Gay & Lesbian Students Want New Type Of Housing At University Of Washington

Gay and lesbian groups at the University of Washington are pushing for a new type of dorm on campus. It's called Gender-Neutral Housing. They believe the new living arrangements could stop homophbia in residence halls.

About 5,600 University of Washington students rely on campus housing to get them through four years of college. But, for some students like Emily Juhre who she lives with can make all the difference.

"You know I'm gender variant right, OK, so I'm a female but I dress as a male so I was very scared about rooming my first year," said Juhre.

The University of Washington Residence Hall Student Association is gathering information to see if Gender-Neutral Housing, which is supported by many gay and lesbian student organizations, could work here.

Jennifer Gibbons who is ASUW Director of Gay, Bisexual, Lesbian, and Transgender Commission says the UW needs to start this type of housing.

"There's a lot of students who don't necessarily want to live in gender segregated housing that includes a lot of the queer community especially Trans students on campus, but also students that don't conform to typical gender norms," said Gibbons.

Sexual orientation would not be on the applications for a Gender-Neutral dorm, instead once students request that kind of housing, they can pick roommates of either sex that share interests. Gibbons says the hope is the plan would make for more harmonious living arrangements.

"They get into a room with their roommate and the roommate can often be homophobic or sometimes hostile and they have a lot of issues, but with gender neutral housing they'd have more of an idea of who they're going into with," said Gibbons.

The students believe one of the best places to start Gender-Neutral housing at the UW would be in one of the new dorms along Northeast Campus Parkway that are scheduled to open next fall.

RHSA President Emma Tessier says whether they're in new or older buildings, certain floors could be designated as Gender-Neutral.

"We really don't know which residence Halls we would be looking at, putting it if any depending again on how students feel about it," said Tessier.

Delaney Tognolini who is Director of Programming and Diversity says Gender-Neutral residence housing is extremely important for campus life.

"We want everyone this is their home so, this is just another effort we're trying to make everyone feel safe and welcome," said Tognolini.

Right now, the RHSA is getting input from students, UW's Administration hasn't signed off of on the idea. But, Emily Juhre says it would make her and her friends feel more comfortable.

"Living with people who you know are going to be more accepting and not judge you based on your gender or how you present yourself that can't be really good," said Juhre.

The Residence Hall Student Association is still going over data they collected from the survey they did on Gender-Neutral Housing. The body could vote on passing a resolution for it during winter quarter.

Afternoon Walk Turns Deadly For Seattle Woman & Her Dog

SEATTLE —
A local dog owner speaks out after the love of her life is shocked to death on a Seattle sidewalk. Lisa McKibbin has a warning for animal owners, also parents and their kids about the potential dangers lurking below their feet.

“Sammy was the best boy in the world he was my baby he loved to go on walks,” said McKibbin.

But, a walk on Thanksgiving afternoon on Queen Anne turned out to be their last together.

“I couldn't tell because he was just convulsing so much and just screeching I didn't know what was happening and I was screaming for someone to help me,” said McKibbin.

Lisa says Sammy was killed after stepping on a metal power plate at the base of a light pole outside Bricco’s Wine Bar.

“I put my hand in Sam's mouth and I felt a shock of the electric waves coming from his mouth and he said your dog has been electrocuted,” said McKibbin.

Lisa believes stray voltage killed him and she wants Seattle City Light to now inspect all of its plates and light poles.

“It is so painful to watch your dog die of such a horrific thing,” said McKibbin.

On Sunday Q13 Fox News talked with a bunch of dog owners on Queen Anne who say they’re now avoiding power plates because of what happened to Sammy.

Quyen Chan says City Light should make those inspections.

“This could probably happen anywhere else, they need to check this everywhere,” said Chan.

The power company calls this a tragic and freak accident. And, in a statement to Q13 Fox News Wrote:

“Seattle City Light extends our sympathy to the Bostdorff and McKibbin families in the loss of their dog Sammy. The electrical circuit feeding the streetlight has been disconnected. Safety is our highest priority. A Seattle City Light crew will be working on it Monday.”

The company says people should not worry about this happening again.

Lisa isn’t so sure she urges dog owners and people with children to avoid these power plates.

“I just don't want anybody else to go through this,” said McKibbin.

Lisa has filed a Police report and plans to talk with Seattle City Light about Sammy’s death. She’s even started a blog that talks about the dangers of stray voltage for people and animals. Lisa says her vet is even going to talk with other vets about this deadly hazard.

Navy Mom Helps Ship Holiday Cheer To Sailors All Around The Globe

BOTHELL —

It began as an ambitious dream from a Navy Mom, gather the best things from home and ship them to hundreds of sailors serving overseas. On Saturday a community rallied for her cause to make the holidays bright for sailors thousands of miles from home.

There was no time for chit chat in one Bothell home on Saturday volunteers had some serious packing to do. They were grabbing a few snacks and stuffing them in a box to make sure Navy sailors serving overseas felt appreciated.

This is the second year Navy mom Mary Jo Bader has gathered goodies for sailors around the globe.

“That's wonderful you can never have too many letters and cards. So, beef jerky, trail mix, cookies, we have home-made cookies this year which is awesome,” said Bader.

This year’s goal, get enough stuff for 230 boxes and the community came through.

“We just thank so much to Q13 for that, they've been wonderful in helping us get the word out.”

But, the boxes aren’t done until Mary Jo drops in a few words of praise.

“Enjoy this small gift as our way of saying thank you and merry Christmas,” said Bader.

Now, that they’re done they’re ready to be shipped to sailors all over the world.

Volunteer Liz Cummings says the care packages mean a lot to the sailors.

“You know just how thankful they are that they get something for Christmas it's a big deal to them stuff that we would take for granted,” said Cummings.

Mary Jo is grateful to everyone who helped in bringing a little bit of holiday joy to the men and women who protect our country.

“You know I'm amazed at the response we had this year,” said Bader.

Mary Jo says as this project continues to grow she expects to pack and ship even more boxes next year, which means the volunteers will have to find a bigger place to do their work.

Feds Arrest Man For Allegedly Selling Rifle To Accused Cop Killer

TACOMA —

A major development in the case of accused Cop killer Christopher Monfort. Feds arrested the man they say sold Monfort the rifle used to gun down Seattle Police Officer Timothy Brenton and wound his partner Britt Sweeney.

Federal Prosecutors say David Devenny admitted to undercover ATF Agents that he sold the rifle Monfort is accused of using to kill Officer Brenton. They say he bought it just seven days before the murder.

A rural neighborhood in Olympia woke up this morning to a swarm of Federal Agents descending on David Devenny’s house. ATF Special Agent in Charge Kelvin Crenshaw says they found 42 guns and $32,000 in cash.

“ATF's investigation revealed that Mr. Devenny was illegally selling firearms without a license,” said Crenshaw.

Devenny’s arrest is the result of an 18 month investigation. He’s charged with selling guns to people who aren’t legally allowed to own them. Crenshaw says Devenny also sold a rifle last fall that became the most sought after weapon in the City of Seattle.

“Statements made by Mr. Devenny to undercover agents indicate he was in fact the seller of the firearm on October 24, 2009 at the Puyallup Gun Show,” said Crenshaw.

Seven days later Crenshaw says the buyer Christopher Monfort used it to shoot and kill Seattle Police Officer Tim Brenton.

“This morning's arrest is but a small piece of the tragedy that marked an unspeakable act of murder,” said Crenshaw.

Selling that rifle to Monfort actually wasn’t illegal anyone can sell weapons at a gun show even if they’re not a licensed dealer. Crenshaw says was got Devenny busted was the number of guns he was peddling.

“He's engaged in the business of selling firearms for a profit and that it's no longer a private issue, he is actually engaged in the business for a profit,” said Devenny.

Still, the ATF says Devenny’s arrest was a bit emotional because of the connection to Brenton’s murder and because of who it was who took him into custody.

“On our Task Force Team we had one of our Task Force Officers who is a Seattle Police Officer and he is the one that actually was able to put the handcuffs on Mr. Devenny,” said Crenshaw.

Devenny remains locked up tonight he’ll be back in Court on Wednesday afternoon for his detention hearing in Tacoma. Meanwhile, Christopher Monfort returns to court early next month.

