Latest news with #KingCounty
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Missing woman found dead near Woodinville winery
The King County Sheriff's Office says they've found the body of a woman who went missing last week near a popular Woodinville winery. 'We regret to inform that just after noon today, KCSO Search and Rescue located a deceased female matching her description only 200 yards east of Young-Shin Mueller last known location,' the sheriff's office told KIRO 7. Young-Shin Mueller went missing on May 26. She was last seen near Chateau Ste. Michelle and law enforcement asked the public for help finding her. The King County Medical Examiner is now looking into her cause of death.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Fugitive on the run, wanted in massive WA drug trafficking ring
The Brief King County authorities are searching for Valentin Garcia Lazcano, a fugitive wanted for major drug trafficking. Lazcano's co-defendant, Miguel Hernandez Domingo, received a 20-month sentence for distributing lethal amounts of fentanyl. Prosecutors are pushing for tougher penalties, as current sentences are seen as insufficient given the scale of drug trafficking. KING COUNTY, Wash. - King County authorities are searching for a major drug trafficking fugitive, wanted for running a crew that sold millions worth of fentanyl, heroin, meth and cocaine. Valentin Garvia Lazcano has a felony arrest warrant for drug dealing, accused of selling narcotics across King and Pierce County and wiring the money back to Mexico. Deputies caught Lazcano red-handed hauling bags of drugs out of a storage unit, but two months after being arrested, he bailed out and is now on the run. Dig deeper Two of his co-defendants have both been convicted, including Miguel Hernandez Domingo, the man Lazcano was arrested with. Domingo has spent the last year in jail, and was recently sentenced after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute lethal amounts of fentanyl. However, the 20-month sentence that was handed down is seen by some as no more than a slap on the wrist, especially compared to the lives he put at risk. "Mr. Hernandez Domingo had enough fentanyl powder to be potentially lethal to more than 13.5 million people," said Senior Deputy Prosecutor Alex Muir. "The combined population of the Pacific Northwest is 14.2 million people." King County Senior Deputy Prosecutor Alex Muir described the amount of narcotics seized by detectives from the defendant's apartment, car and storage unit where he took selfies wearing a respirator. "It was approximately 108,204 fentanyl pills by weight, 59.87 pounds of fentanyl powder, 2.47 pounds of meth, 3.16 pounds of heroin, 1.79 pounds of cocaine. The street value is approximately $2.75 million," Muir said. Hernandez Domingo was tracked and observed selling the drugs in Des Moines, Seattle, Seatac, Federal Way, Fife and Tacoma. But because he had no criminal history and a zero offender score, Washington state law sets the standard sentencing to just 12 to 20 months. King County Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion wants longer sentences imposed, with at least five years in this case. "We are not talking about a kid who has a bag full of weed, what we are talking about is somebody who is moving enough fentanyl to at least theoretically kill all of King County. And for that, there should be an exceptional sentence because it's an exceptional amount of drugs," said Casey McNerthey with the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office. To support their request for a longer sentence, King County detective Matt Jeffery described the significance of the drug bust. "To my knowledge, it is the largest seizure, the 60 pounds of fentanyl powder is the largest seizure of the King County Sheriff's Office," said Detective Matt Jeffery. So far this year in King County alone, more than 360 people have already died from a fentanyl overdose. "I would appreciate the consideration of the lives lost, families broken due to this fentanyl epidemic that currently we're experiencing," said Det. Jeffery. Hernandez Domingo's attorney pushed back, claiming his client played a limited role in the organization, and had already spent 368 days in jail. "He essentially had no gain in this operation other than $400 a week and he had to trade a year of his life for that," said Hernandez Domingo's attorney. Hernandez Domingo claimed he didn't know the consequences of his actions. "I want to apologize to the state of Washington, and I want to be given the opportunity for me to go on with my life to help my mother who is sick and my wife and my son," Domingo said. After listening to the arguments, Judge Nikole Hecklinger sided with the defense, saying the court had no information that Hernandez Domingo was a major player in the enterprise. "Having considered the purposes of the sentence format, the sentencing materials, the harm that this does to the community and Mr. Hernandez's role and the info that has been provided, the court will sentence Mr. Hernandez to 20 months, which is the high end of the presumptive standard range," said Judge Nikole Hecklinger. What's next Prosecutors say they are undeterred and will continue to ask for exceptional sentences, saying 12 to 20 months sends the wrong message and change is needed by the Washington state legislature to toughen penalties for fentanyl. "What drug traffickers will do is put up somebody who has no history, who can get 12 to 20 months and not get an exceptional sentence and move enough fentanyl to at least theoretically kill all of King County. And we don't want that moving into our county," McNerthey said. Additionally, Detective Jeffery has another case with a suspect caught with 63 pounds of fentanyl, described as a bulk supplier to drug couriers in Seattle. The suspect, 35-year-old Jose Perez-Baldovino, is set to be arraigned next month. Meanwhile, if you have information on the whereabouts of 38-year-old Valentin Garcia Lazcano, Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound will pay you a cash reward of up to $1,000. You can leave an anonymous tip through the P3Tips app, or by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). The Source Information in this story came from the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, the King County Sheriff's Office, King County Superior Court and FOX 13 Seattle reporting. Ex-Seattle police Chief Adrian Diaz files lawsuit, claims wrongful termination Crews battle Second Creek Fire near Leavenworth, WA 2 injured in separate Seattle shootings Teen, child killed in Lacey, WA mobile home fire Crews investigate explosion at Woodinville, WA hardware store College Inn Pub announces closure after 50 years in Seattle Dave's Hot Chicken to open 4 new locations in Seattle area. Here's where To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Yahoo
