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INDEPENDENT PORT ORCHARD
FRIDAY, JULY 11, 2014 ✮ VOL. 123, NO. 24 ✮ WWW.PORTORCHARDINDEPENDENT.COM ✮ 50¢
Port Orchard teen presumed drowned near Mount Rainier
Rescuers search for Port Orchard’s Josh Osborn, who fell July 4 into the Ohanapecosh River near Mount Rainier and has not been seen since.
By CHRIS CHANCELLOR Senior Writer
A 17-year-old South Kitsap High School student is presumed dead after falling into a river around 9:30 a.m. Friday near the the southeast
Courtesy Photo
Restaurant owner charged with child molestation Suspect accused of abusing girl in Snohomish Co. By DANNIE OLIVEAUX and CHRIS CHANCELLOR
A veteran Seattle police officer, who also is the owner of a Port Orchard restaurant, was arrested June 30 on charges of child molestation and booked into Snohomish County Jail, according to media reports. Sources confirmed to the Independent that the officer is Eric Smith, 57, the owner of Robert Earl Smith Lighthouse. KOMO reported the officer, who has spent more than 20 years with the department, is accused of molesting his former girlfriend’s daughter on several occasions between 2009-13, according to the Snohomish County Sheriff ’s Office. Deputies reported the victim in the case was between 7 and 11 years old when the
corner of Mount Rainier National Park, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Josh Osborn, who played on the school’s football team last year as a sophomore, is the subject of search-and-rescue operation,
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Councilman says mayor’s request was ‘political’
FIREWORKS SHOWER
By DANNIE OLIVEAUX
alleged crimes were committed. Deputies arrested the Bothell resident on June 30 following a two-week investigation into the case. He’s now facing charges of first degree child molestation and communicating with a minor for immoral purposes, reported KOMO. Seattle police officials were made aware of the investigation on June 18 and put the officer on administrative leave, according to the police. Detectives are continuing with the investigation, KOMO reported. On July 3, newly appointed Seattle Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole announced she suspended Smith without pay pending the outcome of the case. A call to the Lighthouse revealed that Smith was not at the restaurant and management was unable to respond to media reports as of July 3. The (Everett) Herald reported Smith appeared briefly in Everett District Court on July 1 where his bail was set at $150,000. Smith has been SEE MOLESTATION, A26
according to South Kitsap School District assistant superintendent Dave Colombini. Colombini, who said officials at the high school became aware that
Editor
Two weeks after the Port Orchard City Council voted unanimously approved an agreement with C&M Golf LLC that would restore a water right to the city, Mayor Tim Matthes placed the item on the July 8 agenda for the to reconsider their got a Codycouncil Wright from Milford, Utah, previous action. Saddle Bronc Riding competition Wed While approving the agenda, Councilman Rob Putaansuu motioned that the request for reconsidering approval of the contract be Section removed A from the agenda. Editorial A4 Councilman John Clauson Robert Meadows seconded the motion. A4 Scene The& Heard council voted A5 4-1 Sports A6 to remove the item, with Legal Notices Fred ChangA7as Councilman the opposing Mary Colborn vote. A7 Chang said he would A8 like Obituaries to see the item placed back Inserts: Fred Meyer, RiteAid, on theDepot, agendaBest and discussed. Office Buy, Staples, There wasValassis no motion made Wal-Mart,
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Dannie Oliveax/Staff Photo
Fireworks shower the skies over the Sinclair Inlet during the annual Fathoms o’ Fun Grand Fireworks Show July 4.
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