BELLEVUE
REPORTER
NEWSLINE 425-453-4270
POLITICS | Rodney Tom drops out of race for state Senate [5]; Editorial [6] GROWTH | PSE’s Energize Eastside project draws opposition from residents who favor conservation, undergrounding of power lines [2]
SPORTS | Forest Ridge senior after fourth state tennis title, helping to FRIDAY, APRIL 18, 2014 build dynasty in Class 1A [15]
Bellevue man facing murder charge in aunt’s death BY BRANDON MACZ BELLEVUE REPORTER
The King County Prosecutor’s Office filed a second-degree murder with a deadly weapon charge against a 53-year-old Bellevue man Wednesday, three days after his aunt was found dead inside an apartment they shared in downtown. Bellevue Police arrested Mark J. Irwin early Monday morning after being dis-
patched to a unit at the Twelve Central Square apartments the night before after another family member found his aunt, Barbara Irwin, dead and covered with a sheet. The family member went to Mark J. Irwin her apartment Sunday night after failing to reach her by phone, using a ladder to access the unit from an
unlocked sliding door on the deck. A police report states Barbara Irwin, 72, had the back of her skull caved in. Detectives found a claw hammer in the laundry room, which had been recently cleaned, but tested positive for blood. It is believed to be the murder weapon. Irwin was found with blood and scratches on his body sitting in his aunt’s car about 100 yards from her residence, according to the police report. A man with
Irwin in the car allegedly told officers the two men had smoked crack earlier in the day. Irwin told authorities he’d gone to Seattle to smoke crack, was robbed and later came home on a bus. He said he didn’t have a key to his aunt’s apartment, and slept in the lobby. A family member told police his wife had spoken to Mark Irwin earlier when he answered his aunt’s cellphone, and SEE MURDER, 8
Bellevue police chief recalls 35 years in law enforcement
Bellevue makes final offer for Fourth Street properties
BY BRANDON MACZ
BELLEVUE REPORTER
BY BRANDON MACZ
BELLEVUE REPORTER
When Bellevue Police Chief Linda Pillo started her 35-year career in law enforcement as an officer in Mercer Island in 1979, it was still odd for people to see a woman on the force — there wasn't even a women's locker room. "I just always took my uniform and went to the restroom," said Pillo during her retirement party Tuesday at City Hall. "I remember having to convince citizens that I was a real police officer." She added the tickets she issued always got the point across. After joining the Bellevue Police Department in 1986, Pillo steadily rose up the ranks, becoming the first female police chief in 2007. She was also the first female captain, major and deputy chief. "She was pretty much the first woman going up every rank starting at sergeant," said Mayor Claudia Balducci during Tuesday's retirement party. "… We have just a really safe city and a great (police) department, and for the past seven years that's been under the leadership of Chief Pillo."
Bellevue Police Chief Linda Pillo turns off her cellphone Tuesday, telling a crowd of well-wishers at her retirement party that she no longer is on call. BRANDON MACZ,
Bellevue Reporter
City Manager Brad Miyake said Pillo has always been an advocate for her department, refusing to compromise on the quality of service it provides. She was also an intimidating
force when Miyake was still acting as city budget manager. "She always made sure she crossed
The Bellevue City Council put its best offer on the table Monday night to acquire contentious property rights needed to extend Northeast Fourth Street to 120th Avenue Northeast. Mayor Claudia Balducci opposed the offer in order to send a message that she feels the offer goes "too far" after Best Buy and another property owner repeatedly demanded more money from the city. A transportation project of major importance to several others in the Wilburton and Bel-Red areas of the city, councilmembers conceded extending Northeast Fourth from 116th to 120th avenues northeast was the linchpin project that couldn't be scrapped. And, after lengthy legal mitigation, the council put out an offer to Bellevue 116th Property LLC and Best Buy for $6.2 million and $12.84 million, respectively. A new five-lane arterial Northeast Fourth is planned to cut through the south end of the Best Buy store and parking lot during Phase Two of the project, slated to start in 2015 with the entire roadway opened by fall 2016. The city is exercising eminent domain to run its transportation project through a portion of the Best Buy store, however, the retail company also filed suit over the city's actions. The Northeast Fourth extension, from where it ends at 116th Avenue Northeast to 120th Avenue Northeast, is part of several projects to improve mobility between downtown Bellevue, the Bel-Red corridor and Overlake area.
SEE PILLO, 3
SEE FINAL OFFER, 8
Dr. Todd taught Animal Science at Southwest Texas University and was the faculty adviser for their Rodeo Team. In 2007, Dr. Todd relocated to the Pacific Northwest and began working at Bellevue Animal Hospital. She brought acupuncture, chiropractics, and cold laser therapies to Bellevue Animal Hospital to integrate Eastern and Western Medicine to help and heal our wonderful pets. In her free time, Jill rides and competes hunter jumpers with her horse “Vince”, hikes, bikes, does yoga and enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and adopted Rhodesian Ridgeback “Z”.
Jill Todd, DVM,CVA,CVCP
BEST BRAND, BEST BROKERS, BEST PROPERTIES
2nd East Bellevue Office Opening May 2014 Info@BrazenSIR.com
West Bellevue Office Downtown Bellevue 425-454-4141
www.BrazenSothebysRealty.com
Bellevue Animal Hospital
10415 Main St, Bellevue,WA | For appt. call 425.454.1246 BellevueAnimalHospital.net