Seattle News Archives & Features – MyNorthwest.com

Judge sets bail at $2 million for Seattle hatchet attack suspect

Sam Campbell — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 22:41:55 +0000

A King County judge has set bail at $2 million for the 50-year-old man accused of slashing another man in the neck with a hatchet on Sunday.

The man, who ��Xվ Newsradio will not name until he is formally charged, skipped what would have been his first court appearance on Monday afternoon. Prosecutors said his attorney showed up instead.

Court documents state that the attack happened in broad daylight at Cambridge Apartments, a low-income housing complex on Union Street just across I-5 from the Seattle Convention Center. Police responded to reports of an assault around 2:37 p.m.

According to one of the Seattle police officers investigating the case, the man and the victim are friends. He “was upset” and grabbed his friend’s arm before cutting his neck, the officer wrote.

Police found the victim with a large cut “through which I could visibly see muscle tissue,” the officer wrote in the report. Medics rushed him to Harborview Medical Center, where his injuries were last reported as “life-threatening.”

Police called for backup, according to the documents, and officers arrested the suspect in his apartment. They reportedly found a hatchet under his mattress.

It’s not clear what happened leading up to the suspect becoming “upset,” as the officer wrote.

He had no other active warrants for his arrest by the time officers took him into custody, but prosecutors successfully pushed for the $2 million bail. The judge agreed. At the time of publication, he is being held in King County Jail awaiting trial.

Formal charges are expected to be filed by Wednesday, the said.

A spokesperson with Harborview Medical Center told ��Xվ Newsradio the victim has since been discharged from the hospital.

Related from MyNorthwest: Man recovering after being stabbed in the neck with hatchet

Ferguson slows electric ferry conversion to restore service by summer

MyNorthwest Staff — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 19:47:03 +0000

Gov. Bob Ferguson has announced that the conversion of two of Washington State Ferries’ largest vessels to hybrid-electric power will be postponed until after the 2026 World Cup.

Seattle is set to host matches starting in mid-June 2026, and the conversion project will resume once the event is over.

Ferguson explained that the delay is part of a larger strategy to fully restore ferry service by this summer. Converting the ferries would require them to be out of service for an extended period, disrupting service.

The Wenatchee, the first ferry scheduled for conversion, would have been unavailable for at least 22 months if the work had been completed by this summer. The hybrid-electric transition aligns with former Gov. Jay Inslee and the Washington Legislature, as part of WSF’s Long Range Plan.

Washington ferries back in action

In the meantime, Washington State Ferries says it will keep vessels in operation, ensuring 18 ferries are running this summer—the highest number since 2019. To provide full domestic service, WSF needs 21 vessels, with 18 in service at any given time, according to the governor’s office.

WSF has faced challenges with aging vessels, mechanical breakdowns, and staff shortages, leading to canceled sailings and unreliable service.

The first two hybrid-electric ferries are now expected to begin service in 2028, with three additional ferries to follow by 2030, as outlined in WSF’s project overview.

Gee Scott: Democrats missed an opportunity to see Donald Trump ‘fall flat’

MyNorthwest Staff — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 20:00:18 +0000

President Trump delivered the longest address to Congress since 1964 on Tuesday night. His speech blended policy proposals and personal gripes with ambitious promises for America’s future.

Trump closed by declaring that America’s “golden age” was just beginning, promising prosperity, safer communities, and even vowing to plant the American flag on Mars. He emphasized the nation’s unstoppable spirit and commitment to national prosperity.

Trump also defended his administration’s actions on immigration and border security and reiterated his “America First” economic policies, including tariffs aimed at supporting U.S. farmers and manufacturers. He declared that the U.S. would no longer be “woke,” aiming to reverse policies he criticized as part of a “woke” agenda, including banning “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” policies and making English the official language.

A comprehensive independent fact-check of Trump’s address is

More from MyNorthwest: Washington lawmakers react to Trump’s congressional speech

Gee Scott on Trump’s address

The speech was met with protests from Democrats, who held up signs and criticized Trump’s policies. Tensions escalated when for interrupting, but Trump continued his address, acknowledging that he would never win approval from his political opponents.

“The Gee and Ursula Show” host Gee Scott shared his opinion on the Democrats’ reaction to Trump during a recent appearance on “Seattle’s Morning News” on ��Xվ Newsradio:

“If you fight with a pig, and even if you win, you still get dirty, right? Last night, I thought that the Democrats had an opportunity to let Trump fall flat on his face, but instead, they jumped in the mud and wrestled with that pig. If you want to stand up Al Green, and you want to protest, OK. But then you accept your punishment,” Gee said.

Listen to the full analysis:

Listen to Gee on “The Gee and Ursula Show” weekday mornings from 9am to 12am on ��Xվ Newsradio.

