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.