Buy fireworks to support relief trips to Mexico, Skyline football
June 30, 2010
NEW — 3:15 p.m. June 30, 2010
This Fourth of July, help build houses for needy families in Mexico just by buying your fireworks locally.
The fireworks stand at Issaquah Christian Church, 10328 Issaquah-Hobart Road S.E., opened Monday. It will be open from 9 a.m. – 11 p.m. every day through July 4.
Profits from the sale of fireworks will largely support the church’s annual mission trip to Mexico, and fund house-building materials, other church outreach programs and a new facility construction program.
The youths and adults selling fireworks in the tent will be earning money needed to fund their own trips, according to Lana Bromling, 16, the daughter of the Rev. Brad Bromling, pastor of Issaquah Christian Church.
Felicia Hollis Lybbert
June 30, 2010
Felicia H. Lybbert, of Sammamish, died Tuesday, June 29, 2010, in Federal Way. She was 23.
A funeral service will be July 6 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 26529 S.E. Duthie Hill Road, Issaquah. A graveside dedication will be at 1 p.m. July 7 at Moses Lake Cemetery in Moses Lake.
Felicia was born May 20, 1987 in Bellevue, to Terry and Phyllis Lybbert. She was raised in Issaquah and was a member of the class of 2005 at Skyline High School. Felicia loved children and worked for many years as a nanny.
In her leisure time, Felicia enjoyed working with animals, horse training and spending time with her beloved dog, Beyonka. She enjoyed various sports and activities over the years, such as baseball, soccer, track, snowboarding and singing. Felicia also loved family gatherings and creating videos for her friends and family.
Greenpeace blimp targets Costco for seafood policies
June 30, 2010
Greenpeace airship A.E. Bates brings a message to Costco from the skies above the chain's Issaquah corporate headquarters Wednesday morning. By Anthony Bolante, Greenpeace
UPDATED — 3:30 p.m. June 30, 2010
The environmental group Greenpeace sent a blimp bearing the message “Costco: wholesale ocean destruction” to hover above the company’s Issaquah corporate headquarters and flagship warehouse early Wednesday morning.
Issaquah residents and Interstate 90 drivers reported seeing the green blimp during the morning commute at about 8:30.
Greenpeace took Costco — the third-largest retailer in the United States and the largest employer in Issaquah — to task for what the environmental group described as exploitation of the oceans. Greenpeace called on Costco to stop selling fish species threatened by overfishing, including orange roughy and Chilean sea bass.
DOT offers travel tools for drivers to declare independence from holiday traffic
June 30, 2010
NEW — 6 a.m. June 30, 2010
Use state Department of Transportation travel tools to declare independence from delays during the Fourth of July weekend.
The agency encouraged holiday travelers use its website and 24-hour traveler-information line, 511, to find out about traffic congestion and delays.
Officials hope the tools help travelers avoid traffic snarls, like the 27-mile backup through Snoqualmie Pass at the end of Memorial Day weekend.
Check the website for the most-traveled — and delay-prone — routes: Interstate 90, Interstate 5 at the Canadian border, I-5 south of Olympia through Lewis County and U.S. Route 2.
Man drowns at Lake Sammamish State Park
June 29, 2010
Eastside Fire & Rescue Chaplain Shelley Frey (right) comforts the wife and 5-year-old son of Geronimo Morales, 23, of Seattle, as paramedics perform CPR on him June 24 in an aid car and prepare to transport him to Overlake Hospital Medical Center. By Greg Farrar
Lake Sammamish, still cold for swimmers despite sunshine and balmy temperatures on land, claimed a Seattle man late last week during a family outing at the state park.
No lifeguard on duty at state park
June 29, 2010
State cuts eliminate program from Lake Sammamish
The drowning at Lake Sammamish State Park last week exposed strains in a state budget too stretched to fund lifeguards in state parks.
Geronimo Morales, 23, drowned June 24, just offshore from crowded Tibbetts Beach, which has been left unguarded for 16 of the past 18 years.
Officials said tight budgets limit the amount the state can spend on lifeguards at Lake Sammamish and other state-managed swimming spots.
