Two local trails make most endangered list
September 8, 2010
NEW — 6:30 p.m. Sept. 8, 2010
Outdoor advocates seek support for maintaining trails
In an effort to begin rallying public support for maintaining tax money to pay for public trails and other outdoor recreation facilities, the Washington Trails Association has published its list of the 10 most “endangered” trails in the state. Two Snoqualmie Valley Trails made the list: Mount Si Trail and Mailbox Peak Trail.
The list highlights what the trails association sees as the two major threats facing public trails — lack of money and incursions from all-terrain vehicles and other motorized vehicles.
The trails are maintained by volunteers, and state and federal employees. The money for the work comes from federal and state sources, much of it as grants.
But with the federal and state governments facing budget problems in the coming years, money for trails and parks could be cut.
Snoqualmie Valley School District above average on state tests
September 8, 2010
NEW — 6:28 p.m. Sept. 8, 2010
The new standardized test scores released Aug. 31 brought mixed results to the Snoqualmie Valley School District.
Some schools saw big jumps, some saw continued success, but some slipped when compared to last year’s tests.
This year, the Measurement of Student Progress — for elementary and middle schools — and the High School Proficiency Exam tests replaced the Washington Assessment of Student Learning, in place since the late 1990s.
Mount Si High Principal Randy Taylor, whose 10th-graders’ scores came in Aug. 31, criticized the new high school test.
“The reading portion took longer than anticipated and we had kids needing more time to finish the test,” he said.
Mount Si High scored 87.1 percent in reading, down 2 percent from last year, but better than the state average of 78.8 percent and the district average of 85.8 percent.
Sample Snoqualmie, help a local merchant survive
September 8, 2010
NEW — 6:27 p.m. Sept. 8, 2010
In an effort to increase local sales, Snoqualmie’s merchants will be out in force to give residents a taste of their wares, foodstuffs and services at Sample Snoqualmie. The city-organized, free event will also feature live music by local band The Left Coast Gypsies.
Local merchants have been hard hit by the recession and sluggish recovery, according to several business owners and city officials.
One killed, one injured in single car North Bend crash
September 8, 2010
NEW — 6:27 p.m. Sept. 8, 2010
One elderly woman died and an elderly man was injured in a car crash in North Bend early in the afternoon of Sept. 3.
One person died Sept. 3, after a Dodge pickup truck collided with this Audi convertible near the intersection of Bendigo Road and Mount Si Boulevard in North Bend. By Sebastian Moraga
King County Sheriff’s Office Detective Steve Hager said the man was the driver and the woman was a passenger in a gray Audi convertible traveling north on Bendigo Road, just off Interstate 90’s exit 31, at about 12:15 p.m.
When it reached the intersection of Mount Si Boulevard, the Audi made an illegal left turn to enter the Factory Stores Outlet Mall, Hager said. A black Dodge Ram pickup truck traveling south on Bendigo Road hit the convertible, smashing into its passenger door.
The people in the truck, identified only as a young man and a young woman, did not sustain serious injuries. The two people in the car were taken to Harborview Medical Center, where the woman died.
Traffic was jammed for at least an hour on Bendigo Road, as police investigated. Security blocked off one of the exits to the mall, detouring traffic to an exit farther north.
State seeks input on managing water supply
September 8, 2010
NEW — 6:26 p.m. Sept. 8, 2010
Water is critical to cities’ existence, and the Washington Department of Ecology wants residents’ suggestions regarding how to better manage the state’s water supply. The department launched an online forum Aug. 30 to solicit suggestions from residents.
The department is considering making significant changes to the funding and operations of its Water Resources Program. The program’s mission to ensure that communities have enough water for current and future needs has been hampered by inconsistent funding and outdated water laws, according to a Department of Ecology news release.
Positions open on arts, economic commissions
September 8, 2010
NEW — 6:25 p.m. Sept. 8, 2010
Snoqualmie has openings on the city’s Arts and Economic Development commissions. The commissions advise the Snoqualmie City Council and the mayor on policy.
The Arts Commission works to promote and develop programs that engage public interest in fine and performing arts. It also works to preserve Snoqualmie’s cultural heritage. It meets the second Wednesday of each month from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Snoqualmie City Hall.
