SEE INSIDE: Eagle Scout collects flags | Page 4 . . . Enumclaw inline skater heads to world competition | Page 10 Back-to-school news | Page 13
Wednesday, August 26, 2015 | 75 cents
www.courierherald.com
Water service rights in The Villages still disputed | Part 1
What’s Inside
Views...................................Page 6 Obituaries.........................Page 8 Sports.................................Page 10 Pets......................................Page 17 Classified...........................Page 20
This Week...
Black Diamond prepares ordinance to assume service rights
• The Enumclaw Pro Rodeo is being held at
the Enumclaw Expo Center from Thursday, Aug. 27 through Saturday, Aug. 29. Gates open at 6 p.m. each night and events will start at 7 p.m. Beau’s Night at the Rodeo is on Thursday and pink shirts will be sold at the event.
By Ray Still Reporter
• The Bonney Lake mural,
painted by artist Savy Miller-O’Malley during the month of August, will have its dedication ceremony on Aug. 26 before the Tunes @ Tapps concert, around 6 p.m. at Allan Yorke Park.
Weather The forecast for today, Wednesday, calls for a slight breeze and highs near 81. Lows at night drop to 53. Thursday expects some sun with highs near 81, and lows at 53 at night. Friday sees a chance of rain with highs near 77. Saturday and Sunday both have a chance of rain with clouds and highs near 76.
Contact Us! Main Desk 360-825-2555
News ..................................ext. 3 Retail Ads .........................ext. 2 Circulation ........................ext. 1 Classifieds..................ext. 7050
FIND US ON FACEBOOK
Welcome Home Beau
Beau Ward, 10, received a high-energy welcome home parade after he returned from the hospital Aug. 18. Beau and his friend Carter were burned in a gasoline fire in late May. Beau suffered burns on 65 percent of his body. Friends, neighbors and wellwishers who came to the parade all wore pink (his favorite color) and cheered for Beau as he passed by in an Enumclaw Fire Department ladder truck, driven by the firefighters who responded to the explosion. Photos by Maryn Otto and Ray Still
Editor’s note: This is part one in a series of articles on the water service dispute between the city of Black Diamond and the Covington Water District. Both claim service rights to 98 acres inside the Black Diamond city limits. This week’s article examines each entity’s claim to exclusive right to the 98 acres of land. Next week will examine statements made in Black Diamond’s 2009 Water Comprehensive Plan and how that may affect the city’s claim to the land. After a week-long public hearing session, the Black Diamond City Council decided to table a vote Thursday on whether or not the city should assume water service rights to 98 acres at the edge of The Villages development in the city. The city and the Covington Water District have been in a dispute over these 98 acres since at least 2008, which has come to a head this year. For a myriad of reasons, both Black Diamond and the Covington Water District claim exclusive rights to serve water to future residents of this portion
SEE WATER SERVICE, PAGE 3
Crews add lanes to SR 410 ‘Best start’ levy on fall ballot By Kevin Hanson Senior Writer
Highway motorists may experience some temporary inconvenience during the coming weeks and months as work crews add lanes of travel to a busy stretch of state Route 410 in Enumclaw. The long-talked-about “channelization” project was launched last week. Work is expected to last until early December. Work on underground utilities is being tackled first. The work area is between Mt. Villa Drive/Monroe Avenue and Griffin Avenue. Those who prefer
landmarks will note the project area sits between the QFC and Safeway stores. When completed, drivers will see a new five-lane configuration on SR 410 - two travel lanes in each direction with a continuous leftturn lane. As part of the project, there will be greater pedestrian access and new sideways and curb ramps that meet guidelines set by the Americans With Disabilities Act. During construction, drivers will experience intersection closures, detours and lane restric-
SEE LANES, PAGE 4
By Rebecca Gourley Reporter
King County voters will decide whether to add an average of $4 per month in property taxes to their bill this fall. The King County Council voted 8-1 in favor of putting King County Executive Dow Constantine’s “Best Starts for Kids” initiative on the Nov. 3 ballot. District 9 Councilman Reagan Dunn was the dissenting vote. Dunn said he voted against putting the measure on the ballot because he is concerned
August 27, 28, 29
at the Enumclaw Expo Center General Admission: $15 Under 12, Seniors & Veterans: $10 Family 4 Pack (Thursday Night Only) Under 5: Free Beer Garden
www.EnumclawProRodeo.com
1373692
7:00 PM • Gates open @ 6:30 PM
IT’S THAT TIME AGAIN! SEE PAGES 13-16
about junior taxing districts. He said the county’s tax levy would supersede several fire, hospital and park districts throughout King County, which would potentially cause those districts to lose some of their revenue stream. The effect would be even greater if, over the life of the new levy, an economic stagnation occurs, Dunn added. The proposed levy would be for six years and is aimed at funding early intervention programs and early childhood development
SEE LEVY, PAGE 4