Reporter Staff
Another year has come and gone. From demonstrations to local athletes’ success in sports to staff changes here at the Reporter, here are some of the biggest stories in Kirkland for 2017.
January
Eastside police departments examine future of proactive policing: A look at Kirkland, Bellevue and Redmond’s respective pro-act units and how they work together across jurisdictions.
University shows support for one of its own: Northwest University honors graduate Taylor Cliett, a former student athlete who died of cancer in November 2016.
Kirkland Potala Village developer pleads guilty to federal charges: Developer Lobsang Dargey, who planned to build the Potala Village mixed-use development pleads guilty to fraud-related charges.
Reporter newspapers launch homelessness series: The Reporter takes a look at homelessness on the Eastside in a month-long series.
Kirklanders participate in Women’s March on Seattle: Kirkland residents were among an estimated 175,000 people who attended the Women’s March on Seattle.
February
Kirkland Google employees protest against immigration ban: Following President Donald Trump’s first executive order regarding immigration, employees at Google in Kirkland hold a demonstration in protest.
Kirkland moving forward with new fire station in Juanita: The city moves forward with its plans to build a fire station in Juanita, which was part of the Kirkland Fire Department’s 2012 strategic plan.
Kirkland boy heads back to school after proton radiation treatment: After undergoing seven weeks of treatment for a brain tumor, 11-year-old Mason Gordon heads back to Rose Hill Middle School.
Lake Washington gymnastics takes third at state meet: The Lake Washington High School gymnastics team takes third place at state, while freshman Audrey Arnold takes home a couple of individual medals.
March
Kirkland man dies in avalanche in Kittitas County: Mike Albertson, a 45-year-old from Kirkland, died in an avalanche in Kittitas County while snowmobiling in the Hawkins Mountain area.
Kirkland dentist pleads not-guilty to assault, weapon charges: Thomas Seal, 64, pleads not-guilty to charges stemming from a late-night incident in December 2016 during which he allegedly pointed his pistol at a man from the second floor of his practice, Kirkland Dental Care.
City of Kirkland acquires more property for Totem Lake Park: City Council unanimously approves the purchase of a $190,000 parcel of land from King County near the Cross Kirkland Corridor in Totem Lake.
A fire at the Brown Bag Cafe in Kirkland was contained to the kitchen and attic of the restaurant. Courtesy of the City of Kirkland
Fire shuts down iconic Kirkland cafe: A two-alarm fire at Brown Bag Cafe after hours leads to the temporary closure of the local restaurant. There were no injuries. The restaurant still has not re-opened.
Eastside March for Justice brings hundreds to Kirkland: Hundreds of people attend a demonstration to call on representatives in Washington, D.C. to change the national conversation.
LWHS dance team shines at dance and drill state championships: The Lake Washington High School dance team wins first place in two dance categories at the WIAA state championships.
April
EvergreenHealth employees picket outside of Kirkland location: Workers from Kirkland-based health system picketed for better wages and more affordable health care.
LW’s Bingham receives State Coaches Award: Lake Washington High School baseball coach Derek Bingham receives the National Federation of State High School Associations’ Coaches Association State Coaches Award.
Police called to Kirkland home for apparent murder-suicide: Kirkland police investigate a possible murder and suicide incident after finding two people dead in a Highlands neighborhood home.
Apartment fire sends resident to hospital, nine families displaced: One Kirkland resident was sent to the hospital and a family pet died following a fire in the Forbes Creek Apartments in Kirkland. Nine families were displaced.
May
My final message: Listen more, yell less: Reporter editor Matt Phelps pens his final column as he leaves the paper.
Telling our community’s story: The Reporter welcomes new editor Samantha Pak, who joined the paper, having come from the Redmond Reporter.
Possible changes to SR 520 bus service could affect Eastside riders: A look at possible route changes on the Eastside and in Seattle.
Local residents check out the water buildup near the intersection of 145th Street and 75th Avenue at the Kirkland-Kenmore boundary. Courtesy photo
Kirkland, Kenmore work together to resolve neighborhood flooding: After record-setting rains earlier in the year, a neighborhood along the border of Kirkland and Kenmore turns into a pond, leading the two cities to work together to resolve the issue.
June
Lake Washington softball takes third at state: The Lake Washington High School girls softball team wins third place at the state tournament.
Search for missing mother continues along Kirkland-Kenmore border: A new tip leads investigators from the King County Sheriff’s Office to return to a residence to search for the remains of a woman who had disappeared nearly a year earlier.
LWSD holds groundbreaking ceremony for Juanita High: The Lake Washington School District breaks ground for its project to rebuild and enlarge Juanita High School.
Permit for seaplane flights: The state Department of Ecology approves the shoreline conditional-use permit for seaplane excursion flights from Carillon Point.
Council approves design for Totem Lake Connector Bridge: Kirkland City Council approves the “Skipping Stone” design for the Totem Lake Connector Bridge.
Support quality journalism: Reporter Catherine Krummey bids farewell as she moves on to a Seattle nonprofit.
