Hoo goes there? Two hikers are attacked by owls

Herald staff

KIRKLAND — Another reason to be careful in the park after dark: owl muggings.

Rangers at St. Edward State Park are warning hikers and bikers to avoid the park’s trails at dawn and dusk after owls attacked two people last month.

One hiker was dive-bombed by a barred owl during the first week of October. Later in the month, a great horned owl zeroed in on another hiker, who was left with 15 puncture wounds from its inch-and-a-half-long talons.

The second hiker went to the hospital for a tetanus shot.

Rangers have posted signs at the park on the northeast shore of Lake Washington, warning about possible owl attacks at dawn and dusk, when they are most likely to occur.

State Department of Fish and Wildlife biologist Patricia Thompson said the attacks aren’t unusual. She gets calls every fall about owl attacks in the Seattle area.

Thompson said the attacks probably were by aggressive juvenile owls learning to hunt. Both species, when mature, stand about 2 feet tall and can have 5-foot wingspans.

Being hit by one would be like being socked by a volleyball with talons, she said.

She added that the danger of attacks will soon be over. The migratory birds are expected to move on soon.

  • Teen collapses while jogging at school: A 14-year-old football player remained in critical but stable condition Friday after suffering an apparent heart attack while jogging on the Inglewood Junior High School track. Sean Shipler collapsed Thursday morning. The Bellevue Fire Department said quick help saved his life. Witnesses immediately began performing CPR, and the department’s emergency crew used its equipment to restart his heart three times. A hospital spokeswoman said Friday that Shipler’s family asked that no other information about his condition be released.

  • Man sentenced for check-fraud conspiracy: A man has been sentenced to 41 months in prison on federal charges that he ran a $300,000 counterfeit check-fraud scheme, U.S. Attorney Katrina Pflaumer said Friday. Azizi Ansari, 26, pleaded guilty to the charges in July. U.S. District Judge Barbara Rothstein also ordered Ansari to serve five years of supervised release after his prison term and pay $180,169 in restitution to his victims. Counterfeit checks were created with the account names and numbers of businesses in Connecticut, Illinois, Washington and other states, Pflaumer said. Four of Ansari’s accomplices have pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges — two in Washington and two in Florida. Another is awaiting trial in Washington.

  • Disaster relief sought for Eastern Washington farmers: Gov. Gary Locke asked the federal government for disaster relief Friday to help Eastern Washington farmers and ranchers recover from drought, fire and frost in the past several months. If approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the relief would make low-interest loans available to qualifying farms and ranches, and businesses that support them, in Okanogan, Ferry, Franklin, Grant, Walla Walla and Klickitat counties, said Rob Harper of the Washington Emergency Management Division. The aid was requested for counties where more than 30 percent of a crop was destroyed, Harper said.
    Talk to us

    > Give us your news tips.

    > Send us a letter to the editor.

    > More Herald contact information.

  • More in Local News

    Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

    The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

    Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
    Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

    The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

    x
    State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

    The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

    Bothell
    Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

    The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

    Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

    Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

    District 2 candidates differ in public safety approach

    Incumbent Paula Rhyne is facing challenger Ryan Crowther. The third candidate, Jonathan Shapiro, is no longer seeking the seat.

    From left to right, Edmonds City Council Position 3 candidates Joseph Ademofe, Alex Newman and Erika Barnett.
    Amid budget crisis, Edmonds City Council candidates talk revenue, affordability

    Three newcomers are facing off for Position 3 on the council, currently held by council President Neil Tibbott.

    Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
    The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

    The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

    Everett
    Everett approves new fines for non-emergency lifts

    The fire department will only issue fines for non-emergency lift assists at licensed care facilities, not for individuals at home calling 911.

    Guns for sale at Caso’s Gun-A-Rama in Jersey City, New Jersey, which has been open since 1967. (Photo by Aristide Economopoulos/New Jersey Monitor)
    After suing, WA gets carveout from Trump administration plan to return gun conversion devices

    The Trump administration has agreed to not distribute devices that turn semi-automatic… Continue reading

    The Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility about 16 miles east of Ellensburg in central Washington is part of Puget Sound Energy’s clean energy portfolio. (Courtesy of Puget Sound Energy)
    Megabill’s elimination of tax credits for clean energy projects could cost WA $8.7 billion

    Washington households could see electricity costs increase $115 per year by 2029; 21,800 workers could lose their jobs by 2030, analysts say.

    Everett mayor candidates focus on affordability, city budget in costly race

    As incumbent Cassie Franklin seeks a third term in office, three candidates are looking to unseat her.

    Support local journalism

    If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.