Tahoma robotics team competes in championship
From April 19-22 the Tahoma robotics team, Bear Metal, attended The FIRST Robotics World Championships in Houston, Texas.
There were 401 teams from all over the world competing. There were six different fields for the teams to play its matches and finals, Avery Watson said, secretary of commutations for the Tahoma robotics team.
After three days of competing, Bear Metal was ranked number six in its subdivision, Watson said.
On the fourth day, the teams were allowed to pick alliances and Bear Metal was picked by the team from Issaquah, and they chose the team from Spokane and Auburn. Their team was made up of all members from the Pacific Northwest.
During eliminations, their team won both of the quarterfinals matches. They lost their first semifinal match but won the other two.
After winning the two semifinal matches, it meant the team won its subdivision, making it the first division title the team has ever won.
The team went on to play on the final field, called “Einstein Field” where they lost all five of their matches.
This year was the best year the team has had, and it the first time Bear Metal made it to the final field.
Transportation projects in King County sped up
The new state transportation budget that was approved April 28 will expedite many projects in south King County including projects in Covington.
The Covington Connector project will connect state Route 516 to SR 18 which will help to reduce congestion on both highways.
The project was originally set to receive funding in 2019 and 2021 but under the new budget, the city of Covington can fund the project up front with the state set to repay them, according to an email from Sen. Joe Fain, R-Auburn.
Another area that will benefit from the new budget is the SR 18 and Interstate 90 interchange in Snoqualmie. Previous budgets didn’t allow for work to begin until 2023 but with the newly passed budget work can begin sometime within the next two years.
The total investment includes an additional $8.7 billion statewide for infrastructure.
Volunteers remove invasive plants
On April 22 volunteers removed invasive plants, trimmed trees and tidied up trails at the Lake Sawyer Regional Park as part of a Earth Day celebration.
The Lake Sawyer Park Foundation hosted this event. This is the sixth year the foundation has hosted an Earth Day cleanup event.
The foundation also hosts an annual fall cleanup party in October associated with Make a Difference Day.
To learn more about the Lake Sawyer Park Foundation email lakesawyerparkfoundation@comcast.net.
New economic development manager announced
On April 26 the city of Maple Valley announced Tim Morgan had been named economic development manager for the city.
According to a media release, Morgan began his employment with the city on April 17.
The release added he has 15 years experience with economic development. He was most recently chief of tourism for Charles County in Maryland.
“We believe we found the right addition to our team. Tim’s background will help us improve our service of the existing business community, as well as promote Maple Valley to future businesses/employers who will complement our city,” City Manager Laura Philpot said in the release.
Online open house set for design of new trail
Community members are now able to give King County information regarding the design of the Green to Cedar rivers trail.
Visit bit.ly/g2ctraildesigns to give your input. The online survey will be available until May 11.
King County Parks will take the results into consideration for the north segment of the trail. According to a media release, the design should be complete by the end of 2017 and construction should begin in 2018.
The release added the construction should last 18 months.
For more information on the project and for updates visit kingcounty.gov/greentocedartrail.