Chokepoints: Arlington fish passage to cause year-long I-5 delays

Chris Sullivan — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 13:00:00 +0000

A year of construction is going to cause significant delays getting in and out of Arlington as the state tackles .

The overnight lane closures on both north and southbound I-5 were set to begin last night. The (WSDOT) is removing the culverts under I-5 and Old Highway 99 just south of State Route 532.

To make room for the work, WSDOT’s Madison Sehlke said contractors will be closing a lane in each direction of the freeway over the next eight weeks to build new bypasses.

“They will be two-lane bypass roads in each direction, so one north and one south,” she said. “They are standard lanes, 12 feet with standard shoulders as well. Once traffic is on the bypass road, there will be a speed reduction to 60 miles per hour.”

The will be to the west of the current main line.

“We’re expecting that the bypass will take eight weeks to complete so that does put us at the end of April or beginning of May,” Sehlke said. “Right in time for our Skagit Valley Tulip Festival.”

The public should expect delays on I-5 for the festival and really any travel for the rest of the year. The freeway is going to remain in this configuration for months.

“This is a two-year project,” Sehlke said. “We’re hoping to have traffic shifted back (on I-5) by the end of December.”

But this is expected to have significant impacts.

“We’re encouraging people to avoid peak times if possible when traveling through the area, but if they are traveling through those peak times expect delays and to factor in extra travel time,” Sehlke said.

When traffic shifts back to the main line of I-5, WSDOT will then close Old Highway 99 for six months. That’s expected in early 2026.

More from MyNorthwest: Fixing the Gorst corner conundrum in Kitsap County

Travel delays and disruptions

So what are we getting in exchange for the travel delays and disruptions?

Replacing the small box culverts that block Secret Creek with giant arches under the freeway will open up about five miles of fish habitat. More than 2,000 feet of the creek is being restored, but WSDOT’s Sehlke said it’s not just about fish.

“Yes, it’s for fish passages, but I like to emphasize that this is a wildlife connectivity corridor, which also benefits the local wildlife in the area,” Sehlke said.

The arch culverts are 68 feet wide, which will create undercrossings for the deer, coyote, bobcat and beaver in the area.

Workers will have to dig down about 80 feet to restore the natural habitat.

Total price tag: $57.5 million.

Parents group sues WA officials for continued support of trans-athletes in schools

MyNorthwest Staff — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 20:15:39 +0000

Washington State Superintendent Chris Reykdal and Governor Bob Ferguson have been named in a Title IX complaint filed by the .

The complaint was submitted to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights last week and centers around transgender participation in women’s sports. WPN Executive Director David Spring told that the organization has been preparing for more than a year but had hoped to avoid filing it.

WPN is a volunteer group of over 2,600 parents, that claims to protect the rights of both parents and children.

The order to end DEI

On his first day back in office last month, President Trump signed an executive order that called for the end of all “discriminatory” and “illegal” Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs in federal government institutions.

On February 14, the U.S. Department of Education issued a letter to colleges and K-12 schools across the country, giving them a two-week deadline to end all identity-based programs or risk losing federal funding. Reykdal responded by advising school districts not to alter their existing policies, practices, or programs.

About 20 school districts then received a letter from Reykdal demanding they comply with Policy 3211—a state policy promoting gender-inclusive schools and prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity or expression.

Several school board members, including those from districts affected by the policy, signed declarations that were submitted as part of the complaint.

One such declaration was from Enumclaw School Board Member Paul Fisher, who expressed concern over the conflicting orders, writing:

State Superintendent Chris Reykdal has threatened to withhold state funding if our school board fails to comply with State Policies 3211 and 3211 P. At the same time, President Trump has issued a Presidential Order declaring that our school district will lose federal funding if our school board fails to comply with Title IX. This places our school board in an impossible position.”

Spring argues that a federal ruling in supports their case. According to Spring, Reykdal and Ferguson are violating their oaths of office by disregarding federal law and continuing to enforce state policies that contradict it.

More from MyNorthwest: Seafair 2025: More dates, events and new air show

Killer whales amaze Seattle onlookers with a rarely seen bird hunt

Associated Press — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 20:07:04 +0000

SEATTLE (AP) — A pod of orcas swam close to shore and amazed onlookers in Seattle by treating the whale watchers to the rare sight of the apex predators hunting a bird.

The pod of Bigg’s killer whales visited Elliott Bay and were seemingly on a hunt underwater just off Seattle’s maritime industrial docks. The pod exited the bay close to the West Seattle neighborhood across from downtown, where people were waiting to catch sight of them.

Kersti Muul, who runs a WhatsApp whale alert system for the Seattle area called “ ,” recorded footage as the whales appeared just below a lookout point.

One of the whales was seen capturing a bird and taking it below water, sparking gasps from onlookers.

