Taxpayers Get Ready To Shell Out Big Bucks In Washington State

A record tax increased passed Sunday by the State Senate threaten to take even more money right out of your pocket. Some Lawmakers say it's a necessary evil because of the state's budget crisis. Although, some taxpayers see it a bit differently.

After passionate and sometimes contentious debate over the last two days, State Senators approved a tax package that will raise $890 million dollars for our cash strapped state. Already taxpayers like Ashley Clark and Megan Spearing are taking sides.

"It's not going to affect me. I could see how some people it would be hurtful," said Clark.

"Yeah, it's ridiculous the economy can't really afford it, people, it's screwing everyone over, it's a bunch of BS," said Spearing.

The $804 million in Senate Bill 6143 comes from a three tenth of a cent temporary sales tax increase.

Besides passing the sales tax package, the Senate also passed a measure by a vote of 29 to 19 to add an extra buck tax to a package of cigarettes that will generate nearly $90 million for the state.

Senate Bill 6874 would mean smokers would now pay a little over $3 in tax per pack of cigarettes.

The sales tax increase package is worth $313 million. $170 million would come from taxing several kinds of service businesses. But, a plan to raise $30 million from charging extra on bottled water has Megan Spearing all fired up.

"That's ridiculous it's just water it shouldn't be taxed," said Spearing.

The tax package means you would be paying more sales tax at least until 2013.

Lawmakers say dealing with a $2.8 billion dollar budget deficit will take cuts and these higher taxes.

Now, it's up to the State House to pass their own version of the revenue plan and then both chambers will try to iron out a permanent budget.

There are only a few days left in this year's legislative session for the House and Senate to settle on a budget. If they can't Governor Chris Gregoire could call a special session.

New Details About Missing Utah Mother That Vanished From Her Home

Two simultaneous candlelight vigils for Susan Cox Powell were held Saturday night, one in her hometown of Puyallup, and the other where she lived with her husband and two young sons, in West Valley City, Utah.

With heavy hearts and candles in their hands loved ones and friends of Susan Cox Powell gathered for a candle light vigil at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ridgecrest building in Puyallup Saturday night.

Susan Powell Cox's father Chuck Cox says the family is still holding out hope of finding Susan alive.

"Yeah, I'd love to see her walk through that door and I believe in miracles, I believe she could come back," said Cox.

At tonight's vigil loved ones like Shelby Gifford talked about the pain of not knowing where Susan really is.

"Everyday is a difficult wait it's hard to balance the need for feeling hope with reality," said Gifford.

Susan Cox Powell disappeared on December 7th while her husband Josh Powell took their two sons on a camping trip in frigid temperatures in the Utah desert. Cops have searched that area and others for clues but have come up empty. Although, Shelby Gifford believes investigators are slowly getting closer to the truth.

"We're willing to wait right now if that means whatever happens in the future if it's an arrest, if there's a conviction that follows, we're willing to wait if that's what it takes," said Gifford.

Josh Powell moved back home with the couple's two young sons to the Puyallup area and is living in his father's home. On Saturday Q13 Fox News tried asking him about his wife's disappearance but he wouldn't open the door. Chuck Cox says Josh has shut out his family too.

"Yeah, we tried, we've gone over to see the children and try to catch him, talk with the boys, it's strained," said Cox.

Cops call Josh Powell a person of interest in Susan's disappearance. He did not attend the ceremony on Saturday night.

At the vigil the family handed out purple ribbons so people can keep Susan in their thoughts and prayers, and also missing person flyers to help bring her home.

Shelby Gifford says the family is leaning on their faith to help find Susan, but, know it will be hard to come to grips with her fate.

"We'll know what happened to Susan when we either find her body or she comes walking through the door," said Gifford.

Mother & Daughter Injured As Van Runs Them Over In 711 Store

Three People Hurt When Van Crashes Into Aberdeen Convenience Store
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A man driving a mini-van in Aberdeen crashed through the storefront of a 7-11 store, seriously injuring a 30-year-old woman and her two-year-old daughter who were inside.

Police say a 57-year-old man driving a 1996 Chevy Astro Van came to a stop in front of the store, then the engine revved up, tires screeched, and the van launched through the front door.

The car ended up in the back of the store -- about 40 to 50 feet from the front door.

"We heard tires screeching and loud collision sound and glass breaking," said Deanne Emery, who was working next door. "It felt kind of like an earthquake. I mean our windows shook. And (my husband) said, 'That was not good.'"

The collision also injured the driver of the van, 57-year-old Kelvin Kinny.

Eyewitnesses to the crash say it sounded like an explosion went off when the van crashed through the doors.

After seeing smoke and dust from the commotion, Emery and her husband ran over to the store and found the toddler, unconscious, near the front door.

