Schools foundation plans phoneathon
August 20, 2009
By Staff
During the evenings of Sept. 14 and 15, Mount Si High School students will call 4,000 local residents for the Snoqualmie Valley School Foundation’s science phoneathon. Proceeds will be used to purchase hands-on science tools for every school in the district.
“More interactive science education will make a positive difference for the students in our schools,” says Joel Aune, superintendent of the Snoqualmie Valley School District. “If the foundation is able to raise the funding for us through this phoneathon, the district can purchase this essential equipment and get it into classrooms this fall.”
Science materials will help children in all grade levels. For example, kindergarteners will learn about earth materials like rocks and soils when they use sieves, and first-graders will be able to see details of plants and animals with microscopes. Snoqualmie Valley’s third grade students will be able to work with watershed ecosystem models. Fourth-graders will use projections from a star theater to visualize the different seasonal constellations and the effects of the Earth’s orbit.
Light boxes will help middle school students learn about the visible light spectrum. With increased funding, the foundation will be able to buy microscopes for more middle school science classrooms.
The foundation has already provided $10,000 to replace Mount Si’s outdated science computers, but needs more than $40,000 to complete the project. With new equipment, Mount Si students can perform complex science lab work like students in districts across the Puget Sound.
“One hundred percent of the funds raised through this phoneathon will go into the classrooms,” said schools foundation President Carolyn Simpson.
Donations are tax deductible, and donors are encouraged to save a phone call and donate prior to Sept. 14 online at www.SVSFoundation.org.
During the evenings of Sept. 14 and 15, Mount Si High School students will call 4,000 local residents for the Snoqualmie Valley School Foundation’s science phoneathon. Proceeds will be used to purchase hands-on science tools for every school in the district.
“More interactive science education will make a positive difference for the students in our schools,” says Joel Aune, superintendent of the Snoqualmie Valley School District. “If the foundation is able to raise the funding for us through this phoneathon, the district can purchase this essential equipment and get it into classrooms this fall.”
Science materials will help children in all grade levels. For example, kindergarteners will learn about earth materials like rocks and soils when they use sieves, and first-graders will be able to see details of plants and animals with microscopes. Snoqualmie Valley’s third grade students will be able to work with watershed ecosystem models. Fourth-graders will use projections from a star theater to visualize the different seasonal constellations and the effects of the Earth’s orbit.
Calendar 8-20
August 20, 2009
Events
Mike’s Cascade Grill will host Mike’s Bike Night With Jeff Warren and Friends, an open mic night from 6-8:30 p.m. every Wednesday through August. The band will be raising money for Relay For Life and Mike’s will donate 25 percent of all burger special sales to the American Cancer Society during the event. Bring and instrument and play or come for the music, food and to support the Snoqualmie Valley relay.
Koko Beans Coffee House at 8010 Railroad Ave. S.E., Snoqualmie is displaying artwork from the founding members of the Mt. Si Artist Guild, Michael McDevitt, Sandy Robinson and Diane Solomon, during the month of August.
Celebrating its second year, Art in the Park offers art lovers an up-close look at the best artists the Valley has to offer. The public event takes place at Gardiner Weeks Park in North Bend on Aug. 22, where members of the Mount Si Artist Guild paint, draw and share their knowledge of their craft with others.
The Mount Si boys basketball team will have its annual fundraising golf tournament Aug. 21 at the Mount Si Golf Course. The format will be a four-man scramble with net and gross prizes. Shotgun start is at 8 a.m., with check-in starting at 6:30 a.m. Cost is $100 per golfer and includes lunch. For more information, e-mail Ken Sinner at ksinner@comcast.net.
Robin Schween, of Edward Jones, will host a free investment seminar at the Snoqualmie Library from 7-8 p.m. Aug. 26. The theme of the seminar is “10 Reason to be a Long-Term Bull”. For more information, call 888-2068.
For a fifth straight year, the Boeing Classic will be played at TPC at Snoqualmie Ridge Aug. 24-30. The professional golf tournament highlights all of the legends of the Champions Tour. Early the week of the tournament, the annual Charles Schwab Youth Clinic will be held, followed by the Seahawks Pro-Am, which traditionally hosts a classic list of former Seattle Seahawk greats. The tournament last for three days and 54 holes, with the championship wrapping up on Sunday afternoon. The tournament is aired live on The Golf Channel. For more information, go to www.boeingclassic.com.
