Issaquah moratorium on medical marijuana gardens remains in effect
July 19, 2011
Councilmen Mark Mullet (left), Tola Marts and Joshua Schaer listen as medical marijuana advocates address the City Council on Monday about Issaquah's moratorium on collective gardens. By Greg Farrar
Leaders continue moratorium to ‘give the city time’ to establish rules
NEW — 10 a.m. July 19, 2011
In the discussion about medical marijuana rules in Issaquah, Stage IV melanoma survivor Kathy Sparks added a patient’s perspective to the debate.
Before the City Council decided Monday night to continue a moratorium on medical marijuana collective gardens, Sparks, a Tiger Mountain resident, asked members to consider patients unable to attend the hearing.
“There are lots of patients in stretchers and wheelchairs who can’t be here tonight to say these things,” she said.
Issaquah marijuana collective fights for license
April 19, 2011
Lydia George holds buds of medical marijuana from two of the several jars at the GreenLink Collective. Physicians can recommend but not prescribe the drug. By Greg Farrar
The reception area at GreenLink Collective, a medical marijuana collective nestled on a leafy street in downtown Issaquah, resembles a doctor’s office.
The decision to incorporate soothing colors and a bubbling aquarium in the lobby is no coincidence.
Police protect and serve — burgers — for fundraiser Saturday
March 23, 2011
Issaquah Police Chief Paul Ayers (left) participates in the 2009 Tip-a-Cop fundraiser to benefit the Special Olympics. File
NEW — 4 p.m. March 23, 2011
Issaquah police officers protect and serve — and on Saturday, the men and women in blue serve meals, too.
For the annual Tip-a-Cop fundraiser, officers from the Issaquah and Snoqualmie police departments plan to serve burgers, fries and more to diners at Red Robin. Tips collected by law enforcement officers benefit Special Olympics Washington.
Salmon leap onto fresh police patch
January 4, 2011
Issaquah Police Department unveils new patch designed by highlands resident
The updated Issaquah Police Department patch features a salmon in mid-leap. By Greg Farrar
The officers in blue had started to look a little blasé.
So, the Issaquah Police Department asked residents to redesign the patch the agency had used for more than 25 years.
The result: The updated patch features a jumping salmon rendered in electric hues and set against a blue backdrop meant to pop against the uniforms’ dark navy. Police Chief Paul Ayers announced the updated patch Dec. 31.
The designer is Issaquah Highlands resident Tim Bissmeyer, a project manager at CollinsWoerman, the architecture firm behind the Swedish Medical Center campus under construction in the highlands.
“I wanted to do something that was pretty simple and not too complicated, and it just naturally kind of drew me to the salmon,” he said.
The prize: $250 from the city Arts Commission for crafting the design and a long-term installation of the artwork on the shoulders of uniformed Issaquah officers.
The police department plans to phase in the patch as officers order uniform coats, coveralls and shirts in the months ahead.
The agency set out to find a fresh patch in the summer, as the supply of existing insignia started to shrink.
The police department put out a call for submissions in July. The agency offered artists templates for a half-dozen patch shapes and a series of criteria for the patch.
City crews mobilize to confront late December snowfall
January 4, 2011
Kelly Knox, teaches her daughter, Madelyn, 23 months, how to make a snowball Dec. 29 after snow fell in their Issaquah Highlands neighborhood park at Northeast Magnolia Street and 35th Avenue Northeast. By Greg Farrar
Snow dusted rooftops and dappled lawns in the Issaquah area as 2010 slid to a close, but snow showers did not impact commutes or cause the gridlock motorists faced during a pre-Thanksgiving snowstorm.
The last snow showers of the year started early Dec. 29. Throughout the morning, Issaquah residents at higher elevations on Cougar, Squak and Tiger mountains, plus Grand Ridge, recorded steady snowfall, after a dusting as light as confectioners’ sugar coated downtown Issaquah.
Then, the mercury dipped into the 20s in the hours after the snowfall and roads slicked by melted snow turned icy. In the meantime, graupel — granular snow resembling mini-marshmallows — left a crunchy layer on the ground.
City Public Works Operations Department and King County Road Services crews monitored conditions around the clock and deployed after nightfall Dec. 29 as the temperature dipped into the 20s.
Issaquah Police Department unveils updated patch
January 3, 2011
NEW — 6 a.m. Jan. 3, 2011
The iconic salmon has been selected as the symbol on a fresh patch design for the Issaquah Police Department.
The designer is Issaquah Highlands resident Tim Bissmeyer, a project manager at CollinsWoerman, the architecture firm behind the Swedish Medical Center campus under construction in the highlands.
“A salmon is timeless — and with the longevity of each previously designed patch, I wanted to create a design that wouldn’t be outdated within a few years,” he said. “Also, when you look around the community, a salmon image is used quite frequently.”
The police department announced the selection late last week.
Issaquah Police Department plays Santa Claus for needy families
December 23, 2010
Issaquah Police Chief Paul Ayers (center) and Santa Claus carry gifts from the police department to deliver to needy families Dec. 17. Contributed
NEW — 10 a.m. Dec. 23, 2010
Issaquah police officers and department employees spread some holiday cheer to local families Dec. 17.
Police plan extra patrols to prevent ghoulish Halloween
October 28, 2010
NEW — 2 p.m. Oct. 28, 2010
Issaquah police plan stepped-up patrols for Halloween weekend to create a safer environment for trick-or-treaters and property owners.
Extra police officers plan to focus on drunken driving, over-service at bars, vandalism and theft — all crimes prone to increase during a holiday weekend, such as Halloween.
“We hope these extra patrols will remind everyone to plan ahead, stay safe and respect our citizens’ private property,” Chief Paul Ayers said in a statement.
Grande Parade opens Salmon Days Festival
September 28, 2010
The Issaquah Salmon Days Grande Parade will again kick off the annual two-day festival at 10 a.m. Oct. 2.
Issaquah will begin its 41st anniversary celebration with more than 100 entries, including stunning floats from the Northwest. Follow the procession from Front Street at Northwest Dogwood Street, down Gilman Boulevard to 12th Avenue and along 12th Avenue until the parade’s end past the Sports Authority parking lot. The Grande Parade is ohfishally spawnsored by Lakeside Industries.
Festival VIPs in the parade include Issaquah Mayor Ava Frisinger, Issaquah Police Chief Paul Ayers, Eastside Fire & Rescue Chief Lee Soptich and Issaquah Chamber of Commerce President Chris Hysom.
FBI: Crime rate dropped in 2009
September 21, 2010
Crime in Issaquah dropped last year due to a dramatic decline in thefts from 2008 levels, even as violent crime inched upward.
FBI crime figures released Sept. 13 show 19 violent crimes and 633 property crimes reported in Issaquah last year. People reported 17 violent crimes and 814 property crimes to the Issaquah Police Department in 2008.
Violent crime is identified as murder and non-negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery and aggravated assault. The breakdown for last year shows no murders, four forcible rapes, nine robberies and six aggravated assaults.
Police recorded a murder, a rape, six robberies and nine aggravated assaults in 2008.
