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REPORTER
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FEATURE | New gaming league offers fun and friendship [8] CRIME ALERT | Redmond Police Blotter [3]
COMMUNITY | Derby Days events are on the way July 10-11. [9]
FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2015
A DIVISION OF SOUND PUBLISHING
Girl struck by car, killed at Redmond Town Center ANDY NYSTROM anystrom@redmond-reporter.com
Flowers are placed near where a girl was struck by a car and killed on Wednesday evening at Redmond Town Center. ANDY NYSTROM, Redmond Reporter
Carnations and a single red rose were placed near the area where a 2-year-old Redmond girl was struck by a car and killed at Redmond Town Center on Wednesday evening. The accident occurred at the intersection of 164th Avenue Northeast and Northeast 74th Street, according to Redmond Police Department (RPD)
Cmdr. Charlie Gorman. “This is a tragic situation for all involved. Our hearts go out to the family of the victim,” said RPD Chief Ron Gibson. A Redmond Town Center representative on scene Thursday morning said the playground would be open that day and they’re taking a look at the area regarding safety issues. RPD and the Redmond Fire Department received the call at
about 4:57 p.m. on Wednesday and were quickly on scene. Gorman said the girl darted out from the nearby playground into the street as the male driver slowed to a stop and struck the girl, who died on scene. The driver, a 25-year-old from Kenmore, cooperated with police and agreed to take a voluntary blood draw. According to an RPD press
release, at this time, drugs and/ or alcohol don’t appear to be factors in the accident. The driver was heading eastbound on 74th and approaching the stop sign at 164th when the accident occurred. According to the RPD release, “the investigation reveals the driver did not have an opportunity to see the child or to stop in time.” [ more GIRL page 5 ]
Locals discuss historic same-sex marriage ruling SAMANTHA PAK spak@redmond-reporter.com
On June 26, the U.S. Supreme Court voted 5-4 to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide. Maddy Bennett was at her father’s house when she heard the news — finding out on Facebook as many of her friends were posting about it. And while she wanted to go out and join the celebrations, she had to stay home and take care of her sick dog. “I was really happy,” the 17-year-old incoming Redmond High School senior said.
Bennett is not gay, but she does have gay family members and friends. She said with this decision, it shows them that their love for their significant others is just as real as anyone else’s love.
THE SAME AS EVERYONE ELSE
In addition to being happy that same-sex marriage is legal everywhere, Bennett also imagined telling her future grandchildren about that moment. She said she imagines they would think it was silly that [ more RULING page 5 ]
Making a splash Redmond residents, top from left to right, Logan Warriner, Martin Penberthy and Isaac Jose skip stones at Idylwood Beach Park on Lake Sammamish Tuesday afternoon. The beach was packed with people beating the 83-degree heat. ANDY NYSTROM, Redmond Reporter
Sherpa returns from Nepal, continues to support relief efforts SAMANTHA PAK spak@redmond-reporter.com
Danu Sherpa is raising money to build a school in Katmandu, Nepal. Courtesy photo
It’s been more than two months since the 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit Nepal, but there is still work to be done for Danu Sherpa. When he first learned about the earthquake on April 25, he caught a flight to return to his home
country that same evening. Sherpa had received a phone call telling him that seven people he knew — including some family members — had died in the earthquake. As previously reported, the 44-year-old City of Redmond employee helped with relief efforts while he was there — both for his
family and others whose homes were destroyed by the earthquakes (a 6.7-magnitude aftershock hit April 26 and smaller-scale quakes of 3.5- and 4.5-magnitude hit Katmandu, Nepal on an almost daily basis). People were in need of shelter, water, food, clothing, blankets and more.
“All I see is destruction,” Sherpa said, recalling what he witnessed in Katmandu, where his relatives live. “It broke my heart. I was very saddened.” Despite his heavy heart, Sherpa said he did not cry because he knew he had to be strong. He added that he felt blessed to be able to help
as many people as he did in Nepal. While Sherpa spent most of his time in Katmandu, he said he traveled to a remote village near Mt. Everest where one of his sisters lived. On his way to the village, he saw many homes that were destroyed in the [ more SHERPA page 6 ]