Use common sense to prevent drowning
April 23, 2013
As the weather warms up and people head to water to cool off, the King County Sheriff’s Office warns against common mistakes that may result in drowning.
The easiest way to prevent a drowning is to wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket, according to a press release from the King County Sheriff’s Office. Make sure the life jacket is appropriate for the wearer’s size and weight, and that none of the straps are broken, torn or rotting.
King County gun-buyback event collects 716 weapons
February 5, 2013
King County and partner agencies collected 716 firearms and distributed $68,000 in gift cards during a gun-buyback event Jan. 26.
The operation, held in near Seattle Police Department headquarters, collected 348 pistols and 364 rifles — including three “street sweepers,” or shotguns with a high-capacity magazine capable of holding a dozen 12-gauge shotgun shells.
Though private buyers set up near the event site, officials said the public overwhelmingly chose to participate in the gun-buyback program.
Organizers distributed up to $100 in gift cards for rifles, handguns and shotguns, and up to $200 for assault weapons.
King County gun-buyback event collects 716 firearms
January 29, 2013
NEW — 10 a.m. Jan. 29, 2012
King County and partner agencies collected 716 firearms and distributed $68,000 in gift cards during a gun-buyback event Jan. 26.
The operation, held in downtown Seattle near Seattle Police Department headquarters, collected 348 pistols and 364 rifles — including three “street sweepers,” or shotguns with a high-capacity magazine capable of holding a dozen 12-gauge shotgun shells.
Though private buyers set up near the event site, officials said the public overwhelmingly chose to participate in the gun-buyback program. State law permits private gun sales between Washington residents without a background check, even though a background check is mandated for retail gun sales.
U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert to oversee welfare spending
January 17, 2013
NEW — 6 a.m. Jan. 17, 2013
The lawmaker serving Issaquah in Congress, U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert, is the leader on a subcommittee responsible for overseeing food stamps and other federal welfare programs, officials announced Tuesday.
Reichert referenced experiences from a difficult childhood in assuming the reins for the House Ways & Means Human Resources Subcommittee.
“As chairman, I look forward to leading the effort to improve these programs designed to help Americans who have fallen on difficult times,” he said in a statement. “As the oldest of seven kids growing up in a home of scarce means, I ran away on several occasions. There were times I attended high school out of my car in order to escape difficult family circumstances. Yet, there were those along the way who prevented me from falling through the cracks.”
Council bids farewell to Bob Ferguson, incoming state attorney general
January 16, 2013
NEW — 6 a.m. Jan. 16, 2013
King County Council colleagues bid farewell to outgoing Bob Ferguson on Monday, as the longtime councilman prepares to assume office as state attorney general.
Bob Ferguson
Ferguson is scheduled to take the oath of office Wednesday in Olympia. In November, he defeated a council colleague, Issaquah-area representative Reagan Dunn, to succeed outgoing state Attorney General Rob McKenna.
“It has been an honor to work with Bob Ferguson for the last nine years,” council Chairman Larry Gossett said in a statement. “All of the people of the state of Washington will now benefit from the energy and intelligence we have seen during his time on the council.”
Issaquah health fair offers wellness screenings
January 15, 2013
The annual Issaquah/Sammamish Health & Safety Fair returns to Pickering Barn from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Feb. 9 with plenty of free health screenings to make it fun and worthwhile for area families.
The fair will feature 50 or more health care professionals. Free health screening will include blood pressure, glucose, eye pressure, injury screening, posture and spinal analysis, oral cancer, sleep apnea and orthotic evaluations. There will be free gifts and information to take home.
The King County Police Union will host its MY ID Club, offering parents free fingerprints of their children, an important tool should children be abducted. The Issaquah Citizen Corps Council, the city of Issaquah and Eastside Fire & Rescue will offer safety and emergency preparedness information.
King County, Seattle agencies launch gun-buyback program
January 15, 2013
King County and Seattle leaders launched a gun-buyback program Jan. 8 in a bid to curb gun violence.
The countywide initiative offers a monetary incentive for people to turn in firearms. The initial gun-buyback event is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 26 in the downtown Seattle parking lot underneath Interstate 5 between Cherry and James streets.
In exchange for dropping off a weapon, people receive a gift card valued at up to $100 for handguns, shotguns and rifles, and up to $200 for assault weapons.
King County, Seattle launch gun-buyback initiative
January 14, 2013
NEW — 10:30 a.m. Jan. 14, 2013
King County and Seattle leaders launched a gun-buyback program Jan. 8 in a bid to curb gun violence.
The countywide initiative offers a monetary incentive for people to turn in firearms. The initial gun-buyback event is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 26 in the downtown Seattle parking lot underneath Interstate 5 between Cherry and James streets.
In exchange for dropping off a weapon, people receive a gift card valued at up to $100 for handguns, shotguns and rifles, and up to $200 for assault weapons.
Issaquah/Sammamish Health & Safety Fair offers free screenings
January 14, 2013
NEW — 10 a.m. Jan. 14, 2013
The annual Issaquah/Sammamish Health & Safety Fair returns to Pickering Barn from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Feb. 9 with plenty of free health screenings to make it fun and worthwhile for area families.
The fair will feature 50 or more health care professionals. Free health screening will include blood pressure, glucose, eye pressure, injury screening, posture and spinal analysis, oral cancer, sleep apnea and orthotic evaluations. There will be free gifts and information to take home.
The King County Police Union will host its MY ID Club, offering parents free fingerprints of their children, an important tool should children be abducted. The Issaquah Citizen Corps Council, the city of Issaquah and Eastside Fire & Rescue will offer safety and emergency preparedness information.
Dave Reichert returns for 113th Congress
January 8, 2013
Dave Reichert
The lawmaker serving Issaquah in the U.S. House of Representatives, Dave Reichert, took the oath of office Jan. 3 to join the 113th Congress.
The former King County sheriff and Auburn Republican defeated Issaquah Democrat Karen Porterfield in November for a fifth term in the House.
In 2011, redistricting shifted the 8th Congressional District to stretch from Auburn to Issaquah to Wenatchee. Reichert’s district office is in Issaquah.
“We cannot let partisan politics get in the way of ideas and legislation that will put our country back on the path to prosperity,” he said in a statement.