Tibbetts Beach has lacked regular lifeguards since 1992, and swimmers must enter the lake at their own risk.
Such accidents remain too common, despite steps to prevent such tragedies, parks and public heath officials said last week. The drowning also raises concerns about water safety as Lake Sammamish and other state parks ready for the summer rush.
Stay safe near the water this summer
June 29, 2010
Summertime sunshine lures residents in Issaquah and across King County to lakes, streams and rivers unwatched by lifeguards.
King County Sheriff’s Office data shows most King County drownings — 56 percent — occur in April, May and July.
Fast-moving currents can pull unsuspecting users under trees and logjams left from winter, and lead to drowning. Wear a lifejacket, steer clear of high, running water and swim only in designated areas.
Public Health – Seattle & King County also urges people to swim only in areas with lifeguards, but waterways in state and most county parks lack lifeguards.
The agency recommends for people not to swim while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Despite summer temperatures on land, waterways remain cold from snowmelt, so hypothermia poses a risk to swimmers. Hypothermia affects everyone, regardless of age, size or experience. Officials recommend thermal protection for adventurous types taking to the water.
Boaters should wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved lifejacket. Officials also recommend a life jacket for people floating on inner tubes or swimming in open water.
Lake Sammamish State Park offers free lifejackets for park goers to borrow at the popular Tibbetts Beach swimming area. Call the park office at 649-4276 to learn more.
Under state law, everyone younger than 12 must wear a life jacket while on any boat less than 19 feet long. Every boat must have a lifejacket for everyone on board.
Sources: Public Health – Seattle & King County, King County Sheriff’s Office
Route 200 bus could expand to Squak
June 29, 2010
Metro bus service may finally be coming to Squak Mountain.
At a City Council committee meeting May 27, King County Metro Transit proposed a plan to the committee that would expand the Route 200 bus that services downtown Issaquah into two separate routes. One of the routes would service Squak Mountain residents. The routes would be added by late 2011.
Council Transportation Committee Chairman Joshua Schaer said the proposal looks promising.
“It solves multiple problems in one,” he said. “Not only is it a creative solution to solving the concerns of the residents of Squak Mountain, but also the concerns of providing adequate transportation to the newly opening Swedish Hospital and expanding Route 200 to better serve Talus and the Issaquah Highlands. It will essentially be two different routes for the price of one.”
Details about potential bus fare and neighborhood routing will be discussed at upcoming budget meetings.
Schaer said he believes most Squak mountain residents will be pleased with the solution.
Issaquah’s ready for Downhome Fourth of July
June 29, 2010
Longtime Issaquah residents have always enjoyed the low-key, family friendly Downhome Fourth of July and Heritage Day event.
To start the day off, the Kids, Pets ‘N Pride Parade will begin at 11 a.m. starting at Rainier Avenue and Northwest Dogwood Street. Kids can decorate their bikes, wagons, pets or anything else they can think of in patriotic attire and be in the parade, which will end at Veteran’s Memorial Field, according to Robin Kelley, director of festivals.
Veterans’ Memorial Field will host a number of events throughout the day, including a pie-eating contest. It is unknown what kind of pie will be eaten.
“Our goal is that it’s something that is colorful and especially messy,” Kelley said. “Parents and kids sometimes compete against each other.”
Something that has been absent in the past few years from the city’s Fourth of July celebration has been the slug speed race and beauty pageant. The event was brought back this year because of the wet spring that has not been present the past few years.
Thieves hit Grand Ridge Elementary
June 29, 2010
Thieves stole more than $3,000 in classroom equipment from Grand Ridge Elementary School overnight June 21.
Issaquah police said someone nabbed four printers, a computer, a projector, a digital camera and a combination VCR-DVD player from two classrooms in a portable classroom prior to 10:10 a.m. June 22. The estimated value of the pilfered equipment totaled $3,319.
Issaquah School District spokeswoman Sara Niegowski said the district had filed insurance claims for the stolen items.
Police said the thieves did not enter the main campus building, at 1739 N.E. Park Drive. The school year ended June 17.
