Mercer Island Reporter, June 18, 2014

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REPORTER

Mercer Island

Serving the Mercer Island Community Serving community Since since 1947 1947

Islanders send off the class of 2014

Smiling graduates

Coval plat revisited tonight The Planning Commission will reopen the Open Record Public Hearing process for the Coval long plat at tonight’s meeting. Roll call begins at 7 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 9611 S.E. 36th St. A full agenda packet can be found at www.mercergov.org under the “boards and commissions” tab.

Mercer Island High School’s 57th Commencement Exercises held at Key Arena

MIHS Class of 2004 reunion Mercer Island High School graduates from the class of 2004 are invited to a 10-year reunion this Saturday, June 21. Dinner and drinks begin at 7 p.m. at the Roanoke Inn. For more, see Page 17.

Mad scientist show, Jun. 26 Little ones can enjoy a free magic show that’s sure to capture their imagination. Watch awesome chemical reactions and spooky experiments. Audience members are invited to participate. Find more on Page 17.

Farmers Market returns Sunday The Mercer Island Farmers Market opens its third week Sunday with another set of Garden Day vendors. Featured vendors will be selling terrariums, mosaics and recycled goods, among other items. Joe Ross will perform live music. For the full calendar of events, visit: www.mifarmersmarket.org.

life Have the ! you want

By Joseph Livarchik

jlivarchik@mi-reporter.com

Joseph Livarchik/Staff Photo

Mercer Island graduating seniors Sabrina Steinhauer, left, and Alex Seidel, right, share a laugh after receiving their diplomas during Mercer Island’s 57th Commencement Exercises on Thursday, June 12 at the Key Arena. See more photos on pages 10 and 11.

Care facility could not pay bills, buy food, ensure safety Mercer Island Care and Rehab facility shut down by state By Celina Kareiva

ckareiva@mi-reporter.com

On Thursday, June 4, the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) revoked the license of the Mercer Island Care and Rehabilitation Center, arguing that the center constituted an immediate jeopardy to resident health and safety. The emergency closure was based on “a significant history of uncorrected violations,” reads DSHS’ Statement of Deficiencies. The news didn’t come as much of a surprise, said Betsy Zuber, mental health counselor and geri-

atric specialist for Mercer Island Youth and Family Services. Both she and the police department had responded to complaints about the facility in the past. Zuber said even before she heard news of the facility’s closure, she often discouraged families from housing their loved ones there, advising them to check in regularly if they did. “The state closed them down and I think that speaks for itself,” said police commander Leslie Burns. It’s not uncommon for the department to get calls from dementia patients across the Island, some of which are unfounded or don’t generate police reports. But Burns said she knew this particular facility had its challenges. The 100-bed facility is one of a number of for-profit facilities

nationwide, managed by Videll Healthcare. Nursing homes in Boston and Minneapolis have also been cited for financial trouble, including trash build-up, discontinued services and stoppage of food deliveries. MI Care and Rehab has 74 patients, all of whom will be moved to alternate facilities in the next three weeks. Nursing homes that accept Medicare patients are graded on a five star scale (www.medicare.gov/ nursinghomecompare). Most of the Island’s facilities receive high ratings. Covenant Shores, for instance, has an overall rating of five stars. But MI Care and Rehab consistently rated below average. Though results do not reflect DSHS’ recent

Family Financial Certified FinancialAdvisors Advisors

All eyes were on the graduating class of 2014 as Mercer Island High School celebrated its 57th Commencement Exercises Thursday, June 12 at Key Arena in Seattle. This year’s class had 321 graduating students cross the stage. Class president Joey Chin opened the ceremony welcoming those in attendance before introducing the MIHS Orchestra to

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