Vashon Islanders Pack Football Stadium To Honor Native Son Killed In Afghanistan

VASHON ISLAND - He was a volunteer firefighter, football star, soldier, and Vashon Island son. Today, more than 1,000 people packed into a Vashon Island Stadium to remember Robert Bennedsen. He was killed by a roadside bomb two weeks ago in Afghanistan.

Evan Mattingly praised his best friend for serving his country.

"I just want to thank him for protecting our country, preserving our community and being out there when none of us were," said Mattingly.

Army First Lieutenant Robert Bennedsen was killed by a roadside bomb on July 18th in Afghanistan. In front of a huge crowd at Vashon High School the Army honored the 25 year olds sacrifice.

His college roommate First Lieutenant Dave Stone had kind words for his fallen friend.

"A true leader who cares for and gave his life to protect his brothers and sisters in arms," said Stone.

Besides serving in the Army, Robert was also an island volunteer firefighter. A picture of Robert will ride on the dash of his old fire truck and another one inside the helmet of Mike Kirk.

"It would be something that can keep him an inspiration to me," said Kirk.

There were many tears but also plenty of smiles as friends and family remembered a few stories. Evan Mattingly reminisced about his time on the water with Robert.

"Robert loved to fish, but was a terrible fisherman. No actually he was a good fisherman, but he was a bad catcher, couldn't catch anything," said Mattingly.

Robert graduated from Vashon High School in 2004. He was a state champion in wrestling and an all-state running back. He earned a full Army ROTC scholarship to Seattle University.

Friend Manu Samanna-Spagnoli says he'll certainly remember Robert's many accomplishments, but will miss his infectious grin the most.

"So, Robert take it easy until we meet again, do what you do best, just keep smiling," said Samanna-Spagnoli.

As a final tribute to Robert the Vashon High School football team will retire his number 32 this season, to honor his accomplishments on this field.

Robert is the first Vashon Island resident to be killed in the war in Afghanistan. The Army presented his family with a purple heart and bronze star for Robert's military service.

Construction Project Means Big Changes For Seattle Street

SEATTLE - Big changes are headed to one busy Seattle Street. Starting tomorrow the Seattle Department of Transportation will downsize four lanes of Nickerson Street to three to make way for new bike lanes and crosswalks. But, this City project has divided people who live and work along that stretch of road.

Grabbing a cup of "Joe" from his favorite coffee house has always been a breeze for Noel Renggli. But, the possibility of a congested Nickerson Street has given him the "jitters."

"Easily for the next 5 or next 10 years it's just gonna be a bigger, bigger, headache. Fewer lanes, more cars, and more bikes," said Renggli.

Tomorrow, SDOT starts work on a new plan for Nickerson Street. It reduces the road from four lanes to one lane each direction, with a center left turn lane and a pair of bike lanes.

Robert Bismuth with the Magnolia Community Club predicts a traffic nightmare from the project.

"Well, from the motorist's point of view it's going to cause a gridlock on this road between the Ballard Bridge and Fremont Bridge," said Bismuth.

But, Seattle City Traffic Engineer Eric Widstrand doesn't believe drivers will get stuck.

"We're also providing wider travel lanes which will be a benefit for freight uses in the corridor and buses using the corridor," said Widstrand.

Cyclists like Michael Hoodes says those new bike lanes will make things better for him.

"It's safety and it's convenience it's both of them. Anytime there's bike lanes is a convenience for me as a biker," said Hoodes.

Neighbors argue there's no need for bike lanes on Nickerson Street when there is a perfectly good path just 50 yards from it along the ship canal.

Cyclists disagree and say the path doesn't work because it ends before the Ballard Bridge so riding on the street is a better option.

Over at Thai Fusion manager Montida Lert says more bikers will mean more money for the restaurant.

"We're going to build a rack for the bikes, so it will be good for them to stop and eat," said Lert.

