Jay Arnold Announces Run for Kirkland City Council

Arnold intends to seek election to Position 1, saying he has broad early support.

Update: I-405 Construction Closures in Kirkland, Bothell Postponed

The Washington State Department of Transportation has postponed planned weekend closures lanes on I-405 as part of the Bellevue to Lynnwood Express Toll Lanes Project. Tree removal in Totem Lake starts next week

Kirkland Mayor Joan McBride Announces Plans to Retire

McBride said that after 16 years on the Kirkland City Council, four as mayor, she will not seek reelection in November.

Free Public Wi-Fi? FCC Proposal Could Pit Microsoft Against Cell Carriers

The federal government wants to bring fast, powerful—and free—Internet connections to communities across the nation. Kirkland already offers free Wi-Fi downtown and will upgrade it this spring.

Letter: Proposed Section 8 Ordinance Prohibits Discrimination; Landlords Can Still Screen

Kirkland's Planning Director Eric Shields clarifies the city's proposal and says more time will be allowed for public comment.

Kirkland's Springer Introduces Bills to Streamline Local Government

The Democratic state representative says his three bills would reduce the burden on city and county governments struggling with budget issues.

City Offering Free Sandbag Filling Stations for Flooding Preparedness

Kirkland residents and businesses that experience local flooding can fill sandbags for free to get ready for the next heavy rains.

Pending Legislation Would End Federal Pot Prohibition—What Do You Think?

Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are working on bills that would allow the federal government to regulate and tax pot in states that have allowed legalization.

Kirkland Purchasing 5.9 Acres of Green Space Along Eastern Finn Hill Creek

The city council will be asked Tuesday to accept the purchase of 5.9 acres of a forest that connects to 16 acres already in public ownership, along a stream that flows into Juanita Creek. The city bought the parcel in a foreclosure sale for just $4,700.

Initiative on GMO Food Labeling Certified by Secretary of State

I-517, Tim Eyman's so-called initiative on initiatives, also recently received verification.

Kirkland's Roger Goodman Champions Bill That Would Outlaw All Forms of Marital Rape

House Bill 1108 would remove the spousal exemption from third-degree rape in Washington state.

Woodinville Meeting Weighs Rails Versus Trails

A meeting last week at Chateau Ste. Michelle winery involved those against removing the tracks from the Eastside Rail Corridor, as Kirkland is planning on its 5.7-mile stretch.

Kirkland Citizens Invited to Emergency Training Class Starting Feb. 25

Registration is open for Kirkland’s Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) class, an eight-week course that teaches residents how to support neighborhoods by preparing for and responding to disasters.

Boeing Again Increases Production Rate Of Next-Gen 737

Over the past two years, production of the 737 in Renton has risen more than 20 percent.

Kirkland Seeking to Fill Vacancies on Park Board, Other Commissions and Panels

Kirkland citizens are invited to apply to both adult and youth vacancies on city advisory boards by Feb. 14.

Kirkland's Habib, First Iranian-American Legislator, Profiled on KOMO

Blind since the age of 8, Democrat Cyrus Habib says he wants every person in Washington to have the same opportunities he had regardless of their circumstances.

Public Works Shakeup: New Director Named, Former Director to be Deputy

Kirkland has named veteran regional administrator Pam Bissonnette as interim director and moved current director Ray Steiger to a new deputy director position as the city takes on a host of major projects.

County Council Candidate Interviews to be Held Jan. 30

Rod Dembowski, Will Hall and Cindy Ryu are slated to meet with King County councilmembers at special meeting of the Committee of the Whole.

Kirkland to Hold Public Meeting on Section 8 Regulation Jan. 23

Kirkland residents are invited to a discussion about a proposed ordinance that would prohibit landlords from refusing to rent to those using Section 8 rental vouchers.

WSDOT Surveying Drivers on I-90 Tolls

The agency has sent a list of 28 questions to about 10,000 households to gauge how driver behavior might change with the introduction of tolls on I-90.

City to Hold Meeting on New Public Safety Building

The informational meeting will take place on Jan. 31 at the current Kirkland Municipal Court.

Habib Appointed to House Technology Committee

The Kirkland resident was sworn in Monday, becoming the first Iranian-American state legislator in the nation.

King County Council Names Finalists for District 1 Position

The council has 60 days to appoint someone to the seat.

King County Council Bids Bob Ferguson Farewall After Nine Years

Bob Ferguson will become Washington’s Attorney General on Wednesday.

Gregoire Says Goodbye—How Would You Rate Her Tenure as Governor?

Gregoire joined outgoing Attorney General Rob McKenna, Secretary of State Sam Reed and Auditor Brian Sonntag to say farewell before a joint legislative session Tuesday morning.

City of Kirkland Unveils New Tourism Video

The two-minute video highlights Kirkland as an adventure-focused waterfront destination.

Welcome ‘Send-Off’ Planned for DelBene, Legislators

The public is invited to an open house Friday evening in Kenmore to meet their representatives before they head off for their 2013 sessions.

Seahawks Send-Off Rally Friday in Renton

Join Blitz and the Sea Gals Friday afternoon for a barbecue and Seahawks send-off party at Renton City Hall.

Initiative Seeks GMO Food Labels in Washington State

How would you vote on labeling genetically engineered food?

Emergency Readiness: City Urges Residents to be Prepared All Year

A State Emergency Management campaign booklet will help you and your family plan monthly preparedness activities.

Free Christmas Tree Recycling in Kirkland by Waste Management

Residents are asked to place the tree on the curb on their regularly scheduled service day. Tree collection service will be available Jan. 2-18.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors, Minimum Wage and Other New Laws for 2013

Here’s a sampling of new laws, rules and other government changes that kick in with the new year.

Eight-Cent Gas Tax Hike Proposed by King County Executive

Dow Constantine and the Sound Cities Association, which includes Kirkland, are asking the state legislature to help "solve our statewide transportation crisis."

DelBene Appointed to House Judiciary Committee

The newly elected Congresswoman represents Washington's 1st District, which stretches from Redmond to the Canadian border.

Soggy Southbound Lane of Totem Lake Blvd Closed

Drivers are being advised to use the center lane cautiously.

Council to Hold Hearing on 'Non-Conforming' Housing Density

The Kirkland City Council will take testimony Jan. 2 on a proposed ordinance allowing older multifamily residential complexes to grandfather in more liberal density limits than currently allowed.

45th District Rep. Springer Named to Key Budget Committees

The Kirkland Democrat takes on roles on the Appropriations, Finance, Local Government and Rules committees.

Letter: Council's Potala Village Density Cap Arbitrary and Capricious

Kirkland's Bob Style says the cap of 48 units per acre at the Lake Street site is inconsistent with previously adopted densities of 12 units per acre for most of the area.

Council Closes Out 2012 By Capping Potala Village Density at 48 Units/Acre

The Kirkland City Council also approved a rezone request for the "Howard Properties" on Juanita Drive at Holmes Point Drive, eliminating a requriement a housing developer include ground floor retail use.

County Council OKs Purchase of 15.6 miles of Eastside Rail Corridor

The former railway line extends from Snohomish to Renton and includes a spur into downtown Redmond. The city of Kirkland previously purchased 5.75 miles of the line for its Cross Kirkland Corridor.