Two-year-old Kaitlynn Zinn is in serious condition at Harborview Medical Center with a broken leg and internal injuries. Her mom, 30-year-old Tammy Bolster was treated and released from Grays Harbor Community Hospital. The driver of the van is in "guarded" condition at the Aberdeen-area hospital.

The woman who was arrived at the scene immediately after the crash, Deanne Emery, says the baby appeared to have a badly bruised chest.

"My husband knelt down towards the baby," she said. "And then the mother crawled out from underneath the van and said, 'That's my baby! That's my baby!' Then she fell down next to the baby and she said, 'I was under the van! I was under the van!' And that kind of woke up the baby.

Police say, unbelievably, this was the second time the driver had driven through a building. In April of last year, police cited him for driving into an unoccupied building at 4 a.m. No one was hurt in that collision.

Emergency crews first took the mother and daughter and the driver to Grays Harbor Community Hospital. Later, the little girl was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. Kaitlynn Zinn suffered a broken leg and internal injuries and is in serious condition.

If Large Quake Hits Seattle You Can Expect Landslides And Tsunamis

With the earthquake in Chile and the one in Haiti last month and tomorrow being the 9th anniversary of the Nisqually Quake the question on everyone’s mind is, when will the next big one hit Seattle and could the Puget Sound get rocked by a tsunami.

Saturday was a calm day on the water around Seattle, deep below it though a ticking time bomb and earthquake waiting to unleash its fury. Brian Atwater who is a USGS geologist says a major quake could cause the waters to rise around Seattle.

“So, you can expect that there would be locally generally tsunamis in Puget Sound from the shaking,” said Atwater.

Atwater was in the University of Washington Seismology lab on Saturday monitoring the tsunami from the Chilean quake. He says a local shaker would cause landslide and big waves.

“It'll just become strong currents by the time you get into, rapidly rising and falling waters,” said Atwater.

University of Washington seismologist Bill Steele says a big quake will topple buildings and north of Seattle send Puget Sound inland.

“As far as big waves washing away homes the modeling is showing parts of Bellingham could be vulnerable to some low lying flooding,” said Steele.

If and when a big earthquake hits Seattle, it could trigger a tsunami on Puget Sound, but also in fresh water like Lake Washington. Big waves could damage both floating bridges and threaten lives on the water and shoreline.

Brian Atwater says people should seek higher ground after the earthquake hits.

“Is there a building that's well built that might withstand the earthquake and I can get up on and ride out the tsunami,” said Atwater.

State Emergency Responders were on high alert today from the Chilean Tsunami. Rob Harper with the Washington Emergency Management Division says it was a good test for the big one.

“So, it's very important to see how we respond that our plans work, we coordinate and all of that happened successfully today,” said Harper.

When that major earthquake strikes Seismologist Bill Steele says take cover and stay off the water.

“So, it's going to be kind of chaotic, difficult to navigate perhaps, while these are coming on it will be scary to be out in a boat I think,” said Steele.

Tacoma Teacher Gunned Down In Cold Blood By Obsessed Stalker

Jennifer Paulson had taken several legal steps to stop Jed Waits from stalking and harming her. But, the court order couldn’t stop Waits from hunting her down this morning and taking her life.

Paulson filed a Protection order in Pierce County District Court in September 2008. The legal document was supposed to keep Waits from contacting or coming within a thousand feet of her.
Jenny Wieland Ward who is the Executive Director for Families & Friends Of Missing Persons & Violent Crime Victims says Waits was obsessed with Paulson.
“Sounds like he was lying in waiting and just came out of nowhere and there was no time to do anything,” said Wieland Ward.

Waits was arrested last week for violating the protection order by following Paulson but posted bail and was released from jail on Monday.

Jenny Wieland Ward says a restraining order can only do so much to protect victims.

“When someone is really evil and obsessed that they are bent on harming someone and somehow they're able to do it,” said Wieland Ward.

In the protection order Paulson says:

"About once a year he would call me about 10-15 times in a day. I would not return his calls until a few days later when I thought he was in a better state."

According to the harassment order Waits was stalking Paulson at work.

"Jed is parked across the street from the school I teach at. I get out of my car. He remains in his car and watches me."

"I never told him where I work and do not know how he found out. I suspect he searched the school district website."

The infatuation turned much more serious when Waits walked into Birney Elementary in Tacoma.

"Jed walks into my school to see me and past the office. The secretary stops him. He wants to see me."

Instead of victims going into hiding Wieland Ward says it’s up to lawmakers to strengthen protection orders to stop the violence.

“The only way to change the system is by changing the laws,” said Wieland Ward.

According to the protection order Waits was not allowed to call, email, or send gifts to the 30 year old Paulson. Paulson’s family even tried to get the former National Guardsman to leave their daughter alone.

"My Dad calls him and talks to him saying that he must stay away."

Then, early this morning in the school parking lot cops says Waits gunned down Paulson.

