INSIDE: Bonney Lake cystic fibrosis patient walks for a cure, Page 3 . . . How to protect your house from burglary, Page 5. . . SHS Freshman is a Renaissance girl, Page 8
Your hometown newspaper
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
What’s Inside News .............................Page 3-5 Views..................................Page 6 Sports ...............................Page 8 Community Click ........Page 10 Classified ............... Page 14-18
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Residential burglaries up 84 percent over last year
Bargain-hunting for three
Volunteers honored with White River Community Champion Award. | Family Matters, 7
By Brian Beckley Staff Writer
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Weather
The forecast calls for mostly sunny skies with a 30 percent chance of showers today, Wednesday, with highs around 60. The chance of rain continues through Friday when showers are likely. Mostly cloudy skies and a chance of rain are also on tap for this weekend with highs in the low 60s.
Coming up... The Sumner School District school calendar has been extended two days due to this past winter’s ice storm. The days have been rescheduled to June 20 and 21 for all students, grades K-11.
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Melanie and Justin Kirby, a young couple with a baby girl on the way, sifted through baby clothes Sunday at the annual Tapps Island Community Garage Sale. The annual island-wide event drew bargain hunters from all over the region; one merchant homeowner described the Saturday line as stretching a mile off the island. Sunday was decidedly more sedate. Photo by Daniel Nash
Bonney Lake Police are warning residents about an increase in residential burglaries and offering tips on how to best protect homes from unwanted visitors. According to Chief Dana Powers, residential burglaries are up a whopping 84 percent over the same time last year. Police department statistics show that crime in general is down by approximately 10 percent in Bonney Lake, but burglary cases have jumped to 35 in the first four months of 2012, up from 19 in the spring of 2011. Powers said the recent rash of burglaries is most likely tied to the continuing economic struggles of the region and state. “The longer we stay in the economic
See Burglaries, Page 5
Asking for help can be the hardest part Many organizations offer assistance for the hidden homeless of east Pierce County By Brian Beckley
reliable roof over their heads is sometimes just moving forward. “It’s hard for folks that have Pat Williams has become homeless to see been working with the the way out,” Williams IDDEN homeless population of said. “And that’s why H East Pierce County for they need an agency like 11 years. He knows no us.” one wants to be homeThe Helping Hand less, but also knows House provides temposometimes it can be rary housing for homehard to ask for help. HOMELESS less families and a case But as a program worker to help that famPart Two specialist for the ily get back on their feet. Helping Hand House The organization owns a in Puyallup, Williams number of homes throughout the also has seen the difference that county where they place folks going help can make and knows that the through rough times. hardest part for families that suddenly find themselves without a See Homeless, Page 4 Staff Writer
A sign found at a homeless camp in the former Washington State University forest. Services are available to homeless families to help prevent a retreat to the woods . Photo by Brian Beckley