July 2007

Three daily openings of the Fremont Bridge from now until the Fremont Bridge project is completed early next year, will take 15 minutes, instead of the usual 3 to 5 minutes.

These longer openings will take place at 5 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 11 p.m.

The Seattle Department of Transportations says drivers headed over the bridge may want to schedule their trips accordingly, or take an alternate route at these times.

These longer openings are due to opening both halves of the bridge using a temporary winch.

In two weeks and two days we will get a good idea of what total grid lock might look like when the state closes multiple lanes and ramps on northbound Interstate 5 between Spokane Street and I-90 around the clock for 19 days to perform extensive rehabilitation work on the freeway.

The closure will dramatically affect traffic and divert thousands of vehicles onto city streets on Aug.

The Burke-Gilman Trail along the Ship Canal through the Fremont neighborhood will remain closed until summer 2008.

The Seattle Department of Transportation had planned to reopen the trail section over the next few weeks after it had closed Burke-Gilman Trail through Fremont for construction work on the Fremont Bridge Approach Replacement Project.

Navy Ensign Jeffrey M. Stolsig, a 2003 graduate of Ballard High School recently completed the four-year officer development program at the U. S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. Stolsig learned basic skills in seamanship, navigation, infantry drill, marksmanship and sailing. Throughout four years at the Naval Academy, he studied courses in engineering, science, mathematics, humanities and social science while undergoing extensive training in leadership, discipline, athletics and character development. Stolsig also fulfilled the community relations requirements.

Most fire calls are not for fires, but for first aid and the mission of the Seattle Fire Department is to prevent the loss of life and property resulting from fires, medical emergencies and other disasters.

"The fire department has a layered response system," said Helen Fitzpatrick, public information officer of the Fire Department. "About 80 percent of the calls we get are for non-fire situations.

"If it's more serious, one of the medic units will be dispatched," said Fitzpatrick.

For championing public safety, advocating for the arts, supporting school nutrition programs and leading Washington's movement against expansion of the Iraq War, State Sen.

At Large in Ballard by Peggy Sturdivant

I am drawn to old school buildings, the closer to being demolished or discarded, the better. Often my relationships with these old buildings are doomed from the beginning, but in the best-case scenarios these old-style schools take on even greater roles in the community, serving as veritable incubators for all ages of learners.

My first year in Seattle was spent on Queen Anne; perhaps no coincidence that former high school was sold and converted to condominiums the same year.

BELLINGHAM - Two residents of Federal Way who attend WWU, David Choi and Mark Pridgeon, were recently awarded The Multicultural Achievement Program Scholarship from Western Washington University for the 2007-2008 academic year.

The Multicultural Achievement Program (MAP) Scholarship is awarded to students who demonstrate academic achievement, leadership, and a commitment to multicultural issues and activities in school or the community.

David Choi

David Choi, son of Jun and Bok Choi, received a $1,000 scholarship.

Steel Lake stormed deep into the District 10 Senior Little League baseball tournament with three straight wins to open the action last week.

The team opened by outscoring Bellevue Thunderbird by an 11-9 score in the action in Vancouver, Wash.

AUBURN--Irene Cara's hit 1980 pop song "Fame" utterly, to a "T" describes the journey of the Fife-Auburn-Milton-Edgewood senior girls fastpitch all stars team this season.

That's not to mention the last two seasons, which include this season's winning of back-to-back championship games going through the loser's bracket for the F.A.M.E. Fireballs to blaze in glory as state champions of the Washington State Little League Seniors 2007 Tournament at Pacwest Playfield Monday.

"It's a great group of kids," said F.A.M.E. manager Mike Beardsley. "A total team effort.