 Every generation in Rob Woeck’s family shares fishing memories of the Pacific Northwest. The Washington State Department of Transportation employee said his family put down their initial roots in the Washington Territory during the 1880s. They grew up fishing commercially and recreationally, he grew up fishing, and each generation in between did as well.
It’s a part of their identity as much as fishing is part of the overall PNW identity, and even more so for local tribes over thousands of years.
“I can’t imagine a situation where my grandkids don’t know what it’s like to see Chum salmon spawning in front of them,” Woeck said. “And if we don’t follow through, then that will be the case.”
He visited with Gov. Jay Inslee Wednesday at Edgecomb Creek in Arlington, a recent Washington success story for fish passage restoration. Finished in 2018, the relatively small creek now runs through peoples’ backyards. Woeck, environmental program manager for I-405, said it’s so small that people could step over it in places or maybe not even notice the newly built ecosystem. But this creek saw more than 80 spawning Coho salmon in the stream last year — and Woeck is sure that even more swam through.
Read the rest of the story on the governor's Medium page.
READ: State invests in Puget Sound salmon habitat
 Gov. Jay Inslee toured three projects in Northern Washington Wednesday to see how state agencies, tribes, local governments and nonprofits are carrying out recent legislation to aid orca and salmon recovery. He visited a restored fish passageway in Arlington called Edgecomb Creek that will bring more fish into waterways. The governor also saw how experts recently restored a Cornet Bay shoreline to its natural habitat and then experienced a land-based whale watching tour through a Whale Trail site.
The projects directly contribute to a healthier, more robust ecosystem for Southern Resident orcas, salmon and forage fish.
“Each of these projects tell the story of orca health and the components we need to have a chance at whale recovery,” Inslee said. “We’re looking at how we can provide more fish with more miles of passageways, how we can get back to natural habitats along our beautiful shores, and how we engage and get folks invested in orca and salmon recovery. This is important work that gets to the heart of who we are as members of the same Pacific Northwest family.”
Read the rest of the story on the governor's Medium page.
 Gov. Jay Inslee visited Silfab Solar in Bellingham Wednesday where local leaders celebrated an expansion of the company’s facility. The governor spoke and toured the clean energy facility.
"This facility supports 160 clean energy jobs right here in downtown Bellingham," Inslee said. "If you want to see what Washington state’s clean energy future looks like, you can see it right here, right now. As the largest solar panel manufacturer in North America, Silfab is proving that Washington is the number one state to do business in – especially if your business is clean energy."
Inslee recently signed a bill into law that puts Washington on a pathway to 100 percent clean electricity and paves the way for more large-scale solar projects to be built in the state.
The bill also extends incentives for the purchase of solar energy equipment, which helps to support residential and commercial solar energy production and good-paying solar installation jobs.
READ: Bellingham Herald - Washington governor stops in Bellingham to show why his green policies can succeed
 Gov. Jay Inslee made stops in Winthrop, Twisp and Pateros Wednesday.
He first met with Methow Trails and officials from Winthrop. They discussed the economic impact of outdoor recreation in the Methow Valley. The mayor and other officials then joined the governor for a visit to the Winthrop Ice & Sports Rink and the Spring Creek Pedestrian Bridge, two projects supported with state grant funding.
Afterward, the governor met with Twisp officials to discuss current and ongoing efforts to mitigate wildfire threats and other natural disasters. They also discussed affordable housing challenges in the Methow Valley.
From there, the governor visited TwispWorks, a non-profit facility that hosts artist studios, a community garden and workshops.
Inslee ended day in Pateros where he joined local officials to reflect on the community’s efforts to rebuild after the devastating Carlton Complex Fire in 2014. The group toured the construction site of Pateros’s new water system which has received approximately $2.8 million of state funding.
 Gov. Jay Inslee walked with state employees around the capitol campus for the 2019 Governor Walks for SmartHealth event Thursday.
The SmartHealth Program is a voluntary wellness program that encourages state employees to be more active and maintain physical/mental health. Employees who are focused on their physical and emotional well-being are more likely to be happy and productive at work.
"As public employees, you work hard and are dedicated to serving the people of Washington, but I want you to take care of yourselves, too," Inslee said.
 The following information came from the Washington State Military Department:
The recent earthquake in Snohomish County is a solid reminder that Washington is earthquake country. While the state was fortunate not to receive much damage, the event serves as a reminder about the need to be personally prepared.
This animated version of an earthquake infographic shows best practices on how to handle an earthquake – whether you’re on the coast and need to head to high ground or in a high rise.
Make sure you have food, water and medication at home so you and your family can get by on your own for awhile. The Military Department suggests you have enough for two weeks. If that’s out of reach, then start smaller. Something is better than nothing.
You can also review and refine your family’s communication plan. Make sure you know how you’ll get in touch and reunite with loved ones after a disaster.
- The Department of Social and Health Services awarded $500,000 from The Kresge Foundation to support poverty reduction efforts. This grant supports the agency’s strategic goal to reduce poverty by half in 2025 in a way that eliminates disparities. DSHS co-leads the governor's Poverty Reduction Workgroup, which is preparing a 10-year strategic plan to reduce poverty due December 1.
- Gov. Jay Inslee issued a statement July 14 regarding an attempt by an armed individual to attack a federal detention facility in Tacoma.
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