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JANUARY 7, 2026
Mayor Katie B. Wilson Sworn In, Calls on Seattle to Shape Its Future Together
Seattle Center Announces Leadership Transition
Deputy Director Diamatris Winston Named Seattle Center Acting Director, Effective Jan. 17, 2026
Seattle Center announced today that Director Marshall Foster has decided to leave his position to take on a new leadership role at Sound Transit, where he will continue supporting the region at a pivotal moment for major mobility and infrastructure investment. Foster will remain at Seattle Center through Jan. 16, 2026. Deputy Director Diamatris Winston will assume the role of Acting Director of Seattle Center following Foster’s departure.
“Serving Seattle Center has been one of the great honors of my career. Together, we have strengthened this campus as the cultural and civic heart of our city. I am incredibly proud of the work we’ve done — from advancing the Memorial Stadium redevelopment, to managing Waterfront Park, to launching a powerful long-term vision for the Center’s future,” Foster said. “I’m grateful our partnership with the Seattle Center Foundation is stronger than ever, thanks to the leadership of Jane Zalutsky and Rob Johnson.
Katie B. Wilson was formally sworn into office on January 2, 2026, becoming Seattle’s next mayor during a public ceremony at City Hall that emphasized openness, community, and shared responsibility. The event, broadcast on Seattle Channel, drew residents, labor leaders, organizers, city employees, and families from across the city.
In her inaugural remarks, Wilson framed the moment as one of collective ownership and possibility, repeatedly returning to a central theme: “This is your city.” She acknowledged the visible and invisible labor that keeps Seattle running, from city staff and service workers to volunteers and caregivers, and pledged to make belonging and dignity a lived reality for residents of all backgrounds and incomes.
“This is your city - that means that you belong here,” Wilson said, adding that the promise of belonging also carries shared responsibility. “Because Seattle is what we make of it, together.”
A MAYOR SHAPED BY ORGANIZING
Wilson’s speech reflected her background as a community organizer and her transition
into executive leadership. She spoke candidly about building her mayoral team, emphasizing character, judgment, and motivation as the most important qualities for those working in positions of power. While joking about the pace of hiring, she underscored her confidence in the people joining her administration and the values they bring to City Hall. She also addressed the early days of her mayoralty with humor and self-awareness, referencing national attention she received during the campaign and acknowledging the rapid shift from election night to governing.
FROM CAMPAIGN PROMISES TO ACTION
Wilson highlighted the launch of her transition team, a group of roughly 60 volunteers and community leaders tasked with translating campaign priorities into actionable plans. Rejecting what she described as performative transition processes, Wilson said the team was designed to do real work, expanding outreach and gathering insights from across the city. In just a few weeks, she noted, the group had already engaged with more than 700 additional residents and stakeholders.
Several New State Laws to Take Effect in 2026
By Brett Davis The Center Square
New laws will take effect in Washington state, including several that involve worker and family protections, as well as consumer and business changes.
MINIMUM WAGE
In Seattle, the minimum wage is higher, reflecting the city’s cost of living. Starting Jan. 1, 2026, Seattle’s minimum wage will be $21.30 per hour, up from $20.76 in 2025. Tukwila and SeaTac also have higher local minimums. Washington’s statewide rate remains the highest nationally, building on its top position from 2025.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LEAVE
Senate Bill 5101 will expand protections for hate crime victims by including them under the existing Domestic Violence Leave law, allowing paid or unpaid time off for safety planning, medical care, counseling, and legal assistance. It also strengthens protections against workplace retaliation and expands access to paid sick leave.
PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL
LEAVE
Most provisions of House Bill 1213, which expand job protections and benefits under the state’s Paid Family and Medical Leave program, will take effect in 2026. Key updates include reducing the minimum leave increment from eight to four consecutive hours, expanding job protections for employees at smaller employers (25+ employees), ensuring job protection after 180 days with a qualifying employer regardless of hours worked, and clarifying health insurance continuation rules during leave.
PLASTIC BAG FEES
Washington’s plastic bag fees will increase in 2026 due to the 2020 statewide
plastic bag ban and modifications from House Bill 1293 in 2025. The minimum charge for plastic bags rises from 8 cents to 12 cents. A planned increase for thicker 4-mil bags (one-thousandth of an inch) is delayed until 2028. Retailers using compliant 4-mil or thicker bags may also face a 4-cent state penalty, bringing the total to 16 cents per bag.
NICOTINE TAXES
Starting in 2026, all nicotine products—including tobacco-derived and synthetic products such as ZYN pouches, vapes, and e-cigarettes— will be taxed at 95% of the selling price. This expansion is the result of Senate Bill 5814, passed during this year’s legislative session.
RIGHT-TO-REPAIR
Under House Bill 1483, electronics manufacturers must provide independent repair providers and owners access to parts, tools, and repair information for their devices. The law aims to lower repair costs, support small businesses, and reduce e-waste. It applies to devices first sold in Washington after July 1, 2021, and prohibits software locks that hinder independent repairs.
STATE IDENTIFICATION
Senate Bill 5689 allows residents to voluntarily add their blood type to their driver’s license or identification card. The Washington State Department of Licensing may charge a one-time administrative fee of up to $2 for processing the request.
Marshall Foster
Staff Report
KATIE WILSON, 7
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Savvy Senior: How To Find a Quality Nursing Home for Your Loved One
By Jim Miller
Dear Savvy Senior, Can you give me some tips on picking a good nursing home for my father? Since his stroke, I’ve been taking care of him at home, but he’s gotten to the point where it’s too much for me to handle.
—Exhausted Daughter
Dear Exhausted,
Choosing a nursing home for a loved one that provides quality is a very important decision that requires careful evaluation and some homework. Here are some steps you can take that can help you find a good facility and avoid a bad one.
Make a list: There are several sources you can turn to for referrals to top nursing homes in your area including the Area Agency on Aging (call 800-677-1116 or visit Eldercare.acl.gov for contact information); your dad’s doctor or nearby hospital discharge planner; friends or neighbors who may have had a loved one in a nursing home; and online at Medicare’s nursing home compare tool at Medicare. gov/care-compare. This tool will not only help you locate nursing homes in your area, but it also provides a 5-star rating system on
BY JANE W.
recent health inspections, staffing, quality of care, and overall rating. Also, keep in mind that it’s always best to choose a nursing home that’s close to family members and friends who can visit often, because residents with frequent visitors usually get wwwbetter care.
Call your long-term care ombudsman: This is a government official who investigates nursing home complaints and advocates
Beating Inflammation
Blamed for everything from brain fog to weight gain, inflammation has become the latest lightning rod for wellness marketing, with products boasting they can beat that bloat overnight. Especially after two months of holiday food, it’s tempting to look for a quick fix. But do they work? Let’s break down the facts.
WHAT IS INFLAMMATION?
Inflammation is the body’s first responder team after acute injury. It’s very useful when you cut your finger, hit your head on the basement ceiling, or are fighting a microbial infection. Immune cells mount a defense to block invaders, releasing cytokines, signaling proteins that call for backup. However, like stress, there’s a massive difference between shortlived inflammation after a onetime event and chronic, low-grade inflammation. When the body doesn’t get the all-clear signal, inflammation remains in the body, firing the same response, eventually causing cell damage linked to serious conditions from autoimmune illnesses to rheumatoid arthritis and Alzheimer’s disease.
