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Queen Anne News 05202026

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MAY 20, 2026

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amilton International Middle School seventh grader Raven Amrhein will represent Washington state at the Scripps National Spelling Bee later this month, competing against about 250 of the nation’s top student spellers. According to Seattle Public Schools, Raven won the Scripps Regional Spelling Bee for King and Snohomish counties, earning a spot at the national competition in Washington, D.C. Raven is the only student from Washington state competing in this year’s national bee. The competition will take place May 27 and 28, with rounds broadcast on Scripps Sports and ION. For Raven, the trip to nationals is the result of years of practice, persistence and a long-running interest in words. Raven’s spelling journey began in second grade at Cascadia Elementary. Early attempts did not end in victory, but each missed word became part of the learning process. Words such as “brocade” and “procrustean” left a lasting impression, helping build the foundation for future competitions. By fifth grade, Raven had won their school spelling bee. They went on to place second at regionals in 2024 and fourth in 2025 before winning the regional bee this year. Now, as a Hamilton seventh grader, Raven is preparing for the national stage with a demanding study routine. Seattle Public Schools reported that Raven studies hundreds of words each day, using memorization, online practice tools and official spelling resources such as “Words of the Champions,” a collection of words from past spelling bees. Raven’s interest in words started early. According to Seattle Public Schools, Raven has hyperlexia and began reading at 18 months old. While decoding words came naturally, understanding them developed over time. That early connection to language has since grown into a competitive skill. “I don’t think I’m a genius,” Raven said in the district’s release. “I just think that I have memorized a lot of words.” The Scripps National Spelling Bee tests more than spelling alone. Competitors also face vocabulary rounds and written tests during Bee Week, along with activities, tours and events for participating students. Raven also has a favorite word. Once, it was “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.” These days, Seattle Public Schools reports, Raven’s current favorite word is pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis, a lung disease caused by inhaling very fine dust. If you’re wondering how to pronounce it, you’re in good company. Even Steve Harvey had to pause when the word made a memorable appearance on Little Big Shots. For Hamilton and Seattle Public Schools, Raven’s trip marks a point of pride. For Raven, it is the next step in a spelling career built one word, and one remembered mistake, at a time.

Staff Report

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eattle has opened four new free public restrooms in Pioneer Square and the stadium district, and the cost is drawing almost as much attention as the bathrooms themselves. The one-year pilot program will cost the city $465,000 for four restroom units, including cleaning and maintenance, according to reporting by KIRO 7. That works out to more than $116,000 per restroom for the year. The Seattle Department of Transportation says the restrooms are part of a partnership with Throne Labs, a company that provides movable, solar-powered restroom units. Two restrooms are located at Second Avenue South and South Washington Street, and two are located at First Avenue South and South Charles Street, outside Lumen Field. The facilities are scheduled to be open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. City officials describe the pilot as a way to provide clean, accessible restrooms in one of Seattle’s busiest areas. Pioneer Square and the stadium district regularly serve commuters, tourists, event crowds, service workers, nightlife visitors and people experiencing homelessness. Seattle has long struggled with a shortage of public restroom access, and the problem is visible downtown. Without places to go, people use alleys, sidewalks, building

SDOT

Staff Report

City of Seattle Spent How Much on 4 Pioneer Square Restrooms?!

entrances and other public spaces. That creates sanitation concerns for residents, businesses, visitors and city workers responsible for cleanup. Mayor Katie Wilson defended the expense in an interview with KIRO 7 “If you look at how much money the city does already spend addressing sanitation issues that arise because we don’t have toilets, this is actually, I think, a pretty cost-effective way to deal with the issue,”

HOW THE RESTROOMS WORK

are solar-powered, supported by backup batteries and equipped with built-in water and waste tanks. That allows them to operate without traditional plumbing hookups, which the city says makes them faster and more cost-efficient to install than permanent facilities. The units include ADA access, grab bars, baby-changing stations, touchless toilets and handwashing stations. They also include NaviLens codes to assist people who are blind or have low vision.

The new restrooms are not standard portable toilets. SDOT says the Throne units

RESTROOMS, 2

Seattle Keeps the Starbucks Name, Nashville Gets the Growth Staff Report

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tarbucks says Seattle is still home. The job numbers tell a more complicated story. The Seattle-born coffee company is cutting hundreds of corporate jobs tied to its Seattle operations while building a new corporate hub in Nashville expected to house up to 2,000 support jobs over the next five years. The shift has intensified questions about whether one of Seattle’s most recognizable companies is quietly moving future growth elsewhere, even as it continues to call Seattle its headquarters. The company recently disclosed plans to eliminate 61 technology jobs at its Starbucks Support Center in Seattle, with layoffs expected to take effect between June 20 and Aug. 28. The cuts are tied to a reorganization of the company’s technology department and are separate from the company’s larger restructuring and Nashville expansion plans. Starbucks also announced a broader round of 300 U.S. corporate layoffs and several regional office closures as part of CEO Brian Niccol’s ongoing turnaround strategy. Reuters reported that the company is closing regional support offices in Atlanta, Burbank, Chicago and Dallas, while coffeehouse employees are not included in the corporate cuts.

NASHVILLE GETS THE GROWTH

In April, Starbucks announced a $100 million investment in Nashville, where it plans to build a major corporate hub and add up to 2,000 support jobs over five years. The company has said the Nashville office will “complement” its Seattle headquarters rather than replace it, but its own announcement makes clear that some support roles will move from Seattle to Tennessee.

JHVEPHOTO - STOCK.ADOBE.COM

Queen Anne Middle School Student Heads to National Spelling Bee

VOL. 107, NO. 21

In a message to employees, Starbucks Executive Vice President and Chief Partner Officer Sara Kelly said the Nashville roles would include new jobs, insourced work and “in some cases, moving select teams from Seattle to Nashville.” She wrote that some Starbucks Technology teams were told they would move to Nashville, while others would remain in Seattle. The company has framed the move around growth in the South and East, proximity to suppliers, and access to technology talent. But for Seattle workers, the expansion has raised a more immediate question: whether their jobs will stay here. Some employees have reportedly resisted relocation. The New York Post reported that

some Seattle-based Starbucks office workers were reluctant to move to Tennessee, citing concerns about lower pay tied to Nashville’s lower cost of living, job security, and political or cultural differences between Seattle and Tennessee.

MORE CUTS, MORE QUESTIONS

The recent Seattle technology layoffs are only one part of a broader restructuring. Reuters reported that Starbucks expects to pay about $120 million in severance and reduce the value of certain real estate by about $280 million as part of its latest costcutting plan.

STARBUCKS, 2


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MAY 20, 2026

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Access is free, but not exactly simple for everyone. Users must scan a QR code, send a text message or use the Throne app to open the door. SDOT says Throne is training Downtown Ambassadors and CARE team members to help people without cell phones access the restrooms. The people most affected by a lack of public restrooms may include people experiencing homelessness, people without reliable phone access, seniors, tourists with dead batteries and

The city says the restrooms will be cleaned several times a day anyone not comfortable navigating a restroom through an app or text system. If someone without a phone needs to use the restroom, the city’s current answer is that trained outreach workers can help. But that requires the person to find one of those workers first.

THE HOURS PROBLEM

The restrooms will be open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. That covers a large portion of daytime use, stadium traffic and downtown foot traffic. But the need for restrooms does not stop at 10 p.m. Pioneer Square has nightlife, late workers, event crowds and people sleeping outside. If the city is trying to reduce public urination and human waste in alleys and doorways, closing the bathrooms overnight leaves a significant gap. The limited hours may make sense for safety and maintenance during a pilot program, but they also mean Seattle is testing a partial solution to a 24-hour problem.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER 10 MINUTES?

Each restroom has a 10-minute time limit. SDOT says the limit is intended to keep the facilities available, safe and clean. Users

STARBUCKS, FROM 1 The Associated Press reported the company is also working to simplify operations and improve performance under Niccol, who took over in 2024. The company is redesigning stores and investing in coffeehouse staffing even as it cuts corporate roles. That split is important. Starbucks is not cutting baristas in this round. It is cutting corporate support roles, the kinds of jobs that helped make Seattle a headquarters city.

SCHULTZ TURNS ON SEATTLE

The corporate shift comes as former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz is publicly criticizing the city that helped build the company. In a Wall Street Journal opinion piece titled “Seattle Turns Hostile to the Great Businesses It Made,” Schultz argued that Seattle and Washington state have become increasingly unfriendly to major employers and entrepreneurs. He pointed to Starbucks moving jobs from Washington to Tennessee as one example of a broader pattern. According to local coverage of the op-ed, Schultz criticized Mayor Katie Wilson and accused Seattle’s political leadership of treating business as an adversary rather than a partner. Schultz said Wilson has used rhetoric that “vilifies employers,” even as the city relies on business revenue. Schultz also pointed to broader civic and economic problems, including chronic homelessness, public safety concerns, budget deficits, declining school outcomes and a slowing technology hiring cycle. His argument was not simply that taxes are high, but that government spending has not produced results equal to the cost. He also criticized state and local tax policy, including Washington’s capital gains tax, Seattle’s payroll tax and new taxes on high-income residents. The New York Post reported that Schultz warned such policies are pushing companies and high earners to reconsider whether to stay in Washington.

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Savvy Senior: Senior Travel Discounts: How to Save on Your Next Trip

receive a warning before the door automatically opens when the time limit is reached. That may help prevent misuse or extended occupancy, but it also raises privacy and accessibility questions. Ten minutes may be enough for most restroom visits. It may not be enough for someone with a disability, a caregiver helping a child, a senior with mobility challenges or someone dealing with illness. For a public restroom pilot focused on accessibility, the automatic-door feature is likely to be one of the details residents will watch closely.

CLEAN, SAFE AND MONITORED

SDOT says the restrooms are designed to be monitored and maintained throughout the day. The units can alert staff when freshwater tanks are low or waste tanks need service. Users can also report unsanitary conditions through the system, allowing problems to be addressed quickly. The city says the restrooms will be cleaned several times a day by Throne as needed, roughly after every 11 uses. Those maintenance promises are central to the pilot. Seattle’s public restroom problem is not just about whether bathrooms exist. It is about whether they remain clean, safe and usable long enough for people to rely on them.

A TEST BEFORE WORLD CUP CROWDS

The restroom pilot comes as Seattle prepares for the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup. SDOT says Pioneer Square is expected to become a walkable pedestrian zone during six match days. More than 100 traditional portable toilets are expected to be added during those events, in addition to the four Throne units. If the pilot succeeds, the city may consider adding similar restrooms in other locations. For now, Seattle’s four new Pioneer Square restrooms are doing two things at once: offering a needed public service and testing whether a high-tech, phone-accessed bathroom can solve a very basic urban problem at a price taxpayers will accept.

The comments landed sharply because Schultz is not just another retired executive. He remains one of the most recognizable figures in Seattle business history and is still closely associated with Starbucks’ rise from a local coffee company to a global brand. His criticism also comes after Wilson previously joined Starbucks workers on a picket line. FOX 13 reported that Wilson said at the time, “I am not buying Starbucks and you should not too.” That history makes the current moment feel especially charged. Starbucks is cutting Seattle corporate jobs. The company is planning thousands of future roles in Tennessee. Its former CEO is publicly accusing Seattle of turning against business. And some workers are being asked to decide whether their future with the company requires leaving the city where Starbucks was born.

SEATTLE STILL HAS THE NAME

Starbucks has not said it is leaving Seattle. The company still describes the city as its global and North America headquarters, and the SoDo support center remains one of its major corporate locations. But the direction of growth is becoming harder to ignore. Seattle is keeping the headquarters title. Nashville is getting the new office, the $100 million investment and the promise of up to 2,000 jobs. At the same time, Seattle workers are facing layoffs, relocation decisions and uncertainty about how much of Starbucks’ future will remain tied to its hometown. For Seattle, the question is no longer whether Starbucks will remove its name from the headquarters building tomorrow. The question is whether future investment, influence and high-paying corporate jobs will increasingly happen somewhere else. Starbucks may not be saying goodbye outright. But between the layoffs, the Nashville buildout and Schultz’s public rebuke, the company’s relationship with Seattle looks less like a hometown bond and more like a strained partnership nearing a breaking point.

