Living with flooding, part 1: a valley endures
December 16, 2009
Devin Ramosbookter paddles a makeshift raft across his yard near downtown Snoqualmie during the January 2009 flood. (File photo)
Part 1 of 3
In freezing-cold rain, Julie Randazzo and other Snoqualmie residents frantically filled sandbags. Her back and shoulders ached after hours of lifting shovelfuls of wet, heavy sand into the bags. The sun had set, but the Snoqualmie River was still rising. Read more
North Bend woman in critical condition after I-90 crash
December 16, 2009
NEW — 12:25 p.m. Dec. 16, 2009
A crash near Preston caused by a suspected drunk driver sent two people to Harborview Medical Center with life-threatening injuries Tuesday afternoon.
Authorities said the driver, a Newcastle woman, was traveling eastbound in a silver Acura when the vehicle crossed the center median that separates eastbound and westbound Interstate 90. The accident occurred just east of the Preston exit.
A Washington State Patrol trooper witnessed the Acura cross the median, then drive down the hill and continue in the middle westbound lane — traveling in the opposite direction. The driver swerved right to avoid a collision with a tractor-trailer and instead collided with a Honda Civic. The accident occurred at about 12:30 p.m. Tuesday.
The driver of a Honda Civic was rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries after a Tuesday crash on Interstate 90 near Preston. — Washington State Patrol
North Bend City Council has two new faces
December 16, 2009
After more than an hour of public interviews, the North Bend City Council deliberated in a closed session for twenty minutes before emerging to name the two new council members—Jeanne Pettersen and Chris Garcia.
Before announcing their decisions to the public, the council emphasized that all four candidates were well qualified, and that North Bend had an “embarrassment of riches” when it came to civic-minded citizens ready to step up and make a difference. Read more
North Bend to improve wheelchair ramps
December 16, 2009
For North Bend resident Charlotte Esch, getting downtown means navigating the city’s wheelchair curb ramps, many of which do not comply with ADA guidelines. (Photo by Tara Ballenger)
When Charlotte Esch has a sweet tooth, she likes to satisfy it at George’s Bakery & Deli.
But while the little shop on West North Bend Way is the perfect place to sink her teeth into doughnuts, sticky buns and myriad pastries, getting to the heavenly treats from her apartment on Main Avenue in her wheel chair can be challenging because of the city center’s outdated curb ramps.
Doctor pushes for healthy hearts during the holidays
December 16, 2009
Dr. Elizabeth Gold, cardiologist at the Virginia Mason Issaquah clinic, performs an exam Dec. 10 on patient Brooks Loop, 84, of Snoqualmie. (Photo by Greg Farrar)
With sleigh bells jingling and merry spirits, it’s likely you’re ready for the holidays, but is your heart?
Each year, nearly 785,000 Americans suffer a heart attack and more than 631,636 have heart disease, according to the Centers of Disease Control. High cholesterol and high blood pressure, causes that lead to heart attacks and heart disease, are factors people should be aware of, according to Issaquah’s newest cardiologist, Dr. Elizabeth Gold.
Rudy Edwards retires after 20 years on school board
December 16, 2009
Rudy Edwards holds a golden apple given to him on behalf of the school district by Superintendent Joel Aune. (Photo by Laura Geggel)
After retiring from the U.S. Forest Service, North Bend’s Rudy Edwards still found time for nature. Now that he’s retiring after serving 20 years on the Snoqualmie Valley School Board, Edwards said he would still root for education.
“I’ve watched the Valley grow up from a rural forest,” said Edwards, who was appointed to his school board seat in 1989. Since then, he never ran opposed. He effectively gave up his seat after moving from district 1 to school board member Caroline Loudenback’s district in 2008.
Frozen Snoqualmie Falls
December 16, 2009
Last week’s cold-snap encased the rocks around Snoqualmie Falls in ice. The cold temperatures also burst more than a few water pipes across Snoqualmie Valley. Fortunately, no major injuries or damages were reported due to the weather. (Photo by Laura Geggel)
Despite reservations, EFR board passes 2010 budget
December 16, 2009
The Eastside Fire & Rescue Board of Directors passed a 2010 budget Dec. 8 that hinges on extracting $241,000 in concessions from the firefighter’s union.
Sammamish’s two representatives, Mayor Don Gerend and City Councilman Lee Fellinge, voted against the budget because it left too much unresolved. Read more
Sammamish candidate aims for state House seat
December 16, 2009
Dean Willard, a Sammamish resident, former T-Mobile executive and Democrat, entered the 2010 race for the state House seat held by Glenn Anderson.
Anderson, a Fall City Republican, was first elected to represent the 5th District in 2000, and re-elected subsequently. Read more
Student enrollment drops across district
December 16, 2009
To the surprise of many people, Snoqualmie Valley School District’s student population has taken a dip since school began. In September, the district had 5,680 full-time equivalent students. By December, that number had declined by 32 students.
“We’ve never seen a pattern like that,” district business director Ron Ellis said at the Dec. 10 Snoqualmie Valley School Board meeting. Read more
