News Briefs

Captain Patrick Hannigan of Mercer Island has been reappointed to a term ending Dec. 26, 2012.

Hannigan reappointed to marine commission

Captain Patrick Hannigan of Mercer Island has been reappointed to a term ending Dec. 26, 2012.

Hannigan is a member of the Puget Sound Pilots, as well as several committees, including the trainee evaluation and legislative committee with the Board of Pilotage.

The mission of the Board is to ensure against the loss of lives and loss of or damage to property and vessels, as well as to protect the marine environment by maintaining efficient and competent navigation and pilotage service on our state’s inland waters.

Matt to stay on Disability Issues and Employment committee

Governor Christine Gregoire recently reappointed local resident Susan Matt as committee member to another term effective Jan. 1, 2009, ending Dec. 31, 2011.

Matt is the sole practitioner of the law office of Susan B. Matt. She volunteers with the University of Washington School of Nursing in the Department of Behavioral Nursing and Health Systems.

The committee advises the governor and the state Legislature on disability issues, generates local action, initiates projects to address specific issues, provides training and assistance to individuals and organizations statewide, conducts workshops and conferences, and publishes disability-related materials.

Semi-truck, four vehicles tie up I-90 westbound

Traffic on the westbound Interstate 90 Floating Bridge was just getting back to normal Monday when a multi-vehicle traffic accident at around 3:40 p.m. on the mid-span halted rush-hour commuters.

After a two-week repair job that tied-up the westbound Homer Hadley Bridge ended, traffic volumes were back to normal levels as drivers returned to their usual commute patterns.

The eastbound express lanes just west of the East Mercer Way were also, causing delays in the opposite direction.

A semi-truck was reportedly involved in the midspan collision with four other vehicles. Several lanes were blocked, causing mile of traffic. At least one motorist was taken to hospital while State Patrol tried to determine how the accident occured.