Local News

<< Previous   of   Next >> (click to enlarge) Leisha Minich   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Thursday, October 30, 2008 Snohomish mom voted 'most eligible bachelorette' She beats out a film actress and a TV reporter for title By Debra Smith, Herald Writer SNOHOMISH -- The most eligible woman in the Puget Sound region throws one mean uppercut, knows her groceries and already has three men in her life. Leisha Minich, a fitness enthus­iast, supermarket checker and mom of three boys, was voted the Most Eligible Bachelorette by viewers of television show "Evening Magazine" on KING-TV. The Snohomish woman beat out a movie actress and a television news reporter to win the title. A segment about Minich, part of the show's Best of Western Washington awards, is scheduled to air at 7 tonight. Producers of the show surprised Minich at work earlier this week with news of her win. One of the show's hosts posed as a new employee at her work at Snohomish Top Food & Drug and lured her to a stack of promotional store ads where she was told of her title. "Inside, I was doing the double-arm pump thing," she said. "I was honored and shocked." Minich's oldest son encouraged her to enter the contest. A single mother in her late 30s, Minich volunteers as a board member of the Kla Ha Ya Days festival and supports other charity fundraisers. She enjoys running, yoga, soccer, weight training and boxing with her trainer. Minich mentioned her contest entry to a few people at her work. Word spread. Her friends told their friends. The store's manager told other Top Food managers. An executive producer at KING-TV declined to reveal the number of votes she received, but Minich pulled out a slim victory. "I can disclose the impressive fact that Leisha got five more votes than movie star Anna Faris," said Mark Erskine, the producer. "Pretty impressive." Faris, who grew up in Edmonds, has appeared on several movies including "Lost in Translation" and the "Scary Movie" series. Third place went to news reporter Elisa Hahn, who works at KING-TV. The contest allowed viewers to leave comments, and dozens of Minich's fans left messages such as "Go Leisha!" and "The most eligible lady in the Pacific Northwest -- hands down." Minich doesn't expect the contest to lead to love. For her, it was more about fun and the bragging rights. She said the overwhelming support she received is evidence of a life well-lived. "It shows me I've done things right in my life, and I'm proud of that." Reporter Debra Smith: 425-339-3197 or dsmith@heraldnet.com READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

1. Boeing 787 Dreamliner lifts its nose at Paine Field; flight set for Tuesday 2. Arlington assault leaves man critically injured 3. Recession hard on Snohomish County eateries 4. Up to 3 inches of snow expected in some parts of Western Washington 5. Washington could see new taxes in a host of areas 6. I'll see you in Hell's Kitchen 7. Biz week 8. Veteran, teacher, painter — and now, Mukilteo man is an author 9. Gov. Gregoire knows her budget is doomed 10. See the holiday light spectacle at Warm Beach 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

• Zambian woman thanks students for their help • Food banks see rise in use • ‘Making Spirits Bright’ in Edmonds • Wolfpack takes aim at state • Seahawks help students smile • 95 and still volunteering • Sno-King joined by local TV king • Veterans back for Wildcats • Lynnwood seeks to plug $2 million budget gap • Snohomish County offers the best and most affordable venues for conferen ... • Boeing will build, flight test and deliver 787s in South Carolina to spe ... • Snohomish County EDC promoting job growth in key industry clusters • $4 million grant to advance brain tumor research has Everett links • Providence medical center construction tops off its 12-story steel frame ... • Tulalip affordable housing project to be financed by KeyBank, Raymond Ja ... • Arlington's Lak of Ink has a growing following for Luke Kooyman's creati ... • Bank of the Northwest formed