High Winds Hammer Seattle Area Causing Damage

The high winds that whipped through our area left a path of destruction on both sides of Lake Washington. Trees and phone lines were toppled and scaffolding collapsed at a construction site.

The punishing winds caught a lot of people off guard around the Sound, stop lights were singing, trees bending, one reached its breaking point on Mercer Island and came crashing down into a home. The one person who was inside at the time wasn’t hurt. But, the family will have to stay somewhere else tonight because their house is no longer safe.

In the Phinney Ridge area of North Seattle the wind undid someone’s hard work ripping apart the scaffolding outside this apartment building. Keith Brondson says he knew something bad was about to happen when he heard the wind.

“I live on the 3rd floor I heard the wind buffering through and making the tarps billow and they were causing the whole scaffolding to bang against the building,” said Brondson.

Brondson says it came down so hard it took some bricks from the side of the building with it.

“So, it was really noisy with the tarps flapping it was worse and when I came down I was going on an errand I called the contractor cause I was concerned,” said Brondson.

No one was hurt and crews had it cleaned up by dark. It was a blustery interruption to the start of the work week and perhaps a sign of the wild weather to come.

Sammamish Wants Stiffer Penalties For Illegal Hunting

Two animals illegally hunted and killed in East King County, a community outraged and City Officials concerned for neighbors safety. Now, hunters that break the law in Sammamish could be facing penalties as severe as driving under the influence.

Steve Bentler is still steamed about the bow hunter that illegally bagged a buck on his family’s property last month.

“They were actually coming out to visit the chickens when the guy shot across and apparently in that direction, I mean it could have been deadly,” said Bentler.

He thinks the current no hunting law isn’t tough enough.

“This guy should be thrown in jail and left to rot, he risked my nieces and nephews just to go after this buck,” said Bentler.

Sammamish made it a misdemeanor to hunt inside the City limits after a deer was shot and killed back in 2004. Now, two recent incident involving bow hunters have city leaders considering a strict change to the ordinance.

If the hunting law is changed in Sammamish it would be raised from a misdemeanor to a gross misdemeanor which is punishable by up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine.

City Councilman John Curley says it would be a fairly strict penalty.

“But, I wouldn't want to go to prison telling everybody I shot a deer in Sammamish that's why I'm doing hard time,” said Curley.

A stiff penalty makes neighbors like John Miller believe it could stop the bullets and arrows from flying around the subdivisions.

“We've got kids out here running around doesn't make sense to me to be shooting bows or shooting a gun or anything like that in a neighborhood,” said Miller.

Steve Bentler knows the proposed changes won’t affect the hunter that took down the deer at his family’s house. But, he hopes the punishment he does get teaches him not to come near his family again.

“What a worthless slime bucket I think he should be thrown in jail,” said Bentler.

Coming up on Tuesday night the Sammamish City Council will vote on whether to adopt this tougher no hunting ordinance.

Husband Of Missing Utah Mother Finally Breaks His Silence

For the first time in months the husband of a missing Utah mother has broken his silence. Josh Powell who now lives in Puyallup talked with a Utah newspaper, and the comments he made about Susan Cox Powell are drawing criticism from the woman’s family.

Josh Powell and his father Steve Powell spoke with the Salt Lake Tribune. The men claim Susan is still alive and the mother of two ditched her family because she was having an affair. But, those close to Susan like Shelby Gifford say that’s completely false.

“It's a shame that instead of shouting from the mountain tops where did Susan go and where do we find her he's out here spewing this garbage,” said Gifford.

Harsh words from loved ones of Susan Cox Powell, after her husband spoke for the first time to the Salt Lake Tribune Newspaper. Powell said Susan wasn’t the victim of foul play, but instead went missing because of mental problems saying: “My wife is extremely unstable.”

Shelby Gifford calls that ridiculous.

“She absolutely did not have a mental illness, no history of mental illness even in the family. In terms of her being unstable that's just so inaccurate,” said Gifford.

Q13 Fox News went to the Powell’s Puyallup home Sunday afternoon to talk with Josh, but his father Steve shut the door on our crew.

Josh has avoided the media but told a Salt Lake City reporter Susan would sometimes yell at him while chasing him around the dining room table. Another time, Susan ran down their street in her underwear to yell at him.

Gifford says she highly doubts either incident ever happened.

“I think that from our perspective Josh can say whatever he wants to say it doesn't make it true it doesn't make it accurate,” said Gifford.

Josh became a person of interest but not a suspect in Susan’s disappearance. He told Police he took his two young sons camping in frigid conditions and when he came home Susan was gone. Gifford says there’s no way she left on her own.

“I think that Josh's claims that Susan voluntarily left her children are absolutely preposterous if you knew the first thing about her you knew she was a mom everything else was second in her world to her boys,” said Gifford.

Steve Powell believes his daughter in law skipped town with another man. He also talked with the newspaper saying: “We don’t believe she was abducted. We don’t believe she was murdered. Susan’s very sexually motivated, and she’s very financially motivated.”

Josh Powell claims to be the real victim in his wife’s disappearance. He says the Cox family is making him look like the bag guy on their Facebook page. But, the family says they’re not anti-Josh, they just want to find Susan.

Washington State Raising Pheasants So Hunters Can Bag Their Birds

Pheasant hunting is big business in Western Washington. Every year thousands of hunters hit the marshes and grassy fields to bag those birds. But, if it wasn’t for the State’s Fish and Wildlife Department pheasant season wouldn’t get off the ground.

For the last 50 years the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife has been raising and releasing pheasants at Bob Oke Game Farm in Centralia. This massive operation provides local hunters with wild game and it doesn’t cost taxpayers a dime.

There are many familiar sights and sounds at the Game Farm. Farmer Chris White says the state is raising pheasants so hunters in Western Washington get a chance to bag them later.

“Put forth quite a bit of funding and money into this facility that has helped out in the propagation of raising pheasants and releasing them throughout Western Washington where they don't reproduce naturally,” said White.

White says a lack of agriculture on this side of the Cascades is what keeps the birds from reproducing.

“I raise around 40 to 42,000 and 40,000 of those will go out to Western Washington for the hunters,” said White.

So, after the pheasants are hatched on the 167 acre game farm they’re released for 5,000 hunters to track down.

“We're providing the opportunity for pheasant farmers to hunt on the Westside who maybe don't have the time or monies to make it over to the east side,” said White.

The birds also provide an economic boost to local businesses like gun and ammo stores and restaurants and hotels.

“The purpose is to help the hunters, the hunting population of pheasants in Western Washington in the fall months,” said White.

According to White hunters not taxpayers are shelling out the money to raise the birds.

“We have a pheasant card that's a $90 pheasant license that all pheasant hunters in Western Washington purchase and that money goes directly towards the operational costs of this farm,” said White.

To make sure the population continues to grow 2,000 pheasants will be kept as breeders to lay eggs in the springtime.

Chris says some of the birds that stay in the wild are repopulating. Pheasant season is the third week of September. The Department of Fish and Wildlife releases pheasants until Thanksgiving Day, but you can still hunt until the second week of December.

Political Website Helps Voters Find Candidates That Reflect Their Values

If you still haven’t made up your mind about how you’ll vote there’s a new website that can help you choose your candidates. A Q13 Fox News viewer told us about the site started by a Gig Harbor man.

It’s called Vote IQ and it’s the country’s first major non-partisan site meant to connect voters to their candidates and to each other.

Rick Shenkman helped launch the site 3 months ago. It’s sort of like a political “E-Harmony,” but instead of helping you find Mr. or Mrs. Right, it hooks you up with your perfect candidate.

“Taxes should or should not be raised on the wealthy in this country to reduce the federal budget deficit?”

Have you got three minutes before you fill out that ballot? That’s all the time Rick Shenkman says he needs to make sure you choose the candidates who best reflect your values.

“So, you go to this platform and you can find out who you should vote for, for instance in this state we have a quiz that allows you to figure out who you align with Patty Murray or Dino Rossi,” said Shenkman.

Vote IQ is designed to take out the guesswork by asking you 12 basic questions.

“The United States should or should not keep its troops in Iraq?”

Then, it compiles each candidate’s position on those issues. The site tracks 70 thousand politicians and their records to keep them honest ahead of Election Day.

