State and local officials will break ground on the $115 million Eastbound Nalley Valley Project tomorrow, Oct. 28, marking the official start of construction to replace and improve connections from eastbound SR 16 to I-5 and complete the SR 16/Sprague Avenue interchange.

The first portion of the three-phase interchange overhaul, the westbound Nalley Valley viaduct, opened to drivers in June and set the stage for future HOV lanes that will be built through the area in 2020.

Commercial banks and savings institutions insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. reported an aggregate profit of $14.5 billion for the third quarter of 2010, a $12.5 billion improvement from the $2 billion the industry earned in the third quarter of 2009.
 
This is the fifth consecutive quarter that earnings have registered a year-over-year increase.

Marie Barth, president of Designated Escrow Inc., participated in a two-day leadership academy in Chicago for Women's Council of Realtors. She is president-elect of Tacoma Pierce County WCR.

Barbara Kaiser has been elected president of the Professional Insurance Agents Association of Washington/Alaska. She is owner/principal of Sunset Insurance Agency LLC in Olympia.

The Washington State Board of Accountancy has revoked Lance M. Avery's Certified Public Accounting certificate and eligibility to renew his license to practice as a CPA.

The board said the decision was based on his failure to complete client engagements or return their records, a felony judgment and sentencing of unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and assault in the third degree, and failure to respond to the board's inquiry.

The Washington Recreation and Park Association annually recognizes public agencies and individuals for outstanding and unique achievements. Award recipients from the South Sound region for 2010 include:

Professional Award Recipients

• Jim Sheler, City of Lacey, Distinguished Service
• Charlotte Valbert, Metropolitan Park District Tacoma, Citation of Merit – Citizen
• Andrea Clay, Pierce County Parks and Recreation, Young Professional.

WashACE Blog takes a look at the "Jobless recovery – that strange oxymoron."

OlyBlog has information about a workshop next week offering non-profit organizations advice about how to strengthen their programs and increase volunteer efficiency.

Mason County Literacy has received a $5,000 grant from the Lucky Seven Foundation to support computer literacy for adult students who are studying to improve reading, writing and math skills, study for a GED or learn English as a second language.

"Having computer skills is becoming even more important in a tough job market," said Kris Smock, Executive Director. "Our services are provided for free, something we simply could not do without the support of the community and our many volunteers."

Saint Martin's University and The Evergreen State College are hosting the 2010 Career and Internship Fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 13 in the Marcus Pavilion, 5300 Pacific Ave. S.E., Lacey. Admission is free and open to the public. The fair will feature more than 90 employers from private industries, state and local government, and nonprofit organizations. For more information, call (360) 486-8842 or e-mail aadams@stmartin.edu.

The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber's next Business Roundtable is scheduled for 7:30 to 9 a.m. April 14 at Financial Network, 5000 Bridgeport Way W., University Place. The event is free and for chamber members only. For more information or to RSVP, contact Susie Wagner at (253) 627-2175.

Steven McCarty has joined Sound Physicians as general counsel. He previously was vice president, legal counsel with Catholic Health Initiatives. Prior to CHI, McCarty also practiced law with Jones Day. He earned his undergraduate degree from University of Notre Dame, and his jurist doctorate degree from Capital University Law School.

Laura Hershkowitz D.O. has joined MultiCare Health System. She is a board-certified neurologist and neurophysiologist with special qualifications in epilepsy. Hershkowitz received her medical training at Michigan State University's College of Osteopathic Medicine. Prior to joining MultiCare, Hershkowitz served for more than a decade as a regional epileptologist and the director of neurophysiology at Hamot Medical Center and Hamot Neuroscience Institute in Erie, Pa.

A section of Canyon Road East can now claim it's the best county asphalt paving project in Western Washington.

Pierce County received the 2008 first place Quality Award for Asphalt Pavement Construction from Washington Asphalt Paving Association. The county's paving contractor, Tucci and Sons, Inc. of Tacoma, was a joint recipient of the award.

O'Reilly Automotive Inc., one of the largest specialty retailers of auto parts and accessories, announced today the planned conversion schedule for Schuck's Auto Parts stores is entering its second phase.

This conversion of the in-store information system, as well as enhancements to the distribution infrastructure, coincide with the opening of a new regional distribution center in Puyallup this month.

The Department of Licensing has modified the plan announced last month for issuing seven-character license plates for use on passenger cars and sport-utility vehicles.

DOL will begin issuing a new, seven-character configuration in November or early December as announced, but the arrangement of letters and numbers on the plates has changed.

Valley Auburn RV Center has joined the Jayco network of recreational vehicle dealerships, which includes more than 300 RV dealerships throughout the United States and Canada.

The new retail operation has been serving the South Sound area RV market for more than 35 years and offers a comprehensive service department staffed with certified technicians and a fully-stocked parts department.

Port of Olympia Finance Director Kevin Ferguson reported historically high financial results for the nine months ending with the third quarter 2009 at the regular Port Commission meeting this week.

"For the first nine months, the Port is showing historic highs and we expect this trend to continue through year end," said Ferguson.

Starting tonight and continuing through October, motorists can expect intermittent closures of the new Hood Canal Floating Bridge as contractors conduct extensive testing. Halts to vehicle traffic lasting up to 90 minutes are expected weeknights between the hours of 10 p.m. and 4 a.m.

Motorists going south on Interstate 5 from Thurston into Lewis County will have daytime lane closures and rolling slow-downs. Contractors are placing permanent lane barriers and building bridge structures. Delays up to 5 minutes are anticipated between 5:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. weekdays.

In honor of Labor Day, Gov. Christine Gregoire signed a proclamation encouraging state residents to celebrate Washington transportation workers.

"Our workers are building and maintaining safer, more efficient ways of travel – jobs that help support local communities and get our economy back on track," said the governor.

MultiCare HealthWorks opened a new location in Puyallup today.

Physician Archie Adams serves needs of employers for a comprehensive range of services designed to reduce workplace risks and manage workplace injuries quickly, efficiently and with a focus on a prompt return to work.

Staff at the Department of Licensing will be working over this weekend to help customers take advantage of the federal Cash for Clunkers. This new vehicle rebate program is scheduled to end Monday, Aug. 24.

"We've been working hard to help Washington residents take advantage of the rebate program, and we're going to keep it up this weekend," DOL Deputy Director Alan Haight said.

Crews on the Interstate 5 HOV widening project through Fife will begin closing lanes at 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22.

By 11 p.m., a triple-lane closure will be in place, leaving just the inside lane open to traffic.

Motorists traveling northbound Interstate-5 near the Pierce/King county line this week can expect nighttime left lane closures. They will be coned off overnight Monday through Friday from 70th Avenue to the county line from 7 p.m. to 4 a.m. More details on this project to extend HOV lanes is online.

Additional nightly on- and off-ramp closures at the junction of I-5 and State Route 16 will occur as crews continue work on a project that rebuilds the Nalley Valley interchange. Tonight, the ramps from southbound I-5 to westbound SR 16 and to 38th Street will be closed between 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Online information is available.