Citizen Portal News Washington
LightNews LightNews
banner
citizenptnewswa.bsky.social
Citizen Portal News Washington
@citizenptnewswa.bsky.social
130 followers 1 following 13K posts
Posts Replies Media Videos
citizenptnewswa.bsky.social
Ellensburg is investing $60,000 annually to supercharge downtown events and business growth, with exciting initiatives like a mural restoration and a major conference set to bring in over $200,000!

Learn more here

#EllensburgCityKittitasCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #VolunteerEngagement
City extends professional services agreement with Ellensburg Downtown Association
Council authorized the city manager to sign a $60,000-per-year professional services agreement with the Ellensburg Downtown Association to continue downtown events, marketing and projects including roofline lighting and a mural program; the EDA said volunteers and events significantly increased outreach and economic activity in 2025.
citizenportal.ai
February 9, 2026 at 6:24 PM
citizenptnewswa.bsky.social
Des Moines City Council faces a $1-2 million annual revenue gap to sustain services over the next decade, prompting a deep dive into potential revenue sources.

Get the details!

#DesMoinesCityKingCounty #WA #DesMoinesCityCouncil #CitizenPortal #CommunitySustainability #RevenueOptions
Des Moines forecast: general fund likely needs $1M–$2M a year; council asks staff to analyze revenue options
Outside consultants told the council a 15-year forecast shows the general fund will likely need $1–2 million in additional recurring revenue to maintain reserves. Staff presented a menu of options (utility franchise adjustments, cameras, car-tab increase, parking and transfers) and council asked staff to pursue further analysis, including an impact-fee study and marina parking-rate review.
citizenportal.ai
February 9, 2026 at 5:38 PM
citizenptnewswa.bsky.social
Ellensburg City Council is paving the way for affordable housing with two groundbreaking projects, including a unique community land trust initiative that could transform local living!

Click to read more!

#EllensburgCityKittitasCounty #WA #HousingInitiatives #CitizenPortal #CommunityDevelopment
Council backs letters of intent for two local affordable housing projects, including Habitat Willow Street and Odd Fellows Lodge plan
The council authorized letters of intent and directed staff to develop agreements for Habitat for Humanity’s three-unit Willow Street project ($1.1M request) and Odd Fellows Lodge No. 20’s 24-unit rental proposal ($1.2M request), citing permanent affordability mechanisms and a mix of funding including a $1M CHIP award for the Odd Fellows site.
citizenportal.ai
February 9, 2026 at 5:30 PM
citizenptnewswa.bsky.social
Whatcom County's Public Safety Assessment is revealing concerning inaccuracies, over-predicting risk for certain groups and calling for a major overhaul to better reflect local realities.

Get the details!

#WhatcomCounty #WA #DataTransparency #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #CriminalJusticeReform
Whatcom County review finds PSA over‑predicts risk, shows weak accuracy for some outcomes
A prospective validation of the Public Safety Assessment (PSA) in Whatcom County (Jan. 2019–Mar. 2025, 3,551 defendants) found moderate accuracy for failure‑to‑appear predictions but weaker accuracy and evidence of group bias for new criminal actions and violent outcomes; the analyst recommended recalibration and redesign of the decision matrix.
citizenportal.ai
February 9, 2026 at 5:11 PM
citizenptnewswa.bsky.social
Ellensburg City Council has taken a bold step towards modernizing public safety with the approval of the Peregrine software, promising enhanced data integration and compliance.

Click to read more!

#EllensburgCityKittitasCounty #WA #CivicAccountability #CitizenPortal #EllensburgPublicSafety
Ellensburg approves Peregrine public-safety software; officials emphasize CJIS compliance and local QA
The council authorized the city manager to sign an order form for the Peregrine public-safety data platform after a presentation describing data integration, CJIS-compliant AI modules and local oversight; councilmembers asked questions about records requests, retention and AI validation.
citizenportal.ai
February 9, 2026 at 4:45 PM
citizenptnewswa.bsky.social
Des Moines City Council is considering a major shift from a single July 4 drone show to multiple year-round events, responding to community calls for more connection and fun!

See what happened!

#DesMoinesCityKingCounty #WA #CommunityEngagement #TourismFunding #EventDiversity #CitizenPortal
Des Moines council leans to shift lodging-tax dollars from single July 4 drone show to multiple signature events
City staff proposed moving lodging-tax funding away from one large July 4 drone show toward two-to-three year-round signature events. Council members said the public wants more events and, citing an expected lodging-tax decrease, directed staff to explore alternatives and to not renew the current drone contract.
citizenportal.ai
February 9, 2026 at 4:19 PM
citizenptnewswa.bsky.social
After a recent bond failure, Mercer Island leaders are strategizing new outreach efforts and exploring smaller projects to address declining enrollment and aging infrastructure.

