driving from his Mother’s home in Mendocino, CA on Highway 101 when a vehicle crossed the center line and hit the passenger side of his car. While not a direct head-on collision, it was so serious that a passenger in the other vehicle had to be extricated by fire fighters.

Jason suffered a broken pelvis, some lacerations, but otherwise no head trauma. He is currently recovering at the University of California, Davis Hospital in Sacramento.

Co-workers at The Bean say he’ll probably be back on the job, in crutches, within a few weeks. They also say that since he’s a veteran, it’s likely that he has health insurance.

Here’s a snippet from the Ukiah Daily Journal, a local paper that reported on the accident:

A south-bound motorist on a northern Mendocino County stretch of Highway 101 collided head-on with an oncoming car about 2:56 p.m. Saturday.

A woman and two men involved in the collision wore seat belts and alcohol is believed to have not been a factor, a report from California Highway Patrol’s Garberville office stated.

Adam T. Wyndham, 29, of Albany, drove just north of Bridges Creek when he crossed the yellow center lines and collided with 42-year-old Jason Reno Sanders of Burien, Wash., CHP stated.

According to CHP, driving conditions that afternoon were wet and raining.

Wyndham’s passenger, Sherrezada Kent, 29, of Albany, sustained major injuries. CHP stated Kent was pinned in the front passenger seat of a 2005 Ford driven by Wyndham. Then a lengthy extrication, CHP stated, was needed to get her out of the vehicle.

Wyndham sustained minor injuries and Sanders sustained moderate injuries in Saturday’s accident. No arrests were made.

Wyndham, Kent and Sanders all were taken to Jerold Phelps Hospital across the Mendocino and Humboldt County line in Garberville.

Everyone here at The B-Town Blog sends their sincere “best wishes for a speedy recovery” to Jason, his family, friends and co-workers.

We’ll update this story as we receive more information.

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