Snoqualmie city leaders juggle paying off debt from City Hall construction
December 8, 2010
As the Snoqualmie City Council grapples with finishing the city’s budget, two related questions are looming larger than the rest: How best to pay off the $3 million debt from City Hall’s construction, due in June 2011, and how to pay for the increasing number of infrastructure projects?
The council is considering two options — pay off the debt on City Hall with cash or pay for it in a 20-year bond.
The city’s administration has recommended the bond option to the council. Paying off the debt with a bond takes advantage of the market’s low interest rates, spreads the burden out across many years and allows Snoqualmie to raise money for deferred infrastructure projects, according to the administration.
But raising a bond for City Hall debt when Snoqualmie has enough cash on hand is a break with the city’s traditional pay-as-you-go approach.
EFR Reindeer Engine seeks food and toy donations
December 8, 2010
Eastside Fire & Rescue’s Reindeer Engine is once again coming to the Snoqualmie Valley, collecting unwrapped toys, food and clothing for several families in need.
EFR is teaming up with local nonprofit organizations, local food banks and its partner cities in the effort.
The program, started in 1992, has seen a large increase this year in participation with other organizations, according to Josie Williams, EFR’s spokeswoman. Partners include Encompass and Mount Si Helping Hand Food Bank, both based in North Bend.
King County offers ‘green’ makeover for holiday season
December 8, 2010
King County has urged residents to deck the holiday season in red and “green.”
The county launched the Green Holidays campaign the day after Thanksgiving to educate consumers about how to cut waste, save energy and support the local economy during the holiday season. The effort includes a website: www.kcgreenholidays.com.
Residents can learn about a chance to drop off old holiday lights for recycling.
In exchange, each recycler receives a coupon for energy-efficient lights from Bartell Drugs or McLendon Hardware.
Snoqualmie gets grant for part two of downtown revitalization project
December 8, 2010
Snoqualmie has received grant money from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for design work of the second phase of its downtown revitalization project.
The city plans to start design work in January on the project, which will cover Railroad Avenue, or state Route 202, between Fir and Newton streets.
“The HUD grant, which we’re told it did come through for $250,000, leaves us closer to funding the design work,” Public Works Director Dan Marcinko said.
The design work is expected to cost between $700,000 and $750,000 and take up to a year to finish. The Seattle-based engineering firm KPG is handling the design work. The firm did the design element for Phase I.
Local dancers land spots in holiday productions
December 8, 2010
Two students of Cascade Dance Academy on Snoqualmie Ridge are performing in the 5th Avenue Theatre’s production of “A Christmas Story, The Musical!”
Cameron Washington-Woodruff and Shaye Hodgins will also be recording the production with the original Broadway cast.
The two dancers debuted at the 5th Avenue last year in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”
In addition, John Scott, one of Cascade Dance Academy’s newest instructors, is appearing in “Anne of Green Gables” at Issaquah’s Village Theatre.
Instructor Brittany Jamieson, another veteran theater performer will perform in “Guys and Dolls” at the 5th Avenue Theatre this spring. Joining her will be former Cascade instructor Trina Mills.
“A Christmas Story, The Musical!” is playing at the 5th Avenue Theatre until Dec. 30. Get information at www.5thAvenue.org or call 206-625-1900.
“Anne of Green Gables” is playing at Village Theatre through Jan. 2. For tickets, go to www.villagetheatre.org or call 392-2202.
It’s time to rethink snow makeup days
December 8, 2010
Before Thanksgiving Day, the Snoqualmie Valley School District made the right call by shutting down because of the hazardous driving conditions brought on by snowy weather. But is it really necessary to make up those missed school days? Surely there’s a better way.
The school calendar is complicated enough without trying to squeeze in snow makeup days. Washington state law mandates a 180-day school year — an arbitrary number now accepted as a minimum in every state in the nation. As a result, unexpected closures result in students sitting in classrooms a few days later into June. If this winter is as bad as weather forecasters have predicted, it could easily take school to nearly July.
North Bend eyes final cost of sewer expansion
December 8, 2010
North Bend is nearing completion of its largest public infrastructure project — a sewer expansion estimated to cost about $17 million.
One of the final steps is finding out the exact cost of the project. The city has contracted with Allen Brackett Shedd for a final cost assessment, which should take three to four months.
After the assessment is finished, it will be mailed to property owners in the area of the expansion — known as a utility local improvement district. The city will hold a public hearing about the assessments. After the City Council has accepted the final assessment, the city will sell bonds to pay off the short term financing. Residents of the improvement district will pay off the bonds over 18 years.
The cost of the assessment is not to exceed $62,400.
Police & Fire
December 8, 2010
Snoqualmie police
Marijuana possession
At 9:45 a.m., Nov. 25, a city employee alerted police officers about a suspicious vehicle at the fire department. The employee told officers a blue Toyota pickup had stopped along Snoqualmie Parkway and a passenger had jumped out of the truck and into the woods while the truck pulled into the parking lot. The employee thought the people in the truck were poaching game.
Christmas lights dazzle in time with FM music
December 8, 2010
Some families decorate their homes for Christmas with a slew of lights, others with an inflatable snowman or Santa Claus, but the Yurkanin family, of Snoqualmie, took another approach.
A tree festooned with Christmas lights is part of the light show the Yurkanin family, (Karrie, Nathan, Andrew and Daniel) set up around their house and yard. By Laura Geggel
The family of four decorated their house and yard with about 5,000 computer-controlled Christmas lights blinking to the beat of holiday music, which Nathan Yurkanin programmed using specialized software.
“We’ve always done lots of lights,” Nathan said.
His wife, Karrie Yurkanin, has a knack for holiday decorations. She even bought a string of Halloween lights to help light the way for trick-or-treaters.
Encompass makes memories by giving free family portraits
December 8, 2010
In a flash, 2,700 miles disappeared.
“These photos are for the grandparents,” Alma Gonzalez said at Encompass preschool in North Bend, flanked by her 6-year-old and 16-month-old daughters, Denise and Samantha.
Alma Gonzalez poses with her two daughters, Denise and baby Samantha, at Encompass in North Bend during the annual Free Family Portrait Day. By Sebastian Moraga
Dressed to the nines, the trio had posed for a free family portrait at the preschool, which they would send to Grandma and Grandpa, in Jalisco, Mexico.
“They haven’t met the girls yet,” Gonzalez said of her parents.
The free family portrait day has become a tradition for the Gonzalez girls, and for Encompass. More than 40 families — sometimes giddy, sometimes scared — showed up Dec. 4 to sit in front of photographer Carlton Ward.
Samantha and Denise were OK in front of the camera with Mom by their side but when Alma suggested a solo, Mom-less picture, the smiles disappeared faster than you can say “cheese.”