Snoqualmie artist Kim Starr’s art show “Romancing the Surf” will show at the Gunnar Nordstrom Gallery at 800 Bellevue Way N.E. Ste. 111, Bellevue from Aug. 12 to Sept. 9.
In honor of the 40th anniversary of Woodstock, DoggieStock will be from 1-6 p.m. Sept. 12 at Snoqualmie Point Park. There will be a canine kissing booth contest, doggie Olympics, quilt raffle, peace offering cans and a winners table involved in the event.
The Friends for Life Children’s Hospital Guild will host the fourth annual Hand Blown Glass Ornament sale Sept. 26 at Finaghty’s Irish Pub and Restaurant in Snoqualmie. The event begins at 11 a.m. with a lunch, followed by a silent auction at 5 p.m. and a live auction at 7 p.m. For more information, go to www.finaghtys.com.
Dreams of Hope, a guild for Seattle Children’s Hospital will hold a lunch and a silent and live auction at the TPC Snoqualmie Ridge Golf Club at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 4. The guild will be auctioning shoes, wine, sports tickets and memorabilia, entertainment and vacation packages. Tickets are $50 per person and can be purchased by contacting Diana Reul-Shapiro at 443-6714 or dianareul@hotmail.com. To learn more, visit www.dreamsofhopeguild.org.
Classes
The Puget Sound Chapter of Better Investing will host a free class, Investing 101, from 7-8:30 p.m. Aug. 11 at the Snoqualmie Library. The class is designed for investors of all ages and includes what you should teach your children. For more information, go to www.psc-free.eventbrite.com or call Carol Theine at 396-5148.
The Early Bird Workout began July 2 at Si View Community Center. The class meets from 6-7 a.m. every Thursday morning, and offers a high intensity workout for those who want to exercise before work. For more information, go to www.siviewpark.org or call 831-1900.
The Mount Si School of Karate is offered through Si View Community Center Mondays and Wednesdays each month. Interested participants 7-8 years will meet from 4-5 p.m., those who are 9-11 years from 5-6 p.m. and those 12 and up from 6-7 p.m. Register for the class at www.siviewpark.org or call 831-1900.
Heather Evans with the Bellevue Community College Career Center in Snoqualmie provides free career services from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. every Tuesday at the Snoqualmie Tribe Headquarters, 8130 Railroad Ave. in downtown Snoqualmie and from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. every Wednesday at the North Bend Library, 115 4th St. in North Bend. For more information, call 888-6551, ext. 101 or e-mail heather.evans@bellevuecollege.edu.
An Al-Anon Family Group meets at 7 p.m. each Thursday at Mt. Si Lutheran Church in North Bend.
The teen drop-in program happens from 3-5 p.m. on Mondays and 1-5 p.m. on Fridays at Si View Community Center in North Bend. For more information, contact Ryan Daly at rdaly@siviewpark.org or 831-1900.
Spanish classes are held every Thursday, 3:30-4:30 p.m. at the Sno-Valley Senior Center. Open to the community. $5 per class, drop-in basis, taught by Celide Rivero.
Food Addicts Anonymous meets at 7 p.m. every Thursday in North Bend. For more information, please call 888-0314.
The Arthritis Foundation Aquatic Program meets at Si View Park from 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. every Monday through Thursday. Cost is $4.
An Alzheimer’s Association caregiver support group meets from 6:30 – 8 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at Holy Innocents Catholic Church, 26526 Cherry Valley Rd., Duvall. For more information, contact group facilitator Irene Olson at 868-4889.
Volunteer opportunities
Snoqualmie Valley Historical Museum seeks docents to volunteer at the Museum from 1-5 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday through October. Duties will include greeting visitors, selling items in the gift shop and more. Training will be provided. Contact the museum at 888-3200 or Pat Kelly at 888-1557.
The Senior Services Transportation Program seeks volunteers to drive seniors around North Bend and Snoqualmie. Volunteers will drive their own vehicles and choose the weekdays, times and areas in which they’d like to drive. Mileage reimbursement and supplemental liability insurance are offered. For more information, call 206-748-7588 or 1-800-282-5815, or e-mail melissat@seniorservices.org. To apply online, go to www.seniorservices.org/vts/vts.htm.
