Current State Agency News Releases

May 15, 2008
• Department of Revenue earns Washington State Quality Award
• Draft EIS considers additional water allocations from Lake Roosevelt
• Record-breaking year for wastewater treatment plant perfection
• State assistance is available for small forest landowners to correct fish barriers on their property
• Spring outdoor opportunities include fishing, hunting, Youth Outdoor Expo
• How to do a Home Wildfire Hazard Assessment
• WSP Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officers Basic Training Class graduates
• Join the discussion on proposed boundary expansion for Dabob Bay, May 27
• Port Townsend/Keystone ferry route reservations program starts just in time for Memorial Day weekend
• North Spokane Corridor aerial video now available on the web
• Crews to close northbound I-5 in Everett
• Rising mercury increases avalanche watch - Weekend highway closures certain, flooding possible
• SR 20, North Cascades Highway is closed due to avalanche danger
• Chip-seal projects begin in Thurston, Mason counties
• Sunday marks start of extra patrols on the US 2 Traffic Safety Corridor


May 14, 2008
• Mt. Vernon open house celebrates DNR’s 50th anniversary
• Hood Canal sport shrimp season extended two days
• More middle school students signing up for College Bound Scholarship
• State disciplines health care providers
• Water problem discovered at Yelm area elementary school
• State holds three public hearings on Puget Sound Energy’s proposed merger and rate-increase requests
• High school artists honored
• WSP arrests woman for "medical identity theft"
• WSP to boost patrols on Capitol Campus
• SR 16 Burley Olalla work gives glimpse of upcoming project closure
• Open house set for the US 2/97 - School St. proposed closure
• Transportation secretary breaks ground on I-5 widening
• I-5 lanes to be closed all weekend in Bellingham


May 13, 2008
• Gov. Gregoire encourages Washingtonians to help China earthquake victims
• State defends top-two primary in continuing court battle
• State hosts tour of Whatcom County economic development projects
• Washington's unemployment rate dips in April 19th straight month below 5 percent
• North Mason High School students teach fourth-graders for a day at Belfair State Park
• Make safety a priority when hiring teens for the summer
• One-day razor clam dig proposed on three ocean beaches
• State asks public which saltwater beaches to monitor this year
• Sunken boat results in a $12,000 penalty
• New Ecology education guide promotes healthier watersheds; highlights local efforts statewide
• Steelhead fishery in lower Columbia River delayed to protect spring chinook salmon
• WSDA Weights & Measures check to verify that fuel station pumps measure up
• State Transportation Commission invites comments on Tacoma Narrows Bridge toll proposal
• Amtrak Cascades offers new connecting bus service
• US 395: Right lane restricted Wednesday, May 14
• WSDOT alerts motorists to daytime I-5, NE 78th Street off-ramp closures, Saturday May 17
• Spirit Lake Memorial Highway, Johnston Ridge Observatory reopen May 16
• WSDOT restricts lanes for US 12 Snake River Bridge inspection


May 12, 2008
• Spokane WorkSource center is the best in the nation
• Governor's Council on HIV/AIDS to meet in Seatac, May 13
• State Board of Health to hold hearings on shellfish-related illness, newborn screening, May 14
• 2008 Annual Department of Corrections Award Winners Announced
• Gov. Gregoire gives keynote address to graduating students at WSU Vancouver
• Shipping firm pays $27,500 fine for Elliott Bay spill
• Public invited to Port Angeles meeting about plans to study harbor sediments, May 13
• Results of Budd Inlet dioxin study released
• Washington moves ahead with key climate change work
• Spring chinook fisheries will close Sunday on sections of Snake, Columbia rivers
• I-90: WSDOT restricts one lane eastbound near Cle Elum
• Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission Hosts Free Criminal Justice Job Fair in May


May 9, 2008
• Gov. Gregoire announces new international air routes
• State Emergency Management Division website wins Internet award
• McKenna receives PTA’s “Friend of Children” Award
• Attorney General McKenna reminds parents to view video game ratings
• Ceremony to dedicate historic landmark in Neah Bay, May 17
• Ellensburg Open House celebrates DNR’s 50th anniversary
• Comments sought on possible cleanup efforts at Port Gamble
• Harsh winter conditions take heavy toll on elk in Mount St. Helens Wildlife Area
• Fishing Rule Change: Recreational shrimp fishing closing in Marine Areas 8-1 and 8-2
• Fishing Rule Change: Salmon fishing to open on Icicle River
• Port Townsend / Keystone route - Summer 2008 Reservations Program
• Expect lane closures on I-5 in Lewis County on Sunday night, May 11 and Thursday night, May 15
• WSDOT installs median rumble strips on SR 503 beginning Tuesday, May 13
• Clemons Road to US 12 closes next week


