Use travel tools to reduce holiday traffic headaches
August 30, 2011
Labor Day is the busiest travel weekend of the year over Snoqualmie Pass on Interstate 90.
The state Department of Transportation is offering numerous travel information tools for motorists headed through the pass and other high-traffic areas during the holiday weekend.
Travelers planning to hit state highways can find information on the DOT website about the times and places drivers can expect to experience Labor Day weekend delays, including U.S. 2, I-90 and Interstate 5 at the Canadian border, and between Olympia and Tacoma.
Motorists can expect significantly better travel times in most areas Sept. 1 and Sept. 6.
Practice fire safety on public lands during Labor Day weekend
August 30, 2011
NEW — 6 a.m. Aug. 30, 2011
State Department of Natural Resources leaders urge campers, recreationists, woods workers and other forest visitors to practice fire safety during Labor Day weekend.
The agency has a burn ban in place until Sept. 30 for 12.7 million acres, including Tiger Mountain State Forest near Issaquah. Under the ban, campfires may be allowed, but only in approved fire pits in designated campgrounds. Moreover, campers cannot build fire pits.
“Eighty-five percent of Washington’s wildfires are human-caused,” state Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark said. “Please help us stop wildfires before they start.”
In addition, local restrictions on campfires might be in place, so people should check before leaving home to go camping or hiking.
Use travel tools to reduce Labor Day traffic headaches
August 28, 2011
NEW — 6 a.m. Aug. 28, 2011
Labor Day is the busiest travel weekend of the year over Snoqualmie Pass on Interstate 90.
The state Department of Transportation is offering numerous travel information tools for motorists headed through Snoqualmie Pass and other high-traffic areas during the holiday weekend.
Travelers planning to hit state highways can find information on the DOT website about the times and places drivers can expect to experience Labor Day weekend delays, including U.S. 2, I-90, and Interstate 5 at the Canadian border, and between Olympia and Tacoma.
AAA estimates a decline in overall travel, including aircraft, roadway, trains, watercraft and multimodal travel. The organization predicts for almost 27.3 million people to travel the nation’s roadways during the holiday weekend, a slight increase from last year.
AAA gives tips to teenage drivers
June 14, 2011
Summer is the deadliest time of year for teen drivers and passengers, with six of the top 10 deadliest days of the year occurring between the Memorial Day and Labor Day holidays, according to an analysis of crash data completed by AAA.
The 10 deadliest days for teen drivers and passengers are Jan. 21, May 20, May 26, June 10, July 2, July 4, July 9, July 15, July 23 and Nov. 11.
More than 7,300 teen drivers and passengers ages 13-19 died in traffic crashes between the Memorial Day and Labor Day holidays during the five-year period of 2005-2009, according to the AAA. An average of 422 teens die in traffic crashes during each of the deadly summer months as compared to a monthly average of 363 teen deaths during the nonsummer months.
Parents can coach their teenage drivers about a few measures, including limiting the number of teenage passengers, limiting time spent as a passenger, restricting nighttime driving and signing a parent-teen driving agreement.
Get detailed information about Washington’s teenage driving laws at www.teendriving.aaa.com.
Dino Rossi strives to be comeback kid in Senate race
September 14, 2010
Former Issaquah legislator returns after dual losses
The story is classic Dino Rossi: a daunting policy issue framed as a kitchen table discussion.
Dino Rossi
Not long before the Sammamish resident and GOP standard-bearer decided to run for the U.S. Senate, son Jake had a question about the national debt.
“My 16-year-old asked me, ‘How much do I owe?’ Sixteen-year-olds shouldn’t be asking questions like that,” Dino Rossi recalled. “They should be asking, ‘Can I have the car keys? And get out the money while you’re giving me the car keys.’”
Prepare for reduced bus service on Labor Day
September 6, 2010
NEW — 6 a.m. Sept. 6, 2010
Most King County Metro Transit buses operate on a Sunday schedule for Labor Day.
If a route does not usually run on Sunday, then the route has no service on the holiday. Riders should expect to pay holiday and Sunday fares on Metro bus routes on Labor Day.
Metro offices remain closed on the holiday, including the Customer Information Center phone lines. Learn more about transit service at Metro Online.
Most liquor stores to remain open for Labor Day
September 5, 2010
NEW — 8 a.m. Sept. 5, 2010
Take a load off for Labor Day. Most state-run liquor stores will remain open on the holiday.
The state stores will open at normal times at 10 or 11 a.m., and close at 7 p.m. Find the complete list of stores open Monday here.
Contract liquor stores might also remain open on the holiday. Contact the stores directly for holiday operating schedules.
Find more store schedules and phone numbers at the Washington State Liquor Control Board website.
ArtWalk plans to go out with a bang at finale
August 31, 2010
A pedestrian pauses to look at art displayed at the UP Front Gallery sidewalk on Front Street North during ArtWalk. By Greg Farrar
The start of Labor Day weekend marks the end for ArtWalk.
Before the outdoor happening goes on hiatus until May 2011, head to downtown Issaquah and Gilman Village for a final first Friday of artists and musicians. ArtWalk runs from 5-9 p.m. Sept. 3 along Front Street and in Gilman Village, 317 N.W. Gilman Blvd.
Follow fire safety tips during Labor Day weekend
August 31, 2010
NEW — 6 a.m. Aug. 31, 2010
Despite a cooler forecast for Labor Day weekend, the state Department of Natural Resources has reminded outdoors enthusiasts to follow the statewide burn ban in effect until Sept. 30.
During the ban, campfires can be lit — but only in approved fire pits in designated campgrounds. Campers cannot build their own fire pits as part of the ban.
The ban applies to all state forestlands, including Tiger Mountain State Forest near Issaquah.
“Please help us stop wildfire before it starts by putting campfires completely out,” state Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark said in a news release.
