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.
Anthony Shindler pleaded guilty to armed robbery and will also serve three years of supervised release and must pay $1,703 in restitution.
Patrick Rexroat, 56, will be sentenced March 9 in King County Superior Court. Prosecutors are recommending a 48-month sentence.
Other reports include the mysterious case of an overturned canoe found floating off Marsh Park and a $3,500 aluminum theft.
Years of effort by the group KDOG are realized with opening of 'Jasper's Dog Park'
An empty 56,000-square-foot Par-Mac area warehouse is being turned into the Outreach & Performance Tennis Center with six full-sized courts and six for youth play, designed to offer access to the sport for all.
Year's of effort by the group KDOG are realized with opening of 'Jasper's Dog Park'
In other cases, several burglaries were reported, including an oil change shop where a 2012 rental car was stolen.
The state Department of Ecology seeks input on a plan by the ULTRA Corp. to clean up groundwater containing vinyl chloride at the site where chemicals were mixed for two decades.
In raids after a probe involving wiretaps, 20 people from around the region were arrested Wednesday, including one from Kirkland.
An empty 56,000-square-foot Par-Mac area warehouse is being turned into the Outreach & Performance Tennis Center with 12 courts, designed to offer access to the sport for all.
An empty 56,000-square-foot Par-Mac area warehouse is being turned into the Outreach & Performance Tennis Center with 12 courts, designed to offer access to the sport for all.
An empty 56,000-square-foot Par-Mac area warehouse is being turned into the Outreach & Performance Tennis Center with six full-sized courts and six for youth play, designed to offer access to the sport for all.
The Kirkland Downtown Association is creating a 5-kilomter fun run for the Eastside on March 17 -- the same day as Seattle's hugely popular St. Patrick's Day Dash.
Two of four suspects in the theft of a car that had been left running to warm up were tracked by a Bellevue Police K9 unit and captured Thursday night in the Everest neighborhood.
Two of four suspects in the theft of a car that had been left running to warm up were tracked by a K9 unit and captured Thursday night in the Everest neighborhood.
A winter weather advisory remains in effect across Western Washington, along now with a flood watch.
In another case, a Kirkland man loses his wallet in a Houghton tanning salon, and 45 minutes later his credit card is used at a Bellevue restaurant.
General Manager Les Utley gives credit to the Heathman's staff, spa, acclaimed restaurant and chef, and its ownership.
Local businesses try to gain traction on snow days.
The show at Marymoor Park will go on Friday, with doors opening at 6 p.m. and the performance at 8 p.m..