“We research it thoroughly we find out from the public record, if they ever made a public statement, we see if they ever voted on the issue in the legislature. They don't have the time to do this work, we do and that's how we're going to make politics simpler for people, there's no reason for politics to be confusing as it appears,” said Shenkman.

Rick says after Tuesday’s Election his group will begin work on sprucing up Vote IQ for the 2012 Presidential Election.

Crystal Mt. Could Have Earliest Opening In 30 Years

Great news for skiers and snow boarders, one local ski area could have its earliest opening day in 30 years. The snow is really coming down at Crystal Mountain, and this year the resort has some exciting new features.

The calendar may say October, but Sales and Marketing Director for Crystal Mountain Tiana Enger says winter has already arrived at the resort.

“With the early snowfall we're looking at a possible early opening, the earlier we can get open obviously the better,” said Enger.

According to Enger it has skiers and snowboarders anxious to hit the slopes.

“They're getting their bags packed already cause here things can happen really quickly in a matter of 24 to 48 hours you can go from having no snow to having enough snow to open,” said Enger.

Enger says the ski area could open in a matter of days, if Mother Nature picks up the pace. There’s about a foot and a half of snow up top right now, but just a few inches at the bottom.

“It looks like the forecast is calling for more snow which could mean a really early opening,” said Enger.

Work crews are hoping for a break in the weather, they’re still trying to complete the brand new Mt. Rainier Gondola the first of its kind in Washington State.

“In the final stages of completing the gondola construction we've got a Chinook helicopter scheduled to arrive November 1st we will fly towers into place when we get a weather window next week,” said Enger.

The gondola will take 8 passengers from the bottom of the mountain directly to the summit in just 9 minutes. Enger says something else that’s new this year a radio frequency identification system allowing skiers to swipe and go.

“It's a great way to save it's also a nice convenience to be able to preload that at home and bypass the ticket windows when you arrive here and go directly to the lifts. We can't wait to get the lifts open and I think a lot of people are really excited,” said Enger.

If Crystal is to open by the end of the month the base of the mountain will need another 3 feet of snow, on top another two feet. The new gondola is schedule to open the first week of December.

City Pulls Controversial Nude Artwork From City Hall

A piece of art deemed inappropriate by Gig Harbor City Leaders has been pulled from a South Sound art show. The piece in question is a photograph of a partially nude woman.

The Mayor of Gig Harbor and other City Officials became concerned since it was going to be displayed at City Hall. However, the show’s organizers feel the City overreacted to a tasteful piece of artwork.

For the last few years local artists have put their best work on display at the Gig Harbor Civic Center. But, at this year’s Peninsula Art League Show City Administrator Rob Karlinsey says things were a bit different.

“So, that's a kind of a new piece that the City hasn't had in City Hall before,” said Karlinsey

Karlinsey says the City had to remove the photo taken by a Seattle artist.

“Given the amount of traffic from the public that we get of all age groups we determined it wouldn't be appropriate to have it hung in City Hall when the public comes in,” said Karlinsey.

Instead, the photo is now on display at a local gallery. But, the President of The Peninsula Art League Anne Knapp says it belongs with the rest of the artwork.

“There is some buttocks showing, it's the back, it's nothing I would have a problem with,” said Knapp.

Karlinsey says the City feared children would see the partially nude photo.

“We didn't think it was appropriate for folks who aren't coming here to view art, they're coming here to conduct City business and other things,” said Karlinsey.

Anne Knapp disagrees.

“And, if the kids indeed saw it it's a teachable moment, a wonderful thing to say to children you know art is all about just expressing beauty,” said Knapp.

City Administrator Rob Karlinsey says the City wants to keep the annual art show at City Hall, but clothing isn’t optional.

“We could do that or we could just say no more art shows in City Hall if we're going to continue to have pieces like that are going to come in we may just say no more art in City Hall,” said Karlinsey.

PAL President Anne Knapp says it will comply as long as something is put in writing.

“The City doesn't have a written standard of what would be allowed or not allowed, so we felt a little blind-sided that it was suddenly pulled,” said Knapp.

The City says it’s working on criteria for future art shows. The current one will run until mid November at the Gig Harbor Civic Center. If you want see the partially nude photo it’s on display at the For Art Sake Gallery in Gig Harbor.

La Nina Means Good News For Skiers And Boarders This Winter In Cascades

Last year’s El Nino brought more rain than snow to the mountains and kept the skiers and boarders off the slopes. But, with record snowfall expected this winter from La Nina ski shops and local ski areas are banking on Mother Nature for a huge winter season.

Up high and down low crews at Snoqualmie Summit East are putting the finishing touches on two new chairlifts. They’re replacing the ones that got wiped out by a slide two years ago.

Summit Marketing Director Guy Lawrence says it’s a race to finish for them to get ready for what’s expected to be a cold and wet winter because of La Nina.

“The fact that we’re opening up new terrain, putting in these two new lifts and it's time for the La Nina season, for a marketing director you can't get much better than that,” said Lawrence.

Last winter El Nino was a big dud for local ski areas, warm conditions meant no snow.

In North Bend, Martin Volken with Pro Ski Service says his shop got wiped out by the lousy winter also.

“You know if it's a really bad season coupled with a bad economy maybe that all resulted in a 20 percent reduction in sales,” said Volken.

But, forecasters say this year’s ski season could be off the charts. Guy Lawrence says at Snoqualmie Summit skiers and boarders could be looking at a major snow pack.

“People have been paying attention to the fact that it is going to be a La Nina year and historically it's always favored us to a certain degree sometimes a lot,” said Lawrence.

Martin Volken says all of the excitement for a great ski season has skiers and boarders spending money again too.

“I think the economy is getting a little bit better and people have obviously caught wind of the weather predictions,” said Volken.

It’s not winter yet but at the Summit they’re already thinking snow and with new lifts plus La Nina Guy Lawrence says the place is buzzing.

“We're expecting more snow and as a result not surprisingly pass sales are up so that's great,” said Lawrence.

So far the Summit at Snoqualmie has seen a 6 percent increase in season pass sales. The area hopes to complete those two new chair lifts at Summit East by December.

Children's Hospital Nurse Gives Fatal Dose Of Medicine To Baby

Seattle - Only on Q13 Fox News a medical mistake that cost a family everything. Q13 Fox News has learned a nurse at Seattle Children's Hospital gave a baby ten times the intended dose of a commonly used medication killing that child. It's the second time in a little over a year that a patient at Children's has died of a drug overdose.

Children's Hospital would not speak with Q13 Fox News on camera Monday but instead issued us a letter which the CEO sent to hospital employees last week after this happened. In it he admits a nurse gave the child too much calcium chloride. It doesn't say and Children's Hospital wouldn't tell us why the child was getting the medication in the first place, or how the nurse could have gotten the dose so drastically wrong.

Children's CEO Doctor Tom Hanson says the infant who died was profoundly fragile. He says the hospital is investigating why its usual safety checks didn't prevent the overdose.

It was just last year that another patient at Children's suffered a similar fate. Tammy Jarbo-Blakenship lost her son Michael on day after a routine visit for dental work. The family's lawyer Chris Davis says the drug should have never been given to Michael.

"With respect to Michael who was given an overdose of a drug called Fentanyl pain patch that his dentist had prescribed for the first time in her career," said Davis.

Davis says after Michael's death Children's Hospital promised the Blakenships it would establish new guidelines to prevent accidental overdoses.

"We were assured at the beginning of the lawsuit that they had taken changes, implemented changes to make sure this type of thing wouldn't happen again. I'm absolutely shocked. It's very tragic of course and absolutely unfortunate," said Davis.

The nurse who caused this latest overdose death is on leave while the hospital investigates. The Blankenship's lawyer Chris Davis says he doesn't want to alarm the public, but after dealing with Michael's death he's learned getting to the truth in these types of cases may be difficult.

"The number of deaths and errors you see really hasn't declined in my experience because the hospitals and medical profession goes to great lengths to keep it confidential," said Davis.

The Blankenship Family just settled their lawsuit against Children's as part of the deal; they're not allowed to talk specifically about the settlement. As for changes the letter from the hospital says from now on only Pharmacists and Anesthesiologists can draw up doses of calcium chloride unless there's a life-threatening emergency.

