Seattle Business Owner Faces Hefty Fine Over "Mystery" Sign

SEATTLE - You see them up and down the sidewalks of Pioneer Square, those sandwich boards in front of stores and restaurants. Now, one local business owner is butting heads with the City over his sign that's been there for two decades.

For the last 20 years you could find the Seattle Mystery Bookshop sandwich board on the corner of First and Cherry. But, shop owner J.B. Dickey recently got a rude surprise.

"It was just our bad luck that the inspector was looking at a sidewalk café across the street and saw our signs," said Dickey.

Dickey got a letter from the City saying his sign was a pedestrian hazard and needed to be removed or else.

"A $97 impoundment fee and up to $500 in fines," said Dickey.

The small business owner did yank the sign even though he insists it was never blocking the sidewalk.

"They've never been in the middle of the crosswalks or the wheelchair ramps," said Dickey.

Just like other businesses struggling right now in Pioneer Square Dickey says he has to do whatever he can to get people to come inside, and he says his sign did just that.

"By having our sign board here you catch people coming north and south, people waiting to cross the street and without directing them up the street it's a huge hit," said Dickey.

And, apparently it works lots of businesses in Pioneer Square use the sandwich board strategy.

Dickey does have one sandwich board in front of his store which he says is legal under the city ordinance. But, he says it's not enough to generate sales.

"That's not the sign that's important. The important sign for us is the one that was down at the intersection, half a block away, kicks tourists and shoppers up from First Avenue," said Dickey.

Dickey has gone to Mayor McGinn's Office for help. He figured out pretty quickly that if you can fight City Hall, as the old saying goes it could take months to win, if you win at all. And, with tourism season starting time just isn't something he has.

"I hope someday, something will change and we'll be allowed to use it again, but for the foreseeable future I don't think that's going to happen," said Dickey.

This sign fiasco has people leaving some passionate posts on a pair of local blogs. You've got some people willing to wear the sandwich board to help out the bookshop, while others say it's an ugly nuisance that needs to go.

No Condos Or Strip Malls Donated Land Will Create One Of A Kind Seattle Area Park

SAMMAMISH - Imagine a place where nature has been untouched that's home to 100 foot trees where plants and animals grow free and unfettered. Now, imagine that place in the middle of one of our area's fastest growing communities.

We're talking about 50 acres of the most pristine forest around in the heart of the city of Sammamish. While that community continues to grow with housing developments and strip malls, plans are in place to keep a major part of the Plateau the way nature intended wild.

Sammamish's new park was made possible by one woman's generous donation. For the last 38 years Mary Pigott has been blessed by all of the beauty in her backyard.

"To have enough of it so that you can actually kind of think you're in the middle of nowhere," said Pigott.

Now, she wants to share it with the community. This widow and grandma wants to make sure everyone gets to enjoy a true Pacific Northwest park.

"The idea of using this as a place to learn, all the different kinds of mosses, ferns, and mushrooms and fungi and how they all play a role in making a complete ecosystem," said Pigott.

This year Mary will give the city of Sammamish 15 acres for the park, then in 5 years another 20 acres and when she decides to move the final 15. But, there's a catch she says it has to stay just like it is, no strip malls or condos ever.

"Truly am delighted that this is going to stay the way it is and my grandkids and your grandkids all generations will be able to enjoy this the way I have," said Pigott.

Over the years Mary and her late husband bought 3 different pieces of property and built a 50 acre wooded wonderland complete with walking trails, streams and ponds, plenty of plants and animals and one big boulder.

"It was a rock that was pushed down here by glaciers during the last ice age," said Pigott.

Thanks to Mary it'll stay a true plateau treasure.

"I feel like it's a real privilege to be able to take part in making sure this stay sort of a natural area," said Pigott.

You'll get a chance to see the park for yourself when Mary and the city opens it to the public after the first of the year.

The last thing that's needed for this new park is a name. Mary says she hopes the city will form a committee so it can get suggestions from the community. But, Mary has some ideas on that too and she'll be involved in the process.

Family Escapes Burning Home After Car Goes Airborne Into It

PUYALLUP - A car drove right into their house. A Ford Escort to be exact and didn't stop until it hit the living room. Now, there's a huge mess and one heck of a story to tell.

