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Firefighter solicits prostitutes, leads to gang member’s arrest
KFD starts internal investigation after employee granted immunity BY TJ MARTINELL tmartinell@kirklandreporter.com
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Kirkland firefighter became entangled with a prostitution ring in February that resulted in the arrest of an alleged member of the infamous Los Angeles Crips gang,
according to a Kirkland Police Department investigation. The Reporter obtained the documents through a public information request and is not naming the firefighter because he is considered a victim by investigators. The firefighter first became involved after meet-
ing up with a 19-year-old alleged prostitute in February, according to police documents. The woman, who is also considered a victim in the case, was referred to the firefighter by several other alleged prostitutes. While the alleged prostitute was at the firefight-
er’s house in Kirkland, the woman stated she had a drug problem, according to a written statement by the firefighter. She said she had a child who was taken away from her at birth. The child was born two months premature and addicted to methamphetimine. The investigators also concluded that the
19-year-old woman matched the description and cell phone number of a woman listed on Backpage.com. The firefighter admitted to police that he slept in the same bed with the woman, but denied having any sexual relations. He claimed he tried to get her help for her drug use, the documents continue.
Several days later the woman’s Child Protective Services (CPS) worker showed up at the firefighter’s home. Shortly after, the alleged prostitute left in a blue vehicle driven by a black male. A few minutes later the firefighter received a phone call on his cell from a man claiming he [ more SOLICIT page 3 ]
Kirklanders remember “The Box” at JHS memorial Friends and family pack JHS Field House to say goodbye to Chuck Tarbox BY TJ MARTINELL tmartinell@kirklandreporter.com
A memorial was held at the Juanita High School Field House Monday for former head football coach Chuck Tarbox. Friends, family and associates spoke about the coach and his impact on their lives. LAYOUT BY MATT PHELPS, PHOTOS BY TJ MARINELL, Kirkland Reporter
Kirkland woman follows opera passion to Santa Fe BY TJ MARTINELL tmartinell@kirklandreporter.com
Kirkland native Abigail Mitchell decided at the age of 14 that she wanted to be an opera singer. Fifteen years later, that dream has been realized. Mitchell, a soprano, is currently an apprentice with the Sante Fe Opera, where she studied last
summer. A graduate of Indiana University, she also spent two years in London and has acted in dozens of operas. Mitchell’s love of singing was aided by her father, whom she said appreciated classical music. At age 8, she sang in the Columbia Children’s Choir in the Seattle area and toured
around Europe. Yet, she said it wasn’t until her father brought home a recording of Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” that she decided she wanted to sing opera. “I think it is a very unique style of singing, which I think is why a lot of people don’t like it,” she said. “Also, it’s clearly the
most difficult style of singing. Nobody can argue that any kind of singing is more difficult. I think I sensed that and was drawn into the challenge of it. That was very enticing to me.” Singing while participating in a dramatic story was another appealing aspect of opera, she said. “I also liked the fact that
it was also drama,” she said. “I liked the idea of being on stage and being a character and wearing a costume.” After she went with her family to see “Don Giovonni,” she announced to them her intent to sing opera. “They were enthusiastic, perhaps surprised,” she said. “They had always been supportive of my singing.”
As a young man, Chuck Tarbox seemed to predict his own future as a legendary high school football coach. While a student at Queen Anne High School, he wrote an essay for language arts class titled “Coaching Football at a High School Level.” In the essay, he wrote on the importance of a good coach in order to have a successful team. As Tarbox saw it, it was [ more TARBOX page 11 ]
Determined to learn, Mitchell picked up the phone book and found a voice instructor to work with her every week and eventually helped her audition for colleges when she was a senior at Inglemoor High School. Ironically, Mitchell said she was determined to study at a conservatory on the West Coast and East Coast, she ended up in the Midwest. [ more OPERA page 6 ]