Calcium chloride is used for a lot of different things including metabolism problems and dehydration. In this case we just don't know what the baby was being treated for.

What A Deal! You Can Own Your Own Coffee Shop And It Won't Cost You A Dime

FREELAND - A Whidbey Island business owner has a sweet deal for you that won't make you jittery; she wants to sell you her coffee shop for a shocking price.

Talk about deal that'll give you a jolt. You can have Jessica Leon's coffee shop without having to pay a nickel for it. You heard right Jessica will give you the 1504 Coffee Bar in Freeland for zilch, zippo, nada.

Jessica has owned the shop since 2006. But, tough economic times forced her to put it up for sale last year.

"You know I lost about 20 to 25 percent of my business in that time," said Leon.

Since then, she's cut the price and still has gotten any nibbles then she got an idea.

"I just was working in here and I suddenly thought adopt a coffee shop it just came to me I thought might get somebody," said Leon.

Now, there are a couple of catches, the new owner must promise keep the coffee shop open and sign a new lease with the property owner.

In exchange the new owner gets the keys, coffee machines, and organic beans. So far, 55 people have offered to take over the business, though Jessica stresses they may have to partake in a lot of their own product to make it work.

"Are you prepared to do 70 to 80 hours a week in here and do all your own books, get up every morning 7 days a week at 4 AM," said Leon.

Soon, Jessica will be making her final double tall mocha and turning over the shop to a new owner she hopes will remember, this isn't about getting a freebie it's about serving the people of Whidbey Island.

"It's one of the oldest coffee shops on the island, it has such a legacy it was heartbreaking to think of looking at my customers in the eye and saying sorry this is your last coffee here," said Leon.

Jessica says she plans on making a final decision this weekend on who she will hand over the coffee house too. After that she plans on taking some time off to relax and get some sleep. Be the first to know. Sign up for Q13 FOX Mobile and E-mail Alerts >>>

Seattle Police Issue Arrest Warrants In Brutal Hate Crime Attack

WEST SEATTLE - It was a crime that stunned a Seattle community, a teenager savagely beaten and burned for hours because the color of his skin. Now, arrest warrants have been issued for the men accused of the heinous attack.

For the first time in months there's some relief on Tim McClellan's face.

"Hopefully, it's just a matter of time until they get picked up. It's been a while, it's been real aggravating," said McClellan.

It was the end of May when two men assaulted his son Shane. They whipped him with his belt, burned him with a lit cigarette, urinated on him and threatened to cut his throat if he screamed.

Police say Shane was attacked for several hours on a dead end street in the 7700 block of 14th Avenue Southwest. It's a place that brings back bad memories, so much so that Tim has never been here.

"Every time I drive by the place I look up there, but, I haven't been physically able to walk up the stairs to the actual spot where it happened," said McClellan.

Then, just two weeks ago blood evidence collected from two men spotted in the area that night connected them to Shane's attack.

"I'm very happy that DNA came back and they got the results they know who it is positively and hopefully they'll be off the street very soon," said McClellan.

King County Prosecutors are doing their best to make that happen. They've charged 21 year old Jonathan Baquiring and 23 year old Ahmed Mohamed with malicious harassment a hate crime.

Court documents show why, revealing that during the attack the men shouted at Shane, "The white man has kept us down," and "This is for enslaving our people."

Police are tracking down leads on the two suspects for Tim McClellan and his family it can't happen soon enough.

"Once these guys are off the street, then we can start to have some closure and put it behind us," said McClellan.

Q13 Fox News went by Jonathan Baquiring's West Seattle home his grandfather told us he hasn't seen him in several days. When asked about the attack he said if Jonathan did it he should go to jail. Both Baquiring and Ahmed Mohamed's bond has been set at $500,000.

Seattle Firefighters Battle Massive Fire At Old Peanut Butter Plant

The City of Seattle owns the old Sunny Jim Peanut Butter Plant in Sodo and was supposed to tear it down a few years back but ran out of money. Now, the demolition is well on its way thanks to a raging fire that darkened the skies over Seattle and delayed many people on their commute home.

On Monday Seattle Firefighters came face to face with flames that moved at will through the old Sunny Jim Peanut Butter Plant. Andy Kim was nearby when the fire started.
“We work next door and we saw the smoke coming by our building. So, we went over there and saw fire shooting out through the roof,” said Kim.

Nearby businesses had to evacuate as the wind fanned the flames threatening to take over other buildings too. Scott Macmillan was working next door and was overcome by smoke.

“Lots of smoke, somebody told us the fire started at the other end, went down there and got a bunch of video, flames just pouring out of the top of the building,” said Macmillan.

The plant backs up to I-5, soon the smoke from it all brought even the afternoon commute to a blinding halt. Because, the plant is abandoned firefighters fought the fire defensively keeping it in check from the outside.

Fire crews dumped a lot of water on the structure which turned the building into something that looked like an urban waterfall.

Fire Chief Gregory Dean says one of his firefighters got hurt when he tried opening a side door to shoot water on the flames.

“When you have siding coming down it means he probably got hit in the head, hit throughout the body, so, they'll take a look at him make a determination,” said Dean.

The firefighter is a 37 year veteran with the department. He suffered a broken ankle and is expected to be okay. Chief Dean says much of the north end of the building is gutted and there are charred remains where the roof and a sidewall used to stand.

“The north end of the building is pretty much written off and we’re just trying to contain it and see if we can save the south part of the building,” said Dean.

Andy Kim says the damage from the fire was shocking. He didn’t realize the old building had also burned back in 1997.

“We never really understood what went on in the building. Of course we were surprised we didn't think anybody was in there, but so definitely it was surprising, scared,” said Kim.

Community Mourns For Child Killed In Car Crash Cops Investigate Mom

A community continues to grieve for a 7 year old boy that was killed in a tragic car crash in Arlington. Investigators say the boy's mother was driving yesterday afternoon with her children when she wrecked her truck.

On Sunday loved ones like Lisa Mosby came to the spot where Isaiah Forbes died to remember his spirit and wonderful smile.

"But, I have been crying for the last couple of hours because he was a very good little boy," said Mosby.

The pain of Isaiah's death hit Mosby the hardest when she walked to the place where the little boy she's known for years was killed.

"Always got hugs from him before and after, I'm gonna miss those hugs definitely," said Mosby.

Snohomish County Sheriff's Deputies say the 7 year olds mother hit a utility pole and flipped her truck on McRae Road Saturday afternoon. The crash happened right in front of Gene Connor's house.

"The lady was kind of running around panicking and asking people to get her kids out of the truck," said Connor.

The mother, her 5 year old son and 3 year old daughter suffered non-life threatening injuries. But, Isaiah was partially ejected from the truck and killed. Gene Connor said it was horrible to see.

"It wasn't anything I enjoyed watching, but it was just something I didn't really want to see here in my own front yard," said Connor.

Deputies are questioning whether the children were wearing seatbelts. They're also investigating if the mother was under the influence witness's smelled alcohol at the scene. She also fought with Deputies and paramedics who tried to take her to the hospital. Lisa Mosby believes her friend was in shock.

"I can't imagine being in her shoes sober or drunk I could have probably reacted exactly the same way. I don't know if she was drinking I hope she wasn't," said Mosby.

Lisa says Isaiah loved playing football and spending time with his family in the outdoors.

"They rode quads, motorcycles, horses, I mean there wasn't anything he didn't like he was just fun loving full of life," said Mosby.

Lisa says Isaiah's family is in pain and regardless of what Deputies determine caused the deadly crash she is sticking by them.

"I know that I'm going to try to be there for them for everything they need as much support as I can give that's what friends do," said Mosby.

No word as of yet what type of charges Isaiah's mother could face. Lisa says the family is grieving in private with other family members tonight.

Neighbors Are Divided Over Dozens Of Trees Being Chopped Down In Redmond

REDMOND - A major construction project in Redmond is dividing tree lovers and bicyclists. The City is cutting down dozens of trees so crews can build a new sidewalk and bike lane. Many people are angry over the trees getting chopped up, but some environmentally friendly people say it's a worthy sacrifice for public safety.

