The week in review

Published 10:27 pm Saturday, September 22, 2007

Here’s a selection of the week’s top news items from across Snohomish County as they appeared in The Herald. For the full stories, go to cmg-northwest2.go-vip.net/heraldnet.

Sunday, Sept. 16

Dave Piland, voice of the Silvertips, dies at 43: Dave Piland of Snohomish, best known as the public-address announcer for the Everett Silvertips, died Friday of complications from brain cancer. He was 43.

The Voice was only one of Piland’s many gifts, but the one for which he was best known. His most important gifts, however, were those that made him a devoted husband, a loving father and a caring human being.

John Sleeper

Monday, Sept. 17

Kitten left to die in duffel bag: A black-and-white kitten was found in a duffel bag filled with clothes. The bag had been left on the ground next to a trash bin outside an apartment complex in the 15900 block of Highway 99. A man who lives in the complex heard the kitten’s cries.

The cat was brought to the Progressive Animal Welfare Society in Lynn­wood. By Thursday, the kitten had made a full recovery.

Scott Pesznecker

Tuesday, Sept. 18

Olson to ask for leave of absence: Everett City Councilman Mark Olson is expected to ask his colleagues Wednesday for an extended leave of absence while he is being investigated for allegations of sexual assault.

The embattled councilman earlier today said he is preparing a written statement, to be released this afternoon, asking the council to allow him to step aside until November without giving up his seat.

David Chircop

Wednesday, Sept. 19

Police search for Seattle hiker in Darrington area: Seattle police and Snohomish County sheriff’s deputies are looking for a 33-year-old woman who told friends Friday she was going hiking near Darrington and hasn’t been heard from since.

Friends told police that Mary Hyde Wingfield of Seattle is an avid hiker who often goes on trips by herself, Seattle police said in a statement.

Herald staff

Thursday, Sept. 20

PUD tidal power passes first test: Tidal currents that could generate electricity for thousands of homes and businesses run stronger than expected here, pumping life into Snohomish County PUD’s bid to embed thousands of tidal turbines in the bottom of Puget Sound.

PUD officials Wednesday were on a chartered boat, touting the potential of tidal energy, while nearby oceanographers fished current-measuring devices from the bottom of Puget Sound.

The devices measured tidal currents for 28 days, or two tidal cycles, in Admiralty Inlet and Deception Pass.

Lukas Velush

Friday, Sept. 21

Hateful signs in Mill Creek: The Mill Creek teen had never felt unwelcome in her neighborhood because of her religion.

That changed with a few ugly words and backward swastikas scribbled on two of the family’s trucks.

“I think this is a hate crime,” said the girl, Mira. “That sign meant to be hurtful because of what it means. In this day and age this shouldn’t be happening.”

Diana Hefley and Jackson Holtz

Saturday, Sept. 22

Out of jail, ex-Marine is cheered: Robert Pennington, who had been sitting in a military jail in early August after he pleaded guilty to kidnapping and conspiracy to murder an Iraqi civilian during a combat mission in the town of Hamdania, has returned to Mukilteo.

On Friday, the 2002 graduate of Kamiak High School became a local hero to those who pushed for his release.

A Marine Corps general ordered former Lance Cpl. Robert Pennington’s release from custody in August while his sentence and status as a Marine is being reviewed.

Jim Haley