The Kirkland Transportation Commission plans to create a walking network that connects sidewalks to key locations such as shopping areas, parks and bus routes, as well as a network of bicycle facilities that connect Kirkland to regional destinations.
Kirkland Police Department
The City of Kirkland is hosting a community Open House next Monday in preparation for an update to its Shoreline Master Program.
City Council voices advocating for a tax hike rose to a chorus at a special study session to examine the budget May 29.
Presenting at the second of three study sessions on planning the 2009-2010 biennial budget, city finance director Tracey Dunlap told the Council it faces some tough choices ahead. Now approaching the mid-point for planning the upcoming budget, she said the city’s sales-tax revenue is shrinking, operating costs are rising and structural imbalances in the budget are beginning to show. The gloomy outlook could force a different approach by the Council compared to years past — raising taxes.
Plans to build a new Lake Washington High School by 2011 are on hold after neighbors noted the taller buildings could give students a room with a view — into their bedrooms.
Sean Kebely didn’t know what he wanted to do for a career after graduating from Inglemoor High School. But he knew he loved his custom-built Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
For four years after graduation Kebely, 23, looked for a career and tooled around with motorcycles. Then a recommendation directed him to check out the motorcycle, marine and power equipment program at Lake Washington Technical College. Now he is one of 20 students who will specialize in Harley motorcycles starting this fall.
The latest must-have for area drivers has turned out to be just as popular among car prowlers, the Kirkland Police Department said.
As of May 23, the department has logged 264 car break-ins or “car prowls.” The number represents a 58-percent increase from the same time period last year. Kirkland police crime analyst Kristina Shull said GPS systems are one of the primary reasons behind the spike.
Quick updates of school happenings and events in Kirkland.
On May 21 Kamiakin Junior High held its annual CAPstone night. All of Kamiakin’s ninth grade students are responsible for researching a need in the community, then volunteering a minimum of 15 hours with an organization that addresses this need.
Brian Daly, a second grade teacher at Rose Hill Elementary, was recently recognized as an exceptional teacher who had “made a difference in the life of a student, a school or a community” through the Lands’ End “Teachers Light the Way Contest.”
Lands’ End, a national retail brand, selected Daly and 45 other teachers from across the country based on nominations (5,000 received in total) of coworkers and parents.
A Kirkland-based river rafting company is sponsoring a white water trip down the Wenatchee River next month to benefit Hopelink, an Eastside nonprofit that services low income families and seniors.
After years of charity fundraising, Margaret Schwender saw an opportunity to show Kirkland what good works can look like.
Thanks to the efforts of Schwender and others, children ages 6-10 took part in a free art class and had a chance to hang their masterpieces in the foyer of the Kirkland Public Library last week under the theme, “World of Art.”
Between Wednesday, May 14, and Tuesday, May 20, the Kirkland Police Department reported 268 traffic violations, 23 noise complaints, 22 thefts, 21 car accidents, 22 assaults (13 domestic violence), 19 alarm calls and nine vehicle prowls. At least 57 people were arrested.
Following the resignation of four members in the last two months, the City of Kirkland is seeking applicants for four positions on the Design Review Board (DRB).
Three of the four resigned last month after the City Council supported an appeal of a project approved by the DRB. An alternate for the position also turned down a request to fill a vacancy, citing the Council’s decision.
A Kirkland roof cleaning company was last week named on a quarterly Washington State Department of Ecology list of companies fined more than $1,000 for breaking pollution laws.
A citizens group opposed to the “preferred” Parkplace redevelopment option has asked the city to redo sections of a state-mandated study that must be completed before the project can gain approval.
In a letter sent to the Kirkland Planning Commission on May 16, Kirkland Citizens for Responsible Development (Kirkland CRD) cited serious flaws in the traffic and parking studies, along with a failure to account for all funding sources, in its request for a revised Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS).
Boaters should be aware that area lakes — in particular Lake Washington — could be “extremely hazardous for the near future,” the King County Sheriff’s Department said last week.
High rivers have washed an unusual number of logs, deadheads, stumps and other debris into area lakes this spring, the department said through a news release.
Another midnight session at Kirkland City Council brought more drama to long battles over downtown redevelopment and annexation.
The City Council both delayed making a final decision on annexation and reopened the Bank of America/Merrill Gardens (BofA) project appeal at its May 20 meeting.
After 88 years, Kirkland’s oldest service club — The Kirkland Woman’s Club — continues to be an active part of the community.