It was a rude awakening for C.J. Hegstad and his grandmother Helen this morning in Puyallup.

"Pretty much came in airborne and landed about over here in this area and then just hit the deck, just moved it," said Hegstad.

Now, Helen says family is left with an epic mess which looks like a bomb exploded in their backyard.

"I couldn't believe it, but you should see the inside of the house too, it's a total disaster," said Hegstad.

Cops say the 19 year old female driver was speeding down Fruitland Avenue just after 3 AM Sunday, when her vehicle left the road and smashed right through the family's fence and ended up in their backyard.

Helen says she and C.J. didn't realize what had happened until a neighbor called 911.

"They started banging on our windows and doors and by that time the fire department and police were here," Hegstad.

According to Helen seconds later the car burst into flames and the situation got much worse.

"I yelled at him and I came out and this was just a big flame here. I said the house is on fire let's get out of here," said Hegstad.

C.J. and Helen escaped unharmed, the woman behind the wheel also walked away with just a few injuries.

C.J. says the family's home is now unlivable because it sustained heavy smoke and water damage and will require months of work.

"It's kind of sickening actually it's hard to breathe in here," said Hegstad.

This accident is the last thing Helen says she needs right now since she's fighting breast and colon cancer.

"It's going to be bad because I have so many doctors' appointments and everything. It's just unbelievable you never think it's going to happen to you, but you never know," said Hegstad.

Thankfully Helen had insurance so the damage will be covered. But, she and C.J. will have to spend the next two months in a hotel. Cops are still trying to figure out what caused the driver to go into their home, but are looking into if she was drinking.

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Last Victim Of Refinery Explosion Dies Day Before Memorial Service

ANACORTES - In less than 24 hours a community will remember the victims of the Tesoro refinery explosion in Anacortes, and sadly now all seven of them after the last survivor died early Saturday morning.

34 year old Matt Gumbel had been in the intensive care unit since he suffered serious burns in the refinery explosion. It wasn't the news Margaret Mordhorst wanted to learn.

"We're so sad to hear he didn't make it," said Mordhorst.

Overcome with grief friends of Matt Gumbel are remembering the Oak Harbor native as a wonderful and caring person. Jenny Watterson says he will be missed by the entire community.

"It's just heartbreaking the whole situation is tragic you never expect it to happen at home," said Watterson.

Gumbel was seriously burned in the April 2 refinery explosion. He underwent skin graft surgery at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle late yesterday but died early this morning.

Today, the Gumbel family reached out to the community through the social media site CaringBridge.org to express their sorrow over losing Matt. The message read: "Matt was a wonderful person, son, brother, uncle, grandson, friend, and co-worker. We will truly miss him and never forget him."

Jamie Mami went to school with Gumbel her heart goes out to his loved ones.

"I feel really sad for the family they've been through so much since this happened and they're such a strong family," said Mami.

At Anacortes High School the community is preparing for tomorrow's memorial service for now all of the victims. Jamie Mami expects a huge turnout.

"I think people are going to come from everywhere to come back to town to do what needs to be done to pay their respects to say a goodbye," said Mami.

Gumbel is the last of 7 people that have died as a result of the Tesoro refinery explosion. It was the deadliest accident at a U.S. refinery since 2005.

29 year old Kathryn Powell of Burlington was one of the victims. Today on Gumbel's CaringBridge site Powell's family offered their prayers and sympathy for their loss. That deep emotion is felt by others in the tight-knit community like Rawson Mordhorst.

"Empathize with the people, it's very sad," Mordhorst.

Tesoro Company Officials say the seven workers were injured while doing routine maintenance on a unit that processes highly flammable liquid. What sparked the deadly firewall is still under investigation.

Matt Gumbel had a daughter and was supposed to get married later this summer.

The memorial service for all of the refinery explosion victims is happening Sunday at Anacortes High School from 2 PM until 4 PM and is open to the public.

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Seattle Couple Swindled While Searching For Stolen Puppy

SEATTLE - Getting your dog stolen is bad enough, but someone trying to use your loss for their gain is just plain mean. That's what Police say happened to a local couple when a teen tried scamming them to get their puppy back. While the accused robber's been busted, Honey the pup is still nowhere to be found.

