3 ways to start exploring the N. Cascades
07.20.2014
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Everett, Wash.
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HeraldNet.com
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Juvenile justice inquiry widens
A Snohomish boy blinded by an attack in Iraq lives his life with no holds barred
humoody’s way
The cost of investigating allegations of misbehavior at Denney is spiraling as the case grows complicated. By Noah Haglund Herald Writer
SOFIA JARAMILLO / THE HERALD
Humoody Smith plays in a fort made of blankets with his best friend, Caden Keithley, at Caden’s home in March. They have been best friends since Humoody first came to the United States.
By Amy Nile Herald Writer
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NOHOMISH — Click, click, click. Click, click. Click, click. Click, click, click. That’s Humoody Jauda Smith using sound to see. At 11, he’s taking strides toward self-reliance with a different kind of sight. He was blinded at 2 when insurgents shot him in the face in Iraq. His family sent him from Baghdad to Snohomish with hope that American doctors could restore his vision. After discovering that wasn’t possible, his host parents, Randy and Julie Robinett Smith, fought to keep him here. Now, they’re giving him the chance
to learn to live independently. And he’s surpassing expectations using new techniques and technologies. The best thing people can do to help the blind is — not help, Humoody said. “People think we need help all the time,” he said. “It’s a nice thought. But if I’m going to become independent, I can’t have people doing that.” Humoody is already seeing success as he learns to do the same things as a sighted person. But he’s doing it in his own way. He’s navigating the dark with echolocation. Humoody makes noises, such as clicking with his tongue, and interprets See HUMOODY’S WAY, Page A6
With guidance from specialist Kathy Dalbeck, Humoody listens to traffic in Snohomish as he learns to navigate and cross streets.
At HeraldNet.com, Humoody talks about breaking >> Video: stereotypes and learning the skills to live independently.
EVERETT — The cost of investigating potential misconduct among Snohomish County juvenile detention staff is expected to creep higher into the six figures as a web of accusations grows more entangled. The Human Resources Department wants the County Council to authorize up to $350,000 for an outside attorney’s ongoing investigation — a potential 75 percent jump in cost. The current contract is for a maximum of $200,000. The personnel inquiry covers allegations of sexual harassment, racial discrimination and retaliation against employees who speak out. The request could reach the council next week for discussion. “This was an extremely large and complex case,” county human resources director Bridget Clawson said. The county is paying Mill Creek attorney Marcella Fleming Reed $300 an hour to conduct the investigation. The scope of the work has grown to include nearly all of the detention staff at the Denney Juvenile Justice Center. To date, Reed and her staff have spoken to 78 employees, some multiple times, Clawson said. That’s led to 140 interviews. The investigation has explored complaints from 14 different people, she said. There are 21 people accused of misbehavior. That work has generated 40,000 separate documents for review, Clawson said. The interviews are done, but the attorney still needs to finish separate reports for each complaint. That’s expected to take at least another month. The probe covers sexual harassment allegations that have kept Everett City Councilman Ron Gipson on paid administrative leave from his day job as a See INQUIRY, Page A8
BEEN THERE, DONE THAT
‘MAYOR’ OF MACHIAS
Starting today, the Sunday TV Week section expands from 16 to 24 pages. Inside
Former M’s catcher Dave Valle draws from his past in guiding the AquaSox. Sports, C1
In Jim Young’s company, fun was never hard to come by, friends say. Julie Muhlstein, B1
Celebrations . . A11 Classified . . . . . E2
Crossword . . . . D4 Dear Abby. . . . . D5
Horoscope . . . . D4 Lottery . . . . . . . A2
Moneywise. . . . E1 Movies . . . . . . . D5
Obituaries. . . . . B4 Viewpoints . . . . B7
Perplexed 67/52, C8
VOL. 114, NO. 167 © 2014 THE DAILY HERALD CO.
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