This past December 2013, many of us learned of the tragic death of Dr. Thomas Babson and his 8 year old daughter caused by a fire that destroyed their Fox Island home. I had the pleasure of working with Tom while we both served with the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department.
Westside Story
Westside Story: Car Thieves Love Warm-Ups
It is an old story and it is happening again right now. It is 15 degrees above zero. In law enforcement when the temperature drops, you can predict what the 6:00 a.m. shift will look like. 911 dispatch will start the officer’s day with car thefts called “warm-ups”. There is always a spike in car thefts when it is cold outside. People start their cars; and while their car is warming, they go back inside their home. When they return to their car to go to work, it is gone. “Warm-up” thefts are as predictable as coats, hats and gloves on a frosty day.
Westside Story: Death & Resurrection
My brother-in-law, George D. Lazarus died. That kind of news can be sad or happy, depending on one’s relationship with a brother-in-law. It is official though. George was declared dead April 7, 2013, by the Veterans Administration. It can’t be more official than that. His death set administrative procedures in motion canceling his VA disability benefit and military retirement pay. Next, George’s bank account was frozen. The government then withdrew thousands of dollars to recoup money paid to George before it learned he was dead. His medical benefits stopped. A military hospital cannot be expected to provide health benefits to a dead man.
Westside Story – Starbucks Half Dozen
Story & Photo – Joseph Boyle Keila Pritchard, 4th from the left (photo below), was only 16 years old when I met him at the Towne Center Starbucks. I was shocked to learn he was 16. Keila always looked and acted with great maturity, beyond his years. Keila is a Running Start student at Clover […]
Westside Story: Dorothy Wilhelm
Story by Joseph Boyle We constantly hear and see information in the news regarding the latest tricks played by local and national scofflaws. You do not need me to write about these evil doers since there are plenty of others who send their pens in that direction.
Westside Story – Coffee Artist
Story & Photos – Joseph Boyle If you spend as much time at Starbucks as I do, you will begin to meet a lot of interesting and creative people. A few months back I walked up to the counter in the Towne Center Starbucks and noticed a brand new barista. Her name is Krista Schrader. […]
Westside Story: Mining … Coming 2014
Cover Story & Photo – Joseph Boyle One of my loyal readers asked me to do some investigative reporting on the new sign located on Bridgeport Way W at 67th Av W in The City of University Place, which reads “Mining … Coming 2014”. I drove out and saw the sign. The sign did not […]
Westside Story – 1 Photo is worth 10,000 Words
Story & Photo – Joseph Boyle This is another fine example of 1 photograph being worth 10,000 words. As Clint Eastwood would say, “Go ahead, make my day” by sending in your own caption in the comments section below.
Westside Story – Kimberly’s Cafe Goes to Auction
Story & Photo – Joseph Boyle The two signs in my photo (below) are related in a sad way. The Ehli Auction A-Board sign reads “Auction Preview Today” with a giant black arrow pointing towards Kimberly’s Cafe Sign. I stopped by Kimberly’s Cafe, which is a part of Clover Park Shops located at 11126 Gravelly […]