Kent Reporter, April 26, 2013

Page 1

INSIDE | Hodgson retires as city’s chief administrative officer [3]

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Opinion | Local youth pastor, NFL player spreads the gospel of good health and fitness [5]

FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2013

Details revealed on airplane door that fell from the sky BY STEVE HUNTER shunter@kentreporter.com

The landing gear door that fell last fall in a Kent neighborhood marked at least the 19th time that

similar part has fallen off one of the many Boeing 767 jets around the world over the last 12 years. The main landing gear shock strut door on the cargo jet dropped from the sky at about

6:45 a.m. Sept. 7. The door landed in the street just outside the home of Maureen Rinabarger in the 12800 block of Southeast 231st Way on the East Hill. The approximately 50-pound part, about

the size of a refrigerator door, did not injure anyone or cause any damage. But it definitely raised a lot of questions about the how and why a door suddenly would just drop

off a plane as it headed to Boeing Field. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Boeing and ABX [ more DOOR page 4 ]

K-M special needs student dies of unknown causes BY MICHELLE CONERLY mconerly@kentreporter.com

Paddling drills: Karla Kreger, left, and Julie Bunker dig their paddles into the waters of Lake Meridian early on Saturday morning practicing with the Kent Dragon Boat Association. MICHELLE CONERLY, Kent Reporter

‘Reach it out’ Dragon boat crews part the waters

BY MICHELLE CONERLY mconerly@kentreporter.com

In unison, a group of 12 people dig their paddles into the waters of Lake Meridian, grunting and counting with speed and endurance.

Splashing themselves with the cold water as their paddles quickly rise and fall, these dedicated individuals know the hard work is well worth the effort. By the time they count to 15 three times, the drill is over, their chests padded in colorful lifejackets heaving in and out to catch their breath. Not long after they finish do they slide those same paddles back into the glassy water, slowly propelling the slender boat [ more BOAT page 2 ]

A student in the special needs program at KentMeridian High School died April 16 from unknown causes. According to an email sent out by Principal Wade Barringer, 19-year-old Chris McCracken was taken to the hospital on April 15 complaining of back problems. He died the next morning. “Chris was a big talker with a lot to say,” Barringer wrote to staff and students. “He loved talking to people and having people listen to him. Chris grew a lot this year in his ability to communicate with others and advocate for himself. Chris will be missed.” McCracken lived at Integrated Living Services,

an organization in Kent that provides “residential services to people with profound/ severe developmental disabilities.” Ken Abercrombie, director of the facility, did not comment on the death of McCracken due to the center’s privacy policy. McCracken’s family, who lives in Renton, did not feel comfortable at this time to speak about the passing of their son. The special needs programs at Kent-Meridian serve the intellectually disabled student population. In McCracken’s case, he was accepted into The Outreach Program (TOP) at K-M that teaches social skills and functionality in the workplace. He would have [ more STUDENT page 2 ]

‘Evita’ opens on Kentridge stage BY MARK KLAAS mklaas@kentreporter.com

It is a daunting production, one few high school casts would attempt. But Jennifer Grajewski wanted to take that im-

portant step – to recreate a powerful, historical and culturally rich story. “There aren’t a whole lot of musicals out there that focus on Latino culture,” said Grajewski, the drama

and artistic director at Kentridge High School. “Our demographics and population are changing. I like to try to find pieces

Kentridge’s Caelan Creaser, an award-winning actress, plays the lead role of Eva Peron, the First Lady of Argentina.

[ more EVITA page 9 ]

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