Unknown men tried to lure a local fifth-grader into a truck about 2:40 p.m. Wednesday, Issaquah School District officials said.

The student was walking home from Discovery Elementary when a truck approached him on Southeast 20th Street just west of 228th Avenue Southeast on the Sammamish Plateau, said Sara Niegowski, district executive director of communications.

Two men inside the truck reportedly waved to the student, pulled the vehicle over and then allegedly motioned for the student to come closer, Niegowski said in a press release.

When the student walked away, the truck reportedly began to follow. When the student pulled out a cellphone, the truck drove away. The student immediately returned to school and informed staff members, according to Niegowski.

The student described the vehicle as an off-while landscaping truck with a tool rack with shovels and rakes in the back. The passengers were described as about 30, white, with no facial hair. The passenger was reportedly wearing a plaid shirt. Police ask that if you have any information, call 206-296-3311.

In the wake of the alleged incident, the school district released the following list of safety tips for students:

• Never talk to strangers.
• Never let a stranger get too close, whether the stranger is in a vehicle or walking.
• Never tell a stranger any personal information such as name, age or address.
• Try to walk in pairs with a friend or adult.
• Stick to safe, well-lit areas.
• Do not obstruct hearing with iPods or portable music players when walking or waiting outside.
• If a stranger tries to grab you, yell as loudly as you can and run away.
• Immediately alert an adult if you are approached by a suspicious person.

Aspen Winegar and Sierra Carlson hit clutch fourth-quarter shots Tuesday as they led the Liberty High School girls basketball team to a 42-41 upset victory against second-seeded Lake Washington in the KingCo Conference 3A tournament semifinals at Bellevue College.

Liberty, 16-6, will meet Bellevue at 8:15 p.m. Thursday for the KingCo title at Bellevue College. Bellevue surprised Juanita, the regular-season league champion, 52-50 in overtime in the other semifinal.

The Patriots had lost twice to Lake Washington during the regular season. Although Liberty got off to a promising start in the third meeting by shooting to a 17-10 first-quarter lead, the Patriots had to battle from behind to pull out the upset.

Lake Washington led 23-22 at halftime and held 32-26 lead going into the final quarter. Liberty outscored Lake Washington 16-9 in the final period.

In the final minutes of the game, Winegar hit a key 3-point field goal and Carlson followed with the game-winning basket to cap Liberty’s rally.

Winegar finished with a game-high 13 points and Carlson had 11 points. Hunter Hopkins and Cassie Lively each had 11 points for Lake Washington.

Kate Holmes had 17 points to lead Bellevue in its victory against Juanita. Kate Cryderman, of Juanita, had a game-high 27 points. Juanita plays Lake Washington at 4:45 p.m. Thursday for third place in the tournament.

Liberty and Bellevue split two games during the regular season. The Patriots won in December 50-47 and Bellevue won the rematch 47-27 in January.

Issaquah boys upset Roosevelt, Skyline falls to Bothell

The Issaquah High School boys basketball team pulled off a mild upset Tuesday in the opening round of the KingCo Conference 4A Tournament when the Eagles downed host Roosevelt, 49-38.

Issaquah, 13-8 overall, plays Bothell at 8:15 p.m. Friday in the semifinals at Juanita High School. Bothell topped Skyline, the Crest Division champion, 63-60. Redmond plays Garfield at 6:30 p.m. in the other semifinal game.

Roosevelt, which defeated Issaquah 63-55 on Jan. 28, led 13-6 after the first quarter. However, Issaquah stormed back in the second quarter to hold a 22-18 halftime lead. After a tight third quarter, Issaquah wrapped up the contest in the final period by outscoring Roosevelt 15-9.

Nick Price led Issaquah with 12 points and Brian Watson contributed 11 points. Roosevelt’s Joe Knight led all players with 21 points.

In the only meeting between Issaquah and Bothell this season, the Eagles prevailed 79-68 on Jan. 10.

Zach LaVine, the conference’s scoring leader, tallied a game-high 27 points and teammate Perrian Callandret chipped in 19 points as Bothell avenged a loss to Skyline. On Feb. 3, Skyline defeated Bothell 65-61 in an overtime thriller at Skyline.

Will Parker scored 20 points to lead the Spartans and Lucas Shannon had 16 points.

Skyline plays Roosevelt at 4:45 p.m. Friday at Juanita in loser-out game.

Issaquah residents and business owners can drop off tree branches and other woody debris from recent storms at Tibbetts Valley Park on Saturday and Sunday, officials announced Wednesday.

The drop-off site is scheduled to open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the park, 965 12th Ave. N.W. Only storm-related woody debris is accepted. Though representatives plan to monitor drop-offs, customers must unload material themselves.

The city held the initial debris drop-off event Jan. 28-29, and collected about 500 cubic yards of debris from 610 people. The most recent event, held Feb. 4-5, attracted more than 500 people to the park.

Cleanup continues in Issaquah after a crippling snowstorm and subsequent ice storm in mid-January.

Residents can join Issaquah legislators to discuss the ongoing session in Olympia at a town hall meetings in Redmond soon.

Meet state Sen. Rodney Tom and state Reps. Deb Eddy and Ross Hunter — 48th Legislative District lawmakers — at the Feb. 18 meeting. The session comes as the Legislature confronts a $1.5 billion shortfall in the state budget.

In Issaquah, the district encompasses Greenwood Point, South Cove and other neighborhoods along Lake Sammamish.

The meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon in the Council Chamber at Redmond City Hall, 15670 N.E. 85th St.

Washington State Redistricting Commission members shifted the 48th District elsewhere in the recent reshuffling. (Remaining Issaquah neighborhoods fall inside the 5th and 41st legislative districts.) The realigned political maps go into effect for the November election.

The legislative map adopted a decade ago split Issaquah between the 41st and 5th districts at 12th Avenue Northwest.

The state utilities regulator, the Utilities and Transportation Commission, has created a Conservation and Energy Planning Section to focus on energy use and renewable energy, officials announced Tuesday.

The section focuses on conservation and renewable energy requirements, energy reliability, greenhouse gas emissions and low-income programs.

“These changes recognize that conservation and renewable energy have become larger and more visible parts of our work,” Regulatory Services Director Mark Vasconi said in a statement.

The just-created Conservation and Energy Planning Section is under the leadership of longtime staff member Deborah Reynolds, assistant director.

Officials appointed Acting Assistant Director for Energy Regulation Tom Schooley as the permanent assistant director for the energy section. The section continues to focus on economic regulatory matters, including rate cases, finance and accounting.

Skyline High School cheerleaders brought home a championship at a recent competition held in Everett.

They also may have brought back an as-yet-unidentified health problem.

State health officials say they are investigating a possible intestinal illness among attendees at a cheerleading competition held at Everett’s Comcast Arena on Feb. 4. Symptoms began to appear Feb. 5 and 6. They include vomiting and diarrhea, according to a state press release.

Skyline cheerleaders began reporting symptoms the evening of Feb. 5, said Sara Niegowski, Issaquah School District executive director of communications, in an email. In total, eight cheerleaders have been out sick, Niegowski added. The Skyline ill also include Principal Lisa Hechtman and one assistant coach. Hechtman attended the cheerleading event, Niegowski said.

The state Health Department is working closely with the Snohomish Health District on the investigation, according to a state press release. The cause and source of the illness, as well as the total number of people sickened, are unknown, the state added. Teams and supporters from around the state participated in the event.

State health officials described the investigation as in the early stages. That investigation includes sending a questionnaire to participants as well as collecting samples for testing at the state Public Health Laboratories. People who attended the event and develop severe symptoms are urged to contact a health care provider.

According to the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association, which hosted the event, more than 3,000 people were in attendance, with more than 1,000 competing.

“Our immediate concerns are for those who have been affected by this illness and our thoughts are with them,” WIAA Executive Director Mike Colbrese said. “The WIAA appreciates the cooperation of Comcast Arena and of state and local health partners for addressing the entire scope of this situation.”

Intestinal illnesses can be caused by several viruses and bacteria that may come from a wide variety of sources, according to information released by state health officials. Intestinal symptoms typically include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and may include headaches, stomach cramps and fever. As with many illnesses, good personal hygiene such as frequent hand washing is important in preventing the spread of disease.

The address, delivered Feb. 6, days after the city announced employee layoffs, echoed a top priority from the City Council — a concerted effort to attract businesses to Issaquah and convince established businesses to remain in the city. The effort to remake City Hall functions also dominated the speech.

Ava Frisinger

“A major focus for 2012 will be enhancing our economic vitality, which is a community’s capacity to be economically competitive, resilient and attractive to both private and public enterprise,” Frisinger said.

