Tonight: Seattle Channel tackles the future of tolling

Tolling on the 520 Bridge started a month ago, so what's changed?

It's the question being asked during tonight's 'City Inside/Out with Brian Callanan.' on the Seattle Channel.

The focus of the show is to look at driver behavior, traffic pattern changes, lessons learned from 520, and discuss the future of tolling throughout the state.

Guests for the show include:

  • Craig Stone, Tolls Director for the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)
     
  • Mark Hallenbeck, Director of the Washington State Transportation Center
     
  • Richard Ford, Chairman of the Washington State Transportation Commission
     
  • Doug MacDonald, former State Transportation Secretary (2001-2007)

You can catch the show on Cable channel 21 at 7:00p.m.

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Green thumb or not, volunteers wanted to help restore park

Green thumb or not, volunteers wanted to help restore park

EarthCorps and the city are hosting a day of urban forest restoration at Wildwood Park this Saturday, January 28th.

Volunteers will spend the day learning the history of the park, forest structure, native vs. non-native plant species, safety and environmental restoration.

There will also be some hands on work to remove invasive plant species, spread wood chips, mulch and weed.

The goal is to help make the park healthy again. 

The event runs from 10:00-2:00p.m.

Below are driving directions from organizers:

7400 86th Ave SE

Driving from I90:

Take the Island Crest Way exit. Drive south on Island Crest Way till SE 71st Street. Turn right onto SE 71st Street. Turn left onto 86th Ave SE and you will see the grassy front lawn of the park on your left after about 2 blocks. Park in front of the grassy lawn and we will meet there.

MISD: Make-up days released for students

The school district released its snow make-up days from last week's winter storm.

Students need to make-up three days in total.

Sorry kids, you will be in school on these days:

  • March 12
  • May 25
  • June 15

It's normal schedules and operating hours on these days.

PSE promises $50 credit for dozens of customers

PSE promises $50 credit for dozens of customers

If you were one of the thousands without power for nearly a week, you could get a break on next month's bill.

Puget Sound Energy says it plans to give a $50 credit to customers who lost power for five or more days during last week's winter storm.

"The prolonged power outages from the storms created a real hardship for many of our customers," said Sue McLain, PSE senior vice president of Delivery Operations. "The bill credit won't take back the dark evenings and chill in the bones that many families experienced. Rather, it is a gesture of our appreciation for their understanding and patience."

According to PSE, this is the first time, since passing the 120-consecutive-hour power outage credit in 2008, the utility has had to activate it.

PSE says the credit will automatically be provided to all customers without power for five days or longer.

The credit should show up on your Feb. 15th bill.

If it doesn't - you should notify PSE at: 888-225-5773.

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City to 'flip the switch' on town center traffic signals

City to 'flip the switch' on town center traffic signals

After more than a month of delay, two new town center traffic signals are about to go 'live.'

Back in November, the project was almost done when a problem was discovered in the electronic signal control system. The city had to send the equipment back to the manufacturer to get it fixed.

Now, according to the city, the problem is fixed and the controllers have "undergone standard testing without a problem."

The plan is to turn the signals on tomorrow, Friday.

The goal behind the project is to improve traffic flow in the area and keep walkers safe when crossing the intersection.

Residents urged to report storm damage to county

Residents urged to report storm damage to county

The winter storm is over, it's time to assess the damage and King County wants to help.

If you are a resident or business owner who suffered property damage you may be eligible to get it fixed courtesy the county.

Below is how the program works, who is eligible, and how to make a claim from emergency managers:

In order to compute the losses, individuals and businesses are encouraged to submit reports to the King County Office of Emergency Management (OEM).

Customers can chime in on proposed PSE rate increases

Customers can chime in on proposed PSE rate increases

Puget Sound Energy customers don't miss your chance to comment on proposed rate increases to your power and natural gas bills.

PSE is asking for $160 million a year in new electricity revenues and $33 million a year in natural gas revenues.

If approved, customers would see their power bills go up by $8.37 a month and natural gas bills by about $2.84 a month.

The Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) will make a final decision on the rate request by spring.

So far, the commission has received 340 customer comments on PSE's proposal.

Here's a breakdown of those comments:

  • 311 opposed
  • 2 in favor
  • 27 undecided

Customers can comment via email here or by mail: UTC, P.O. Box 47250, Olympia, Wash. 98504.

UTC is also holding two public meetings next month: