Latest news with #SoapLakeCityCouncil
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Yahoo
SLPD swears in newest officer, hiring for police chief
Apr. 4—SOAP LAKE — The Soap Lake Police Department swore in its newest officer, Yuriy Bezzubenko at the Soap Lake City Council meeting Wednesday. As of now, SLPD has four officers including Acting Chief Robert Geates. In addition to Geates, officers include Bezzubenko, Jacob Lennhouts and Mikel Bias. Geates said there are two officers currently attending the academy which will help bring the city's police force up and help it reach its goals in serving the community. Bezzubenko said he understands the importance of that commitment and responsibility to serve the public in good faith. "I'd like to say today is more than just a ceremony," Bezzubenko said. "It's a commitment, a commitment to serve and protect, to uphold the values of justice and integrity. Sitting here, I'm reminded that wearing this badge is not just an honor. It's a responsibility. It's a difficult responsibility, but I accept it, and as well as stepping into a role that demands courage, compassion and unwavering dedication." Bezzubenko speaks both Russian and Ukrainian, which he said is important for communication and building trust with the Soap Lake community. Soap Lake is known for having a fairly large Slavic community that includes a Baptist church. "I hope that my ability to speak these languages will help strengthen their relationships within our diverse community and ensure that everyone feels heard," Bezzubenko said. "Soap Lake is more than just a place. It's a community, and from this day forward, I dedicate myself to keeping it safe." Bezzubenko was born in Ukraine and immigrated to the United States when he was 13 years old, he said. He then spent most of his life in North Carolina. He started his career in the Marine Corps, where he served for almost four years. He left the Marines as a sergeant. He then served as a police sergeant in Hoonah, Alaska. He said he has about five years of law enforcement experience. "I pledge to serve this community with fairness, to stand for those who cannot stand for themselves, and to uphold the law with respect and integrity," Bezzubenko said. "I would like to first and foremost, thank the mayor as well as (Acting) Chief Geates, the council members and the community as well for giving me an opportunity to be of service to Soap Lake and the police department as well." The department is also hiring a Chief of Police after former Chief Ryan Cox was terminated for alleged misconduct. However, the termination is being appealed by Cox via the city's Civil Service Commision. The chief position pays $155,000 to $175,000 with a $5,000 sign on bonus and an additional $5,000 after one year of service. For more information about the position call 509-246-1211 or visit
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Soap Lake passes six-year transpo plan
Mar. 6—SOAP LAKE — The Soap Lake City Council unanimously passed its six-year transportation improvement program for the Washington State Department of Transportation. There are 10 projects planned for the next six years. The city plans on using around $489,000 in federal funds, about $6.2 million in state funds and around $320,000 in local funds to complete the projects. In total, there is around $6.97 million worth of road repair projects planned for the next handful of years. For 2025-26, the city will build sidewalks along the west side of Daisy Street from Third Avenue Southeast to Main Avenue. Federal and state funds will pay for the $566,100 cost of construction. Two projects are anticipated to start in 2027, including pulverizing, cement-treating and overlaying existing roadway 5th Avenue Southeast from Division Street to Daisy Street. This project will also include updating curbs, sidewalks, gutters and storm drainage in the same area. The project will take both state funds of around $1.15 million and local funds of about $61,000. In total, the updates will cost around $1.2 million. The city will also be starting construction of five-foot sidewalks along Fir Street from Second Avenue to Lakeshore Drive. The project will take both state funds of $399,000 and local funds of $21,000 to complete. In total, it will cost $420,000 to construct the sidewalks. In 2028, there are three planned projects. The largest project is pulverizing and overlaying Canna Street from First Avenue Southeast to Seventh Avenue Southeast, including updating sidewalks, curb, gutter and storm drainage. The project will take both state funds of around $1.33 million and local funds of roughly $70,500. The project will cost about $1.4 million in total. The city will pulverize and overlay First Avenue Northeast, Second Avenue Northeast and Fourth Avenue Northeast from Daisy Street to Elder Street. The update will