The Mount Si Senior Center thrift store is looking for volunteers to sort donations and help with cash sales a few hours a week. The thrift store is located in the Senior Center at 411 Main Street in North Bend. For more information, call Janet at 888-3434.
Hopelink in the Snoqualmie Valley is seeking volunteers for a variety of tasks. Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age. For more information, go to www.hope-link.org/takeaction/volunteer or call 869-6000.
Adopt-A-Park with yourself, your family, neighbors or club. Adopt-A-Park is a volunteer program for Snoqualmie residents willing to help improve and enhance public parks and trails. Volunteering requires an application and a one-year commitment. Call 831-5784.
Be a Study Zone tutor and give students the homework help they need. Study Zone needs volunteers to tutor elementary through high school students in math, science, English, social studies and study methods. A two-hour weekly commitment and flexible substitute scheduling are available. The Study Zone program is a free service offered by the King County Library System. For more information, call 369-3312.
Share your love of books and make new friends by becoming a Friend of the Library in either Snoqualmie or North Bend. Annual memberships cost $5 for individuals and $10 for families and help expand opportunities for children, families and seniors around the community. To learn more, call 888-0554.
North Bend Library
The Friends of the North Bend Library will host their annual book sale from Aug. 15-29.
Join the North Bend Library Tuesday Book Group for an evening of lively conversation about a variety of new and notable fiction and nonfiction. The group meets the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the North Bend Library meeting room. New members are always welcome. For more information, call 888-0554.
The North Bend Chess Club, for all ages, meets from 7-9 p.m. every Thursday.
To submit an item for the community calendar, send to editor@snovalleystar.com or via www.snovalleystar.com.
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Mount Si girls soccer team looking to defend title
August 20, 2009
By Ryan Piersol
Think winning a conference championship for the first time ever solves all the problems of a program?
Think again.
The Mount Si girls soccer team had perhaps its most successful season ever last fall, capturing the KingCo title and advancing to the Class 3A state quarterfinals. Still, all that winning did was leave a taste for much more in the mouth of the Wildcats.
“It gave us a lot of confidence,” head coach Darren Brown said. “But we haven’t gotten past that hump of getting into the (state) championship match or of winning it all. That’s where we need to get.”
To do that this season, Mount Si will need to find a ton of scoring in a hurry. Of the many goals the Wildcats scored a year ago, 82 percent of them were booted through by outgoing seniors, including league Player of the Year Nikki Stanton.
That’s left Brown in search of scoring options.
“It’s all about who our goal scorer is going to be. Who’s going to be the two, three kids who finish for us. At this point, I can’t really say,” Brown said. “We have some options, but we’re going to have to have some kids step up.”
Fortunately, the Wildcats appear to have a defense that can carry them in the early going. Goalkeeper Marika Loudenback returns, as do starters Hailey Conway, Kelly Besmer, Ashley Davis and Jessie Hargett on defense. Hargett may move to midfield, where she’ll be joined by Taylor Robbins and Laura Barnes, who each were standouts as freshmen a year ago.
In the front, all that’s known now is that Alexis Pearlstein and Daniella Romo will be relied upon heavily.
“We’re good in the back. We’re very solid there,” Brown said. “But we have our work cut out for us, there’s no doubt about it. It’s definitely within our reach, but it’s not going to be as easy as it was last year. If we have one or two girls who can carry the scoring opportunity that Nikki provided us last year, we’ll be fine. But, if we can’t finish, it’ll be tough.”
Brown said he was impressed by the summer performances of several of the team members, most notably Hargett, Pearlstein and Romo. He also said that several incoming freshman could see playing time right away.
Mount Si could need all the help it’s going to get, because the league is expected to be a rigid one.
“It’s going to be a really tough league this year,” Brown said. “Liberty is up-and-coming, Mercer Island returns two of its top players and Sammamish went to state last year, so they should be good.”
Mount Si will hold its tryouts from Aug. 24-26 from 9-11:30 a.m. in the stadium.
Reach editor Ryan Piersol at editor@snovalleystar.com or 392-6434. To comment on this story, go to www.snovalleystar.com.