It was “a once-in-a-lifetime experience for West Seattle. Not only in the whales’ proximity, but also witnessing a rarely seen behavior – chasing and catching the grebe,” Muul said in a text. “My eyes darted back and forth taking in the community’s reactions and the orcas right below our feet, visible underwater.”

Bigg’s killer whales are orcas that usually prey on marine mammals such as sea lions or porpoises. They visit the waters off Seattle occasionally and both dedicated and casual whale watchers shadow them as they explore. The pod sighted Sunday has ventured into the Seattle waters several times this past month.

“It’s definitely a bonding experience for the community,” Muul said. “And my hope is always that these moments inspire awe and awareness of the urban wildlife in our backyards.”

Truckers say ‘no way’ to EVs: Push back against California-style emission rules

Matt Markovich — Sat, 22 Feb 2025 13:00:00 +0000

Washington’s trucking industry sounded the alarm during a State Senate hearing on Friday, warning that the state’s alignment with California’s emission standards will cripple the region’s long-haul trucking sector.

Truckers testified in support of Senate Bill 5091, a Republican-backed proposal that would sever Washington’s ties to California’s strict vehicle emissions rules.

Supporters argue the bill is a lifeline for truckers drowning under expensive and unrealistic mandates, while opponents contend it would roll back progress on clean air and climate change.

Why Truckers Are Pushing for SB 5091

For businesses that rely on heavy-duty diesel trucks, Washington’s decision to follow California’s emissions standards has been a nightmare. Trucking companies say they’re being forced into an impossible position: buy electric trucks that cost nearly double the price of diesel rigs and don’t go the distance, or take their business elsewhere.

“Class 8 trucks cost about $300,000 today, and they can work an eight- to ten-hour day on a tank of fuel,” Brett Ferullo, owner of Northwest Construction company in Bellevue, said. “An EV truck costs $560,000 and operates half the miles due to its charge. I’ll now have to buy two trucks to do the work of one.”

Barnes added that under California’s clean air rules, the price of an EV truck could skyrocket even further.

“This is not a trade-off of clean air versus profits—the current technology already reduces pollutants by 94 to 98%.”

Steve Gordon, representing Gordon Truck Centers, which operates Freightliner dealerships across the West, echoed similar concerns.

“Anytime you talk to a trucker, it’s a hyper-competitive industry. If you’re going to charge them three times as much for the initial purchase price, you just don’t find a lot of buyers for that,” he said. “Plus, they’re 10,000 pounds heavier. They go one-fifth of the distance. They’re just not quite up for the job today.”

What SB 5091 Would Do

SB 5091 would put the brakes on Washington’s automatic adoption of California’s emissions rules and instead require the state to follow federal standards.

Republicans behind the bill, including its sponsor, Senator Matt Boehnke, argue that Washington shouldn’t be letting California dictate policy, especially when it puts local businesses at a disadvantage.

“This is about restoring Washington’s ability to make its own decisions,” Boehnke said.

Washington’s History with California’s Emission Standards

For nearly two decades, Washington has voluntarily followed California’s aggressive clean air policies. That decision meant tighter restrictions on pollutants, mandates for low-emission vehicles, and, more recently, a phased transition toward electric and zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs).

While California’s rules aim to cut air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, they go far beyond federal requirements. Seventeen states have signed on to follow California’s standards, but Washington Republicans are now pushing to opt out.

Environmental Concerns and Opposition to the Bill

Environmentalists and Democratic lawmakers strongly oppose SB 5091, warning that shifting away from California’s standards would make it harder for Washington to meet its clean air and climate goals.

“Under the federal Clean Air Act, states have the option to either follow federal motor vehicle emission standards or California standards, which are more stringent,” said Joel Creswell, Climate Pollution Reduction Program Manager at the Department of Ecology.

“Washington is one of about 17 states that have adopted California standards. They’ve already reduced air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions from Washington’s transportation sector.”

Creswell warned that repealing California’s stricter rules would hurt Washington’s ability to combat climate change.

“SB 5091 would repeal our mandate to adopt California standards and shift us to less stringent federal standards. This would make it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to meet our statutory greenhouse gas reduction mandates and would likely reduce the vehicle models available to Washington consumers.”

What’s Next?

SB 5091 is still early in the legislative process and may not advance this year. The bill had its public hearing on the last day when bills needed to be voted out of committee to stay alive. Some suggest the hearing was simply a formality, allowing Republicans to voice opposition to Democratic-backed climate policies.

For now, Democrats control whether the bill moves forward or stalls indefinitely.

Matt Markovich often covers the state legislature and public politics for ��Xվ Newsradio. Follow him on

Traffic alert: All lanes open after crash blocks I-5 SB near Mercer St.