Get the details!

#WA #CitizenPortal #EducationReform #PublicFunding #CommunityOutreach
After bond defeat, Mercer Island leaders plan new outreach, smaller projects and demographic study
City and school leaders said they will use a statistically valid survey and clearer project cost explanations to rebuild support after a recent bond measure failed; staff cited aging infrastructure, upcoming high-school site visits and declining early-grade enrollment as planning priorities.
citizenportal.ai
February 8, 2026 at 10:00 PM
citizenptnewswa.bsky.social
Seattle's Human Services Department is ramping up support for seniors with a $115 million budget for 2026, tackling nutrition gaps and launching new culturally focused centers.

Learn more here!

#SeattleKingCounty #WA #AntiAgeism #CitizenPortal #ElderRights #NutritionServices #SeattleAging
Seattle Human Services previews aging and disability services, WA Cares implementation and nutrition gaps
The Human Services Department outlined Aging & Disability Services' 2026 priorities including the area plan, WA Cares local implementation support, Health-Related Social Needs screening, and anti-ageism training; staff flagged senior-nutrition wait lists and announced five new culturally focused senior centers for 2027.
citizenportal.ai
February 8, 2026 at 9:53 PM
citizenptnewswa.bsky.social
Seattle schools aim to boost sixth-grade math proficiency from 56.8% to 66.8% by 2030, but persistent gaps for multilingual learners raise critical questions about their strategies.

Read the full story

#WA #SeattleSchools #CitizenPortal #EquityInEducation #EducationReform #MultilingualLearners
Seattle schools present mixed math progress: district on track overall but gaps persist for multilingual learners and other groups
District staff told the board the five‑year math proficiency goal (sixth‑grade Smarter Balanced proficiency from 56.8% to 66.8% by 2030) is ambitious; interim MAP predictions show maintenance for many grades and persistent subgroup gaps, prompting directors to press for concrete, funded strategies for multilingual learners and students furthest from educational justice.
citizenportal.ai
February 8, 2026 at 8:33 PM
citizenptnewswa.bsky.social
A new vision for a regional transportation hub at Westlake Park is taking shape, focusing on safety, cultural authenticity, and revitalizing local businesses.

Click to read more!

#SeattleKingCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #SeattleTransportation #CulturalAuthenticity #EconomicDevelopment #PublicSafety
City briefed on Westlake Park hub plan; civic committee urges safety, cultural authenticity and multimodal design
City Office of Economic Development and a civic committee presented guiding principles for a two-block Westlake Park regional transportation hub to coordinate park renovations, monorail updates and Sound Transit station expansion; committee emphasized safety, culture, retail activation and protection of civic gathering uses.
citizenportal.ai
February 8, 2026 at 7:03 PM
citizenptnewswa.bsky.social
Seattle schools are grappling with a looming $87 million budget shortfall, prompting the superintendent to push for a radical shift in funding priorities to protect classroom resources.

Click to read more!

#WA #CommunityEngagement #CitizenPortal #BudgetReform #EducationFunding
Seattle schools face large budget shortfall; superintendent urges 'put schools first' reallocation and vacancy strategy
Superintendent Scholdner told the board the district faces a multi‑year structural shortfall (staff discussed an $87M figure if no changes are made); he proposed prioritizing school funding, harvesting vacant positions, reviewing facilities and considering a multi‑year remediation plan while urging caution about layoffs.
citizenportal.ai
February 8, 2026 at 6:51 PM
citizenptnewswa.bsky.social
Mercer Island officials are pushing for new state laws to tackle safety concerns over fast e-bikes and e-motorcycles on school campuses and local streets.

Click to read more!

#WA #CitizenPortal #EducationReform #PublicSafety #CommunityEnforcement
City and school leaders back state action on e-motor vehicles as schools report safety and parking issues
City and school officials described two bills under consideration to define and regulate e-bikes and e-motorcycles (house and senate versions), urged education and local enforcement measures, and discussed limiting certain devices on school property to improve safety.
citizenportal.ai
February 8, 2026 at 6:36 PM
citizenptnewswa.bsky.social
The Seattle Office of Labor Standards has recouped over $62 million for workers but is now facing budget cuts and new enforcement challenges.

Click to read more!

#SeattleKingCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #WorkerProtection #SeattleLabor #EconomicJustice
Seattle Office of Labor Standards highlights enforcement wins, warns of funding strain
The Office of Labor Standards told a Seattle City Council committee it has recovered more than $62 million for workers but faces shrinking general-fund support and rising enforcement demands; staff outlined plans to use a new network-company licensing fee for app-based worker implementation and to deepen regional enforcement partnerships.
citizenportal.ai
February 8, 2026 at 5:55 PM
citizenptnewswa.bsky.social
Lake Stevens is at a crossroads as state legislation threatens to reshape local zoning and housing strategies—will it clash with community growth goals?

Click to read more!

#LakeStevensSnohomishCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #HousingRegulations #LakeStevensPlanning #CommunityPlanning #UrbanGrowth
Lake Stevens council and planning commission discuss Growth Management Act, state housing bills and local comp-plan work program
At a joint meeting, planning staff and commissioners reviewed Washington land-use frameworks (GMA, SEPA, Shoreline Management Act), updated the city comprehensive plan adopted Nov. 2024, discussed county growth allocations and concerns about state bills that would require residential uses in commercial zones, and outlined a 2026 work plan including sub-area updates and housing regulation tweaks.
citizenportal.ai
February 8, 2026 at 2:03 AM
citizenptnewswa.bsky.social
Ocean Shores' Freshwater Advisory Board is grappling with a $2 million plan to tackle invasive carp and improve water quality, but key decisions and funding hang in the balance.

Click to read more!

#OceanShoresGraysHarborCounty #WA #CommunityInvolvement #CitizenPortal #EnvironmentalRemediation
Board weighs $2M high‑level plan, carp dependency and agrees to scope alum pilot in Fishhook and Bass canals
Board members debated Herrera’s three 'levels of service' and funding options; Becky said the high option would require $2 million to start and $570,000/year thereafter. Members agreed to scope a pilot alum treatment in Fishhook and Bass canals and to resolve carp removal and ordinance issues before broad implementation.
citizenportal.ai
February 8, 2026 at 1:22 AM
citizenptnewswa.bsky.social
The Lakewood Civil Service Commission's recent closed session raises questions about the fate of an applicant as they discuss a potential disqualification, yet no final vote was recorded.

Get the details!

#LakewoodPierceCounty #WA #CivicAccountability #AdministrativeProcedures #CitizenPortal
Lakewood civil service meeting moves to executive session over applicant appeal; no final vote recorded
The Lakewood Civil Service Commission held an executive session to evaluate an applicant for public employment under a cited RCW statute and discussed making a motion to disqualify, but the transcript does not record a final vote on that appeal.
citizenportal.ai
February 7, 2026 at 11:36 PM
citizenptnewswa.bsky.social
Ocean Shores is battling a rapid spread of noxious pondweed, and an innovative treatment plan is on the horizon—will it save the waterways in time?

Click to read more!

#OceanShoresGraysHarborCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #InvasiveSpeciesControl #EnvironmentalManagement
Consultant proposes early, systemic Sonar treatments and satellite cyanobacteria mapping for Ocean Shores waterways
Aquatechnix consultant Terry McNabb told the Ocean Shores Freshwater Advisory Board the town faces a rapid expansion of curly leaf pondweed and recommended April/May Sonar (fluridone) pellet applications plus satellite chlorophyll mapping to reduce summer blooms and cut manual sampling costs.
citizenportal.ai
February 7, 2026 at 11:12 PM
citizenptnewswa.bsky.social
The Lakewood Civil Service Commission has shaken up the police eligibility list by removing three candidates, while a demographic report reveals a looming retirement wave among officers.

Click to read more!

#LakewoodPierceCounty #WA #WorkforceDemographics #LakewoodPolice #CitizenPortal
Lakewood panel removes three candidates from entry‑level police list, certifies eligibility list and reviews staffing demographics
The commission removed three applicants from the entry-level police eligibility list and moved to certify the list; staff presented department demographics showing 63% of employees are over 40 and 33% have 0–5 years of service, raising questions about retirements and hiring strategy.
citizenportal.ai
February 7, 2026 at 10:34 PM
citizenptnewswa.bsky.social
United Hub is pushing to revolutionize Newcastle's green infrastructure with plans for public EV chargers at City Hall and Lake Bourne Park—backed by nearly $870,000 in funding!