The dog's owner Amelia Chavez says honey disappeared from her home on April 13. "She was in the backyard and she got out through a little hole in the fence and within 10 minutes someone said that they saw her in the street and a car picked her up," said Chavez.

Chavez is heartbroken over the loss of her little 17 month old blue nose pitbull. She says someone is a white Lexus grabbed the dog at the corner of 20th and Union.

"We ran around we just thought she'd be running around we didn't think anyone would pick her up and we ran around asking everyone we saw on the streets," said Chavez.

Amelia and her boyfriend Brandon put up flyers offering a reward all over their Capitol Hill neighborhood. That's when 17 year old Ceandrik Davis approached them and said he'd bought the dog from the person who took it.

"The entire time he was I have your dog. So, you give me the reward and I will give your dog back," said Chavez.

Brandon agreed to get into Davis' car with $800 in reward money. But, Amelia was suspicious and told a Seattle Police Officer that was patrolling the area. Even after the Officer warned Brandon he stayed in Davis' car.

"They had a selected area where the dog was, they went there and then when they got there said he was going to go get the dog and be right back," said Chavez.

According to Amelia, Davis and Brandon parked in front of a Central District home to get the dog. Prosecutors say that's when Davis threatened Brandon with a gun and walked off with the cash.

"Bad things happened and we never got the dog back," said Chavez.

Police eventually caught Davis in downtown Seattle the next day. They recovered a gun but the reward money was gone.

Amelia is worried sick about Honey. She says the puppy needs its shots but most of all needs to return to the people who care for her.

"She is loved, she does have a home, and we just want her back," said Chavez.

Ceandrik Davis will be formally arraigned in court on May 3 on charges of first degree robbery and unlawful possession of a firearm. King County Prosecutors have decided to charge the 17 year old who has a length rap sheet as an adult.

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People Baffled By Strange "Humming Noise" Coming From Seattle Area Island

There's a new mystery in one local community. Dozens of people on Vashon Island are baffled by a strange humming noise. Neighbors can't figure out where it's coming from or what's causing it.

For the last four years Cindy and Jeff Hoyt have been hearing that strange sound around their island home. Cindy says it typically lasts for about 10 minutes at a time.

"It's all encompassing, you go outside and try to isolate it directionally and you just can't do it," said Hoyt.

Neighbors say the humming sound is pretty widespread on Vashon Island people hear it at the beach and in the woods too.

Jeep Brockway says the hum is irritating his family.

"But, my daughter it drives her nuts, drives my son in law nuts, so they hear it all the time," said Brockway.

While Q13 Fox News was interviewing Brockway our crew picked up some strange humming sounds from around the home.

Could it be coming from power lines, radio or cell-phone towers, airplanes, ferry traffic? People are baffled.

University of Washington Oceanographer Jim Thomson says it's not the water.

Cindy Hoyt says the hum isn't something you hear every day.

"Definitely doesn't sound like wind or a freighter or a plane or anything like that," said Hoyt.

Puget Sound Energy says it's not their equipment either.

Island Intuitive Lorna Cunningham believes the hum is a spiritual sound.

"Truly it's a message from source that Earth is here with us," said Cunningham.

Jeep Brockway wonders if it's connected to a UFO people say crashed near here 63 years ago.

"They think it could be something that was left behind, who knows, lots of crazy theories on the island," said Brockway.

Whatever it is, Jeff Hoyt doesn't believe the "Vashon Hum" will be going silent anytime soon.

"I think it's cool that there is this weird sound out there, but I do want to find out what it is," said Hoyt.

Scientists believe one way to figure out what's causing the "Vashon Hum" is to record the sound and perform frequency analysis to determine the pitch and pinpoint where it's coming from.

Second Time In Week NW Child Hit And Killed In Driveway

A 5-year-old boy was killed in Newcastle Friday when his Father accidentally ran over him while he was backing up a car.

With heavy hearts loved ones of the boy gathered near the spot where the 5 year old was hit and killed by his Father's black SUV. The boy's death came as a shock to everyone in the quiet Newcastle neighborhood.

Newcastle Police Chief Melinda Irvine says the boy's Dad was backing out of his driveway in the 8200 block of 118th Avenue Southeast about 3:30 PM Friday when the accident happened.

"Child was going to be picked up on the corner and for whatever reason ran back," said Irvine.

