A refugee from the newspaper industry, Greg Johnston has been a journalist for more than 30 years, most of them with the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, which vanished into the pages of history in March of 2009. He also served for four years as wire editor/reporter at The Daily World in Aberdeen on the Washington Coast, and worked as a news writer and wirephoto operator at the Associated Press Seattle bureau while attending the University of Washington. Greg graduated from the UW's School of Communications in the Rose Bowl victory year of 1978 – Go Dawgs!
He sees in Patch the opportunity to continue doing what he does: real, honest journalism, now on line, at a hyper-local level, in his hometown. Adventure-oriented since a child, Greg loves to hike, backpack, fish, ride his mountain bike, run, kayak, snowboard and take nature photographs.
He lives on Finn Hill with his wife and has three grown children, one a U.S. Army infantryman and Afghanistan War veteran, and two beautiful grandchildren.
<b>Your Beliefs</b>
At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable.
<b>Politics</b>
How would you describe your political beliefs? Are you registered with a certain party?
I am fiscally conservative and socially liberal. I support a strong military, but believe the answer to conflict is tolerance, understanding, diplomacy and dialogue. I dream of the day Americans can withdraw from foreign conflict and look inward to address issues such as unemployment, homelessness, poverty and environmental protection. I am not a member of any party.
<b>Religion</b>
How religious would you consider yourself?
I was baptized a Christian and would call myself spiritual, but not devout. I find peace in nature, in the Pacific Northwest's mountains, forests, rivers and seas and along its magnificent ocean shoreline.
<b>Local Hot-Button Issues</b>
What do you think are the most important issues facing the community?
Where do you stand on each of these issues?
Kirkland is a relatively affluent, largely suburban bedroom community where quality of life issues are important. The challenge will be maintaining a vibrant downtown and neighborhoods while preserving their small-town charm. I think quality of life should not be sacrificed for economic development; rather, I think maintaining a high quality of life is essential to a strong economy.
A state order says the obstetrician who worked at a clinic near Evergreen until May 2010 improperly prescribed herself pain medication.
The nonprofit's new emergency services center is larger and offers expanded services.
Neighborhood leaders disappointed as shift in new boundaries means Jane Hague will no longer represent the recently annexed northwest corner of Kirkland, which is now in Bob Ferguson's district.
In a surprise move, the council votes 5-1 to place a 60-day moratorium on development on parcels zoned "BN," including the spot where the 143-unit apartment complex would be built.
The season's first blast of icy weather and possibly snow is in the weekend forecast. Here's how you can get ready and how the city is preparing.
Local mothers and families are hoping the hospital will take on a full-time midwifery program after a private practice that offered its service there lost much of its staff.
Local mothers and families are hoping the hospital will take on a full-time midwifery program after a private practice that offered its service there lost much of its staff.
Kids from several Kirkland schools get to check out "GIS" equipment, like robotic cameras, satellite mapping programs and computerized police cruisers.
Local women hope the hospital will hire its own midwives after a local private practice is forced to cut its staff, which provided midwife services at the medical center.
"Cavalia: A Magical Encounter Between Human and Horse" will debut in Redmond on Jan. 24.
The driver, a 26-year-old man from Bonney Lake, was under the influence when his car left the road and hit trees, the State Patrol reports.
Local women hope the hospital will hire its own midwives after a local private practice is forced to cut its staff, which provided midwife services at the medical center.
A delegation led by Dr. Xin Lu is researching technical training program for possible use in China.
Former state legislator Toby Nixon has taken a 253-vote lead over Jessica Greenway in their city council race. In the other race that remained undecided, Patch declares incumbent Bob Sternoff the winner over Jason Gardiner.
Local women hope the hospital will hire its own midwives after a local private practice is forced to cut its staff, which provided midwife services at the medical center.
The state Department of Transportation is encouraging drivers to set up an account now for the 520 bridge, where tolling is scheduled to start in December.
Lights and garlands will be put up for the holidays on Nov. 19.
Police are investigating a 29-year-old Kirkland man on suspicion of hit and run and driving under the influence.
Expanded search for missing Redmond toddler turns up empty; Police report no new leads in the case.
The expanded search for a missing Redmond toddler turned up empty; Police reported no new leads in the case.