Legislators field questions at luncheon
May 22, 2009
Snoqualmie Valley’s business and community leaders heard from 5th District legislators about the 2009 legislative session at a luncheon on May 15.
The Snoqualmie Valley Chamber of Commerce hosted the legislative wrap-up forum at the Snoqualmie Ridge Country Club. Representatives Jay Rodne and Glenn Anderson, along with Senator Cheryl Pflug, took turns answering questions about the legislative session that ended in April. The questions ranged from the deep cuts inflicted on many state programs to transportation issues involving the Interstate 90 and state Route 520 floating bridges.
At the start of the forum, the legislators were asked what they would have preserved in the 2010-11 budget and what they would have cut from the budget.
Anderson said that he thinks that the Legislature should not have cut about $1.2 billion from non-basic education funding.
From left, Rep. Glenn Anderson, Sen. Cheryl Pflug and Rep. Jay Rodne sit in front of an audience at a Snoqualmie Valley Chamber of Commerce luncheon.
Valley hospital unveils new payment plan
May 22, 2009
A new plan may help Snoqualmie Valley residents save money when visiting primary care physicians at area clinics.
On May 14, the board of directors of the King County Hospital District No. 4, approved the creation of a prepaid primary health care plan. So far, only two medical providers in the state — one in Seattle and another in Spokane — offer some form of prepaid plans.
The plan will allow people to pay $30 a month and a $5 co-pay to be seen by primary care physicians at any of the district’s three clinics. The plan is intended for people without insurance or with high-deductible insurance plans.
Valley school board seeks student reps
May 22, 2009
Many of the decisions made by the Snoqualmie Valley School Board directly affect students in the district, but very few students regularly attend the meetings.
That is about to change.
At the May 14 school board meeting, the board approved a policy allowing two student representatives to serve with the board of directors. The policy states, “The board of directors, realizing the goal of the public school is to educate students, seeks the input and experience of students in the Snoqualmie Valley School District.”
High school students enrolled in Mount Si High School or Two Rivers School can apply for the two positions.
School district jazz bands soar to success
May 22, 2009
Every morning at 6:35 a.m., 22 Twin Falls Middle School students gather in the band room for zero-period to play jazz. This may be the first year the group of sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders are jamming with each other, but their musical chemistry and skill has already caught the attention of judges from across the area.
At the May 1-2 Bellevue High School Jazz Festival, The Twin Falls jazz band placed third out of 25 middle school jazz bands.
“It looks like they’re doing some really good things, fundamentally,” said judge and Eastern Washington University Jazz Program Director Rob Tapper. “I think a lot of times, the high school directors take for granted what fundamental skills and concepts are taught at the younger levels. If they’re not done correctly, it leaves a lot of gaps in what the students understand and what they can produce.”
Twin Falls Middle School students Alix Parsons plays the bass, Kristin Moore (left), Sebastian Gant, J.T. Hartman and Nick Heaslett play the trombone and Aaron Tevis and Nick Apone play the trumpet.
County to purchase flood-prone trailer park
May 21, 2009
King County’s Flood Control District has moved up its plans to buy-out a trailer park in Snoqualmie that is a frequent flood victim.
Snoqualmie Mayor Matt Larson said he is excited about the possibility of the land acquisition and the work being done by the flood control district. The city of Snoqualmie is the most frequently flooded community in King County.
“For the first time in decades, we now have the resources to more effectively deal with flood mitigation efforts,” Larson wrote in an e-mail to the SnoValley Star about the project.
King County’s Flood Control District has plans to buy this trailer park in Snoqualmie.
Valley hospital votes on Initiative 1000 participation
May 21, 2009
Snoqualmie Valley Hospital District’s board of directors made a decision April 14 to allow its physicians to attend assisted suicides under the state’s new death with dignity law.
The main issue that the board discussed was whether or not the hospital would have any liability under the new law.
Voters approved the death with dignity law in a referendum during the November 2008 elections. The law, known as Initiative 1000, allows doctors to assist with suicides by writing prescriptions for lethal doses of medicine.
Snoqualmie Valley schools cut nine teachers
May 21, 2009
Snoqualmie Valley School District issued cuts to nine teachers May 13. The district’s expenditure reduction plan, a blueprint for the 2009-2010 budget, required that the district shave 19.5 certified teachers, but attrition lowered the number the district had to release.
Of the nine teachers, two of them were part-time. The district would not say how many teachers were cut from the elementary, middle and high school levels, respectively, citing the need to protect the teachers’ identities.
With fewer teachers in the classroom, class sizes will increase. If one school is hit harder than another, the district will reassign teachers within the district to create equality in class size, schools spokeswoman Carolyn Malcolm said. She added that the district was working with those who had been laid off.
King County land protection seems unneeded
May 20, 2009
Editorial:
King County does not need a charter amendment to add an extra layer of protection to some of its lands. The proposal seems a classic example of a solution in search of a problem, and a waste of valuable staff time.
The county council has spent the past few weeks studying scattered bits of land from all over the county. Much of this property has rich ecological value, and certainly should not be developed. But then no one has suggested it should be, which is part of the problem with the study — the council is contemplating protecting land from development that no one wants to develop anyway. Many of the lands in question are wetlands, areas that already enjoy enhanced protections.
Mountain Biker rescued on Snoqualmie Trail
May 20, 2009
A mountain biker was rescued after taking a spill on the Snoqualmie Trail on May 15.
The accident occurred about 4 p.m. as the mountain biker was pedaling along the Snoqualmie Trail with friends. He fell from his bike and down a 12-foot embankment. The bike rider struck his head on a tree during his fall and sustained other scrapes and bruises.
Reports from the biker’s friends indicate that he may have lost consciousness after the accident and did not know what had happened.
Members of the Eastside Fire and Rescue team help an injured mountain biker into an ambulance near the Snoqualmie Trail on May 15.
EFR to study charging for emergency transportation
May 20, 2009
Eastside Fire & Rescue is in the early stages of a study that could lead to charging residents for emergency transportation to area hospitals.
For the policy to be implemented, it would require approval of the EFR board.
“We’re just starting a discussion,” said Deputy Chief Jeff Griffin. “This is more of an economic exercise at this point.”
Like public agencies around the region, and the country, EFR is looking for ways to raise money in tight economic times. Griffin said the idea has been discussed in the past, but has been rejected by the board.
