Local News

Seattle Times announces new local news partner

The Seattle Times welcomes Seattle Globalist to its local online news partner network. That brings the total number of online partners to 50. Find out more about the online news network here, and see headlines from partners here.

The folks at Seattle Globalist sent this description of their website: “The Seattle Globalist is a ‘hyperglobal’ blog celebrating our region’s international community and its many connections to the rest of the world. The Globalist offers an unexpected take on international travel, culture, development and Seattle’s global-local connections.”

The Times’ effort to build community-news relationships began in August 2009. In 2010, this project helped The Times win the fourth annual Associated Press Managing Editors’ Innovator of the Year award.

By partnering with these quality local sites, the Times can provide its readers with more links to important coverage about both neighborhoods and general interest topics. In return, the partners receive increased traffic and exposure.

Print subscribers may have noticed the launch last Sunday of a page in the Local News section of the printed newspaper dedicated to news items from the online local news network.

0 comments | More in From our partners | Topics: news partners, Seattle Globalist, The Seattle Times

KING5 investigation prompts Gov. Gregoire to look into state’s minority contracting program

A KING5 series of stories that looked at possible fraud by companies involved in the state’s minority contracting program has prompted Gov. Chris Gregoire to ask the Washington State Patrol to investigate.

The governor wants patrol investigators to look into whether the abuses detailed in the KING 5 report violated criminal laws, according to KING5′s Web site.

The report raised questions about how one minority-owned contractor — Leajak — was able to continue winning government business after an investigator from the Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises (OMWBE) found evidence otherwise.

Here’s part one of the series:  State officials ignore fraud, waste in minority contracting program,  by series author, KING5 reporter Susannah Frame.

0 comments | More in From our partners, Government | Topics: fraud, governor, KING5

Three people hospitalized after shooting in Des Moines

Three people were shot just before noon today in Des Moines.

Des Moines police responded to a shooting at the Silverwood Park apartments in the 23000 block of 30th Avenue South and found a 52-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. Police say the victim was conscious and able to talk with officers.

At about the same time, another Des Moines police officer was flagged down by the occupants of a vehicle at South 216th Street and Pacific Highway South. Inside the vehicle were two men suffering from gunshot wounds, police said. One victim, a 29-year-old man, was wounded in the shoulder and the other, a 25-year-old man, had been shot in the abdomen.

All three victims were taken to Seattle’s to Harborview Medical Center with serious injuries.

Police say two groups of men had exchanged gunfire in the parking lot of the Silverwood Park apartments.

Des Moines police have identified all the people involved with the shooting. No arrests have been made so far and the motive for the shooting was not immediately known.

0 comments | More in From our partners, The Blotter | Topics: assault, Des Moines, shooting

Vandals strike Seattle's Candy Cane Lane

In this Times photo from 2010, Candy Cane Lane resident Shaine Gross sets up the inflatable Grinch in his yard with the help of Alex, at right, and Megan

Our news partners at RavennaBlog.com are reporting on some “real life Grinches” who vandalized displays at Seattle’s Candy Cane Lane over the weekend. In fact, one of the targets was the Grinch himself.

Decorations outside at least two homes were destroyed sometime early Sunday morning, including an inflatable Grinch set up by the Gross family at the entrance to the annual neighborhood holiday display.

Candy Cane Lane resident Tracey Sconyers tells the blog her decorated home has been the targets of some “late night redecorating,” but never theft and destruction.

“This was a very different level of vandalism that happened,” she tells RavennaBlog.com. “They were out to destroy things.”

The inflatable Grinch was featured in this Times story last year on Candy Cane Lane. As the story noted, the tradition originally grew out of a contest sponsored by The Times around about 1950. The challenge? Create a display that shows the most Christmas cheer. Candy Cane Lane took the top prize, and the tradition stuck.

0 comments | More in From our partners, The Blotter | Topics: Candy Cane Lane, Seattle, theft

Seattle businesses giving freebies to vets today

Connor McCullum-Zempel, 8, places American flags at the 62nd Annual Veterans Day Memorial celebration at Evergreen Washelli's Lower Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Seattle. (Erika Schultz / The Seattle Times)

A handful of Seattle businesses, mostly restaurants, are showing their respect for local veterans in a particularly appealing way in this economy: free stuff. Below is a list of the items we know about:

• Dick’s Drive In: Local veterans and military members get free hamburgers and cheeseburgers starting at 10:30 a.m. until closing.
• Applebee’s: As part of their “Thank You Movement,” Applebee’s chain is giving veterans and active duty free meals today.
• Brown Bear Car Wash: At all locations in Western Washington, veterans get a free car wash.
• Massage Envy: Veterans get free massages today at any location, but an appointment is required as there are limited slots. Make a reservation on their website and see all locations near Seattle.
• Flying Apron bakery in Seattle and Redmond: They’re offering a free coffee and muffin (or cookie) to any active or retired military personnel all day

According to our news partners at Queen Anne View, some Queen Anne restaurants and cafes will be serving meals on the house for all veterans:

• Queen Anne Cafe: Free meal for veterans
• Tenoch Mexican Grill: Free meal for veterans. (QA location only)
• La Luna: Free meal for veterans. Make sure you make a s’more on their fire table, too.
• Olympia Pizza & Spaghetti House: Free meal for veterans
• El Diablo: Free coffee for veterans
• Pinka Bella Cupcakes: Free cupcake for veterans

0 comments | More in From our partners, General news | Topics: American, flags, free

Bellevue bank robbers called 'true criminals'

Bellevue police are looking for two robbers who held up the Key Bank branch in Factoria with military-style guns this morning, according to Times news partners KING-TV.

Police received reports that two armed men wearing all black clothing and ski masks held up the bank just before 10:30 a.m. One was described as having a military type of rifle, the other had a military handgun, according to KING-TV.

Police said the robbers demanded money and the contents of the bank safe, then escaped through the back side of the building. They climbed over a fence and fled on foot. Police later released a surveillance photo of one of the robbers (above).

Police are investigating reports that the two robbers had police scanners that enabled them to time their getaway to evade police, according to KING-TV.

“Obviously they did some planning. So it’s not someone that’s distraught and just comes in and needs money for a house payment,” Dan Mathieu of the Bellevue Police Department tells KING-TV. “These are true criminals.”

0 comments | More in From our partners, The Blotter | Topics: armed robbery, Bank robbery, Bellevue

Jail inmate killed during escape attempt in Aberdeen

An inmate from the Grays Harbor County Jail was shot and killed this afternoon during an apparent escape attempt near an Aberdeen hospital, according to our news partners at KING-TV.

The shooting happened near Grays Harbor Community Hospital after the inmate held a county corrections officer at knifepoint, Undersheriff Rick Scott tells KING-TV.

The unidentified inmate had been taken to Grays Harbor Community Hospital for treatment.

There was no immediate word on the condition of the Grays Harbor Health and Rehabilitation Center  employee who was attacked by the inmate in a nearby parking lot.

0 comments | More in From our partners, The Blotter | Topics: Aberdeen, shooting

New Dick's Drive-In scheduled to open in Edmonds Thursday

If you like Dick’s Drive-In: The grand opening for the new one in Edmonds is scheduled for Thursday at 3 p.m. It’s at 220th & Highway 99 in the parking lot of Top Foods, according to our news partner, lynnwoodtoday.com. The gala will feature local marching bands, including the Lynnwood High School band, local dignitaries, and company co-founder Dick Spady. Burgers and fries anyone?

0 comments | More in From our partners | Topics: burgers, Dick's Drive-In, Edmonds