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Former soldier gets more than 20 years for killing Kirkland woman BY RAECHEL DAWSON rdawson@kirklandreporter.com
A
former Joint Base Lewis-McChord soldier was sentenced to 244 months on April 25 for fatally stabbing a Kirkland woman back in 2011. Earlier this month, Dakota Miles Wolf, 22, pleaded guilty to killing 19-year-old Scarlett Paxton with a large chef knife outside of her Juanita apartment one winter evening. A King County judge
SCARLETT PAXTON
imposed the maximum sentencing, 220 months, for second-degree murder
and an extra two years were tacked on for a deadly weapons enhancement charge. Before Wolf was sentenced, Paxton’s mother, father and grandmother gave statements. “I miss my daughter Scarlett so much,” said Michelle Diggins, her mother, in a letter to the Reporter. “I wish that no other family or person would ever have to feel this grief, pain and utter devastation that we now deal with on a daily basis. Unfortunately, there will always be
bad people in this world.” Paxton’s boyfriend who found her stabbed in front of their apartment also attended the hearing. “I thought that what her family said [during the hearing] was absolutely beautiful and that they did a very good job of articulating who Scarlett was as a person,” Michael Lawson said. Judge Julie Spector addressed Wolf before giving him the maximum sentence. “I’m aware that you tried [ more MURDER page 3 ]
Dakota Wolf is handcuffed after being sentenced to 20 years in prison for killing Scarlett Paxton. MATT PHELPS, Kirkland Reporter
Schools foundation luncheon surpasses fundraising goal BY RAECHEL DAWSON rdawson@kirklandreporter.com
It was another record year for the 9th annual Lake Washington Schools Foundation’s Legacy for Learning luncheon, which generated $237,023 -- the highest amount yet. Hosted at Juanita High School, 585 attendees packed into the Rebels’ gymnasium and were seated at more than 60 neatly decorated tables, also a record. “Part of it was that we set higher goals for ourselves,” said Kathleen Reynolds with the Lake Washington Schools Foundation. “Our new executive director, since September, has given us more capacity.”
“Part of it was that we set higher goals for ourselves. Our new executive director, since September, has given us more capacity.” Kathleen Reynolds
The foundation’s luncheon fundraising goal was $225,000. Reynolds said she believes Executive Director Kristina Williams was able to build stronger professional relationships as well. Microsoft was the foundation’s biggest sponsor. “Sometimes with a higher goal, you push harder,” she said, adding that their total annual goal is $365,000 for 2014.
Last year, the foundation raised $216,650 at the luncheon with a goal of $192,000, which was used to help implement the Lake Washington School District’s signature programs. This year was clearly a year to revel in the program’s success and to ensure it stays on the right path. “Six months ago, I didn’t value education the way I do now,” said Juanita High School student Lauren McAllister, who is enrolled in the STEM signature program. “And if you would have asked me if I thought I’d be standing here in front of hundreds of supporters as a representative for my [ more GOAL page 11 ]
Superintendent Dr. Traci Pierce speaks at the Lake Washington School District’s 9th annual Legacy for Learning luncheon at Juanita High School. MATT PHELPS, Kirkland Reporter
Kirkland Housing Dialogue sparks discussion on job, housing imbalance BY RAECHEL DAWSON rdawson@kirklandreporter.com
Council members Penny Sweet, Jay Arnold, Dave Asher and Rep. Larry Springer were among the 60 who attended the first Kirkland Housing Dialogue meeting on an early Tuesday morning. Organized by Eastside realtor Brenda Nunes, the dialogue on April 22 was
meant to spur awareness surrounding the lack of affordable housing in Kirkland, as well as connect the business community to the building community. “We’ve seen an increase in people looking for properties who A. can’t afford them or B. they’re in multiple bid situations,” Nunes said. “It gets frustrating for buyers. The
inventory here is too costly.” Panelists Eric Shields, the city’s planning director, Rick Lerz with Kirkland-based Nytec, Nancy Hamilton with EvergreenHealth Medical Center, Doug Davis with Hallmark Realty, and Arthur Sullivan with ARCH (A Regional Coalition for Housing) described the housing dilemma for citizens in
Kirkland. With 22,000 jobs projected by 2035, Kirkland city officials are actively pursuing ways they can make the Comprehensive Plan Update fit the needs of Kirkland’s future, Sweet said in an introduction. Citing the Employment Security Department and the Puget Sound Regional Coun-
cil, Shields said of the 38,000 employees in Kirkland, 75 percent who commute drive to work alone. “One of the things the city is grappling with is the job and housing balance,” he said at the meeting. According to the Growth Management Act, the city should be planning for 22,400 more jobs with 8,300 housing
units, but “that in itself is not balanced.” The city currently has 3,700 housing units for the 38,000 jobs, Shields said. Lerz was able to back up Shields’s stats with his own figures. The average Nytec employee travels 14 miles each way to work every day. While 71 percent of Nytec employees live in King Coun[ more HOUSING page 5 ]