MyNorthwest Staff — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:09:48 +0000

All lanes have reopened after a large crash blocked southbound I-5 just north of Mercer Street in Seattle Friday morning.

Emergency responders and WSDOT crews are still clearing debris from the wreckage. It is not yet clear what caused the crash, but troopers say multiple cars were involved.

Officials recommend using alternate routes as the backup is now more than three miles long.

CLEAR: All lanes have fully reopened on SB I-5 just north of Mercer St. in Seattle after a collision. Allow time for the backups to clear as well.

— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic)

This is an ongoing story, check back for updates.

Tacoma Police investigating 2 ‘suspicious’ deaths

��Xվ 7 News Staff — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:17:17 +0000

TACOMA, Wash. — The Tacoma Police Department is investigating what they are calling two “suspicious” deaths.

Officers were called to an area on St. Paul Ave. near Tacoma Marine Repair for reports of an unresponsive man and woman.

Both people were pronounced dead when first responders arrived.

Detectives are investigating the incident as a “suspicious” death.

It’s unclear if the man and woman were out in the open or in a building or vehicle.

��Xվ 7 has reached out to Tacoma Police for more information.

The medical examiner will determine their cause and manner of death.

If the death is determined to be a homicide, it’ll be the third and fourth in Tacoma in 10 days. An 18-year-old was killed after getting shot in the chest on Valentine’s Day and another man was found dead on Feb. 11. A suspect has been arrested in the Feb. 11 homicide.

Prison reform bill passes state senate: Critics warn early releases threaten public safety

Matt Markovich — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 00:52:38 +0000

A bill designed to reshape how Washington’s prison system handles the release of incarcerated individuals passed the state Senate on Thursday, though critics argue it risks releasing criminals too soon.

Senate Bill 5219, which is supported by Governor Ferguson, seeks to overhaul partial confinement programs and release options, sparking heated debate over whether it strikes the right balance between rehabilitation and public safety.

It passed along party lines, with a 29-19 vote and one senator excused.

The bill’s sponsor, Senator Claire Wilson (D-Federal Way), presented it as a necessary reform. She pointed out that aligning programs, such as work release and graduated re-entry, will help those incarcerated make a smoother transition back into society.

According to Wilson, research shows that participation in reentry programs significantly reduces the likelihood of reoffending. “We cannot put people back in the community without some kind of a transition program,” Wilson said, referencing data that demonstrates an eight-point drop in recidivism rates for those involved in these programs.

A major change introduced by the bill is extending the eligibility for partial confinement programs to the final 18 months of a sentence, up from just 12 months.

This change would impact inmates who are nearing the end of their term and provide them more time to participate in reentry programs. Wilson stressed that the bill also aims to enhance public safety. “We need to give people a way to transition back into society,” she said. “We can’t just throw people out without help.”

Rehabilitation and public safety

More from Matt Markovich: Washington’s road usage charge is running out of gas – for now

But not everyone in the Senate was on board. Republican lawmakers pushed back, arguing that releasing individuals—especially those with violent criminal backgrounds—early could put the public at risk.

Senator Phil Fortunato (R-Auburn) introduced an amendment that would make anyone convicted of a sexual offense ineligible for work release, citing safety concerns, particularly when children are involved. “We have to think about the best interest of the child,” Fortunato argued. “People who have a history of sex crimes should not be eligible for these programs.”

Senator Wilson disagreed, pointing out that the bill already includes safeguards. “Work release is a proven program. Current DOC policies prohibit work release for those who pose a public safety risk, including individuals with sexual offenses,” she said. Fortunato’s amendment didn’t pass.

Senator Keith Wagoner (R-Sedro Woolley) also tried to amend the bill by excluding people convicted of violent crimes, saying that some offenders should not be included in the new policy.

“We can all agree that people who’ve committed violent offenses shouldn’t be in these programs,” Wagoner said, but his attempt to tighten the bill’s scope was also shot down.

Another major point of contention was the eligibility requirements for the Community Parenting Alternative program, which allows incarcerated parents to care for their children during their sentence.

Senator Leonard Christian (R-Spokane Valley) introduced an amendment that would require a “pre-existing relationship” between the parent and child before they could participate, arguing that this would ensure that only those with a real connection to the child would be allowed to take part.

“If we’re going to let someone out early to care for their child, they should have already had a relationship with that child before going to prison,” Christian said.

Senator Wilson again opposed this amendment, arguing that the current vetting process already ensures that only eligible parents are selected for the program. “We have a comprehensive screening process in place that includes interviews and investigations to verify the relationship,” Wilson explained.

After several amendments failed, Senator Wilson’s bill passed with a 29-19 vote. The bill now heads to the House for further debate.

