News Bites for March 9, 2022

Chiropractor’s sentencing postponed
SNOHOMISH —  The sentencing hearing for Dr. Ken Parker was scheduled for March 1 but got moved to April 1.
Parker is the Snohomish chiropractor accused of taking indecent liberties with his patients. Parker has said in court filings that the adjusting methods he used on patients wasn’t for sexual gratification, but recognizes some felt traumatized.
If found guilty of four counts of taking indecent liberties, Parker could face a maximum sentence of 48 months of incarceration, and might just: In pre-sentencing paperwork filed Feb. 23, Parker’s defense wrote it agrees with prosecutors on recommending a judge sentence Parker to 48 months.
In January, Parker’s charges were reduced from eight to four counts as part of a settlement agreement approved in court.


Design plan for fixing Ave. A gazebo
SNOHOMISH — A design plan for fully renovating the Avenue A gazebo will be heard by the city’s Design Review Board this week. The meeting will be Wednesday, March 9 at 6 p.m. on Zoom. A shortlink is www. tinyurl.com/SnoDRB
The design proposal calls for removing several pine trees nearby because they are close to the structure.


Optometrist Dr. Coe dies
SNOHOMISH — Respected eye doctor Brian Coe died unexpectedly late last month. He was seeing patients up until his death Feb. 23. Coe was 48. His clinic on Avenue D opened about 10 years ago. A celebration of life was held March 5.


Snohomish Kindergarten night is March 16
 SNOHOMISH — Will your child be age five by Aug. 31?
Then they can enter kindergarten. Learn how to enroll in public school kindergarten at the Snohomish School District’s Kindergarten night. Visit your nearest district elementary school Wednesday, March 16, 4-7 p.m. to begin registration.


Court records system inhibited
The state last week temporarily shut down access to an electronic court records system called the Odyssey Portal after its maker, Tyler Technologies, found a security vulnerability.
“We have not identified any direct impacts to Washington superior courts,” a technician with the state Administrative Office of the Courts’ wrote in a notification on the shutdown.


Inslee refuses Russian business
Gov. Jay Inslee late last week issued a directive to Washington state agencies that bans new contracts and investments with Russian state entities. The ban includes any potential contracts or investments with Russian government agencies, or with companies that are, to any extent, Russian-state-owned, in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.


Lopez-Shaw, judge known for humanity, dies
EVERETT — Cassandra Lopez-Shaw, a Snohomish County Superior Court Judge known for her empathy and kindness, died March 3 of cancer at age 54.
Voters elected Lopez-Shaw to the bench in 2020 in her second run for an open judicial seat, making her Snohomish County’s first Latinx judge.
Before that, she was a lawyer who worked in both private law and as a public defender. Her biography says more than
200 of her cases proceeding to trial.
She was commended for her efforts, including receiving the Snohomish County chapter of the Washington Women Lawyers’ Domestic Violence Advocacy Award for her advocacy work with survivors of domestic violence.
Lopez-Shaw gave hundreds of hours pro bono during her career, volunteered as a coach for the YMCA’s mock trial program and frequently presented to school classrooms.
Lopez-Shaw is survived by her husband Michael, a daughter and son, a daughter-in-law, her mother Sandra and her brother George, according to information published as a news release.
Gov. Jay Inslee will make an appointment in the coming weeks to fill the vacancy created by Lopez-Shaw’s death. The application window is through March 14 for Lopez-Shaw’s seat as well as for two other upcoming vacancies. The other vacancies are because the Snohomish Superior Court is increasing in size by two judges; the Legislature approved the expansion this session.