Brian Ruggles leads Eagles to win swimming meet versus Wolves
January 17, 2012
Brian Ruggles (bottom), Issaquah High School senior, passes an Eastlake swimmer on his way to winning the 100-yard backstroke Jan. 10 at the Julius Boehm Pool. By Christopher Huber
It was Brian Ruggles’ day to be in the water.
Despite having to swim against Ed Kim, Eastlake High School’s phenom sophomore, in the relays, the Issaquah senior dropped time from his 50-yard freestyle and 100-yard backstroke performances Jan. 10 to help the Eagles beat the Wolves, 109-76, in a KingCo Conference 4A meet at the Julius Boehm Pool.
Ruggles, who also helped Issaquah win the 200-yard medley relay and 400-yard free relay, improved his state time in the 50 free when he finished in 22.57 seconds. And in the 100 backstroke, he cut 2.5 seconds from his previous district-qualifying time, finishing in 57.79 seconds.
Snowy forecast prompts Issaquah cancellations, closures
January 17, 2012
NEW — 11:45 a.m. Jan. 17, 2012
The potential for historic snowfall prompted cancellations and schedule changes for public agencies in Issaquah and elsewhere on the Eastside.
Issaquah City Hall is open for normal hours. Though Julius Boehm Pool and the Issaquah Community Center remain open, classes and programs have been cancelled. The community center is open for drop-in use and the pool is open for lap and public swims. Call the community center at 837-3326 for additional weather updates.
Issaquah Municipal Court is open for normal hours today to hear in-custody matters only, as regularly scheduled.
The forecast also led officials to cancel public meetings Tuesday and Wednesday.
Issaquah officials canceled the City Council meeting scheduled for Tuesday night. Meanwhile, state Department of Natural Resources canceled a planned discussion about recreation on public lands from Tiger Mountain to Snoqualmie Pass. (The state meeting is to be rescheduled for early February.)
In addition, Issaquah School District campuses closed for Tuesday due to icy road conditions and possible snow.
Inquest ordered in Issaquah police shooting
January 3, 2012
Jury is assigned to fact-finding mission in death of gunman
The search for more information about a lethal September shootout on the Clark Elementary School campus is due to deepen soon, as a court inquest into the officer-involved incident opens.
Ronald W. Ficker, 51, died in a firefight against Issaquah police officers on the school campus. The gun battle ended a meandering midday journey across downtown Issaquah after the rifle-toting Ficker brandished guns at passers-by.
In a decision expected since the Sept. 24 shootout, King County Executive Dow Constantine on Dec. 27 ordered the inquest — a standard procedure in officer-involved shootings. The order directs King County District Court Presiding Judge Barbara Linde to assign a judge to set a date and conduct the inquest.
Linde did not set a date before county offices closed for the New Year’s holiday.
New Year’s holiday means closures at city facilities
December 27, 2011
Prepare for closures at the Issaquah Community Center and the Julius Boehm Pool for the New Year’s holiday.
The community center is scheduled to close from Dec. 31 to Jan. 2. Meanwhile, the pool is scheduled to close Jan. 1-2 for the holiday.
In addition to the community center and pool, City Hall and Issaquah Municipal Court close Jan. 2 for the New Year’s holiday.
2012 city budget clears crucial hurdle
December 13, 2011
City Council members inched closer to approval for a 2012 municipal budget Dec. 5, as the document cleared a crucial hurdle.
In a unanimous decision, council members directed staffers to prepare a 2012 spending plan. The council is due to adopt the plan Dec. 19.
“I think this is a fairly conservative budget,” Council President John Traeger said.
In October, Mayor Ava Frisinger sent to the council a $32 million general fund budget — dollars used to fund police and fire services, community development and planning, parks and recreation, and municipal government.
The process to form a 2012 budget started earlier, at a council goal-setting retreat in May. Officials outlined priorities for the year ahead and helped shape department chiefs’ spending proposals.
City community center, pool close for maintenance, holidays
December 13, 2011
Prepare for closures at the Issaquah Community Center and the Julius Boehm Pool for maintenance and the holidays.
The community center is scheduled to close for much of the remainder of the year. The center is due to close for maintenance from Dec. 19-23. Then, the center closes for Christmas from Dec. 24-26.
The center closes again for the New Year’s holiday from Dec. 31 to Jan. 2.
Meanwhile, the pool is scheduled to close from Dec. 24-26 for Christmas and Jan. 1 and 2 for the New Year’s holiday.
In addition to the community center and pool, City Hall and Issaquah Municipal Court also close Dec. 26 for the Christmas holiday.
Prepare for Issaquah Community Center, pool holiday closures
December 11, 2011
NEW — 6 a.m. Dec. 11, 2011
Prepare for closures at the Issaquah Community Center and Julius Boehm Pool for maintenance and the holidays.
The community center is scheduled to close for much of the remainder of the year. The center is due to close for maintenance from Dec. 19-23. Then, the center closes for Christmas from Dec. 24-26.
The center closes again for the New Year’s holiday from Dec. 31 to Jan. 2.
Meanwhile, the pool is scheduled to close Dec. 24-26 for Christmas and Jan. 1-2 for the New Year’s Holiday.
In addition to the community center and pool, City Hall is scheduled to close Dec. 26 for the Christmas holiday. Issaquah Municipal Court also closes Dec. 26.
Liberty boys swimming team battles Mercer Island
December 7, 2011
NEW — 11:30 a.m. Dec. 7, 2011
For many years, when the Liberty High School boys swimming team met perennial power Mercer Island, the latter team yawned and used the meet almost like a warmup.
But that was not the case Tuesday when the Patriots grabbed first place in nine of 12 events and almost upset the defending 3A state champions. Mercer Island prevailed 95-90 but the Islanders got one tough battle from the Patriots in Boehm Pool.
Mercer Island’s depth was the difference in the meet. While Liberty grabbed the most first places, the Islanders captured the majority of the runnerup places.
Liberty had nine state-qualifying times in the meet. Senior Logan Briggs and freshman Nick Klatt each won two events in state-qualifying times.
Council recommends study for pool financing
December 6, 2011
The city intends to survey Issaquah School District residents about support for financing a pool and other parks amenities next year.
City Council members included the pool proposal and others on a list of changes to the 2012 city budget.
In October, Mayor Ava Frisinger sent to the council a $32 million general fund budget — dollars used to fund police and fire services, community development and planning, parks and recreation, and municipal government.
Overall, the council’s recommended changes amount to $4.1 million. The change to the general fund is $469,784.
The total proposed city budget — including dollars for capital expenses and from other accounts — is $85.7 million after the council’s recommended changes.
The budget adjustment is routine. The council offers changes to the mayor’s proposed budget each year to produce a concrete spending plan.
Seniors spark Liberty to season-opening victory
December 6, 2011
The Liberty High School boys swimming team, aiming for another top 10 finish at the 3A state meet in February, gave an early indication Dec. 1 why the Patriots have reasons to be optimistic this season.
Seniors Logan Briggs, Luke Duschl and Kevin Hays each won two events and swam as members of two winning relay teams as they sparked the Liberty to a 108-71 KingCo Conference 3A/2A season-opening victory against visiting Interlake at the Julius Boehm Pool.
Briggs, Duschl and Hays helped the Patriots finish seventh at last year’s Class 3A state meet. The Patriots were the second-highest placing KingCo Conference 3A team at the meet. State champion Mercer Island was the highest. Liberty also finished seventh at state in 2006. The Patriots are hoping for an even higher finish this year.