Think winning a conference championship for the first time ever solves all the problems of a program?
Think again.
The Mount Si girls soccer team had perhaps its most successful season ever last fall, capturing the KingCo title and advancing to the Class 3A state quarterfinals. Still, all that winning did was leave a taste for much more in the mouth of the Wildcats.
“It gave us a lot of confidence,” head coach Darren Brown said. “But we haven’t gotten past that hump of getting into the (state) championship match or of winning it all. That’s where we need to get.”
To do that this season, Mount Si will need to find a ton of scoring in a hurry. Of the many goals the Wildcats scored a year ago, 82 percent of them were booted through by outgoing seniors, including league Player of the Year Nikki Stanton.
Mount Si goalkeeper Marika Loudenback attempts to stop a shot during a game last year.
Chamber finds new director
August 19, 2009
The Snoqualmie Valley Chamber of Commerce did not have to look very far to find a new Executive Director.
Instead of hiring an outside candidate, the chamber’s Board of Directors decided to promote from within and selected Minna Rudd to take on the job. Rudd has worked with the chamber since 2005, most recently as an office manager, which is one of two paid staff positions with the chamber, the other position being the one she now holds, the Executive Director.
The chamber has been without an Executive Director since Karen Granger resigned in May.
Railroad Days run gets step up in importance
August 18, 2009
By Ryan Piersol
The Snoqualmie Railroad Days Run is back — with extra significance.
The race, which debuted at Snoqualmie Railroad Days last year, is expected to be close to twice as large in its second year. Part of the reason for the increase is because the race has adopted the status of the Pacific Northwest Track & Field 10k championship, a state-wide honor that typically attracts the best runners in Washington.
The race will take off at 9 a.m. Aug. 22 in downtown Snoqualmie.
“Basically, all the top athletes from the area should be in attendance,” organizer and creator Sean Sundwall said. “It’s the race that the Pacific Northwest association picks out to be the representative for all the top athletes. It’s basically the association state championship of the 10k distance.”
The inaugural race a year ago attracted 350 runners. Sundwall said approximately 80 percent of those were from the Valley.
The race is broken into a variety of divisions. Last year, John Timeus of Kent and Jessica Pixler of Sammamish won the overall 5k male and female divisions, while Mike Sayenko of Bellevue and Vanessa Hunter of Seattle took first in the 10k male and female divisions. There also is a 1k run for children.
Despite its attachment to a new prestigious honor, Sundwall said the core purpose of the race is still to get the Valley involved in running. Sundwall – as he did last year with a running club – will use the race as a fundraiser for the Mount Si High School track and field teams.
“Locally, it’s still the same, which is a race at an affordable rate that benefits an organization right here in the community,” he said. “That’s what I care about most. People coming from outside the region may not care about that. But having a local race is what I’m most proud of.”
Due to its involvement with the Northwest Track and Field Association, the race will have an overall prize purse of $2,000. Last week, Sundwall said they’d already reached last year’s registration count of 350 and were still signing about 20 runners a day. They expect to have 600-700 runners the day of the race.
“The nervous director that I am, I was worried no one would show up last year, but they did,” Sundwall said. “The course was so well done. It was flat and fast, and a lot of people had good things to say about it. We’ve taken a couple turns out, so it should actually be a little faster.”
Every child who crosses the finish line will get a finisher medal.
There are three ways to register for the race. Online registration is at www.runsnoqualmie.com. It closes on Aug. 16. Mail registration, which must be postmarked by Aug. 14, should be sent to P.O. Box 682, Snoqualmie, WA, 98065. Mail-in entry forms can be found at www.runsnoqualmie.com.
Those interested may also register in person at any FootZone in Bellevue, Redmond or Issaquah until Aug. 16, or from 7-9 a.m. the day of the race.
Reach editor Ryan Piersol at editor@snovalleystar.com or 392-6434. To comment on this story, go to www.snovalleystar.com.
The Snoqualmie Railroad Days Run is back — with extra significance.
The race, which debuted at Snoqualmie Railroad Days last year, is expected to be close to twice as large in its second year. Part of the reason for the increase is because the race has adopted the status of the Pacific Northwest Track & Field 10k championship, a state-wide honor that typically attracts the best runners in Washington.
