February 2015

By Cooper Inveen

WNPA Olympia News Bureau
OLYMPIA—The Senate’s new transportation package is being hailed for its bipartisan support, while some critics find aspects of it troubling.

The proposals were revealed on Feb. 12 after 22 months of negotiations, and would mostly fund various highway projects in the state’s more congested areas. The package would raise $15 billion over a 16-year period mostly through an 11.7 cents-per-gallon gas tax implemented over the next three years.

Washington’s current 35.7 cents-per-gallon gas tax would increase by five cents in July, 4.2 cents in July 2016 and another 2.5 cents in July 2017. That would bring Washington’s combined state and federal gas tax to 67.6 cents-per-gallon, second highest in the nation behind Pennsylvania.

The proposals’ prime sponsors, Republican Sens. Curtis King of Yakima and Joe Fain of Auburn, and Democratic Sens. Steve Hobbs of Lake Stevens and Marko Liias of Mukilteo, say they are confident that they can muster the votes needed for bipartisan approval in both houses.

They also admit they see plenty of negotiating left to do.

By Georgie Bright Kunkel

What a strange title for a column. But it is true that our weather has been unusually mild all year so far. Just this morning I saw my first chickadee flitting about in the bare limbs of the chestnut tree in my back yard. The mighty oak that finally shed enough leaves to fill the yard waste bin four times is now stark naked. Now I can see the nests that the crows love to build high up in that tree. The birdhouse that last spring housed a sparrow family is once again cleaned out and ready for this year’s nesting.

Police block 518 to stop fleeing Burien shoplifters
Police were alerted on the afternoon of February 11, after a Burien Fred Meyer employee in their loss prevention program recognized a number of individuals who had previously been seen stealing clothes and electronics from the retailer. When the group left the store, allegedly taking a number of stolen goods with then, the loss prevention officer took down their vehicle license and description. Deputies from the King County Sheriff’s Department quickly spotted a vehicle matching the description on eastbound State Route 518. When deputies attempted to pull the vehicle over, the driver continued down 518, leading police on a six minute chase through Tukwila and back onto 518. The chase ended after the driver began driving increasingly reckless and attempted to hit a police vehicle. Deputies used the PIT, precision immobilizing technique, maneuver to force the driver to stop. Three men and two woman who were taken into custody and arrested. Traffic on 518 was partially blocked as authorities cleared the scene.

Crimes reported between 2/1/15 and 2/15/15

By Andrea Reay, Executive Director, Discover Burien

What matters most to you? When we’re asked that question we’ll usually answer with our hearts and say: family, friends, community, the environment, the arts, education, etc. Most of us won’t say: making lots of money, having a fancy car, surfing the internet, playing video games. But, if you look at what we actually are spending our time and money on, it often doesn’t reflect the values that we hold in our heart.

By Tim Clifford

On the morning of Feb.21 the South Park Bridge, which crosses the Duwamish at 16th Ave. S., became stuck in the “up” or open position after a transmission pump broke. The closure is expected to continue until Tues. Feb. 24 at the earliest.
When dispatchers with Seattle DOT were contacted for comment one referred to the break down as a “mechanical failure” and commented that little information was available at this time. “I really don’t know of any ETA [estimated time of arrival] on that one,” said the dispatcher of when repairs would be finished and the bridge operational again.

Signs for detours have been placed directing motorists to the 1st Ave. South Bridge. This route is the same detour that was used during the four years of construction leading up to the bridge’s reopening last June.

By Tim Clifford

For Burien resident Karen McMichael it was a surprise to see the orange colored fliers and bright orange spray painted dots that now pepper the trees on the corner of S.W. 144 St. and Ambaum Blvd. S.W. when she returned home from vacation on Friday.

According to the fliers any trees marked with orange are set to be cut down.
“The whole area effectively would be clear cut and these are old, very mature coniferous trees. An old maple, a beautiful old pine that has been well pruned and maintained over many years,” said McMichael on Feb. 21 while standing near the property.