Under a reorganization plan prepared by Seattle consultant Moss Adams and delivered late last year, the city focused on efficiency and effectiveness. The consultant discovered different cultures, expectations and management styles across municipal departments. Moss Adams pointed out the differences in coordination, scheduling and tracking across departments.

“In the end, our goal is to enhance customer service, find efficiencies and prepare our city for the years and decades ahead,” Frisinger said.

Though the reorganization emerged as a strong theme, Frisinger also used the address to spotlight ongoing projects.

Bellevue College continues a long process to open a campus in the Issaquah Highlands.

“We are working closely with the college to ensure this new campus meets our community needs and fits the look and feel of our fine city,” Frisinger said.

Transportation projects remain a focus for city planners, especially as the city considers a public-private partnership to improve roads near the Costco corporate headquarters and flagship warehouse.

The address also reflected on accomplishments from 2011.

The long-running effort to preserve Park Pointe — a slice of Tiger Mountain forest near Issaquah High School — ended in March 2011, after more than a decade of public and behind-the-scenes negotiations to halt construction of hundreds of houses once proposed for the land. Under the agreement, officials instead steered development from the Park Pointe site to land in the highlands.

Leaders also opened zHome, a city-led project to showcase “green” homebuilding practices in a multifamily setting. The townhouses in the Issaquah Highlands use zero net energy and 70 percent less water than a traditional home. The community is the first carbon-neutral and zero-energy multifamily community in the United States.

Frisinger also used YWCA Family Village at Issaquah to illustrate how the city and nonprofit organizations forged partnerships. The complex offers 146 rental units in a “green” setting for people employed in Issaquah but unable to afford other housing in the city.

“Bringing this much-needed affordable housing to the highlands was 15 years in the making for both King County and the city of Issaquah,” she said.

The latest State of the City address came as Frisinger and other leaders offer a renewed focus on economic development and reorganized City Hall operations.

City Administrator Bob Harrison announced details about the economic development effort late last year. The plan calls for Keith Niven, the longtime Major Development Review Team manager, to serve as economic development director and to hire economic development managers.

Frisinger delivered the State of the City address later than expected, because a snowy forecast prompted city leaders to cancel the Jan. 17 council meeting and reschedule the speech.

The annual address is the initial step to outline budget priorities for the city. The spring City Council goal-setting session and the autumn budget announcement also shape the municipal agenda.

In the 2011 address, Frisinger predicted “a momentous year for Issaquah” — and many milestones outlined in the speech came to pass in the months soon afterward. In addition to the landmark Park Pointe preservation, city leaders opened ultra-“green” Eastside Fire & Rescue Station 72 and joined Swedish Medical Center to inaugurate the Swedish/Issaquah campus.

Frisinger paid more attention to fiscal issues in the 2010 address. The mayor delivered the message months after the city shed employees and cut spending amid the economic downturn.

“While our to-do list is long, our commitment to fiscal responsibility is paramount,” she said in the 2012 address. “Budgets are tight, but I am confident we can continue providing the high-quality customer service that Issaquah is known for.”

Warren Kagarise: 392-6434, ext. 234, or wkagarise@isspress.com. Comment at www.issaquahpress.com.

Cheryl Pflug and Steve Litzow joined the 28-21 majority to endorse the legislation.

So far, a half-dozen states — Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont — plus Washington, D.C., allow same-sex marriage. Washington state has had a domestic partnership law — or “everything but marriage” law — in place since 2009.

Cheryl Pflug

Steve Litzow

(Pflug, a former state representative from Maple Valley, represents the 5th Legislative District; Litzow, a freshman senator from Mercer Island, represents the 41st legislative district.)

Issaquah’s other senator, Democrat Rodney Tom, also endorsed the legislation. (Tom represents the 48th Legislative District, including the Greenwood Point and South Cove neighborhoods.)

The measure heads next to the state House of Representatives. The bill is expected to easily pass the House and proceed to Gov. Chris Gregoire to be signed into law.

The governor, a Democrat, endorsed same-sex marriage legislation last month. Gregoire praised the Senate decision.

“This vote was courageous and was only possible with bipartisan support,” she said in a statement. “That support shows Washington’s commitment to equality. Fair-minded and responsible leaders crafted a bill that protects religious freedoms while ensuring equal rights. I commend our state senators who acknowledged tonight that separate but equal is not equal.”

King County Executive Dow Constantine, another early supporter of same-sex marriage, lauded senators after the vote.

“All adult residents should and soon will be able to marry under state law — making Washington the seventh U.S. state to recognize this basic civil right,” he said in a statement. “I salute the many supporters of this legislation and the senators who took a tough vote to do the right thing.”