The Fire Department tried saving the child but his injuries were too serious.

The Newcastle Police Department and the King County Sheriff's Office are working together on the investigation. The Sheriff's Office's Major Accident Response and Reconstruction Team is trying to figure out what went wrong today.

This deadly accident is the second one of the week involving a child being hit by a car in a driveway. A University Place 3 year old girl was hit and killed by her mother's fiancé while riding a tricycle on Monday.

Chief Irvine says these accidents are a reminder that parents need to be careful when pulling out of a driveway.

"Especially in larger vehicles where it's difficult to see it's important to know what's around the vehicle," said Irvine.

Neighbors say they remember seeing the child playing in his yard and say he was a fun loving boy. Geoff Dewitt feels terrible for the boy's family.

"I feel sorry for the family's loss and everything," said Dewitt.

Police did not take the boy's Father into custody and investigators believe charges will not be filed against him.

Seattle Mariner Fans "Chow Down" On New Healthy Menu At Safeco Field

For all you Mariner fans out there there's a new line up this year for food. This season concession stands at Safeco Field will be selling some unique and healthy options.

You want healthy you got it. Now, fans can gobble up vegetarian, organic, gluten free eats and wash it down with a fruit smoothie at "The Natural."

Jared Coulter made a meatless choice. "Yes, it's very good it's a better alternative to the real hotdog," said Coulter.

How about some grub from under our local waters at "Sound Seafood." Will Gillispie went straight for the halibut.

"This is excellent for stadium food you know, fish and chips, its gluten free, its good stuff," said Gillispie.

But, this is baseball, and what would a trip to Safeco Field be without some garlic fries and the brand new "Seattle Dog" drizzled in cream cheese at the Hit It Here Café.

And, for those people that like the sweets make sure you check out the dessert stand in Centerfield. Fran Berglund made a beeline for it.

"I came by and I'm like what's that delicious smell, so, we had to come over and get one," said Berglund.

Yes, now you can dine on gooey brownies, mouth watering cookies and cool your taste buds with a little frozen ice cream. It's a big hit with the kids.

Of course, you can still find all your traditional ballpark foods including peanuts and crackerjacks. But, why not try something out of the box you never know you might like it.

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Get Ready To Pay More For Beer, Pop, Gum, Candy In WA State

The State Senate will vote Monday to boost a host of taxes on beer, water, soda pop and candy to help close a $2.8 billion budget shortfall.

The bill passed Saturday in the State House by a 52-to-44 vote.

Shopper Suzy Scott is always looking for a bargain for her family, she's not happy she might have to pay more taxes for her families favorite things.

"If they spent the money appropriately in the first place we might not be here. If they learned to budget like a regular citizen has too budget we wouldn't have the problems," said Scott.

The measure passed by the House makes up the bulk of a nearly $800 million tax package Democrats argue is needed to prevent cuts in state services from going too deep.

The breakdown on the tax package looks like this. It will cost an extra 28 center per six-pack of beer. That would cost you an extra $81 a year.

Plus, you'll spend an extra 2 cents per can of soda. If your family buys 2 cases of soda month it'll cost almost $12 more a year.

The tax increases would also affect sweets. You'll have to start paying the state's 6.5 percent sales tax for candy and gum.

Getting people to spend more in a tight economy is a tough sell for taxpayers like Ed Solares.

"You have to change your habits of buying, when there are taxes in the economy," said Solares.

But, some taxpayers like Erica Corwin are willing to shell out more if it helps.

"I certainly don't mind the extra tax if it's going to go towards programs like of course education," said Corwin.

Democratic leaders had struggled to agree on a revenue package to help balance the state budget's projected $2.8 billion deficit through June 2011.

A conference committee of House and Senate members officially agreed on the main piece of the tax proposal Saturday afternoon.

That bill is worth about $668 million, including temporary tax increases on service businesses, pop bottlers, beer, and more.

The 30-day special session is scheduled to end on Tuesday.

Guys Get Vasectomies So They Can Watch Tiger Play At The Masters

Lots of golf fans will be watching Tiger Woods this weekend as he makes his return to the PGA Tour at The Masters. A lot of those viewers will be men healing up after doing something about their family planning issues.

Turns out a lot of guys are now scheduling their vasectomies around the NCAA Basketball Tournament and The Masters, so they can get better while sitting on the couch watching their favorite sports.

