Repaving to disrupt traffic on major commuter route

Lengthy traffic delays are expected during a two-week repaving project on Issaquah-Hobart Road.

King County road officials said the project will begin July 31 on a section from Southeast May Valley Road to State Route 18. The work will be done on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., depending on weather conditions, and is scheduled to be finished by Aug. 15.

Traffic will be restricted to one lane and will be led through the work zone by a pilot car. A spokeswoman for the county’s road services division said motorists should expect delays and may want to use alternate routes or travel before 8 a.m. and after 4:30 p.m.

Issaquah-Hobart Road is used heavily as a north-south commuter route in the southeast King County area.

After the repaving, crews will place rock on the road’s shoulder and paint stripes, which should cause only minimal and localized traffic disruptions, the road services spokeswoman said.

Insurance agent’s community role noted

Patti Jenson, an Allstate Insurance agent in Maple Valley, has been honored by the company for her part in community projects.

Jenson received an Agency Hands in the Community Award, which includes a $500 grant from The Allstate Foundation for a non-profit organization with which she volunteers.

Jenson is active with the Maple Valley Rotary Club, including her role as a coordinator of the club’s annual Shop with a Cop holiday program for children.

Local teen a princess for Cornucopia Days

Tasha Nelson, who graduated in June from Kentlake High School, was named a Royal Princess for the Kent Cornucopia Days festival July 10-13.

She received a $1,000 scholarship from the Kent Lions Club via the Miss Cornucopia Scholarship Program, recognizes young women for excellence in academics, community service and public speaking.

Nelson, 18, participated on Kentlake’s dance team. She said she plans to attend Highline Community College this fall to marketing and advertising.

Another Highline student, Nicole Oliver, 21, was crowned Miss Cornucopia and received $4,000 in scholarships. She’s studying bio-chemistry.