CLICKAMERICANA.COM

RESTROOMS, FROM 1

MAY 20, 2026

By Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, My husband and I are retiring later this year and hope to travel more while we’re still healthy and active. Our budget will be tighter, so every dollar counts. Are there worthwhile senior travel discounts you can tell us about, and at what age do they begin? —Ready to Roam

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Dear Ready, etirement is the perfect time to start checking destinations off your wish list. Senior travel discounts can make a real difference. Whether it’s airfare, hotels, cruises, train tickets or attractions, the savings can add up – sometimes hundreds of dollars per trip – if you know where to look and compare. To qualify, you’ll need to meet the age requirement, which varies by company. Some start as early as 50, but most don’t kick in until 55, 60, 62 or 65. Knowing these benchmarks helps you plan and save as soon as you’re eligible. WAYS TO SAVE One of the best ways to uncover senior travel deals is through membership organizations. AARP, with membership starting at 50, offers the deepest travel discounts, including savings on hotels, rental cars, cruises and vacation packages. AAA also provides travel-planning services and member savings on lodging and car rentals to adults of any age. Another simple but often overlooked strategy is to ask. Many hotels, tours and attractions don’t advertise senior discounts but may offer one if you inquire. Keep in mind, though, that the “senior rate” isn’t always the lowest price. Promotional sales, advancepurchase fares and seasonal specials can sometimes be cheaper, so compare before booking. Flexibility is another powerful money-saving tool. Traveling midweek, avoiding peak holidays, booking during shoulder seasons, or adjusting your dates slightly can significantly lower costs. You may also find last-minute deals on cruises, rail trips and guided tours, especially during slower travel periods when companies are eager to fill unsold space. HERE’S A RUNDOWN OF SOME DIFFERENT DISCOUNT DEALS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE: Airlines: Senior airfare discounts are less common than they once were,

but some still exist. AARP members can get discounts on select British Airways flights, about $65 off economy and up to $200 off business class. United and Delta may offer limited senior fares, usually for travelers 65 and older, on select routes if booked by phone or using “Senior” search tools. Loyalty programs can also add value through free checked bags or seat upgrades. Trains: Amtrak offers about 10 percent off for travelers 65-plus on many routes, with some cross-border discounts starting at 60. Rail passes and multi-city tickets may provide additional savings. Rental cars: AARP members can save up to 30 percent with companies like Avis and Budget, often with perks like a free additional driver and reduced rates on optional coverage. Hertz offers discounts through its 50 Plus Program. Hotels & lodging: Many hotel brands offer senior or AARP rates, typically 10 to 15 percent off. Examples include Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (Days Inn, Ramada, Super 8, La Quinta), Best Western, Choice Hotels (Comfort Inn, Quality Inn), Cambria, and Rodeway Inn. Booking directly or through AARP usually ensures the rate. Cruises: Some lines offer discounted fares for travelers 55-plus on select sailings, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, MSC, and Viking River Cruises. AARP members may receive additional onboard credits through affiliated providers. Off-peak sailings often provide the best value. Restaurants: Many chains offer senior menus, complimentary beverages, or percentage discounts for ages 55 or 60-plus, including Applebee’s, Arby’s, Burger King, Chili’s, Chickfil-A, Denny’s, IHOP, Boston Market, and CiCi’s Pizza. Participation varies by location. Entertainment & attractions: Museums, theaters, zoos, aquariums, and golf courses often offer reduced admission for seniors 60 or 65-plus. One of the best bargains is the America the Beautiful Senior Pass from the National Park Service. For $20 per year or $80 for a lifetime pass (available at 62), it provides access to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites.

Send your questions or comments to questions@savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.


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MAY 20, 2026

Picnic Perfect: Where to Go and What to Bring

Best Picnic Spots in Seattle Staff Report

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icnic season in Queen Anne does not require a long drive or a complicated plan. Around here, a good picnic can be as simple as takeout, a blanket, and a place with a view. The neighborhood has plenty of options, but they are not all the same. Some parks are better for kids. Some are better for quiet afternoons. Some are mostly for the view and not much else. Whether you are planning a family outing, a date, or a solo lunch outside, Queen Anne has a spot for it.

KERRY PARK

Best for: Views, visitors, quick stops Kerry Park is the obvious choice, but it is obvious for a reason. The view is one of the best in the city, with downtown, Elliott Bay, Mount Rainier on clear days, and the Space Needle all lined up in one postcard-ready frame. That said, this is not the place for a long, quiet picnic unless you go at an off time. Kerry Park is small, popular, and often crowded with visitors, photographers, and tour groups. It is better for coffee, pastries, or a short snack than a full spread. If you have out-of-town guests, this is where you take them. If you want peace and elbow room, keep reading.

BHY KRACKE PARK

Best for: Views without the Kerry Park crowd Bhy Kracke Park is one of Queen Anne’s best “locals know” picnic spots. It offers views of South Lake Union, downtown, the Cascades

and the Space Needle, but usually without the same crush of people you find at Kerry Park. The park is built into the hillside, with paths, benches and small grassy areas. It works well for a quiet picnic, especially if you want a view but do not need a full playground-and-table setup. This is a good adult picnic spot, a date spot, or a place to bring a book and lunch. There is a playground in the lower portion of the park, but the slopes and stairs make it less convenient for families hauling a lot of gear. Bring something easy to carry.

Because the space is small, this is not the spot for games, groups, or loud gatherings. Keep it simple, keep it tidy, and enjoy the quiet.

SEATTLE CENTER

Best for: Easy food, kids, restrooms and people-watching Seattle Center is not technically the quiet neighborhood picnic, but, it is one of the most practical outdoor eating spots. You have food nearby, bathrooms, wide open gathering areas, the International Fountain, playground space and plenty of things to do before or after. It is especially good for families because there is room to move and less pressure to keep everyone sitting still. It can be busy, especially during festivals, but that can also be part of the appeal. If you want a picnic that feels like a Seattle outing rather than a quiet park moment, this is the easy choice. There is usually plenty to see, and the setting makes even a simple lunch feel like part of the city.

DAVID RODGERS PARK

Best for: Families, playgrounds, tennis and real park time David Rodgers Park is one of the better options if you are bringing kids or want a picnic that can turn into a longer afternoon. The park has a renovated play area, open grassy areas, paths, public restrooms and three tennis courts, which makes it more functional than some smaller viewpoint parks. This is the kind of place where you can bring sandwiches, let kids run around, and not feel like you are blocking a scenic overlook. It is also a good pick for families meeting up with other families because there is more to do than just sit. It is not the most dramatic view in the neighborhood, but it is one of the most useful picnic parks.

KINNEAR PARK

Best for: A quieter picnic with a walk attached Kinnear Park has an older Queen Anne feel, with paths, trees, hillsides and views that make it

feel a little removed from the rest of the neighborhood. The park includes upper and lower sections connected by steep slopes and walking paths. This is a good choice if you want to walk before or after eating. The upper part is better for a picnic, while the lower parts feel more wooded and tucked away. Kinnear works best for adults, couples, dog walkers or people who like a little wandering with their lunch. It is not the easiest park for strollers or anyone who does not want to deal with hills. If you want something calmer than Kerry Park this is a strong pick.

PARSONS GARDENS

Best for: Quiet, flowers and low-key elegance Parsons Gardens is not a big picnic park, and that is part of the charm. This small garden near Highland Drive is better for a quiet sit than an active outing. It is a good place for coffee, a pastry, or a small picnic that does not require spreading out a full blanket and cooler. It feels more like a hidden garden than a public park. That makes it perfect for adults, readers, and anyone who wants a peaceful stop surrounded by greenery.

WHAT’S NOT READY YET

It’s worth noting that Mount Rainier National Park is still in winter conditions at higher elevations. Paradise and Sunrise may look inviting, but they’re still snowcovered and cold. Picnic season up there comes later. Around here, a picnic doesn’t have to be complicated. It just has to be outside. Whether you’re at a park, by the lake, or pulled over next to the river, South Pierce County has plenty of places to make it happen. If the sun is out, you’re already halfway there.

FRESH RECIPES By Feature Impact

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Picnic Pasta Salad Recipe adapted from “Budget Bytes” Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 8 minutes Servings: 10 1 pound rotini pasta

1 English cucumber 2 bell peppers 10 ounces grape tomatoes 1/2 red onion 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese 1 bottle (16 ounces) Italian dressing 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain in colander and rinse with cool water; drain well. Slice cucumber into half-moons, chop bell peppers, halve tomatoes, thinly slice red onion and chop parsley. Set vegetables and parsley aside. Transfer drained pasta to large bowl. Add chopped vegetables, parsley and feta cheese. Pour dressing over pasta salad and toss until evenly coated. Add salt and pepper then refrigerate until ready to eat.

SHUTTERSTOCK

SERVE A PLATE OF PASTA SALAD TO ROUND OUT SPRING PICNICS f clear skies and bright sunshine have you dreaming of a fresh meal outdoors, a picnic may be just the solution. Rounding out your spread of sandwiches and cold refreshments doesn’t have to be a trick – instead, treat yourself to a light, simple side like this Picnic Pasta Salad. Cooked rotini is mixed with fresh veggies, tossed with Italian dressing and topped with crumbled feta cheese for a zesty complement to your favorite al fresco meals. Visit Culinary.net to find more ways to round out a perfect picnic lunch.

TAKE TO THE OUTDOORS WITH A FRESH, PICNIC-FRIENDLY SANDWICH

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hen the weather breaks and it’s time to get outdoors, there’s hardly any better place to than resting on a deck, lounging in the backyard or curled up on a picnic blanket at a local park. Enjoy that leisurely time with loved ones by sharing a spread that includes these Picnic Party Sandwiches, perfect for a filling lunch that provides the energy you need for kicking around a soccer ball, playing tag or flying a kite. Find more lunch ideas fit for enjoying the sunshine by visiting Culinary.net. Picnic Party Sandwiches Recipe adapted from “Crunch Time Kitchen” Total time: 20 minutes Servings: 4 1/4 cup salted butter 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced

1 large fresh baguette 1/4 cup fig preserves 6–8 ounces cured meats, such as prosciutto, salami and capocollo 6 ounces brie cheese, sliced 2 cups arugula 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 pinch kosher salt Mash together room temperature butter with fresh parsley. Set aside. Cut fresh baguette length-wise and smear bottom half of the baguette with herbed butter. Top with fig preserves. Layer on cured meats followed by slices of brie cheese. For brie, cut off any large pieces of rind. In small bowl, toss arugula with lemon juice and salt. Add arugula to sandwich followed by top half of baguette. Cut baguette into four even sandwiches and eat immediately or wrap each one tightly in paper or plastic wrap.


MAY 20, 2026

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5

Not Feeling the Park? Make Your Backyard the Destination

Seattle Sets Timeline for KCRHA Decision

Staff Report

Staff Report

f a crowded park or breezy afternoon picnic isn’t your style, there’s another option. Stay home and bring the festivities to your own backyard. With a few simple adjustments, an outdoor space can easily be transformed into a comfortable, inviting setting for an evening gathering. As the sun goes down, the focus shifts from sunshine and scenery to atmosphere, lighting, and comfort. The following tips can help turn a yard into a space that’s just as enjoyable as any picnic destination.

eattle officials are setting a deadline for deciding the future of the King County Regional Homelessness Authority after a forensic evaluation found major financial and oversight problems at the agency. The Seattle City Council’s Human Services, Labor and Economic Development Committee unanimously approved Resolution 32202, directing Mayor Katie Wilson’s office to evaluate whether the city should continue with KCRHA, restructure it or move toward dissolution. The full council is expected to consider the measure in early June. The resolution follows an April forensic evaluation that identified problems related to internal controls, unreconciled receivables, financial reporting and accounting practices. A council summary of the amended resolution says KCRHA must provide a corrective action plan, and the mayor’s office must provide an initial assessment of that plan by June 15. By Aug. 1, the mayor or a designee must recommend whether Seattle should terminate participation in the interlocal agreement and dissolve KCRHA, restructure the agency, or continue with it as is. If dissolution or restructuring is recommended, the city must also provide a plan addressing how services, contracts and administrative functions would be handled.

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LAYERED LIGHTING

Lighting is one of the most important elements of any evening gathering. It not only sets the mood, but also helps guests move around safely. Instead of relying on bright floodlights, which can feel harsh, a mix of softer lighting works best. String lights can create a warm glow overhead, helping define the space. Solar or lowvoltage lights can line walkways and highlight changes in elevation. Adding a few accent lights, such as small spotlights aimed at trees or garden features, can give the yard more depth and prevent it from feeling dark beyond the main gathering area.

CREATE FOCAL POINTS

People naturally gather where there is something to do or see. Creating a few defined areas can help guide the flow of the evening. A fire pit is often the centerpiece of a backyard gathering, offering both warmth and a place for conversation. An outdoor table or bar area can serve as another gathering point, whether stocked with drinks, snacks, or both. If space allows, designating an area

for music or movement can help round out the experience.

OUTDOOR COMFORT

Even on mild evenings, outdoor conditions can change quickly. Simple additions like citronella candles or a small fan can help keep bugs at bay. If temperatures drop, having blankets, a fire pit, or a patio heater available can make a big difference. Keeping a canopy or covered area nearby is also helpful in case of light rain. The goal is to make the space feel as comfortable as being indoors, without losing the appeal of being outside.

EASY ACCESS TO FOOD AND DRINK

Keeping food and drinks accessible helps guests settle in and enjoy the evening.

Setting up small self-serve stations around the yard allows people to grab what they need without constantly heading inside. Keeping drinks separate from food can help prevent crowding, and covered containers can protect dishes from insects. Trays or baskets also make it easier to bring everything back inside at the end of the night.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Not every outdoor gathering has to happen at a park. For those who prefer a quieter setting or want to skip the trip altogether, a backyard can offer just as much opportunity to relax and enjoy a meal outdoors. Add a blanket, a simple spread and a little shade, and even a familiar space can feel like a picnic without leaving home.

The move follows growing scrutiny from both Seattle and King County officials after the KCRHA scandal raised questions about financial management, shelter oversight and neighborhood accountability. Previous coverage in this paper noted that King County councilmembers were also weighing the agency’s future after the forensic evaluation identified significant financial and operational failures, including an inability to account for more than $13 million in public funds. Councilmembers Alexis Mercedes Rinck and Dionne Foster, who sponsored the Seattle resolution, said the goal is to protect public funds while improving homelessness services. Both also serve on the KCRHA Governing Board. The question now facing city leaders is not only whether KCRHA can fix its financial systems, but whether Seattle residents and service providers can trust the agency to coordinate homelessness response moving forward. For neighborhoods affected by shelters, encampments and homelessness services, the decision could shape who is accountable when problems arise, how providers are monitored and whether the region continues with a centralized homelessness authority or returns more responsibility to individual governments.

Staff Report

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emorial Day weekend is expected to bring travel across the country, and Seattle is likely to be one of the places feeling the rush. AAA projects that 45 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home between Thursday, May 21, and Monday, May 25, setting a new Memorial Day weekend record. That is slightly higher than last year, when 44.8 million people traveled for the holiday. Seattle is expected to see pressure from both directions. Many local residents will be leaving town for the long weekend, while many visitors will be arriving here. According to AAA booking data, Seattle ranked as the No. 2 domestic destination for Memorial Day weekend, behind only Orlando. That means heavier-than-usual activity on I-5, I-90, at Sea-Tac International Airport, ferry terminals, cruise terminals, downtown hotels and popular visitor areas.

MOST TRAVELERS WILL DRIVE Driving remains the most common form of Memorial Day travel. AAA expects 39.1 million people to

travel by car, making up most holiday travel nationwide. The agency also expects 3.66 million people to fly domestically over the weekend. For Seattle-area drivers, the busiest routes will likely be familiar ones: I-5 through Tacoma and Olympia, I-90 over Snoqualmie Pass, US 2 toward Stevens Pass, ferry approaches and border traffic heading north. WSDOT provides holiday travel charts to help drivers plan around expected congestion on major routes. Its Memorial Day guidance includes some of the state’s busiest corridors, including I-5, I-90 and US 2. AAA, using INRIX traffic data, says some of the heaviest national travel periods are expected Thursday and Friday afternoons and early evenings, with Monday afternoon likely to bring heavy return traffic. AIR TRAVEL AND CRUISE TRAFFIC Sea-Tac Airport is also preparing for a busy holiday period. The Port of Seattle expects about 970,000 travelers to pass through SEA between May 21 and May 26. The busiest days are projected to be Thursday, May 21, and Friday, May 22, with about 180,000 passengers each day.

Monday, May 25, is expected to follow with about 170,000 passengers. Seattle’s role as a cruise gateway may add another layer of traffic near downtown and the waterfront. AAA expects travel by bus, train and cruise to rise nationally, with Alaska cruise season contributing to demand. For Seattle residents, that could mean heavier traffic near cruise terminals, hotels, Pike Place Market, the waterfront and downtown attractions. FERRIES REQUIRE PLANNING Holiday weekends also bring heavy ferry demand, especially for travelers heading to the islands, Kitsap Peninsula and Olympic Peninsula. Washington State Ferries posts route-specific “best times to travel” guidance, and vehicle reservations are recommended on the Anacortes/San Juan Islands and Port Townsend/Coupeville routes. Travelers should also check ferry alerts before leaving. Washington State Ferries offers travel bulletins and email or text subscriptions to help riders stay updated on delays, schedule changes and full sailings. For anyone planning a ferry trip, the safest approach is to check

schedules, review alerts, arrive early and be prepared for long waits.

AAA NEWS

Seattle Expected to Be No. 2 Memorial Day Weekend Destination BEST AND WORST TIMES TO DRIVE

SAFETY REMINDER FOR DRIVERS AAA is also urging motorists to prepare vehicles before leaving. Last Memorial Day weekend, the agency responded to more than 350,000 roadside assistance calls for problems such as dead batteries, flat tires and empty fuel tanks. Before heading out, drivers should check tire pressure, fluid levels, battery condition and fuel or charge levels. Drivers should also slow down, avoid distractions, move over for emergency vehicles and roadside workers, and never drive impaired.

AAA and INRIX expect the heaviest Memorial Day weekend traffic on Thursday and Friday afternoons and again Monday afternoon. Sunday is expected to have the lightest traffic impact. Thursday, May 21 Worst time to drive: Noon to 9 p.m. Better option: After 9 p.m.

WHAT SEATTLE TRAVELERS SHOULD EXPECT Whether heading east over the pass, south on I-5, north to Canada, out by ferry or through Sea-Tac, Seattle-area travelers should expect crowds. The best bet is to leave outside peak hours, plan extra time, check WSDOT and ferry updates before departure, and avoid assuming that early summer travel will be light. Memorial Day may be the unofficial start of summer, but this year it is also expected to be one of the busiest travel weekends on record.

Saturday, May 23 Worst time to drive: Noon to 5 p.m. Better option: Before 11 a.m.

Friday, May 22 Worst time to drive: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Better option: Before 11 a.m.

Sunday, May 24 Worst time to drive: Minimal traffic impact expected Better option: Most of the day Monday, May 25 Worst time to drive: Noon to 5 p.m. Better option: Before 10 a.m.


6

MAY 20, 2026

Amazon Sued Over Alleged Tariff-Related Price Hikes Staff Report

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mazon is facing a proposed class action lawsuit in federal court in Seattle from consumers who say the company raised prices to cover tariff costs, then failed to pursue refunds after those tariffs were invalidated. The lawsuit, filed May 15 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, accuses Amazon of unjust enrichment and violating Washington’s consumer protection laws. The case is listed as Lisa Markland et al. v. Amazon. com Inc., according to Hagens Berman, the Seattle-based law firm representing the plaintiffs. At the center of the case are tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA. Reuters reported that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in February that President Donald Trump exceeded his authority by using that law to impose sweeping tariffs. After the ruling, importers became eligible to seek refunds from the federal government. Amazon customers, however, cannot seek those refunds directly because tariffs are paid by importers of record, not by individual shoppers. The lawsuit alleges Amazon passed those tariff-related costs to customers through higher prices on imported goods sold directly by Amazon. Plaintiffs argue that once the tariffs were invalidated, Amazon had the ability to pursue refunds and return money to consumers who bore the costs. Instead, the suit claims, Amazon chose not to seek refunds. According to Hagens Berman, the proposed class includes customers who purchased imported products sold directly by Amazon

during the period affected by the tariffs. The firm says covered purchases may include goods manufactured outside the United States and listed as “Sold by Amazon. com” or “Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.” Items sold by thirdparty sellers may fall outside that category depending on how they were imported and sold. Hagens Berman says the lawsuit seeks to recover funds the firm alleges were wrongfully collected from millions of consumers. In its filing, the firm argues that Amazon collected “hundreds of millions of dollars in unlawful tariff costs” by raising prices on imported goods while the tariffs were in effect. The case also raises a broader question about what happens when a retailer passes government-imposed costs to customers, then later becomes eligible to recover those costs from the government. Plaintiffs argue Amazon should not be able to keep the benefit of both sides of that transaction: higher prices paid by consumers and the opportunity to recover tariff payments. The lawsuit points to a public controversy from 2025, when reports said Amazon was considering displaying tariff-related price increases to shoppers. Amazon later said it did not plan to show those charges on its main retail site. Reuters reported that plaintiffs cite that episode as evidence Amazon could identify tariffrelated costs and determine which customers were affected. The complaint goes further, alleging Amazon’s decision not to seek refunds was politically motivated. Reuters reported that the lawsuit claims Amazon declined to pursue refunds in order to maintain favor with Trump by allowing

the federal government to keep the money. Those allegations have not been proven in court. Amazon did not respond to Reuters’ request for comment on the lawsuit. The case is part of a growing wave of consumer litigation over tariff refunds. Reuters has reported that similar lawsuits have been filed against companies including Costco, Nike and FedEx, alleging they also failed to return tariffrelated costs to customers after the underlying tariffs were invalidated. In a separate case, Costco has asked a federal judge to dismiss

claims that it owes customers refunds for prices allegedly inflated by tariffs. Reuters reported that Costco argues the claims are speculative, that consumers voluntarily paid posted prices, and that the company has not yet received tariff refunds or determined how any future refunds would be handled. Those defenses suggest the Amazon case could turn on several difficult questions. Plaintiffs may need to show not only that Amazon raised prices because of tariffs, but also that those increases can be tied to specific products and

specific customers. They may also need to establish that Amazon had a legal obligation to seek refunds and pass those refunds back to shoppers. For consumers, the issue is simpler: if prices went up because of tariffs later ruled unlawful, they want to know whether that money should come back. For retailers, the question is more complicated. Prices fluctuate for many reasons, including supply costs, logistics, demand, competition, labor and tariffs. A company may argue that even if tariffs contributed to higher costs, that does not automatically create a direct refund obligation to every customer who purchased an affected product. The lawsuit remains in its early stages. As a proposed class action, it must still clear procedural hurdles before moving forward on behalf of a larger group of consumers. A judge would need to decide whether the claims can proceed as a class action and whether the plaintiffs have stated legally viable claims. If the case advances, it could become significant not only for Amazon customers but for how courts handle tariff-related consumer claims more broadly. The outcome may help determine whether retailers that passed tariff costs along to shoppers must pursue refunds and share them with consumers when those tariffs are later struck down. For now, the case adds another legal fight to Amazon’s long list of consumer and antitrust challenges, this time centered on a question shoppers can easily understand: if customers paid more because of invalid tariffs, are they now entitled to the related refunds?

Memorial Day Reflection: Honoring Veterans Means Supporting Them After Service Staff Report

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emorial Day weekend is set aside to remember the service members who died in uniform. It is a solemn holiday, even as it also marks the unofficial start of summer with travel, barbecues and family gatherings. But remembrance should also sharpen attention on the veterans who came home and are still struggling to find stability, housing, health care and support after service.