The race will take off at 9 a.m. Aug. 22 in downtown Snoqualmie.
“Basically, all the top athletes from the area should be in attendance,” organizer and creator Sean Sundwall said. “It’s the race that the Pacific Northwest association picks out to be the representative for all the top athletes. It’s basically the association state championship of the 10k distance.”
Snoqualmie Railroad Days gets back to its roots
August 17, 2009
By Michael Bayless Rowe
For the first time in its 70-year history, the Snoqualmie Railroad Days celebration is being organized by Snoqualmie’s Northwest Railway Museum.
“It will be the signature event for the town of Snoqualmie. It combines the best of small town festival traditions – family, fun, great food and live entertainment,” Northwest Railway Museum Spokeswoman Sue Van Gerpen said.
Gerpen said that the event this year is focusing on railroad and logging demonstrations. Festival-goers can see historic railroad and logging equipment in action. People can see restored tools, and learn what tie-spacers and regulators do. Gerpen said that there might also be a demonstration of the museum’s dump car.
Railroad Days began as a small town festival in 1939 and was put on by Snoqualmie’s volunteer fire department to raise money for new fire engines. Since then, the festival has been run by different groups and businesses.
Snoqualmie’s firefighters are still part of the festival and this year they will be offering a pancake breakfast on Aug. 22 from 7-10 a.m.
Another big element of Railroad Days this year is the Children’s Field of Fun, Gerpen said. The Children’s Field of Fun will feature inflatable play zones, children’s entertainment on the Skagit River Flatcar Stage, and other fun activities for children like crafts, balloons and temporary tattoos.
Other events that should be fun for the whole family include train rides on the museum’s historic locomotives, and a scale model railroad in the freight room of the Snoqualmie depot. The Grand Parade, a past favorite, will roll down Railroad Avenue starting at 11 a.m. and running until noon on Aug. 22.
Adults can enjoy the beer garden and full schedule of live entertainment. Some of the music acts include the Snoqualmie Winds, the Cascade Jazz Trio, the Fabulous Bel Airs, Clan Gordon, Black Velvet 4, Timeless Soul, The Fabulous Roof Shakers, and Bean Barry Delights.
“The main stage is booked solid with good bands,” Gerpen said.
The Northwest Railway Museum hopes that this year’s Railroad Days is a big success, Gerpen said. The museum would like to build upon the success of the event to increase awareness and support for the museum. Gerpen said that they would also like for everyone to have a good time.
“We’re looking forward to having a great festival and looking forward to the town coming out to celebrate with us,” Gerpen said.
Reach reporter Michael Bayless Rowe at mrowe@snovalleystar.com or 392-6434, ext. 248.
Northwest Railway Museum takes charge of annual festival
For the first time in its 70-year history, the Snoqualmie Railroad Days celebration is being organized by Snoqualmie’s Northwest Railway Museum.
“It will be the signature event for the town of Snoqualmie. It combines the best of small town festival traditions – family, fun, great food and live entertainment,” Northwest Railway Museum Spokeswoman Sue Van Gerpen said.
Gerpen said that the event this year is focusing on railroad and logging demonstrations. Festival-goers can see historic railroad and logging equipment in action. People can see restored tools, and learn what tie-spacers and regulators do. Gerpen said that there might also be a demonstration of the museum’s dump car.
Railroad Days began as a small town festival in 1939 and was put on by Snoqualmie’s volunteer fire department to raise money for new fire engines. Since then, the festival has been run by different groups and businesses.
Children ride on a mini train during last year’s event.
Si View Parks to improve its parking
August 17, 2009
By Laura Geggel
Parking at the Si View Metropolitan Park District will soon be safer both for drivers and pedestrians. The park district is ramping up for a parking plaza project that would include, among other things, new sidewalks with adequate lighting, bike lanes and two parking lots to accommodate 80 cars.
“We wanted to maximize the park space and increase safety,” said Travis Stombaugh, executive director of the park district.
Currently, people park on the streets surrounding the park district in North Bend. The situation is often dangerous for pedestrians, who walk in the street amongst cars that are pulling in or backing out.
“It’s going to increase the safety of all of our patrons,” Stombaugh said.
