County Council urges residents to dump unused meds Saturday
April 25, 2011
NEW — 4:30 p.m. April 25, 2011
The medicine cabinet is challenging the liquor cabinet for people in search of a high.
The increase in prescription drug abuse in the United States is attributed to unused and expired medicines kept inside the home.
King County Council members offered unanimous support Monday to a national effort encouraging the safe disposal of unused drugs by recognizing the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day planned for Saturday.
Issaquah-area residents can drop off unused medication at the Issaquah Police Department, 130 E. Sunset Way, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. during National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.
2011 Spring Home Tour
April 25, 2011
Executive Dow Constantine recommends against sewer rate hike
April 25, 2011
NEW — 8 a.m. April 25, 2011
King County Executive Dow Constantine called for keeping monthly sewer rates stable for 2012 under a proposal sent to the County Council last week.
“In these difficult economic times, it makes sense to keep the rate flat,” he said in a statement. “This proposal will allow us to maintain critical infrastructure, support economic growth and promote environmental health without undue burden to ratepayers.”
Constantine called for customers served by the county’s clean-water utility to continue to pay the current wholesale rate of $36.10 per month. The rate covers the cost to collect and treat wastewater from 34 local sewer utilities, including Issaquah.
Issaquah collects wastewater from more than 4,800 residences and businesses. The city does not operate a treatment plant. Instead, the city pays the county to send wastewater to the South Treatment Plant in Renton.
King County proclaims Child Abuse Prevention Month
April 25, 2011
NEW — 8 a.m. April 25, 2011
King County leaders proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention Month to help broaden awareness about the impacts of child abuse and neglect.
In issuing the proclamation last week, the County Council joined in the national effort to combat child abuse.
“We all can help recognize and prevent child abuse and neglect,” Councilwoman Kathy Lambert, the Issaquah representative, said in a release.
The proclamation notes the links from child abuse and neglect to the increased likelihood of future criminal behavior, substance abuse, health problems and risky behavior.
The measure calls upon citizens, community agencies, faith-based groups, medical facilities and businesses to increase efforts to support families, prevent child abuse and strengthen communities.
Board of Health calls for healthier vending machine fare
April 25, 2011
NEW — 6 a.m. April 25, 2011
Healthier options could start appearing in vending machines throughout King County, due to guidelines the county Board of Health adopted last week.
The voluntary guidelines divvy foods and beverages into categories for healthiest, healthier items that should be limited. The goal is to support businesses, community organizations and local governments interested in offering more options and healthier snacks.
“These voluntary guidelines will help organizations implement a more well-rounded selection of foods,” Board of Health Vice Chairwoman Kathy Lambert, the Issaquah representative on the County Council, said in a release. “This list also can provide guidance in selecting food choices for vending companies as well as for their customers.”
Obesity and poor nutrition pose serious problems in King County. More than half of adults and almost one-third of youth qualify as overweight or obese.
Motorist dies in head-on collision near Issaquah
April 23, 2011
Troopers blocked traffic near the mangled vehicles along state Route 18 after the deadly crash Saturday. By Washington State Patrol
NEW — 11:50 p.m. April 23, 2011
Police said a 36-year-old Covington man died after a head-on collision on state Route 18 near Issaquah on Saturday night.
The crash sent two other people to Harborview Medical Center with serious injuries.
Police said the vehicles had been racing on a stretch of the highway east of Issaquah-Hobart Road Southeast.
Crews launch ‘striping season’ on local roads
April 23, 2011
NEW — 8 a.m. April 23, 2011
The state Department of Transportation is planning a makeover for the yellow and white stripes along local roads to combat the fading from a harsh winter.
The agency recently launched “striping season” and reminded motorists to watch for wet paint on Puget Sound-area highways.
Through October, crews plan to lay down more than 4,500 miles of striping on both roadway and ramp lanes between the King-Pierce county line and the Canadian border.
Adding a fresh coat of reflective paint during the drier months makes the stripes for drivers to see the road when winter rains return.
Washington State Patrol updates motorcycle fleet
April 23, 2011
NEW — 8 a.m. April 23, 2011
Motorists should watch road shoulders soon for state troopers on sleek rides.
The state patrol has started the transition from BMW motorcycles to the Honda ST 1300 PA. The agency has 43 full-time troopers on motorcycles across the state. So far, 12 have completed the transition.
The state patrol formed in 1921 with a half dozen troopers on Indian Motorcycles.
“Throughout the patrol’s history motorcycles have proven to be an effective tool for traffic enforcement. This transition reduces cost and will still provide the safety and performance necessary for our motor officers,” WSP Chief John Batiste said in a release.
Landslide poses risk to Squak Mountain neighborhood’s utilities
April 22, 2011
NEW — 7 p.m. April 22, 2011
The city has agreed to spend $30,000 to gather data on a landslide creeping down a Squak Mountain hillside and threatening utilities leading to the Forest Rim neighborhood.
The landslide poses a risk to the only utility lines and road to the hilltop neighborhood of about 100 homes. Forest Rim is the highest-elevation neighborhood on the mountain.
“The earth essentially just decided it was time,” Sheldon Lynne, city deputy public works engineering director, told City Council members Monday. “It couldn’t hold itself up any longer.”
The landslide is inching down Squak Mountain near a switchback along Mountainside Drive Southwest, less than a mile downhill from Forest Rim. The section of displaced hillside is about 200 feet across and stretches about 100 feet from end to eroded end.
Only a road shoulder is closed so far, and the roadway remains open to traffic. The landslide also eroded soil from beneath guardrail posts along the street.
‘Share Your Washington’ and earn travel prizes
April 22, 2011
NEW — 8 a.m. April 22, 2011
Washington State Tourism is inviting Washingtonians to invite friends and family members to visit the Evergreen Green as part of the Share Your Washington promotion.
Running through June 15, Share Your Washington encourages people to send invitations. In the process, participants also automatically enter a sweepstakes for the chance to win trips from Alaska Airlines.
Entering is simple. Washingtonians can visit the Share Your Washington website to send electronic postcards to friends. No limit exists for the number of times residents can enter. The more friends and family they invite, the more chances they have to win the grand prize.
Share Your Washington is also on Facebook. Washington State Tourism is encouraging people to use the hashtag #ShareYourWA to discuss the promotion on Twitter.
