State liquor stores to offer expanded hours
June 28, 2011
The state plans to roll out standardized hours at liquor stores July 1.
Under the existing system, hours for the state-run store in Issaquah and 165 other locations vary. Starting in July, the schedule for all state stores is to be from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and from noon to 5 p.m. at the Issaquah store and 57 others that are open on Sunday.
“Having standard, reliable hours will be a significant improvement in convenience for our customers,” Sharon Foster, Washington State Liquor Control Board chairwoman, said in a statement. “It took an investment by the governor and Legislature to make it possible. We are excited and thankful to have this opportunity and look forward to providing this service to our customers and returning additional revenue as well.”
The liquor board received funding in the 2011-13 state budget to standardize state store hours. The change is projected to generate almost $800,000 in additional revenue through 2013.
“The later hours are not expected to compromise our top priority — public safety,” Pat Kohler, liquor board administrative director, said in a statement. “Washington state liquor stores have among the nation’s highest no-sales-to-minors compliance rate at 95 percent. Additionally, state store employee wages are not based on sales, so they do not have an incentive to sell to teens or apparently intoxicated people.”
Off the Press
June 28, 2011
Issaquah, unlikely Cold War hotspot, thaws history
Berlin or Prague call to mind Cold War intrigue — dead drops in darkened alleyways, encrypted cables sent between continents, double-crossing double agents.
Warren Kagarise Press Reporter
But, Issaquah? The city conjures up, if not Cold War intrigue, then at least intriguing episodes from the bygone era.
Issaquah hosted anti-aircraft missiles designed to counter the nuclear threat from the Soviet Union. Townsfolk served as test subjects — scientist-speak for guinea pigs — in a Cold War psychological operations study. The oddest episode, perhaps, surrounds a decision to import a hulking Vladimir Lenin statue from behind the crumpled Iron Curtain to Issaquah.
For a piece in the summertime Issaquah Living magazine, I set out to recount the statue’s long and meandering journey from the Poprad, Slovakia, scrap heap to suburban Issaquah and, at last, to a Seattle street corner. (Readers can find the magazine tucked amid the sales circulars in the B section.)
The plot is as tangled as a John le Carré espionage novel. Late Issaquah resident Lewis Carpenter chanced upon the discarded statue in a Poprad storage yard.
King County requires life vests on major rivers
June 28, 2011
Summer is prime time for river recreation in King County, as people seek to beat the heat in boats, canoes, kayaks, inner tubes and more.
Just before summer started, King County Council members adopted legislation June 20 to require personal flotation devices on major King County rivers starting July 1. The life-vest requirement is due to expire Oct. 31.
The measure requires people to wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device on portions of the Raging, Snoqualmie, Tolt, Cedar, Green, Skykomish and White rivers in unincorporated areas.
The initial infraction carries only a warning. However, subsequent violations carry $86 fines. Enforcement is the responsibility of the King County Sheriff’s Office.
Donation bin relocates from Walgreens to McDonald’s
June 28, 2011
The purple donation bin for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound has been relocated from Walgreens to McDonald’s, 5526 E. Lake Sammamish Parkway S.E.
Like other bins throughout the region, the nonprofit organization accepts men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, shoes, hats, linens, small draperies, purses, reusable household items and small appliances at the Issaquah location. Because the site is attended, donors can receive a tax-deductible receipt immediately.
Revenue from donated clothing helps support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound’s mentoring programs. A single bin lasts for 10 years and generates $8,666 in goods on average each year.
Committee hosts meeting on county redistricting
June 28, 2011
The citizen panel responsible for redrawing King County Council districts is holding a series of meetings to gather public input.
In January, the council appointed members to the King County Districting Committee, the group responsible for redrawing council districts based on 2010 Census data.
Though the committee is not hosting a meeting in Issaquah, residents can offer input on redistricting at Bellevue City Hall, 450 110th Ave. N.E., at 6:30 p.m. June 30.
