Issaquah police alert residents to security alarm scams
July 31, 2010
NEW — 8 a.m. July 31, 2010
Issaquah police warned residents to be alert for door-to-door salespeople aggressively pushing security alarm systems. The salespeople might be targeting senior citizens.
Police said out-of-state companies brought a sales force into the community in past years. The salespeople might misrepresent themselves as representatives from the homeowner’s alarm company, or use another brand name, such as Honeywell or GE Security.
The solicitors might also claim to be selling a new and better product, or claim to fix a problem with the existing alarm system.
Reminder: Keep waterways clean during summer recreation
July 31, 2010
NEW — 6 a.m. July 31, 2010
King County Councilwoman Kathy Lambert encouraged residents to clean up after themselves on area waterways.
State law bans disposing of trash in waterways. Offenders can be charged with a misdemeanor. The infraction carries a fine up to $1,000 and up to 90 days in jail. King County Sheriff’s Office patrols intend to watch for careless swimmers, rafters and boaters this summer.
Speedy voters return early ballots for Aug. 17 election
July 30, 2010
NEW — 5 p.m. July 30, 2010
Early voters had returned more than 1,000 ballots by Friday for the all-mail primary election.
King County Elections mailed ballots to voters Wednesday — some people returned the ballots on the same day they received them.
“We have already received about 1,500 ballots back to elections,” Elections Director Sherril Huff said in a news release. “We are projecting a total county return of about 45 percent for this election.”
Ballots must be postmarked by Aug. 17, or dropped into a drop box by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Find drop box locations here. Track ballots online at the office’s website.
The early returns mean a greater percentage of ballots can be counted for the initial results report on election night.
Issaquah-Hobart Road Southeast underpass to close for a month
July 30, 2010
NEW — 2:15 p.m. July 30, 2010
The state Department of Transportation plans to close southbound Issaquah-Hobart Road Southeast under state Route 18 for a month starting Monday.
During the closure, crews will replace a retaining wall damaged by Holder Creek flooding in January 2009.
Traffic will be detoured onto westbound state Route 18 to 244th Avenue Southeast, onto eastbound state Route 18 and then back to Issaquah-Hobart Road Southeast. The project should wrap by late September.
Emergency Management Division plans radio test Saturday
July 30, 2010
NEW — 8 a.m. July 30, 2010
Join amateur radio operators during a field test of the state Emergency Management Division to field-test a state emergency communications system on Saturday.
Between 15 and 20 amateur radio operators plan to join state emergency-management staffers to conduct a test of the state emergency communications trailer. Using communications equipment in the trailer, radio operators will attempt to contact county emergency operations centers in all 39 Washington counties.
Fundraiser benefits autism-afflicted toddler
July 30, 2010
NEW — 6 a.m. July 30, 2010
Help a little boy battle autism at a fundraiser in Issaquah.
Small Threads for Kids, a consignment shop specializing in children’s clothing, hosts the fundraiser Friday and Saturday. Part of the sales benefit a boy in need of medical care for autism.
The store, 1480 N.W. Gilman Blvd., No. 3, is open 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday.
Learn more about the fundraiser here. Find the store on Facebook.
Police seek phone records in Leroy Hill assault investigation
July 29, 2010
UPDATED — 9:10 p.m. July 29, 2010
Issaquah police intend to search phone records to determine if forbidden contact occurred between Seattle Seahawks linebacker Leroy Hill and the girlfriend police said he assaulted in April.
Police requested a warrant Tuesday to search the girlfriend’s mobile phone records to determine if she and Hill had broken a no-contact order. Investigators intend to use the records to determine if witness tampering or intimidation took place.
“Based on my experience, domestic violence victims and defendants can communicate with each other, even after the issuance of court orders,” Issaquah Detective Bob Porter wrote in court documents.
Prosecutors charge Renton man after state park shootings
July 29, 2010
Widow of slain man said suspect has gang connections
UPDATED — 10:55 a.m. July 29, 2010
The cousin of a man shot dead at Lake Sammamish State Park faces a weapons-possession charge in connection with the case.
David Keowongphet — cousin of the slain Yang Keovongphet — faces a first-degree unlawful firearm possession charge after police found guns and ammunition at his Renton home. King County prosecutors said the cousin, Keowongphet, also has gang ties.
The slain man’s widow told the King County Sheriff’s Office she saw the cousin fire a gun into the air during the July 17 shootout.
“David denied any knowledge of the murder and stated that he was at the park, but left prior to the shooting,” Detective Sue Peters wrote in court documents.
Red Cross offers tips to stay safe in, on and around water
July 29, 2010
NEW — 6 a.m. July 29, 2010
To make summertime safe, the American Red Cross chapters in Western Washington encourage people to follow some simple water-related safety tips.
Many people head to beaches, pools or lakes as the mercury rises. Red Cross experts urge boaters and swimmers to be prepared in, on and around the water.
For first aid and CPR classes in King County, call the Red Cross at 206-726-3534, or head to the organization’s website.
The nonprofit organization offers some essential tips to stay safe while beating the heat:
Report: Washingtonians pay less taxes than residents in 29 other states
July 28, 2010
NEW — 1 p.m. July 28, 2010
Washingtonians shell out a smaller percentage of their income in state and local taxes than residents in 29 other states, a report issued Tuesday by the state Department of Revenue shows.
Evergreen State residents paid $105.49 in state and local taxes per $1,000 of personal income during the 2008 fiscal year, compared to the $111.99 national average. The state ranked 26th in 2007.
Washingtonians paid, on average, $4,354 in taxes during 2008 — just less than the $4,371national average.
Washington ranked 16th in taxes per capita in 2008 and 15th in 2007.
