Cheers: To Russell Wilson. The most prominent Seattle Seahawk is now an ex-Seahawk, with the quarterback being traded to the Denver Broncos. During 10 seasons in Seattle, Wilson led the Seahawks to two Super Bowls, winning one. He set an entire book’s worth of team records and put together one of the best win-loss records of any quarterback in NFL history. More important, Wilson had a remarkable record of community service; in 2021, he won the Walter Payton Man of the Year award for his charitable work — the NFL’s highest honor.
It is a remarkable legacy for somebody who once was a third-round draft pick and had plenty of “experts” doubting whether he could make an impact in the league. Wilson’s impact has been extraordinary, both on and off the field, and he leaves an indelible legacy. That will not be diminished as the Seahawks begin a rebuilding process without him.
Jeers: To fentanyl. Two Portland teens died this week in separate incidents believed tied to fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that can be up to 100 times more potent than morphine. Media reports say the teens may have thought the pills were OxyContin or Xanax.
Experts say one dose of fentanyl can be fatal, and the drug has contributed to a national increase in opioid deaths. Parents should be aware of the dangers and the prominence of fentanyl, and they should have discussions with their teens about the risks of taking unknown pills. “Anyone who uses powdered drugs or takes pills that were not given to them by a pharmacy should assume they contain fentanyl,” Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County health officer, said last year.
Cheers: To building bridges. A final transportation package from the Legislature sends $1 billion toward a replacement for the Interstate 5 Bridge. While that is less than the $1.2 billion initially proposed, it still represents a significant commitment from Washington lawmakers.
This does not mean that construction is set to begin on a new bridge. Plenty of planning and negotiations with Oregon officials are still necessary, as is a commitment for funding from the federal government. But legislators thus far have recognized the importance of the project without the threat of killing the proposal. As Rep. Sharon Wylie, D-Vancouver, said: “Our bridge is everybody’s bridge. It is of statewide significance.”
Jeers: To depressing weather. A poll from Pemco Insurance finds that 59 percent of Northwest residents suffer from some level of seasonal affective disorder. As the Mayo Clinic explains: “If you’re like most people with SAD, your symptoms start in the fall and continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody.”
Reduced sunlight in fall and winter can contribute to symptoms of seasonal affective disorder, and that can be exacerbated by the cloudy skies of Western Washington. Hopefully, many of us can enjoy a little more sunlight after changing our clocks on Sunday.
Cheers: To the Confluence Land Bridge. The walkway that arches over state Highway 14 east of Interstate 5 has reopened following months of renovation. Surfaces have been refurbished, and new artwork and historic panels soon will be installed.
In historic terms, the land bridge represents the connection between European and Native American cultures. In practical terms, it provides a connection between Fort Vancouver and the Columbia River. Either way, it provides a chance for a pleasant stroll that is unique to Vancouver.