Matt Markovich often covers the state legislature and public politics for ��Xվ Newsradio. Follow him on

Roadway clear after crash blocked all lanes on southbound I-5 at I-90

MyNorthwest Staff — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 00:21:58 +0000

A collision has been cleared after blocking all lanes on the southbound I-5 collector-distributor at I-90 (MP 165) Thursday.

Officials are still advising drivers to consider alternate routes and recommend allowing extra time for travel.

Motorists are encouraged to stay informed by checking for updates regularly to plan their routes accordingly.

UPDATE 2: The southbound lanes of the I-5 collector-distributor at I-90 are now open.

The exit to I-90 eastbound remains closed.

Continue to expect delays and drive with caution approaching the area.

— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic)

Check back for more updates.

State Senate redraws parking rules: Will it fix the housing crisis or create a parking nightmare?

Matt Markovich — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 23:01:50 +0000

The Washington State Senate made a big move on Thursday that could change how cities handle parking, but not everyone is thrilled about it.

They passed ESSB 5184, a bill aimed at easing parking requirements for new housing and commercial developments. Supporters argue that this will make building homes cheaper and easier, while critics fear it will lead to crowded streets and frustrated drivers.

At the heart of the debate is a question with no easy answer: How much parking is too much, and who gets to decide?

Parking vs. Housing

Senator Emily Bateman (D-Olympia), who sponsored the bill, laid out a stark reality: The U.S. has about ten parking spaces for every car, yet Washington is short roughly 250,000 homes. She argues that strict parking requirements drive up housing costs and make it harder to build in areas where parking isn’t as necessary.

“We’re forcing developers to build parking that sometimes just sits empty,” Bateman said. “That adds costs, and those costs get passed down to renters and homebuyers.”

The bill would give developers more flexibility in deciding how much parking to include, instead of being bound by one-size-fits-all city mandates. It also aims to make neighborhoods more walkable and reduce unnecessary land use for massive parking lots.

Bateman pointed to shopping centers as a key example. “Right now, a lot of retail spaces in Washington are legally required to dedicate more land to parking than the actual building itself. That doesn’t make sense everywhere.”

The Pushback: Not Every City is the Same

Critics of the bill argue that Washington’s communities are too different to be covered by a single policy. Senator Phil Fortunato (R-Auburn) believes the bill ties the hands of developers who may actually want more parking for businesses in car-dependent areas.

“If a developer wants more parking for a shopping center, why should we stand in the way?” Fortunato said. “Not every part of the state has great public transportation or walkability.” His amendment to exempt commercial spaces over 1,000 square feet was also rejected.

Senator Leonard Christian (R-Spokane Valley) pushed for an amendment to limit the bill’s application to cities with populations over 225,000, arguing, “This is a great plan to reduce parking, and I think it helps solve some of the housing issues around major cities, but that’s exactly where it should be… this doesn’t necessarily fill the rest of our state’s needs.” The amendment failed.

Another major concern came from rural lawmakers, who argue that the bill doesn’t reflect the realities of life outside urban centers. Senator Keith Wagoner (R-Sedro Woolley), a former mayor, shared his perspective on parking needs in smaller communities.

“In rural communities, it’s not just one person driving a Prius… You’ve got a pickup and a truck to haul your horse trailer and the trailer itself. It’s a different culture than it is in urban areas,” Wagoner said. “If we don’t plan for that, we’re just going to create new problems.”

To address these concerns, lawmakers added exemptions to the bill. Small towns with fewer than 20,000 residents won’t have to follow the new rules, and cities can opt out if they can prove safety concerns to the Department of Commerce.

The Vote and What’s Next

Despite the pushback, the bill passed 40-8 with one member excused, with a mix of Democrats and Republicans voting against it. Even some skeptics admitted that change is needed, though they weren’t sure this was the right approach.

The bill now moves to the House, where it’s expected to face more heated debate. A House companion version of the bill has gone nowhere and remains stuck in committee.

More from Matt Markovich: Washington’s road usage charge is running out of gas – for now

Matt Markovich often covers the state legislature and public politics for ��Xվ Newsradio. Follow him on

Gee Scott: Rent control will ‘drive away the mom and pop landlords’

MyNorthwest Staff — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 21:15:32 +0000

State lawmakers have advanced Senate Bill 5222, which aims to limit annual rent hikes to 7% and prevent increases during a tenant’s first year. But “The Gee and Ursula” cohost Gee Scott has a warning: it’s going to scare away small landlords.

Washington state has long debated rent regulation, with a 1981 law banning rent control. A similar bill, House Bill 2114, was introduced in 2024 but stalled in the Senate. The current iteration also includes tenant protections, such as requiring six months’ notice for rent hikes over 3%, capping move-in fees at one month’s rent, and limiting late fees.

Scott made his case against the bill on “Seattle Morning News” on ��Xվ Newsradio.