“Take it from a veteran who’s been homeless: Just because you see me in the streets doesn’t mean I’m not working.” A recent commentary published by the Washington State Standard, written by veteran James Lee and distributed by OtherWords, gives that reality a personal voice. Lee wrote that homeless veterans are a common sight in Washington and that the state ranks fourth in the country for the number of veterans without housing relative to population. His message was direct: “Take it from a veteran who’s been homeless: Just because you see me in the streets doesn’t mean I’m not working.” Lee described cycling between work and unstable housing, sleeping at times in

shelters, outside a public library or in the woods. He also wrote about serving as a volunteer advocate for other veterans experiencing homelessness because he had lived through it himself. His story is not just about one person falling on hard times. It reflects the complicated path many veterans face after service, especially when work is inconsistent, benefits are hard to access, housing is expensive and mental health needs go untreated or unsupported. “For years, I’ve oscillated between stable work and transitional housing,” Lee wrote. “At different times, I’ve slept in shelters, outside the public library, or back in the woods.” For Lee, the pandemic made an already fragile situation worse. He wrote that he lost work contracts, transportation and family stability, and was unable to get the help he needed from the Veterans Administration. He also pushed back on the idea that homelessness is simply the result of bad decisions or personal failure. “My situation wasn’t due simply to poor choices or a lack of fortitude,” he wrote. “I was in the military, so I know how to be strong and resourceful.” That line is worth remembering this weekend. It is easy to thank veterans in the abstract. It is harder to look clearly at what many face once the uniform is put away. Veterans may return home with injuries, trauma, family strain, employment gaps or a

benefits system that is difficult to navigate. Some are independent contractors or gig workers, making it harder to document income, prove eligibility or maintain stable access to assistance. Lee wrote about the difficulty of qualifying for programs such as SNAP when work is irregular and paperwork requirements are strict. He also described the “benefits cliff,” where earning slightly more money can cause a person to lose support they still need. “Should I take that $400 job if it means losing my food stamp allowance?” he wrote. That is not a question anyone should have to weigh casually. For veterans trying to rebuild, small gains should not create the risk of losing food, housing or medical support. In Seattle and King County, there are resources available, but knowing where to start matters. The King County Veterans Program provides financial, housing, wellness, employment and other supportive services to veterans, servicemembers and their families. The program offers case management, crisis intervention, emergency financial assistance, employment support, homeless services, referrals and information. It serves veterans and their families at locations in Seattle and across King County. Seattle residents may also find veteran services through The Seattle Public Library, which connects veterans and family members with the King County Veterans Program and

other support options. Library staff can help point patrons toward resources related to benefits, housing, legal support and social services. Veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness can contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 1-877424-3838. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs says the call is free, confidential and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The hotline can connect veterans and their families with nearby VA services. For veterans navigating benefits, the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs also offers claims assistance, counseling resources, employment support and connections to local programs. Those services can be especially important for veterans who are unsure where to begin or who have

had difficulty accessing federal benefits. Memorial Day is not Veterans Day. Its purpose is to honor those who died while serving. But caring for the living is also part of honoring the cost of service. The people who come home should not have to fight alone for housing, food, health care or benefits they earned. Residents who want to help can do more than offer thanks. They can donate to organizations that provide direct veteran support, including the King County Veterans Program, local Veterans of Foreign Wars posts, American Legion posts, food banks and housing assistance programs. They can volunteer with groups that help veterans access meals, transportation, appointments and benefits. They can also share practical information,

including the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 1-877-424-3838. For neighbors, friends or family members who served, help can be as simple as offering a ride to an appointment, sitting with someone while they make a difficult phone call, helping gather paperwork for benefits, or making sure they know which agency to contact first. Support does not always have to be large to be meaningful. Sometimes the most useful thing is helping someone get through the first step. Lee ended his commentary with a challenge that belongs in public view on a holiday weekend centered on service and sacrifice. “I served my country,” he wrote. “I’m still waiting for it to fulfill its promise to serve me back.”


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More Homes are for Sale, but Seattle Market is Not in Free Fall Staff Report

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eattle-area homebuyers have more options this spring than they have had in years, but the growing number of listings does not appear to signal a housing market collapse. The Northwest Multiple Listing Service reported 18,563 active listings across its service area at the end of April, up 28.4% from April 2025. New listings also increased, with brokers adding 12,155 listings during the month, up 12% from a year earlier. Sales, however, have not kept pace. Closed sales fell 3.7% year over year, with 5,674 transactions in April compared with 5,887 during the same month last year. For buyers, that means more room to look around, compare homes and negotiate. For sellers, it means the market is no longer as forgiving as it was during the tightest stretch of the pandemic-era boom, when

limited inventory helped drive bidding wars and rapid price growth. Even so, the broader market has not seen a dramatic price drop. NWMLS reported a median sales price of $650,000 for residential homes and condominiums in April, unchanged from a year earlier and up 1.6% from March. King County remained one of the region’s most expensive counties, with a median sales price of $859,000, followed by Snohomish County at $750,000. The region also remains short of what is generally considered a balanced market. NWMLS reported 3.27 months of inventory in April. Most industry experts consider four to six months of inventory balanced, according to the listing service. Windermere Economics described the April market as quieter than last spring, with

INVENTORY, 8

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8

MAY 20, 2026

Make Your Small Garden Feel Twice as Big

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hether you grow on a city lot, balcony, rooftop, side yard, or just a slightly awkward sliver of a space anywhere, you may want it to feel bigger. Designers have several tricks for this –that work inside or out, incidentally.

Get Growing

BLUR THE EDGES

To make a space feel bigger, keeping the eye moving is the goal. You only want to “stop the eye” – rivet attention at key focal points – when placed to make the place seem even bigger. More on that later. Starting from the outside in, macro to micro, evaluate your site overall – and what is just beyond its borders. Are there views you’d like to borrow – or screen? If there is a beautiful red Japanese maple in the distance, you can link your space to it by echoing that color – in another maple, repeating reddish heucheras (coral bells), or a red-purple smoke bush. You can even echo it in non-plants – such as furniture, art, and murals. This makes the eye extend from your heucheras to the red maple, except for winter of course.

ERICA GRIVAS

Erica Browne Grivas In this Portland side yard seen on the Hardy Plant Society of Oregon Study Weekend, the meandering path pulls the viewer in, the silver ferns act as an attention-grabbing accent in the foreground, while a variegated cream dogwood lifts the focus up and out. It’s wonderful to make edges disappear when possible – that’s why dark fences in black or forest green are becoming popular – they act like shadow, and plants will pop to the foreground in contrast to it. Layering plants or elements to conceal corners and walls helps too. You want to keep visitor’s guessing and retain some mystery about the space - you don’t want to see the garden all at once.

REPEAT, REPEAT, REPEAT

Every time there’s a strong contrast, it chops up the view, and the eye pauses to compare it. That may be switching from conifers to grasses, or from wood to pavers to grass. To keep they eye moving, create uninterrupted ribbons of one plant, color or texture (as with a path).

The gardens that make you say “aaaaaaah” are the ones with a lot of repetition. Think how satisfying it is to see a river of carex met with another of perennial salvia. So, that’s fewer varieties plants, in greater numbers. With larger plants, repeat in odd numbers so there’s always at least two companions that answer the chord struck by the first – add a red-flowering currant, try to add in two more somewhere in view. It creates a pleasing asymmetry. Similarly, repeating building materials and colors also makes the view feel and look more intentional – all “of a piece.”

SHIFT PERSPECTIVES

Take a page from the set designer’s playbook to add weightiness nearby and airiness in the

Real Estate Investment Fraud Sends Former Broker to Prison Staff Report

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former Seattle-area real estate broker has been sentenced to nearly five years in federal prison after prosecutors said she helped drain a real estate investment fund that victims believed would support property projects and retirement savings. Tamara King, also known as Tamara Waln, 56, of Toledo, Ohio, was sentenced May 15 in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 55 months in prison. King, who previously lived in Bellevue and Kirkland, was convicted in December 2025 after an eightday jury trial on 14 federal felony counts, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, money laundering and filing false tax returns. The case is a cautionary reminder for real estate investors: the promise of high returns can carry serious risk, especially when investment funds are controlled by people with limited transparency or oversight. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington, the case centered on a real estate investment fund called Halcyon. Between August 2009 and December 2013, King’s now ex-husband and co-conspirator Paul Waln solicited investments in the fund. Twenty-two victims, most of them Seattle residents, invested $2.25 million. Investors were told their money would be pooled to purchase and renovate an apartment building in West Seattle, then used for other real estate projects. They were

required to leave their money in the fund for 10 years. Prosecutors said Waln told investors they would receive their principal and earnings at the end of that period, with estimated returns of 20 percent annually. In 2013, Waln married King, who was also a real estate agent. Prosecutors said the couple jointly managed the fund and, between 2014 and 2018, conspired to misappropriate investor money for personal expenses. According to records filed in the case, the couple secretly transferred hundreds of thousands of dollars at a time from the fund to their management company, then moved money into King’s personal accounts. Prosecutors said much of the money went to luxury purchases rather than real estate investments. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said King financed an early edition Tesla Model X with custom pink trim for $121,950, bought an 8.5-carat diamond ring for $49,300, used $189,775 to pay a personal tax debt and employed a personal assistant. When the 10-year investment period ended in 2019, prosecutors said King informed investors that the money was gone and the investment had failed. Remaining investors lost their entire investments. At sentencing, U.S. District Judge Ricardo S. Martinez said King refused to accept responsibility and testified falsely at trial. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the judge described King as the “primary instigator” of the

fraud and said the motivation was “pure greed.” First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd said King stole from people who had invested “their dreams of a secure retirement.” FBI Seattle Special Agent in Charge W. Mike Herrington said investors believed they were prudently saving for retirement through a real estate fund, while King drained the account to support her lifestyle. Victims told the court the fraud forced some to delay retirement, worry about care costs for disabled spouses and feel ashamed after being deceived. One victim statement cited by prosecutors said King used stolen money for cosmetic procedures, a luxury car, credit card bills and a larger home while investors lost savings. King was also convicted of tax fraud. Prosecutors said she failed to report more than $1.6 million in income over three tax years. During that period, she reported $188,116 in total income despite receiving $1.85 million. The tax loss to the United States was calculated at $551,758. Waln pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy in June 2025 and was sentenced to 33 months in prison in October. King will serve three years of supervised release following her prison sentence. A hearing on restitution and forfeiture of assets is scheduled for July 24. The case was investigated by the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington.

distance. In color theory, hot colors advance and cool ones recede, so using hot colors near your patio table and pale pastels across the yard will feel more expansive than the reverse. You can do the same with scale and texture. Near the patio, place some solid, noticeable accents, perhaps a tall sedum or boldleafed shrub, while selecting wispy textures like tall grasses or a native vine maple further away. In the most entrancing garden photographs, there’s always some colorful accent right in the foreground, like a metal trough of orange tulips or a red banana plant to welcome you to the space with a bang. Do the same at your main viewpoints. Your entryway, garden gate, patio, etc. You can also create paths that disappear, seeming to turn a corner – it doesn’t matter if they continue or dead-end. The important thing is you think there is more to the garden. Outdoor-ready mirrors hung on a fence expand the space by double visually – bonus points if reflecting a beautiful view.

ON THE BIAS

The standard beds-ringing-arectangle lawn racetrack is the last way you should design your space if you have a long narrow space you’d like to be wider. Instead, add diagonals in one of two ways. Keep beds, patios etc. aligned on the same axis as the fence or walls, but add diagonals via pathways, ribbons or plants, or

echoed plants that make your eye zig across the space. Or go crazy and plot the elements on the diagonal. See how much fun that is? It completely controverts the expected confines of the space.

UPLEVEL, DIVIDE AND CONQUER

Think about making a diorama. The empty shoebox looks boring – your brain and eyes know it’s just a box. Then imagine the same box made into a garden with lights across the top, a focal point at the back, color dotting through, and distinct spaces inside. There are worlds in there now. Creating new levels adds dimension, a richer experience than a fully flat space. Maybe you’ve felt this at REI’s flagship store where you can walk a faux hill to try on shoes? Dig down for a patio or elevate a deck. Don’t forget the vertical plane – including arbors, pergolas, and other ceiling plane elements elevates the experience too. Adding divisions creates garden rooms that again fool the brain into thinking, ‘Wow I can’t believe there are four different spaces in this rectangle!’ Lastly, use space to the fullest to maximize storage and livability – a dividing wall can hold garden tools or a fold-out table surface, a shed can be a hangout space. Have fun experimenting with all the ways you can add dimension and function to your space – it’s bigger than you think!

INVENTORY, FROM 7 more sellers than buyers entering the market. Across NWMLS, Windermere reported fewer closed sales than a year earlier, while pending sales, new listings and active listings all increased. In the four-county greater Seattle area, active listings were up 37% year over year. That kind of market can feel very different depending on whether someone is buying, selling or simply watching home values. More inventory can give buyers leverage. It can also make sellers nervous, especially if their homes take longer to sell or draw fewer offers than expected. But a cooler market is not the same as a crashing one. A housing bubble collapse usually involves deeper distress, including a large oversupply of homes, widespread forced selling or a credit environment that leaves many borrowers unable to sustain their loans. Current data does not point to those conditions on a broad scale. National foreclosure activity has risen, but remains below housing-crisis levels. ATTOM reported 42,430 U.S. properties with foreclosure filings in April, up 18% from a year earlier but down 8% from March. Foreclosure starts and completed foreclosures also increased year over year, though ATTOM said overall foreclosure activity remains significantly below

pre-pandemic levels. Lending conditions also look different from the years leading up to the 2008 crash. The Mortgage Bankers Association reported that mortgage credit availability decreased in April, with its Mortgage Credit Availability Index falling 0.4% to 107.9. A decline in the index indicates tighter lending standards, and MBA said overall credit availability remains tight by historical standards. The result is a more selective housing market. Buyers have more choices, but affordability remains a major obstacle. Higher mortgage rates continue to limit purchasing power, even when prices flatten or sellers become more willing to negotiate. Sellers, meanwhile, may need to adjust to a market where pricing strategy matters again. Windermere Economics noted that wellpresented and appropriately priced homes are still seeing competition, while other homes are lingering longer or selling at or below list price. For now, Seattle’s housing market appears to be cooling from an overheated period, not bursting from a speculative bubble. Buyers have more options, sellers face more competition and some homes are taking longer to sell. But prices remain high, inventory is still below balanced-market levels and demand has not disappeared.