cost $490,200 in state funds and $25,800 in local funds, according to city documents. In total the project is expected to cost around $516,000. There will also be pulverization and overlays done on Elder Street from Main Avenue to 4th Avenue Northeast. This project will take $342,000 in state funds and $18,000 in local funds. In 2029, there is only one project planned to overlay 3rd Avenue Northeast from Daisy Street to Eastlake Avenue, including updating sidewalks, curb, gutter and storm drainage. The project will cost around $811,000 in state funds and around $43,000 in local funds. In total the project is anticipated to cost around $855,000. In 2030, there are three street projects planned. The biggest of the three includes reconstruction of Third Avenue Southeast from Canna Street to Fern Street, including sidewalk, curb, gutter and storm drainage improvements. This will cost $729,600 in state funds and $38,400 in local funds. In total it will cost around $768,000 to complete. The city will also be pulverizing and overlaying Lake Shore Drive from Main Avenue to Juniper Street, including sidewalks, curbs, gutter and storm drainage. This will cost around $417,000 in state funds and around $21,000 in local funds, totaling $439,000. The final project listed within the plan includes pulverizing, cement-treating and overlaying the existing roadway on Fern Avenue North from Main Avenue East to Third Avenue Northeast.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Soap Lake passes six-year transpo plan
Mar. 6—SOAP LAKE — The Soap Lake City Council unanimously passed its six-year transportation improvement program for the Washington State Department of Transportation. There are 10 projects planned for the next six years. The city plans on using around $489,000 in federal funds, about $6.2 million in state funds and around $320,000 in local funds to complete the projects. In total, there is around $6.97 million worth of road repair projects planned for the next handful of years. For 2025-26, the city will build sidewalks along the west side of Daisy Street from Third Avenue Southeast to Main Avenue. Federal and state funds will pay for the $566,100 cost of construction. Two projects are anticipated to start in 2027, including pulverizing, cement-treating and overlaying existing roadway 5th Avenue Southeast from Division Street to Daisy Street. This project will also include updating curbs, sidewalks, gutters and storm drainage in the same area. The project will take both state funds of around $1.15 million and local funds of about $61,000. In total, the updates will cost around $1.2 million. The city will also be starting construction of five-foot sidewalks along Fir Street from Second Avenue to Lakeshore Drive. The project will take both state funds of $399,000 and local funds of $21,000 to complete. In total, it will cost $420,000 to construct the sidewalks. In 2028, there are three planned projects. The largest project is pulverizing and overlaying Canna Street from First Avenue Southeast to Seventh Avenue Southeast, including updating sidewalks, curb, gutter and storm drainage. The project will take both state funds of around $1.33 million and local funds of roughly $70,500. The project will cost about $1.4 million in total. The city will pulverize and overlay First Avenue Northeast, Second Avenue Northeast and Fourth Avenue Northeast from Daisy Street to Elder Street. The update will cost $490,200 in state funds and $25,800 in local funds, according to city documents. In total the project is expected to cost around $516,000. There will also be pulverization and overlays done on Elder Street from Main Avenue to 4th Avenue Northeast. This project will take $342,000 in state funds and $18,000 in local funds. In 2029, there is only one project planned to overlay 3rd Avenue Northeast from Daisy Street to Eastlake Avenue, including updating sidewalks, curb, gutter and storm drainage. The project will cost around $811,000 in state funds and around $43,000 in local funds. In total the project is anticipated to cost around $855,000. In 2030, there are three street projects planned. The biggest of the three includes reconstruction of Third Avenue Southeast from Canna Street to Fern Street, including sidewalk, curb, gutter and storm drainage improvements. This will cost $729,600 in state funds and $38,400 in local funds. In total it will cost around $768,000 to complete. The city will also be pulverizing and overlaying Lake Shore Drive from Main Avenue to Juniper Street, including sidewalks, curbs, gutter and storm drainage. This will cost around $417,000 in state funds and around $21,000 in local funds, totaling $439,000. The final project listed within the plan includes pulverizing, cement-treating and overlaying the existing roadway on Fern Avenue North from Main Avenue East to Third Avenue Northeast.