Rent Control, Tenant Protections, and Potential Market Impact

Gee opposes the bill, arguing it would drive away small, “mom-and-pop” landlords, reducing rental options. That could potentially lead to increasing rents.

“When you start putting a cap on rent increases you drive away the mom and pop landlords. When you drive away the mom and pop landlords, now you’re going to have a limited supply of available places to rent,” said Gee. “It’s going to be harder for the people like me, back in the day with bad credit, to find a home. It was the mom and pop places that gave me an opportunity. These places that are going to be owned by these investment properties, they’re not giving me that chance.”

“Seattle’s Morning News” producer David Burbank, however, countered.

“You don’t have the privilege to look forward to the market implications,” Burbank said. “You’re thinking about what is my rent going to be this coming year? What’s my rent going to be in six months? You’re thinking, how am I going to pay my rent in six months.”

The Senate Housing Committee approved SB 5222 along party lines, moving it forward in the legislative process. A companion bill, HB 1217, is awaiting a vote in the House. The bill’s future remains uncertain.

Listen to the discussion below.

Listen to “Seattle’s Morning News with Charlie Harger” on ��Xվ News 97.3 FM from 5am-9am.

Brazen thieves hit the same dealership days apart during working hours in Lynnwood

Frank Lenzi — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 13:23:40 +0000

LYNNWOOD, Wash. — Two cars are stolen in two days from a Lynnwood dealership.

In the 12 years that Nima Salestani has owned Seattle Finest Motors, he told ��Xվ 7 he’s never seen anyone just walk up and steal a car during business hours.

“They’re just getting bolder and bolder. It is crazy,” Salestani said.

“It just happened so fast, so quick. Just came in, grabbed the car and left like there is nothing is there to stop them,” he said.

It started Saturday at 10:30 a.m. when surveillance video caught a pickup pulling up to the shop next to a brand new Toyota Tacoma.

“We had a car just running in the front over there. Just getting the car warmed up for a customer to show up on a test drive,” Salestani explained.

In the video, a man hops out of the truck and hops into the Toyota. He peels out of the parking spot and nearly strikes an employee.

Salestani says the truck made it down White Center and it hasn’t been seen since. He says it cost at least $20,000.

“It costs us all the money for the car because the insurance cost has been through the roof lately. You have a claim or two, you can’t even get insurance anymore.”

If you have seen these two suspects below, call the police.

To make matters worse, it happened again on Monday just after 6 p.m.

Surveillance video shows a man, who seemed like a promising buyer to Salestani, finishing up a test drive.

“ He had an insurance card. He had everything. And then, you know, all of it was stolen. So it was, it was a fake I.D. The insurance was not real,” Salestani explained.

The man waits for the employee to step out, grabs his coat from the back seat, jumps into the car and drives away.

Salestani says Lynnwood police were able to recover the Jeep in Everett about 30 minutes later.

Fortunately, the Jeep is back in the lot without any damage.

He’s still down thousands of dollars and says it impacts everyone.

“It’s a small business. And we employ about 50 people here. Fifty people make a living from this business and if we go through financial hardship, everybody else is going to be affected by it as well,” Salestani said.

‘Fifty Shades’ Seattle penthouse on the market, find out the asking price

Bill Kaczaraba — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 13:00:00 +0000

The stunning views and luxury decor might not have been what you were paying attention to when watching Fifty Shades of Grey. But the famous Seattle penthouse that was the inspiration the film is up for sale for a whopping $11.5 million. The HOA alone is over $5,000.

According to the the condo is up for sale at the

‘Fifty Shades’ was actually filmed in Vancouver

Scenes from the movie were actually shot on a movie set in Vancouver, B.C. The exterior of the building was used for establishing shots.

The movie turned trilogy starred Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan and was about a billionaire and a woman who meet and wander into a relationship. The bondage room is not part of the condo.

An Oracle vice president and his wife originally bought the home for $9 million. The 5,200 square foot condo has three-bedrooms and four baths and spans half the 30th floor of the 31 story building. It has a view of the Space Needle and Puget Sound.

Related from MyNorthwest: Challenging real estate market claims more victims

Lots of amenities

Phil Greely of The Agency Seattle holds the listing. Amenities in the building include a 24-hour concierge, a fitness center with two pools and a spa, a wine room, a rooftop terrace with a fireplace, and four parking stalls.

The Escala penthouse, finished in 2009, was initially sold for $5.9 million in 2010, as reported by Mansion Global. Its value increased to $8 million in 2016, following the release of the first “Fifty Shades” movie. After the trilogy’s final film premiered in 2018, the property was listed again for $11.5 million. Magouyrk, who purchased it in 2019, has since moved to Nashville, where Oracle is constructing a 65-acre campus for its global headquarters.

