Making headlines around western Washington this morning:
- Another 787 Delay
- A Break in Flooding
- Potential Hits to K-12 and Community College Construction
- Huskies Drop in Polls
Boeing Delays First Delivery of 787 to July
The Herald of Everett's Michelle Dunlop reports:
The new delivery date comes just a day after Boeing got the OK from the Federal Aviation Administration to return to its 787 flight testing after an electrical fire grounded the Dreamliner test planes in November. "This revised timeline for first delivery accommodates the work we believe remains to be done to complete testing and certification of the 787," said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 program.
Flood Waters Receding
A break in the rain and cooler temperatures will reduce flood levels on most western Washington rivers Tuesday, according to The Seattle Times:
On Monday, the weather service reported widespread flooding from the Snoqualmie River at Carnation, the Snohomish and Skykomish rivers near Monroe, and the Cowlitz River at Randle in Lewis County. The Snoqualmie River at Carnation crested about 5 feet over flood stage on Monday afternoon, while the Snohomish River near Monroe was expected to crest at about 4 feet over flood stage at 10 p.m. Monday, according to the weather service.
The Times reports the Snohomish River is expected to crest this morning. A state transportation worker was killed by a fallen tree Sunday while working along Highway 203 in east King County.
Tough Choices Ahead on Community College Construction Projects
Two-year colleges have already agreed on a prioritized list of projects for which state funding is needed to address student demand. The News Tribune's Jordan Schrader reports lawmakers will face a tough choice between either following that list or adopting the governor's plan on which projects get the OK in a tight budget.
Gregoire’s plan reflects a preference to renovate or replace what schools have now instead of expanding, and to hold off on design work for future projects in favor of “shovel-ready” projects that could give a shot in the arm to the struggling construction industry. Lawmakers will have to decide which approach they favor. But they are wary of departing from the agreement that keeps the colleges from each pushing their own agenda.
K-12 Construction Budget Also on Chopping Block
The budget axe is also pointed at K-12 school construction. Projects approved by voters may not get built on schedule under Gov. Gregoire's proposal, which won't fully fund them. Chris Grygiel of the Seattlepi.com reportson reaction from State Superintendent Randy Dorn:
"If we go forward with the governor's proposal...we won't have enough dollars to match everybody. That hasn't happened since 1998, they'll have to go on a priority list," Dorn said. Gregoire's 2011-13 budget leaves the school construction fund $180 million short of what's necessary, Dorn said, "and that means some projects won't get finished. And others won't even get started."
Husky Men Drop in Polls
Sportspress Northwest's Todd Dybas writes the split with the Bay Area schools lowered Washington's ranking in two polls:
The Huskies (13-4) dropped to 20th in the ESPN/USA Today coaches’ poll and Associated Press poll. Washington ascended to 18th in the coaches’ poll and 17th in the AP poll last week, but the loss to Stanford last Thursday kicked them back down.