Limb by limb, branch after branch, 50 years of history is getting chopped down and chewed up in Redmond and Charles Graves is pretty ticked off about it. He's losing the trees by his business on Northeast 90th Street.

"It's a very nice neighborhood I mean when you have all the foliage and birds and squirrels running around in these trees their homes are gone now," said Graves.

The City of Redmond is removing 33 large Maple Trees to make way for that new sidewalk and bike lane. The City says the project is about improving safety but, many people think ripping out these trees isn't worth it.

Mike Paul who is the Construction Division Manager for the City of Redmond says there was nothing the city could do to save the trees.

"And, unfortunately the way the ground is mounded in that location, proximity to the businesses we simply had to take the trees out to get the sidewalk in," said Paul.

This tree controversy is dividing "green" friendly people; even Victoria Cary who is working with the tree removal crew is getting hassled.

"Oh, they come by they slow down they yell out their windows are you really taking the trees down, really, they shake their heads at us give us dirty looks," said Cary.

While neighbors may be yelling some bicyclists like Seth Gray and pedestrians like Nancy Churchill say take the trees down.

"Having another lane might help give a little more room let you pass somebody that's always really nice it's frustrating getting stuck behind someone," said Gray.

"Well, I think it will improve safety for people that walk through this area," said Churchill.

The City says it was able to save 15 trees from being chain-sawed and it plans to plant another 23. That does make Seth Gray feel a bit better about the trees.

"You know you can always replace them with little trees, they always grow," said Gray.

But, Charles Graves says he doesn't have decades to see those little trees grow, he wishes the City would have left things alone.

"It's sad to see definitely doesn't have the same atmosphere as it did before," said Graves.

The City says the sidewalk and bike lane project should be completed by the end of the year. The last of those big maple trees on Northeast 90th Street will be cut down Wednesday.

Urban Coyotes Are Invading Seattle Area Neighbors Fear For Pets And Kids

BURIEN - They're hungry wild animals looking for a place to hang out and not just around the Seattle area. Urban coyotes are becoming a growing problem in Bellevue too.

For the last two decades the number of coyotes moving into urban areas has been on the rise due to the animals having no predators in the suburbs and plenty of food sources.

But, some folks like Bryan Anderson are worried about the coyotes moving in, especially after he videotaped one in his backyard.

"We watched it, we saw it there got the camera out, started recording and called up the neighbors to make sure they didn't let their dogs out," said Anderson.

Bryan and his Mom couldn't believe the coyote was so relaxed making itself at home in their yard.

"We did notice it was eating something and that afternoon we noticed there was a carcass that had been well eaten that by that evening was gone," said Anderson.

State Wildlife Officials say the coyote population is booming in suburbia because they have wooded areas for their dens and plenty of rodents to snack on. But, Bryan worries what the animals could do to their pets and children.

"They walk back and forth up and down the street everyday to and from school. So, it's not a safe situation if that coyote gets hungry or scared," said Anderson.

Those fears are shared by neighbors in Bellevue where Derek Tighe came face to face with a coyote while playing with his 3 year old son.

"People don't know there's actually wild animals right here you never know what they'll do we're adults so we can handle a little coyote, children can't I'm worried about the kids right there and my son, everybody plays right here," said Tighe.

So, what do you do if you come face to face with a threatening coyote? Animal control experts say make noise, wave your arms, even throw a few rocks.

Bryan won't let his dog go out while the coyote is still around, and he was surprised to learn the State won't help evict his unwanted guest.

"They said they can't trap him, they can't cage him, nobody will come, no agencies will come out to do it because it's illegal," said Anderson.

State Wildlife Officials will remove a coyote from a neighborhood if it's threatening humans. The best ways to keep the coyotes out of your yard don't leave garbage, cat or dog food even bird seed out in the open.

Caught On Video Cops Make Dramatic Arrest In Sedro Woolley

SEDRO WOOLLEY - A Spokane man whose violent arrest in Sedro Woolley was caught on tape, says he is the victim of excessive force after he was repeatedly punched and tasered while being taken into custody. The incident was caught on video by a guest at the Skagit Motel.

It was in the parking lot of the motel where Sedro Woolley Police responding to a 9-1-1 call say they were confronted by a man under the influence who refused to cooperate. Jeff Woods says he doesn't remember much of what happened in the early hours of Tuesday September 7th, but some things are clear.

"I can't remember a lot of that night my whole face was red, been smashed down into the asphalt," said Woods, who reports he was just trying to exchange his room key when all hell broke loose. "I got tased and then uh it scared the crap out of me cause I told them I didn't want any problems."

But, according to Sedro Woolley Police Chief Doug Wood what you see on this video is only part of a long and violent story.

"Prior to this he attempted to assault the officer. They used justified and reasonable force, using aerosol spray, taser and prior to this they physically fought with him," said Chief Wood.

Cops also say suspect was high on methamphetamine and out of control. Jeff Woods insists he never touched the stuff and the bag of drugs police found wasn't his.

Surveillance video from inside the motel shows how violent things got before that struggle on the ground. Chief Wood says it shows tasers had no effect. "See he crashed through the window and that's a taser probe there, that's hooked to his clothes, he's pulling on it," said the chief.

Later on the motel video you see Woods pick up a rock and threaten the officers. Eventually, the fight moves to the parking lot, Woods insists he did not resist arrest.

"I never took a swing at any of them to know my knowledge, never took a swing at any of those fellas," he said.

Chief Wood says as bad as it may look his officers did what they had to, to take Woods into custody. "What I would say to him is when the police show up cooperate and he would have been in the back of the car and there would have been no problem,"

Woods says he does plan on filing a complaint against the Sedro Woolley Police Department.

"And, I figure I'm lucky to be alive out of that situation," said Woods.

Chief Wood says the department will examine the officers use of force in this case as a matter of policy. Meanwhile, Woods is facing multiple drug, assault and burglary charges.

Husband Of Missing Utah Mom Stirs Controversy Over Joining PTA

PUYALLUP - It's been 9 months since his wife disappeared under mysterious circumstances and questions still surround Josh Powell. But, it's what he plans to do at his son's school that has some parents concerned.

Powell's been surrounded in suspicion for the last nine months since his wife Susan Cox vanished from her Utah home. But, he seems to be moving on with his life. He's living in Puyallup sending his son to school and even signing up for the PTA, although that's not going over well with fellow parents.

David Quantrell is passionate about his kids and like most parents that includes being passionate about protecting them.

"I definitely don't want him around my kids," said Quantrell.

"Him" is Josh Powell, David's neighbor who he says informed the PTA at their kids' elementary school that he wants to get involved.

"It is a bit of a concern and fear for the kids. I mean if he would do something to his wife who knows if he would do something to someone he doesn't know or a kid he doesn't know," said Quantrell.

David says he's so upset about Josh Powell possibly volunteering his time at Carson Elementary that he's willing to start his own petition drive to get parents to sign it to keep Powell out of the school's PTA.

It was last December when Powell's wife Susan disappeared. He says he'd taken their two young sons camping that night around midnight in freezing cold temperatures near their Utah home. Investigators say he's their only person of interest in the case, though they've never gone so far as calling him a suspect.

The difference does nothing to reassure parents like Eric and Amanda Rouse

"I wouldn't want my kids to be around that you know, I just don't trust him just based on what we know," said Rouse.

That's why Amanda says they're thinking twice about joining the PTA.

"We're all interested in the safety of our children and what happens to them. I'm sorry it's just too weird of a situation to not be concerned about it," said Rouse.

Q13 Fox News went to Powell's house Tuesday evening to get his side of this story nobody would come to the door.

David Quantrell's words are passionate and so are his actions. He says he'll do whatever it takes to keep Powell away from his kids.

"I'd like for him to be able to bring his kids to school, I'd like the kids to be involved in the school as much as possible, but as for him I'd like him to stay away from the school," said Quantrell.

Though, ultimately that'll be up to the Carson Elementary PTA.

Carson Elementary PTA President Holly Mickel gave Q13 Fox News this statement on Tuesday about Powell's application.

"Our PTA membership is open to anyone who would like to join and is interested in helping the children of Carson Elementary reach their full potential. All of our volunteers are required to complete the background check through the School District before volunteering.

