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SWAT on the water
Bellevue Police conduct drills on Lake Washington
Pianos in the Parks [ 03 ]
BELLEVUEREPORTER.COM
News
BELLEVUE
REPO ORTER RTER FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015
Loss of high-tech credits gets mixed review Rep. Hunter says jobs created not worth the cost BY BRANDON MACZ BELLEVUE REPORTER
The expiration of a decade-long tax credit for high-tech research and development meant to stimuA second season for the program, but a first for Bellevue and its residents
Sports
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late job creation in Washington is being met with mixed reviews, the Legislature this past session deciding the benefits haven’t justified the cost. “The actual cost of the incentive
— for the jobs that it created — was surprisingly high,” said Rep. Ross Hunter, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. “It’s just not a cost-effective way to generate jobs.” The Medina Democrat points to the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee’s findings that
Knocking ‘em down
the credit resulted in a less than 1 percent increase in high-tech employment between 1995 and 2012. That’s $60 million each two-year budget cycle, or about $45,000 per job created. SEE CREDITS, 14
City loses appeal of firefighter’s cancer benefits
Improving his game
City failed to prove melanoma not an occupational disease BY BRANDON MACZ BELLEVUE REPORTER
go to the national championship. Members of the Bellevue Fire Department hosted the event for the first time at the Marketplace at Factoria on Saturday, July 11. The department is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and wanted to hold community events in honor of the milestone. “It really reflects on the fire service in general, and it’s just a
The Washington Court of Appeals decided Monday in favor of a trial court that sided with a Bellevue firefighter seeking reinstatement of his industrial insurance benefits after he was diagnosed with skin cancer. The court found the city of Bellevue failed to prove Wilfred Larson’s occupation and melanoma were unrelated. Larson had been working for 30 years as a firefighter and EMT for the city when he was diagnosed with malignant melanoma in 2009. The state Department of Labor and Industries awarded Larson benefits, but the city convinced the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals to reverse the decision. The King County Superior Court again reversed the decision, finding the city did not definitively disprove Larson’s claim that his skin cancer was an occupational disease. At trial, Larson testified to being
SEE CHALLENGE, 15
SEE BENEFITS, 15
Interlake Saints senior bringing camp skills back to the hardwood next season
Ball in his court
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Allison DeAngelis, Bellevue Reporter
(Above) A firefigher in full gear shoots a target with a fire hose he has just dragged 75 feet. (Below) Competitor Ben McCone of the Tukwila Fire Department hugs his wife, Suzanne, after making it to the championships.
Bellevue Fire hosts 2015 Combat Challenge BY ALLISON DEANGELIS
Rob Marlow lands first varsity head coaching position with Knights
BELLEVUE REPORTER
@BelReporter
Dozens of local firefighters strapped on oxygen tanks, masks and other gear to race one another in a timed firefighter challenge for bragging rights and the chance to
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