The parking plaza project also includes park benches, water fountains, a Farmers Market staging area and environmentally friendly, water-permeable asphalt. If the weather permits, the project could be completed by the end of the year.
The plan is part of a larger one formed by the park district, called the Si View Park and East Shamrock Park Master Plan. The second phase will include a restroom and concession stand, two soccer fields, an outdoor basketball court, a baseball field and an outdoor stage, in addition to several upgrades to existing structures.
The park district is financing the approximately $900,000 project with its annual levy, which the park district established when it began in 2003. Residents living in the park district’s area, which mirrors Fire District 38, typically pay Read more
Hero hiker honored during Festival at Mount Si
August 13, 2009
By Ryan Piersol and Michael Rowe
The city of North Bend took a few minutes out of the packed Festival at Mount Si schedule Aug. 8 to thank an Ellensburg man who recently went out of his way to save the life of another.
Matthew Thyer was hiking along the Pacific Crest Trail near North Bend on Aug. 4 when he came across cries for help. He made his way down a steep trail and found a fellow hiker, 73-year-old James Nee, badly injured.
Nee, from Santa Cruz, Calif., had flown into Seattle earlier that morning with the intention of hiking the trail by himself. The Pacific Crest Trail is nearly 3,000 miles long, and the accident victim had hiked portions of the trail over the years.
Near the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area, though, Nee slipped off the trail and tumbled down a steep rise about 200 feet.
He suffered multiple broken bones and other injuries to his head, hands, leg and spine. According to a King County Sheriff’s report, all the man could do was yell for help.
It wasn’t until 8 p.m., 10 hours after the fall, that Thyer finally came along to rescue Nee. After making his way to Nee’s position, Thyer called 911 and made a fire to alert rescuers of his location.
The King County Sheriff’s Office helicopter, Guardian One, located the accident victim and Thyer. Medics from the Snoqualmie Fire Department were lowered from the helicopter to treat the victim and to prepare him for evacuation.
Shortly after midnight, the injured hiker was hoisted up to the helicopter and transported to Harborview Medical Center. The helicopter later returned to the scene of the accident around 2 a.m. to retrieve rescuers who were left behind, including Thyer.
According to rescue officials, Nee would not have survived without Thyer’s help.
At the Festival at Mount Si, North Bend Mayor Ken Hearing publicly commended Thyer. Guardian One also did a fly-over above the Si View Community Center to thank him for his efforts.
“I don’t think I did anything that anyone else in a similar situation wouldn’t have done,” Thyer said. “I just want to say thanks to all who helped in the effort.”
Thyer said he’d talked to Nee at the hospital, since the two seemed to have formed a friendship during those trying hours on the trail.
“When I encountered Jim, it was just the two of us alone on a cliff,” Thyer said. “We spent a couple of hours together, getting to know each other under challenging circumstances.”
According to a report from King County Sheriff’s Office Spokesman Travis DeFries, this was the first nighttime rescue performed by King County Sheriff’s deputies where an accident victim was hoisted onto a helicopter for transport.
To comment on this story, go to www.snovalleystar.com.
The city of North Bend took a few minutes out of the packed Festival at Mount Si schedule Aug. 8 to thank an Ellensburg man who recently went out of his way to save the life of another.
Matthew Thyer was hiking along the Pacific Crest Trail near North Bend on Aug. 4 when he came across cries for help. He made his way down a steep trail and found a fellow hiker, 73-year-old James Nee, badly injured.
Nee, from Santa Cruz, Calif., had flown into Seattle earlier that morning with the intention of hiking the trail by himself. The Pacific Crest Trail is nearly 3,000 miles long, and the accident victim had hiked portions of the trail over the years.
Matthew Thyer waits to be introduced at the Festival at Mount Si.
New chief of police services hired in North Bend
August 13, 2009
By Michael Bayless Rowe
North Bend has a new chief of police services.
King County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Mark Toner is taking over the job of providing law enforcement services for the city, replacing Sgt. Joe Hodgson, who has held the position for six years.
Hodgson is leaving as part of a normal duty rotation, said City Administrator Duncan Wilson. Wilson said that Hodgson was reassigned to work in the downtown Seattle sheriff’s offices.
