State's Tobacco Quit Support to Shrink Starting Aug. 1

More than 147,000 people have received help from the Washington State Tobacco Quitline since it opened in 2000.

Multi-Use Island Crest Way Trail Under Construction

A new gravel trail on the west side of Island Crest Way will connect Island Park Elementary School to Southeast 63rd Street.

Seafair Airshow I-90 Bridge Closures Announced for Aug. 2-4

The Boeing Air Show at Seafair Weekend and several practice runs by the Patriots Jet Team will bring traffic and several road closures on Interstate 90 with them.

King Co. Jail May Loosen Immigration Hold Policy—What Do You Think?

The proposal would defy federal guidelines by allowing the jail to decline to hold certain inmates who are in the country illegally.

State Ethics Board Probes Sen. Litzow, Republicans on Free Meals

An ethics board is investigating a complaint concerning the five most-frequent recipients of food and drinks as a gift, which may violate gift rules.

Mount Rainier Officials to Rely Less on Helicopters During Rescues

Due to the changes in upper mountain rescue procedures, response times to injured parties may be longer.

41st District Democrats Announce Aug 14 Candidates Forum to Replace Maxwell

Rep. Maxwell (D-Renton) resigned from her elected post July 9 to take a position in Gov. Jay Inslee's administration in Olympia.

Primary Election 2013 Ballots Arrive in Local Mailboxes

The top-two candidates for County Executive and Port of Seattle Commissioner, and a decision on the County Parks Levy will be made in the Aug. 6 election.

Possible Measles Exposure at Mercerdale Park, QFC

Officials say two siblings, an adult and a child, who were visiting the Seattle area earlier this month have been diagnosed with measles.

City to 'Power Up' Community Center Solar Array July 23

The solar installation will help power the community center, thereby reducing the cost of operating that facility for decades to come.

Public Hearing on State Pot Rules Set for Aug. 6 in Shoreline

The Washington State Liquor Control Board approved 42 pages of rules for marijuana legalization last week.

Rep. Marcie Maxwell Resigns From State House to Join Gov. Inslee's Staff

Marcie Maxwell has been tapped as Gov. Jay Inslee's Senior Education Policy Adviser for K-12, early learning and higher education.

Contagious Measles Confirmed in SeaTac Passenger

King County health officials are warning that other travelers may have been exposed to the disease on July 4.

Pot Plan Approved: Outdoor Grows Allowed, Sales Restricted to Lab-Tested Products

A final set of public hearings on the implementation of I-502 will be held in early August throughout the Puget Sound area.

Online Voter Registration Deadline Ends Monday for August Primary

Monday, July 8, will be the last day to register to vote or update voter registration information online or in person in time for the Aug. 6 primary election, according to King County Elections.

City to Rename Park on the Lid 'Aubrey Davis Park'

City officials say its re-dedication under a new name will honor Davis’s contribution to Island quality of life.

Online Voter Registration Deadline Ends Monday for August Primary

Monday, July 8, will be the last day to register to vote or update voter registration information online or in person in time for the Aug. 6 primary election, according to King County Elections.

Pot Plan Approved: Outdoor Grows Allowed, Sales Restricted to Lab-Tested Products

A final set of public hearings on the implementation of I-502 will be held in early August throughout the Puget Sound area.

Budget Wrap-Up: College Tuition Frozen, Standard Pay Raises Suspended for Teachers

A $33.6-billion state budget was signed by Gov. Jay Inslee on Sunday, but the state senate adjourned without acting on a $10-billion transportation package.

City Hall Gets Social: Facebook, Twitter Pages Launch July 8

The City of Mercer Island's new communications team is trying to reach more citizens through using two of the most popular online social media platforms.

Slimmed-Down Version of DUI Bill Passes Through Legislature

Repeat offenders will be required to install automatic interlock devices in their vehicles as soon as charges are filed for their second DUI.

Clibborn, Dems Usher $10B Transportation Package Through State House

The 10-year transportation budget will raise the gas tax 10.5 cents over the next year.

Lawmakers Reach Budget Deal in Olympia

The agreement would allow the state to avoid a major shutdown Monday.

Reactions to DOMA From Around the Puget Sound

Patch readers, local officials and other social media voices weigh in on today's Supreme Court ruling.

Safer Crosswalk Lighting for Island Crest Way

A number of pedestrians have been killed or injured trying to cross Island Crest Way in recent years.

SCOTUS Gay Marriage Rulings: Local Reactions

Local politicians weighed in on this morning's Supreme Court rulings on gay marriage.

New Ranking Puts Mercer Island as No. 5 Most 'Booming Suburb' in US

Coldwell Banker Real Estate has assembled a list of the top 10 booming suburbs in the country based on employment figures and proximity to amenities.

Metro Reports Double-Digit Growth on Eastside Bus Routes as Cuts Loom

Several park-and-ride lots in Redmond, Bellevue and Kirkland are at or above capacity, according to the transit agency.

Congressman Says I-90 Interstate Tolling to Pay for State Highways 'Problematic'

US Rep. Adam Smith (WA-9) discussed votes on the Farm Bill, Guantanamo Bay, government spending, deficits and Syria.

Farmers Market Pie and Dessert Contest Canceled

State Parks, Early Learning Set to Close in Possible Government Shutdown

The state issued a report today detailing what will happen if the legislature fails to pass a budget by July 1. Would you be affected by any of the closures?

Letter: Deputy Mayor Offers Positive News on I-90 Tolling, Youth Theatre, Thrift Shop Expansion

Mercer Island Deputy Mayor writes in a letter to the editor about several key issues facing Islanders.

I-90 Express Lanes Closed Saturday for 'Rock and Roll' Seattle Marathon

Officials to Discuss Regional Flood Control on Mercer Island July 9

Temporary Skagit River Bridge to Open Wednesday

Check out the WSDOT time-lapse video of how the new span came together.

Solar Panel Construction at Community Center Begins June 24

Mercer Island was awarded a $30,000 grant from PSE after several hundred residents agreed to participate in the power provider's 's Green Power Program.

Take-Back Program Would Tackle 'Epidemic' Prescription Drug Abuse in King County

Drug overdoses have surpassed car crashes as the leading cause of preventable death in King County.

Eastside Transportation Town Hall Set for June 19

The meeting will focus on local transportation funding issues and infrastructure needs.

Changes Coming to Bus Routes Serving Mercer Island

Several Metro and Sound Transit routes will undergo service revisions this weekend.

Mercer Island's DC Lobbyist Meets With Feds This Week

DC lobbyist Tim Punke of Monument Policy Group will press Mercer Island's claims in opposing I-90 tolling at several federal agencies this week.