Jenny Wieland Ward says stalking victims can increase their safety by joining the State’s Address Confidentiality Program to keep their work and home address secret. Keep a stalker log to show cops when and where you’re being followed. Have a safety bag with cash, extra keys, cell-phone, and your car full of gas. Finally, give pictures of the stalker to neighbors, friends, family, and co-workers so they can watch for them.

Victim Advocates like Wieland Ward say Paulson’s murder is a tragedy that should have been stopped.

“I'm just so sorry that this happened to her and to everyone that cared about her,” said Wieland Ward.

So, should victims arm themselves? Wieland Ward says it would be a good idea to carry pepper spray or mace just in case. A victim should carefully consider whether or not to carry a gun for protection.

Seattle Company Launches New Website To Help Homeowners Save Big Bucks On Energy Bills

How would you like to save a bundle of cash on your next energy bill? A Seattle company has launched a brand new website that will help make your home more energy efficient.

Lyndle Irick and his wife Mary have lived in their home in Magnolia since 1949 and they think it's high time they started saving money on their energy bill.

"Well, we've been thinking about insulating for a long time," said Irick.

The family is getting help from Chief Building Analyst Bruce Minturn with Vesta Home Performance Retrofitting.

"We can add insulation to a wall by boring holes in the exterior of the wall," said Minturn.

His company specializes in sealing up windows, doors, and ventilation ducts. But, he says your money could be escaping from other spots too.

"It doesn't add up to a whole lot compared to how much you may be leaking through the walls, through the attic, through the crawl space," said Minturn.

Minturn is one of a select few contractors connecting with homeowners through a new website www. Energysavvy.com. CEO Aaron Goldfeder says the service is free. It shows how your house ranks in energy efficiency.

"And, based on that we calculate a score. We can say hey your home is a 25, which is very energy inefficient home or a 95, which is a very efficient home," said Goldfeder.

The company says it's really easy to use its website. You start out by entering your house zip code. Then, you answer several questions about whether your home uses gas or electric. What type of insulation it has and the appliances you're using.

After about as minute your home's score will pop up on the screen. Goldfeder says the program will also show you how to make changes to save you thousands of dollars on your energy bill over the next 4 years.

"First, is we tell you the recommendations that will give you the biggest bang for your buck for your home based on your score, and the second rebates and tax credits," said Goldfeder.

As for Lyndle Irick, he says he'll be able to enjoy his golden years even more, now, that his home won't be wasting his money.

"We'll see how much money it's going to save for a period of time, it will probably pay for itself eventually," said Irick.

The Energy Savvy website puts homeowners in touch with a select group of green contractors that have a strong background in maximizing energy efficiency in homes.

New Program Hopes To Stop Crooks From Ripping Off Seniors

Talk about being low, ripping off senior citizens of their hard earned money when they are trying to enjoy their golden years. Unfortunately, this is a growing crime trend in the Pacific Northwest. But, there is some hope thanks to a new program that's purpose is to help cops catch the crooks that are ripping off senior citizens.

Margaret Canzler was ripped off by a cunning thief.

“I was just so upset, I couldn't take it you know,” said Canzler.

When Yolanda Pouncey showed up at Margaret’s house the 72 year old was packing getting ready for a trip to Germany with her husband to visit family.

“She said your husband said I could use your phone,” said Canzler.

She thought the stranger seemed legitimate, she said she was pregnant and needed to use the bathroom. Once Pouncey left Margaret discovered she’d been robbed.

“Went to get my credit cards, they were all gone, everything was gone,” said Canzler.

In just a couple of minutes the scam artist took Margaret’s purse and nearly a thousand bucks in cash. Pierce County Prosecutors say Pouncey preyed on over 50 senior victims, ripping them off of hundreds of dollars in cash, credit cards, and jewelry.

Margaret and her husband still went on the trip to Germany to see her daughter and son in law. But, the trip was a tough one because the family was upset about losing all that money.


Detective Ed Troyer with the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department says crooks will use a senior’s kindness against them.

“And, unfortunately the one time they think they're helping, they're not, the money is going right into the criminals pockets,” said Troyer.

Because, there are plenty of crooks out there targeting the elderly Tacoma/Pierce County Crime Stoppers and Seattle University have joined forces to start a new program to protect seniors and catch the bad guys.

Tina Hagedorn is one of four executives in the Seattle University Business Program that created the project that urges seniors to not remain silent and report crimes against them.

“We've launched it, yes we have a website and we have our phone number and we're taking tips,” said Hagedorn.

Margaret Canzler never got her money back and she’s lost some of her faith in people too.

“They don't care if they hurt someone or devastate someone,” said Canzler.

Pouncey was arrested and has since pled guilty to burglary and ID theft and awaits sentencing.

If you know of someone that’s scamming or abusing the elderly in your area call Crime Stoppers at 1-253-591-5959. You’re information can help lock up the crooks and could earn you a cash reward too.