Puget Sound Clean Air Agency issues burn ban
January 18, 2013
NEW — 4:15 p.m. Jan. 18, 2013
King County is under a Stage 1 burn ban, effective at 4 p.m. Friday and in place until further notice.
The moratorium from the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency comes after a previous burn ban ended Wednesday. The agency issues air quality burn bans when air pollution rises — or is forecast to reach — unhealthy levels.
During a Stage 1 burn ban, no burning is allowed in fireplaces or uncertified wood stoves. Residents should rely instead on other, cleaner heat sources, such as a furnace or electric baseboard heaters, for a few days until air quality improves, the public health risk diminishes and the ban is cancelled. Read more
State hosts meetings on Interstate 90 tolling proposal
January 18, 2013
NEW — 12:35 p.m. Jan. 18, 2013
The state Department of Transportation is evaluating potential impacts of tolling Interstate 90, and the public can learn more about the proposal at a series of meetings on the Eastside and in Seattle.
The agency is considering a proposal to toll the highway on the seven-mile stretch between Interstate 5 in Seattle and Interstate 405 in Bellevue. Read more
Man robs local KeyBank branch
January 17, 2013
NEW — 4:20 p.m. Jan. 17, 2013
Contributed
This unidentified man is suspected of robbing Newcastle’s KeyBank at 2:36 p.m. Jan. 16.
The Newcastle branch of KeyBank was robbed at about 2:30 p.m. Jan. 16, according to a statement from Newcastle Police Chief Melinda Irvine.
The suspect robbed the bank branch at 6917 Coal Creek Parkway S.E. Read more
King County burn ban ends as air quality improves
January 16, 2013
NEW — 2:25 p.m. Jan. 16, 2013
Improving air quality led the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency to lift a burn ban in King County at 1 p.m. Wednesday.
The agency issues air quality burn bans when air pollution rises — or is forecast to reach — unhealthy levels.
Meanwhile, a Stage 1 burn ban remains in effect for Pierce and Snohomish counties.
During a Stage 1 burn ban, no burning is allowed in fireplaces or uncertified wood stoves. Residents should rely instead on other, cleaner heat sources, such as a furnace or electric baseboard heaters, for a few days until air quality improves, the public health risk diminishes and the ban is cancelled. Read more
Chamber kicks off its after-hours events
January 15, 2013
NEW — 2:10 p.m. Jan. 15, 2013
The community is invited to attend the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce’s first after-hours social event, hosted by UW/Valley Medical Center Newcastle Primary Care.
Guests will have the opportunity to sip on drinks and munch on appetizers, while meeting the Newcastle clinic’s primary care doctor, as well as the chamber’s new executive director, Imelda Dulcich, at the free event.
The social begins at 6 p.m. Jan. 17 on the first floor of the UW/Valley Medical Center Newcastle Clinic, 7203 129th Ave. S.E. Read more
Fireplace use is prohibited under regional burn ban
January 14, 2013
NEW — 1:10 p.m. Jan. 14, 2013
Burning is prohibited in wood-burning fireplaces and wood stoves during a regional burn ban issued by the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency.
The authority issued a burn ban King, Pierce and Snohomish counties until further notice after many areas around Puget Sound reached air pollution levels unhealthy for sensitive groups.
Forecasters expect the cold, dry, and stagnant weather conditions to extend into the week. The agency continues to monitor air quality and weather. Read more
