Letter to the Editor: Lowering the alcohol limit for drivers punishes the wrong people

To the Editor,

As the Washington House of Representatives considers SB 5067—the bill to lower the legal BAC limit from .08 to .05—we must ask: does this actually make our roads safer, or does it simply punish the wrong people?

Lowering the limit to .05 creates a “First Drink Trap.” For many, a single craft beer or glass of wine with dinner could lead to a DUI. This results in life-altering consequences—up to $10,000 in legal fees and potential job loss—for neighbors who are not actually impaired.

Furthermore, this policy misallocates our limited law enforcement resources. We should be supporting our officers by keeping them focused on the high-BAC, repeat offenders who cause the vast majority of alcohol-related fatalities. Forcing police to spend hours on paperwork for “borderline” .05 cases diverts them from the real threats on our highways.

Finally, our local hospitality industry is still recovering from years of economic hardship. Discouraging responsible adults from enjoying a single drink with a meal will inevitably lead to more local business closures and job losses.

I urge our District Representatives to vote NO on SB 5067. Let’s focus on stricter enforcement for dangerous drivers, rather than penalizing responsible citizens.

L Gardner
Shoreline

Shoreline Chamber celebrates the opening of Bella's Voice thrift shop

Crowd gathering at Bella's Voice for the Grand Opening on Saturday
Photo by Mike Remarcke

What a wonderful day celebrating the Grand Opening of Bella’s Voice!

It was great to see the community come together for an incredible nonprofit dedicated to keeping pets with their families and strengthening our local animal welfare network.

A big thank you to Shoreline Mayor Betsy Robertson, the City Council members who joined us, and our amazing Shoreline Chamber members who helped make the celebration so special.

--Shoreline Chamber of Commerce

Cartoon by Whitney Potter: February 1, 2026 is Groundhog Day

Previous cartoons by Whitney Potter here

60 people gather Saturday in Lake Forest Park to oppose federal immigration enforcement

Lake Forest Park for Peace and allies gather every Saturday from 11am to noon

“We have to do something.”

Over 60 people gathered Saturday January 30, 2026 between 11am and noon in Lake Forest Park in opposition to federal immigration enforcement and a broader sense that U.S. democracy is slipping toward an authoritarian and militarized government.

Talking to some of them, most are neighbors. One high school student came alone and said she had been at a previous demonstration this week at a Target store. She said, “We have to do something.”

This vigil appears to grow every week. Some weeks, we align with other events, but regardless—the numbers keep growing. We, Lake Forest Park for Peace and others, are at the corner of Bothell Way NE (SR 522) and Ballinger Way NE (SR 104) every Saturday from 11am to noon. Please join us or one of the many groups in the Puget Sound region.

--Glen Milner, Lake Forest Park for Peace

King county joining challenge to deployment of ICE agents in Minnesota

King County Prosecuting Attorney
Leesa Manion

Statement from King County Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion

King county is joining governments across the country in challenging the unconstitutional deployment of ICE agents in Minnesota.

By using the legal tools available to us to thwart these illegal actions, King county is taking steps to not only protect the people of Minnesota -- but also to protect our own community.

If someone commits a crime and that case can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt, they should expect to see a courtroom.

Our laws apply whether you are a civilian, or if you are part of state, local, or federal law enforcement - and ICE agents are no exception.

Teamsters ratify contract with Republic Services

Teamsters Locals 38, 117, and 174 overwhelmingly ratify new contract with Republic Services
Photo courtesy Teamsters

Saturday January 31, 2026 the three Teamsters locals that represent Republic Services workers, Locals 38, 117, and 174, came together to vote on a new contract.

The history-making joint agreement was ratified by margins well over 90%.

Locally, Republic Services provides pick up of trash, yard waste, and recycling for Lake Forest Park and Kenmore.

Shorewood Wrestling inducts 28 Educators into their Teacher Hall of Fame and Qualifies for Dual State Tournament

Each member of the Shorewood wrestling team with the teacher who inspired them

On Tuesday January 27, 2026 Shorewood wrestlers invited the teachers who have inspired them over the years to be recognized and admitted as the inaugural class of the Shorewood Wrestling Teacher Hall of Fame. 

 “Our athletes are students first, and their work in the classroom prepares them for what they can do on the wrestling mat,” said Coach Derek Norton.