Both Issaquah-area districts — 3 and 9 — experienced widespread population increases since 2000 and, as a result, could undergo significant boundary changes.
The committee unveiled proposals June 20 to shift Issaquah into District 6, split the city between districts 3 and 9, or maintain a map similar to the status quo.
Committee members received public input at community meetings in early May.
The county committee is only responsible for redrawing council districts. The separate state Redistricting Commission is responsible for redrawing legislative and congressional districts.
Korenek, Looney
June 28, 2011
Sarah Korenek, of Issaquah, and Blake Looney, of Gig Harbor, were married June 11, 2011, at a family member’s property in Auburn.
Sarah Korenek and Blake Looney
The bride is the daughter of Debbie Korenek, of Renton, and Lori and Ron Korenek, both from Vashon.
Her bridesmaids were Emily Korenek and Jessica Holt. Sarah is a 2001 graduate of Liberty High School and has one child, Rory.
The groom is the son of Jamalee Sanders and Mick Looney, both of Gig Harbor.
His groomsmen were Josh Jacobsen and Mick Looney. Blake is a 2004 graduate of Peninsula High School and has two children — Cooper and Nickolas.
The couple also have a son of their own, Brock, 1.
The newlyweds honeymooned at Seaside, Ore.
Adrian Sampson composes a mound miracle
June 28, 2011
Skyline grad overcomes Tommy John surgery, gets drafted by Florida Marlins
Adrian Sampson pitches one of his games for Bellevue College this spring on the way to a 6-2 record and a 1.87 earned-run average. By Rich Dworkis/BC Athletics
The excruciating pain in his elbow was matched by the agonizing ache in his heart. Adrian Sampson thought his baseball career might be over two years ago. Read more
Issaquah Highlands road closes for construction
June 28, 2011
Crews have closed a portion of 13th Lane Northeast during construction on the Sunset Walk neighborhood in the Issaquah Highlands.
The closure includes road and trail access. Parking along Northeast Park Drive is still available, but trail access is detoured to a spot between 11th Lane Northeast and 10th Avenue Northeast until grading and utility work is complete.
The closed portion of the road is expected to reopen in mid-September.
Issaquah man injured in wrong-way Everett crash
June 28, 2011
Police said an 18-year-old Issaquah man sustained serious injuries in a wrong-way crash along Interstate 5 in Everett during the June 23 evening commute.
The crash left a 54-year-old Everett man dead. State troopers identified the deceased driver as Eric M. Lans.
Police said Lans’ Mitsubishi sport utility vehicle left the northbound lanes south of 128th Street Southwest, drifted across the median and into the southbound lanes. Then, the vehicle sideswiped a Dodge SUV driven by the Issaquah man and crashed into another SUV.
Medics transported the Issaquah driver, Austin Abendroth, to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle to treat leg and pelvis injuries. Abendroth remained in serious condition in the intensive care unit June 24.
The accident occurred at about 5:30 p.m. The ensuing investigation and cleanup required police to shut down all southbound lanes for hours, causing massive traffic congestion.
Troopers said they do not know if alcohol or drug use on behalf of the deceased driver contributed to the crash. The accident remains under investigation.
Passage Point invites the public to grand opening
June 28, 2011
After years of planning, YWCA Passage Point will open its doors for a public viewing at 10:30 a.m. July 7.
YWCA Passage Point, 15900 227th Ave. S.E., Maple Valley, is a residential community for single parents emerging from the corrections system. With its 46 housing units and comprehensive services, Passage Point will empower residents, mostly mothers, to reunite with their children in a stable environment, helping them along a path toward self sufficiency.
Several local dignitaries, including King County Executive Dow Constantine; Washington State Department of Corrections Secretary Eldon Vail; and Cynthia Liggett, a former inmate, single parent and Passage Point program participant; will speak at the grand opening.
RSVP by emailing Shoko Toyama at stoyama@ywcaworks.org.
