This is a call-out to any local readers (Puyallup, South Hill, Sumner, Bonney Lake, Lake Tapps) who have ever needed to call a plumber or other service worker on a holiday.

The Herald is interested in your experience for an article about getting service on the day of a holiday. Was anyone available on Thanksgiving or Christmas? If so, how did it go, and if not, how did you deal with the problem?

E-mail editor@puyallupherald.com with your story or call Roxanne at 253-841-2481 ext. 314.

This week, Sumner is going ahead with improvements to an alley parking lot behind Berryland Cafe on Sumner’s Main Street

Earlier in the year, the city finished initial improvements to the alley - a new water main tie, fire hydrant, additional storm lines and the relocation of power and utility poles.

Paving work should be completed by the end of this week, but the schedule is dependent upon the weather. Until it’s done, access to the alleyway and the parking lot is closed, including overnight parking.

The parking lot east of Ryan Avenue and the lot in front of the former Red Apple lot will be available for employees and patrons.

Updates are available on Sumner’s Web site: www.ci.sumner.wa.us

Two Sumner High School juniors are hosting a Murder Mystery Dinner Jan. 5, 2008, to raise money for the Sumner-Bonney Lake Education Foundation. The original date of Nov. 10 was postponed.

Catered dinner is included in the $25 per-person fee, and everyone who signs up will receive a kit with a character description and costume ideas. The money is due by Dec. 14.

The event is 1920s themed, so characters will probably include gangsters and flappers. Participants are encouraged to mingle and interview each other during the dinner in order to find out whodunnit.

No acting skills required - just have fun. Anyone can sign up.

Interested? Mail or deliver a check (or cash) to Sumner High School, located at 1707 Main Street, Sumner, WA 98390. Make checks out to Sumner High School DECA. Enclose name, address, phone number and/or e-mail address with your payment so that you can be informed when your kit is ready to be picked up.

More details to come.

Sumner police and neighboring jurisdictions acted quickly Friday morning after shots were fired in a parking lot behind Sumner High School.

Three men were arrested on suspicion of shooting a parked car with a pellet gun. Police arrested the juveniles within 40 minutes.

Fortunately, no students or staff were nearby and no one was hurt.

In a lockdown, exterior and interior doors and windows are shut and locked, lights are turned off and students are told to stay away from windows, keep low and stay quiet. Parents should not come to the school because they will not be allowed inside.

The Sumner School District’s Web site offers more information on emergency situations: www.sumner.wednet.edu/studentfamilyservices/ERPreparedness/index.html

The opponents of the Stepping Stones development can heave a sigh of relief.

Applicant Ray Armstrong withdrew his application for the 12-lot housing development a little more than a week after the quasi-judicial hearing that the council voted to postpone.

The housing development would’ve been able to contain smaller lots if a nearby side street was turned into an alley. However, the Sumner Municipal Code states that an alley can only afford secondary access - not true for the businesses along that road.

Armstrong’s attorney requested extra time to respond to that new information, and had until last Thursday to submit a response. Neither he nor Armstrong were immediately available for comment this morning.

Appellant Julie Nordyke-Moltke said she didn’t feel victorious - that wasn’t the point.

“I’m hoping they come back with something just a little more fitting” for Sumner, she said Tuesday.

Council will formally close the appeal at its next regular meeting on Oct. 15.