“We wanted to bring out the teachers and thank and honor them for all they do to set our team up for success. Also, once you’ve seen a wrestling match--you know it’s the most exciting sport to watch.”

Each wrestler invited a teacher or educator to the ceremony. In their nominations, wrestlers noted that teachers had helped them learn kindness, organization, public speaking skills, science, math, as well as the importance of hard work and persistence.

A ceremony honored the teachers ahead of the match

The honorees included Shorewood staff: Mr. Baker, Mr. Bagley, Madame Bel Abbes, Ms. Burrows, Ms. Chelimer, Ms. Fawcett, Ms. Fletcher, Ms. Gonzalez, Ms. Han, Ms. Johnsen, Ms. Mann, Mr. Meyer, Mr. Messner, Ms. Mills, Mr. Proudlove, Ms. Ryan, Ms. Silver, Mr. St. Louis, Mr. Villanueva, and. Mr. Zeigler. 

Wrestlers also invited: Mrs. Borovina and Ms. Kusher (Meridian Park), Ms. Houck, Mr. Riley and Mr. Reni (Einstein), Mrs. Williams (Highland Terrace), Ms. Brown (Home Education Exchange), Carl Yost (Parkwood), and Mr. Flannagan (Holy Rosary).

Team members with the teachers they honored

The match following the ceremony was intense, as Shorewood battled against Meadowdale, the two vying for the final berth in the first ever Dual State Tournament for 3A. 

The Mavericks started strong with a quick pin over Shorewood’s Matthew Call. Then Shorewood picked up three straight wins: Eli Jeppsen with an overtime victory over Leo Tassani, Max Uckun with a major decision over Tobin Kantner-Blakeslee, and Kai Graham with a tech fall over Mathew Sleipness.

Four straight losses for the Stormrays followed, but freshman Toshi Taura and senior Babou Cham only gave up decisions, keeping Shorewood in the match.

Freshman Ben Norton and junior Emi Olivera picked up pins to tie the match at 24. Easten Edens lost, but held Maverick Melyk Valencia to a decision as the score went to 24-27 in the Maverick’s favor. 

Junior Matbeal Dinka (right) picked up a critical pin

Shorewood senior Yaphet Habtom then accepted a forfeit and junior Matbeal Dinka picked up a critical pin over Meadowdale’s John Juarez. Stormray senior Eoin Ritter forced a decision in his loss to Maverick Hector Castro, creating a tight final score of Shorewood 36, Meadowdale 30.

Shorewood’s Coach Norton commented, “We’ve had many close matches with Meadowdale over the years. Sometimes we haven’t come out on top.

"I’m so proud of this team and all their hard work. I’m looking forward to Dual State. We’ve shown we can work together and put points on the board.” 

The Stormray victory puts their league record at 4-1.

The wrestlers demonstrated how much they have learned about persistence as they put it all out there on the mat.

As junior Justin Widnyana explained, [teachers] push and encourage us to get better, to find our walls and break them down, not only as wrestlers, but in life as well.”

Box Score: Shorewood 36, Meadowdale 30

• 144 Christopher Ramirez (MD) pinned Matthew Call (:49)
• 150 Elijah Jeppsen (SW) overtime decision over Leo Tassani (13-10)
• 157 Maximus Uckun (SW) major decision over Tobin Kantner-Blakeslee (12-2)
• 165 Hezikiah Graham (SW) technical fall over Mathew Sleipness (18-0)
• 175 Samir Muhic (MD) pinned Finn Grote (:33)
• 190 Brandon Shaw (MD) decision over Toshi Taura (7-6)
• 215 Jamier Perry (MD) decision over Baboucarr Cham (3-2)
• 285 Jaxson Hulbert (MD) pinned Matthew Kelly (:25)
• 106 Ben Norton (SW) pinned Justice Klesick (1:33)
• 113 Emi Olivera (SW) pinned Miguel De Paula (1:19)
• 120 Melyk Valencia (MD) decision over Easten Edens (18-11)
• 126 Yaphet Habtom (SW) forfeit
• 132 Matbeal Dinka (SW) pinned John Juarez (3:45)
• 138 Hector Castro (MD) decision over Eoin Ritter (6-2)

--Tricia Norton