Follow Bill Kaczaraba Send news tips here.

Climate adaptation for emergency managers course paused by the administration

Ted Buehner — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:30:45 +0000

Late last week, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem issued a directive to all DHS agencies including FEMA to immediately stop all work connected to climate change and the elimination of climate-related terms across the department.

The directive to DHS top officials was meant to align with the President’s executive order regarding ‘eliminating all climate change activities and the use of climate change terminology in DHS policies and programs, to the maximum extent permitted by law.”

This action is in contrast to what is happening globally regarding our warming planet. The 2010s was the warmest decade globally, and each year so far this decade has set new high temperature records. Despite the cool January in Western Washington, the World Meteorological Organization just reported January 2025 was the warmest globally in the 176 year record.

I am an instructor that helps deliver many weather-related FEMA courses to the emergency management community and other community leaders. One of the popular courses I deliver to students is Climate Adaptation for Emergency Managers.

This FEMA Climate Adaptation course addresses how our planet is warming – both in the atmosphere and in the oceans, the impacts, and what community leaders can do to help plan and mitigate those impacts in the years and decades ahead. Those impacts include rising sea levels, stronger more intense storms, a greater number of heat waves, longer summers and wildfire seasons, and more heavy rainfall events resulting flash floods and flooding. Those in Kentucky and Tennessee recently suffered such a downpour and flooding event.

FEMA has been responding to more and more disasters in recent decades. The number of billion dollar disasters has risen from about a hand full in the 1990s to 20 or more so far this decade. Last year, there were 27 billion dollar disasters and 2023 had 28.

The FEMA Climate Adaptation for Emergency Managers course helps community leaders better determine how to reduce long-term costs from the impacts of our warming planet. Critical infrastructure and key resources such as highways and bridges, water treatment plants, schools, hospitals, fire and police stations, and more, can be in harm’s way in the decades ahead, and there are ways to reduce the impacts on these community resources.

DHS Halts Climate Change Initiatives, Countering Global Trends and Long-Term Efforts

This is a pay me now or pay me later scenario. By planning ahead for those community resources, impacts from future adverse weather can be mitigated or even eliminated, saving taxpayer money.

Here is an example. Since the start of the industrial age, the physics of the planet’s warmer air mass can now hold 10 percent more moisture. As a result, rainfall rates are now often greater producing heavy downpours that overwhelm existing drainage and water retention systems.

Many drainage systems and water retention systems were designed at least 100 years ago. Today’s and future rainfall rates now exceed those century old designs, resulting in systems being overwhelmed and producing significant flooding.

A local example occurred on February 9, 2017, when a heavy rainfall event resulted in King County’s West Point Water Treatment Plant being flooded, causing an estimated $25 million in damages and untreated water spilling into Puget Sound.

Consider the number of flood disasters in just the past year that have occurred in the U.S., let alone around the globe. The costliest U.S. flood disaster in 2024 was the heavy rainfall from the leftovers of Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina and surrounding areas. At last count, the price tag was close to $80 billion dollars and a loss of 219 lives.

The January Los Angeles wildfires will be another costly disaster. The losses continue to be tallied, and the latest estimates will be over 18,000 structures burned, a disaster cost of around $30 billion, and the loss of 29 lives.

Ending climate related FEMA course training events goes counter to what is happening across the nation. Community leaders need to learn and use techniques to help reduce long-term and costly losses by implementing the material taught in these courses.

The mission of the emergency management community is to ensure that communities and organizations that support those communities are prepared for, able to respond to, recover from, and mitigate against disasters.

As noted in a recent International Assn of Emergency Managers message to their members, ‘the speed of change occurring and the tendency to start with removal instead of reform creates the potential for gaps in capability and capacity due to the disruption of critical programs and services.”

Ted Buehner is the ��Xվ Newsradio meteorologist. You can follow him on

Driver dead after Tesla crashes through fence, hitting trees, catching fire in Pierce County

Frank Lenzi — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 14:05:24 +0000

PUYALLUP, Wash. — A driver is dead after his Tesla crashes through a fence and hits trees at a high rate of speed in Pierce County.

Around 10:48 pm on Monday, a driver passed a Pierce County deputy going over 100 mph east on 128th Street East in Puyallup.

The deputy followed the car without its lights and sirens but lost sight.

PCSO said that a half mile ahead the deputy found the car in a house’s backyard near 7000 128th Street East.

According to Central Pierce Fire & Rescue, the car went off the road through a fence and hit three trees before catching fire.

PCSO deputy broke the car window and tried to pull the man out but had to back off once the flames filled the car.

Fire crews pronounced the driver dead at the scene.

No others were injured and the fire did not spread beyond the car.

Central Pierce Fire crews remained with the car and followed the tow truck to make sure the battery didn’t catch fire.