After So Many Cop Shootings Public Wonders If Non Lethal Alternatives Would Work Instead

SEATTLE - Six Officer involved incidents that have left 5 people dead another injured in a week. Many people are asking can Police protect the public without using lethal force. Some believe new technology that doesn't require bullets or an electrical charge is the answer.

One of those options could be the Dazer Laser. Ryan Battis with Laser Energetics explains.

"They are non-lethal, less violent, visual impairment ocular distracters," said Battis.

According to Battis the crime fighting tool doesn't require bullets from a gun or an electrical jolt from a taser.

"What that means is that we use a green laser to impair the vision of a subject so they cannot judge distances, judge shadows or engage an Officer because he can't see," said Battis.

The Dazer Laser is designed to stun someone so an Officer can take them down. But, Veteran cops like Sergeant Frank Kampsen aren't sold just yet on laser beam law enforcement.

"You hit a guy with a light, the bright light and maybe he can't see he's still got a weapon in his hands, I'm not going to take him while he's still got it in his hand, it's just not going to happen," said Kampsen.

Seattle Police are looking into getting the Dazer Laser but the Department doesn't have the money for it right now.

Another high-tech gizmo that provides transparency and accountability for Officer's actions are portable cameras they can wear. One of those products is made by Vievu. The camera can be clipped to the Officer and records everything he or she does like handling traffic stops or dealing with armed suspects.

Seattle City Councilman Bruce Harrell pitched the idea for the cameras. The Council is considering having Officers wear them on the beat sometime in the future.

"It protects the rights of citizens, as well as rights of Officers, you'd be hard pressed to convince me this isn't the right way to go to improve public safety efforts for our city," said Harrell.

Right now, Officers in Orting are testing a camera much like the Vievu. Lake Forest Park and Blaine Police Departments have also tried out the cameras.

Frank Kampsen says these crime fighting gizmos may help but can't replace good old fashioned Police work. Especially when it comes to saving lives.

"But, we need the public to understand if we get into a situation, sometimes we have to use deadly force, what we mean by that, we have to stop that individual from doing us further harm or anybody else further harm," said Kampsen.

Getting Officers to wear those cameras in Seattle might take some work. They are expensive and the budget is tight. The ACLU has had problems with the cameras in the past, and the Seattle Police Officer's Guild is concerned the cameras might discourage people from giving tips.

Second Time In A Week Cops Use A Taser And The Suspect Dies

GOLD BAR - For the second time in a week Police whip out their tasers shock a suspect that that person then dies. The latest incident happened early this morning in Gold Bar where Snohomish County Sheriff's Deputies used a stun gun on a 25 year old Sultan man.

The incident happened outside Sharon Williams's house.

"I think that two trained officers should have been able to subdue a 120 pound dude that was barefoot in my yard and not tase him right in the chest," said Williams.

For the last year and a half Adam Colliers has spent his weekends at Williams' home taking care of her quadriplegic brother. But, early this morning things were different.

"It was very obvious to my brother he was not in his right mind at the moment, whether or not he became threatening I don't know that," said Williams.

Sergeant Robert Goetz with the Everett Police Department says Colliers charged the Deputies and they had to use force.

"Almost immediately after the taser was deployed the man appeared to stop breathing, the Deputies at that point started CPR," said Goetz.

Colliers later died at the hospital. The Snohomish County multi-agency response team is heading up the investigation. Both Deputies involved in the incident have three years each on the job.

Today, outside the place in Downtown Sultan where he sometimes stayed with his Dad friends like Theresa Young stopped by to pay her respects.

"When you lose somebody that you love so much I know that pain too well, so I just came to honor Adam," said Young.

Friends say Colliers loved to play guitar and just picked up the game of golf. Young says Colliers was quite an athlete and was once on the track and wrestling teams at Sultan High School.

"Really a great kid it's a tragedy I don't know everything that happened all I know is he's dead, so that's really just devastating," said Young.

Investigators will determine if drugs or alcohol contributed to Colliers death. Sharon Williams says her family has lost a good friend and believes his death could have been avoided if a taser was never used.

"They're trained to take people down you know, why not that first, the guy didn't even have a weapon," said Williams.

The Snohomish County Coroner will determine Colliers exact cause of death. The two Deputies involved in the tasing incident have been placed on paid administrative leave which is standard procedure.

Burien Family Is Saddened After Sheriff's Deputies Shoot And Kill Their Dog

BURIEN - A Burien family is grieving after their dog was shot and killed by a King County Sheriff's Deputy. Cops say they shot the dog when it charged them during a burglary call.

Russ Harper says his lovable pet never would have harmed anyone.

"We haven't slept for a few days you know it's just our dog was like our daughter," said Harper.

Harper says his 18 month old Rottweiler Nakita was a peaceful loving dog. That's why he asked a friend to let himself into their home earlier this week to fix a leaky pipe.

"Everybody that knew her knew she was the most non aggressive, beautiful heart-full dog," said Harper.

Sergeant John Urquhart with the King County Sheriff's Office says a neighbor thought Russ's friend was burglarizing the home and called the Cops.

"He opens the door wide enough, so the dog can go out a Rottweiler, the dog goes flying out of the house down the stairs across the yard and basically was in the process of trying to attack one of our deputies," said Urquhart.

"They told me they were forced to shoot my dog. You know I rushed home and got home there were Police everywhere and my dog is in a bloody bag at the bottom of the driveway," said Harper.

Russ's friend wasn't arrested for burglary but reckless endangerment. With his dog now dead Russ is left with bittersweet memories of where he used to take Nakita.

Russ's friends at Westcrest Dog Park like Clari Gomes say Nakita was sweet, and she was shocked to learn about her death.

"Nakita and Jack played together since she was a puppy and first started coming here, we just knew here as Nakita this very sweet, sweet dog, it's so sad," said Gomes.

Sergeant Urquhart says if Russ's friend would have controlled Nakita she'd still be alive.

"It's unfortunate because we don't like shooting dogs period, but sometimes it has to be done that's clearly what the case was here," said Urquhart.

Russ says he doesn't hold a grudge against the Deputies, but thinks they could have handled things differently.

"I don't feel the Police came to kill my dog it's not like that at all in my mind, I wish they could have waited an extra second to see what the dog was going to do," said Harper.

Russ says the reckless endangerment charge that was pending against his friend has been dropped.

Questions Raised Over Use Of Police Force After Two Deadly Incidents In Two Days In Seattle Area

SEATTLE - With two people dead and another in bad shape after run-ins with Police, there are a lot of people talking about how Officers go about their use of force. Many people in the community are wondering if Police Officers are going too far and using too much force.

In Spanaway David Fidler says he witnessed Pierce County Sheriff's Deputies using extreme force to take down the man who refused to leave an apartment unit.

"I heard the taser go off, four five times they tased him," said Fidler.

The 27 year old Spanaway man later died at the hospital. But, Doctor Jonathan Wender who is a University of Washington Professor and former Police Officer says that short electrical burst might not be to blame for his death.

"Most of these cases the death is not caused by the taser itself, the taser is proximately involved, energy conducting weapon is proximately involved, but it's not the cause per se of the death," said Wender.

It wasn't a taser but four shots from Seattle Police Officer Ian Birk's gun that killed John Williams. Deputy Chief Nick Metz says Officer Birk told investigators he felt threatened when Williams did not drop his knife.

"This officer was not equipped with a taser so he did not have that available to him, however, if he had a taser available to him, we do not recommend our officers use a taser in a situation like that, a knife is considered a deadly weapon," said Metz.

Jonathan Wender says it's still too early to tell if Birk handled the situation correctly.

"Somebody with a knife can cover distance very quickly and somebody armed with a knife can literally be on top of you and stabbing you in 1 or 2 seconds in a distance of 21 feet," said Wender.

Seattle Police Chief John Diaz says Officers are learning peaceful resolutions.

"We are working on a whole variety of de-escalation training, we currently do de-escalation training," said Diaz.

Jonathan Wender says Cops have to think on their feet in the field and that's far from easy.

"Officers have to perform a balancing act that's tactical and legal and ethical about what is what the law calls reasonable and necessary, what's the least amount of force an Officer can use to get that person safely into custody," said Wender.

That seems to be especially true in Spanaway when you have people like David Fidler second guessing your actions.

"Evidently, someone overreacted because he's dead," said Fidler.