TRACKING INFLAMMATION
According to Scientific American, which analyzed research studies on popular supplements and compounds, (https:// www.scientificamerican.com/article/three-anti-inflammatory-supplements-can-really-fight-diseaseaccording-to/), a blood test can
track markers linked to chronic inflammation, such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), yet because of the many complex pathways and types of cells affected, it can be difficult to draw definite conclusions about any supplement’s effects.
While three of the supplements studied showed significant research effects, they are not considered to be able to reverse any specific condition.
THE BIG THREE
The three compounds that were the most effective were omega-3 fatty acids, curcumin and— in certain conditions—vitamin D.
Omega-3 fatty acids, found in high amounts in salmon, sardines and mackerel, help by blocking the nuclear factor kB pathway, which signals inflammatory gene expression. They are also present in walnuts, chia seeds, and eggs. For omega-3 fatty acids, a 2020 nationwide randomized controlled study called VITAL, on omega-3 and vitamin D (https://pubmed. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31733345/) indicated that for people who rarely consumed fish, omega-3 supplements were linked with a 40 percent reduction in heart attacks. Other studies showed omega-3 lowered four inflammatory markers, especially in people with heart failure, kidney disease, and Alzheimer’s. People who have lower levels of inflammation may show less improvement.
The VITAL study indicated that taking vitamin D for five years lowered their risk of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and lupus by 22 percent. It’s thought that vitamin D interrupts inflammation at the molecular level, as well as suppresses proinflammatory cytokine production. Overall, studies are
what they charge, and if they accept Medicaid.
Tour your top choices: During your nursing home visit, notice the cleanness and smell of the facility. Is it homey and inviting? Does the staff seem responsive and kind to its residents? Additionally, be sure to taste the food, and talk to the residents and their family members, if available. It’s also a good idea to visit several times at different times of the day and different days of the week to get a broader perspective.
And be sure to find out about their staff screening and training procedures, staff-to-patient ratio, and the staff turnover rate.
for residents and their families. This person can tell you which nursing homes have had complaints or problems in the past and can help you locate a good facility. Visit LTCombudsman.org for local contact information.
Contact the nursing homes:
Once you’ve narrowed your search, call the nursing homes you’re interested in to verify that they can facilitate your dad’s needs. Also, find out if they have any vacancies,
To help you rate your visit, Medicare offers a helpful checklist of questions to ask at Medicare.gov/media/ document/12130nursing-homechecklist508.pdf that you can print and take with you on your visit.
PAYING FOR CARE
With nursing home costs now averaging $324 per day nationally for a semi-private room and nearly $371 for a private room, paying for care is another area you may have questions about or need assistance with. Medicare only helps pay up to 100 days of rehabilitative
nursing home care, which must occur after a hospital stay of at least three days.
Most nursing home residents pay for care from either personal savings, a long-term care insurance policy, or through Medicaid once their savings are depleted. Or, if your dad is a veteran, he may be able to get funds through the VA’s Aid and Attendance benefit (see VA.gov/pension/ aid-attendance-housebound).
To learn more about the payment options, ask the nursing home director. You can also get help from your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), which provides free counseling on all Medicare and Medicaid issues. To find a local SHIP counselor visit ShipHelp.org or call 877-839-2675.
And for more information, see Medicare’s booklet “Your Guide to Choosing a Nursing Home” (product # 02174). You can view it online at Medicare.gov/Publications.
Send your questions or comments to questions@savvysenior. org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.
inconsistent about dosage recommendation and effectiveness over time.
Curcumin, the compound creating the gold color in turmeric and curry sauces, has been shown to help lower inflammation, also affecting the nuclear factor Bx pathway. In a review of multiple small trials, curcumin delivered ibuprofen- like effects for people with metabolic disorders and osteoarthritis. However, curcumin has low bioavailability – it isn’t well absorbed by the gut. Coating may help, and adding piperine, the compound in black pepper, is said to increase bioavailability.
If supplementing, choose your source carefully – supplements are not regulated as pharmaceuticals. For example, Scientific American says some curcumin supplements have added lead chromate, a harmful additive, to increase the yellow color. Also, before supplementing, it’s smart to test your current baseline and consult your doctor. You may be getting sufficient levels through your diet already.
SORRY, WINE AND CHOCOLATE LOVERS
While resveratrol in red wine and flavanols in chocolate are often billed as anti-inflammatory, there is less evidence to support them. In the case of resveratrol, it leaves the body quickly so is not well-absorbed. Both come with side effects from overindulgence, whether in calories or a hangover.
WHAT WORKS
The best course, experts say, is a gradual one instead of looking for an overnight fix. Inflammation builds over time, and that’s the best way to dismantle it. Prioritize quality sleep for at least 6-8 hours nightly, make time for exercise and regular movement, manage stress on the daily, and build your diet with whole instead of processed foods.
FOOD FIRST
Unlike isolated supplements, whole foods deliver these compounds alongside fiber, cofactors, and other nutrients that work together. Our bodies have evolved
to recognize and process these complex food matrices more effectively. There are untold synergistic relationships between compounds and pathways in play - benefits we lose when we extract single ingredients.
The American College of Rheumatology’s most recent guidelines (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih. gov/articles/PMC10947582/) for preventing or managing autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis are that it’s consistently better to get these compounds via food over supplements.
The panel recommended the Mediterranean diet above all, saying, “The Mediterranean-style diet pattern emphasizes the intake of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and olive oil; moderate amounts of low-fat dairy and fish; and limits added sugars, sodium, highly processed foods, refined carbohydrates, and saturated fats.”
So, what’s your move today? Take a walk, get some sunshine, and make salmon for dinner. Sometimes the best medicine is that simple.
Erica Browne Grivas Your Best Life
Queen Anne & Magnolia: 2025-2026 Hellos and Goodbyes
Seattle neighborhoods are always evolving, and Queen Anne and Magnolia are no exception. The past year saw a mix of long time favorites closing, newcomers arriving, and community developments shaping everyday life. Here’s a comprehensive look:
QUEEN ANNE - CLOSURES
• Queen Anne Café - Closed after 33 years, ending a neighborhood staple for breakfast and lunch.
• Eden Hill - A beloved restaurant that had operated for 10 years closed in September 2025.
• Top Pot Doughnuts (Galer location) - Closed after 17 years, leaving a gap in Queen Anne’s doughnut scene.
• T.S. McHugh’s Irish Pub - Shuttered after 35+ years, marking the end of an era for Mercer Street nightlife.
QUEEN ANNE - OPENINGS
• Cornelly (Pizza) - Opened a second Queen Anne location in the former Queen Anne Café space.
• Swing (Pizza & Sandwiches)Affordable slices and casual fare opened on Queen Anne Avenue.
• Salt & Straw (Ice Cream) - Added a Queen Anne location, bringing seasonal, creative flavors to locals.
OTHER DEVELOPMENTS:
• Foot traffic from new apartments (e.g., Gables Queen Anne) continues to support local businesses.
MAGNOLIA - CLOSURES
• Queen Margherita Pizza - Closed early 2025, ending its local run.
• Slice Box Pizzeria - Another local pizza shop closed in 2025.
MAGNOLIA - OPENINGS
• Smoking Monkey Pizza (Second Location) - Opened in the former Queen Margherita space, maintaining neighborhood pizza options.
2025 was a year of change: Queen Anne lost long-standing pubs and cafés while gaining pizza, sandwiches, and ice cream spots; Magnolia saw its pizza scene rotate but kept community services and markets alive. Closures are felt personally by residents, and openings are celebrated cautiously - the story of local life is always a mix of goodbyes and hellos.
