The city of Seattle has reached a settlement in one of two civil suits against homeowners in West Seattle, who allegedly hired people to illegally cut down about 150 trees on public land. Seattle City Councilmember Lisa Herbold thanked Seattle’s city attorney for responding to her call for help when she first read about the unauthorized cutting in The Seattle Times . She said the settlement sends a message because it’s not just a minor fee. Two of the couples are paying $440,000, which is more