Contractor crews in Pacific County completed the second state highway project funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) and four additional paving projects are nearing completion. Washington State Ferries has completed both ferry vessel preservation projects as crews finished painting the 188-vehicle Spokane ferry and 87-auto Evergreen State in July. Local governments continue to advance projects for construction with 16 new projects awarded this past week.

OLYMPIA- State officials are celebrating a court victory that walls off millions of acres of public lands from new development. On Wednesday the 9^th Circuit Court ruled in favor of a lower court's decision to turn back a 2005 effort to open up some federal lands to new road construction and the harvest of timber.

"This is a great victory for Washingtonians, who have long stood for the protection of our roadless areas," said Gov. Chris Gregoire. "These special places provide clean water, fish and wildlife habitat, and priceless recreational opportunities for Washington families.

Gregoire added that the decision underscores the need for federal agencies to comply with federal laws, like the National Environmental Policy Act and Endangered Species Act, when proposing significant changes in regulations or management actions.

SEATTLE - The Coast Guard rescued two people from a grounded 30-foot recreational boat in the northern San Juan Islands, Tuesday.

At approximately 11:00 p.m. the Coast Guard Cutter Sea Lion, an 87-foot patrol boat, homeported in Bellingham, Wash., was near Sucia Island State Park, Wash. when the crew came across the 30-foot wooden boat, Gypsy, grounded on some rocks.  

The cutter Sea Lion dispatched its small cutter-boat crew to rescue Robert Knapp, owner of the grounded vessel and passenger Wendy Davis. 

Coast Guard Station Bellingham, Wash., dispatched a 33-foot boat crew to transport Knapp and Davis to Blaine, Wash.

Fire season is here and as temperatures rise, many counties and fire agencies have instituted burn bans.  These bans can prohibit everything from burning yard waste to a campfire.  In Washington, a burn ban violation is punishable by a fine of up to $10,000.  "Outdoor fires that get out of control can cause large wildfires that put citizens, firefighters and property at risk," says State Fire Marshal Mike Matlick.  You may also be responsible for the cost of putting out the fire as well as any damaged property.