Woman hit by truck in critical condition
BELLEVUE — A 24-year-old woman remained in critical condition at Harborview Medical Center yesterday after being run over by a garbage truck while riding her bicycle Thursday.
Yelena Solodovnik was trying to cross 156th Avenue Northeast in the Crossroads neighborhood when she was hit by a Rabanco truck driven by a 41-year-old Everett man. Her legs and pelvis were crushed when she was knocked to the ground and run over, police said.
No charges have been filed against the driver, and investigators are still trying to determine who had the right of way.
Bellevue city manager expects to get $2,100 salary increase
BELLEVUE — Bellevue City Manager Steve Sarkozy is expected to get a $2,100 raise this year, plus another 30 days added to his severance package should he be fired.
The increase, which still needs a formal vote by the City Council on Tuesday, would give Sarkozy a total of $157,361 in 2003, not counting additional benefits such as his housing allowance. The next-best-paid city manager in the state, Tacoma's James Walton, earns $149,052. Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels earns $136,158.
Salary rankings are compiled by the Association of Washington Cities and reflect pay rates as of April 2003. They don't include fringe benefits.
Sarkozy said the severance package was negotiated in lieu of a performance bonus because it frees the city from having to spend additional money during a tight budget time. The raise represents a 1.35 percent cost-of-living increase, comparable to that of other city employees not covered by a union-negotiated labor contract.
Monday is last day for lifeguards at 2 beaches on Mercer Island
MERCER ISLAND — The last day of this summer's beach lifeguard program at Groveland Beach and Luther Burbank Park will be Monday. After that, the swim buoys in the designated swim areas will be removed and swimmers will swim at their own risk. The Mercer Island Parks and Recreation Department recommends taking precautionary measures to safeguard young children in the water and to practice safe swimming. For additional information, contact the Mercer Island Parks and Recreation Department at 206-236-3545 or visit www.miparks.net
Car-theft charges filed against man in Bellevue
BELLEVUE — King County prosecutors yesterday filed first-degree theft charges against a man suspected of stealing a car from a Bellevue parking lot last week.
According to charging papers, at around 4:30 a.m. last Friday, Martin John Healy used a screwdriver to start a Jeep Cherokee in a parking lot near Car Spa, an auto-repair business on Northeast 14th Place. The Jeep had been parked there with a "for sale" sign in its window, according to a friend of its owner.
Healy is currently in custody at the King County Jail in lieu of $25,000 bail. He was in jail prior to the theft charge for an unrelated charge of possession of stolen property. He pleaded guilty in July to taking a motor vehicle without permission, possession of stolen property and a drug charge. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 19.
Bellevue police conducted a search of his home on Tuesday and recovered at least five stolen cars and a number of car parts, according to Capt. Todd Simonton.
Issaquah, Mercer Island students beat national average on SATs
EASTSIDE — The Issaquah and Mercer Island school districts scored above national averages on both the verbal and math portions of the SAT.
The Issaquah district reported an average of 547 on verbal and 556 on math. That compares with 546 on verbal and 553 on math last year. The district's participation rate rose slightly, from 68 percent of students taking the test last year to 73 percent taking it this year.
The Mercer Island district's average for verbal was 582 while the average for math was 615.
The nationwide average inched up three points on each test, with a score of 507 on verbal and 519 on math. The statewide average on verbal was 530 and the average score on math was 532.
The College Board released most district scores earlier this week, but Issaquah and Mercer Island did not receive their scores until yesterday.