The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office is investigating what led to the car crash.

Weekend festivities: Valentine’s Day on a holiday weekend

Paul Holden — Sat, 15 Feb 2025 02:46:23 +0000

Love is in the air this weekend as it’s Valentine’s Day! If you still need last second plans, we got you covered.

Let’s do a rapid fire round of Valentine’s Day events going on: recommended by our lead producer David Burbank, catch the classic Sleepless in Seattle at throughout the weekend, a perfect dinner and a movie idea.

At the Day 1 Playfield from 11-2 today you can build your own flower arrangement and make a handmade card for your valentine. Maybe your night is taking you to Pike Place Market for dinner on the water, enjoy some laughs at the Comedy of Love Improv show at located right by the gum wall.

Hit the ice at the for the Valentine’s Day Public Skate. There will be love songs, romantic lighting and a free dessert from 32 Bar and Grill with purchase of an entrée. There are SO MANY more date night ideas and things going on tonight, but remember, it’s all about spending time with the person or people you care about, grab some flowers, write a nice card and spend some time together.

Consumer Beware: Many choices for Valentine’s flowers

You can get out and support some good causes this weekend. On the Evergreen Coast in Ilwaco (ILL-WA-CO), there’s a There will be vendors and an art market as well as the big star of the show, the crab races.

This event supports the Ilwaco Fire Department and the Hook and Ladder Company, which provides fire suppression, rescue, emergency medical care and hazardous materials response for the city, as well as fire safety programs. Get more details on

If you love chowder, you’ll want to head to the It’s time for the Green Gig chowder social. Once there you’ll enjoy chowders from local chefs with flavor profiles from across the country. There will be live music and silent auctions as well, all raising money for early childhood education. You can get more details on the

Here’s something sent to me from a listener. Local artists and vendors will be selling homemade goods at This is going down Saturday and Sunday and has over 175 vendors and the idea is all about exploration and discovery. The layout of the event encourages you to see as much as possible and will highlight small local businesses, activities for you to make and take, art installations a photo booth and plenty more. This is at Magnuson Park Hanger 30 and is free to attend. More details are available on

More on My Northwest: A ‘new’ Canlis with its traditional values is coming to Lake Union

As Black History Month continues, there are numerous events happening each weekend. Sunday at the Hyatt Regency Lake Washington it is the third annual This is a celebration of local black artists and is a fundraiser for the Family First Community Center. Not only will there be art, but food as well from a variety of local vendors as well. Get tickets and details on the for the 3rd Annual Black Makers & Creatives Art Exhibit.

Just a slice of all the cool things going on this weekend, if you know about cool things going on then you gotta let me know at paulh@kiroradio.com.

Paul Holden produces the Seattle weekend events calendar for ��Xվ Newsradio and a weekly story for MyNorthwest. He also appears regularly on ��Xվ Newsradio’s “Seattle’s Morning News.” If you know of even more cool things going on in the area, let him know at PaulH@kiroradio.com.

King County sees first decline in gun violence since 2018, report shows

Frank Lenzi — Fri, 14 Feb 2025 14:18:25 +0000

It’s happening in our neighborhoods and on our freeways: rampant gun violence in King County. It prompted King County Executive Dow Constantine to recognize gun violence as a public health emergency in 2021.

But now, the county seems to be turning a corner, with new data showing a decline in the violence for the first time since 2018.

On Thursday, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office released a

Non-fatal shootings also decreased, along with overall shootings in the county. There were 1701 reported ‘shots fired incidents’ in 2023. That number reduced to 1591 in 2024.

“It’s very encouraging to see that we’ve kind of broken this fever pitch of gun violence that really ratcheted up in the pandemic and in the years that followed,” says Douglas Wagoner with the King County Prosecutor’s Office.

Wagoner underscores that gun violence, while decreasing, is not felt equally across King County. Shooting victims are disproportionately male (82%), and people of color (76%).

“There’s obviously a lot of work that remains to be done,” says Wagoner.

Early morning shooting in Tacoma leaves one dead

Frank Lenzi — Fri, 14 Feb 2025 13:31:39 +0000

A man was shot to death early Friday morning in Tacoma.

Just before 1 a.m., officers were called to the 1300 block of South G Street after reports of gunfire. They started lifesaving measures until Tacoma Fire Department personnel arrived.

The man was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

So far, police have not made any arrests.

Anyone with information about this homicide is asked to call Tacoma police.

��ٱ��:��Brutal Seattle murder case dismissed as suspect incompetent to stand trial

This homicide occurred three days after a man was stabbed to death in the 4500 block of Heron Ridge Drive NE, a quiet residential neighborhood with higher-priced homes and scenic views of Commencement Bay.

The man’s stepson was arrested in that case.