How to Compost Your Christmas Tree the Right Way
As the holidays wrap up, many Seattle households are left with one last seasonal question: what to do with the Christmas tree. According to Seattle Public Utilities, real Christmas trees can be fully recycled and composted, keeping thousands of trees out of landfills each year.
Residents should note that only real, natural Christmas trees can be composted. Artificial trees are made of plastic and metal and are not accepted in yard waste or composting programs.
Free Christmas tree composting is available across Seattle through January 31, giving residents several convenient options for proper disposal.
CURBSIDE PICKUP FOR YARD WASTE CUSTOMERS
Seattle Public Utilities allows residents with yard waste service to place up to two Christmas trees at the curb on their regular collection day. Trees should be placed next to the yard waste cart, not inside the garbage or recycling carts.
accepted free of charge during the seasonal composting period.
As with curbside pickup, trees must be natural and free of lights, ornaments, tinsel, flocking, and tree stands.
WHAT NOT TO DO
Seattle Public Utilities reminds residents that only natural Christmas trees are eligible for composting. Artificial trees should never be placed in yard waste or recycling carts.
All decorations must be completely removed, and trees must be cut into four foot sections to ensure safe handling and collection.
DROP OFF AT SEATTLE TRANSFER STATIONS
Residents may also drop off up to three Christmas trees at either Seattle’s North Transfer Station or South Transfer Station during regular operating hours. Trees dropped off at these locations are
Do not place Christmas trees in garbage carts or leave them in alleys, parks, or greenbelts. Improper disposal creates safety hazards, blocks walkways, and increases cleanup costs for the city. Trees with flocking, artificial snow, plastic bags, lights, ornaments, tinsel, or stands cannot be composted. All non-organic materials must be removed before collection or drop off.
WHY COMPOSTING MATTERS
When composted, Christmas trees are turned into mulch and soil products used in parks, gardens, and public landscaping across Seattle. Keeping organic materials out of landfills helps reduce methane emissions and supports the city’s waste reduction goals.
With free composting available through the end of January, Seattle Public Utilities encourages residents to take advantage of these programs and start the year with an environmentally responsible choice.
Seattle’s Early Winter Freeze Hits Queen Anne and Magnolia, How Residents Can Stay Safe
Seattle and its surrounding neighborhoods are feeling the early sting of winter. Temperatures have dipped below freezing, bringing frost to lawns, cars, and sidewalks. After a warmer-than-usual November, this sudden drop is a reminder that winter weather is far from over, and it is time for residents to prepare for colder days ahead.
Meteorologists report that overnight lows have already reached the low 30s in parts of Seattle, with some areas closer to 31°F. While mild compared to the harshest winters on record, these early freezes can still cause problems for homes, vehicles, and daily routines. In past years, Seattle has experienced winter lows in the single digits, with the coldest nights dropping as low as 6–10°F. This shows that even a seemingly mild cold snap can quickly escalate into more hazardous conditions.
WHAT THE FORECAST MEANS FOR THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST
The coming week is expected to bring continued chilly mornings with frost and fog. Daytime highs will remain in the 40s, and light rain may return later in the week. While snow is not currently forecasted for Seattle, forecasters caution that icy conditions are possible in low-lying areas or on bridges. Weather patterns in the Pacific Northwest are notoriously unpredictable, so residents should remain vigilant.
Even a minor freeze can affect roads, sidewalks, and property.
Local authorities recommend that homeowners and renters in Queen Anne, Magnolia, and other neighborhoods take early precautions to avoid damage or accidents.
PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR FREEZING TEMPERATURES
Winterizing your home is one of the most important steps residents can take.
• Insulate pipes. Pipes located in attics, crawl spaces, and exterior walls are particularly vulnerable to freezing. Use foam sleeves or heat tape to prevent bursts. Frozen pipes can lead to costly water damage, and repairs during winter are more difficult and expensive.
• Disconnect outdoor hoses. Leaving hoses connected can allow water to freeze in spigots and pipes. Remove hoses, drain irrigation systems, and cover exterior faucets with insulated covers.
• Seal drafts. Cold air can enter homes through gaps in doors, windows, and walls, raising heating bills and making homes less comfortable. Weather stripping, caulking, and draft stoppers are effective ways to keep the warmth in.
• Check insulation and ventilation. Proper insulation in the attic and well-ventilated roof spaces can prevent ice dams, which occur when melting snow refreezes on roofs. Ice dams can cause leaks and structural damage.
• Prepare emergency supplies. Keep flashlights, batteries, blankets, and non-perishable food on hand in case of power outages caused by icy storms or falling tree
branches.
• Shop ahead. Residents are also encouraged to buy rock salt, sidewalk de-icer, and snow shovels early, before stores sell out. Stocking up now ensures that walkways, driveways, and steps can be cleared quickly when frost, ice, or snow appears, helping prevent slips and falls. Taking these measures early can save headaches later when temperatures drop further.
WINTER-READY VEHICLES, INCLUDING EVS
Even if you are not planning to travel far, cold weather can affect vehicle performance. Queen Anne and Magnolia residents should make sure their cars are prepared for winter, especially electric vehicles (EVs).
• Keep the gas tank at least half full for traditional vehicles. This prevents fuel line freeze and ensures you can travel safely if an emergency arises.
• Pack an emergency kit. Include blankets, extra warm clothing, water, snacks, a flashlight, a first-aid kit, and tools like jumper cables or a small snow shovel.
• Check tires and windshield wipers. Cold weather reduces tire pressure, so keep an eye on inflation. Replace worn wipers to ensure visibility in rainy or icy conditions.
EV-SPECIFIC PRECAUTIONS
• Charge in a warm garage if possible. Cold temperatures reduce battery efficiency, and charging an EV outside in freezing
and Prepared
temperatures can take longer.
• Precondition your car while plugged in. Many EVs allow you to heat the cabin and battery while still connected to a charger. This reduces strain on the battery and improves driving range.
• Monitor battery range. Cold weather can reduce range by 20–40 percent, depending on the vehicle. Plan trips and charging stops accordingly.
• Use winter tires and keep them inflated. Slippery Seattle roads and hilly streets in Queen Anne can be particularly challenging for EVs with reduced traction in cold weather.
Winter preparation for vehicles is crucial, especially in Seattle’s hilly and often slick neighborhoods. Even mild ice can create travel hazards if precautions are not taken.
STAYING SAFE OUTDOORS
Frosty sidewalks, cold temperatures, and icy patches can create hazards for pedestrians. Residents can take these precautions:
• Dress in layers. Hats, gloves, scarves, and thermal clothing reduce the risk of frostbite during outdoor activities.
• Walk carefully. Sidewalks can be slippery even when it does not look icy. Consider using traction cleats or grippy shoes for added safety.
• Keep walkways clear. Property owners are responsible for removing ice and snow from sidewalks. Salt or sand can reduce slips and falls, protecting both residents and neighbors.
Outdoor safety also includes checking on vulnerable community members. Elderly neighbors and those with health conditions may need assistance during extremely cold days.
COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND RESOURCES
Monitoring weather alerts is essential. The National Weather Service and local outlets, like MyNorthwest and KIRO7, provide timely updates about freezing temperatures, frost warnings, and potential snow or ice. Staying informed allows residents to plan their day, avoid dangerous conditions, and take immediate action if temperatures drop further.