Part of the Nickerson Street project also includes adding three new crosswalks. It's something Christina Bollow with Seattle's Pedestrian Advisory Board says will keep people safe.

"A marked crosswalk is a real signal to drivers they need to be looking out for someone crossing the street," said Bollow.

It will take the City two months to repave and restripe Nickerson Street. Noel Renggli wonders if the project will mean he'll have to grab his coffee somewhere else from now on.

"It's gonna be a few years of the problem getting a lot worse before it actually gets better," said Renggli.

Nickerson Street isn't the only road that's getting a makeover in Seattle. The City is also looking at changing Dexter Avenue. Tomorrow Northgate residents will get to hear about similar plans for Northeast 125th Street between Roosevelt Way Northeast and 35th Avenue Northeast. An open house is scheduled from 4 PM until 7 PM at the Lake City Library.

He's Only 10 & Needs Double Lung & Heart Transplant To Live

AUBURN - He's a 10 year old boy full of hopes and dreams, but little Cullen Steele is in a race against time. Cullen suffers from a deadly high blood pressure disease. Now, the community has rallied around this little guy that needs a transplant.

Cullen Steele is at his happiest when he's playing video games with his little brother Aidan. But, behind that smile is one tough little guy taking on a disease that's weakening his heart and lungs. Cullen says the disease is making him very sick.

"You get migraines a lot, bad ones," said Steele.

Cullen's mom Colleen says the headaches and leg pains are nothing compared to what doctors tell her Cullen will face one day.

"He said not only does he have pulmonary hypertension, it's much worse than we thought and then he dropped the heart lung transplant bomb and to be honest I probably went into shock," said Steele.

There is no cure for pulmonary hypertension a transplant is the only thing that will save his life. In the meantime, doctors can only treat Cullen's symptoms. The 5th grader says that includes swallowing 14 pills a day.

"They're yucky old pills, yucky old pills," said Steele.

Cullen says he also has to wear a special backpack that pumps medicine directly into his heart.

"Only sometimes you can feel medicine most of the time you really don't feel it," said Steele.

Aidan says his big brother's disease has also taken an emotional toll.

"It's stressful when something goes wrong, it's scary when he's done he's happy,"

Now, in their darkest hour the community is rallying around the Steeles. Cullen's dad Brian says The Children's Organ Transplant Association is helping them raise $75,000 for medical expenses.

"And, people we don't even know are offering hundreds of dollars, thousands of dollars in some cases to donate to these organizations like Make A Wish and to COTA and other places it's just amazing," said Steele.

Just like he beats his enemies in video games Cullen plans on wiping out the disease that's ravaging his body. At 10 years old he's wise beyond his years and is grateful for everyone who's on his side.

"I wanna thank them all for helping me get through each day having this," said Steele.

On August 20th at 7:30 PM there will be a Buddy Holly benefit concert to help raise money for Cullen's transplant at the Auburn Avenue Theater.

Reward Offered To Find Missing Father Of Deadliest Catch TV Star

ANACORTES - An Anacortes family continues to search for answers after their loved one disappeared under mysterious circumstances. 62 year old Keith Anderson vanished earlier this year. The family talked with Q13 Fox News on Sunday about their painful ordeal.

The last 7 months have been agonizing for Elizabeth Dixon and her family. Each day that passes hope fades for finding her father Keith Anderson alive.

"Huge void when he went missing, huge void miss him every day. It is awful it's a struggle, day to day struggle," said Dixon.

Keith was last seen on January 6th when he went to go buy Oxycontin on the street from a guy in Sultan. Keith's Nephew Kiel Anderson says he never made it home that night to have dinner with his son Jake who is a fisherman from the hit TV show The Deadliest Catch.

"That was something Keith would never have done, never miss Jake before he went on his trip," said Anderson.

Elizabeth says Keith was a well respected counselor at Anacortes High School known for having a great mind and an even bigger heart.

"Makes me so proud of my father, for all the good he's done for people," said Dixon.

