Environmental report arrives for Rowley Properties redevelopment
November 29, 2011
Planners released a key environmental report about a proposed Rowley Properties redevelopment Nov. 23, days after City Council members heard from citizens about the project.
Citizens can offer input on the proposed development agreement between the city and Issaquah-based Rowley Properties at public meetings in December.
The council listened to almost three hours of testimony about the project at a Nov. 21 public hearing. Most speakers supported the project, although others raised questions about possible environmental impacts.
The upcoming meetings mark the latest step in a decadeslong process to reshape 80 acres near Interstate 90 and state Route 900 — areas called Hyla Crossing and Rowley Center.
The council plans to review the proposal through mid-December and reach a decision by Dec. 19.
The proposed agreement requires Rowley Properties to provide or pay for transportation upgrades, affordable housing, creek restoration and storm water management.
Find a complete meeting schedule and read the environmental impact statement at www.ci.issaquah.wa.us/rowleyda.
Sunset Materials Inc. fined $3,000 by Department of Ecology
November 29, 2011
Renton business Sunset Materials Inc. was fined $3,000 by the state Department of Ecology for failure to submit quarterly storm water sampling reports as required under the Industrial Stormwater General Permit for two quarters in 2010, and the first and second quarters of 2011.
The department issued more than $47,000 in penalties of $1,000 or more in the third quarter. The department works with thousands of businesses and individuals to ensure compliance with laws written to protect Washington’s air, land and water.
Penalties are issued in cases where noncompliance continues after the department has provided technical assistance or warnings, or for particularly serious violations.
Penalty amounts owed and collected are deposited in special accounts that pay for environmental restoration and enhancement projects; research and development; permitting and regulatory programs; and education and assistance.
Local food banks net 90,000 pounds from Eastside food drive
November 29, 2011
The effort to collect food at Eastside grocery stores netted 90,000 pounds of food for food banks in Issaquah and across the region.
Residents and representatives from local faith organizations fanned out at grocery stores from late September until late October during the Eastside Month of Concern for the Hungry “Share What You Can” campaign.
In addition to food donations, donors dished up almost $15,000 in monetary donations for Eastside food banks and feeding programs.
“As other sources of support have been eroding, grassroots efforts like this — people coming together to help other people — are so vitally important. And so very effective,” Emergency Feeding Program Operations Director Brian Anderson said.
Issaquah and other cities joined the collaborative effort organized by the Eastside Human Service Forum. Items collected at local grocery stores benefited the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank.
The regional campaign helped to fill food bank shelves before the holiday season.
Skyline grad Kasen Williams stars in Apple Cup
November 29, 2011
Kasen Williams, who had many memorable moments at Skyline High School, likely won’t forget his first Apple Cup, either.
The freshman wide receiver caught five passes for 74 yards and two touchdowns Nov. 26 to help the University of Washington beat rival Washington State University, 38-21, at CenturyLink Field in Seattle.
Williams caught a 16-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Keith Price in the first quarter to put the Huskies ahead 14-0. Then, with just 24 seconds left in the first half, Williams hauled in a 21-yard pass from Price to put Washington ahead for good at 21-14.
Three other Skyline graduates saw action in the game. William Chandler was the holder on all Washington placekicks and linebacker Cooper Pelluer also played some on defense. For the Cougars, Gino Simone caught a pass for 32 yards.
Chandler recently earned Pacific-12 Conference All-Academic Team second-team honors. He has a 3.83 grade point average and is a business/accounting major.
Police locate items, suspects from U-Haul theft
November 29, 2011
Police located items from a U-Haul truck stolen from Issaquah in February and arrested suspects in the case, investigators announced Nov. 22.
The truck contained 1,200 silver coins, 13 firearms and several computer towers. Police recovered the truck in Seattle days after the Feb. 13 heist, but the contents remained missing.
The belongings’ owner, Zack Judson, launched a campaign on the Web and social media services to encourage people to report tips. Meanwhile, Issaquah police investigators identified several suspects involved in the sale or possession of stolen items from the truck.
Prosecutors filed possession of stolen property and trafficking in stolen property charges against five people involved in the case.
Police recovered 10 firearms, 300 silver coins, computer towers and household items. Tukwila police officers and King County Sheriff’s Office deputies assisted in the recovery and arrests.
Judson relocated from California to Washington days before thieves stole the truck from the Hilton Garden Inn parking lot.
Last chance to contribute to Kiwanis club coat drive
November 29, 2011
The Kiwanis Club of Issaquah is holding a coat and shoe drive throughout November.
The drive runs from Nov. 1-30 and donations benefit the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank.
Coats and shoes — in adult’s and children’s sizes — should be clean, and new or gently used.
Donation sites include The Issaquah Press, 45 Front St. S.; the Issaquah Gilman branch of KeyBank, 405 N.W. Gilman Blvd., Suite A; and AtWork! Issaquah Operations, 690 N.W. Juniper St.
Trans-NET Inc. breaks ground on Issaquah office building
November 29, 2011
Trans-NET, owned by the Moe family, plans a groundbreaking ceremony for its office building at 11 a.m. Nov. 17 at 710 Fifth Ave. N.W.
Trans-NET is a full service, single-source provider of customized, solution-based logistics.
Learn more at www.transnetinc.com.
Toll Brothers Inc. buys Issaquah Highlands homebuilder
November 29, 2011
Toll Brothers Inc. acquired CamWest Development — a homebuilder in the Issaquah Highlands and other Pacific Northwest communities — company executives announced Nov. 21.
The acquisition marks Pennsylvania-based Toll Brothers’ entry into the Seattle market. The company operates in 20 states.
“Seattle is a high barrier-to-entry home building market with a robust employment base and a concentration of affluence,” Toll Brothers CEO Douglas C. Yearley Jr. said in a statement.
The parties did not disclose the purchase price. Toll Brothers paid cash for Kirkland-based CamWest.
CamWest develops luxury single-family homes, condominiums and townhouses throughout the Seattle metropolitan area, mostly in King and Snohomish counties. In Issaquah, CamWest built the Highlands Square, Hunters Place and West Highlands Park developments in the highlands.
CamWest’s assets include about 1,300 lots owned and 200 lots controlled in King and Snohomish counties.
Eric Campbell, CamWest founder and president, established the company in 1989 and delivered more than 2,800 homes in the Seattle market since then. Before 2011 concludes, the company plans to deliver about 180 homes and about $90 million in revenue.
Districtwide dance returns to community center
November 29, 2011
Get ready to rock at the Issaquah Community Center at a districtwide middle school dance Dec. 2.
The dance is from 7-10 p.m. and admission at the door is $5.
The event is open to all sixth- through eighth-graders in the Issaquah School District. Organizers require attendees to bring photo identification to enter. Once attendees enter the dance, they must stay until the event ends at 10 p.m. unless a parent meets them in the lobby. Organizers do not allow attendees to leave the dance unescorted before 10 p.m.
The school district dress code for middle school students applies at the dance.
Kiwanis Club of Sammamish members sell concession items during the event. Organizers also need volunteer chaperones. Email Cathy Jones at cathyj@ci.issaquah.wa.us to learn more.
Teen Poetry
November 29, 2011
Beaver Lake Middle School annually holds a poetry slam, and students in Karen Bach’s humanities class did exceptional work on the topic “My Life as a Teenager,” with the help of a visiting professional poet. The poems provide a unique insight into the adolescent world of middle school.