Seattle neighborhoods are used to fluctuating winter weather. While this early freeze may seem harsh, residents who take precautions can avoid major problems. Preparing homes, vehicles (including EVs), and personal safety plans now ensures that Queen Anne and Magnolia families can face the season with confidence. Winter in the Pacific Northwest can swing from mild to extreme in a matter of days. With proper preparation, including insulating pipes, securing homes, winterizing cars, charging EVs, and staying aware of weather alerts, residents can weather the season safely and comfortably.
Cornelly opened a 2nd Queen Anne spot.
The Biggest Fireworks Show
No One Saw
Seattle Rang in the New Year beneath the Space Needle as fog swallowed the spectacle whole.
They told us it was the largest fireworks show on the continent this year. In a season where much of the world seemed to be canceling, scaling back, or quietly reconsidering the wisdom of large celebrations, that distinction felt important. Reassuring, even.
Seattle, we were told, would still do the thing.
And then it disappeared into the fog.
Standing directly beneath the Space Needle on New Year’s Eve, in 35-degree weather, you could hear the fireworks perfectly—booms echoing through the low clouds like thunder trapped in a Costco warehouse—but visually, there was nothing. The sky absorbed everything. Color existed only as a rumor. If you squinted hard enough, you could almost convince yourself you’d seen blue.
“It’s incredible,” someone nearby said, staring straight up into a blank gray ceiling, demonstrating
the human brain’s powerful ability to self-soothe in adverse conditions.
This was the largest fireworks show on the continent. It was also, for many people, an audio-only experience you had to physically endure.
When the Cameras Panic
The disappointment wasn’t limited to the crowd freezing in place. It was immediately obvious on the broadcast.
The camera operators went straight into survival mode. Once it became clear the Space Needle had opted out of visibility, the cameras started roaming. Down to the crowd. Off to the side. Back up to the fog, just in case it had changed its mind.
It felt less like a celebration and more like a live scavenger hunt: Find literally anything festive. At one point, the broadcast became a montage of parkas, condensation,
breath fog, and vague flashes— visual evidence that everyone involved was cold, confused, and legally obligated to stay upbeat.
It wasn’t dramatic. It was worse. It was deeply awkward.
The Drone Show That Could Have Saved Us
As if the fog and cold weren’t enough, this was also the year the Space Needle’s drone show was canceled. The drones—normally the thing that gives the night structure, clarity, and at least a fighting chance against weather—were nowhere to be found.
No glowing shapes. No countdown. No giant floating numbers reassuring us that time was still moving forward.
Without them, the fireworks had no frame, no outline, no emotional scaffolding. Just sound being launched into a sky that refused to acknowledge it.
And this wasn’t only a Seattle experience. The Space Needle
fireworks are broadcast far beyond the city, reportedly watched as far south as San Diego. Imagine tuning in from a perfectly clear night expecting a skyline and instead getting fog, crowd shots, and camera angles that screamed, this was not the plan. Somewhere in Southern California, people were asking if Seattle was under construction.
Fireworks Are Supposed to Reassure Us Fireworks aren’t really about pyrotechnics. They’re about reassurance. They’re ritualized optimism—expensive, synchronized proof that someone is steering the ship and the future has agreed to show up on time.
So when everything technically works but emotionally doesn’t— when the fireworks launch, the systems function, and the outcome is still a shrug—it feels symbolic. Unfairly, irrationally, but inevitably. People immediately did what people always do: started
connecting dots. No fireworks in 2020, and then… well. You remember.
That comparison is unreasonable. It’s also extremely human. We are very good at turning coincidence into prophecy, especially when we’re cold and the sky refuses to cooperate.
So Was It an Omen?
Almost certainly not. But it was a reminder.
A reminder that “biggest ever” doesn’t mean much if no one can see it. That spectacle without visibility is just noise. That sometimes you can plan everything perfectly and still end up shivering in the dark while cameras point at strangers in puffy jackets.
Seattle didn’t fail to celebrate. The fireworks launched. The city showed up. The moment just never fully materialized.
Happy New Year, Seattle. We’re told it was incredible.
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON FOR KING COUNTY Estate of MARJORIE LEONA MILES aka MARJIE MILES, Deceased. NO. 25-4-07853-9 SEA PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS (RCW 11.40.030) The Personal Representative named below has been appointed as Personal Representative of this estate. Any person having a claim against the Decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Personal Representative or the Personal Representative’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) thirty days after the Personal Representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1) (c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets. DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION: December 31, 2025 PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE: Richard Marcus Miles ATTORNEY FOR PR: ADDRESS FOR MAILING OR SERVICE: Elizabeth Brown CMS Law Firm LLC. 811 Kirkland Ave Suite 201 Kirkland, WA 98033 Telephone: 206.659.1512 COURT OF PROBATE
PROCEEDINGS: King County Superior Court CAUSE NUMBER: 25-407853-9 SEA SIGNED: /s/Elizabeth Brown Elizabeth Brown, #56708 Attorney for PR Published in the Queen Anne & Magnolia News December 31, 2025, January 7 & 14, 2026 IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON FOR KING COUNTY Estate of WORKNESH YEBIO HIDAD, Deceased. NO. 254-08010-0 SEA PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS (RCW 11.40.030)
The Administrator named below has been appointed as Administrator of this estate. Any person having a claim against the Decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Administrator or the Administrator’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) thirty days after the Administrator served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets. DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION: December 24, 2025 ADMINISTRATOR: Tamara Howie ATTORNEY FOR ADMINISTRATOR: Mitchell Aoki CMS Law Firm LLC. 811 Kirkland Avenue, Suite 201 Kirkland, WA 98033 206.659.1512 COURT OF PROBATE PROCEEDINGS: King County Superior Court CASE NUMBER: 25-4-08010-0 SEA Published in the Queen Anne & Magnolia News December 24, 31, 2025 & January 7, 2026 IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF KING In re the Estate of SAMUEL F. OLSSON, Deceased. No. 25-4-08573-0 SEA PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS (11.40.030) The Personal Representative named below has been appointed as Personal Representative (PR) of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the PR or the PR’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) thirty days after the Personal Representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060.This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets. DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION December 24, 2025 SAYRE LAW OFFICES, PLLC By: /s/ Karin S. Treadwell, WSBA #27630 Attorneys for PR 1417 31st Ave South Seattle WA 98144-3909 (206) 625-0092 /s/ Sharon L. Olsson Personal Representative c/o Sayre Law Offices, PLLC 1417 31st Ave South Seattle WA 98144-3909
Legal Notices
(206) 625-0092 Published in the Queen Anne & Magnolia News December 24, 31, 2025 & January 7, 2026
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF SNOHOMISH
In the Matter of the Estate of Robert M. Hunt, Deceased CAUSE NO. 254-02566-31 NOTICE TO CREDITORS
(RCW 11.40.020) The person named below has been appointed Personal Representative of this estate. Any person having a claim against the Decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Personal Representative or the Personal Representative’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probate proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the Personal Representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the Decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets. DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION: January 7, 2026 PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE
Jeffrey W. Hunt 6455 Overlook Road Orefield, PA 18069 ATTORNEY FOR PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE Amber L. Hunt Woodinville Law 13901 NE 175th St, Ste G Woodinville, WA 98072 (425) 485-6600 Published in the Queen Anne & Magnolia News January 7, 14 & 21, 2026
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON FOR KING COUNTY In Re The Estate of: JOHN F BROWN, Deceased. No. 25-4-08197-1 SEA PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS (RCW 11.40.030) (NTCRD) CAROL LEE BROWN has been appointed as Personal Representative of this Estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the personal representative or the personal representative’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probate proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the personal representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets. Date of First Publication: December 24, 2025. /s/Michael Geoghegan Michael Geoghegan, WSBA #43238 Attorney for Personal Representative Address for Mailing or Service: NW Strategy & Planning, PLLC 4700 51st PL SW Seattle, WA 98116-4332 Court of probate proceedings and cause number: King County Superior Court 25-4-08197-1 SEA Dates of Publication: December 24 and 31, 2025 and January 7, 2026 IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON FOR KING COUNTY In Re The Estate of: WILLIAM RAYMOND BRADLEY, Deceased. No. 254-08653-1 KNT PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS (RCW 11.40.030) (NTCRD) The person named below has been appointed as Personal Representative of this Estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Personal Representative or the Personal Representative’s attorney at the address stated below, a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probate proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the Personal Representative served or mailed the notice to the creditors as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of this notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and RCW 11.40.60. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets. Date of First Publication: December 31, 2025
Personal Representative: Donald Bradley DATED this 23rd day of December, 2025, at Federal Way, Washington. /s/ Peter Klipstein Peter Klipstein, WSBA #26507 CURRAN LAW FIRM, P.S.
