Off the Press
December 4, 2012
Use common sense to keep all critters safe
Kathleen R. Merrill
Press managing editor
It’s been an interesting and somewhat sad year regarding local wildlife.
Interesting because of some of the new critters I’ve seen at home. Sad because of several deaths in the area.
My heart continues to ache for the 15-year-old golden retriever that was killed by a cougar in the Riverbend area of North Bend in September. What a horrible way for a beloved pet to die. That dog, left outside and attacked in the middle of the night, deserved more.
Also in September, a bear was shot and killed by a Snoqualmie man. The bear was in the man’s garbage, according to police. That bear, doing what bears do, forage for food, deserved more.
Last week here in Issaquah, a bear was hit and killed on Front Street South. I’ve said for a long time that people drive far too fast in some places, especially within our cities. It doesn’t seem to me that bears are so fast that one would dart out in front of a car, but maybe that’s what happened.
Under new state laws, residents face fines for feeding bears
November 13, 2012
Under new state laws, residents face fines for feeding bears intentionally or otherwise, such as by leaving food waste in bear-prone locations.
The state Department of Fish and Wildlife reminded residents about the changes last month, as black bears start to appear more frequently in areas populated by humans.
“This is the time of year when bears are looking to build up as much fat as possible to get through winter,” Mike Cenci, deputy Department of Fish and Wildlife police chief, said in a statement. “Putting food scraps out for them or leaving garbage cans or pet food exposed is an open invitation for them to pay you and your neighbors a visit.”
Under new state laws, residents face fines for feeding bears
October 22, 2012
NEW — 6 a.m. Oct. 22, 2012
Under new state laws, residents face fines for feeding bears intentionally or otherwise, such as by leaving food waste in bear-prone locations.
The state Department of Fish and Wildlife reminded residents about the changes Oct. 19, as black bears start to appear more frequently in areas populated by humans.
“This is the time of year when bears are looking to build up as much fat as possible to get through winter,” said Mike Cenci, deputy Department of Fish and Wildlife police chief, said in a statement. “Putting food scraps out for them or leaving garbage cans or pet food exposed is an open invitation for them to pay you and your neighbors a visit.”
Encounter at Issaquah school offers bear safety reminder
October 16, 2012
Mike Pernack spotted a black bear cub in Squak Mountain’s Big Bear Court neighborhood Oct. 4. By Mike Pernack
Issaquah Valley Elementary School administrators briefly put the campus into lockdown Oct. 3 after surprise guests ambled onto school grounds.
State Department of Fish and Wildlife officers, plus Mishka, a Karelian bear dog, responded to the downtown Issaquah school, but arrived after a female bear and trio of cubs dashed across campus.
Bear on campus puts Issaquah Valley Elementary into lockdown
October 10, 2012
Bears roam on the Issaquah Valley Elementary School campus Wednesday. By Jake Kuper, Issaquah School District
NEW — 4 p.m. Oct. 10, 2012
A bear and three cubs paid a surprise visit Wednesday to Issaquah Valley Elementary School, prompting administrators to put the building into lockdown.
How to survive summer vacation
June 28, 2012
The summer months have arrived.
School is out, the anticipation of summer weather is almost too much to bear, and now you’re ready to head outdoors and enjoy it.
But wait! Before you head out the door, there are summer hazards to be aware of and ways to make sure you stay safe.
Read more
CleanScapes to offer bear-resistant trash containers to Issaquah customers
June 26, 2012
The next garbage hauler for most Issaquah residents, CleanScapes, rolled out a compressed-natural gas truck and wildlife-resistant containers in recent days, as the company prepares to start service in the city.
The contract between Seattle-based CleanScapes and the city starts July 1, though service in the city does not commence until July 2 because the previous day is a Sunday.
The changeover from Waste Management to CleanScapes affects most Issaquah customers. Allied Waste — a local name for national company Republic Services — hauls garbage in South Cove and Greenwood Point neighborhoods along Lake Sammamish.
In a June 13 ceremony, CleanScapes executives and city leaders celebrated the addition of a hydraulic launch assist, compressed natural-gas powered truck to the company fleet. Officials said CleanScapes is the first company in the Pacific Northwest to use the truck.
CleanScapes unveils natural gas garbage truck, wildlife-resistant containers for Issaquah
June 15, 2012
NEW — 8 a.m. June 15, 2012
The next garbage hauler for most Issaquah residents, CleanScapes, rolled out a compressed-natural gas truck and wildlife-resistant containers in recent days, as the company prepares to start service in the city.
The contract between Seattle-based CleanScapes and the city starts July 1, though service in the city does not commence until July 2 because July 1 is a Sunday.
The changeover from Waste Management to CleanScapes affects most Issaquah customers. Allied Waste — a local name for national company Republic Services — hauls garbage in South Cove and Greenwood Point neighborhoods along Lake Sammamish.
In a June 13 ceremony, CleanScapes executives and city leaders celebrated the addition of a hydraulic launch assist, compressed natural-gas powered truck to the company fleet. Officials said CleanScapes is the first company in the Pacific Northwest to use the truck.
Spring means more bear encounters in Issaquah
April 17, 2012
A male black bear surprised residents of the Overdale Park neighborhood — and ate some garbage for a quick snack — the afternoon of April 15. Contributed
The calm afternoon in the Overdale Park neighborhood April 15, a sun-splashed Sunday, changed in a heartbeat after a surprise guest greeted resident Wendy Brown.
The arrival of a black bear in the neighborhood marked the start of spring — and the annual balancing act to ensure safety for bears and humans.
Organizations offer tips to avoid conflicts between bears, humans
April 17, 2012
The state Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Grizzly Bear Outreach Project offers tips for people to avoid bear conflicts.