At an Aug. 4 North Bend City Council meeting, Mayor Ken Hearing said that Hodgson “will be missed by all.” He credited Hodgson with establishing a stable and efficient organization that will be used by future chiefs.
“I have grown up here a lot,” said Hodgson, about his time in North Bend. “I’ve learned a lot that I will carry through with me through the rest of my career.”
Toner, who is stepping into Hodgson’s shoes as chief of police services, is a 24-year veteran of the King County Sheriff’s Office. He was promoted to sergeant in 1997. His most recent assignment has been with the major crimes unit, but he has also worked as a patrol sergeant, and street crimes sergeant. He said that his work has taken him to many communities in King County, but has never worked a patrol in North Bend.
Toner grew up between Issaquah and Renton, and is familiar with the North Bend area, which he described as a “neat town” with a great environment. He lives outside Enumclaw in South King County.
Toner’s work on the major crimes unit makes him familiar with the criminal patterns in North Bend. He said that theft was probably the most serious crime in the area and he would like to reduce the number of thefts in the area.
“I’m really looking forward to meeting people and getting to know the town,” Toner said.
He will officially start the job Aug. 16, but doesn’t anticipate working full-time out of the North Bend station until later in August.
Wilson said that the city had four candidates for the position, who were uniformly excellent and that it was a very difficult decision. He said that the committee that made the selection felt that Toner was the best overall fit for the city.
Toner said that he wasn’t planning to make any changes to the department.
North Bend has a contract with King County Sheriff’s Office to provide police services to the city.
Reach reporter Michael Bayless Rowe at mrowe@snovalleystar.com or 392-6434, ext. 248. To comment on this story, go to www.snovalleystar.com.
North Bend has a new chief of police services.
King County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Mark Toner is taking over the job of providing law enforcement services for the city, replacing Sgt. Joe Hodgson, who has held the position for six years.
Hodgson is leaving as part of a normal duty rotation, said City Administrator Duncan Wilson. Wilson said that Hodgson was reassigned to work in the downtown Seattle sheriff’s offices.
Festival at Mount Si was quite a show
August 13, 2009
The city of North Bend and its volunteers did a fantastic job putting on the annual Festival at Mount Si this past week, a festival that — this year — also included a birthday celebration for the city.
Still, while the event was great from top to bottom, we had our favorite moments. And we’d like to take this time to congratulate those involved.
We’ve yet to witness a youth group from the Valley more entertaining than the Panther Pride, the unicycle team directed by North Bend Elementary teacher Alan Tepper. The team competes across the country, constantly winning awards, and has performed at NBA games. For us, they were the highlight of the Grand Parade.
Best event of the festival goes to the annual cherry pie-eating contest. A large crowd gathered around the table at the Si View Metropolitan Park District to watch 25 participants in two separate age divisions scarf down as much pie as they could in a matter of minutes. It was a messy, yet hysterical, scene.
Best idea of the weekend — or the year, for that matter — goes to local fifth-grade student Annika Laufer, who wrote a letter to the city of North Bend, suggesting they organize a quilt cake. The community rallied to the cause and created a mass of cakes large enough to feed 2,220 people. The cake was then handed out to those at the Festival at Mount Si. The finishing product was so good, we just might have gone through the line twice.
Best costume goes to North Bend Mayor Ken Hearing, who donned a top hat and other clothes you might have seen back in 1909. Hearing said he wanted to look like Peter Maloney, the city’s first mayor.
Saturday’s festivities ended with an unveiling of the city’s centennial project – a 31-foot climbing tower in Torguson Park. This final presentation was the perfect capper for a weekend that we grade an “A”.
Congratulations to all of those involved and we are already looking forward to next year.
Editorial:
The city of North Bend and its volunteers did a fantastic job putting on the annual Festival at Mount Si this past week, a festival that — this year — also included a birthday celebration for the city.
Still, while the event was great from top to bottom, we had our favorite moments. And we’d like to take this time to congratulate those involved.
We’ve yet to witness a youth group from the Valley more entertaining than the Panther Pride, the unicycle team directed by North Bend Elementary teacher Alan Tepper. The team competes across the country, constantly winning awards, and has performed at NBA games. For us, they were the highlight of the Grand Parade.
