Renton police have reported that two Kennydale elementary students ingested PCP after school today. The two eight-year-olds are recovering, and there is an on-going investigation to understand exactly how they came into possession of the illegal drugs. This could have been extremely tragic, and it is important to get to the bottom of it.

Here is more information in the Renton Reporter.

This just in from our Public Works Administrator:
___________________________

Latest update on the situation with the Royal Hills Sewer line.

Internal TV inspection has revealed that the second sink hole in Royal Hills Dr. was caused by a large hole in the pipe line a few feet upstream of the portion that was replaced on June 8. The sink hole has been filled with crushed rock, and the entire width of the street continues to be covered with 20-foot wide steel plates above the pipe. One lane of the street will be closed to traffic and barricaded over the weekend, the other lane will be open to traffic.

The TV inspection has revealed that the entire section of pipe between the MH next to Royal Hills Dr. and the downstream MH in the Royal Hill Apt. complex (about 200-feet of line) is in a near failing condition and has to be replaced soon. The preliminary results of the TV inspection indicate that the pipeline going up the hill to Tiffany Park and the pipeline downstream of the 200-foot section that is failing are in better shape, and may not require immediate attention.

Two methods of replacement of the 200-foot section are being evaluated and priced: replacement with a more shallow line about 4 to 5 feet deep with transition manholes at both ends, or pipe bursting, which involves inserting a device in the failing line which bursts the walls of the pipe and allows a high density polyethylene pipeline to be pulled thorough the passage to serve as a replacement pipe. We will obtain cost estimates for these two alternatives early next week.

Because of the need to proceed with replacement soon, this may constitute an emergency situation. Declaration of an emergency would allow construction without the need for competitive bidding, which would save time. This also will be evaluated early next week.

No construction work on the line is planned for this weekend. However, a call out maintenance worker will visit the site every 8 hours to check the pipeline trench for possible widening, or for development of other sinkholes. If a problem develops, a crew will quickly be mobilized to deal with it. The bypass pump will remain in place on Index Ave. up the hill in Tiffany Park, but will not be running unless an emergency happens over the weekend. If a problem is identified, sewage can once again be quickly bypassed around the deteriorated pipe.

No sewer overflows from this line have been noted since June 2.

Gregg

Gregg Zimmerman, P.E.
Public Works Administrator
City of Renton

_______________________________

While the Renton sinkholes were extremely dangerous, they did not come close to the startling hole that opened up in Guatemala last week.

In Guatemala, a horrendous 300 foot deep pit opened up, killing several people and swallowing a building.

Guatemala Sinkhole which opened up this week during record floods. This could be a very difficult situation to repair.

(Of course, the circumstances that created the Renton sinkhole and the Guatemala sinkhole are different. The Renton sinkhole is man-made, as a break in a sewer line started sweeping away soil supporting the road. The Guatemala hole came about from the regions volcanic geology which allowed the creation of a subterranean void that became exposed during record flooding. Sinkholes are usually about water in some way. They typically develop where water has moved soil or dissolved soluble rock over a period of time. There can be man-made contributing factors beyond the presence of leaking pipes. For instance, the presence of underground mines –which we have in parts of Renton, or excessive changes in underground water conditions –which we work to monitor in Renton as we pump water from our aquifer.)

This 57 second video gives you a quick picture of the environment down at the market today. Temperatures are perfect, the food is fantastic, the music is great, and there are lots of your friends and neighbors there. It’s a perfect street fair.

Above: my youngest three kids and wife Cathy down at the market today

Cathy and Susie dine on crepes at the Renton Farmers Market
The Renton Farmers Market opened this afternoon in the Piazza. This is sure to be it’s biggest season so far. In addition to a record number of booths offering produce, flowers, and hot food, the market has expanded across Logan Avenue this year to include arts and crafts sellers.

Cathy and I enjoyed getting dinner at the market with the family, catching up with many old friends, and then bringing home some excellent purchases. The rain stayed away, and the temperature was actually pretty comfortable today. It was an excellent opening day.

We’ll be back next Tuesday….hope to see you there! It will be open every Tuesday from 3:00 to 7:00, until mid-September.

My middle-son Kenny and his wife Anastasia at the Market

Hamming it up for the camera, downtown business owner (and community booster) Mary Clymer offers a great selection of locally made art, clothing, Renton-branded products, and other fun items at her “Happy Delusions booth”. Mary had worked hard to create the new arts and crafts section of the market.

The view from the Happy Delusions booth across Logan to the rest of the market. The market is bigger and better than ever.

The Renton Farmers Market will start a new season tomorrow. This popular market will be open every Tuesday from 3:00 to 7:00 in the downtown Piazza park until mid September. Here are more details in the Examiner.

There is a stimulating discussion continuing in the comment section on my blog about proposed Cedar River Trail safety improvements. Click here to participate!