Public Spaces

The FAA will take public testimony tonight on the proposal to bring commercial air service to Paine Field:

• Kamiak High School, 10801 Harbour Pointe Boulevard
• 6:00 p.m.

Tonight is the third and final public hearing on the issue. Dozens of people showed at the previous meetings to protest the proposal.

Horizon and Allegiant airlines would like to start flying 44 flights per week, and eventually boost air traffic up to 70 flights by 2016. There would be two non-stop flights a day to Spokane.

Starting today, pasties and thongs on nearly-naked baristas at coffee stands within county limits must be covered up under a new county law.

The new law tolerates baristas in bikinis, but not much less. And the county's strengthened lewd conduct ordinance comes with tougher penalties for violations for which business owners and managers can be held accountable.

It's the county's attempt to crack down on bikini baristas crossing the line, but workers at more family-friendly locations are skeptical about the stricter laws.

"I think maybe right at first, but i think it's going to go right back to how it has been," said barista Ashley Winn. "I don't think by wearing pasties, going to a bikini is going to change how anybody views any of that stuff."

The sight of scantily-clad young women flashing customers and performing simulated sexual acts at drive-through espresso huts had a lot of neighbors steamed. Vocal business owners near one risque stand near Mill Creek finally had it shutdown after a year and a half of battles.

Neighbors who helped lead the fight for the new county-wide restrictions are breathing a sigh of relief.

Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon has signed into law new rules aimed to crack-down on scantily-clad baristas.

The Snohomish County Council passed two ordinances earlier this month.

Under the new rules, espresso stands featuring girls showing too much skin must be classified as "adult entertainment."

In addition, both the baristas and the owner of the stand will be held responsible for any lewd conduct.

The regulations are set to go into effect on January 7th.

The Snohomish County Council has passed two new ordinances designed to crack down on risqué coffee stands.

The unanimous vote Wednesday morning creates new licensing guidelines and standards of conduct.

The first ordinance holds not only the barista accountable for lewd conduct, but also the owner of the stand. The other proposal requires stands with scantily clad baristas to get an adult entertainment license.

In addition, the measures make for stiffer penalties for violations.

People in the audience clapped when the measures were passed, but one councilmember said he was worried about enforcement -- especially when budgets are being cut and there just aren't resources to police baristas.

He says he's also worried about a possible court challenge.

These ordinances will likely kick in around the first of the year, but it depends on when Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon actually signs them into law.