Car crashes into 2 homes in Burien, WA
BURIEN, Wash. - A large police and fire department response filled the streets of a Burien neighborhood after a car crashed into two homes on Monday afternoon. The King County Sheriff's Office confirms the driver was the sole occupant of the car that crashed into the homes at around 2:30 p.m. as they were driving eastbound along South 120th Street while approaching Military Road South in Burien. At this point, authorities say the driver failed to stop at the intersection and continued, striking the curb at a high enough speed for it to launch up in the air and through one side of a house and slam into another. There are no reported injuries to pedestrians or people inside the homes as of Monday afternoon. The driver of the car is being treated for minor injuries and has been detained by responding law enforcement. The Source Information in this story came from the King County Sheriff's Office. Sweltering weather in store for Seattle this week Motorcyclist killed, driver arrested after Puyallup crash Mom of slain Idaho victim Xana Kernodle asks for help attending Bryan Kohberger trial Seattle Memorial Day weekend 2025: Your guide to events, traffic, more Tears, heartbreak at Chase Jones sentencing—teen in fatal Renton, WA crash Seattle police make arrests at counterprotest to 'Mayday USA' event in Capitol Hill Tree-sitter enters third week in WA's Olympic Foothills to halt logging Free housing for a felon? Kirkland, WA neighbors concerned over homeless hotel plans To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Calls grow for Seattle mayor to step down after weekend arrests
Some tense moments at the King County Jail Monday. This, as protesters arrested over the weekend appeared before a judge. Nearly two dozen people were arrested Saturday at Cal Anderson Park in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood. That's when a rally by a Christian pro-family group turned violent. Now Mayday USA is planning a rally of its own Tuesday, to call for Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell to resign. KIRO 7 has been pushing to get a response from the mayor. He finally responded late Monday. Just before 5 o'clock this afternoon, a spokesman for Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell released a new statement, declaring he will not be intimidated. All of this on a busy Memorial Day at the King County Jail, where tensions were high all day. Anger from the weekend arrests in Cal Anderson Park spilled into the hallway at the King County jail, as supporters demanded in to the small courtroom for their friends' bail hearings. The jail guards refused, and the group stood down. Just two days ago, nearly two dozen people were arrested during a rally sponsored by Mayday USA, a Christian, pro-family, pro-two genders organization, a rally the city of Seattle allowed on Capitol Hill, the heart of the LGBTQ+ community. 'What happened was the community stood up for its queer community in front of hate groups,' said Gabriel Jones, protester, 'and got beat for it.' 'So, you're not pleased with the mayor either?' he was asked. 'Not one bit,' he said. 'I think the mayor has a lot to answer for.' Mayday USA is angry, too, after Mayor Bruce Harrell called this a 'far right rally' designed to provoke. 'To say that we came to attack is completely false and we would like to see a retracted statement,' said Jenny Donnelly, Mayday USA Co-Leader. Most of those arrested are accused of assaulting Seattle police officers. Late Monday, after KIRO 7's repeated requests for comment, a spokesman for the Mayor sent this statement: 'We will not be intimidated by the kind of fear mongering or divisiveness inspired by the rally ... that takes aim at our residents and at Seattle's second Black and first biracial mayor.' That likely won't appease his critics on either side. 'Yes, we want the mayor gone,' said Gabriel Jones. 'But we don't want them gone for calling a hate group, a hate group.' And the mayor is likely to continue feeling the heat. Now supporters of Mayday USA plan to hold a rally on the steps of Seattle City Hall Tuesday afternoon, calling for him to resign.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
Good news for hikers: Metro Trailhead Direct starts May 24
Memorial Day Weekend kicks off the unofficial start of summer, and with that, King County Metro's Trailhead Direct is starting up again for hikers looking to get in the summer spirit. Metro Trailhead Direct is a transit-to-trails service, operating in its eighth season starting Saturday, May 24. It operates on weekends and designated holidays. These are the routes currently offered: Mount Si (Route 636): Link Light Rail 1 Line—Capitol Hill Station (Broadway Avenue East and East Denny Way)Buses leaving at 7:39 a.m., 8:09 a.m., 8:39 a.m., 9:08 a.m., 9:42 a.m., 10:10 a.m., 10:40 a.m. Issaquah Alps (Route 634): Mt. Baker Transit Center 2824 Rainier Avenue S. (between Rainier Avenue South and Martin Luther King Avenue South.)Buses leaving at 7:42 a.m., 8:12 a.m., 8:42 a.m., 9:23 a.m., 9:53 a.m., 10:12 a.m., 10:42 a.m. Both routes: Link Light Rail 2 Line—South Bellevue Station 2700 Bellevue Way S.E. Buses leaving at 7:52 a.m., 7:58 a.m., 8:22 a, 8:28 a.m., 8:52 a.m., 8:58 a.m., 9:23 a.m., 9:27 a.m., 9:53 a.m., 10:01 a.m. Metro staff will be at South Bellevue Station to meet hikers with special surprises to celebrate the start of the service. Trailhead Direct operates until Monday, Sept. 1. Get more information on fares here.
