Local News

<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Saturday, August 30, 2008 Troopers to swarm roads for Labor Day weekend By Jackson Holtz, Herald Writer Police plan to have a noticeable presence on the region's roads during what is traditionally one of the busiest travel weekends of the year. The Washington State Patrol has scheduled extra patrols throughout the holiday weekend looking for reckless and drunken drivers, trooper Keith Leary said. "We want to focus on motorcycle safety, driving under the influence, speed and aggressive driving," he said. "We will have troopers on overtime throughout the weekend and we will have the aircraft working day and night as well." For the first time, people who call 911 from their cell phones will be transferred directly to troopers in the airplane. This will make it easier for the pilots to track down what is being reported, Leary said. "It's kind of a neat system," he said. In 2007, traffic crashes killed 565 people on Washington's roadways, according to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. Of those deaths, 228 were blamed on drunken drivers. Last year in Snohomish County during the Labor Day weekend, 30 people were arrested on suspicion of drunken driving, nearly 800 were stopped for speeding and 165 for aggressive driving, Leary said. Troopers wrote 60 tickets to people who weren't buckled up and arrested 17 more on suspicion of drug possession. Police want drivers throughout the region, including those crossing the border into Canada, to slow down and drive carefully. "We are going to work with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Canada as well to see if we can get the safe driving message out up there as well," Leary said. Troopers will be making sure people properly secure their trailers and recreational vehicles. For many people, Labor Day is the last time they tow RVs before putting them away for the winter. "We also want to make sure people are safe on U.S. 2," Leary said. "Safety is about making the right choices when driving and paying attention 100 percent of the time." Reporter Jackson Holtz: 425-339-3437 or jholtz@heraldnet.com.

1. Snohomish County man dies of swine flu 2. Lynnwood bank reprimanded by government 3. Police ID make of vehicle in fatal hit-and-run 4. Armed man shot by deputies in Arlington 5. IRS joins puppy mill investigation 6. Jetty Island ready for sand castles 7. Boeing's 6-month tally: 1 net order 8. Warriors & Patriots: Many American Indians served before getting full citizenship rights 9. Movin' out 10. Marshals seize swindler's home 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

• Warriors looking for balance • Three Scots vying for QB slot • Jackson looks for another title • Decorated veteran continues to serve as active volunteer • City Council reviewing sign regulations • Wildcats get a peek at newcomers • Lynnwood still in rebuilding mode • Shoreline feels a kindergarten growth spurt • Leave the patriotic pyrotechnics to professionals, cities urge • Trading dollars for kilowatts New PUD energy conservation programs save ... • By John Wolcott SCBJ Editor • Record crowd at Paine Field’s General Aviation Day as FHC Celebrate ... • Celebration of aviation's history and future presented in multiple venue ... • The time is ripe for small businesses to take no prisoners • EPA proposal to regulate global-warming gases would be costly for small ... • Innovation helps the town of Forks to offset tough economy • Powering the people