July
Lilith Winkler-Schor (far right) with a cohort of Roots of Renewal workers and others. Courtesy of Heidi Schor
Winkler-Schor’s time on youth council leads to public activism: Lilith Winkler-Schor pulls from her experiences on the Kirkland Youth Council as an activist in New Orleans.
Kirkland man, 18, dies in collision on I-405: Sidney Jahn, 18, dies in a crash on southbound Interstate 405 in Kirkland.
New brewery is a lifelong dream for owners: Scott and Katherine Vanderheiden open Maelstrom Brewing Company in Totem Lake.
Reporter welcomes Campbell into the fold: Megan Campbell joins the Reporter staff, having come from the Issaquah Sammamish Reporter.
August
Chick-fil-A at Totem Lake opens in Kirkland: The chicken restaurant held a soft opening as well as a camp out offering free meals for a year to the first 100 people in line for its grand opening.
Drive it like you stole it: Eric LaFontaine joins the Reporter as regional publisher.
Dargey gets 4 years in prison for fraud: Developer Lobsang Dargey, who planned to build the Potala Village mixed-use development, is sentenced to four years in prison for fraud.
Central beats Kirkland 7-1 in junior softball World Series final: After the Southeast team was disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct, Kirkland all-star team places second in the junior softball World Series after falling to Central.
Kirkland residents rally for peace, love after Charlottesville, Virginia: In the wake of hateful and deadly events in Charlottesville, Virginia, Kirkland residents gather in a demonstration of love and peace.
Eastside teachers step in boots of Marine recruits: Local teachers participate in the five-day Educators Workshop with the U.S. Marines.
September
Kirkland police, other law enforcement agencies arrest five juveniles in carjacking and shoplifting: Kirkland officers arrest five youths who were involved in a crime spree that spanned from Kirkland to Issaquah to Renton.
Bus driver shortage impacts LWSD preschool start times: Parents scramble to figure out their schedules as a bus driver shortage at Lake Washington School District changes preschool start times.
Juanita grad Ahmed rolls into his UW career: Juanita High School graduate Salvon Ahmed begins making a name for himself in his first season with the University of Washington football team.
Ferguson sues Trump administration over DACA order: Attorney General Bob Ferguson files a lawsuit against President Donald Trump’s administration for the president’s order to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.
Kirkland resident Helge Nason reads the notice Bridle Trails Red Apple store owner Lori Croshaw posted about the store closure. Nason was sad to hear the store was closing its doors and spoke of the store’s “amazing” customer service. Megan Campbell, Kirkland Reporter
Bridle Trails Red Apple to close: After 20 years in operation, the Red Apple Bridle Trails announces its closure in February 2018 due to a rent increase.
October
School lunch data raises questions of Eastside equity: A look at who receives free or reduced meals in local schools and what that means for the area in terms of equity.
Update: Nordstrom Rack, Trader Joe’s moving in in late October: An update on The Village at Totem Lake, including the opening of a number of businesses.
Possible zoning change for unrelated occupants in single-family zones: A look at the city’s zoning codes regarding how many unrelated people can live in single-family zones.
DeVos’ visit on education reform draws protesters: Education Secretary Betsy DeVos visits the Eastside to address the Washington Policy Center’s annual dinner.
‘Chosen warrior’: Kirkland police and other law enforcement agencies pay their last respects to Sgt. Nathan Rich, who died of natural causes.
A procession for Sgt. Nathan Rich with family members and officers from the Kirkland Police Department makes it way down the hall of the Overlake Christian Church in Redmond. Samantha Pak, Kirkland Reporter A procession for Sgt. Nathan Rich with family members and officers from the Kirkland Police Department makes it way down the hall of the Overlake Christian Church in Redmond. Samantha Pak, Kirkland Reporter
November
Two-time cancer survivor runs to raise awareness, funds: Janae Smith runs a 10K to raise money for breast cancer research.
Judge blocks I-27, saves supervised consumption sites: King County Superior Court Judge Veronica Alicea-Galvan strikes down a ballot petition designed to obstruct the county’s response to the heroin crisis.
Manandic goes from intern to reporter | Editorial: The Reporter welcomes Kailan Manandic to its staff as a reporter. Manandic had previously interned for the publication.
Initial election results in for Kirkland races: The first look at returns for the general election.
County legislation, executive order tackle juvenile justice issues: King County officials respond to a lawsuit alleging the mistreatment of youths in the juvenile justice system.
From outer space to the Eastside: Astronaut Scott Kelly visits the Kirkland Costco for a book signing.
December
A Keener’s Christmas: Kirkland native Jeff Keener and his wife Candice decorate their Bothell home for the holidays to raise money for a good cause.
Car plows into apartment; 3 hurt: Two women and one man are injured after the vehicle the women were in plows into an apartment, where the man was.
Doreen Marchione attempts to hold back tears after a musical, award-filled celebration that recognized her extensive career as a public servant. Kailan Manandic, Kirkland Reporter
Emotions flow at Marchione’s retirement celebration: The City of Kirkland inducts retiring council member Doreen Marchione into the Kirkland Hall of Fame.
Dairy Queen closed in wake of shopping center deal: The Dairy Queen in Bridle Trails closes after the shopping center is purchased by Retail Opportunity Investments Corporation.