33400 9th Avenue S, Suite 120 Federal Way, WA 98003 Telephone: 253-8522345 Facsimile: 253-852-2030 Email: pklipstein@curranfirm.com Counsel for
Personal Representative Address for Mailing or Service: 33400 9th Avenue S, Suite 120 Federal Way, WA 98003
Published in the Queen Anne & Magnolia News December 31, 2025, January 7 & 14, 2026
Notice of Elections The Washington Assembly, having been called into session, is hereby giving notice of upcoming public elections to be held no earlier than March 1st of 2026; a full list of Nominees, as well as the position and or Office of said Nominees may occupy, are available here as if set forth in full at: https://thewashingtonassembly.org/election-notices/; and may be updated at any time prior to elections being held. The men and women occupying an Office that interacts with the De Facto Government are listed therein. Published in the Queen Anne & Magnolia News December 17, 24, 31, 2025 & January 7 & 14, 2026
SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON FOR KING COUNTY Estate of PATTI A. UNDERWOOD, Deceased. NO. 25-4-08265-0 SEA NOTICE TO CREDITORS The individual named below has been appointed as personal representative of the above estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, prior to the time such claims would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070, by serving on or mailing to the personal representative or the personal representative’s attorney at the address stated below, a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which probate proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the personal representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) Four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the probate assets and nonprobate assets of the decedent. DATE OF FILING COPY OF NOTICE TO CREDITORS With Clerk of Court: 12/19/2025 DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION: December 24, 2025 /s/ ALAN RALPH UNDERWOOD, Personal Representative McCune, Godfrey, Emerick & Broggel, Inc. PS /s/ MARISA E. BROGGEL, WSBA NO. 41767 Of Attorneys for Personal Representative McCune, Godfrey, Emerick, & Broggel, Inc. P.S. 4500 9th Ave. NE Suite 300 Seattle, WA 98105-4697 Tel: 206-6320575 Fax 206-238-9487 Published in the Queen Anne & Magnolia News December 24, 31, 2025 & January 7, 2026
SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON FOR KING COUNTY IN PROBATE Estate of MARY ANN SCOTT, Deceased. No. 25-4-08632-9SEA
PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS
RCW 11.40.030 THE PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE NAMED BELOW has been appointed and has qualified as Personal Representative of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the personal representative or the personal representative’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probate proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) thirty days after the personal representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(3); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in section 11 of this act and RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and non-probate assets. Date of First Publication: January 7, 2026 /s/ KARI SCOTT-ROSENBERG, Personal Representative Attorney for Personal Representative: Cory A. McBride WSBA# 49714 Address for Mailing or Service: P.O. Box 16354 4218 SW Andover St. Seattle, WA 98116 Published in the Queen Anne & Magnolia News January 7, 14 & 21, 2026
SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON FOR KING COUNTY JUDY ANNE GARCIA, Plaintiff, vs. AEGIS LENDING CORPORATION, a Delaware Corporation, PHH MORTGAGE CORPORATION, a foreign corporation, doing business as PHH MORTGAGE SERVICES, MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEM INC., and ANY AND ALL OTHERS having interest in 2306 S. 249th Street, Kent, WA 98032, Defendants. NO. 25-2-34804-1 KNT SUMMONS BY
PUBLICATION TO: AEGIS LENDING CORPORATION, a Delaware Corporation, PHH MORTGAGE CORPORATION, a foreign corporation, doing business as PHH MORTGAGE SERVICES, MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEM INC., and ANY AND ALL OTHERS having interest in 2306 S. 249th Street, Kent, WA 98032, You are hereby summoned to appear within sixty (60) days after the date of the first publication of this summons, to wit, within sixty days after the 10th day of December, and defend the above-entitled action in the above entitled court, and answer the complaint of the Plaintiff, and serve a copy of your answer upon the undersigned attorneys for Plaintiff, at their office below stated; and in case of your failure to do so, judgment will be rendered against you according to the demand of the complaint, which has been filed with the clerk of said court, quiet title in the Plaintiff to the real estate located in King County, Washington, commonly known as 2306 S. 249th Street, Kent, WA 98032 (“Subject Property”). King County Parcel No. 752370-0355. DATED this 2nd day of December, 2025. BURNS LAW, PLLC By /s/ Martin Burns, WSBA No. 23412 Attorney for Plaintiff 3711 Center Street Tacoma, WA 98409 253-507-5586 Published in the Queen Anne & Magnolia News December 10, 17, 24, 31, January 7 & 14, 2025
SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON FOR SNOHOMISH COUNTY Estate of MARY IMOGENE REHKOPF, Deceased. NO. 25-4-02617-31 PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS (RCW 11.40.030) THE PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE NAMED BELOW have been appointed as Personal Representative of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Personal Representative or the Personal Representative’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the Personal Representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and RCW 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets. Date of First Publication: December 24, 2025 /s/ Lynda A. Hart Personal Representative of the Estate of MARY IMOGENE REHKOPF Attorney for Personal Representative: Jody K. Reich, WSBA #29069 Address for Mailing or Service: J. Reich Law, PLLC 209 4th Avenue South, Suite 101-A Edmonds, WA 98020 Published in the Queen Anne & Magnolia News December 24, 31, 2025 & January 7, 2026
Superior Court of Washington, County of King In re the marriage of: Petitioner/s (person/s who started this case): JACKSON KINUTHIA THIRU And Respondent/s (other party/parties): RENEE DANILLE LAFOUNTAIN No. 25-3-06168-3 KNT Summons Served by Publication (SMPB) Summons Served by Publication To (other party’s name/s): Renee Danille Lafountain I have started a court case by filing a petition. The name of the Petition is: Petition for Divorce You must respond in writing if you want the court to consider your side. Deadline! Your Response must be filed and served within 60 days of the date this summons is published. If you do not file and serve your Response or a Notice of Appearance by the deadline: • No one has to notify you about other hearings in this case, and • The court may approve the requests in the Petition without hearing your side (called a default judgment). Follow these steps: 1. Read the Petition and any other documents that were filed at court with this Summons. Those documents explain what the other party is asking for. 2. Fill out a Response on this form (check the Response that matches the Petition): [X] FL Divorce 211, Response to Petition about a Marriage You can get the Response form and other forms you need at: • The Washington State Courts’ website: www.courts.wa.gov/forms • Washington LawHelp: www.washingtonlawhelp.org, or The Superior Court Clerk’s office or county law library (for a fee). 3. Serve (give) a copy of your Response to the person who filed this Summons at the address below, and to any other parties. You may use certified mail with return receipt requested. For more information on how to serve, read Superior Court Civil Rule 5. 4. File your original Response with the court clerk at this address: Superior Court Clerk, King County 401 4th Ave N, Rm 2C, Kent, Washington 98032-4429 5. Lawyer not required: It is a good idea to talk to a lawyer, but you may file and serve
