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GOING TO THE DOGS | Kirkland’s new off-leash dog park to open Jan. 28 [17]
Skyrobics | New way to workout on FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 2012 trampolines is easier on joints [9]
A DIVISION OF SOUND PUBLISHING
Sports | Kangs get big win during MLK basketball tournament [16]
Man charged for peeping on JHS volleyball girls
The dog days of winter?
Husband of coach confessed to setting up video camera for “sexual gratification” BY MATT PHELPS mphelps@kirklandreporter.com
T
he husband of a Juanita High School volleyball coach has been charged with voyeurism in a case involving many of the coach’s players. Kirkland resident Steve C. Meeks, 23, is accused of videotaping five victims while in a restroom during a non-high school sanctioned team sleepover on Nov. 5, according to charging documents. He was arrested Nov. 9. Meeks confessed to placing a camera in the warehouse bathroom for his “sexual gratification,” according to court records. A judge set his bail at $25,000, despite not having a criminal record. The state has requested a no contact
order for Meeks and the minors involved. He is currently out of custody, pending arraignment on Jan. 26 at the King County Court House. Lake Washington School District spokesperson Kathryn Reith said, “No one should be subject to the kind of invasion of privacy that happened to a group of Juanita High School student athletes. We are proud of the students for immediately reporting this crime and appreciate the fast work of the King County Sheriff ’s officers in making an arrest.” The Reporter attempted to contact Meeks for comment but the number listed in court documents has been disconnected. Meek’s wife, who was [ more PEEPING page 2 ]
Two teens hit by driver on Kirkland’s Finn Hill BY MATT PHELPS mphelps@kirklandreporter.com
Kirkland police say that alcohol and icy roads combined for an accident on Sunday evening in the 7900 block of N.E. 122 Place on Finn Hill in Kirkland. Two teens, who were walking on the side of the road, were struck by a pickup truck traveling westbound around 5 p.m. The driver of the pickup, a 48-year-old man, was ar-
rested on suspicion of DUI and vehicular assault. The Kirkland police said that one of the teens, a 17-yearold boy, was transported to Evergreen Hospital with a cut on his head. The injuries were not lifethreatening. The second teen was not injured. The road has been extremely treacherous during this year’s snowfall and is known for being dangerous during icy weather.
Kirkland resident Sofia Kantola received the birthday surprise of snow atop Finn Hill. Kantola and her family, including their dog Jack, played in the freshly fallen snow Sunday morning. MATT PHELPS, Kirkland Reporter
Superintendent candidate meets with Eastside parents BY SAMANTHA PAK Reporter Newspapers
Deputy superintendent of instructional services for Lake Washington School District Dr. Traci Pierce (left) speaks with Kirkland resident Nicole MacKenzie at a meet-and-greet event at Redmond City Hall on Jan. 10. SAM PAK, Reporter Newspapers
Members of the Eastside community gathered Jan. 10 to meet Dr. Traci Pierce, the Lake Washington School District (LWSD) board of directors’ preferred candidate for its next superintendent, and ask her questions about her views on K-12 education. The event, held in the Bytes Cafe at City Hall in Redmond, was an opportunity for people to meet and mingle with Pierce in an informal setting. About
two dozen people attended, a number Pierce was happy with as she understands people have busy schedules. “I was pleased with the turnout,” said Pierce, who has been with LWSD for 17 years and is currently the deputy superintendent of instructional services. Pierce may potentially replace current superintendent Dr. Chip Kimball, who is leaving at the end of the school year to be superintendent of the Singapore American School. Board President Jackie [ more LWSD page 2 ]