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In this file photo, Tayshon Cottrell dons his graduation cap and gown, along with a face mask reading: “Wear it! Save America” at Todd Beamer High School’s virtual graduation walk recording on May 20, 2020, in Federal Way. Olivia Sullivan/Sound Publishing

Law gives Washington high school seniors leeway to graduate

Gov. Jay Inslee signed a bill that can waive some requirements for students who were on track before the pandemic.

  • Mar 3, 2021
  • By Jerry Cornfield jcornfield@soundpublishing.com
  • Coronavirus
In this file photo, Tayshon Cottrell dons his graduation cap and gown, along with a face mask reading: “Wear it! Save America” at Todd Beamer High School’s virtual graduation walk recording on May 20, 2020, in Federal Way. Olivia Sullivan/Sound Publishing
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Study shows Washingtonians exceeded ‘heavy drinking’ threshold in 2020

The survey suggests Washingtonians drank more than 17 alcoholic beverages a week on average.

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Mercer Island School District first-graders returned to in-person classes on Jan. 19, 2021. Here, Northwood Elementary School students head into the building. Photo courtesy of the Mercer Island School District

Governor: Educators are now eligible for coronavirus vaccine

“This should give educators more confidence,” Jay Inslee said. Other frontline workers could soon be next.

Mercer Island School District first-graders returned to in-person classes on Jan. 19, 2021. Here, Northwood Elementary School students head into the building. Photo courtesy of the Mercer Island School District
Wanda Herndon, receives COVID-19 vaccine number 100,000 administered by UW Medicine at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. COURTESY PHOTO, Susan Gregg | UW Medicine

UW Medicine hits COVID-19 milestones in vaccines, tests

The healthcare system’s 100,000th dose of COVID-19 vaccine administered

Wanda Herndon, receives COVID-19 vaccine number 100,000 administered by UW Medicine at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. COURTESY PHOTO, Susan Gregg | UW Medicine
Mona Das

Senate passes Das bill to promote recycling, reduce expanded polystyrene

Targets plastic beverage containers, trash bags and bottles for household products

Mona Das
Malden, after a wildfire burned down 80% of the town’s buildings in Eastern Washington. Courtesy photo

DNR commissioner seeks $125 million to fight wildfires

In Washington state last September, some 600,000 acres burned within 72 hours.

Malden, after a wildfire burned down 80% of the town’s buildings in Eastern Washington. Courtesy photo
A Federal Way Public Schools bus leaves Decatur High School on March 13, unknowingly the last day students would be in school for the 2019-2020 school year. Olivia Sullivan/staff photo

Federal Way Public Schools postpones in-person learning by one week

District to dedicate one week to transition activities, return to classrooms set for March 15.

A Federal Way Public Schools bus leaves Decatur High School on March 13, unknowingly the last day students would be in school for the 2019-2020 school year. Olivia Sullivan/staff photo
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State Senate passes bill to create a police use-of-force database

No central repository for use-of-force data in state currently exists

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Bonita Webb

Bonita Webb named Kent School District Teacher of the Year

Teaches at Meridian Middle School

Bonita Webb
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Kent schools eye March 22 return for preschool through first grade

Hybrid plan with remote and in-person learning

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Washington State Supreme Court Justices (back row, L-R) Raquel Montoya-Lewis, Sheryl Gordon McCloud, Mary I. Yu, G. Helen Whitener, (front row, L-R) Susan Owens, Charles W. Johnson, Steven C. Gonzalez, Barbara A. Madsen and Debra L. Stephens.

Justices strike down Washington state drug possession law

Police must stop arresting people for simple possession.

Washington State Supreme Court Justices (back row, L-R) Raquel Montoya-Lewis, Sheryl Gordon McCloud, Mary I. Yu, G. Helen Whitener, (front row, L-R) Susan Owens, Charles W. Johnson, Steven C. Gonzalez, Barbara A. Madsen and Debra L. Stephens.
Dieu Tran, of Renton, receives the COVID-19 vaccine on Feb. 1 in the concourse of the accesso ShoWare Center in Kent.COURTESY FILE PHOTO, King County

Eligibility at Kent, Auburn vaccination sites expanded to age 65 and older

COVID-19 shots offered Monday through Saturday

Dieu Tran, of Renton, receives the COVID-19 vaccine on Feb. 1 in the concourse of the accesso ShoWare Center in Kent.COURTESY FILE PHOTO, King County
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Woman shot, critically injured outside Kent hookah bar

Saturday night, Feb. 27 on the East Hill

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In a zipper merge, cars continue in their lanes and then take turns at the point where the lanes meet. (Koenb via Wikimedia Commons)

Do Washington drivers need to learn the zipper merge?

Legislators propose requiring zipper merge instruction in drivers education and in license test.

In a zipper merge, cars continue in their lanes and then take turns at the point where the lanes meet. (Koenb via Wikimedia Commons)
IRG plans to construct several industrial buildings on the Weyerhaeuser Campus to help bring jobs back to the area. FILE PHOTO
IRG plans to construct several industrial buildings on the Weyerhaeuser Campus to help bring jobs back to the area. FILE PHOTO
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Lower fares on Sounder train begin March 1

$1.50 one-way fares for youth; $1 for seniors

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In Phase 2 of Gov. Jay Inslee’s reopening plan, which was announced Jan. 28, restaurants can reopen at a maximum 25% capacity and a limit of six people per table. Inslee recently announced all counties will be staying in Phase 2 of the state’s reopening plan for the next several weeks. Pictured: People enjoy outdoor dining last summer in downtown Kent. Courtesy photo

Inslee: All of Washington to stay in Phase 2 for a few weeks

The governor issued a weekslong pause on regions moving backward, but has yet to outline a Phase 3.

In Phase 2 of Gov. Jay Inslee’s reopening plan, which was announced Jan. 28, restaurants can reopen at a maximum 25% capacity and a limit of six people per table. Inslee recently announced all counties will be staying in Phase 2 of the state’s reopening plan for the next several weeks. Pictured: People enjoy outdoor dining last summer in downtown Kent. Courtesy photo
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City of Kent seeks police data collection consultant

To help determine whether department’s policies and practices result in discriminatory enforcement

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Entrance to the Tukwila Library branch of the King County Library System. File photo

King County libraries will reopen in some cities for in-person services

Fall City, Kent libraries among six selected for partial reopening.

Entrance to the Tukwila Library branch of the King County Library System. File photo