North Bend businessman’s death leaves hole in the community
December 22, 2010
NEW — 1 p.m. Dec. 22, 2010
Frank Protzman, one of North Bend’s more colorful mainstays, died suddenly Dec. 15 in Seattle. The cause of death is unknown.
Protzman managed Chaplins North Bend Chevrolet, where he had worked for more than a decade. During his time in the Snoqualmie Valley, the 53-year-old made a reputation for himself as a brash-talking businessman with integrity and a tireless community supporter.
He and his wife, Michelle, lived in Carnation with their two dogs.
Snoqualmie landmark, Isadora’s Cafe, is closing its doors for good
December 22, 2010
UPDATED — 12:56 p.m. Dec. 29, 2010
[An earlier version of this story gave the wrong year for when Isadora's Cafe was bought by Jody Sands.]
Snoqualmie landmark Isadora’s Café is closing its doors Jan. 1 after serving visitors and residents for decades.
The slow economy caught up with the restaurant and music venue, said Sherry Lynne, an employee.
The owner, Jody Sands, could not be reached for comment. Sands began waiting tables at Isadora’s in the 1990s and returned to purchase it in 2008.
The store is named for noted dancer Isadora Duncan.
Flood threat to county’s animal shelter prompts call for pet adoptions
December 21, 2010
NEW — 10:02 a.m. Dec. 21, 2010
With an increased threat of flooding on the Green River, Regional Animal Services of King County is asking people to adopt a pet or foster an adult cat from the county’s animal shelter in Kent.
Animal Services is waiving adoption fees on available adult cats to keep the shelter population low in the event of a flood evacuation this winter.
The agency will also temporarily not accept adult cats surrendered by their owners.
Food drive for Snoqualmie Tribal Food Bank hits the jackpot at casino
December 20, 2010
NEW — 6 a.m. Dec. 20, 2010
A food drive sponsored by Snoqualmie Casino and 94.1 KMPS-FM raked in more than 8,000 pounds of non-perishable food items for the Snoqualmmie Tribal Food Bank.
The drive was held in conjunction with 94.1 KMPS-FM’s Ho Ho Ho-down Holiday Concert. Attendees at the Dec. 11 show at the casino could donate food items in return for raffle tickets.
The food bank, which is based in Carnation, provides more than 4,000 meals each year to low income people in Snoqualmie Valley.
King County Council considers use of social media by county agencies
December 19, 2010
NEW — 6 a.m. Dec. 19, 2010
King County agencies use Twitter to alert residents to bus delays, election results and inclement weather, but the embrace of the micro-blogging service has raised questions about public records.
County Council members adopted legislation Dec. 13 to provide guidance on the use of Twitter, Facebook and other social media tools by county agencies.
“The use of social media is an easy and cost-effective way to keep the public informed, but we must be proactive to make sure they are being used in accordance with laws governing retention of public records,” council Chairman Bob Ferguson, the sponsor of the legislation, said in a statement.
Enhanced 9-1-1 system helps Washington State Patrol nab suspect near North Bend
December 18, 2010
NEW — 6 a.m. Dec. 18, 2010
A woman who drove off the road and into a stream in North Bend Dec. 4 and did not know where she was has technology to thank and blame for what happened next.
Police found her thanks to an enhanced wireless 9-1-1 system that allows law enforcement officers to track down not just phone numbers but also locations, using wireless towers.
INFOGRAPHIC | King County deputies pay rates outpace Eastside departments
December 17, 2010
UPDATED — 8:30 a.m. Dec. 17, 2010
King County and the union representing its sheriff’s deputies are back to square one on wage negotiations after the county rejected a proposal that would have cost more than it saved despite a small pay cut to deputies.
The lowest pay rate for deputies is comparable to other Eastside police departments, but they have a much higher ceiling, according to an analysis of negotiated pay rates among local police departments by the SnoValley Star.
Deputies’ pay has climbed faster than other departments and will likely pull ahead of most departments in 2011 and 2012, according to the analysis.
Concern about the deputies’ rising wages remains part of the reason the North Bend City Council is considering ending its contract for police services with the King County Sheriff’s Office and instead partnering with Snoqualmie.
Deputies are in line to receive 5 percent wages in 2011 and 2012.Their proposal would have cut next year’s raise to 3 percent, which would have saved the county $1.3 million. But the proposal also stipulated that the county could not layoff any deputies and it extended their contract to 2013 with a 2 percent raise that year.
King County Executive Dow Constantine rejected the offer, saying it would ultimately cost the county $2.5 million. Layoffs are currently scheduled for January due to budget cuts. Further cuts are scheduled for June when several unincorporated areas patrolled by deputies will be annexed into Kirkland.
North Bend cancels last two downtown holiday events
December 16, 2010
NEW — 3:45 p.m. Dec. 16, 2010
North Bend has cancelled the final two downtown holiday celebrations, scheduled for Thursday Dec. 16 and 23. The city had shut down part of North Bend Way for two celebrations on Dec. 2 and 9.
However, “a combination of weather, lack of cover and other factors has made us rethink the next two events and reluctantly take them off the calendar,” said Gina Estep, the city’s community and economic development director.
The city’s holiday tree will remain lit with a generator donated by Sallal Water Association.
King County rejects proposal from sheriff’s deputies as too expensive
December 16, 2010
NEW — 3:30 p.m. Dec. 16, 2010
King County Executive Dow Constantine’s office has rejected as too expensive a deal for wage concessions in return for no layoffs from the King County Police Officers Guild, the union representing King County Sheriff’s deputies.
Constantine’s office has already reached agreements with every other union representing county employees to give up a 2 percent cost of living adjustment in 2011. Non-union employees will also not receive any cost of living increase next year.
The deputies’ union proposed last week to reduce their negotiated pay increase for 2011 from 5 to 3 percent. They would have still received a 5 percent pay raise in 2012, and the proposal included an extension of the existing contract through 2013 with a 2 percent pay increase.
In return, the proposal stipulated that the county could not layoff any deputies. Layoffs are currently scheduled for January due to budget cuts. Further cuts are scheduled for June when several unincorporated areas patrolled by deputies will be annexed into Kirkland.
Record rainfall floods the Valley
December 15, 2010
Officials report little damage
The Snoqualmie River overruns its banks, closing Snoqualmie’s Sandy Cove Park. The park was damaged in the 2009 floods. By Dan Catchpole
A record amount of rain fell in the Puget Sound area Dec. 12, swelling the Snoqualmie River to flood stage. But while the river ran high, little damage has been reported, according to city and county officials.
