Email: kendall.watson@patch.com
Phone: 206-455-1331
Hometown: Salem, UT
Age: 37
Bio: From 2006 to 2010, I've worked at newspapers in California and Washington state, including the Mercer Island Reporter in 2009 covering education and sports.
Beliefs
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. This disclosure is not a license for us to inject our beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that our beliefs are on the record will cause editors to be ever mindful to write, report and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you ever see evidence that we failed in this mission, please let us know.
Politics
How would you describe your political beliefs?
I'm a mixed bag. I strongly believe in the power of the government to act as a force for good and to improve people's lives. It is, after all, made up of people. But I also believe that our elected representatives should be held accountable and spend money they raise for the state carefully and wisely—they should conserve our resources for when we really need them. It is, after all, our money. And finally, we should always be thinking about how our actions affect others, now and in the future—both those we don't know and our loved ones living with us now, as well as our children and grandchildren not yet born.
Are you registered with a certain party?
I am not currently registered with a political party.
Religion
How religious would you consider yourself?
I consider myself a casual observer of the mystery of life, and enjoy the multitude of expressions in celebration of it. Heck, it's one of the main reasons I sought out a career in writing. I believe in this.
Three Mercer Island children have been confirmed with pertussis (whooping cough) in 2012. Pertussis is a respiratory bacterial disease that can be deadly to infants and small children.
The following information from July 10 - July 12 was supplied by the Mercer Island Police Department. Where arrests or charges are mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction.
Work on Mercer Island's Island Crest Way, a primary north-south arterial road, began on June 25 and is expected to conclude sometime in August.
A member of gubernatorial candidate Rob McKenna's campaign staff came under fire after The Stranger discovered that she posted derogatory remarks about Asians and old people on her personal Twitter account.
The local Rotary Club's annual Pancake Breakfast at Summer Celebration donated all proceeds from Sunday's event to the Mercer Island Youth and Family Services Food Pantry.
Nick Ford and Susan Empey were first-place men and women finishers in Mercer Island's inaugural Summer Celebration 1-mile fun run on Saturday at Mercerdale Park.
The following homes are holding open houses this Sunday, July 15.
A photo collection from the 2012 Summer Celebration
A large solar outburst Thursday could lead to quite a spectacle over Mercer Island and Western Washington.
Local education leaders exchange ideas Thursday at a forum hosted by education reform coalition Excellent Schools Now Coalition and Stand for Children. Republican state gubernatorial candidate Rob McKenna also attended.
The following information from July 2 - July 10 was supplied by the Mercer Island Police Department. Where arrests or charges are mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction.
Patch asked Homeward Pet Adoption Center for tips on taking care of pets in summer heat.
Rabbi Bernie Fox, head of Northwest Yeshiva High School, thanks parents and the community for donations and support of the Jewish school.
Fastpitch Softball Ace Sam PIllsbury, 12, led the Issaquah Flame to a 5th place finish in the ASA state tournament last weekend.
Wikipedia pages about Smith and 32 other members of Congress were edited favorably from a US House of Representatives-registered IP address, shared by congressional offices, in contrast.
Fastpitch Softball Ace Sam PIllsbury, 12, led the Issaquah Flame to a 5th place finish in the ASA state tournament last weekend.
A mother-daughter duo and a food writer were each awarded first prizes in a baking competition July 8 at the Mercer Island Farmers Market, co-sponsored by the Youth and Family Services (YFS) Advisory Board
Click here to find a schedule of events for Mercer Island's 2012 Summer Celebration festivities, including the annual parade, arts & crafts fair, fun run and fireworks!
Construction on Mercer Island's primary north-south arterial road began on June 25 and is expected to conclude sometime in August.
Wikipedia pages about Smith and 32 other members of Congress were edited favorably from a US House of Representatives-registered IP address, shared by congressional offices, in contrast.
