Elk hunt at TPC Snoqualmie Ridge squelched
December 21, 2011
A plan to discourage elk from visiting — and tearing up — TPC Snoqualmie Ridge golf course by allowing a limited hunt by master hunters has been put on hold indefinitely by the club’s owners.
The hunt had been set to begin Dec. 19, but public outcry about the announcement caused the club’s owners to reconsider their position. What will happen next and when is not clear.
“We have no comment,” said Brian Donohue, vice-president of BrightStar Golf Group, which bought the club in 2008.
The golf course has endured increasing damage from a subset of Snoqualmie Valley’s elk herd for two years, and has worked with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife officials to discourage the animals from visiting the Jack Nicklaus-designed course. However, nothing had proven effective, and the elk have caused worse damage in some cases, according to Ryan Whitney, the club’s general manager.
Food bank aids all families
December 21, 2011
It feeds your tummy, your family and your soul.
The family of 17-year-old Jaykrishna Dave gets its food from the Mount Si Helping Hand Food Bank.
For religious reasons, the biweekly haul is mostly veggies, no meat.
For sentimental reasons, the biweekly haul is mostly fond memories, no regrets, in Jaykrishna’s mind.
Salish Lodge & Spa hosts Christmas events
December 21, 2011
A fixture in America’s Christmas traditions is coming to Snoqualmie.
Karolyn Grimes, who played Zuzu Bailey in Frank Capra’s classic film “It’s A Wonderful Life,” will read “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” at the Salish Lodge & Spa from 4-6 p.m. Dec. 22.
As Zuzu Bailey, Grimes gave breath to the now-famous line, “Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings.” The actress lives in the Snoqualmie Valley and has performed the annual reading for several years. Learn more about her at www.zuzu.net.
The Salish Lodge & Spa is also hosting a Holiday Tea from 2-4 p.m. on Saturdays through Dec. 30, in the inn’s dining room. Ten percent of proceeds from the tea go to the Sno-Valley Center, which is run by Hopelink.
Snoqualmie 2012 budget makes modest cuts to cope with tight revenue
December 21, 2011
Snoqualmie City Council passed a conservative budget for 2012 that makes modest cuts while preserving services. The council adopted the budget at its Dec. 12 meeting.
While next year’s $15 million budget is balanced, the city’s finance officer, Rob Orton, is concerned about the future health of the city’s general fund. In recent years, Snoqualmie’s general fund, which pays for day-to-day operations, has seen its revenue streams come under increasing strain from the sluggish economy and voter-approved limits on taxes.
To balance the budget in 2012, the city cut some costs, such as freezing salaries for all non-union employees, and it will use $518,000 of its reserves. The salary freeze saved the city about $165,000.
Snoqualmie also saved about $160,000 by switching to a health insurance plan with fewer options.
Boy receives a new bicycle a month after Thanksgiving fire
December 21, 2011
Quiet leader’s old bicycle had been destroyed
Matthew Mortier can’t help but smile as he sits on his brand-new bicycle, a month after he lost his in a Thanksgiving fire in North Bend. Compass Outdoor Adventures, Singletrack Cycles and Specialized Bicycles contributed to buy Mortier a new bike. Brandon Schmid, store manager of Singletrack, stands next to Mortier. By Sebastian Moraga
Nine-year-old Matthew Mortier had his reasons.
He approached his new bicycle the way one would approach a newborn kitten — barely touching it, as if to convince himself it was real.
The Thanksgiving fire that destroyed his home in North Bend also destroyed his bicycle, less than two months after his grandma had given it to him.
Worse yet, he had to see his bicycle burnt to a crisp — on TV.
State will require rabies vaccine in dogs, cats, ferrets
December 21, 2011
Under a rule due to go into effect Jan. 1, the state is requiring dog, cat and ferret owners to vaccinate the animals against rabies.
The rule is meant to reduce the number of rabies exposures in Washington. Statewide each year, several hundred people must receive a series of rabies shots because of possible exposure to the rabies virus.
The state Department of Health’s Zoonotic Disease Program said the rule requires owners of dogs, cats and ferrets to have pets vaccinated against rabies.
Many cities and counties require rabies vaccinations for some pets, but vaccinations have never been required by the state. Vaccinating pets is one of the most effective ways of preventing rabies.
In Washington, bats act as the primary source of rabies. Many bats test positive each year for rabies across the state.
If a person is exposed to rabies, he or she should seek treatment immediately.
Editorial
December 21, 2011
Celebrate holidays by helping others
The economy seems to be picking up steam, but things are still tight for many families. In Snoqualmie Valley, most residents still have presents under the tree or near the menorah.
Now is the time to remember those in greater need than you. It doesn’t hurt that it is also the end of the year, a good time to assess your finances and your tax bracket to determine your ability to give.
Valley residents as a whole are among those in a position to share. We have no doubt that most in the area are generous with what they have.
Gene Pollard wins hospital district commissioner seat by six votes
December 21, 2011
Gene Pollard
King County Elections has declared Gene Pollard as the winner in the race for a seat on the Snoqualmie Valley Hospital District’s Board of Commissioners.
The department’s Canvassing Board verified Pollard’s win over Karyn Denton by six votes after a manual recount. The Snoqualmie resident garnered 4,613 votes.
The close outcome of the initial results triggered an automatic recount. In the final results, both candidates lost one vote, leaving Pollard’s lead unchanged.
Denton had been appointed to the position this past summer following Fritz Ribary’s resignation from the board. Ribary left to take a job as the hospital’s communications director.
Home Country
December 21, 2011
A chance to look back at the past year
Slim Randles Columnist
When it’s cold, build a fire in the fireplace, or the woodburning heater, or maybe just light a candle and look in the flames, look deep in the flames for the answers.
I’ve always believed they are there, and this time of year is a time for questions. It is a time to weigh the events of the past year and toss them around and ask why.
It has been a good year for each of us in some respects, and a bad year in others. Just like every year.
A few of our young people died this year. Others were born. Some precious old-timers left us, too, but at least they’d had the chance to hang and rattle and turn gray. It was the young ones that make us ask the tough questions.
Warm up the holidays with gingerbread cookies
December 21, 2011
What would the holidays be without gingerbread boys?
Sugar, spice and everything nice… We could all use a little more of these things in our lives.
Start celebrating today with these cookies, which win in the category of “Most likely to make someone smile.”
