According to The Seattle Times, a Des Moines Police Officer shot and killed a man around 3pm Saturday afternoon (Dec. 19th) in the 27200 block of Pacific Highway South.

The incident happened during an apparent domestic violence call just inside city limits. According to reports, the officer fired an unknown number of shots during a pursuit, striking the victim on the Federal Way side of 272nd.

Despite attempts at CPR, the man died on the scene.

Since the shooting occurred on the Federal Way side, Federal Way Police will be handling the investigation.

The officer, who has not been identified, was uninjured.

According to the South Correctional Entity Multijurisdictional Misdemeanant (SCORE) website, Lydig Construction is the low bidder for construction of the new jail, which will be built in Des Moines beginning this month.

According to the press release, the new jail will “…bring a cost-effective misdemeanor corrections facility to partnering cities of Auburn, Burien, Des Moines, Federal Way, Renton, SeaTac and Tukwila.”

Lydig’s bid was for a construction cost of $62,000 per bed, which apparently is half the cost of other jails planned in the Northwest. Further savings in operation costs are expected through design solutions, enabling a six-to-one staffing ratio using a combination of direct and indirect supervision methods.

According to their website, Lydig Construction was founded and incorporated in 1956, and has grown from a 4-person organization into a multi-million dollar construction service provider. They have offices in Bellevue and Spokane, and Lydig has built eight different justice-related projects, including:

• Northwest Detention Center
• Green Hill School
• Coyote Ridge Corrections Center
• Franklin County Courthouse
• Wenatchee Police Station
• Washington State Patrol Crime Lab
• Washington State Penitentiary Warehouse
• National Guard Readiness Center

King County Public Health announced Friday (Nov. 6th) that it is now offering a limited supply (15,000 for now) of H1N1 vaccines to qualified people at area pharmacies, including one in Des Moines, one in Kent and another in Federal Way (see interactive map below).

To get vaccinated, you have to make an appointment by telephone, and meet the criteria listed below:

• Pregnant women
• People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
• People between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old
• People between 25 through 64 years of age with chronic health conditions or weakened immune systems
• Healthcare and emergency workers with direct patient contact

The only Des Moines pharmacy with the new batch is:

• Bartell Drugs
  27055 Pacific Hwy S
  Des Moines, WA 98198-9250
  (253) 839-1693

Here are two others nearby:

• Fred Meyer Pharmacy
  25250 Pacific Hwy S
  Kent, WA 98032-6539
  (253) 946-7433
• Albertsons-Sav-on – 312th & Pacific
  31009 Pacific Hwy South
  Federal Way, WA 98003
  (253) 946-4002

Many of the 44 participating pharmacies are taking appointments by phone starting today (Fri. Nov. 6th); some will be holding walk-up clinics without appointment starting next week. The full list of participating pharmacies, including hours, types of vaccine available, vaccination age ranges and administrative fee, is posted at www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/preparedness/pandemicflu/swineflu/locations.aspx. This site will be updated Monday through Friday by noon; people should contact pharmacies directly for the most up-to-date information.

With limited national vaccine supplies, Public Health – Seattle & King County has had to delay its plan to make vaccine widely available through community venues. As more vaccine becomes available, there will be additional sites for getting vaccinated, including community clinics.

“Making vaccine available through pharmacies is an important next step in protecting our community, but supplies at both pharmacies and health care providers will continue to be limited for at least several weeks,” said Dr. David Fleming, Director and Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County. “Eventually there will be enough vaccine for everyone who wants to get vaccinated, but we are still dealing with limited vaccine supplies.”

With the latest deliveries this week, King County has received approximately 142,000 doses of vaccine. A new allocation of approximately 71,000 doses is being ordered for delivery to the county. Most of the vaccine is being made available through health care providers.

The amount of H1N1 vaccine at pharmacies will be limited, with each pharmacy receiving a few hundred doses each. Vaccine will be re-supplied to pharmacies as more becomes available over the coming weeks, so people should regularly check Public Health’s website for updates.

