What’s your opinion about Interstate 90 tolling?
February 14, 2013
The Washington State Department of Transportation is preparing an environmental assessment that will evaluate the effects of tolling Interstate 90 between Seattle and Bellevue.
WSDOT’s public comment period ends Feb. 22. Comments can be submitted directly to WSDOT online www.wsdot.wa.gov/Tolling/I90/HowtoComment.htm.
Issaquah School Board hires new superintendent
February 13, 2013
New: Feb. 13, 10:32 p.m.
It’s been a little more than a month since the Issaquah School District found out it needed to go shopping for a new superintendent but it’s already found one: Ron Thiele.
The school board unanimously voted Feb. 13 to hire the district’s associate superintendent to succeed outgoing superintendent Steve Rasmussen when he retires June 30. Read more
Let’s Go! for Feb. 14-20
February 13, 2013
Under the dome
February 12, 2013
Mark Mullet, freshman senator, balances family, service
By Greg Farrar
Mark Mullet, 5th Legislative District state Senator, walks from his office under the Capitol dome to the nearby John A. Cherberg Building for a committee meeting, while still in a phone meeting with King County Deputy Executive Fred Jarrett, during a packed Jan. 31 schedule of appointments in Olympia.
The state Capitol is a grand structure, but beyond the rotunda soaring 175 feet overhead and the Tiffany chandelier as large as a car, opulence fades as the state Senate gallery transitions into a corridor lined with senators’ offices.
Room 415A is state Sen. Mark Mullet’s office, a no-frills space for the Issaquah Democrat tucked into the 85-year-old building.
Squak Mountain logging plan concerns neighbors
February 12, 2013
Proposal could lead to clear cut timber operation
High on Squak Mountain, pink plastic strips tied to trees mark 216 acres of forest as a timber harvest area.
Downhill, 15-year resident Helen Farrington is concerned about how a plan to clear cut the forest above could impact a fork of May Creek.
In September, after a long permitting process and almost $100,000 out of pocket, the Farringtons replaced a crumbling culvert with a passage easier for fish to cross.
Lobbyist pushes Issaquah priorities in state Legislature
February 12, 2013
The top priorities for Issaquah leaders during the legislative session stem from efforts to reduce traffic congestion in the city and revitalize Lake Sammamish State Park.
The proposals could receive a boost in Olympia from a lobbyist hired by Issaquah leaders to steer state dollars to local projects.
Lobbyist Doug Levy started in the job in July 2012, after the City Council made a contentious decision to hire a lobbyist in Olympia for $52,000 per year — a $48,000 fee, plus expenses. City leaders then developed a list of priorities to guide Levy in the Capitol.
In the meantime, a former councilman, Democrat Mark Mullet, joined the state Senate and also started championing Issaquah issues.
Executive outlines need to strengthen infrastructure
February 12, 2013
King County Executive Dow Constantine outlined initiatives to curb gun violence, provide easier access to services for military veterans and family members, and enroll 180,000 uninsured residents into affordable health care.
Constantine presented the proposals to the public and the King County Council on Feb. 4 in a State of the County address delivered at Seattle’s Museum of History & Industry.
In the address, he said the county emerged strong from the challenges created related to the Great Recession, and said priorities for the year focused on the county’s future by strengthening human infrastructure (jobs, health care and veterans services), natural infrastructure (efforts to address climate change, flood protection and environmental cleanup) and built infrastructure (maintaining roads and transit).
Constantine also discussed efforts to address recent gun violence in King County and throughout the United States.
Council sets workshop for Central Issaquah Plan
February 12, 2013
Months after the City Council adopted the Central Issaquah Plan, members intend to delve into the redevelopment blueprint again to refine important development rules.
The council plans to meet Feb. 20 for a public workshop to discuss design and development standards, or the rules for buildings, community spaces, landscaping, signage and more. City staffers intend to answer the council’s questions as members prepare to sign off on the last outstanding Central Issaquah Plan piece.
Get involvedCity Council workshop
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That piece is scheduled to reach the council for consideration and possible adoption April 1.
Quilt fabric store opens near Gilman Village
February 12, 2013
Gossypium, the scientific name for cotton seed, is also the name of a new fabric store offering a wide variety of cotton fabrics designs for the quilter.
Gossypium Quilt, at 355 N.W. Gilman Blvd. in St. George’s Square, opened Feb. 8 and is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, with extended hours to 8 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday.
The store is owned by Lynette Smallwood.
In addition to fabric and associated notions, the store offers classes. A long-arm quilting machine will be available for customer use.
Integrity hosts give away through February
February 12, 2013
Integrity Automotive Maintenance & Repair is giving away gift certificates to local restaurants and merchandise from downtown merchants during its grand opening extravaganza through February.
Integrity is now sat 80 N.E. Gilman Blvd.
A total of $5,000 in prizes for qualified maintenance and repair customers includes burgers and T-shirts from the Triple XXX Rootbeer Drive-in, gift baskets of wine and cheese from Sterling Bank, gift cards from Extreme Pizza and the Forest Fairy Bakery, coffee from Starbucks and Your Espresso on Front Street, and a $200 credit for residential cleaning from the Euro-Clean Agency in Sammamish.