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MAY 20, 2026

9

How to Establish a Home Renovation Budget

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omeowners know that the next home renovation project is always right around the corner. And that means finding ways to finance such undertakings. When planning for renovations, the average homeowner underestimates their project cost by approximately 22 percent, according to the 2026 Remodeling Impact Report. Establishing a pre-project budget can help avoid such surprises.

fixtures, appliances, and flooring, otherwise known as “hard costs,” will eat up 50 to 60 percent of their renovation budgets. Labor, permits and design fees will comprise the next largest chunk, typically coming in between 25 and 35 percent. Homeowners also should factor about 15 to 20 percent of a budget to a safety net to cover unforeseen expenses, like mold remediation or structural issues.

DON’T OVER-IMPROVE A common mistake homeowners make is over-improving a home beyond the neighborhood value. A good rule of thumb is to employ the average percentageof-home-value approach in an effort to stay within range of what’s acceptable. Budwe value. These benchmarks are supported by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry and the National Association of Realtors. Historically, a functional, modern kitchen is the top driver of home value, says Remodeling Magazine.

GET THREE QUOTES It’s important for homeowners to get several estimates before establishing a budget. Experts advise working with contractors that offer fixed-price contracts rather than those that list time and materials; otherwise, there may be a mid-project price hike that comes out of the blue. A person also can ask contractors for a line-item bid so it’s possible to see where money can be trimmed through different material choices. With a list of desired items in hand, and acceptable substitutions if the cost comes in too high, homeowners can create a budget that works.

LEARN THE BREAKDOWN Homeowners should understand that materials,

SAVING VERSUS SPLURGING It’s important for homeowners to be realistic about their renovations. They can splurge on items that are seen or touched every day, like door handles, cabinet pulls and faucets. Other items, like lighting fixtures or backsplashes, can be replaced down the road. It may be better to direct funds to

structural elements or those “invisible renovations” like upgrading insulation or smart systems that save on energy costs and improve efficiency. KEEP A 20 PERCENT CUSHION Homeowners can determine the affordability if a proposed project ends up costing 20 percent more or takes a few months longer.

If the answer is no, homeowners should scale back the project budget until they have that financial safety net. Alliant Credit Union says experts strongly recommend adding a 20 percent contingency cushion to a remodeling budget. A home remodeling project is a big commitment. Budgeting correctly ensures that there are few, if any, surprises along the way.

How to Maximize a Real Estate Investment

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eal estate has long been considered a good investment. Whether people are buying a home they intend to live in or purchasing investment properties they hope to flip or rent out, real estate tends to provide a strong return on investment. Maximizing the investment value of a property is wise regardless of how buyers intend to use it. With that in mind, buyers can consider these strategies to make the most of a real estate investment. RENOVATE WITH ROI IN MIND Though no room of a home in need of work should be ignored, various studies have identified the rooms buyers emphasize most when looking for a new home. Kitchens and primary suites tend to make the most lasting impressions on home buyers, and that can offer a strong return on investment (ROI). And the good news for homeowners hoping to sell a property they currently own is that minor kitchen remodels, which require a smaller financial investment than major overhauls, offer

investors are urged to consider a range of variables about each location in an effort to maximize their investments. Recent investment in local infrastructure and a growth in local employment opportunities are two variables that can help a given area quickly transform into a place people want to live.

stronger returns. According to the Cost vs. Value Report 2025 from the Journal of Light Construction, a minor kitchen remodel offers an average return of 113 percent compared to a 36 percent average return for a major upscale remodel. PRIORITIZE LOCATION Real estate investors who aren’t looking to sell but

buy can maximize their investment by prioritizing location as they search for properties. Though the real estate market is ever-changing, the importance of location remains a constant. Investopedia notes that a “good” location for prospective buyers typically is near access to transportation (be it public transportation or highways

that can help cut down on commute times), well-regarded schools, and community involvement. While the importance of location is a constant, Investopedia notes that a given neighborhood’s reputation can go from “good” to “bad” or vice versa. Identifying an emerging “good” neighborhood can be a tall order, but prospective real estate

SELL AT THE RIGHT TIME When selling a home with the intent of maximizing a real estate investment, it’s important that owners recognize certain times of year are better for sellers than others. A 2024 report from the real estate curator ATTOM indicated that listing a property in May, February or April can yield the best returns for sellers. May is a particularly good time to sell, as the ATTOM analysis of 59 million home sales between 2011 and 2023 found that homes sold in May sold for 13.1 percent above market value, which was the highest of any month. Real estate has long been considered a great investment, and various strategies can help investors bolster their returns.


10 MAY 20, 2026

Legal Notices IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON FOR KING COUNTY Estate of GERHARD K. JOST, aka GERHARD KURT J. JOST, Deceased. NO. 26-4-032502 SEA PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS (RCW 11.40.030) The Personal Representative named below has been appointed as Personal Representative of this estate. Any person having a claim against the Decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Personal Representative or the Personal Representative’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) thirty days after the Personal Representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets. DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION: May 20, 2026 PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE: Don MacIntosh, aka Donald Robert MacIntosh ATTORNEY FOR PR: ADDRESS FOR MAILING OR SERVICE: Ashley McAlhaney CMS Law Firm LLC. 811 Kirkland Ave Suite 201 Kirkland, WA 98033 Telephone: 206.659.1512 COURT OF PROBATE PROCEEDINGS: King County Superior Court CAUSE NUMBER: 26-4-03250-2 SEA SIGNED: /s/ Ashley McAlhaney Ashley McAlhaney, #50095 Attorney for PR Published in the Queen Anne & Magnolia News May 20, 27 & June 3, 2026 IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON FOR KING COUNTY Estate of SANTOSH BABU ARYAL, Deceased. NO. 26-4-03438-6 SEA PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS (RCW 11.40.030) The Administrator named below has been appointed as Administrator of this estate. Any person having a claim against the Decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Administrator or the Administrator’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) thirty days after the Administrator served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets. DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION: May 20, 2026 ADMINISTRATOR: Salana Adhikari ATTORNEY FOR ADMINISTRATOR: ADDRESS FOR MAILING OR SERVICE: Ashley McAlhaney CMS Law Firm LLC 811 Kirkland Avenue, Suite 201 Kirkland, WA 98033 206.659.1512 COURT OF PROBATE PROCEEDINGS: King County Superior Court CASE NUMBER: 26-4-03438-6 SEA Published in the Queen Anne & Magnolia News May 20, 27 & June 3, 2026 IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON FOR THE COUNTY OF KING In the Matter of the Estate of: PATSY LEE ETHRIDGE-NEAL, Deceased. No. 26-403477-7 SEA PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS The Personal Representative named below has been appointed and has qualified as Personal Representative of this estate. Persons having claims against the deceased must, prior to the time such claims would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Personal Representative, the Resident Agent for the Personal Representative, or the Personal Representative’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the Personal Representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1) (c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the probate assets and nonprobate assets of the decedent. DATE OF FILING COPY OF NOTICE TO CREDITORS with Clerk of Court: May 14, 2026. DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION: May 20, 2026. Personal Representative: Gladys Rose Steele Attorney for Estate and for the Personal Representative: Mercedes Vargas Aguirre Address: Hickman Menashe, P.S. 4211 Alderwood Mall Blvd., Ste. 204 Lynnwood, WA 98036 Telephone: (425) 744-5658 Published in the Queen Anne & Magnolia News May 20, 27 & June 3, 2026 IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF KING In re the Estate of: Charles D. Stores III, Deceased. NO. 25-4-04164-3SEA NOTICE TO CREDITORS (RCW 11.40.030) The Person named below has been appointed as Executor of this estate. Any person having claims against decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Executor or the Executor’s attorney at the address

stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the Executor served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(3); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and non-probate assets. Date of first publication: May 20, 2026 Matthew Linquist, EXECUTOR Address: 3518 Fremont Ave N. #247 Seattle, WA 98103 Published in the Queen Anne & Magnolia News May 20, 27 & June 3, 2026 IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON FOR KING COUNTY In Re The Estate of: JOSHIL ARORA, Deceased. No. 26-403692-3 SEA PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS (RCW 11.40.030)(NTCRD) SHIVANI CHANDRESH THAKKAR has been appointed as Personal Representative of this Estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the personal representative or the personal representative’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probate proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the personal representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets. Date of First Publication: May 20, 2026. /s/Michael Geoghegan Michael Geoghegan, WSBA #43238 Attorney for Personal Representative Address for Mailing or Service: NW Strategy & Planning, PLLC 4700 51st PL SW Seattle, WA 98116-4332 Court of probate proceedings and cause number: King County Superior Court 26-4-036923 SEA Dates of Publications Queen Anne & Magnolia News: May 20, 27, and June 3, 2026 IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON FOR KING COUNTY In Re The Estate of: LAURENCE M. DESHIELDS II, Deceased. No. 26-4-03453-0 KNT PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS (RCW 11.40.030) (NTCRD) The person named below has been appointed as Administrator of this Estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Administrator or the Administrator’s attorney at the address stated below, a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probate proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the Administrator served or mailed the notice to the creditors as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of this notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and RCW 11.40.60. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets. Date of First Publication: May 6, 2026 Administrator: Laurence M. DeShields III DATED this 30th day of April, 2026 at Federal Way, Washington. /s/ Chad Horner Chad Horner, WSBA #27122 GRAUNKE AYOUB LAW 33400 9th Avenue S, Suite 120 Federal Way, WA 98003 Telephone: 206-652-4310 Facsimile: 206-686-0190 Email: chad@graunke-ayoub.com Counsel for Administrator Address for Mailing or Service: Graunke Ayoub Law 33400 9th Avenue S, Suite 120 Federal Way, WA 98003 Published in the Queen Anne & Magnolia News May 6, 13 & 20, 2026 IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON FOR KING COUNTY In Re The Estate of: THOMAS EUGENE McNASSAR, Deceased. No. 26-4-03707-5 KNT PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS (RCW 11.40.030) (NTCRD) The person named below has been appointed as Personal Representative of this Estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Personal Representative or the Personal Representative’s attorney at the address stated below, a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probate proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the Personal Representative served or mailed the notice to the creditors as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of this notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and RCW 11.40.60. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets. Personal Representative: Jane McNassar Date of First Publication: Wednesday, May 20, 2026 Dated this 14th day of May, 2026. /s/ Peter Klipstein Peter Klipstein, WSBA #26507 GRAUNKE AYOUB LAW 33400 9th Avenue S, Suite 120 Federal Way, WA 98003 Telephone: (206) 652-4310 Facsimile: (206) 686-0190 Email: peter@ graunke-ayoub.com Counsel for Personal

