Transportation

Police will be performing DUI patrols in Cowlitz County on St. Patrick's Day weekend

Tuesday, February 28th, 2012, 4:46pm

St Patrick’s Day -- a holiday that embodies the true Irish spirit of celebratory drinking. This year, between March 9 and March 18, law enforcement through Washington State, including in Cowlitz County, will conducit extra DUI patrols to prevent impaired drivers from hurting or killing themselves or others out on the roads.

"Gone are the days when law enforcement could focus only on New Year’s Eve as the primary impaired driving occasion. We now see this dangerous activity spread across the calendar on lesser holidays such as Super Bowl Sunday, Mardi Gras ... St Patrick’s Day," said Chief Randy Gibson of the Kalama Police Department.

Police said it's crucial people have a plan anytime they drink. Law enforcement officers statewide advise all holiday party-goers to designate a sober driver, take a taxi, or choose not to drink alcohol because you just may end up buzzed. And buzzed driving is drunk driving, police said.

A total of 21 out of the 39 statewide fatalities during the last five years were impaired driving related. And that was just surrounding the St Patrick’s Day holiday.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Downtown parking signs installed in City of Longview lots

Submitted by KATU Communities Staff

Tuesday, February 7th, 2012, 9:00am

LONGVIEW, Wash. -- New parking signs were finally installed last week in the City of Longview's downtown parking lots, later than originally planned due to a delay by the sign company manufacturing the custom signs.

Beginning this week, parking warnings will be issued in City parking lots as drivers get used to the new signage. Parking signs on-street were changed in early January 2012 and new rules are currently being enforced.

"The parking changes are based upon recommendations included in the city’s new downtown action agenda," said the Police Department’s Administrative Manager Mary Chennault. "They were developed with the input of many downtown businesses, employees, customers, residents, and others interested in the revitalization of downtown."

These changes are being implemented on a two-year trial basis. After December 31, 2012, a review will be completed of the parking changes. Input will be sought from the public regarding these changes and their impact on downtown.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Feb. 15-16 workshop to shape new streetscape look for Commerce Avenue

Submitted by KATU Communities Staff

Thursday, February 2nd, 2012, 10:00pm

LONGVIEW, Wash. -- Commerce Avenue should be a safe and attractive destination point that strengthens the downtown Longview economy. That's the conclusion of the 2011 Downtown Action Agenda adopted last year by the City of Longview. Now, the City is hosting a two-day streetscape design workshop on Feb. 15-16 to move that vision to reality.

Urban designers will be on hand at the workshop to capture peoples' ideas visually and create preliminary designs for a new look for Commerce Avenue. The workshop will be held in the Korten Building, 1400 Commerce Ave. in downtown Longview.

The workshop will be open continuously from noon to 8 p.m. Feb. 15 and again from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Feb. 16.

"The workshop offers a unique format for people to see their ideas captured in real time," says Steve Langdon, planning manager. "You can drop in just once for an hour, or come by several times over the two days to see designs evolve."

View Comments | Post a Comment

KATU Sunday weather forecast

Submitted by KATU.com Staff

Sunday, October 23rd, 2011, 10:45am

By the afternoon expect to see drier conditions with highs getting into the upper 60s.

Monday night and into Tuesday night overnight lows drop down in the low 40s.

We could see our first Fall frost of the year, so make sure to take care of those outdoor plants that might be sensitive to the changing elements.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Traffic pattern changes (Pearl District Neighborhood Association)

Submitted by Community News on Thursday, November 4th, 7:24 pm

As part of the Portland Streetcar Loop Project, new tracks were installed and traffic patterns changed in the Pearl District. These changes will alter the cycling conditions in the vicinity of the west end of the Broadway Bridge and require that all travelers in the area be aware of new signs, lane markings, street and signal configurations and streetcar tracks.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Cracks close Salem bus mall

Submitted by Community News on Wednesday, December 31st, 5:00 pm

The bus mall and most of the underground parking garage at Marion County Courthouse Square will close for 60 days starting today at 6 p.m. because of structural defects found during an engineering study, county officials said Thursday.

View Comments | Post a Comment