Q13 Fox News has learned John Williams the man shot and killed by a Seattle Police Officer used to sell his artwork to the Ye Old Curiosity Shop down on Seattle's waterfront. The owner says the Williams family has sold Indian artwork to the shop for the last 100 years.

She's 68 Years Old Mad As Hell And Headed To Jail

Coupeville - She's 68 years old mad as hell and she's headed off to jail. A neighborly feud has landed Carol Magee in the big house. The Coupeville woman was convicted of destroying public property. Magee chose time behind bars to make her point.

"At first I put signs up going down Grateful Acres and then I said hell no, I'm going to put them out here where people can see it, they already know what they did," said Magee.

Carol Magee has some pretty strong opinions, and she wants the whole world to see them, especially now that she's a convicted felon.

"I thought a jury of my peers, little old ladies, but I didn't get a bunch of little old ladies," said Magee.

The whole hubbub is over Grateful Acres Place, the private road that runs on the edge of Magee's property. The private road she tried to keep private even though there's an easement that allows her neighbors to use it.

Carol used to have a gate on the road, but the neighbors tore it down. All that's left now is an old fence post that says liar's lane. Then, along came Puget Sound Energy to put a power box on it.

"This is the property line right here, that's where you can see the power comes up right here, why did they stick this over here it's in the middle of the road," said Magee.

Carol got so ticked off by the power box she ran it over. A neighbor shot video of her doing it.

"Yeah, I backed into it and pushed it off the pad, so, they figured it was worth 1,300 dollars and I said hell I could have put it back on for nothing. I don't want it here, it shouldn't be here," said Magee.

Carol acted as her own attorney in court against a charge of malicious mischief and lost.

"And, besides I wouldn't have gotten any jail time if I'd coped out to a felony, but I don't feel I committed a felony, not gonna do it," said Magee.

Carol's neighbors wouldn't go on camera but did tell me they've tried to explain to her several times where the property lines run and how the easement is divided up. But, they say she's having none of it, she's been combative even trying to block their driveways with her horse trailer.

It doesn't seem like Carol will be running out of strong words anytime soon even as she gets ready to go to jail. She says she doesn't regret her fight and still plans to sue some of her neighbors and PSE.

"It's just not right I'm not a felon, I'm just a personal property owner who's had enough," said Magee.

Carol will report Tuesday morning to the jail in Coupeville to begin her 30 day sentence. She'll also eventually have to pay over $2,000 in fines, court fees, and the cost of fixing that power box she hit.

Katrina Survivor Talks About Escaping Deadly Hurricane

SEATTLE - Tens of thousands of people were forced to evacuate from Hurricane Katrina, many of them left the devastation and were never able to return home because the storm wiped them out. Some of those evacuees like Mary Rennekamp ended up thousands of miles from home right here in the Seattle area.

Mary and her friend made it out of New Orleans just two days before the massive hurricane slammed into the Crescent City. 5 years later and it's still difficult for Mary to talk about Katrina.

"Reports of bodies tied to fences, because they were floating," said Rennekamp.

It's those disturbing images from Katrina burned into Mary's mind that still brings her to tears.

"It wasn't until those stories started coming in that it really started to sink in, the gravity and the magnitude of what was happening," said Rennekamp.

Mary and her friend Erin were two of the lucky ones to get out of New Orleans alive.

"The scariest thing was we couldn't pull ourselves away from the TV, we were so desperate to catch a glimpse of anybody we knew, possibly," said Rennekamp.

Mary's mid-city New Orleans home was underwater everything she owned destroyed.

"So, we knew in that span of that 3 or 4 days that we weren't going to be able to go back to New Orleans for a long time," said Rennekamp.

Mary's father got her a plane ticket to come live with him, she's been in Seattle ever since.

"And, I saw my Dad and I just lost it and I dropped my one little bag and literally just collapsed, he held me and I was balling in the middle of the airport," said Rennekamp.

The Red Cross helped Mary out then, she now works for the organization to help others trying to restart their lives.

"Being on the other side of charity was just it was life changing for me," said Rennekamp.

Mary knows she's lucky, she also knows she may see devastation like this again in her lifetime.

"Know it can happen anywhere, it's really scary, it's the truth," said Rennekamp.

Mary says she loves living in Seattle but, she will always call New Orleans home.

Rape Survivor Helps Women Learn To Fight Back Against Sexual Predators

AUBURN - Her accused attacker may be behind bars, but one woman from Des Moines knows there are more men like him out there. So, she's helping others learn to fight back, as well as teaching herself to move forward.

Rape survivor "Nancy" says her emotional scars are starting to heal with the help of friends. Today, they organized a special self defense course to empower women not to be victims.

It's easy to see Nancy is a fighter; she's been battling her demons ever since John Alan Carter attacked her last month.

"I've had some bumps in the road and I've had a few breakdowns, but, for the most part I'm doing quite well," said Nancy.

Detectives say on July 27th Carter lured Nancy to a Covington home beat her, put a knife to her throat and raped her.

"The very first time I went home I looked behind the shower curtains, I looked in every closet I was pretty fearful," said Nancy.

To help conquer those fears Nancy's good friend Cheri Campeau helped organized this self defense training course with Tiger Patrol Division.

"I think that's what's happening today is we're all, ever since it happened, we're all supporting her and around her and there for her, and this is part of it," said Campeau.

Trainer Abdul Mohamed volunteered his time to help keep these women and girls from becoming victims.

"When you're in that situation what's gonna save you is fighting back, not running away," said Mohamed.

So, Nancy fights on. She wishes she had some of the skills she learned in the course a month ago.

"I'm not sure if it would have helped in this situation, because he had a knife. But, I believe that there is more I could have done in this situation," said Nancy.

John Carter will be arraigned on Wednesday for rape and kidnapping charges. Nancy says she'll be in court for it.

Navy Mom On Mission To Send Care Packages Overseas

BOTHELL - Stacks of snack crackers, boxes of toothpaste, mounds of cookies and massive bags of beef jerky, that's what MaryJo Bader's Bothell living room is stuffed full of. The Navy mom is busy collecting these items for care packages to ship to sailors overseas. It's a true grassroots effort started by a dedicated woman.

"We have the box we'd probably put in a magazine, a book," said Bader.

Seems simple enough you throw in a few basic necessities.

"But, we'd take a couple of ChapSticks, some toothpaste, toothbrush," said Bader.

Also, add some sugary treats.

"Candy might be a candy bar," said Bader.

Maybe even something a little silly like a stuffed animal.

"This is cute because it has a little flag on it," said Bader.

Then, top it all off with love.

"This is the most important part, is letters of encouragement, pictures," said Bader.

MaryJo Bader's gotten good at making care packages sending them to her sailor son overseas for the last couple of years. But, now MaryJo is branching out.

"I love being a mother, so I mothered a whole bunch of sailors," said Bader.

Her son Jonathan got her into the giving mood after he told her a sad story about his buddy.

"But, he said mom he never gets any mail, would you just send him some mail, show him some love, so I did and Ryan was ecstatic," said Bader.

She started asking for donations and before she knew it, one care package became 130. Now, she's hoping to make 198 more, one for each sailor in her son's squadron who won't be able to make it home for the holidays.

It'll cost MaryJo more than $2,000 to ship the boxes.

"We're not a well to do family, we're not rich, we manage we do fine, but we're certainly not rich," said Bader.

MaryJo's family is willing to pass on giving Christmas presents to each other if it'll cover the shipping costs.

So, while it may seem simple it's so much more. With each box MaryJo packs a sailor will get a little bit of home, something this Navy mom has made her mission.

"We should show them that we care, especially the ones that don't have support from home, they need to know somebody back here cares for them," said Bader.

It takes a lot of time to collect all the supplies that's why MaryJo needs donations now. The family will pack the boxes the weekend before Thanksgiving and ship them out for the first week of December. If you would like to help call 425-205-0668.

Scientists Use CO2 Sensors On Space Needle To Help Environment

SEATTLE - You think carbon footprint and chances are the sign outside the Pacific Science Center comes to mind. It measures emissions from your car. But, when it comes to everything else, we might want to start looking up at the Space Needle.

Grab an elevator and head 600 feet straight to the top of the Space Needle and you'll find not just a beautiful view of the environment we live in, but also the latest tool to protect it.

