The video clip above shows Paul Schene, 31, a King County Sheriff’s Deputy, pushing, hitting and kicking a 15-year old girl in a SeaTac holding cell after her arrrest.

Schene has been charged with fourth-degree assault for the Nov. 29th incident, which took place in a cell located at SeaTac City Hall.

According to court documents, Schene and another officer arrested two 15-year old girls for investigation of a car theft after they were stopped driving a stolen vehicle.

Both girls were taken to a holding cell at SeaTac City Hall, where the incident took place. The girl required some medical attention after the incident, but was not hospitalized.

Schene plead not guilty to the charges Thursday, and was release on his own recognizance. He remains on paid administrative leave.

Popularity: 52% [?]

Have you wondered about the work of a Port police officer?

The Port of Seattle Police Department is offering a unique opportunity to learn up close about the many challenges facing local law enforcement. It’s called “Citizens Academy” and consists of a once-a-week, 10-week program offered at Sea-Tac Airport.

Classes will be held Wednesdays, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, March 4 thru May 6.

Police officers and civilian personnel who are experts in their fields teach the classes at the Citizens Academy. Each instructor has years of training and street experience, providing insights not ordinarily available to those outside the department.

Subjects include: patrol, community policing, recruitment and training, domestic violence, narcotics, dispatch, investigations, crimes scene analysis, SWAT, explosive detection and narcotics detection K-9 and the bomb squad.

All classes are free of charge and open to the public.

Want to participate? You’ll need:

The ability to commit to attending a two-hour weekly class for ten weeks

A background check

Ready to Apply? Print and fill out the attached application (PDF, requires Adobe Acrobat) and return it to

FAX: (206) 248-7134

or Mail:

Port of Seattle Police
Attn: Citizens Academy
PO Box 68727
Seattle, WA 98168

For more information, please contact Officer Dan Breed, breed.d@portseattle.org, or Officer Kyle Yoshimura at yoshimura.k@portseattle.org.

Popularity: 52% [?]

Seven south King County cities, including SeaTac, announced Thursday their plans to build a 668-bed misdemeanor jail in neighboring Des Moines.

The cities on board this venture, which is called the South Correctional Entity (or “SCORE,” not to be confused with the small business advisors “SCORE”), include:

• SeaTac
• Des Moines
• Tukwila
• Burien
• Federal Way
• Renton
• Auburn

SCORE is hoping to open this new jail in mid-2011 to replace jail space that will no longer be provided by the county. The seven cities will team up to handle all operations of the new facility.

From a press release, here’s a quote from SeaTac Mayor Ralph Shape:

“Meeting the public safety needs of our residents while keeping costs down is our number one goal. SCORE meets that need.”

The entity has hired a consulting firm, which proposed that the area will need nearly 700 additional jail cells by 2026, and that cities could reduce costs by working together.

The preferred site for the new jail is near Des Moines Creek Park, on a 14-acre parcel owned by the Port of Seattle located southwest of where South 208th intersects with 18th Ave South (see map below).

Next steps in this project is the permitting process, which will also allow for public comments and review; here’s more info from the SCORE website:

SCORE is currently seeking applicants for the Community Outreach Team.

The Community Outreach Team will work with SCORE to address community concerns and questions.

If you are interested in participating, send your letter of interest to:

SCORE Outreach Team
1055 South Grady Way
Renton, WA 98057

Priority will be given to:

• Applicants that live in the cities of Des Moines or Tukwila
• Applicants that live west of 18th Avenue South
• Applicants that live South of 200th Street
• Applicants that live north of 216th Street

Questions and Comments can be e-mailed to SCOREjail@rentonwa.gov

A public meeting on this jail is scheduled for Wednesday, March 25th at 8:30am at the Renton City Hall.

So…what are your thoughts on having a new jail in our area?

Please Comment below the map…

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Popularity: 54% [?]

Lately, whenever we’ve eaten in area restaurants, we’ve noticed lousy table manners. Some people talk with their mouths full, while others (gasp) use the wrong fork to eat salad.

Well, the Highline Historical Society is coming to the rescue – they’re presenting a unique program at this Sunday (March 1st), called “Trial By Fork,” featuring Actress Tames Alan at SeaTac City Hall, which is located at 4800 South 188th Street (see map below).

According to HHS Director Cyndi Upthegrove, this should be a “very entertaining and educational event, as Tames does a very authentic job and is a lot of fun.”

So be sure to put that salad fork down when you really should have a dessert fork, for cryin’ out loud. and get on over there!

Here are the details:

WHAT: “Trial by Fork” featuring Actress Tames Alan

WHEN: Sunday, March 1st at 2pm

WHERE: SeaTac City Hall (4800 S 188th Street)

INFO: In this one-hour program, Tames Alan will demystify the manners and accoutrements of a formal 12-course Victorian dinner.