The Economic Development Commission provides guidelines for maintaining and improving Snoqualmie’s economy to help the city’s long-term financial stability. It is involved in preparing the economic development portion of the city’s comprehensive plan. It meets on the fourth Monday of each month from noon – 2 p.m. at Snoqualmie City Hall.
To apply for one of the positions, fill out a volunteer application form posted on the city’s website at www.cityofsnoqualmie.org. Click on the “City Government” tab, and then “Commissions & Boards” to reach the form.
The finished copy can be taken to Snoqualmie City Hall, 38624 S.E. River St., or mailed to City of Snoqualmie, Attn: Jodi Warren, City Clerk, P.O. Box 987, Snoqualmie, WA 98065.
For information, contact Jodi Warren at jwarren@ci.snoqualmie.wa.us or 425-888-1555, ext. 1118.
Officials tour Mount Si High School
September 8, 2010
Mount Si High School received one last once-over when district authorities inspected the school’s new infrastructure Aug. 19.
People learned about everything from the new light fixtures — more than 3,000 were replaced — to the new backup generator and geothermal heat pump.
Clint Marsh, the district’s construction program manager, led the tour, which included Joel Aune, superintendent of Snoqualmie Valley schools; Caroline Loudenback, president of the Snoqualmie Valley School District’s board of directors and board member Marci Busby.
The school’s previous backup generator was the size of a large fan and about four feet tall, Marsh said. The new one is the size of a trailer.
Other schools, which the group did not tour that day, have improved as well, Marsh said.
The geothermal heat pump cost about $8 million. Altogether, the district spent about $17 million of bond money from 2009 to remodel the school.
Citizens Academy teaches about city government
September 8, 2010
Ever wonder what a mayor-council form of government is? Or where Snoqualmie’s revenues come from and go to? Or who decides when the city needs new water pipes or a new park? Or where your property taxes go?
Snoqualmie wants to answer your questions and more during its upcoming Citizens Academy. The free seven-week course gives residents an up-close look at how city government works.
City officials and department heads will lead the informal weekly sessions, which will include tours of some city facilities.
The course will also include a look at Snoqualmie’s history and ask participants to consider the city’s future.
All sessions except for the last one run from 6-8:30 p.m. and meet in City Hall Council Chambers, 38624 S.E. River St. The first session is Sept. 16. Following sessions are Sept. 22 and 29, and Oct. 6, 13 and 20. The last session is from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Oct. 23, and meets at the Snoqualmie Police Department, 34825 S.E. Douglas St.
Interested residents can apply through the city’s website, www.cityofsnoqualmie.org, under the “Community Activities” tab. Applications are also available at Snoqualmie City Hall. Space is limited to 30 participants.
Guest column – Student safety a big part of learning
September 8, 2010
Earlier this week, 6,000 students returned from their summer vacations to begin a new school year here in the Snoqualmie Valley. While the basic purpose of our schools is student learning, the safety and well-being of our students will always be of highest priority. We are committed throughout our district and in every school building to provide a safe and secure learning environment for the students.
Our schools provide programming and activities to educate students about acceptable social behaviors and what to do if they personally experience or witness others involved in instances of bullying, harassment or intimidation. Efforts across the district include but are not limited to assemblies and expert speakers, respect talks, classroom lessons, peer-to-peer mentoring programs such as Natural Helpers, staff training, administrative intervention, partnering with parents to provide additional support for students, classroom discussions, and working with PTSA groups to offer parent education and resources.
Home Country – It’s a miracle you can believe anything around here
September 8, 2010
It actually took three hours for the story to make a complete circuit of the valley. We were surprised. Normally, it takes about 20 minutes. It must have been the humidity.
Unlike the stories to be found in our beloved Valley Weekly Miracle, this story didn’t have to be checked for accuracy, spelled right, proofread, set in type or printed. No one had to put a bunch of them in a machine, either. But then, how many times does the V.W. Miracle get a story this hot?
It began at 9 a.m., during the post-breakfast coffee break at the philosophy counter of the Mule Barn coffee shop. Our chamber of commerce, Delbert McLain, popped in to tell us of a proposed project so unbelievably fabulous that mere life here in the valley would never be the same again.
