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FRIDAY, JULY 26, 2013
Art takes over downtown this weekend
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Too many neighbors Spiritwood residents fear growth will turn homes into boarding houses BY CELINA KAREIVA
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Driving through the cul-de-sacs of Spiritwood, Stephanie Walter points out the idiosyncrasies of neighborhood life – the dog owners, families with young children and new arrivals. “If I'm not mistaken, they've lived here since the time the neighborhood was developed,” says Walter, pointing to one stately house. “She was a second grade teacher and of course, it's just beautiful at Christmas time when the lights go up.” Around the corner, in a meticulously well-kept front yard, a woman gardens. “I love this house,” says Walter, pausing again. “This nice lady slowly painted her own house in little bits and pieces, and comes out and works fastidiously on her yard.” But Spiritwood, a neighborhood built in the 1950s, and called by many a “sleepy community,” has undergone changes in recent months. In May, residents of the low-density, single-family neighborhood began noticing the redevelopment of several properties. A three-bedroom SEE HOUSING, 21
Standoff ends peacefully after man threatened over chess match A police standoff that began in the early morning hours on July 18 ended peacefully after eight hours. The suspect was taken into custody and no one was injured. At approximately 1:56 a.m., Bellevue Police were dispatched after a man phoned 9-1-1 stating his neighbor just threatened him by pointing a gun to his head. The incident occurred in an apartment in the 1800 block of 108th Avenue Southeast. The 30-year-old Bellevue resident said he went over to his neighbor’s apartment to play PASSPORT PHOTOS •
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Keegan Prosser: 425-453-4602 kprosser@bellevuereporter.com
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Thousands of art enthusiasts will flock to downtown Bellevue today through Sunday, lured by three separate art fairs. The BAM ARTSfair, the Bellevue Festival of the Arts and the 6th Street Fair will feature artists from a variety of mediums, including drawing/ pastels, glass, jewelry and photography. A family-friendly event, the July 26-28 festivities will offer plenty of opportunities for children to explore their creative side, including sidewalk chalk and arts and craft stations. The fairs, which are free and open to the public, will also feature live music. The crowds – 300,000 are expected over the three-day event, – will bring closures of several downtown streets. Street closure locations and times include: ■ 100th Avenue NE, from NE Eighth Street to NE 10th Street, will be closed in the southbound direction from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday and from 5:30-10 p.m. on Sunday ■ 102nd Avenue NE, from NE Eighth Street to NE 10th Street, will be closed in both directions from 7 a.m. Friday to 11 p.m. Sunday ■ 106th Avenue NE, from NE Fourth Street to NE Sixth Street, will be closed in both directions from 6 p.m. Thursday to 11 p.m. Sunday. ■ Northeast Sixth Street, from Bellevue Way to 106th Avenue NE, will be closed in both directions from 6 p.m. Thursday to 11 p.m. Sunday. ■ Northeast 10th Street, from 106th Avenue NE to 108th Avenue NE, will beclosed in the westbound direction from 5-10 p.m. Thursday. For more information about the celebration, and for specific hours of each fair, go to bellevue.com/artsweek.php.
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chess. The 52-year-old man became upset and pointed a gun to the victim’s head. The victim said he ran out of the apartment and called police. Bellevue police responded and evacuated nearby apartment units. Information provided by the reporting party confirmed the subject still had a firearm in his apartment and possibly other weapons. He also stated there was no one else in the apartment. The subject, known to Bellevue Police, remained in his apartment refusing to coop-
erate. Patrol officers held a perimeter around the home while the SWAT team attempted to make contact with the barricaded subject. After several hours, negotiators were able to convince the man to let SWAT members enter the apartment where they took him into custody. Traffic along Bellevue Way, 112th Avenue Southeast and 108th Avenue Southeastwas closed to traffic during the incident and rerouted. The streets were re-opened to traffic at approximately 10:30 a.m.