your Response without one. Person filing this Summons or her lawyer fills out below: /s/ Jackson Kinuthia Thiru, Petitioner Date 11/13/2025 [X] the following address (this does not have to be your home address): 29423 7th Pl S Federal Way, Washington 98003 email: Jkinuthia440@gmail.com (If this address changes before the case ends, you must notify all parties and the court in writing. You may use the Notice of Address Change form (FL All Family 120). You must also update your Confidential Information Form (FL All Family 001) if this case involves parentage or child support.) This Summons is issued according to Rule 4.1 of the Superior Court Civil Rules of the State of Washington. Published in the Queen Anne & Magnolia News December 10, 17, 24, 31, 2025, January 7 & 14, 2026 TS No WA07000251-25-1 TO No 250371197-WA-MSI NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE PURSUANT TO THE REVISED CODE OF WASHINGTON CHAPTER 61.24 ET. SEQ. Grantor: SHAMAL DIAS, AN UNMARRIED PERSON AND HYEUN KIM, AN UNMARRIED PERSON Current Beneficiary of the Deed of Trust: NewRez LLC DBA Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing Original Trustee of the Deed of Trust: FIDELITY NATIONAL TITLE COMPANY OF WASHINGTON, INC. Current Trustee of the Deed of Trust: MTC Financial Inc. dba Trustee Corps Current Mortgage Servicer of the Deed of Trust: NewRez LLC FKA New Penn Financial, LLC DBA Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing Reference Number of the Deed of Trust: Instrument No. 20220518001398 Parcel Number: 143270007006 | 1432700070 I. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on February 6, 2026, 09:00 AM, Main Entrance, King County Administration Building, 500 4th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, MTC Financial Inc. dba Trustee Corps, the undersigned Trustee, will sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder, payable, in the form of cash, or cashier’s check or certified checks from federally or State chartered banks, at the time of sale the following described real property, situated in the County of King, State of Washington, to-wit: LOT 7, CASCADE VISTA NO. 3, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN VOLUME 62 OF PLATS, PAGE(S) 22 AND 23, IN KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON. SITUATE IN THE COUNTY OF KING, STATE OF WASHINGTON. APN: 143270007006 | 1432700070 More commonly known as 12653 SE 168TH ST, RENTON, WA 98058-6121 which is subject to that certain Deed of Trust dated May 16, 2022, executed by SHAMAL DIAS, AN UNMARRIED PERSON AND HYEUN KIM, AN UNMARRIED PERSON as Trustor(s), to secure obligations in favor of MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. (“MERS”), as designated nominee for CALIBER HOME LOANS, INC., Beneficiary of the security instrument, its successors and assigns, recorded May 18, 2022 as Instrument No. 20220518001398 and the beneficial interest was assigned to NEWREZ LLC D/B/A SHELLPOINT MORTGAGE SERVICING and recorded May 9, 2025 as Instrument Number 20250509000300 of official records in the Office of the Recorder of King County, Washington. II. No action commenced by NewRez LLC DBA Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing, the current Beneficiary of the Deed of Trust is now pending to seek satisfaction of the obligation in any Court by reason of the Borrowers’ or Grantors’ default on the obligation secured by the Deed of Trust/Mortgage. III. The default(s) for which this foreclosure is made is/are as follows: FAILURE TO PAY WHEN DUE THE FOLLOWING AMOUNTS WHICH ARE NOW IN ARREARS: DELINQUENT PAYMENT INFORMATION
From February 1, 2025 To September 22, 2025 Number of Payments Monthly Payment 8 $4,198.39 Total $33,587.12 LATE CHARGE INFORMATION February 1, 2025 September 22, 2025 $650.60 PROMISSORY NOTE INFORMATION Note Dated: May 16, 2022 Note Amount $589,082.00 Interest Paid To: January 1, 2025 Next Due Date: February 1, 2025 Current Beneficiary: NewRez LLC DBA Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing Contact Phone No: 800-365-7107 Address: 75 Beattie Place, Suite 300, Greenville, SC 29601 IV. The sum owing on the obligation secured by the Deed of Trust is: The principal sum of $566,700.86, together with interest as provided in the Note or other instrument secured, and such other costs and fees as are due under the Note or other instrument secured, and as are provided by statute. V. The above described real property will be sold to satisfy the expense of sale and the obligation secured by the Deed of Trust as provided by statute. Said sale will be made without warranty, expressed or implied, regarding title, possession or encumbrances on February 6, 2026. The defaults referred to in Paragraph III must be cured by January 26, 2026, (11 days before the sale date) to cause a discontinuance of the sale. The sale will be discontinued and terminated if at any time before Janu-
ary 26, 2026 (11 days before the sale) the default as set forth in Paragraph III is cured and the Trustees’ fees and costs are paid. Payment must be in cash or with cashiers’ or certified checks from a State or federally chartered bank. The sale may be terminated any time after the January 26, 2026 (11 days before the sale date) and before the sale, by the Borrower or Grantor or the holder of any recorded junior lien or encumbrance by paying the entire principal and interest secured by the Deed of Trust, plus costs, fees and advances, if any, made pursuant to the terms of the obligation and/or Deed of Trust, and curing all other defaults. VI. A written Notice of Default was transmitted by the current Beneficiary, NewRez LLC DBA Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing or Trustee to the Borrower and Grantor at the following address(es): ADDRESS SHAMAL DIAS 12653 SE 168TH ST, RENTON, WA 98058-6121 SHAMAL DIAS 7325 35 AVE NE UNIT A, SEATTLE, WA 98115 HYEUN KIM 12653 SE 168TH ST, RENTON, WA 98058-6121 HYEUN KIM 7325 35 AVE NE UNIT A, SEATTLE, WA 98115 OCCUPANT 12653 SE 168TH ST, RENTON, WA 98058-6121 UNKNOWN SPOUSE OF HYEUN KIM 12653 SE 168TH ST, RENTON, WA 98058-6121 UNKNOWN SPOUSE OF SHAMAL DIAS 12653 SE 168TH ST, RENTON, WA 98058-6121 by both first class and certified mail on August 7, 2025, proof of which is in the possession of the Trustee; and the Borrower and Grantor were personally served with said written Notice of Default or the written Notice of Default was posted in a conspicuous place August 8, 2025 on the real property described in Paragraph I above, and the Trustee has possession of proof of such service or posting. VII. The Trustee whose name and address are set forth below will provide in writing to anyone requesting it, a statement of all costs and fees due at any time prior to the sale. VIII. The effect of the sale will be to deprive the Grantor and all those who hold by, through or under the Grantor of all their interest in the above described property. IX. Anyone having any objections to this sale on any grounds whatsoever will be afforded an opportunity to be heard as to those objections if they bring a lawsuit to restrain the sale pursuant to RCW 61.24.130. Failure to bring such a lawsuit may result in a waiver of any proper grounds for invalidating the Trustees’ Sale. X. Notice to Occupants or Tenants. The purchaser at the Trustee’s sale is entitled to possession of the property on the 20th day following the sale, as against the Grantor under the deed of trust (the owner) and anyone having an interest junior to the deed of trust, including occupants who are not tenants. After the 20th day following the sale the purchaser has the right to evict occupants who are not tenants by summary proceedings under chapter 59.12 RCW. For tenantoccupied property, the purchaser shall provide a tenant with written notice in accordance with RCW 61.24.060. Notice to Borrower(s) who received a letter under RCW 61.24.031: THIS NOTICE IS THE FINAL STEP BEFORE THE FORECLOSURE SALE OF YOUR HOME. Mediation MUST be requested between the time you receive the Notice of Default and no later than 90 calendar days BEFORE the date of sale listed in the Notice of Trustee Sale. If an amended Notice of Trustee Sale is recorded providing a 45-day notice of the sale, mediation must be requested no later than 25 calendar days BEFORE the date of sale listed in the amended Notice of Trustee Sale. DO NOT DELAY. CONTACT A HOUSING