Many pharmacies are unable to vaccinate babies and young children because their staff is not licensed and/or trained for these age groups. Residents trying to vaccinate children should check with pharmacies directly and with their health care providers since vaccine is continuing to arrive.

Pharmacies may charge a fee for administering the vaccine, typically between $12 and $22 (not to exceed $22). This fee is covered by most health insurance. People should bring their health insurance information to the pharmacy, and they may need to submit a receipt to their insurance company for reimbursement.

Visit the Public Health H1N1 influenza website at www.kingcounty.gov/health/H1N1 for updates on vaccine availability in the community or call the Flu Hotline at 1-877-903-KING (5464), which is staffed with operators from 9am to 5pm weekdays to answer questions from residents about H1N1 influenza. There is also a special 24-hour nurse line service extended over this weekend for people with flu seeking medical care advice. Recorded information will be available 24 hours a day.

View King County pharmacies with H1N1 vaccine in a larger map

King County Councilmember Julia Patterson (5th District) was presented with the 2009 Local Hero Arts Award by the Washington State Arts Alliance (WSAA). Patterson, chosen from a slate of nominees from around the state, was honored for her strong support of cultural groups not only in her own district, but throughout South King County.

In 2004, Patterson hosted a community luncheon attended by scores of individuals involved in arts and heritage efforts, to discuss the cultural vitality of South King County. Out of that session, the South King County Cultural Coalition (better known as SoCoCulture) was formed.

Linda Petersen, chair of SoCoCulture, was among those who nominated Patterson for this year’s WSAA award.

“Julia Patterson’s vision has materialized into an active organization of almost 70 arts and heritage groups that share resources, ideas and marketing through a terrific website and bi-monthly meetings,” Petersen said. She also noted that in 2007, when the organization had grown too large to be run solely by volunteers, Patterson provided SoCoCulture with funding for a part-time administrator.

Today the web site, www.sococulture.org ,includes an online calendar featuring all members’ events, a page that posts auditions and calls for artists, and other pages listing current local exhibits, arts classes, and other cultural opportunities. The arts commissions of Des Moines, Tukwila, Renton, Kent and many other South King County cities are members, as are local historical societies, theater groups, orchestras, dance companies, and more.

“Julia’s continued support and enthusiasm have been visionary. We commend her leadership and passion for arts and heritage,” Petersen said.

Patterson represents King County’s 5th District, which includes:

• Des Moines
• Federal Way
• Kent
• Renton
• SeaTac
• Tukwila

The WSAA presented the Local Hero Award to Patterson at a ceremony in Olympia on Sept. 22nd.

The King County Housing Authority and Federal Way Public Schools Americorps teams, in conjunction with Washington State Parks, are hosting an Earth Day Fair at Saltwater State Park in Des Moines (map below) this Friday, April 24th from 10am to 2pm.

“Be Water Wise” is the theme, and elementary and middle school students will have the opportunity to do interactive activities and visit information booths.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Earth Day “Be Water Wise” event at Saltwater State Park

WHEN: Friday, April 24th from 10am to 2pm

WHERE: Saltwater State Park, located at 25205 8th Pl South in Des Moines (map below)

INFO: This event will allow students to examine the water around them and the life impacted by it. They will learn to play safely in water and participate in fun arts and crafts. Representatives will also be there from a variety of water-related fields planting seeds for future career ideas for students.

So far the tentative schedule and events includes:

• 11am/12:45pm: Beach/forest walks
• 11:45am-12:45pm: Entertainment
• Activity and information booths will be open the entire time
• Explore Careers in Marine Science, National and Community Service, Education and Environmental Science
• Meet Divers, Park Rangers and Marine Biologists

NOTE: They will be able to accommodate a limited number of students for this event. To reserve a spot for you class contact: Malia Delacruz, KCHA AmeriCorps at 206.870.4294 or saltwaterearthday@gmail.com

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