A fatal crane collapse shows failure of safety procedures

On April 27th, 2019, four people lost their lives when a crane tower fell onto one of the busiest streets in Seattle.  Several others were injured and rushed to the local trauma hospital. What is becoming apparent is that the crane fell because short-cuts were taken. Short-cuts that should never have occurred. Experts weigh in on fatal crane collapse First, many have demanded to know: why wasn’t Mercer Street, a main roadway in and out of Seattle,  not closed for construction? According to reporter Chris Daniels at KING5, only one of the five contractors involved in a fatal crane collapse requested a street closure during the crane’s disassembly – Valley Street. Mercer Street remained open. Others have suggested that the

Seattle in the snow – not a winter wonderland

Seattle rarely has snow, but, when it does, the city comes to a standstill.  This is true not only in the downtown area, but throughout the local region. Why does Seattle shut down in the snow? Based upon my experience of living in Seattle for nearly my entire life, I think there are a number of factors that cause this standstill. First, snow is rare. The various Transportation Departments have limited equipment, training, and experience.  Our region gets lots of rain, but snow only a few times each year (if at all.) Second, like these departments, Seattle-area drivers have little experience traveling in snow. Not only do drivers lack experience, but they make bad driving choices.  For example, Queen Anne Avenue

Community Power in Seattle

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One thing you can do to help after Aurora Bridge crash in Seattle

You have probably seen the heartbreaking images from today’s crash between a charter bus and a Ride the Ducks vehicle on the Aurora Avenue Bridge. Many people are saddened by this tragedy. But if you live in Seattle, there is one thing you can actually do to help, right now. Helpful Reading: Aurora Avenue Seattle  Donate blood for the Aurora Bridge crash victims. Bloodworks Northwest, formerly the Puget Sound Blood Center, has an urgent need to fill additional hospital orders for the Aurora Bridge crash victims. Schedule your appointment online at BloodworksNW.org, or call 1-800-398-7888             This section of the Aurora Avenue Bride – and much of Aurora Avenue in general – has long been one

How did a Seattle cabbie steal a $164,000 from an elderly woman – with state investigators watching?

Last week, King County prosecutors filed charges against 56-year-old David G. Money for stealing from an elderly nursing home patient. The two met when Mr. Money picked her up as a fare a few years ago. Since then, the woman has written $164,000 in checks to Mr. Money, and another $90,000 in suspicious checks to herself. The Seattle PI story has more details, but the timeline raises a lot of questions. 1. Nearly 2 years ago, a Chase bank employee flagged the elderly woman’s account when Money brought her in and tried to cash out $98,000. 2. The employee held up the transaction, and reported it to Washington elder abuse investigators. They started looking into the matter in November 2012.

Gearing up for Bike Month: Seattle bike laws

Biking around Seattle can be scary. Unless you ride regularly, it’s easy to forget the bike laws – and heavy car traffic is intimidating. Seattle Bike Laws 101: Yes, you have to wear a helmet. It’s the law in King County: police officers can fine you $100 for riding a bike without a helmet. More importantly, in the event of an accident, you’re less vulnerable to a traumatic brain injury. You’re a pedestrian on the sidewalk … It’s legal to ride on the sidewalk, but you have to yield to people on foot. … But you’re a vehicle on the road.  Stop at stop signs, obey traffic lights, yield to pedestrians, and signal before you turn. Ride the City has

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