COUNSELOR OR AN ATTORNEY LICENSED IN WASHINGTON NOW to assess your situation and refer you to mediation if you might eligible and it may help you save your home. See below for safe sources of help. SEEKING ASSISTANCE Housing counselors and legal assistance may be available at little or no cost to you. If you would like assistance in determining your rights and opportunities to keep your house, you may contact the following: The statewide foreclosure hotline for assistance and referral to housing counselors recommended by the Washington State Housing Finance Commission: Toll-free: 1-877-894HOME (1-877-894-4663) Website: https://www.homeownership-wa.org/ The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development: Tollfree: 1-800-569-4287 Website: https:// answers.hud.gov/ housingcounseling/s/?language=en_ US The statewide civil legal aid hotline for assistance and referrals to other housing counselors and attorneys: Tollfree: 1-800-606-4819 Website: https:// nwjustice.org/home Dated: September 23, 2025 MTC Financial Inc. dba Trustee Corps, as Duly Appointed Successor Trustee By: Alan Burton, Vice President MTC Financial Inc. dba Trustee Corps 606 W. Gowe Street Kent, WA 98032 Toll Free Number: (844) 3678456 TDD: 711 949.252.8300 For Reinstatement/Pay Off Quotes, contact MTC Financial Inc. DBA Trustee Corps Order Number 116412, Pub Dates: 01/07/2026, 01/28/2026, QUEEN ANNE & MAGNOLIA NEWS
Empowering Seniors for Safer Online Experiences: 6 Practical Safety Tips
Family Features
Today’s seniors aren’t shying away from a world that has become increasingly reliant on technology. Quite the opposite, in fact, as recent survey findings suggest adults ages 65 and older are more digitally active and selfassured than ever before.
Even though 61% of seniors who encountered digital threats were able to mitigate the issues themselves, showing their growing digital capability, increased online engagement brings new challenges and responsibilities for caregivers, who often play a crucial role in supporting seniors’ digital journeys.
To help support older loved ones’ safety and confidence as they navigate an evolving digital landscape, Cox Mobile, in partnership with Common Sense Media, offers educational materials on digital safety, smart device use and media literacy for all ages. In addition, these practical safety strategies can help empower seniors to make informed, safe choices online.
Encourage Strong Passwords: Simple passwords, like number sequences, keyboard patterns or personal information – such as variations of your name, birthdate, address or names of pets or loved ones – are easily guessable. Recommend a password manager app to safely store passwords and eliminate the need to write them all down, which could lead to a breach if not stored properly.
Promote Security Software: If devices aren’t protected, even the most careful users are susceptible to viruses. Additionally, it’s important to regularly make sure it’s up to date (or that automatic updates are enabled).
Enable Multi-Factor Authentication: A simple and effective way to stop most attempts at unauthorized account access, 60% of seniors are already using multi-factor authentication as an
LEADERSHIP TRANSITION
From page 1
Seattle Center is well-positioned for the years ahead, and I am confident in the department’s leadership to carry this work forward with our partners. Thank you for the privilege of serving alongside you.”
“Marshall Foster has been a forwardthinking and effective leader for Seattle Center during a pivotal moment for both the campus and our city. Under his leadership, Seattle Center strengthened its role as the place where Seattle comes together, advancing the long-awaited redevelopment of Memorial Stadium, launching a clear long-term vision for the campus, and stewarding spaces like Waterfront Park that are now central to our civic life,” said Former Mayor Bruce Harrell. “Marshall’s nearly two decades of service to Seattle reflect a deep commitment to this city and the people who call it home, and I am grateful for the impact of his leadership. I wish him all the best as he begins this next chapter at Sound Transit, where his experience and values will continue to benefit our region.”
In announcing his departure, Foster expressed deep appreciation for the Seattle Center team and the broader community, noting his pride in what has been accomplished together. He also shared his enthusiasm for MayorElect Katie Wilson’s vision for a connected, culturally vibrant, communityfocused city, citing her strong support for Seattle Center’s mission in their initial discussions and excitement for its future.
Foster departs after 19 years of public service with the City of Seattle, during which he played a guiding role in shaping major civic projects and urban planning initiatives, including the redevelopment of South Lake Union, the creation of Seattle’s new Waterfront Park, Climate Pledge Arena, and the
extra layer of protection. Some seniors, however, may need assistance setting up the safeguard, which typically sends a code to a phone number or email address as part of the login process, for online banking, email or social media accounts.
Review Apps and Channels: Over time, it can be easy to accumulate apps on smartphones and tablets. Make it a habit to regularly check loved ones’ devices for unfamiliar or suspicious applications and delete them. Also keep an eye out for unauthorized charges, data sharing or browser extensions.
Utilize Built-In Safety Features: Explore privacy controls on individual devices (and apps) and check with your loved ones’ internet service provider to ensure security features are being utilized. Included privacy protections may
new Memorial Stadium project now underway at Seattle Center.
Since joining Seattle Center in 2023, his leadership has helped to strengthen the campus’s role as a gathering place for creativity, culture, festivals, sports, and community life.
Under his leadership, Seattle Center has:
• Launched the Seattle Center 10Year Strategic Vision & Action Plan, creating a unified roadmap that guides more than 30 campus partners, philanthropic partners, and civic collaborators toward long-term stewardship and reinvestment.
• Advanced the new Memorial Stadium project, completing design, funding, and community engagement, and moving into construction of a state-of-the-art, community-focused venue.
• Supported Waterfront Park operations, establishing a dedicated team for maintenance and public safety to ensure excellent long-term management of Seattle’s newest park.
• Deepened support for cultural programming and year-round campus vibrancy, welcoming nearly 12 million annual visitors as Seattle Center continues its post-pandemic recovery.
• Strengthened partnership with the Seattle Center Foundation, building alignment around the new Strategic Vision & Action Plan, and opening the door to more cultural investment and community impact.
Deputy Director Diamatris Winston will step into the role of Acting Director on Jan. 17, 2026. Winston brings extensive experience in operations, administration, and financial leadership, ensuring stability and continuity across campus programs, capital projects, and partnerships during this transition.
Seattle Center will work closely with Mayor Wilson and her team as they determine the process for selecting the next leader at Seattle Center.
include limiting data sharing, disabling location tracking, blocking pop-ups and restricting other unwanted communication.
Discuss Online Safety Regularly: Because technology is ever-changing, it’s important for caregivers to talk with senior loved ones about online safety. Open, ongoing conversations, like those one-third of seniors are already having several times a week or even daily, can help build trust and awareness of current scams, suspicious texts or emails, commonly used apps and more. By fostering open dialogue, sharing practical safety strategies and leveraging trusted resources, caregivers can help their loved ones thrive and stay safe. Visit your local Cox Mobile store or go to CoxMobileSafety.com to find more tips, guides and full survey results.
