An Everett-based construction company has won a $2.3 million state contract to install 40 miles of rumble strips and new striping on Highway 2 between Monroe and Stevens Pass, a project aimed at reducing serious accidents.

Wilder Construction crews could begin work as early as May.

Crews will install a 2-foot-wide rumble-strip median along the highway's centerline between Monroe and Gold Bar, and a 1-foot-wide strip from Gold Bar to the pass. Rumble strips also will be placed along the shoulders.

Similar strips installed in 2004 between the Highway 2 trestle and Monroe reduced crossover accidents by 40 percent, according to the state Department of Transportation.

Everett

Ship-repair service signs lease with Port

The Everett Port Commission has approved a 45-year lease agreement with Everett Ship Repair & Drydock, a new subsidiary of Todd Shipyards.

The company will provide large-vessel repair services from a space in the Port's shipping terminals formerly occupied by Everett Shipyard.

The former shipyard, a longtime Port tenant, sold its assets to the Todd subsidiary. Its president, Kevin Quigley, will continue at the new company's helm.

The shipyard will continue its operations at 14th Street through 2009, then move to the Port's deep-water marine terminals to make room for redevelopment of the north marina area. Everett Shipyard will lead a cleanup of the 14th Street site.

Mill Creek

Rob McKenna at county convention

State Attorney General Rob McKenna is scheduled to be keynote speaker Saturday morning at the Snohomish County Republican Convention.

The general public is invited to attend the free convention at Jackson High School, 1508 136th St. S.E. But those who arrive after 9 a.m. may not immediately gain entry, said Olga Farnam, convention chair. Doors will open at 7:30 a.m., she said.

Delegates elected at the Feb. 9 caucuses will adopt a county party platform, consider resolutions and elect 139 delegates and 139 alternates to attend the state convention and congressional-district caucuses. The state Republican convention is May 29-31.

Olympia

Law allows fare inspectors on buses

Gov. Christine Gregoire last week signed a bill making it easier for Community Transit's planned Swift bus rapid-transit system, which will use ticket-vending machines at bus stops, to conduct spot checks of riders to make sure they've paid and to issue citations to those who don't.

Community Transit next year plans to debut its 17-mile Swift line between Everett Station and the Aurora Village Transit Center in Shoreline, running mostly along Highway 99 and Evergreen Way.

Passengers will board buses through three doors, eliminating lines at the front of the bus.

Sounder commuter trains also use fare inspectors, but state law didn't allow a similar strategy for buses.

Lynnwood, Bothell

Firm fined $12,000 for creek pollution

The Department of Ecology has fined a Lynnwood construction site $12,000 for failing to take measures required to protect Swamp Creek from polluted runoff.

Bothell-based Pacific Ridge Homes is developing the eight-acre Blackstone Residential Community on Manor Way. Crews ignored Ecology inspectors' instructions in late 2007 to cover bare soils and protect cleared slopes from rainfall.

As a result, muddy water from the construction site drained into Swamp Creek, where high levels of silt may harm the breathing gills of fish.

Everett

City's water wins taste contest

Everett's water, which comes from Spada Lake in the Cascades, has been named the best-tasting water in Northwest Washington.

Judges in an annual contest, sponsored by the American Water Works Association (AWWA), last week sampled water from seven providers from Snohomish, Whatcom, Skagit, Island, San Juan, Jefferson and Clallam counties.

Everett provides tap water to more than 500,000 people in Snohomish County.

Next, the city's water will be compared against the best-tasting waters from the rest of the state, Oregon and Idaho at the Pacific Northwest competition May 2 in Vancouver, Wash.

The winner will represent the region in June at the AWWA's annual conference and exposition in Atlanta.

Lynnwood

PAVE to hold conference

Washington PAVE, a parent-directed organization working with individuals with disabilities, their parents and professionals in the field, presents the annual "You Are The Expert Conference: Celebrating Families and Professionals, The Heart of Success" Friday and Saturday at the Lynnwood Convention Center, 3711 196th St. S.W.

Admission for the conference, which begins at 8 a.m. each day, is $125 per person for adults and is free to youths 18 or younger attending with an adult.

Admission includes presentations and breakout sessions, breakfast, lunch, a reception, a silent auction and a youth dance Friday, and breakfast, presentations and breakout sessions Saturday.

Keynote speakers include Kimmer Gordon, an advocate with People First, among other groups; Ken Larson, supporter of People First, the Special Olympics and other groups; and Josh Brothers, attorney and member of the professional advisory board of the Autism Society of Washington, among other groups.

Registration is available online or at the event. For more information, call 253-565-2266 or go to www.washingtonpave.com.

Monroe

Basketball games on Comcast station

The Snohomish County Explosion's home basketball games will be televised on Comcast On Demand across Western Washington.

The team's general manager, Brad Sturlaugson, last week announced the agreement.

The Explosion, a member of the International Basketball League, is defending its 2007 West Division Championship title.