Issaquah schools face end of Salmon in the Classroom program
December 25, 2010
NEW — 6 a.m. Dec. 25, 2010
The salmon — or, more specifically, salmon eggs — return to a Clark Elementary School classroom each year.
But fourth- and fifth-grade teacher Liza Rickey could face a change in the curriculum next month: the end of the Salmon in the Classroom program.
In the program, students raise salmon, learn about water quality and salmon habitat, and discover the relationship between Issaquah Creek and Puget Sound.
State legislators eliminated dollars for the program in a round of budget cuts during the Dec. 11 special session. The program is a casualty of cuts as state leaders face a gaping budget hole.
“It’s such a worthy project for the kids to see,” Rickey said. “It’s hands on, it’s real world. It’s a very important resource in our area, and now it’s not even available for them to experience in that way.”
Crews respond to small fire at Tiger Mountain Community High School
December 24, 2010
NEW — 10:30 a.m. Dec. 24, 2010
Eastside Fire & Rescue crews responded to a small fire at Tiger Mountain Community High School on Friday morning.
The fire started on the outside porch of a portable classroom on the Southeast Evans Street campus. Sara Niegowski, Issaquah School District spokeswoman, said the fire appeared to start in a tool bench used for storage.
Firefighters responded to the campus before 5 a.m. Friday.
The interior of the portable classroom sustained minimal smoke damage. District employees aired out the classroom.
EFR has not determined the cause, and the arson investigation continues.
Christmas closures, schedule changes start Friday
December 24, 2010
NEW — 6 a.m. Dec. 24, 2010
Issaquah and most King County government offices, plus state agencies, close Friday for Christmas Eve.
King County Metro Transit buses operate on a reduced weekday schedule Friday and on a Sunday schedule on Saturday, Christmas. Metro Transit buses also operate on a reduced weekday schedule Dec. 27-31.
Sound Transit buses operate on a Sunday schedule for Christmas.
King County Solid Waste Division transfer stations close Saturday for the holiday.
Skyline boys basketball team routs Mariner
December 23, 2010
NEW — 3 p.m. Dec. 22, 2010
Bryan Cikatz poured in a game-high 19 points Wednesday as he held the Skyline High School boys basketball team past host Mariner 52-28 in a nonleague contest.
Skyline, 5-2 on the season, won its second straight contest. The Spartans took control of the game early, shooting to a 13-4 first-quarter lead. Skyline led 26-7 at halftime.
Will Parker and Kasen Williams each scored eight points for Skyline.
Issaquah Police Department plays Santa Claus for needy families
December 23, 2010
Issaquah Police Chief Paul Ayers (center) and Santa Claus carry gifts from the police department to deliver to needy families Dec. 17. Contributed
NEW — 10 a.m. Dec. 23, 2010
Issaquah police officers and department employees spread some holiday cheer to local families Dec. 17.
Sound Transit buses operate on reduced schedule for Christmas
December 23, 2010
NEW — 6 a.m. Dec. 23, 2010
Sound Transit buses operate on a reduced schedule Saturday due to Christmas.
Buses operate on Sunday schedule for the holiday. Sound Transit trains and buses operate on a regular weekday schedule Friday, Christmas Eve.
Sound Transit customers can sign up to receive Rider Alerts via e-mail or text message for specific services and bus routes.
In addition, King County Metro Transit starts more than a week of reduced service Friday, as holidays cause a drop-off in the number of bus riders.
Metro Transit operates on a reduced weekday schedule Friday and uses a Sunday schedule on Christmas.
Santa Claus joins Eastside Fire & Rescue to collect toys Thursday
December 22, 2010
NEW — 2 p.m. Dec. 22, 2010
Christmas cheer comes to the Issaquah Brewhouse on Thursday evening, as Eastside Fire & Rescue and the pub partner to collect toys for the less fortunate.
EFR plans to park the “Reindeer Engine” outside the brewhouse, 35 W. Sunset Way, from 6-8 p.m. Thursday. People can drop off a new, unwrapped toy and receive a ticket for use at the eatery. Santa Claus is also expected to pick up the donated toys.
“This has been our biggest year yet,” Firefighter Danny Evanger, public relations officer for Union Local 2878, said in a statement. “We work hard to stay connected to the community we serve and there’s no better time to collect food and toys from our generous community than during the holiday season.”
State seems poised to redraw Issaquah’s congressional district
December 22, 2010
NEW — 2 p.m. Dec. 22, 2010
The congressional district containing Issaquah could be redrawn in order to accommodate rapid population growth during the last decade.
The sprawling 8th Congressional District has added 137,750 residents since the 2000 Census. State figures indicate the district increased in population more than the state’s eight other congressional districts. The state considers the ideal population for a district to be 672,000.
Republican Congressman Dave Reichert has represented the suburban district in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2005.
The state added the 8th District after the 1980 Census. No Democrat has represented the district in Congress, even as district voters backed Democrats for state and federal offices.
Truck topples downtown traffic signal at Front Street
December 22, 2010
Debris left from a fallen light pole litters the corner as police direct traffic away from the intersection of Front Street and Sunset Way. Photo by Tim Pfarr
UPDATED — 10:30 a.m. Dec. 22, 2010
A large truck knocked down the traffic signal and pole on the southeastern corner of the Front Street and Sunset Way intersection at about 6:30 a.m. Wednesday.
King County selected for pioneering sustainability program
December 22, 2010
NEW — 8 a.m. Dec. 22, 2010
King County has been selected to develop a pioneering system to rate sustainability.
The county is part of a pilot program to analyze and map sustainability data. Organizers said the software program — called the STAR Community Index — is designed to transform the way local governments set priorities and implement policies to improve sustainability performance.
The familiar LEED certification for “green” buildings is a close cousin of the program.
King County joins eight other communities from coast to coast to test the tool.