Dr. Christopher Sabine with NOAA says the government agency installed a carbon dioxide detector and another one about 300 feet down back in February.


"So, every 5 minutes we get a new reading from both the upper and lower intakes. The idea here is to actually, specifically measure it in the city, where we're close to a lot of emissions, we have all the cars running around below us, all those things releasing CO2," said Sabine.

Sabine says NOAA decided to put that CO2 sensor on top of the Space Needle, so they could collect measurements throughout our area. And, at a height that gives scientist a bigger picture view of the problem.

"Rather than looking at each individual car, this is a more regional type measurement for trying to get an estimate of the CO2 over pretty much the whole downtown area," said Sabine.

According to Sabine the sensors send all that data from the Space Needle to NOAA and also to the Pacific Science Center.

"You see it goes up in the morning, typically we see CO2 higher in the morning during rush hour traffic and then in the afternoon it drops," said Sabine.

Ellen Lettvin with the Pacific Science Center says its exhibit educates the public about how many pollutants we're putting into the air and the simple things we can do to stop it.

"Just because people read about it all the time they don't necessarily understand what it means. If it helps them understand about what we're doing to our environment," said Lettvin.

For now Sabine says NOAA only has the two Space Needle sensors in town. But, soon scientists hope to have an entire network of them up high and down low, all working together to keep our views majestic.

"Then we can report on what are the CO2 emissions in Downtown Seattle versus Redmond or Kent or whatever," said Sabine.

NOAA, the Space Needle, and Pacific Science Center all helped fund the CO2 sensor project. You can check out those carbon dioxide numbers for yourself at the exhibit inside the Pacific Science Center at Seattle Center.

Parents Grieve For Their Child Killed In Tragic Ice Cave Accident

LAKE STEVENS - She was only 11 years old and died in a tragic accident at the Big Four Ice Caves in Verlot. Grace Tam was killed when a large chunk of ice fell on her July 31st.

Her family says Grace had a smile that could melt your heart, but it was the words she wrote in her journals that defined her spirit for life and love of animals.

Grace's father John Tam says he is devastated about losing his daughter because she had so much to live for.

"She was saying daddy and I just broke out in tears, I'll never hear that again, I'll never hear my daughter," said Tam.

Grace's mother Tamami says the family was hiking near the ice caves when a freak accident took her daughter's life.

"Gracie was standing just right next to me, I was completely OK, just hit Grace," said Tam.

According to John the family wasn't even that close to the ice that broke free and hit Grace.

"We were 15 feet from the ice, beyond the ice, it should not have come down, bounce and then hit her," said Tam.

Tamami Tam feels robbed of all her hopes and dreams she had for her little girl.

"We planned, OK Grace you get married and you have a baby, I asked her can I live close to you, because I'd like to visit you and help with the baby," said Tam.

Her parents say Grace loved to write. Now, her father is trying to publish her journals to raise money to fulfill one of Grace's dreams of opening a shelter for dogs.

"All we really want to do is honor Grace and keep her memory alive that's the main reason," said Tam.

Now, that she's gone, her mother says she'll cherish every single moment she spent with Grace.

"She gave us a wonderful time, we just wish it was longer," said Tam.

But, they still have Grace's words on paper, something mom and dad will keep close to their hearts forever.

"You need to show it all, love is just like happiness and joy. Love is the feeling of a human being. Love is a person that cares for you and shows you they love you with all their heart. Love is like an animal caring and making us smile while hugging, and that is what love explains to me."

A celebration of Grace's life will be held tomorrow afternoon at the family's church in Marysville. John and Tamami say they will sing Amazing Grace as a tribute to their daughter.

Cops Search For Rapist That Terrorized Woman At Knifepoint

COVINGTON - King County Sheriff's Deputies say he's armed, dangerous, and needs to be locked up before he attacks again. Investigators are looking for John Carter they say he brutally raped his latest victim at knifepoint. Carter is a convicted rapist with a history of violence against woman.

Deputies say Carter lured an acquaintance to a Covington home, tied her up, threatened to kill her and then raped her. The victim has asked Q13 Fox News to only identify her as "Nancy."

"Didn't have any clue that he was capable of what he did, so, sad that he did what he did," said Nancy.

According to Nancy she was only trying to give John Carter a ride back from a bus station in Kent to a recovery house in Covington.

"You've got to come in and see the house it's great where I'm staying," said Nancy.

She thought the man she'd met in substance abuse counseling was turning the corner on his troubles, until she turned her back on him for a split second.

"He sucker punched me in the stomach, punched me in the face, through me on the ground and started choking me," said Nancy.

Then she says Carter tied her hands and put duct tape over her mouth.

"He'd grab the knife and put it to my throat and kept saying I'll kill you," said Nancy.

She says he spent the next two hours raping her. She fought back, even tried to escape but couldn't.

"When he was choking me I thought I'm gonna die right now, I really did, this could be it," said Nancy.

Nancy says it was when Carter demanded money that she seized the opportunity to leave the house of horrors. She drove him to an ATM inside a 711 in Renton to get cash.

"I looked at him, we're done I'm in control now, give me my keys and I started fighting him for the keys. I yelled at the people call the Police this man has been beating me all night, call 911" said Nancy.

Not all Rape victims like to talk about their experiences, But, Nancy wants everyone to hear what she says John Carter did to her so that ne never gets the chance to rape again.

"I believe in my heart he will definitely do this again. I want justice served absolutely," said Nancy.

John Carter is 51 years old. He is 6' tall and weighs 200 pounds. He has reddish blonde hair and brown eyes. He has a mustache and is missing his upper teeth. He has multiple tattoos on both arms and the word "Robin" tattooed on one hand. He sometimes wears glasses and talks with a slight lisp. If you see Carter call 911 right away.

Rising Acid Levels In Puget Sound Threaten Oyster Industry

DABOB BAY - It's a multi-million dollar business that depends on Puget Sound to help it thrive. But, those very waters could be killing the shellfish industry. Scientists say the Sound is becoming more acidic and oysters are dying because of it.

Deep inside big barrels of water at Taylor Shellfish Farms at Dabob Bay is a marine cash crop. Soon, the larvae inside them will grow into shelled oysters. But, Bill Dewey with Taylor Shellfish Farms says harvesting them hasn't been easy.

"Well, for the last few years it's become probably the most dominant issue for the West Coast Shellfish industry. If you don't have seed you don't have an industry, we've had a major problem producing it," said Dewey.

That's because the very waters that are supposed to be nurturing the tiny creatures are instead killing them. Richard Feely with NOAA says Puget Sound is becoming more acidic, more corrosive because the seawater has been absorbing so much man-made carbon dioxide over time.

"When you have the water incoming into the hatchery and it's very low PH waters it can kill off the larvae of many of our oyster species," said Feely.

It's a problem Bill Dewey has seen firsthand.

"When it gets that low the oyster shells on this young oyster larvae in the hatchery start to dissolve, essentially dissolving faster than they can grow a new shell," said Dewey.

NOAA and the University of Washington are studying the problem through a system of ocean buoys, dozens of them deployed off the Washington and Oregon Coasts.

UW professor Jan Newton says the buoys will collect valuable data for scientists.

"The first of its kind to make measurements off the coast of Washington not only for the Ocean acidification status, but also for oxygen and phytoplankton blooms," said Newton.

Scientists hope to use the data to figure out patterns in the PH level, so harvesters know the safest time to grow.

Bill Dewey says Taylor Shellfish Farms is using its own high-tech equipment to do the same. What they've found so far has been troubling.

"We started to see the PCO2 levels coming up PH dropping, and so we're worried that we're going to start to see affects on our production," said Dewey.

There is no easy fix. Scientists believe the high acid levels we're seeing right now has been building up in Puget Sound for decades. Bill Dewey believes the best way to protect future generations of oysters is stop polluting the environment right now.

"Even if we change carbon emissions, policies today, we still have got 50 more years of problems coming our way," said Dewey.

In the meantime with a lot of science and a little good luck these babies will grow into shelled oysters, and harvesters who depend on them can keep thriving too.

NOAA and UW researchers will continue to monitor the acid levels from the ocean buoys. Information will be collected from them over the next few months.