July 2007

Historically during July 4th celebrations, 9-1-1 systems become overloaded with non-emergency calls related to fireworks and other celebrations. Emergency response officials across King County urge citizens not to call 9-1-1 unless a life-threatening emergency exits and there is a need for immediate help from police, fire, or medics.

"Unnecessary 9-1-1 calls can cause problems for our system," said Jeff Bowers, acting director of the King County Office of Emergency Management.

Initial results from the recent inspection revealed that a section of the Alaskan Way Viaduct has settled an additional one-quarter of an inch to a total of approximately 5 inches.

The settlement continues to occur in the same area between Columbia Street and Yesler Way. No new structural damage was caused by the additional settlement, such as widening cracks or development of new cracks.

"The viaduct is still safe for drivers.

Seattle Congressman Jim McDermott has introduced the Unemployment Insurance Modernization Act.

The proposed law would transform the Unemployment Insurance program to meet the growing needs of a workforce changed dramatically since the program's inception.

The city has announced steps Seattle is taking to improve services to Seattle's growing immigrant and refugee population.

Improved translation and interpretation services, technical assistance for immigrant-owned businesses, increased access to city grants and an advisory board focused on immigrant and refugee issues are just some of the actions included in Mayor Greg Nickels' plan.

"Though the growing number of immigrants and refugees in Seattle come from different parts of the world, they all share a desire to build a new and better life in this country," Nickels said.

An Issaquah resident followed, yelled at, and made gun gestures at a car carrying three young people to West Seattle on Sunday evening. The incident started in Bellevue, and the man followed them all the way through Alki to the Junction, where officers pulled the suspect over. He claimed the kids were driving too slowly when they merged onto I-90 and had thrown something at his car when he passed them.

The Regional Transportation Investment District's road and transit financing funding package got closer to the November ballot last week when the Metropolitan King County Council unanimously approved the plan for submittal to voters in the three-county district.

Action by either the Snohomish or the Pierce county councils (or both) is still required for the Regional Transportation package to appear with the Sound Transit Phase 2 plan on the November ballot.

The $9.7 billion regional road-building plan will be combined on the ballot with a $23.6 billion proposal to expand

There's a buzz in the Junction... Get within in a few blocks' radius of California Avenue and you can almost feel the energy and excitement.

Alki's new bronze Statue of Liberty is cast and paid for, but there's not enough money yet to build the plaza around it.

A fundraising campaign for the project ran out of steam after the organization Northwest Programs for the Arts had spearheaded the effort for several years. So Alki residents Libby and Paul Carr recently took up the fundraising torch. Their goal is to raise between $150,000 and $200,000 in hopes of building the statue's new setting by next year.

The scaled-down version of Lady Liberty on the Alki promenade is entangled in the Carr's heartstrings.

The Mary Meyer Life Fitness program has touched many lives, two right here in West Seattle.

Sharon Best had a history of struggling with her weight. In the past, she carried as much as 192 pounds on her 5-foot, 4-inch frame. After trying different diets, Best decided to try something different: exercise.

After hiring local personal trainer Annette Herrick in 2004, Best increased her activity level - but not her dieting.

The full moon on June 30th provided a dramatic backdrop to the rail lines and cranes that sit just adjacent to Jack Block Park on Harbor Avenue near the West Seattle Bridge. Photo by Patrick Robinson