34 underage drinkers charged following party
May 26, 2009
UPDATED — 4:13 p.m. May 26, 2009
Issaquah Police cited 34 underage drinkers for alcohol possession and/or consumption after officers broke up a party in a Talus house early Monday morning.
Four officers responded to a complaint of a juvenile party in the 100 block of Cougar Ridge Road Northwest at about 12:20 a.m. Officers were allowed into the residence, where they observed alcohol and intoxicated, underage partygoers, according to a police news release.
Chief Paul Ayers said he did not know how the minors acquired alcohol for the party.
Anti-malaria fundraiser is creating a buzz at Liberty High School
May 26, 2009
Juniors and seniors at Liberty High School are organizing a fundraiser through Nothing But Nets, a grassroots campaign to save lives in Africa from malaria. Read more
Board unveils sustainability recommendations for city
May 26, 2009
NEW — 6 a.m. May 26, 2009
The Sustainability Sounding Board, a group of community leaders appointed by Mayor Ava Frisinger, recently unveiled its long-term vision for a sustainable Issaquah, as well as recommendations for how the community can begin to measure its progress toward that goal.
In late 2008, Frisinger created the board, which includes 16 citizens and representatives from social service organizations, businesses and the environmental community. The board members met four times to develop its final report for the mayor, which will be presented to the City Council during its Committee-of-the-Whole meeting tonight.
Learn about electric car fate at city movie Wednesday
May 25, 2009
NEW — 6 a.m. May 25, 2009
Join a panel of experts to find out “Who Killed the Electric Car?” at a free movie night Wednesday hosted by the city. The event, which takes place during the city’s Bike to Work Month aims to educate viewers about alternative transportation methods.
The event will be 6:30-8:45 p.m. at the King County Library Service Center, 960 Newport Way N.W.
“Who Killed the Electric Car?” chronicles the life and death of the GM EV1 in the United States. The award-winning documentary includes interviews with celebrities, automakers, political leaders, writers, activists, engineers, inventors and drivers who wonder: What happened to the electric car?
After the movie, a panel of experts will lead a discussion about alternative transportation options. Informational tables, as well as refreshments from sponsor Waste Management, will also be available to attendees. Door prizes will be given away after the movie. Alternative fuel and electric vehicles will be available for viewing in the parking lot of the King County Library Service Center.
Keep safety in mind when taking to the water
May 24, 2009
NEW — 6 a.m. May 24, 2009
With the warm weather expected for the holiday weekend, public safety officials want to remind swimmers to be safety conscious. Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury-death for children. Most drownings occur in lakes, rivers, and ponds.
Children are not the only people at risk on the water. Fishing and boating are major factors in drowning among middle-age men. Dangerous currents, cold water temperatures and hidden debris and objects in the water can pose unknown hazards.
The snowpack melt makes this time of year more treacherous than usual for swimmers, rafters, inner tubers and kayakers. In 2008, 21 people died in unintentional drownings in King County. Since 2002, almost one-third — or 32 percent — of all preventable drowning deaths in King County occurred in May and June.
Practice fire safety this weekend
May 23, 2009
NEW — 6 a.m. May 23, 2009
Memorial Day weekend is a time when families typically enjoy camping and the outdoors. The Office of the State Fire Marshal would like to remind everyone to be responsible with the use of fire while taking advantage of the weather.
“It doesn’t take much for a small fire to turn into a large blaze,” said State Fire Marshal Mike Matlick. ”Be aware and careful about any activity that could trigger a wildfire.”
Knowing a few fire safety tips will help everyone have a fire safe holiday weekend:
Campfire safety
It is important to follow a park’s rules for use of and extinguishing campfires.
Build campfires where they will not spread. A 5-foot to 10-foot circle around the fire should be cleared of all flammable materials, and your tent should be at least 15 feet away.
Keep campfires to a reasonable and manageable size – do not let them get out of hand.
Thoroughly drown the fire, stir it and douse it again with water – do not leave a fire until it is out cold.
Southeast Bypass decision will appear in Federal Register
May 22, 2009
NEW — 4:23 p.m. May 22, 2009
Federal officials agreed to publish a key Southeast Bypass document in the Federal Register, ending months of debate about where to publish the text and whether the city was responsible for doing so.
But only a slice of the 83-page record of decision will appear in the register. Instead, officials will include a portion of the document and link to read the unedited text on the city’s Web site. The document details the city’s efforts to plan the bypass. The text should be published in the register by early June.
Council members directed city staffers to push the Federal Highway Administration to include the record of decision in the register.
City Public Works Engineering Director Bob Brock said no further action by city officials is required. Publication in the register will be free for the city.
“This is really, at least in my view, the end of the road for what we need to do at a staff level,” Brock said.
Plans to build the bypass took more than a decade of study and $4 million of city money before the City Council nixed the proposed 1.1-mile, four-lane roadway in February 2008. Officials worried about the environmental ramifications of the roadway, and said the bypass would do little to alleviate traffic congestion.
Maureen McCarry launches City Council re-election bid
May 22, 2009
NEW — 1:30 p.m. May 22, 2009
City Council President Maureen McCarry announced today she would seek re-election. McCarry became the second incumbent council member in as many days to announce her plans.
By entering the race, McCarry has set up a challenge against South Cove resident Joan Probala for the Position 5 seat.
Councilwoman Eileen Barber entered the race for her Position 3 seat yesterday.
“It has been an honor to serve the citizens of Issaquah, helping our community keep the balance of new jobs and respect for the environment,” McCarry said in a news release distributed this afternoon.
Officials eye Issaquah-Fall City Road section for landmark status
May 22, 2009
NEW — Noon May 22, 2009
A section of Issaquah-Fall City Road has been identified by King County for unique historic and scenic qualities, transportation officials announced last week.
After more than a year of on-the-road and in-the-archives research, Issaquah-Fall City Road and eight other road corridors in unincorporated King County were recognized.
King County Roads Services Division officials are nominating eight of those corridors to become community landmark Heritage Corridors.
“We want to document the history of our King County roads to preserve important pieces of our transportation heritage,” Linda Dougherty, director of the division, said in a news release. “This grant-funded project has allowed the Road Services Division to document the story of more than 100 years of transportation system development in our region and identify the most significant remaining corridors in unincorporated King County.”
The section of Issaquah-Fall City Road that would receive the designation is between Duthie Hill on the Sammamish Plateau and Fall City.
NEW — Sports update
May 22, 2009
NEW — Noon May 22, 2009
Eagle throws shutouts
The Issaquah High School softball team got two shutouts from pitcher Mikenzie Voves Thursday as the Eagles stayed alive in the 4A KingCo Conference Tournament at Redmond’s Hartman Park.
Issaquah plays again today at 3 p.m. against the loser of Thursday’s game between Lake Washington and Bothell. If the Eagles win the 3 p.m. contest, they would advance to a playoff contest against a Greater St. Helens League team and a berth in next week’s state tournament.
Voves struck out 12 batters, allowed two hits and walked one as the Eagles blanked Eastlake 4-0 in their first game Thursday. Kelly Richards had two hits for Issaquah.
In the second game, Voves tossed another two-hitter and struck out six as Issaquah blanked Inglemoor 2-0. Kenna Olsen had two hits for Issaquah.