When McMichael and her husband left for California last week talks were still being scheduled concerning the lot between Seattle City Light and the City of Burien.

Behind the trees and bushes, surrounded by fencing, lies what remains of an old substation that Seattle City Light is prepping for removal. SCL has been clearing out and then selling the land around these obsolete substations all across Seattle. Last year this effort was centered in northwest Seattle. This year it is in southwest Seattle.

[King Food waste in landfills is a big problem, accounting for nearly one quarter of methane emissions in the US. Alternatively, when it’s diverted from the landfill, food waste can become an incredibly useful soil amendment, turning what was considered garbage into “gardener’s gold.” The benefits of compost are huge - reducing global warming, storm water pollution and waste, while building healthy soil and growing healthy plants.

Seattle Tilth is offering compost and recycling education, training volunteers to become compost and recycling experts in exchange for community service teaching other community members.

http://www.seattletilth.org/compostrecycle

King County residents who live on the Eastside can apply for the Master Recycler Composter Eastside program. Training topics include composting food and yard waste, soil science, natural yard care and curbside recycling. Training includes 28 hours of classroom learning, field trips and hands-on practice starting on April 1 at McAuliffe Park in Kirkland (108th Ave NE).

The King County Housing Authority received more than 22,000 applications for Section 8 rental assistance during a two-week application period that closed on Feb. 10.

The 22,615 families that submitted an application represent more than
50, 100 individuals living in extreme poverty and unstable housing including nearly 22, 000 children − 35 percent of whom are homeless. Of these, one out of every four children are in a household fleeing domestic violence.

In addition, 12,116 applicants are seniors and people with disabilities and 906 applicants are veterans who have served in America’s armed forces.

by Ed Shepherd
SPORTS CORRESPONDENT

Woo-woo.
Great job by girl wrestlers, Cecilia Vu, and, Lisa Nguyen, young ladies on the Evergreen Wolverines wrestling team, who made it all the way to state, with Vu, taking fifth-place at the Washington State Mat Classic for 2A held inside the Tacoma Dome on Friday and Saturday's action.

And, Nguyen didn't make it to the second day of competition, so, she didn't get chance to compete for being a state placer, like, teammate, Wu.

But, this is state and Nguyen made it this far, and, that's a great accomplishment in itself, and, Vu said, as far as goals go, that one akin to 'just being there,' so to speak, is the one that Wolverines; coach, Hip Nguyen, wanted achieved for Lisa Nguyen and Vu.

"I know, our coach wanted to see me and Lisa get to state this year," said Vu, smiling, after her final match at state, a win, 6-2, over a wrestler from Davis, in Yakima, across the mountains, as, wrestlers, for this one, come from all over Washington, all locales, east, west, north, south.

So, goal made, mission accomplished for Vu and Nguyen.

by Ed Shepherd
SPORTS CORRESPONDENT

For Chief Sealth's 195-pound wrestler, junior, Daron Camacho, state had a metal ring to it, earning the fifth place award to put around his neck--a shiny, weighty, bronze-colored, medal--at the 3A Washington State Mat Classic Championships at the Tacoma Dome.

And, teammate, junior, Antonio Chiles, at 182, he was a state participant, but, losing his first two matches, but, being there, nonetheless, too, which, only the top 16 from each of the 14 weight classes get to do. And, also, Makayla Dorn, for the girls side of things, she made it to state in the 110 weight class, lost first two, too, so, she did not place top eight, getting no medal either.

For Chiles participation at state, the Seahawks coach, Maurice Dolberry said, "He's a first-year wrestler, and, to make it to the state tournament is awesome."

Also, Ryan Davis was an alternate for the Seahawks at state, but, didn't get to wrestle because no wrestlers were unable to wrestle because of injury or sickness, or, something that would have allowed Davis to step onto the mat in the given absent party's place.