Building a stronger, more just & transparent democracy
Building a stronger, more just & transparent democracy
Sorted by date Results 1 - 18 of 18
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) awarded $4.8 million to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to refurbish aging passenger spaces on six Issaquah-class ferries. The grant will pay for upgrades on all six of WSF’s Issaquah Class Vessels, originally constructed between 1979 and 1982 and currently serving travelers in Mukilteo, Fauntleroy, Vashon, Southworth, Clinton, Anacortes, and the San Juan Islands. Funds came from the FTA’s 2023 Ferry Programs Grants, which was reauthorized in the Bip...
The driver of a truck bringing a commercial load of marijuana products from Calgary, Alberta to Port Coquitlam, B.C. somehow managed to take a few wrong turns and ended up at the U.S. truck crossing at Pacific Highway. Presumably surprised CBP agents seized the shipment weighing nearly 875 pounds and released the driver and the truck. The incident took place May 16 but was not announced by CBP, which generally publicizes large seizures. A request for information was denied on...
OLYMPIA - On the up side, it appears likely there will be razor clam digging on the peninsula starting Sept. 29 through Oct. 2. On the down side, the number of clams has plummeted to less than a quarter of what there were in the pandemic-scuttled season of 2020-21. Of the four clamming areas on Washington's outer coast, a timely start to the season appears most likely here on the peninsula and on the Twin Harbors beach from approximately Tokeland to Westport, based on recent...
Grants are available to support the rehabilitation and restoration of historic barns, cemeteries and theaters across the state because of funding from the Washington state Legislature. The legislature's approval of the 2023-25 state budget earlier this year included reauthorization of four state capital grant programs operated by the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP): the Heritage Barn Grant Program, Historic County Courthouse Grant Program, Historic...
A person and a dog were killed after being struck by a train on a span commonly known as the Ghost Bridge near Woodland on Tuesday, according to a news release from the Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office. Deputies were dispatched to a report of an Amtrak train striking a pedestrian at 1:12 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 29, at 4399 Dike Road at the bridge, which crosses the Lewis River between Cowlitz and Clark counties. "Deputies responded and determined the pedestrian was struck by a...
SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash., August 29, 2023-The Snohomish County Health Department is urging all county residents to know and follow preventive measures for rabies after a bat in the Snohomish area tested positive Monday, August 28. Multiple domestic pets were exposed, but there are no known human exposures. The owner reported that the pets are vaccinated against rabies. Public health staff are following up to verify vaccination status and provide guidance on any other measures...
The Washington State Transportation Commission is proposing to increase ferry fares over the next two years to meet revenue requirements set by the state Legislature. Ferry riders and members of the public are invited to weigh in and can submit their comments through July 30. The proposed fare changes come after public input gathered through recent community meetings hosted by Washington State Ferries and an online survey hosted by the commission. The proposed fare increase...
BELLINGHAM — On July 4 at approximately 6:30 p.m., Whatcom County Corrections Deputies were alerted to an inmate out of his cell. The inmate, 23-year-old Christian Dillard, was being held in one of the highest security units in the downtown jail. “When he kicked the cell door, the door lock experienced a mechanical failure and the cell door opened into an outer security area,” said WCSO Program Specialist, Communications & Outreach Deb Slater in a July 5 press release. According to the press release, Dillard “then began kicki...
Andrew C. Castrodale, M.D., is the recipient of the 2023 UW School of Medicine Alumni Service Award, the school announced last week. The award recognizes a University of Washington School of Medicine (UWSOM) alum whose dedicated and determined efforts have benefited UWSOM and/or the Alumni Association and/or their community. Dr. Castrodale, a 1994 graduate of UWSOM, is being celebrated for his dedication and service to his community in his roles as clinician, mentor and...
Alaska Airlines is adding new nonstop service between Paine Field and Honolulu starting this fall – its first flight connecting Snohomish County and the Hawaiian Islands. The daily, year-round flight begins on Nov. 17, ahead of the holiday season. "Alaska Airlines continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to providing more convenient, direct routes for both business and leisure passengers from Seattle's second airport," said Brett Smith, CEO of Propeller, which operates t...
As the Chinook Observer went to press this week, word reached the newsroom that Rick Nelson, publisher of the Wahkiakum County Eagle, succumbed to cancer on June 2. Nelson would have laughed to have been called a legend or an institution. But he epitomized all the qualities most admired in community journalists. He provided a forum for all shades of political persuasions. His pages were always full with names and details as he and his dedicated staff celebrated the achievements and marked the milestones of the residents of Wa...
After Gov. Jay Inslee signed a new bill related to pet insurance into law in April, Washington residents can expect more protection and less confusion, according to a news release from Washington state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler. According to the news release, Senate Bill 5319 was based on model legislation from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and requires insurers to disclose information about coverage. The bill also establishes training and...
LONG BEACH - A hazardous materials specialist is expected to investigate the mystery of what's going on at the Long Beach Post Office, which remained closed and taped off to the public as of noon Tuesday, Dec. 13. The Long Beach facility, which serves as a distribution point for some other peninsula-area offices, is deep into the pre-holiday rush but was locked up throughout the day Monday. "The Long Beach Post Office has been temporarily closed due to a utility leak," Lecia...
SEATTLE - Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell announced on Oct. 27 detailed elements of his One Seattle Graffiti Plan to beautify Seattle and address a surge in graffiti. "Not only does tagging and graffiti detract from the vibrancy of our city, there are tangible impacts on communities targeted by hate speech, small business owners whose shops are defaced, and residents who rely on City signage for information and guidance," said Harrell in a news release. "Incidents of graffiti...
In less than a year, those who want to board a flight or enter some federal buildings will be required to present a REAL ID. Starting on May 3, 2023, passengers will be required to have the new enhanced ID. The Real ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005, which put new minimum security standards in place for state-issued driver's licenses and ID cards. The original deadline to have a REAL ID was set for 2016 but it was delayed several times, most recently in April of 2021,...
Wolverines have reproduced at Mount Rainier National Park for a third year in a row, according to an announcement last week by the Cascade Carnivore Project. The news marks another positive development for the project as well as the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service, which have been working together to document and study the "natural recolonization of wolverines in Washington and the impacts of climate change on their mountain home." Back in 2019, a female...
Since its arrival in Washington state two weeks ago, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), also known as bird flu, has now hit nine backyard flocks in seven counties, with Thurston County confirming the most recent case as of Wednesday morning. The Washington state Department of Agriculture (WSDA) tested the flock after the owner contacted WSDA's Sick Bird Hotline reporting several dead and sick birds in the flock, which contains an unknown number of chicken, geese,...
People hoping for a share of the earthy mushrooms that often pop up after a wildfire can apply for a commercial harvesting permit for morels from the Methow Valley Ranger District starting Monday (May 2). People can collect up to 5 gallons a day for their own use without a permit, as long as they carry a copy of the Free Incidental Use Mushroom Information Sheet while they’re foraging. Commercial permits are required for anyone who plans to sell mushrooms or collect more than 5 gallons per day. Permits are $30 for two d...
