BOTHELL | Fireworks ban advisory vote set for 2016 general election [7]
.com
REPORTER
NEWSLINE: 425.483.3732
B O T H E L L˜
Wildwood | Bothell distillery is a labor of love [13] KeepKey | Bothell business aims to make security for Bitcoins a reality [15]
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015
Bothell star on Main Street once again dressed up for Christmas BY AARON KUNKLER akunkler@bothell-reporter.com
T
here’s an old hometown superstar in Bothell, one that has been seen in the pages of the Seattle Times and in international headlines. It has been silently keeping a watchful eye on genera-
tions of locals. Now, many are a seeing it in all new lights. The massive pine tree along Main Street and 102 Avenue Northeast has called the same spot home since at least 1911, and recently, Main Street Antique owner Linda Dorset decided to do her home-
work on their coniferous neighbor. “It’s a famous tree that’s brought a lot of happiness to the people of Bothell,” she said. According to her research, beginning in the mid 1930s the tree was strung up with Christmas lights in an annual tradi-
tion. Local businesses would rally together and finance the decorations, and Nims Electric would wire it up. The lighting ceremony was stuffed with ceremony and tradition, with Santa and his wife making annual visits. The tree appeared in the
Seattle Times in 1968, and was hailed as the tallest Christmas tree in the world by Time Magazine in 1962. It was such an icon that McMenamins commissioned a painting of it for their Anderson School campus. The tree sat on the same plot as the iconic Lytle
Police continue search for missing firefighter
House, which has since been moved to the Park at Bothell Landing. Dorsey thinks when the house was moved some branches were damaged, causing the tree to be topped in the the late 1970s to save it. [ more TREE page 3 ]
Building their business block by block
BY AARON KUNKLER akunkler@bothell-reporter.com
Investigators continue to search for missing Bothell man and Seattle firefighter Joshua Ryan Milton after he went missing last Thursday afternoon and his car was found near Deception Pass Saturday. The 36-year-old was last seen near Harborview Medical Center around 3:30
Owners Glenn and Janelle Reckard own Just Playing Around Toys, a home-based Lego store in Bothell. Glenn started the business as a way to support his wife when she was diagnosed with cancer. For the full story see page 6. AARON KUNKLER, Bothell Reporter
[ more MISSING page 6 ]
‘Tis the season for scammers and thieves, beware of fake IRS calls BY ARRON KUNKLER akunkler@bothell-reproter.com
A Kenmore man fell victim to scammers last month after sending them $11,000. On Nov. 30, the man received a call from
someone claiming to be with the Internal Revenue Service, King County Sheriff ’s Office spokeswoman Cindi West said. They said he owed $10,000 in back taxes which he had to pay immediately, and instructed
the victim to buy 22 $500 Green Dot Visa cards. The victim bought the cards, and read off the numbers, expiration dates and security codes over the phone, after which the scammers said he would receive a confirmation call the next day. When the man did
receive a call the next day, the scammers said the cards he supplied were expired and he needed to purchase another $11,000 worth. The victim became suspicious and found the number listed as a known scammer online, after which he contacted
F
police. Other scams have been circulating the area recently, the Sheriff ’s office said, including one where victims receive a call saying there is a warrant for their arrest for missing jury duty, and they must pay to cancel the warrant. West said the scam-
BESTSOHORE NO2R0T11H-2015PORTER
RE ORE EN M B OTHELL/K
mers are pushy, and will threaten immediate arrest, but said to hang up and that law enforcement never makes calls with threats of arrest or to force payment. West said if residents receive any calls asking for money, credit card or [ more SCAM page 14 ]
Now Enrolling for ½ Day Kindergarten Preparatory Program!
1470972
Kenmore man cheated out of $11,000