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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2015
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Events | Halloween happenings and safety tips for the big night [9] First pitch | Kirkland teacher gets her shot in the big leagues [2]
Anonymous donor, firefighters rescue Halloween tradition BY TJ MARTINELL tmartinell@kirklandreporter.com
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Kirkland family’s front lawn Halloween maze, that has haunted trick-or-treaters in the Juanita neighborhood for 15 years, might have been permanently scared off by city ordinances if it wasn’t for one gener-
ous person and Kirkland firefighters. David Morris, a Kirkland resident since 1980, said the haunted maze his family constructs on their front lawn on the 11000 block of 108th Ave NE every Halloween has become a neighborhood tradition. However, city code enforcement officers told him that
the maze violates several sections of the municipal code. “Halloween is really great fun,” he said. “I decided to do something to create a memory for kids. That’s all it is. Over the years, it’s kind of taken on a life of its own, and it’s gotten bigger and bigger.” City of Kirkland Com-
munications Manager Marie Jensen released a statement late Friday afternoon stating that the city had confirmed that a rental tent would be delivered to the Halloween House in Kirkland on Monday, when KFD firefighters from IAFF Local 2545 were on site to help set it up. [ more MAZE page 6 ]
Local firefighters helped a Kirkland man set up a donated tent for his Halloween maze. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Voters Pamphlet correction for Prop. 1
Man shot by police tried to give away child
REPORTER STAFF
King County has issued several corrections to its voters’ pamphlet, two concerning Kirkland issues. Initial pamphlets for Kirkland voters in Lake Washington School District No. 414 were missing two components— information on city of Kirkland Proposition No. 1, Formation of Kirkland Aquatics and Recreation District, and a Director District No. 1 candidate photo for Lake Washington School District No. 414. “We regret our publishing error and remind voters they can get all of their voter information online as well,” said King County Elections Director Sherril Huff. The pro-statement for Proposition 1 stated that the MPD would require “voter approval of any major expenditures.” This statement has since been removed by King County on its election website as it is false. Kirkland City Attorney Robin Jenkinson stated that the citizen advisory vote would not be legally binding on the MPD or the MPD board’s decisions. The members of the MPD would have final say on tax increases pertaining to the district.
Finding gold at the Head of the Charles Above, Kirkland resident Janice Stone competes in the Head of the Charles race in Boston and takes first in her age group. Right, Stone poses for a photo after the event with her gold medal. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
Kirkland woman takes first in prestigious national regatta BY TJ MARTINELL tmartinell@kirklandreporter.com
Kirkland resident Janice Stone has earned her third gold medal at the Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston. Stone took first in the Senior Women’s Veterans II age group for women single scullers of ages 75-79 with a time of 26 minutes, 10 seconds. The
Head of the Charles is the largest two-day regatta in the world. About 11,000 athletes compete in over 1,900 boats in 61 events, and the event attracts around 300,000 spectators during the weekend. Stone, who began rowing in 1995 after retiring, previously took the gold in 2010, where she also set the course record, as well as 2011. This year
marks her 15th single rowing race, having competed in the women’s 4s and 8s several times until rowing singles exclusively in 2000.
Although she raced in her respective age group, Stone said the actual race itself featured women from five age categories, [ more STONE page 3 ]
King County Medical Examiner identifies victim as Robert Burgess, Jr. BY TJ MARTINELL tmartinell@kirklandreporter.com
The name of the man shot by a Kirkland police officer has been released, along with more details concerning the initial cause for the police response. Robert Burgess, Jr., 35, was killed by a gunshot wound to the head according to the King County Medical Examiner. His residence is not known. The Reporter has also learned that Burgess apparently was attempting to give away a three-year-old boy, presumed to be his son, when police were contacted by local residents. According to Kirkland Police Department spokesperson Lt. Mike Murray, Burgess asked several women to take the child. However, the boy was not present when Burgess was shot and he was recovered by officers after their initial encounter with Burgess in which the man fled and later attempted several failed armed carjackings. The child was not hurt, [ more SHOOTING page 5 ]