She will explain the mysteries of the table, from setting it and what each item on the table was used for, to the menu and what dishes were served with each course.

Also covered will be good table manners and suitable conversation topics when in the presence of ladies, and how the formal manners of the Victorian age translated into the good manners of today.

As with all of Tames’ programs, there will be a question-and-answer period at the end. Brought to us with a grant from Humanities Washington.

Join the Highline Historical Soceity at this link (we’re members), or donate directly online by clicking here.

More info on the Highline Historical Society available at its website.

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Popularity: 46% [?]

Sea-Tac Airport’s Managing Director Mark Reis testified in Washington, DC Tuesday (Feb. 24th) on behalf of Sea-Tac and Airports Council International–North America (ACI-NA) before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Subcommittee on Aviation on ‘Wildlife Strikes—How Airports are Helping to Manage the Risks.”

“Airports have been working over almost five decades to reduce these [wildlife hazard] risks [to aviation safety] within the confines of multiple federal, state, and local laws and regulations,” Reis told the Subcommittee. “Since 1977, Sea-Tac has made progress in reducing the attractiveness of the airport for wildlife habitation, while restoring much of the areas naturally occurring hydrologic and ecological functions.”

Reis noted that airports are required to have a qualified wildlife biologist conduct a wildlife hazard assessment in the event that an air carrier aircraft ingests wildlife into its engines, is substantially damaged by a wildlife strike, or experiences multiple wildlife strikes, or wildlife are observed in a manner that could cause an aircraft to experience one of those situations. The FAA reviews the assessment and determines whether the airport must develop a wildlife hazard management plan, which becomes a part of the operator’s Airport Certification Manual. These plans contain specific actions that an airport will undertake to attempt to minimize or eliminate wildlife hazards and must include a training program conducted by qualified experts to provide airport staff with the knowledge and skills needed to implement the management plan.

Avian radar systems will soon be evaluated at Chicago O’Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, and John F. Kennedy International Airports. According to Reis, as it currently operates today, avian radar is not yet the “silver bullet” as it detects too much bird activity, meaning airports need to determine what information is best to pass on immediately to the air traffic controllers.

Reis told the Subcommittee, “Airports would benefit from having stronger, federally-mandated mechanisms to control land uses in the vicinity of their airports. Laws limit the ability of airports to modify or eliminate attractive habitats on or near airports, even if similar habitat could be provided elsewhere. These issues have had a stifling effect on airport efforts to control hazardous wildlife around the country.”

Reis noted that going forward, the continued development of promising technologies, improved coordination between airports and local developers, closer coordination for wetland and stormwater mitigation for airports, and harmonization of federal, state, and local wildlife management restrictions may reduce these risks further.

However, he stressed that airports need funding to implement and maintain effective wildlife management programs.

“The FAA can provide critically important funding for setting up these programs. However, the ongoing operating costs associated with these programs must be funded by operating budgets, which are already under considerable strain due to the current economic crisis.”

Here’s a video showing Sea-Tac’s Wildlife Biologist Steve Osmek in action trying to scare birds away:

Popularity: 46% [?]

It may seem fun and harmless, but it’s extremely dangerous as well as a federal offense. We’re talking about shining laser devices at aircraft, something that happened 12 times Sunday night Feb. 22nd near SeaTac Airport.

According to the FAA, light from a green laser “hit” numerous airplanes as they came in for landings. All aircraft were descending at an altitude between 1,200 and 1,500 feet, and one pilot could actually see where the source was coming from.

All the planes landed safely, and no suspects were apprehended. The FBI and TSA are investigating.

If you have any information about this serious offense, please contact Port of Seattle Police immediately at 206-431-3490.

From initial research, green laser pointers like the one used can be bought online from around $22 to $300.

Here’s a video about the effect a green laser had on the crew of a police helicopter in England:

Popularity: 54% [?]

“To Your Health,” Highline Medical Center Foundation’s Annual Gala and Auction is Saturday evening, March 7th at the SeaTac Hilton Ballroom.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Highline Medical Center Foundation’s Annual Gala and Auction; Black Tie Optional

WHEN: Saturday, March 7th:

• 5:30pm: Doors open for Silent Auction and Champagne Reception
• 7pm: Dinner and Live Auction

COST: $150 Patron Tickets, $250 VIP Tickets; more info here:

INFO: RSVP by Monday, Feb. 23rd to (206) 901-8501 or email MClingman@highlinemedical.org; more info at the event website.

Save the date of Saturday, March 7, 2009 for the Highline Medical Center Foundation’s “To Your Health” Annual Gala & Auction at the Hilton Seattle Airport.

