July 19, 2023
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ISSUE 29
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Council discusses capital improvements By Hannah Saunders Contributing Writer
Courtesy Northwest Trek Wildlife Park Northwest Trek head veterinarian Dr. Allison Case invited Zoo intern veterinarian Dr. Cassidy Soehnlein to participate in wellness exams for Black bears Fern and Benton.
A collaborative exam
for Fern and Benton By Northwest Trek Wildlife Park Special to the Dispatch
Black bears Fern and Benton are long-time residents of Northwest Trek Wildlife Park. And the veterinary teams at Northwest Trek and Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium have a long-standing history of joining forces. So, when it was time for the bears’ triennial wellness exams, Northwest Trek head veterinarian Dr. Allison Case invited Zoo intern veterinarian Dr. Cassidy Soehnlein to participate. THE EXAMS Routine wellness exams are a critical component of animal wellbeing. With regular check-ups, the
veterinary staff (veterinarian) can monitor the health of Fern and Benton. They can also act quickly if any concerns arise. Both black bears received vaccines, dental cleanings, blood and urine collection, grooming and ultrasounds in these exams. Dr. Case oversaw Fern’s exam and allowed Dr. Soehnlein to facilitate various tasks. This partnership fosters learning opportunities and facilitates growth for our intern veterinarians. While Dr. Soehnlein performed the dental cleaning, Northwest Trek keepers Haley and Carly gave each bear a nail trim and groomed their coats. Veterinary technician Tracy also collected the needed blood samples. Dr. Case continued
leading the team and the bears’ overall progress and health. Veterinary technician Tracy also took some time to practice blood draws through Benton’s paw with Keeper Haley. The bears are trained to voluntarily give keepers their paws as active participants in their healthcare. THE PARTNERSHIP This is not the only time the two sister zoos’ veterinary teams have come together. They have collaborated on exams for polar bears, tigers, moose and other large animals. During these collaborations, they may be filling in for a vet, tag teaming the exam, lending equipment or sharing their expertise.
Eatonville Town Council discusses 2024-29 Capital Improvement Plan with water supply as a priority. The 2024-29 Capital Improvement Plan was a hot topic at the July 10 Eatonville Town Council meeting. The planning document outlines projects, some of which will be implemented next year, and will continue to refine the projects over the next five years. “It’s more projects than we can probably get done,” said Seth Boettcher, Eatonville town administrator. Boettcher said that the projects — 42 in total — are largely dependent on the town receiving grants, which he said the town has had previous success in. “If a project is listed with grants, then if we don’t get the grants then obviously we’re not going to be able to move forward with the project,” Boettcher said. Types of projects are separated by category, and include street projects; water projects; electric; stormwater; parks; solid waste; sewer; facilities; and airport. The Street West Eatonville Sidewalk Improvements project, known as S5, is categorized as a level four priority, meaning that it needs to be rehabilitated prior to any additional deterioration. If the rehabilitation does not take place now, it will soon become a greater issue, according to the 2024-29 Capital Improvement Plan document. The goal of S5 is to address sidewalk deficiencies that are nonconforming with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), within one mile of Eatonville High School and within one mile of the downtown area. PLAN Page 6Æ