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.
The blotter will include news and photos on major cases the sheriff's office handles, as well as smaller cases of interest to specific communities in its jurisdiction.
The blotter will include news and photos on major cases the sheriff's office handles, as well as smaller cases of interest to specific communities in its jurisdiction.
Debbie Nordstrom has expanded Haystack Antiques to downtown Kirkland.
Police impounded a car that was being driven without its headlights on at 1:30 a.m., and ultimately found 407 pieces of mail stolen from more than 134 victims in Woodinville, Kirkland, Edmonds, Shoreline and other cities.
Police impounded a car that was being driven without its headlights on at 1:30 a.m., and ultimately found 407 pieces of mail stolen from more than 134 victims in Kirkland, Edmonds, Shoreline, Woodinville and other cities.
Owner James Eeckhoudt hopes to add local craft beers and wines and perhaps live music by summer at the former location of Laughing Ladies on 15th Avenue.
Allen M. Ruedinger, 24, and Jeremy Warren Smith, 20, are suspected of more than a dozen burglaries in King and Pierce counties, targeting jewelry, electronics and guns.
New search warrant affidavits filed by police allege the Seattle attorney was foiled in several attempts before finally raping a massage therapist in Seattle.
New search warrant affidavits filed by police allege the Seattle attorney was foiled in several attempts before finally raping a massage therapist in Seattle.
Lai and Linda Saelee bring traditional dishes and Mien specialties to Thai Gold Triangle at 916 South 2nd Street.
Police went to the Bothell woman's home Tuesday morning when her employer called to say she had not arrived for work. Susann Smith, 37, died of head injuries, according to the Snohomish County Medical Examiner's Office.
Charging documents say the gang is known to send members around the country to rob banks, such as the one at Bridle Trails Wells Fargo in Kirkland, with sophisticated planning and precision.
A federal judge ordered four men and a woman suspected of bank robberies in Lakewood, Kirkland and Seattle held for trial. The FBI is still looking for two alleged accomplices.
A federal judge ordered four men and a woman suspected of bank robberies in Kirkland, Lakewood and Seattle held for trial. The FBI is still looking for two alleged accomplices.
Cillfford Everell Reed, a 59-year-old Montana man and former Seattle resident, was arraigned in King County Superior Court in the 1996 murder of Sandi Johnson of Kirkland. Sean Johnson, the victim's son, is part of the Army's 3rd Stryker Briga
Cillfford Everell Reed, a 59-year-old Montana man and former Seattle resident, was arraigned in King County Superior Court in the 1996 murder of 28-year-old Sandi Johnson of Kirkland.
Allen M. Ruedinger, 24, and Jeremy Warren Smith, 20, are suspected of more than a dozen burglaries in King and Pierce counties, targeting jewelry, electronics and guns.
Allen M. Ruedinger, 24, and Jeremy Warren Smith, 20, are suspected of more than a dozen burglaries in King and Pierce counties, targeting jewelry, electronics and guns.
Police say the 20-year-old suspect was captured on surveillance video and quickly identified by detectives, and confessed to robbing pharmacies on Mercer Island and in Bellevue.
Police say the 20-year-old suspect was captured on surveillance video and quickly identified by detectives, and confessed to robbing pharmacies on Mercer Island and in Bellevue.