Man still missing, but dog is found

Mercer Island

A dog belonging to a missing Renton man whose sailboat washed up on Mercer Island last week has been returned to the man's roommate.

A Mercer Island resident found the black Labrador in the 6000 block of East Mercer Way.

There is still no sign of the 40-year-old man, who on Dec. 27 told his roommate he was going sailing with the dog on Lake Washington and would be spending the night on the boat.

On the morning of Dec. 28, a Mercer Island resident reported that a sailboat had washed ashore on his property in the 4100 block of East Mercer Way.

Police found items on the boat that suggested someone had planned to spend the night on it.

A Coast Guard helicopter and marine units from Mercer Island, Seattle and King County searched for the man for four hours Dec. 28. Investigators believe he may have drowned.

On Dec. 31, police divers searched the Barbee Mill area of the lake, near Renton, where the man was known to tie up his boat, Mercer Island Police Commander Leslie Burns said.

Searchers may return with sonar, she said, but the size, depth and poor visibility of the lake complicate their task.

Kirkland

Lauinger again chosen as mayor

The Kirkland City Council on Wednesday night selected Jim Lauinger to serve as mayor and Joan McBride to serve as deputy mayor. Both have held the positions for the past two years; their new terms expire at the end of 2009.

Kirkland has a council-manager form of government. The voters elect seven at-large, part-time council members, who choose a city manager to oversee city business.

Council members are elected for terms of four years. All receive a monthly salary of $1,100, except the mayor, whose monthly salary is $1,400.

Issaquah

Fundraiser to aid 2-year-old's family

A community group called "Claire's Team" — which formed in support of 2-year-old South Cove resident Claire Calhoun, who suffers from a rare blood disorder — will be selling bracelets at a fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the QFC grocery store at 1540 Gilman Blvd., Issaquah.

The bracelets, at $5 each, will be used to help pay for the family's meals and other expenses. All money collected goes to an account set up at Wells Fargo Bank called the "Claire Calhoun Medical Fund," said Candy Nelson, organizer.

The girl's family was featured in a Seattle Times article in November.

Seattle Times Eastside bureau