What to pack for the perfect romantic picnic D1 ●
SUNDAY, 07.27.2014
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OSO MUDSLIDE
As couple rebuild, they focus on the good
Victims honored at M’s game By David Krueger Herald Writer
SEATTLE — Terry Haldeman had a strategy heading out to the mound at Safeco Field. “My plan was just to get it close to the plate,” Haldeman said. “I kind Find more of did that. It photos in worked out well.” a gallery with Not many this story at umpires www.herald would call net.com. the pitch —
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DAN BATES / THE HERALD
Ron and Gail Thompson were away when their house was destroyed in the Oso mudslide. To their delight, a wooden bear carving (center) they had received as a gift was found in the debris and returned to them. It joins new bears given to them as replacements before it was found.
‘I can be bitter or better. I choose to be better,’ Ron Thompson says By Amy Nile Herald Writer
OSO — Fate has landed Ron and Gail Thompson back here. They’re counting their blessings as they piece together their lives after the Oso mudslide obliterated their neighborhood. The Thompsons have moved into a new home on Highway 530, a few minutes west of their old place on
Steelhead Drive where many of their neighbors died. “We call that our paradise and this our promised land,” said Gail Thompson, 62. “We believe God already knew our new address.” One family treasure that was recovered from the devastation now stands in their new home, symbolizing how different their story might See REBUILD, Page A8
Ron Thompson walks past tarp-covered items that the couple were given to help them start over.
which ended up a bit outside — a strike. That didn’t stop Haldeman, a detective with the Snohomish County Sheriff ’s Department, and several others who helped during the afternath of the deadly Oso mudslide from receiving a standing ovation at Safeco Field. They were honored during Stilly Valley Community Day before Saturday afternoon’s Mariners game against the Baltimore Orioles. “It’s a great honor to be able to come out and do something like this,” said Haldeman, who threw the first pitch to former Everett AquaSox catcher Mike Zunino. “It’s very cool for the Mariners to honor the rescuers and the first responders. We really appreciate it.” Haldeman established the first command post east of the slide. With his truck, police radio and supplies from his garage, he helped get initial rescue efforts started. In the following days and weeks, he used vacation time to work an excavator to recover people and belongings. before the game, a moment of silence was held for the victims of the Oso mudslide as all of their names were displayed on the scoreboard in center field. Free and discounted tickets were distributed in Darrington, Arlington and throughout the Stillaguamish Valley with the residents filling almost eleven sections in right field with more than 4,000 fans.
See GAME, Page A6
WAYS YOU REALLY CAN SAVE
HIKE ISLAND STYLE
Two days into camp, the Super Bowl champs are doing what they do best. Sports, C1
Little-known discounts and other ways to reduce car insurance rates. Moneywise, E1
Get a taste of the San Juans and Gulf Islands on two gorgeous hikes. Outdoors, D6
Celebrations . . . A6 Classified . . . . . E2
Crossword . . . . D4 Dear Abby. . . . . D5
Horoscope . . . . D4 Lottery . . . . . . . A2
Moneywise. . . . E1 Movies . . . . . . . D5
Obituaries. . . . . B6 Viewpoints . . . . B9
Cheery 77/55, C10
VOL. 114, NO. 167 © 2014 THE DAILY HERALD CO.
SUNDAY
SEAHAWKS STAYING THE COURSE
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