Representative Address for Mailing or Service: Graunke Ayoub Law 33400 9th Avenue S, Suite 120 Federal Way, WA 98003 Published in the Queen Anne & Magnolia News May 20, 27 & June 3, 2026 IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON FOR KING COUNTY In Re The Estate of: WILLIAM D. LEHR, Deceased. No. 26-403201-4 SEA PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS (RCW 11.40.030) (NTCRD) AARON SUNG LEHR has been appointed as Personal Representative of this Estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the personal representative or the personal representative’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probate proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the personal representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets. Date of First Publication: May 6, 2026 /s/Michael Geoghegan Michael Geoghegan, WSBA #43238 Attorney for Personal Representative Address for Mailing or Service: NW Strategy & Planning, PLLC 4700 51st PL SW Seattle, WA 98116-4332 Court of probate proceedings and cause number: King County Superior Court 26-4-03201-4 SEA Dates of Publication in the Queen Anne & Magnolia News: May 6, 13, and 20, 2026 IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR KING COUNTY In Re the Estate of: DEANA C. CHAPMAN, Deceased. Probate No. 26-4-03338-0 KNT PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS RCW 11.40.030 The Personal Representative named below has been appointed as Personal Representative of this estate. Any person having a claim against the Decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Personal Representative or the Personal Representative’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probate proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the Personal Representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the Decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets. Date of First Publication: May 13, 2026 Personal Representative: David Chapman Attorney for the Personal Representative: Robert C. Iddins Address for Mailing or Service: Iddins Law Group 25052 104th Ave SE, Suite B Kent, WA 98030 Court of probate proceedings and cause number: King County Superior Court 26-4-03338-0 KNT Published in the Queen Anne & Magnolia News May 13, 20 & 27, 2026 IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR KING COUNTY In Re the Estate of: JANICE ANN HERMAN, Deceased. Probate No. 26-4-03502-1 KNT PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS RCW 11.40.030 The Personal Representative named below has been appointed as Personal Representative of this estate. Any person having a claim against the Decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Personal Representative or the Personal Representative’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probate proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the Personal Representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the Decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets. Date of First Publication: May 13, 2026 Personal Representative: Cody Herman Attorney for the Personal Representative: Robert C. Iddins Address for Mailing or Service: Iddins Law Group 25052 104th Ave SE, Suite B Kent, WA 98030 Court of probate proceedings and cause number: King County Superior Court 26-4-03502-1 KNT Published in the Queen Anne & Magnolia News May 13, 20 & 27, 2026 IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR KING COUNTY In Re the Estate of: JEANINE LOUISE ANDRES, Deceased. Probate No. 26-03309-6 KNT PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS RCW 11.40.030 The Administrator named below has been appointed as Administrator of this estate. Any person having a claim against the Decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on

or mailing to the Administrator or the Administrator’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probate proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the Administrator served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the Decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets. Date of First Publication: May 13, 2026 Personal Representative: Dayna Jill Garner Attorney for the Personal Representative: Robert C. Iddins Address for Mailing or Service: Iddins Law Group 25052 104th Ave SE, Suite B Kent, WA 98030 Court of probate proceedings and cause number: King County Superior Court Published in the Queen Anne & Magnolia News May 13, 20 & 27, 2026 IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR KING COUNTY In Re the Estate of: WAYNE E. SCHUTZLER, Deceased. Probate No. 26-4-03484-0 KNT PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS RCW 11.40.030 The Personal Representative named below has been appointed as Personal Representative of this estate. Any person having a claim against the Decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Personal Representative or the Personal Representative’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probate proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the Personal Representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the Decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets. Date of First Publication: May 13, 2026 Personal Representative: Clayton Neil Lawrence Attorney for the Personal Representative: Robert C. Iddins Address for Mailing or Service: Iddins Law Group 25052 104th Ave SE, Suite B Kent, WA 98030 Court of probate proceedings and cause number: King County Superior Court 26-4-03484-0 KNT Published in the Queen Anne & Magnolia News May 13, 20 & 27, 2026 SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON KING COUNTY In the Matter of the Estate of SHIRLEY MARIE JOHNSTON, Deceased. No. 26-4-03448-3 SEA NOTICE TO CREDITORS The co-Personal Representatives named below have been appointed as co-Personal Representatives of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the co-Personal Representatives or the co-Personal Representatives’ attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probate proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) thirty days after the co-Personal Representatives served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets. Date of First Publication: May 20, 2026 Co-Personal Representatives: Craig Edward Johnston Jana Marie Johnston Attorney for co-PRs: Natasha Black Address for Mailing or Service: c/o Natasha Black Law 500 108th Avenue NE Suite 1100 Bellevue, Washington 98004 Court of Probate Proceedings: King County Superior Court 516 Third Avenue, Seattle WA 98104 Cause Number: 264-03448-3 SEA Published in the Queen Anne & Magnolia News May 20, 27 & June 3, 2026 Superior Court of Washington County of Kitsap Estate of: LORI ANN CORNELL Deceased. NO. 26-4-00400-18 PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS (RCW 11.40.030) PLEASE TAKE NOTICE The above Court has appointed me as Personal Representative of Decedent’s estate. Any person having a claim against the Decedent must present the claim: (a) Before the time when the claim would be barred by any applicable statute of limitations, and (b) In the manner provided in RCW 11.40.070: (i) By filing the original of the claim with the foregoing Court, and (ii) By serving on or mailing to me at the address below a copy of the claim. The claim must be presented by the later of: (a) Thirty (30) days after I served or mailed this Notice as provided in RCW 11.40.020(1)(c), or (b) Four (4) months after the date of first publication of this Notice. If the claim is not presented within this time period, the claim will be forever barred except as provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective for claims against both the Decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets. Date of First Publication of this Notice: May 20, 2026 /s/ Lucinda K Beals Personal Representative Lucinda K Beals 6105 51st St NW Gig Harbor, WA 98335 Published in the Queen Anne & Magnolia News May 20, 27 & June 3, 2026

SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON FOR KING COUNTY Estate of JACQUELINE MYRTLE EMMERT, Deceased. NO. 26-4-03185-9 SEA NOTICE TO CREDITORS The individual named below has been appointed as personal representative of the above estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, prior to the time such claims would be barred by any other-wise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070, by serving on or mailing to the personal representative or the personal representative’s attorney at the address stated below, a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which probate proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the personal representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) Four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the probate assets and nonprobate assets of the decedent. DATE OF FILING COPY OF NOTICE TO CREDITORS With Clerk of Court: May 8, 2026 DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION: May 13, 2026 /s/s DEE ELAINE EMMERT, Personal Representative/Administrator MCCUNE GODFREY EMERICK & BROGGEL, INC. PS /s/ MARISA E. BROGGEL, WSBA NO. 41767 Of Attorneys for Personal Representative McCune, Godfrey, Emerick, & Broggel, Inc. P.S. 4500 9TH Ave. NE Suite 300 Seattle, WA 98105-4697 Tel: 206-632-0575 Fax 866-913-1905 Published in Queen Anne & Magnolia New May 13, 20 & 27, 2026 SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON FOR KING COUNTY Estate of RAOUL RAFAEL ENRIQUEZ, Deceased. NO. 26-4-03098-4 SEA NOTICE TO CREDITORS The individual named below has been appointed as personal representative of the above estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, prior to the time such claims would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070, by serving on or mailing to the personal representative or the personal representative’s attorney at the address stated below, a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which probate proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the personal representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1) (c); or (2) Four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the probate assets and nonprobate assets of the decedent. DATE OF FILING COPY OF NOTICE TO CREDITORS With Clerk of Court: April 28, 2026 DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION: May 6, 2026 STEFAN ENRIQUEZ, Personal Representative McCune, Godfrey, Emerick & Broggel, Inc. PS /s/ MARISA E. BROGGEL, WSBA NO. 41767 Of Attorneys for Personal Representative McCune, Godfrey, Emerick, & Broggel, Inc. P.S. 4500 9th Ave. NE Suite 300 Seattle, WA 98105-4697 Tel: 206-632-0575 Fax 206-238-9487 Published in the Queen Anne & Magnolia News May 6, 13 & 20, 2026 SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON FOR KING COUNTY Estate of THEODORE OWEN EMMERT, Deceased. NO. 26-4-03184-1 SEA NOTICE TO CREDITORS The individual named below has been appointed as personal representative of the above estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, prior to the time such claims would be barred by any other-wise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070, by serving on or mailing to the personal representative or the personal representative’s attorney at the address stated below, a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which probate proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the personal representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) Four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the probate assets and nonprobate assets of the decedent. DATE OF FILING COPY OF NOTICE TO CREDITORS With Clerk of Court: May 8, 2026 DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION: May 13, 2026 /s/ DEE ELAINE EMMERT, Personal Representative/Administrator MCCUNE GODFREY EMERICK & BROGGEL, INC. PS /s/ MARISA E. BROGGEL, WSBA NO. 41767 Of Attorneys for Personal Representative McCune, Godfrey, Emerick, & Broggel, Inc. P.S. 4500 9TH Ave. NE Suite 300 Seattle, WA 98105-4697 Tel: 206-632-0575 Fax 866-913-1905 Published in the Queen Anne & Magnolia News May 13, 20 & 27, 2026 SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON FOR KING COUNTY IN THE ESTATE OF FLORENCE ELVA WEBB, Deceased. NO. 26-4-03313-4 KNT PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS PLEASE TAKE NOTICE The above Court has appointed CAROL M. WILSON Personal Representative of Decedent’s estate. Any person having a claim against the Decedent must present the claim: (a) Before the time when the claim would be barred by any applicable statute of limitations, and (b) In the manner provided in RCW 11.40.070: (i) By


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filing the original of the claim with the foregoing Court, and (ii) By serving on or mailing to my attorney at the address below a copy of the claim. The claim must be presented by the later of: (a) Thirty (30) days after this Notice has been mailed or served as provided in RCW 11.40.020(1)(c), or (b) Four (4) months after the date of first publication of this Notice. If the claim is not presented within this time period, the claim will be forever barred except as provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective for claims against both the Decedent’s probate and non-probate assets. Date of First Publication of this Notice: May 13, 2026 Prepared By: W. TRACY CODD WSBN 16745 Attorney for Personal Representative P.O. Box 1238 Seahurst, WA. 98062-1238 (206) 248-6152 Published in the Queen Anne & Magnolia News May 13, 20 & 27, 2026 SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON FOR KING COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATES OF JAMES F. NASH, Deceased. Case No. 26-4-03605-2 KNT PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS RCW 11.40.030 The Personal Representative named below has been appointed as Personal Representative of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Personal Representative or the Personal Representative’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the Personal Representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1) (c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets. DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION: May 20, 2026 PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE: Kelly S. Reed ATTORNEY FOR PERSONAL Aaron A. Jennings, WSBA# 30566 REPRESENTATIVE: Of Lombino Martino, P.S. ADDRESS FOR MAILING OR SERVICE: Lombino Martino, P.S. 9315 Gravelly Lake Dr. SW Suite 201, Lakewood, WA 98499 Published in the Queen Anne & Magnolia News May 20, 27 & June 3, 2026 SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON FOR SNOHOMISH COUNTY Estate of PAMELA R. BAILEY, Deceased. NO. 26-4-00816-31 PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS (RCW 11.40.030) THE PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE NAMED BELOW has been appointed as Personal Representative of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Personal Representative or the Personal Representative’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the Personal Representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and RCW 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets. Date of First Publication: May 6, 2026 /s/ DIANE E. WELCH Personal Representative of the Estate of PAMELA R. BAILEY Attorney for Personal Representative: Jody K. Reich, WSBA #29069 Address for Mailing or Service: J. Reich Law, PLLC 209 4th Avenue South, Suite 101-A Edmonds, WA 98020 Published in the Queen Anne & Magnolia News May 6, 13 & 20, 2026 SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON FOR SNOHOMISH COUNTY In Re the Estate of: DENNIS DEAN JOHNSON, Deceased. NO. 26-4-00859-31 PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS RCW 11.40.030 The Personal Representative named below has been appointed as Personal Representative of this estate. Any person having a claim against the Decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Personal Representative or the personal representative’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the Court. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the Personal Representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1) (c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets. Date of First Publication: May 6, 2026 /s/ Carolyn Ruth Johnson, Personal Representative Attorney for Personal Representative: Paige Buurstra, WSBA# 40500 Buurstra Law PLLC 21 Avenue A, Ste C Snohomish, WA 98290 Published in the Queen Anne & Magnolia News May 6, 13 & 20, 2026 Superior Court of Washington, County of King In re: Petitioner/s (person/s who started this case): Fikrenesh Ashagrie Woldehtsan And Respondent/s (other party/parties): Joni Bereket Haile No. 26-3-01038-6 SEA Summons Served by Publication (SMPB) Summons Served by Publication To (other party’s name/s): Joni Bereket Haile I have started a court case by filing a petition. The name of the Petition is: Woldehtsan vs Haile You must re-