KATIE WILSON
From page 1
Their focus areas include housing and homelessness, transportation, climate action, workers’ rights, and public safety, along with a less conventional area Wilson called “civic narrative and major initiatives,” a reflection on how Seattle tells its own story and invests in largescale projects.
INNOVATION FROM ABOVE AND BELOW
A significant portion of Wilson’s remarks explored Seattle’s identity as a city of innovation. She acknowledged the city’s global reputation for technology, research, and industry, but argued that innovation also happens outside boardrooms and venture capital pipelines.
Seattle, she said, is equally shaped by artists, musicians, small business owners, caregivers, volunteers, and organizers - people whose contributions often go unpaid but are essential to the city’s culture and resilience. Rising costs of living, Wilson warned, threaten this “innovation from below,” making it harder for people to afford the time and space where creativity, care, and community flourish.
“When we fight for affordable housing and childcare, it’s not just about solving a math problem,” she said.
“It’s about opening up the time and space where life happens.”
Wilson called for a city that values not only economic
productivity, but also caregiving, art, leisure, and civic engagement, invoking the idea that residents deserve not just sustenance, but beauty and joy.
TRUST, RESULTS, AND SHARED POWER
Looking ahead, Wilson emphasized that ambition at City Hall must be grounded in trust and tangible results. She identified homelessness as one of the challenges where progress has been too slow, and said rebuilding trust in local government would require attention to detail, responsiveness, and follow-through. She closed by inviting residents to remain actively engaged, reminding firsttime visitors to City Hall that the building belongs to them. Citing historic gains achieved through organizing — from labor protections to tenant rights and progressive revenue measures — Wilson made clear that meaningful change comes from sustained public participation.
“The real power lies with all of you,” she said. “What I am able to accomplish in office will depend on what you’re able to build on the outside.”
Wilson concluded by returning to her opening refrain, pledging to govern in partnership with the people of Seattle.
“This is your city,” she said. “And I am so proud to be your mayor. Let’s do this together.”
CROSSWORD
The Holiday Spirit Matters, But So Does What Happens After
Family Features
There’s something about late November and December that flips a switch in a lot of us. Maybe it’s the lights coming on earlier each afternoon, the first real cold snap, or the way a familiar song can make you think of someone you miss. Whatever the reason, the holiday season has a way of pulling communities closer. You see it in the toy barrels by the front doors of local businesses, the extra boxes of canned goods stacked near checkout lines, and the “volunteers needed” signs taped to community boards.
IT’S A BEAUTIFUL THING, AND IT MATTERS
But here’s the part we don’t always talk about once the wrapping paper is gone and the calendar turns: the need doesn’t pack up with the decorations. If anything, January can be one of the hardest months for families who were already stretched thin. Utility bills arrive. Rent is due. Seasonal work slows down. Holiday debt starts to bite. And the same neighbors who smiled through a school concert in December may be quietly doing the math at their kitchen table in February, wondering what gets paid and what gets postponed.
because they are working longer hours and still coming up short.
This is the moment when a community’s habits matter. Not just the big bursts of generosity in December, but the steady, reliable support that carries through the rest of the year.
Acts of generosity, both large and small, help close gaps and strengthen communities. When individuals and businesses give time, resources, and talent, it helps ensure more people have a fair chance not only to get by, but to get ahead.
WHY NONPROFITS MATTER, AND WHY COMMUNITY STILL LEADS
Communities rely on nonprofit organizations like United Way, one of the oldest and largest organizations committed to tackling local challenges and mobilizing communities to improve lives. With a presence in nearly 99% of communities across the U.S., the organization works with local partners to help connect people to food and housing assistance, youth programs, mental health support, disaster recovery, and more.
That support is powered by something simple: neighbors helping neighbors. The donation you make, the afternoon you volunteer, the skills you share, and the causes you champion all work better when
Giving back is not only essential during the holidays. It is the foundation of stronger, more resilient communities year round.
THE NEED ISN’T ALWAYS VISIBLE, BUT IT’S NEARBY
In nearly every community, people are making tough choices right now. Sometimes it’s the obvious emergencies, like a job loss, a medical setback, or a sudden move. More often, it’s the slow squeeze of everyday costs. Groceries are more expensive. Child care is a puzzle. Gas and transportation add up fast. And for many families, creating even a small moment of holiday joy can mean draining what little savings they have. What’s changed lately is that more people who never expected to ask for help are seeking it out. A family that’s always been fine might find themselves using a food pantry for the first time. A senior on a fixed income might need help with heating or rent. A parent might be looking for after-school support, tutoring, or youth programs
depression. Showing up for others can be a powerful way to feel more connected yourself, especially in the darker months when many people tend to pull inward.
If you’re busy, start small. Even one shift a month can make a real difference when it’s consistent.
DONATING
Financial gifts help keep essential services available and flexible. Donations can help put food on the table for families in need, provide support for kids who are struggling, and expand access to mental health services for people facing the heaviest burdens.
If a big gift isn’t realistic, that’s okay. A donation of any size combines with the gifts of others. That pooling effect is what turns small individual actions into real community capacity.
Another simple approach is to set up a modest monthly donation you can sustain. It’s often easier to budget, and it helps organizations plan beyond the holiday season.
SHARING EXPERTISE OR TALENT
Generosity isn’t only about time and money. It can also mean sharing skills, knowledge, and professional experience.
Maybe you’re good at graphic design, budgeting, photography, writing, organizing, translating, carpentry, legal support, technology, or event planning. Those skills can remove major barriers for organizations that are trying to do a lot with limited resources. Even helping a small nonprofit get their website updated, improve outreach materials, or streamline their process can translate into more families served and fewer hours wasted.
AND DON’T OVERLOOK SOCIAL NETWORKS
Simply making introductions between community groups and local businesses can open doors to sponsorships, donated supplies, and long-term partnerships.
SUPPORTING CAUSES YOU BELIEVE IN
they’re connected to trusted local networks that can respond quickly and wisely, not just when it’s festive, but when it’s hard.
MAKE
GENEROSITY A YEAR-ROUND HABIT
If you’re looking for ways to turn holiday goodwill into something lasting, here are a few practical starting points.
VOLUNTEERING
Offering your time is one of the most direct ways to strengthen your community. It can be a single event, like helping at a community meal, sorting donations, or supporting a winter supply drive. It can also be ongoing, like mentoring, tutoring, coaching, serving on a nonprofit board, or helping with administrative tasks that keep services running.
There’s also a personal benefit that doesn’t get mentioned enough. Research has linked volunteering with reduced feelings of isolation and loneliness, and a lower risk of
Every community has its own set of pressing challenges, and almost everyone has a cause that hits close to home. Maybe it’s housing stability. Maybe it’s youth development. Maybe it’s food security, education, domestic violence prevention, seniors’ services, or mental health care.
A good next step is to choose one or two causes and make a plan you can keep. That might look like volunteering quarterly, donating monthly, and sharing one fundraiser or opportunity each season. It doesn’t have to be complicated to be effective.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The holiday season can be a spark. The real transformation comes from what we do after, when nobody is asking for donations over a loudspeaker and the community calendar looks quieter. Strong communities don’t happen by accident. They’re created through connection, compassion, and the kind of collective action that continues when it’s cold, dark, and ordinary.
Find opportunities to support your community this holiday season and make generosity a year-round tradition at unitedway.org/local.