Report: Illegal tobacco sales to minors increase
December 14, 2012
NEW — 8 a.m. Dec. 14, 2012
The number of Washington retailers illegally selling tobacco to minors is at the highest level in more than a decade, according to a report from the state Department of Health.
State health officials said about 16 percent of retailers offering tobacco illegally sold the substance to minors between January and June. The figure is up from 11 percent last year and 10 percent in 2010.
If the rate of retailers selling tobacco to minors exceeds 20 percent, Washington could lose almost $14 million in federal funding for drug, alcohol and tobacco prevention and treatment.
“This is unacceptable. Our young people should not have access to these deadly tobacco products,” state Secretary of Health Mary Selecky said in a statement. “Most adult smokers start as teens, so if we can keep tobacco out of the hands of kids, it’s likely they’ll never take up this dangerous habit.”
Raid uncovers 150 marijuana plants in Issaquah home
December 4, 2012
Police discovered more than 150 marijuana plants during a raid on a downtown Issaquah home, and later arrested a 52-year-old man involved in the grow operation.
Officers surrounded a home in the 100 block of Northwest Dogwood Street at about 11:30 a.m. Nov. 20 to serve a search warrant. Police called for occupants to come outside and, after officers realized the home was empty, entered the building and discovered the plants.
Issaquah Police Cmdr. Scott Behrbaum said charges have not been filed against the man arrested in the incident and the investigation is ongoing.
Issaquah police plan no immediate changes after Initiative 502 legalizes marijuana
November 13, 2012
In a milestone, Initiative 502 legalized marijuana for recreational use among adults 21 and older in Washington.
In the days after the measure passed, King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg dismissed 175 cases involving people 21 and older for possession of 1 ounce or less of marijuana.
The law outlined in I-502 is scheduled to take effect Dec. 6. Meanwhile, Washington Liquor Control Board officials must formulate rules to grow, sell, tax and regulate marijuana.
Retailers challenge liquor privatization process
July 3, 2012
Issaquah-based Costco and other supporters of liquor privatization filed a lawsuit challenging the way the state implemented the law.
Costco, joined by the Northwest Grocery Association and the Washington Restaurant Association, filed the suit June 21 — 20 days after private retailers started selling spirits, ending a decades-old state monopoly on liquor sales.
Washington Liquor Control Board officials said the agency is confident in the rules drafted to implement the liquor privatization measure, Initiative 1183. Board officials said the rule-making process remained open and transparent.
Costco — the largest employer in Issaquah — led the push to pass I-1183 last year. Statewide, almost 60 percent of voters supported the liquor-privatization measure.
The measure limits hard liquor sales to stores of at least 10,000 square feet.
The lawsuit is the latest case to result from I-1183. The day before the initiative took effect, the state Supreme Court upheld a challenge to the measure.
Issaquah liquor store closes before changeover
May 29, 2012
The state-run liquor store in Issaquah closed May 29, as the Washington State Liquor Control Board prepares to shift stores from public to private ownership.
Under a state law approved by voters last year, liquor sales by private entrepreneurs can start June 1.
The board auctioned the rights to entrepreneurs to sell liquor at the state-run store in Town & Country Square along Northwest Gilman Boulevard last month. State records show the right to the Issaquah store sold to Seattle merchant Leon Capelouto for $251,000.
“There is a lot of work involved in transferring these stores to private ownership,” Chris Liu, director of retail services for the liquor authority, said in a statement.
The availability of liquor in Issaquah is poised to expand beyond a single storefront.
Bartell Drugs, Fred Meyer, Front Street Market, Rite Aid, Safeway, Target, QFC, Walgreens and Costco received licenses to sell liquor.
QFC received licenses for the Northwest Gilman Boulevard and Klahanie stores.
Issaquah liquor store to close May 29 before changeover
May 24, 2012
NEW — 2 p.m. May 24, 2012
The state-run liquor store in Issaquah is due to close May 29, as the Washington State Liquor Control Board prepares to shift stores from public to private ownership.
Under a state law approved by voters last year, liquor sales by private entrepreneurs can start June 1.
The board auctioned the rights to entrepreneurs to sell liquor at the state-run store in Town & Country Square along Northwest Gilman Boulevard last month. State records show the right to the Issaquah store sold to Seattle merchant Leon Capelouto for $251,000.
“There is a lot of work involved in transferring these stores to private ownership,” Chris Liu, director of retail services for the liquor authority, said in a statement. “This method will ensure that our customers have the ability to buy liquor right up until June 1, when private retailers take over.”
Supreme Court hears challenge to Costco-backed liquor privatization
May 22, 2012
Opponents of liquor privatization urged state Supreme Court justices May 17 to overturn Initiative 1183, less than a month before the switch from a state-run liquor system to private entrepreneurs.
If the high court overturns the Costco-backed measure, state-run liquor stores could remain open and retailers could not sell spirits. The changeover is scheduled to occur June 1, and a ruling is expected before then.
Opponents said I-1183 violates the single subject rule for statewide ballot initiatives.
In addition to the liquor privatization language, I-1183 included a section directing $10 million to public safety, in addition to the liquor-privatization language.
Liquor sales expand in Issaquah, statewide June 1
May 15, 2012
Jeffrey Roh, of Milton, purchased the right to sell spirits at a liquor store under construction in the Klahanie Shopping Center. By Greg Farrar
The availability of liquor in Issaquah is poised to expand beyond a single storefront next month, as major retailers prepare to add spirits to store shelves and the state completes the process to privatize liquor sales.
Bartell Drugs, Fred Meyer, Front Street Market, Rite Aid, Safeway, Target, QFC, Walgreens and Costco received licenses to sell liquor. (QFC received licenses for the Northwest Gilman Boulevard and Klahanie stores.)
Until the transition to liquor privatization is completed, liquor is available only at a state-run store.
In the meantime, entrepreneurs purchased the rights to apply for a retail spirits license at the state-run liquor store along Northwest Gilman Boulevard and a liquor store under construction in the Klahanie Shopping Center.
State records show the right to the Issaquah store sold to Seattle merchant Leon Capelouto for $251,000. The right to the unfinished Klahanie store sold to Milton entrepreneur Jeffrey Roh for $82,100.
Issaquah police plan extra DUI enforcement for Cinco de Mayo
May 2, 2012
NEW — 1:30 p.m. May 2, 2012
Local law and public health enforcement agencies asked revelers to toast Cinco de Mayo responsibly as the holiday approached.
Statewide, law enforcement agencies and the Issaquah Police Department plan to embark on a campaign to nab drunken drivers on the holiday, Saturday.
Local law enforcement agencies, plus the Washington State Liquor Control Board and the Washington State Patrol, scheduled extra DUI officers and troopers to remove dangerous drivers from the road. Law enforcement officers also plan to visit bars to ensure responsible service.
Latino community leaders from the Mexican Consulate in Seattle, El Centro de la Raza, SeaMar Community Health Centers and Consejo Counseling & Referral joined Public Health – Seattle & King County and Target Zero Teams to support the traffic safety effort.
Press Editorial
March 13, 2012
Liquor service hours could get flexible
There’s a little city 15 miles west of here that wants to change state law — a change that would affect businesses in Issaquah.
Seattle wants the Washington State Liquor Control Board to approve a resolution to allow for extended liquor hours. If approved, Issaquah would be able to dictate opening and closing hours for the service of alcohol at bars, restaurants and clubs or entertainment venues.
Seattle’s goal is to extend liquor service hours, but it could choose to go the other way. Seattle’s mayor has suggested that staggered closing times could help with public safety concerns.