spond in writing if you want the court to consider your side. Deadline! Your Response must be filed and served within 60 days of the date this Summons is published: May 13, 2026. If you do not file and serve your Response or a Notice of Appearance by the deadline: • No one has to notify you about other hearings in this case, and • The court may approve the requests in the Petition without hearing your side (called a default judgment). Follow these steps: 1. Read the Petition and any other documents that were filed at court with this Summons. Those documents explain what the other party is asking for. 2. Fill out a Response on this form (check the Response that matches the Petition): [x] FL Divorce 211, Response to Petition about a Marriage You can get the Response form and other forms you may need at: • The Washington State Courts’ website: www.courts.wa.gov/forms • Washington LawHelp: www.washingtonlawhelp.org, or • The Superior Court Clerk’s office or county law library (for a fee). 3. Serve (give) a copy of your Response to the person who filed this Summons at the address below, and to any other parties. You may use certified mail with return receipt requested. For more information on how to serve, read Superior Court Civil Rule 5. 4. File your original Response with the court clerk at this address: Superior Court Clerk, King County 516 3rd Ave Seattle WA 98104 5. Lawyer not required: It is a good idea to talk to a lawyer, but you may file and serve your Response without one. Person filing this Summons or his/her lawyer fills out below: /s/ Fikrenesh Ashagrie Woldehtsan Date 4/25/26 I agree to accept legal papers for this case at (check one): [x] the following address (this does not have to be your home address): 3565 S Morgan St Seattle WA 98118 (If this address changes before the case ends, you must notify all parties and the court in writing. You may use the Notice of Address Change form (FL All Family 120). You must also update your Confidential Information Form (FL All Family 001) if this case involves parentage or child support.) Note: You and the other party/ies may agree to accept legal papers by email under Superior Court Civil Rule 5 and local court rules. This Summons is issued according to Rule 4.1 of the Superior Court Civil Rules of the state of Washington. Published in the Queen Anne & Magnolia News May 13, 20, 27, June 3, 10 & 17, 2026 Superior Court of Washington, County of King In re: Petitioner: David Christian Radu And Respondent: Keron Small No.: 26-3-02277-5 KNT Summons Served by Publication (SMPB) Summons Served by Publication To: Keron Small I have started a court case by filing a petition, The name of the Petition is: Petition for Divorce You must respond in writing if you want the court to consider your side. Deadline! Your Response must be filed and served within 60 days of the date this Summons is published: April 22, 2026. If you do not file and serve your Response or a Notice of Appearance by the deadline: • No one has to notify you about other hearings in this case, and • The court may approve the requests in the Petition without hearing your side (called a default judgment). Follow these steps: 1. Read the Petition and any other documents that were filed at court with this Summons. Those documents explain what the other party is asking for. 2. Fill out a Response on this form (check the Response that matches the Petition): FL Divorce 211, Response to Petition about a Marriage You can get the Response form and other forms you may need at: • The Washington State Courts’ website: www.courts.wa.gov/forms • Washington LawHelp: www.washingtonlawhelp.org, or • The Superior Court Clerk’s office or county law library (for a fee). 3. Serve (give) a copy of your Response to the person who filed this Summons at the address below, and to any other parties. You may use certified mail with return receipt requested. For more information on how to serve, read Superior Court Civil Rule 5. 4. File your original Response with the court clerk at this address: Superior Court Clerk, King County 401 4th Ave. N Room 2C Kent WA 98032-4429 5. Lawyer not required: It is a good idea to talk to a lawyer, but you may file and serve your Response without one. Person filing this Summons or his/her lawyer fills out below: /s/ David Radu Date 4/2/2026 David Radu Print name and WSBA No., if any I agree to accept legal papers for this case at the following address: 13021 244th Ave SE Issaquah WA 98027 (If this address changes before the case ends, you must notify all parties and the court in writing. You may use the Notice of Address Change form (FL All Family 120). You must also update your Confidential Information Form (FL All Family 001) if this case involves parentage or child support.) Note: You and the other party/ies may agree to accept legal papers by email under Superior Court Civil Rule 5 and local court rules. This Summons is issued according to Rule 4.1 of the Superior Court Civil Rules of the state of Washington. Published in the Queen Anne & Magnolia News April 22, 29, May 6, 13, 20 & 27, 2026 TS No WA09000069-23-1 TO No DEF-601985 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE PURSUANT TO THE REVISED CODE OF WASHINGTON CHAPTER 61.24 ET. SEQ. Grantor: JOEL WILMOT, A MARRIED MAN, AS HIS SEPARATE PROPERTY Current Beneficiary of the Deed of Trust: U.S. Bank Trust National Association, not in its individual capacity, but solely as Owner Trustee for RCAF Acquisition Trust Original Trustee of the Deed of Trust: THOMAS E. BLACK, JR. Current Trustee of the Deed of Trust: MTC Financial Inc. dba Trustee Corps Current Mortgage Servicer of the Deed of Trust: SELENE FINANCE, LP Reference Number of the Deed of Trust: Instrument No. 20150811001123 Parcel Number: 9414600030-02 I. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on May 15, 2026, 10:00 AM, at 4th Ave entrance King County Administration Building, located one block east of the Courthouse, 500 4th Ave, Seattle, WA, MTC Financial Inc. dba

Trustee Corps, the undersigned Trustee, will sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder, payable, in the form of cash, or cashier’s check or certified checks from federally or State chartered banks, at the time of sale the following described real property, situated in the County of King, State of Washington, towit: LOT 3 OF WILDWOOD PARK DIVISION NO. 2, AS PER PLAT RECORDED IN VOLUME 86 OF PLATS, PAGE 69, RECORDS OF KING COUNTY AUDITOR; SITUATE IN THE CITY OF ISSAQUAH, COUNTY OF KING, STATE OF WASHINGTON APN: 9414600030-02 More commonly known as 1000 WILDWOOD BLVD SW, ISSAQUAH, WA 98027 which is subject to that certain Deed of Trust dated August 10, 2015, executed by JOEL WILMOT, A MARRIED MAN, AS HIS SEPARATE PROPERTY as Trustor(s), to secure obligations in favor of MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC., as designated nominee for PEOPLES BANK & TRUST COMPANY, Beneficiary of the security instrument, its successors and assigns, recorded August 11, 2015 as Instrument No. 20150811001123 and the beneficial interest was assigned to U.S. Bank Trust National Association, not in its individual capacity, but solely as Owner Trustee for RCAF Acquisition Trust and recorded July 18, 2025 as Instrument Number 20250718000234 of official records in the Office of the Recorder of King County, Washington. II. No action commenced by U.S. Bank Trust National Association, not in its individual capacity, but solely as Owner Trustee for RCAF Acquisition Trust, the current Beneficiary of the Deed of Trust is now pending to seek satisfaction of the obligation in any Court by reason of the Borrowers’ or Grantors’ default on the obligation secured by the Deed of Trust/Mortgage. III. The default(s) for which this foreclosure is made is/are as follows: FAILURE TO PAY WHEN DUE THE FOLLOWING AMOUNTS WHICH ARE NOW IN ARREARS: DELINQUENT PAYMENT INFORMATION From March 1, 2023 To January 9, 2026 Number of Payments 35 Total $82,719.40 LATE CHARGE INFORMATION March 1, 2023 January 9, 2026 $0.00 PROMISSORY NOTE INFORMATION Note Dated: August 10, 2015 Note Amount $307,500.00 Interest Paid To: February 1, 2023 Next Due Date: March 1, 2023 Current Beneficiary: U.S. Bank Trust National Association, not in its individual capacity, but solely as Owner Trustee for RCAF Acquisition Trust Contact Phone No: (877) 768-3759 Address: 3501 Olympus Boulevard, 5th Floor, Suite 500, Dallas, TX 75019 IV. The sum owing on the obligation secured by the Deed of Trust is: The principal sum of $255,240.75, together with interest as provided in the Note or other instrument secured, and such other costs and fees as are due under the Note or other instrument secured, and as are provided by statute. V. The above described real property will be sold to satisfy the expense of sale and the obligation secured by the Deed of Trust as provided by statute. Said sale will be made without warranty, expressed or implied, regarding title, possession or encumbrances on May 15, 2026. The defaults referred to in Paragraph III must be cured by May 4, 2026, (11 days before the sale date) to cause a discontinuance of the sale. The sale will be discontinued and terminated if at any time before May 4, 2026 (11 days before the sale) the default as set forth in Paragraph III is cured and the Trustees’ fees and costs are paid. Payment must be in cash or with cashiers’ or certified checks from a State or federally chartered bank. The sale may be terminated any time after the May 4, 2026 (11 days before the sale date) and before the sale, by the Borrower or Grantor or the holder of any recorded junior lien or encumbrance by paying the entire principal and interest secured by the Deed of Trust, plus costs, fees and advances, if any, made pursuant to the terms of the obligation and/or Deed of Trust, and curing all other defaults. VI. A written Notice of Default was transmitted by the current Beneficiary, U.S. Bank Trust National Association, not in its individual capacity, but solely as Owner Trustee for RCAF Acquisition Trust or Trustee to the Borrower and Grantor at the following address(es): ADDRESS UNKNOWN SPOUSE OF JOEL WILMOT 1000 WILDWOOD BLVD SW, ISSAQUAH, WA 98027 DAWN LOUISE WADE 1000 WILDWOOD BLVD SW, ISSAQUAH, WA 98027 JOEL WILMOT 1000 WILDWOOD BLVD SW, ISSAQUAH, WA 98027 by both first class and certified mail on February 12, 2024, proof of which is in the possession of the Trustee; and the Borrower and Grantor were personally served with said written Notice of Default or the written Notice of Default was posted in a conspicuous place February 12, 2024 on the real property described in Paragraph I above, and the Trustee has possession of proof of such service or posting. VII. The Trustee whose name and address are set forth below will provide in writing to anyone requesting it, a statement of all costs and fees due at any time prior to the sale. VIII. The effect of the sale will be to deprive the Grantor and all those who hold by, through or under the Grantor of all their interest in the above described property. IX. Anyone having any objections to this sale on any grounds whatsoever will be afforded an opportunity to be heard as to those objections if they bring a lawsuit to restrain the sale pursuant to RCW 61.24.130. Failure to bring such a lawsuit may result in a waiver of any proper grounds for invalidating the Trustees’ Sale. X. Notice to Occupants or Tenants. The purchaser at the Trustee’s sale is entitled to possession of the property on the 20th day following the sale, as against the Grantor under the deed of trust (the owner) and anyone having an interest junior to the deed of trust, including occupants who are not tenants. After the 20th day following the sale the purchaser has the right to evict occupants who are not tenants by summary proceedings under chapter 59.12 RCW. For tenant-occupied property, the purchaser shall provide a tenant with written notice in accordance with RCW 61.24.060. Notice to Borrower(s) who received a letter

under RCW 61.24.031: THIS NOTICE IS THE FINAL STEP BEFORE THE FORECLOSURE SALE OF YOUR HOME. Mediation MUST be requested between the time you receive the Notice of Default and no later than 90 calendar days BEFORE the date of sale listed in the Notice of Trustee Sale. If an amended Notice of Trustee Sale is recorded providing a 45-day notice of the sale, mediation must be requested no later than 25 calendar days BEFORE the date of sale listed in the amended Notice of Trustee Sale. DO NOT DELAY. CONTACT A HOUSING COUNSELOR OR AN ATTORNEY LICENSED IN WASHINGTON NOW to assess your situation and refer you to mediation if you might eligible and it may help you save your home. See below for safe sources of help. SEEKING ASSISTANCE Housing counselors and legal assistance may be available at little or no cost to you. If you would like assistance in determining your rights and opportunities to keep your house, you may contact the following: The statewide foreclosure hotline for assistance and referral to housing counselors recommended by the Washington State Housing Finance Commission: Toll-free: 1-877-894HOME (1-877-894-4663) Website: https:// www.homeownership-wa.org/ The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development: Toll-free: 1-800-569-4287 Website: h t t p s : / / a n s w e r s . h u d . g o v / housingcounseling/s/?language=en_US The statewide civil legal aid hotline for assistance and referrals to other housing counselors and attorneys: Toll-free: 1-800-606-4819 Website: https://nwjustice.org/home Effective March 1, 2026, new federal regulations (89 Fed. Reg. 70.258) will impact residential real property (1-4 residential units) title transfers to covered entities trusts, with reporting requirements unless exempt. https://www.federalregister.gov/ documents/2024/08/29/2024-19198/anti-money-laundering-regulations-for-residential-realestate-transfers Dated: January 9, 2026 MTC Financial Inc. dba Trustee Corps, as Duly Appointed Successor Trustee By: Alan Burton, Vice President MTC Financial Inc. dba Trustee Corps 606 W. Gowe Street Kent, WA 98032 Toll Free Number: (844) 367-8456 TDD: 711 949.252.8300 For Reinstatement/Pay Off Quotes, contact MTC Financial Inc. DBA Trustee Corps Order Number 120104, Pub Dates: 04/29/2026, 05/20/2026, QUEEN ANNE & MAGNOLIA NEWS TS No WA09000116-25-1 TO No 3749282 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE PURSUANT TO THE REVISED CODE OF WASHINGTON CHAPTER 61.24 ET. SEQ. Grantor: JON ROBERT THRONE, A SINGLE MAN Current Beneficiary of the Deed of Trust: NewRez LLC DBA Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing Original Trustee of the Deed of Trust: FIRST AMERICAN TITLE Current Trustee of the Deed of Trust: MTC Financial Inc. dba Trustee Corps Current Mortgage Servicer of the Deed of Trust: NewRez LLC FKA New Penn Financial, LLC DBA Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing Reference Number of the Deed of Trust: Instrument No. 20160420001809 Parcel Number: 132205-905707 & 132205-905509 | I. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on May 29, 2026, 09:00 AM, Main Entrance, King County Administration Building, 500 4th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, MTC Financial Inc. dba Trustee Corps, the undersigned Trustee, will sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder, payable, in the form of cash, or cashier’s check or certified checks from federally or State chartered banks, at the time of sale the following described real property, situated in the County of King, State of Washington, to-wit: PARCEL A: LOTS 1 AND 2, AS DESCRIBED IN AND DELINEATED ON KING COUNTY SHORT PLAT NO. 180002, RECORDED UNDER RECORDING NUMBER 8007140550, RECORDS OF KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON. PARCEL B: A NON-EXCLUSIVE EASEMENT FOR INGRESS EGRESS AND UTILITIES OVER THE NORTH 30 FEET LYING WESTERLY OF LOT 1 OF SHORT PLAT NUMBER 180002, OF THE SOUTHWEST QUARTER OF THE NORTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 13, TOWNSHIP 22 NORTH, RANGE 5 EAST, W.M., IN KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON.EXCEPT PORTION LYING WITHIN 172ND AVENUE SOUTHEAST. SITUATE IN THE COUNTY OF KING, STATE OF WASHINGTON. APN: 132205-905707 & 132205-905509 | More commonly known as 17233 SE 228TH ST, KENT, WA 98042 which is subject to that certain Deed of Trust dated April 9, 2016, executed by JON ROBERT THRONE, A SINGLE MAN as Trustor(s), to secure obligations in favor of MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. (“MERS”), as designated nominee for AMERICAN PACIFIC MORTGAGE CORPORATION, Beneficiary of the security instrument, its successors and assigns, recorded April 20, 2016 as Instrument No. 20160420001809 and the beneficial interest was assigned to NEWREZ LLC DBA SHELLPOINT MORTGAGE SERVICING and recorded March 7, 2025 as Instrument Number 20250307000053 of official records in the Office of the Recorder of King County, Washington. II. No action commenced by NewRez LLC DBA Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing, the current Beneficiary of the Deed of Trust is now pending to seek satisfaction of the obligation in any Court by reason of the Borrowers’ or Grantors’ default on the obligation secured by the Deed of Trust/Mortgage. III. The default(s) for which this foreclosure is made is/are as follows: FAILURE TO PAY WHEN DUE THE FOLLOWING AMOUNTS WHICH ARE NOW IN ARREARS: DELINQUENT PAYMENT INFORMATION From November 1, 2024 To January 15, 2026 Number of Payments 9 Monthly Payment $4,423.72 6 $4,749.69 Total $68,311.62 LATE CHARGE INFORMATION November 1, 2024 January 15, 2026 $362.58 PROMISSORY NOTE INFORMATION Note Dated: April 9, 2016 Note Amount $498,750.00 Interest Paid To: October 1, 2024 Next Due Date: November 1, 2024 Current Beneficiary: NewRez LLC DBA Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing Contact Phone No: 800-365-7107 Ad-