The thrill of The Masters is there anything better than watching the best golfers in the world try to survive Amen Corner. According to Dr. Charlie Wilson at Seattle Vasectomy Clinic The Masters is the perfect time for men to get a vasectomy.

"Every year we have at least several patients who will mention their intent is to go home and watch the Masters and that's why they schedule that specific time," said Wilson.

In fact, business at Doctor Wilson's North Seattle clinic has been booming since March Madness started.

"We added one extra day just to be sure there was plenty of capacity for March Madness and right at the start we had 28 guys sign up for a day," said Wilson.

Restaurant Owner Kosta Varlamos recovered from his vasectomy watching college basketball.

"My wife's wonderful she brought me food, she brought me drink, I sat around watching sports, all the sports," said Varlamos.

Now, it's time for round two of golf's big events bringing more patients to Doctor Wilson to get snipped.

"Having a chance to just be not interrupted watching golf works out well," said Wilson.

Dr. Wilson says a couple of years ago another clinic down in Portland threw in a pizza for the guys who got their vasectomies done so they could eat and watch sports while healing up.

Redmond Man Who Beat Cancer With Miracle Drug Makes Run For State Senate In Washington State

When we first met Andy Hill we were introduced to him as a cancer patient involved in a revolutionary study at the University of Colorado. He takes a simple pill once a day to treat his lung cancer.

Andy suffers no side effects. Just four months in now, scans show his tumor is all but gone.

"I'm cancer free, the last scan they did they couldn't find anything," said Hill.

Andy's been traveling back and forth to Denver getting that experimental drug treatment that's rid his body of lung cancer. Andy is there again tonight away from his family this Easter for a check-up with his doctor.

"I feel better than I have in well over a year," said Hill.

Now, that he's feeling like his old self again Andy is ready for a new fight, a political one. He's running for the State Senate Seat in District 45.

"I've been very fortunate and I think that I've been really concerned about the State of Washington and about my kids and I think I've got an opportunity now to help and serve them a little bit," said Hill.

A political campaign can be long and tiring, but his wife Molly says even after all he's been through he has the energy to do it.

"He's running, he's exercising, and he's put all his weight back on, his hair back on. So, I actually think it gives him more purpose," said Hill.

Andy says his monthly trips to Denver for treatment won't hurt his ability to campaign, and whatever the outcome he's excited about starting a new chapter in his life.

"The further I get into it, the more energized I become," said Hill.

Right now, no one is running against Hill in the Republican primary in August. If everything stays the same he'll try to unseat Democrat Eric Oemig in the general election in November.

iPad Mania Sweeps Across Seattle As People Race To Get Apple's New Gizmo

iPad mania is swarming across America. Thousands lined up around the country today to be the first ones to buy Apple's newest invention. In New York, LA, and right here in Seattle people camped out for hours and even days to get their hands on Apple's brand new IPad.

At the University Village Apple Store in Seattle people braved the cold and lined up around the block to get their new touch-screen computer tablet. John Knight was the first person in line.

"Since 6 PM last night, so almost 15 hours," said Knight.

Apple's new gizmo is like a portable computer. It's slim and lightweight with about a 10 inch flat screen but no keyboard. Instead your fingers download applications, music, books and movies.

One drawback to Apple's new gadget finger smudges from all that navigating on the iPad. The iPad isn't cheap either, for a 16 gigabyte iPad you'll shell out about $500, for the 64 gigabyte one around $800.

Dan Costa with PCmag.com and Steven Levy with Wired Magazine have differing opinions on the iPad.

"We tested it in PC labs, it's a great device, we rated it 4.5 stars, an editor's choice, so just on the merits, the performance, we think it's a great product," said Costa.

"A little heavy to watch a movie on, and I'm concerned about the backlighting for really long reading experiences," said Levy.

The iPad does have some limitations though. It can only run one application at a time. It's not a phone and doesn't have a camera. Still, that didn't stop John Knight from paying big bucks to take an iPad home.

"Even though I'm tired I'm very excited, I'm very, very excited," said Knight.

Apple believes it will sell between 4 and 7 million iPads in the next year. We checked with the University Village Apple Store to find out how sales went today, and right now they only have a limited supply of iPad's left in stock.