Sounder The Islands’
Serving Orcas, Lopez and San Juan County
WEDNESDAY, February 10, 2016 n VOL. 49, NO. 6 n 75¢ n islandssounder.com
Valentine’s Day special
– pages 7 to 9
SJ man found living in woods
When a family falls apart Council approves chipseal
by Cali Bagby Journal editor
A man found living in the woods is suspected of a rash of burglaries on San Juan Island. While the alleged crime spree is reminiscent of the Barefoot Bandit, there could be a more sinister element. Chase Eric Stoddard, 21, of Olympia, Wash., has been charged with crimes that allegedly occurred between the dates of Sept. 1, 2015 and Jan. 22, 2016. Stoddard is facing four counts of residential burglary and three counts of theft in the third degree. Stoddard also has an active warrant out for rape of a child in the first degree in Thurston County. On Jan. 10, the sheriff ’s office investigated a report of burglary and theft of a home, where it is believed that Stoddard entered through an unlocked window. According to the officer's report, a person other than the homeowners was in the house for some time cooking meals, watching TV and stealing money. Five days later, the sheriff 's office investigated another burglarized residence within walking distance from the home mentioned above. The deputy reported that a person broke into the residence, a trailer, and stole several items. Another nearby owner reported a break-in of his yurt. It was reported that a strange message was left in the yurt guest book signed by “Chase.” The deputy also found what appeared to be an abandoned cabin in the area that appeared to be occupied by a person. The homeowners could not be located at that time. Further investigation by the sheriff 's office revealed that Stoddard had posted on his Facebook that he was living in
SEE STODDARD, PAGE 2
In the wake of abuse or neglect, who picks up the pieces for Orcas Island children? by Colleen Smith Armstrong and Mandi Johnson Sounder staff
When Orcas foster parent Kim Ihlenfeldt wrote a guest column for the Islands’ Sounder last month, one paragraph jumped out to readers: “Last April, alone, there were 10 Orcas Island children removed from their homes. A handful of them were taken in by island relatives and family friends, also knows as fictive-kin. The others were sent off island, stripped from everything familiar to them and from our community, and sent away.” In a small community, it can come as a shock when “big city” problems like domestic violence, drug use and child neglect come into view. But for professionals in social services, they say those issues are alive and well on Orcas Island. “All of the children I know who have been removed from their homes on Orcas, it’s because their parents used meth, alcohol, heroin or pills,” said Ihlenfeldt. “For the kids last spring, it was a build up of struggles for many years combined with a lack of Child Protective Services involvement.” She says that moving San Juan County from the Whidbey Island jurisdiction to Mt. Vernon resulted in new case workers and renewed interest in the islands. Erin O’Dell, director for Orcas Family Connections, said it was a “big shock” to the community when CPS took decisive action. She says social workers are much more attentive to Orcas families now.
How does CPS get involved? Many of the calls that come into CPS are made by mandated reporters: people who work with kids on a regular basis and are trained to recognize signs of problems at home. They are required by law to report reasonable suspicions of neglect or abuse. Most children aren’t aware they are living in abusive situations, so they don’t advocate for themselves. “Teachers are our eyes and ears,” O’Dell said. All Orcas school teachers receive mandatory reporter training. For middle and high schoolers in need of assistance, there are counselor Nancy Wrightsman and Student and Family Empowerment Advocate Julie Pinardi. Pinardi oversees the teen tutoring and parent groups and is the coordinator of the district’s mental health program, which matches students in need with local mental health counselors. These services are provided through the county’s Community Wellness Program, which is funded by the 1/10th of 1 percent mental health sales tax implemented in 2008. The program provides short-term counseling services for individuals, couples, families and children. At the elementary school, students are served by social worker Sandra Burt and Margie Sabine, coordinator of Student and Family Empowerment and the Primary Intervention Program and homeless liaison for the district. For the past year, the district has been working with the county, Compass Health and North Sound Mental Health Administration to have a
SEE FAMILY, PAGE 5
At its regular meeting on Feb. 2, the San Juan County Council unanimously approved chipsealing Dolphin Bay Road on Orcas Island. “After reading over one hundred emails, the petition and speaking with many residents, I felt that it was important to be prudent with county funds,” said Rick Hughes. “This conversion will save $237,000 over 40 years, it will improve safety for locals and visitors and I don’t feel Dolphin Bay road’s rural character will change.” The Sounder did a poll on what should be done, and the results indicated more people were in support of the paving and/or chipsealing of Dolphin Bay Road than were against chipsealing it. There is no indication that the county intends to pave the road. Many of the “other” votes included leaving the decision to people who live on the road, leave the road as gravel and maintain it and widening the road.
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