MAY 20, 2026

11

dress: 75 Beattie Place, Suite 300, Greenville, SC 29601 IV. The sum owing on the obligation secured by the Deed of Trust is: The principal sum of $412,111.14, together with interest as provided in the Note or other instrument secured, and such other costs and fees as are due under the Note or other instrument secured, and as are provided by statute. V. The above described real property will be sold to satisfy the expense of sale and the obligation secured by the Deed of Trust as provided by statute. Said sale will be made without warranty, expressed or implied, regarding title, possession or encumbrances on May 29, 2026. The defaults referred to in Paragraph III must be cured by May 18, 2026, (11 days before the sale date) to cause a discontinuance of the sale. The sale will be discontinued and terminated if at any time before May 18, 2026 (11 days before the sale) the default as set forth in Paragraph III is cured and the Trustees’ fees and costs are paid. Payment must be in cash or with cashiers’ or certified checks from a State or federally chartered bank. The sale may be terminated any time after the May 18, 2026 (11 days before the sale date) and before the sale, by the Borrower or Grantor or the holder of any recorded junior lien or encumbrance by paying the entire principal and interest secured by the Deed of Trust, plus costs, fees and advances, if any, made pursuant to the terms of the obligation and/or Deed of Trust, and curing all other defaults. VI. A written Notice of Default was transmitted by the current Beneficiary, NewRez LLC DBA Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing or Trustee to the Borrower and Grantor at the following address(es): ADDRESS JON ROBERT THRONE 17233 SE 228TH ST, KENT, WA 98042 UNKNOWN SPOUSE OF JON ROBERT THRONE 17233 SE 228TH ST, KENT, WA 98042 by both first class and certified mail on December 15, 2025, proof of which is in the possession of the Trustee; and the Borrower and Grantor were personally served with said written Notice of Default or the written Notice of Default was posted in a conspicuous place December 12, 2025 on the real property described in Paragraph I above, and the Trustee has possession of proof of such service or posting. VII. The Trustee whose name and address are set forth below will provide in writing to anyone requesting it, a statement of all costs and fees due at any time prior to the sale. VIII. The effect of the sale will be to deprive the Grantor and all those who hold by, through or under the Grantor of all their interest in the above described property. IX. Anyone having any objections to this sale on any grounds whatsoever will be afforded an opportunity to be heard as to those objections if they bring a lawsuit to restrain the sale pursuant to RCW 61.24.130. Failure to bring such a lawsuit may result in a waiver of any proper grounds for invalidating the Trustees’ Sale. X. Notice to Occupants or Tenants. The purchaser at the Trustee’s sale is entitled to possession of the property on the 20th day following the sale, as against the Grantor under the deed of trust (the owner) and anyone having an interest junior to the deed of trust, including occupants who are not tenants. After the 20th day following the sale the purchaser has the right to evict occupants who are not tenants by summary proceedings under chapter 59.12 RCW. For tenant-occupied property, the purchaser shall provide a tenant with written notice in accordance with RCW 61.24.060. Notice to Borrower(s) who received a letter under RCW 61.24.031: THIS NOTICE IS THE FINAL STEP BEFORE THE FORECLOSURE SALE OF YOUR HOME. Mediation MUST be requested between the time you receive the Notice of Default and no later than 90 calendar days BEFORE the date of sale listed in the Notice of Trustee Sale. If an amended Notice of Trustee Sale is recorded providing a 45-day notice of the sale, mediation must be requested no later than 25 calendar days BEFORE the date of sale listed in the amended Notice of Trustee Sale. DO NOT DELAY. CONTACT A HOUSING COUNSELOR OR AN ATTORNEY LICENSED IN WASHINGTON NOW to assess your situation and refer you to mediation if you might eligible and it may help you save your home. See below for safe sources of help. SEEKING ASSISTANCE Housing counselors and legal assistance may be available at little or no cost to you. If you would like assistance in determining your rights and opportunities to keep your house, you may contact the following: The statewide foreclosure hotline for assistance and referral to housing counselors recommended by the Washington State Housing Finance Commission: Toll-free: 1-877-894HOME (1-877-894-4663) Website: https:// www.homeownership-wa.org/ The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development: Toll-free: 1-800-569-4287 Website: h t t p s : / / a n s w e r s . h u d . g o v / housingcounseling/s/?language=en_US The statewide civil legal aid hotline for assistance and referrals to other housing counselors and attorneys: Toll-free: 1-800-606-4819 Website: https://nwjustice.org/home Effective March 1, 2026, new federal regulations (89 Fed. Reg. 70.258) will impact residential real property (1-4 residential units) title transfers to covered entities trusts, with reporting requirements unless exempt. https://www.federalregister.gov/ documents/2024/08/29/2024-19198/anti-money-laundering-regulations-for-residential-realestate-transfers Dated: January 15, 2026 MTC Financial Inc. dba Trustee Corps, as Duly Appointed Successor Trustee By: Alan Burton, Vice President MTC Financial Inc. dba Trustee Corps 606 W. Gowe Street Kent, WA 98032 Toll Free Number: (844) 367-8456 TDD: 711 949.252.8300 For Reinstatement/Pay Off Quotes, contact MTC Financial Inc. DBA Trustee Corps. ISL# 120220, Pub Dates 04/29/2026, 05/20/2026, QUEEN ANNE & MAGNOLIA NEWS


12 MAY 20, 2026

Around Town: This Weekend ASIAN AMERICAN PACIFIC ISLANDER COMMUNITY DAYS

Now – May 31, Seattle Aquarium Asian American and Pacific Islander Community Days return to the Seattle Aquarium throughout May, offering a month-long celebration of culture, community, and marine science. The program features special talks, hands-on activities, and a scavenger hunt designed to highlight connections between AAPI communities and ocean conservation. Visitors can also meet Aquarium scientists during weekly Discovery Lab sessions and learn more about careers in science.

SUMMER SUNDAYS AT THE FRIENDSHOP

May 24 through Sept. 6, Central Library (Level 3) The FriendShop at the Seattle Central Library will open every Sunday from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, giving book lovers another chance to shop during one of the busiest seasons downtown. Located on Level 3 of the Central Library, the shop offers books, gifts and library-themed finds, with proceeds supporting Friends of The Seattle Public Library.

OVERLOOK WALK POP UP

Sunday, May 24, Waterfront Park The FriendShop will bring pop-up sales to Overlook Walk at

CROSSWORD

AAPI OWNED BUSINESS POP-UP

Tuesday May 26, Fairview Market Hall Inviting the public to shop local during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The free South Lake Union event will feature returning favorites such as Ube Overload, along with new vendors including Anh O’i Bake Shop. Visitors can stop by for sweet treats, bites and other goods while supporting AAPI-owned small businesses. Seattle’s Waterfront Park on May 24 and Sept. 6, helping bookend the summer season along the waterfront. The sales will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1505 Alaskan Way, offering visitors a chance to browse books and gifts while enjoying one of Seattle’s newest public spaces. The pop-ups are presented in partnership with Friends of Waterfront Park, the nonprofit that supports fundraising, stewardship and programming for Waterfront Park.

WESTLAKE PARK REOPENING CELEBRATION

FREE NATIONAL PARK DAY

Thursday, May 28, Westlake Park Seattle Parks and Recreation and Seattle Parks Foundation will celebrate the grand reopening of Westlake Park on Thursday, May 28, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at 401 Pine St. The event will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony, live music from Bad Weather Brass Band, a craft station by Silver Kite Community Arts, chess lessons from Seattle Chess School, games, ping pong and a kids’ zone. Food will be available for purchase from Bonito Cafe, Impeckable Chicken and Plaza Garcia. Visitors can also enter a Seattle Parks Foundation raffle for $50 gift cards to Westlake Park businesses. The celebration marks recent park improvements, including lighting upgrades, new plantings, fresh benches and accessibility improvements to the stage.

May 25, National Parks Looking for an easy spring outing? Free National Park Day returns this May, offering visitors the chance to explore national parks across the country without paying an entrance fee. On select days each year, the National Park Service waives admission to all fee-charging parks, opening the door to some of the nation’s most iconic landscapes. In Washington, that includes nearby destinations like Mount Rainier National Park and Olympic National Park, both within a day’s drive of Seattle. While entrance fees are waived, visitors should note that reservations, timed entry permits, or additional fees for camping and activities may still apply. Free entry days are popular, so early arrival and planning ahead are recommended.

Northwest Folklife Kicks Off Summer at Seattle Center Staff Report

APRIL JINGCO AND NORTHWEST FOLKLIFE

N

orthwest Folklife Festival returns to Seattle Center May 22 through 25, bringing four days of music, dance, food, art and people-watching to Memorial Day weekend. It’s free to attend, donationsupported, and absolutely worth braving the crowds. Folklife is one of those Seattle weekends where the whole campus feels alive. There are performers around every corner, food vendors filling the walkways, artists selling handmade work, dancers pulling people into the rhythm, and enough unexpected moments to make wandering part of the fun. Now in its 55th year, the festival continues to showcase the traditions and creative communities that shape the Pacific Northwest. This year’s cultural focus is “Ubuntu,” an African philosophy often summarized as “I am because we are,” emphasizing community, connection and shared responsibility.

The festival is also one of the first true signs of summer in Seattle. Before the big concert season and before the Fourth of July crowds, Folklife turns Seattle Center into a giant, colorful neighborhood gathering. It is busy, yes. Parking will be annoying, and the lines for favorite food vendors can get long. But that is part of the deal, and usually part of the charm.

Come for the music, stay for the food, browse the art, grab the freebies, and let yourself wander. Folklife is best experienced without overplanning. Admission is free, though donations are encouraged to help keep the festival accessible. Organizers recommend using the Northwest Folklife mobile app for schedules, performers, vendors and updates throughout the weekend.


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