and is now allowing seated service to resume.
With five garage-door-sized windows welcoming a winter wind into Railroad Pub and Pizza, owner Nick Crandall figured he was good to open for dining during the current coronavirus restrictions. You could fly a kite in here, he said.
But what Crandall had hoped would be a solution for the railroad-themed pub has turned out to be more of a train wreck.
Crandall was told by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries to shut down his dining room because people were still technically eating indoors under the building s roof.
Gov. Jay Inslee s outdoor seating requirements for restaurants restrict dining to sidewalks, patios, courtyards, or other similar outdoor areas. Health officials have said that coronavirus transmission is more likely indoors than outdoors.
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New Washington laws going into effect in 2021
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Pacific Northwest orca with Mount Baker in the background near the Strait of Georgia off the coast of Vancouver, British ColumbiaSergio Amiti/Getty Images
The new year brings changes, and more laws at both state and local levels. In Washington, 2021 will bring new wages, a law concerning criminal background checks and new rules to protect orcas.
As we reflect on the year that was 2020 in life, news and sports, take a look at what s to come with these new laws and updated rules.
Minimum wage
One of the biggest laws affecting Washingtonians is a pay bump. Starting Jan. 1, the state s minimum wage will tick up from $13.50 an hour to $13.69, according to the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries.
Defiant restaurant in Chehalis faces judge for violating indoor dining COVID-19 restrictions
Defiant restaurant in Chehalis faces judge for violating indoor dining COVID-19 restrictions
A Spiffy’s employee of 34 years addressed the crowd right before the hearing started. He said he believes the COVID-19 restrictions on restaurant and bars are wrong.
LEWIS COUNTY, Wash. - A defiant restaurant in Chehalis will face off with the state once again in the battle for indoor dining.
A new hearing between Spiffy’s Restaurant and Washington State Department of Labor and Industries is now on the agenda for 2021. The attorney for Spiffy’s requested the postponement, which a judge granted during a Webex virtual hearing, Tuesday.
Spiffy s Restaurant in Chehalis. (Photo from owner)
Spiffy’s Restaurant in Chehalis will wait one more week to hear if a judge will uphold a state order trying to force the restaurant to stop serving food indoors.
At a Lewis County court hearing Tuesday, Judge Chris Lanese warned the owner of Spiffy’s that he is violating emergency coronavirus rules and could be sent to jail. The judge gave Spiffy’s one week before deciding whether the restraining order demanding it stops indoor service is enforceable.
“Failure to [comply] may result in a order or finding of contempt, which can result in fines or penalties up to $2,000 per day, could include jail time, could include the bringing of charges for a gross misdemeanor, amid other consequences,” Judge Lanese said.