Read the full story

#WA #PublicInfrastructure #NewcastleEVCharging #CitizenPortal #SustainableTransport
United Hub proposes City Hall and Lake Bourne Park EV chargers with state and utility funding
United Hub presented plans to install Level‑2 chargers at City Hall and fast chargers at Lake Bourne Park, proposing roughly $820,000–$870,000 in outside funding (state Department of Commerce, Puget Sound Energy) and seeking city coordination on installation details and limited in-kind trenching support.
citizenportal.ai
February 7, 2026 at 9:32 PM
citizenptnewswa.bsky.social
Newcastle City Council has hit pause on automated license-plate readers due to privacy concerns and potential taxpayer risks—what does this mean for the future of surveillance in your city?

Learn more here

#WA #CitizenPortal #NewcastlePublicSafety #PrivacyConcerns #DataRetention #PublicRecords
Newcastle council pauses ALPR program amid public-records and privacy concerns, adopts temporary moratorium
The Newcastle City Council voted 7–0 to impose a temporary moratorium on the installation and operation of automated license-plate readers (ALPRs) in city-owned public spaces and rights of way, citing public-records liability and unresolved state policy questions. The pause will remain while the council studies policy and watches pending state legislation.
citizenportal.ai
February 7, 2026 at 8:26 PM
citizenptnewswa.bsky.social
Residents of Education Hill are voicing their concerns over conflicting plans for a proposed short plat, fearing increased traffic and safety issues in their close-knit community.

Click to read more!

#RedmondKingCounty #WA #CommunityTransparency #TrafficSafety #CitizenPortal #UrbanPlanning
Education Hill neighbors press Redmond for clarity on short plat, warn of traffic and transparency issues
Residents near 157th Avenue NE told council Feb. 3 that application materials for the Via (Veil) Short Plat are inconsistent (documents showing 4 homes vs. 16'24 units) and urged the city to be transparent about whether the street will be opened to through traffic, drainage impacts, tree removal, and cumulative neighborhood effects.
citizenportal.ai
February 7, 2026 at 7:03 PM
citizenptnewswa.bsky.social
Liberty Lake's transportation network is in jeopardy, with key intersections projected to hit critical congestion levels by 2028—find out what solutions are on the table!

Click to read more!

#LibertyLakeSpokaneCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #UrbanPlanning #LibertyLakeTransportation #PublicSafety
Parametrix brief: Liberty Lake network analysis recommends signals or roundabouts at key intersections
Parametrix presented a network analysis that identified intersections forecast to operate at LOS E-F and recommends mitigation (signals or roundabouts) for several locations and added cost estimates; staff said a resolution to adopt the report will be brought back to council.
citizenportal.ai
February 7, 2026 at 6:48 PM
citizenptnewswa.bsky.social
Redmond is taking a bold step to revamp the aging water and stormwater systems in the Viewpoint neighborhood, requesting over $1.2 million for crucial design work and a significant funding boost to enhance community infrastructure.

Click to read more!

#RedmondKingCounty #WA #RedmondUtilities
Redmond seeks $1.2 million design contract and $2.06 million funding increase for Viewpoint water‑main work
Public Works requested committee approval to contract BHC for $1.2 million in design services for the Viewpoint AC water‑main replacement and to increase total project funding from $10,555,742 to $12,619,684 to combine water and stormwater work (replace ~6,000 ft of aging AC pipe and 1,400 ft of stormwater pipe).
citizenportal.ai
February 7, 2026 at 6:34 PM
citizenptnewswa.bsky.social
The Capital Budget Committee just advanced two significant bills, raising project thresholds and contract limits to keep pace with inflation—major changes are coming!

Click to read more!

#WA #LegislativeReform #CitizenPortal #InfrastructureDevelopment #PublicWorks
Committee reports two bills out of Capital Budget Committee after executive session
In executive session the Capital Budget Committee reported House Bill 2353 (raise predesign threshold) and House Bill 2420 (increase small works roster contract limit via a proposed substitute) out of committee with 'do pass' recommendations; both were reported by voice vote with 18 yays, 0 nays, 1 excused.
citizenportal.ai
February 7, 2026 at 6:27 PM
citizenptnewswa.bsky.social
Mercer Island's council just took a significant step by scheduling a second reading for Forged Fiber 37 LLC's telecommunications franchise, paving the way for new fiber infrastructure in our city!

Click to read more!

#MercerIslandKingCounty #WA #MercerIslandTelecommunications
Council schedules second reading for Forged Fiber 37 LLC franchise; staff explain nonexclusive rights-of-way access and protections
On first reading the council learned Forged Fiber 37 LLC (an AT&T subsidiary) seeks a nonexclusive telecommunications franchise to operate existing fiber in the city rights-of-way; the council voted to schedule the ordinance for a second reading.
citizenportal.ai
February 7, 2026 at 6:19 PM