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‘WHAT THE FLOCK?’ | Mayor gets surprise from Kirkland Congregational Church [13]
FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012
Kangs to raise money for Drea’s Dream BY RAECHEL DAWSON rdawson@kirklandreporter.com
The Lake Washington High School drill team is taking two tragedies and turning them into hope - and helping to fulfill a dream. The team’s drill coach, Lindsey Beck, underwent surgery for a spinal tumor three years ago. That experience came seven years after a cancer-survivor, studying dance therapy, died in New York. The two tragedies will intertwine next Friday. The Kang drill team will host a performance from nine dance teams across Washington State to raise money for Dréa’s Dream at 7 p.m. on Aug. 24 at Lake Washington High School. Dréa’s Dream is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping children with cancer or special needs through dance therapy. “It’s an important contribution that our community can make for an important goal,” said Mary Stephenson, publicity chair. She expects 150 to 200 people will attend. Andréa (Dréa) Rizzo’s dream stems from a passion for dance during a rough time in her life: overcoming childhood cancer. She eventually began to work toward her goals when she started taking classes for a master’s degree in dance therapy at New York University. But then, Rizzo was killed by a drunk driver in 2002 at age 24. Despite the sorrow of Rizzo’s unfulfilled goals, her mother created the Andréa Rizzo Foundation to achieve [ more DREAM page 2 ]
SummerFest | Thousands of people packed downtown Kirkland for the new summer event which included the annual Duck Dash, food trucks, music and art. [8]
Fire destroys Kirkland home BY MATT PHELPS mphelps@kirklandreporter.com
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Flames engulf a home in the North Rose Hill neighborhood of Kirkland on Monday night. BLAKE SWANSON, Contributed photo
fire destroyed a home and two vehicles Monday night on North Rose Hill in Kirkland. Firefighters were able to gain control of the blaze but a male resident in his 60s was taken to Evergreen Hospital with smoke inhalation. No firefighters were hurt during the event and the
fire’s cause is under investigation. “We were in bed reading when I heard a crackling and I thought they were having a barbecue,” said Lyman Petersen, who lives next door. “I saw the flames in the garage.” Rose Marie Petersen said she will never forget looking past her curtains. “I peeked out the window and saw these huge flames [ more FIRE page 5 ]
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A Kirkland firefighter battles the flames of a house fire on North Rose Hill Monday night. Photo courtesy of Kirkland Fire
Kirkland woman charged in DUI crash BY MATT PHELPS mphelps@kirklandreporter.com
Brynn Radke of Kirkland attempts to leap over the tag of the catcher from Canada during the opening game of the Junior Softball World Series. Kirkland won the game 5-3. MATT PHELPS, Kirkland Reporter
Kirkland leaps into JSWS semifinals today Tournament director hopes Kirkland team’s success brings in more local spectators BY RAECHEL DAWSON rdawson@kirklandreporter.com
The Kirkland-based host team, Washington District 9, will continue onto the semifinals of the Junior League Softball World Series today around 5 p.m. The Kirkland American and National Little League players are the only team in their bracket to win two pool games as of Wednesday morning. Past
years have proven to be difficult for the host team, but this year there is an obvious change. “Kirkland is definitely looking good. There’s no reason they can’t compete, they just need to put their mind to it and forget about the stuff on the side,” said tournament director John Chadwick. Head coach Nolan Radke said in order to win the world series the girls will
have to keep improving on basic things such as hitting, catching and running, but one thing has stood out - the pitching. Thirteen-year-old Tori Bivens said she’s been preparing “since the first districts game.” “Just being here is extraordinary,” said Bivens. “It’s phenomenal to compete with the best teams in the world.”
The team is primarily made up of 13-year-olds, which, Chadwick said, gives them a disadvantage while competing with girls a year older. However, other teams have disadvantages as well. “Prague has a different system, a strong club system with the Prague Baseball Club,” said Chadwick. But unfortunately, many of the [ more JSWS page 11 ]
A 42-year-old Kirkland woman was formally charged with vehicular homicide and three counts of vehicular assault on Friday. Kelly Hudson remains in the King County Jail after bail was set at $500,000 on Aug. 9 in King County Superior Court. Hudson is suspected of driving while under the influence of alcohol and prescription drugs, crossing the center line on Kirkland’s Juanita Drive, killing Joyce Parsons, 81, of Kirkland and injuring three other people on Aug. 7. Her arraignment is set for Aug. 23 at the King County Courthouse. Hudson was allegedly traveling south in a blue minivan on Juanita Drive when a woman in a car following her called 911 to report that she was driving erratically and failed to stop for a stop sign. While on the phone with dispatch the woman witnessed Hudson cross the center line “as though to pass traffic” and hit a silver Toyota Prius head-on, according to court documents. The crash occurred near Fire Station 25 and firefight[ more DUI page 2 ]
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