A weary village breathes its last—dying logging hamlet vanishes in a blaze, but without glory

Originally published in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, December 31, 1993

By Ellis E. Conklin
P-I Reporter

Gertrude Murphy, 90, picks through the remains of her home, the last one standing in Lester until a blaze destroyed it Sunday. (Bruce Moyer, P-I)

A little town, ailing for decades, finally died this week. The end was sudden and violent, in stark contrast to its long, quiet decline.

Nestled amid mountain peaks at the scenic headwaters of the Green River just below Stampede Pass, Lester was 102, only a dozen years older than Gertrude Murphy, the town’s last resident. Yesterday, she stood silently in the stinging cold watching smoke rise from the rubble of her home.

Read Full Post »

Black Diamond’s first female officer was a top candidate

Originally published in the Enumclaw Courier-Herald, December 31, 2003

The following articles are provided by students in the journalism program at Green River Community College in Auburn

By Jonathan Baily
For The Courier-Herald

Black Diamond Police Sgt. Jamey Kiblinger gets into her patrol car and prepares to make her rounds Friday afternoon. (Photo by Jessica Keller)

Jamey Kiblinger is serving and protecting the people of Black Diamond with confidence.

The 28-year-old is a sergeant with Black Diamond Police Department. She has worked in the small King County community for six years, and was the first female officer hired by the department.

Read Full Post »