May 8, 2008
• Tobacco Quit Line expands services for pregnant women who smoke
• Sexual contact charge leads to suspension of Benton County chiropractor
• Attorney General McKenna announces nationwide agreement with Facebook to protect kids online
• Ecology offers grants to reduce harmful diesel pollution
• Check out who’s who in the Clean Marina world
• WSDOT lowers speed limit on portion of SR 502 in Battle Ground
• Speed limit drops to 60 mph south of Olympia
• Scoping Open House scheduled May 20 for SR 502, widening from I-5 to Battle Ground project
• More to “know before you go” in Tacoma
• Fiber optic cable project getting started on US 2/Division Street in Spokane


May 7, 2008
• Help children grow up to be healthy adults: May 8 is National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day
• Fishing Rule Change: Kress Lake to close for Safety Day Event
• Fishing Rule Change: Recreational shrimp fishing closing in Marine Areas 9 and 10
• Sunken oyster vessel raised, 75 gallons of fuel spilled
• WSDOT, King County, City of Seattle host open houses to hear from you on the Alaskan Way Viaduct


May 6, 2008
• Free forums offer help for manufactured home owners and landlords
• Free shredding in Bellingham on May 12 during Attorney General’s identity theft prevention tour
• Gov. Gregoire’s statement on AREVA facility
• Ecology wants to clarify how climate change is considered in environmental reviews
• Department of Natural Resources seeks volunteers to serve as campground hosts
• State Board approves purchase of 985-acre tract to help reduce forestland losses in state
• Nominations open for Governor’s sustainable practices awards
• L&I extends written-comment period on proposed rule to protect workers in hot weather
• WSDOT sees hopeful signs in first weekday commute on the SR 167 HOT lanes
• Exploratory work begins on I-90 at Snoqualmie Pass
• SR 520 daytime outage planned - Wednesday, May 7
• Construction of new US 101 on-ramp from SR 3 begins


May 5, 2008
• State launches Spring 2008 Small Business Roundtables
• State veterinarian urges horse owners to vaccinate against West Nile virus
• Gov. Chris Gregoire honored for advancing civil rights for immigrants
• Gov. Chris Gregoire awards Law Enforcement Medal of Honor
• Sea lion relocation efforts suspended
• Land transactions approved, cougars, wolves discussed at May 2-3 commission meeting
• Construction Safety Day set for May 14 in Puyallup
• Community forum on gangs in schools to be held in Yakima
• DNR Announces Wildfire Awareness Week May 4-10
• Lake Sammamish State Park project wins “Green” award
• Long-term planning begins for central Kitsap area state parks
• Judge finds Internet affiliate advertisers violated Washington spyware law
• Court approves sale of Western United to Global Life
• WSDOT Ferries Division announces launch of Port Townsend/Keystone route reservations system
• SR 167 HOT lanes begin tolling


May 2, 2008
• DNR, Ecology convene group to discuss forests and climate change
• Mental Health video on employment opportunities to be aired on University of Washington TV network
• What are your health habits? A new Web site will tell
• New HOT lanes striping changing the way people drive on SR 167 between Renton and Auburn
• Drivers take note: Two Saturdays of I-5 closures in south Everett
• Survey gains valuable feedback on truck parking needs for Washington


May 1, 2008
• Drinking water heroes were leaders when it counted
• Tips to help prevent falls are a focus for May Older Americans Month
• Outdoor opportunities include trout, halibut, shrimp, spring chinook, razor clams, turkeys
• Washington State observes Volcano Awareness Month in May
• Measles cases in Grant County - potential for other cases in Washington
• License restrictions set against Walla Walla optometrist
• Pollution threatens 17 commercial shellfish growing areas
• Shellfish Aquaculture Regulatory Committee to meet May 5
• Phosphorus limit on dish soaps starts July 1 in Whatcom County - Law effective statewide in 2010
• Public to review documents for Spokane River toxic metals cleanup
• Lead contamination limited to small area of Tacoma neighborhood
• Campaign focuses on kids, water and bacteria
• Ecology to engage interests to update industrial stormwater permit
• Additional trips added to Port Townsend/Keystone ferry schedule beginning Sunday, May 11
• One-year countdown to Hood Canal Bridge closure starts … now
• WSDOT Reminds Campaigns of Rules for Posting Signs
• SR 25 paving work set to start in Stevens County
• SR 20 - North Cascades Highway Opens