The push to legalize same-sex marriage faces additional hurdles, even if the governor signs the measure into law as expected. The measure includes legal protections for religious groups and organizations.

Opponents pledged to challenge the same-sex marriage law on the November ballot.

Under state law, a referendum cannot be filed before Gregoire signs the legislation. Then, opponents have 90 days from the end of the legislative session — March 8 — to collect 120,577 signatures to put a referendum on the ballot.

If opponents fail to gather enough signatures to hold a referendum, same-sex marriages could start in June. If the measure goes to voters, election results determine whether same-sex marriage proceeds.

Warren Kagarise: 392-6434, ext. 234, or wkagarise@isspress.com. Comment at www.issaquahpress.com.

The fair will feature more than 50 health care professionals. They will offer a number of free health screenings, including blood pressure, bone density, cholesterol, blood sugar, eye pressure, body composition and spinal/posture.

There will be many free gifts from various vendors and My I.D. Club will offer free fingerprinting of children.

The Issaquah Citizen Corps Council and Eastside Fire & Rescue will offer information about emergency planning.

Specialists will be on hand to discuss everything from care for Alzheimer patients to braces for children. Ask questions about personal training, driving lessons and prescription services. Learn the difference between retirement living and assisted living, and how long-term health insurance can help. Have a quick chair massage and have your child’s car seat checked for safety.

Pickering Barn is located across from Costco, south of Interstate 90.

King County Republican Party officials and Republicans statewide plan to hold caucuses March 3. Interest in the caucuses is high, party officials said, amid a spirited nomination battle.

In King County, GOP leaders plan to group multiple precincts at central caucus locations. (Downtown Issaquah residents, for instance, should gather at Issaquah Valley Elementary School.) The consolidation is meant to reduce confusion among potential caucusgoers.

Officials organized caucus sites at locations throughout the 5th Legislative District — schools and a community hall. The district stretches from Issaquah to the Snoqualmie Pass, and from Sammamish to Maple Valley.

The rough-and-tumble contest for the GOP nomination means Washington could offer a crucial boost to a candidate. In 2008, Democrats still faced a nomination clash between Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton, but John McCain emerged as the presumptive Republican nominee long before the Evergreen State caucuses.

“Washington is generally out of the loop,” Issaquah political consultant Terry LaBrue said. “The northwest corner of the U.S. is considered deep blue country. We’re not a player.”

But the potential for a long road to the nomination — and a chance to put a stamp on the state-by-state campaign — boosted voter interest.

“Fortunately or unfortunately, it seems as though everything for politics has kicked into gear six months early,” said Bob Brunjes, 5th District GOP chairman and a Snoqualmie resident. “We’re getting unprecedented calls. People are calling and wanting to know where to go and wanting to know what the process is.”

State legislators suspended the 2012 presidential primary in order to save the cash-strapped state about $10 million, although the primary generated more interest among voters.

In 2008, fewer than 100,000 people participated in caucuses statewide, but 1.4 million voters cast ballots in the primary.

(Local Democrats plan to hold caucuses April 15, but Obama does not face a challenge for the nomination.)

Come caucus Saturday, participants select a candidate in a straw poll and then elect candidate delegates to the county convention. The straw poll is meant as a snapshot of candidates’ support. The delegates elected to the convention determine actual support.

State GOP leaders use results from caucuses and party conventions to gauge support for candidates, and then — at the state convention — elect delegates to the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla.

The local party is planning for the caucus crowd to double from 2008. Organizers also expect to see a shift in caucusgoers.

“The demographic is a lot younger now,” Brunjes said. “It truly is the moms and dads in their late 30s and early 40s. They’re much more involved than they ever have been.”

The local affair differs from the most-celebrated caucus: Iowa, a quadrennial kickoff for presidential nomination clashes.

“We don’t have the candidates out here. We don’t have $6 million in television advertising. We don’t have the satellite TV dishes or the candidates’ buses,” LaBrue said. “It’s really low-key.”

How voters choose candidates is universal. Organizers said most caucusgoers conduct research beforehand and arrive prepared to discuss a chosen candidate.

“There are some people that philosophically support certain things. Some people support personalities. Some people decide on the spot — or change their mind,” LaBrue said. “I mean, it’s all possible.”

Warren Kagarise: 392-6434, ext. 234, or wkagarise@isspress.com. Comment at www.issaquahpress.com.