The family says Keith had struggled with injuries and emotional pain and was using Oxycontin to cope. According to Elizabeth the day Keith went to buy the drugs he disappeared with only $500 cash.

"My Dad would never skip on his family, his family is the most important thing," said Dixon.

Cops found Keith's truck on a logging road in Darrington a week and half after he disappeared, Kiel says that's when the family feared the worse.

"Him driving that truck up into that remote area where the truck was found would not have been something Keith would have done, which is our first clue some kind of foul play going on," said Anderson.

For now Cops call it a missing person's case. Although, they say the guy that sold Keith the drugs is under investigation.

The family says all they want is closure, even if that means finding out Keith was killed. It's the words in a letter written by Keith's sister that keeps them strong.

"We keep searching and praying and fall on each other for strength and we take his caring soul with us in whatever we do each day now."

The family is offering a reward for information that will help them find Keith Anderson. The family says if the reward isn't claimed the money will go towards a scholarship in his name.

A memorial service for the former high school counselor will be held at Anacortes High School on August 14th.

Neighbors Want City To Tear Down Derelict House That's Attracting Squatters

SEATTLE - Neighbors say they're sick and tired of it, a derelict house on their block that's become a magnet for criminal activity. The City of Seattle bought the property and is supposed to knock it down to expand Thornton Creek Park.

For the last four months Mike Sink has been busy patrolling outside and inside the abandoned house down the street from his home. "This door is still locked, but of course people are still throwing trash down there," said Sink.

According to Mike the old property has become a real eyesore.

"It's a great neighborhood, we love Maple Leaf and it's just unfortunate that we have this one house that's a problem," said Sink.

Mike says he's been spending his time looking for squatters that have taken over the property after the owner sold it to the City.

"I mean I think there's potential for arson, they've been using a camping stove inside with propane cylinders the potential for fire, the potential for someone to get hurt in the house, potential for drug use, nobody wants that in their neighborhood," said Sink.

The neighborhood activist says the Parks Departments is supposed to tear down the home and use the land for Thornton Creek Park. But, he says neighbors have heard that story before.

"There was a house sitting on that property the Park Service bought, it was about 2 years ago and it sat empty for almost 2 years before it was demolished," said Sink.

Neighbors say Seattle Police are keeping a constant watch on the house, looking for squatters and drug users. Officers were there on Saturday just before our Q13 Fox News crew arrived. The squatters were gone though. Mike believes they slip in and out during the night. He says the City needs to find a way to permanently kick them out.

"Have the property fenced off secured in some way until they're able to tear it down, more security patrols on a regular basis," said Sink.

So, while he waits for action from the City, Mike says he'll keep up his patrols. He's crossing his fingers that the City doesn't drag its feet with the new park addition.

"We're hopeful, but seeing what happened with the other property that sat empty for almost 2 years that's the real concern we don't want to go through that same thing again," said Sink.

Mike says he's contacted Mayor Mike McGinn's Office and the City Council to find out when the house could be demolished so far he hasn't gotten any details. We contacted the Mayor's Office and Parks Department too, and we're told new information could be available on Monday.

"Beaver Invasion" Furry Rodents Take Over Seattle Area Creek

ISSAQUAH - They maybe furry and cute but a den of beavers are taking a big bite out of one Eastside Community. The little guys are damming and ripping up a creek that's vital for salmon at Lake Sammamish State Park, but they're also causing the potential for some big time flooding problems.

Kerry Ritland who is Surface Water Manager for the City of Issaquah says a group of busy beavers have figured out away to slow Tibbetts Creek down.

"Well, this is a beaver dam obviously, looks to be 3 or 4 feet tall. Yeah, this is a free flowing stream, now we have a lake," said Ritland.

According to Ritland the dam started to take shape in spring. The beavers have been piling on sticks, twigs, and mud ever since.

