SEE INSIDE: Bonney Lake man takes sizable beard to competition | Page 3 . . . . Tapps doctor named president of Washington Academy of Family Physicians | Page 4
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Wednesday, June 5, 2013 | 75 cents
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Weather The forecast for today, Wednesday, calls for sunny skies with highs near 76 and a low around 53. Thursday will be mostly sunny with a high close to 71 and a low of 53. Clouds return for a partly sunny Friday with a high of 72.
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A kind circumference By Daniel Nash Staff Writer
The Dieringer Heights Elementary Cougars kicked off their 13th annual Walk-A-Thon by literally surrounding their campus in good thoughts. Every spring near the end of the academic year, students collect food donations and walk the circumference of the east Tapps primary school for 90 minutes. Thursday marked the first year the event incorporated Rachel’s Challenge. Rachel’s Challenge is a national campaign to end bullying, based on the writings of Columbine High School shooting victim Rachel Joy Scott. A quote used by the Rachel’s Challenge website reads: “I have this theory that if one person can go out of their way to show compassion, then it will start a chain reaction of the same. People will never know how far a little kindness can go.” Every student in every class wrote down a kind sentiment about another person in their life on a piece of construction paper. The sentiments were linked together into a paper
See walkathon, Page 10
By Theresa De Lay Staff Writer
Memorial Day weather may have inspired more hooded sweatshirts than swimsuits, but even the Northwest has to welcome the sun at some point. For many in the area, boating on Lake Tapps is an integral part of summer festivities. Adding alcohol to the mix often results in less desirable outcomes. This year, state laws are changing with stiffer penalties those who combine the two. Boating under the influence (BUI) of alcohol and other mind-altering
Senior Special 60+ (M-F before noon) 18 Holes- $22 w/ cart, $15 walk Tee Times: 253-862-7011 www.tappsislandgolf.com Must present this coupon. Exp. 8/31/13
Bales set to plead guilty Attorney says staff sergeant will plea to avoid death penalty in civilian slaying By Daniel Nash Staff Writer
Micah Stafford smiles wide as the student body began their annual Walk-A-Thon. It was the first year the Walk-A-Thon incorporated Rachel’s Challenge, and the students surrounded the school with a chain made of kind thoughts and thanks. Photo by Daniel Nash
New law cracks down on drunk boating
Tapps Island Golf Course 795192
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substances is currently classified as a misdemeanor but come July 28, the classification will upgrade to a gross misdemeanor. The change will result in higher jail time and/or fines for those who partake in mind-altering substances while operating boats and other water-bound vessels. Receiving a BUI will now be punishable by up to 364 days in jail and $5000 in fines. With the passing of Initiative 502, marijuana laws are on the minds of many. Alcohol is the most common substance used by recreational boaters but impaired driving due to any drug use is illegal. Additionally, it’s
illegal to use marijuana openly in public — which includes the shores of Lake Tapps — whether you’re operating a vehicle or not. A person may be considered under the influence if they show an alcohol concentration of .08 or higher on a breath or blood test. The law also stated that an officer may administer field sobriety tests if the need arises. Sobriety tests on the road are slightly different from those on the water, said Bonney Lake police officer Daron Wolschleger. Wolschleger said most people are
See boating, Page 10
Staff Sgt. Robert Bales, the Lake Tapps man accused in the slaughter of 16 Afghan civilians, will plead guilty as charged Wednesday. Defense attorney John Henry Browne told the Associated Press, in a story released Wednesday, Bales, 39, would submit the plea to military court at Joint Base Lewis-McChord to avoid the death penalty, pending approval by the judge and commanding general. Bales will provide his account of the events that occurred March 11, 2012, Browne told the AP. A guilty plea and plea deal would result in a life sentence for the accused. Sentencing will determine whether he is eligible for parole. Prior to the attack that brought the current charges, Bales was on his fourth deployment overseas following three tours in Iraq. On March 11, 2012, an Afghan soldier noticed Bales was AWOL from Camp Belambay, where he was stationed, and initiated a base-wide search. Bales is believed to have walked
See bales, Page 11
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