The auction will feature the following live items. Be sure to check back as the event gest closer as the list will be updated each week.

• Two weeks in Mazatlan
• Private suite for 16 at Safeco Field for a Mariners game
• Trip to LA and tickets to Dr. Phil and The Doctros shows
• Fishing trip to Argentina
• Gourmet dinner for eight
• Fall trip to Vermont
• Fighter pilot for the day
• Puget Sound sailing excursion
• One week in Maui
• Husky vs. Cougar package including football game tickets
• One week in guest house in South Africa
• A year in bloom: 12 months of flowers

For ticket, sponsor or donation information, please contact us at (206) 901-8501 or email MClingman@highlinemedical.org.

Popularity: 62% [?]

In King County, Countywide Community Forums are a network of small group meetings where people throughout the county can discuss current issues and provide feedback to King County officials.

Two to four times a year, registered Citizen Councilors meet in homes, libraries and other locations to learn more about an issue that matters to them, discuss it with the group and complete a detailed survey on their views.

The next round of forums will be held in February on the topic:

“Citizen Priorities for County Government:
Budget and Strategic Options.”

For more information on Countywide Community Forums, please go to this website.

Where and when are the forums?
Forums are organized by fellow Citizen Councilors at homes, workplace or libraries 2-4 times a year during a one-month participation window set by the Auditor. When notified of an upcoming round of forums, you will be able to select the time and place that works best for you on the Countywide Community Forums‘ website:

www.CommunityForums.org

If you prefer, the Volunteer Coordinators will help you choose the most convenient forum over the phone; just call (206) 296-1633 and they’ll set you up.

Here some more info from their website:

Do you want to get more involved?
If you would like to be more involved in Countywide Community Forums, you can volunteer to be a Community Forums Host/Convener. Conveners find a convenient meeting place and conduct a forum session. You can host your own meeting or become a guest at someone else’s meeting. “Please register as an official, volunteer, Citizen Councilor, or contact us to let us know that you are interested.

There are also opportunities to get involved as an outreach volunteer. Outreach volunteers help spread the word about the community forums to their community or organization. In particular, we are looking for outreach volunteers in South King County.

Contact us by email or by calling (206) 296-1633.

What to expect at a forum?
At each forum meeting, 4-12 participants:

• Watch a short video and/or review a brief written summary of the key facts and different perspectives on the issue under discussion.
• Take two minutes each to state their views on the topic, uninterrupted by other members of the group.
• Participate in an open group discussion.
• Complete an “Opinionnaire®”: a confidential survey tool that asks specific questions about the current topic and the forums process.

To attend this meeting, you must click here to Sign up/Sign in!

Popularity: 41% [?]

From our sister site The B-Town Blog comes this news:

Thursday morning (2/12/09) around 10:45am, the Burien Key Bank located at 655 SW 152nd was robbed by this man, described as a white male, late 20s, medium height, slim build, brown hair, with a goatee:

According to police, he entered the bank, gave a teller a demand note, got his loot and took off.

No weapons were displayed and there were no injuries.

If this bad guy looks familiar, you are asked to contact the Seattle FBI immediately at (206) 622-0460 (you can also call 911).

Popularity: 50% [?]

Got an email from Kerrie Carbary, volunteer coordinator for Volunteer Chore Services in SeaTac, and they’re looking for some help:

Desperately Seeking Organizing Superhero

A disabled woman has recently moved, first from a house to a 3-bedroom apartment, then to a studio apartment!

However, as her space decreased in size, her stuff hasn’t, and as a result she’s having trouble organizing her belongings to fit her new home. Her apartment is very clean, just cluttered.

She has a great sense of humor and is fun to visit with, and needs a volunteer who is patient, gentle and “not bossy.”

The idea of organizing alone adds to her anxiety, which in turn makes her other symptoms worse! Are you a gentle, understanding individual who likes to organize?

An hour a week would make a real difference in her life.

How to Apply:

We have many needy seniors and adults with disabilities on our waiting list who are waiting for help in Seattle and King County. If you can spend an hour or two a week, or a couple of times a month, please contact us to become a volunteer.

Volunteer Chore Services, a program of Catholic Community Services, is committed to helping low-income elders and adults disabilities remain living independently in their own homes through a network of caring community members, individuals like yourself.

Due to the vulnerable nature of our clients, volunteers must complete a registration packet, provide three personal references, pass a background check, and attend an orientation.

If you drive while volunteering, we will reimburse you for your mileage.

To apply, please go to http://www.ccsww.org/volunteerchores, reply to this ad, or email kerriec@ccsww.org.

Popularity: 47% [?]