The beaver dam has backed up Tibbetts Creeks already about a quarter-mile. The big concern is, if the water continues to rise it could flood the parking lot at Swedish Hospital and flow over Northwest Sammamish Road.

The big rodents have also gnawed their way through the native vegetation the State spent thousands of dollars reintroducing to Tibbetts Creek. Kerry Ritland says that's not the worst of it.

"The fish can't possibly jump over that dam or make it through a hole. So, it's a full fish passage barrier for Coho salmon primarily, possibly Chinook salmon," said Ritland.

Ranger Rich Benson says the pesky buggers have even burrowed dens under the main road into Lake Sammamish State Park.

"It's just undermined the asphalt, so you know there's not a lot of support to where the rocks are and if we continue to let them go I don't know how far they'd go," said Benson.

To get the creek water to flow smoothly again, Kerry Ritland says The Department of Fish And Wildlife has to give the okay to tear down the dam.

"Spent a lot of money on restoration and flood control. It's not a good location for them to build a dam," said Ritland.

The beavers may have other plans, but, quick moving water is what Tibbetts Creek is supposed to have.

If Park Rangers get the green light they could begin trapping and relocating those beavers within the next 3 weeks. That's when they'd take down the dam too.

"Barefoot Bandit" Bolts For The Bahamas In Stolen Plane

SEATTLE - Sheriff's Deputies in Bloomington, Indiana believe the teen bandit swiped a plane and flew it by himself some 1,200 miles to the Bahamas.

It was inside a hanger at the Monroe County Airport that cops say Colton Harris Moore lifted his latest set of wings from plane owner John Miller.

"Circumstances of luck for this guy that he was able to take mine, because I had to leave the key in it to have the oil changed, "said Miller.

Miller says Harris Moore used a crowbar to bust in and took off in his Cessna 400 and headed for the Bahamas.

"I'd just say the boy had good taste, it's a hell of a lot better than the other airplanes around there," said Miller.

Sheriff's Deputies in Indiana say Colton first popped up on their radar after they say he dumped a hot set of wheels in a church parking lot last week. Monroe County Airport Manager Bruce Payton says the church is only a mile from the airstrip.

"The Sheriff's Department had located a car stolen and found it not far from the Monroe County Airport," said Payton.

Cops believe he was casing the place and saw his chance late Saturday night. Miller says his plane is in a swamp now.

"I know this from the Bahamian Police, he is alive and he's on the go," said Miller.

Local bounty hunter Mike Rocha was hoping to get his chance to catch him, but he says Colton Harris Moore may have outsmarted everyone this time.

"It's a great move he's out of U.S. Jurisdiction probably not extraditable at this juncture. So, why wouldn't he go sit in the Bahamas for 7 years and come back after the statute of limitations runs out," said Rocha.

John Miller says his plane was destroyed but believe it or not, he's not angry.

"Hell, I don't want him to get hurt, I hope he makes it, I don't want him to steal anyone else's, but I don't want him to be hurt either," said Miller.

Q13 Fox News also talked with John Miller's son Joe today. He says Police in the Bahamas told him they were looking for someone that stole an SUV on the island where the plane was ditched. Cops believe Colton Harris Moore took it.

Authorities across Western Washington have been hoping to catch the alleged bandit since his escape from a halfway house in April 2008.

Last fall, after a stolen small plane crash-landed at an airport, Harris-Moore was caught on surveillance video breaking into a grocery store. A hardware store, bar, coffee-shop and bank were also hit at that time.

A few weeks later, a Cessna was stolen from a rural airport in Idaho and crash-landed near Granite Falls, Wash., when it ran out of fuel.

Colton Harris-Moore is believed to be connected to several home and business burglaries since his disappearance in 2008. Harris-Moore is also believed to have stolen several cars, boats, and three small airplanes.

Check these surveillance pictures taken from Spencer's Landing marina on Lopez Island on May 15th. It is believed the 'barefoot bandit' stole a boat from the private marina: