Late-season Arctic blast hits Snoqualmie Valley with snowstorm
February 27, 2011
A late-season snowstorm hit the Snoqualmie Valley and Western Washington on Feb. 22, causing minor frustrations and few serious problems.
The winter squall came with a blast of Arctic air, plunging temperatures into the teens.
Road crews were ready for the weather and took to clearing streets as soon as the first flakes fluttered down.
King County parks department seeks applications for sports facilities projects
February 26, 2011
King County is accepting applications for grants to renovate or build public sports facilities.
The county’s Youth Sports Facilities Grant Fund provides matching grants from $5,000 to $75,000.
Groups that apply must partner with a public agency, such as a school district or city parks department, to develop or renovate sports facilities.
King County Elections to determine date for recount
February 25, 2011
King County Elections’ canvassing board will meet Monday Feb. 28 at 3 p.m. to determine when to recount results for the Snoqualmie Valley School District bond measure.
The school bond failed by a single vote to gain the 60 percent needed to pass.
Snoqualmie continues negotiations with police union
February 25, 2011
Negotiations continue between Snoqualmie and the union representing the city’s police officers. Police have been working without a contract since Dec. 31.
“There are no major stumbling blocks,” City Administrator Bob Larson said.
Snoqualmie grows by 550 percent since 2000
February 24, 2011
Snoqualmie is the fastest growing city in Washington since 2000.
In 2000, Snoqualmie had 1,631 residents, and by 2010, it had 10,670, according to data released by the U.S. Census Bureau.
That is an increase of 550 percent. Most of the growth came on the Snoqualmie Ridge.
The city’s minority population has grown too.
In 2000, 92.6 percent of the population was white. Ten years later, they made up 83.3 percent of the population.
Snoqualmie Valley voters chip in to pay for school bond vote recount
February 24, 2011
When supporter of the $56 million bond measure to build a new school in Snoqualmie Valley heard that it had failed by a single vote, they started to call for a recount.
The campaign went online. A Facebook page, SVSD School Bond Recount, to raise money to pay for a recount went up Wednesday, and by evening, the group had the $2,650 needed for a recount.
Sean Sundwall, who set up the Facebook page, said he plans to deliver the money and request to King County Elections on Thursday afternoon.
AARP offers help with tax returns in North Bend
February 24, 2011
Filing taxes can be a headache.
To save you some trouble and answer your questions, the AARP Tax-Aide program is offering free help with tax returns at Mount Si Senior Center. The service is available to everyone, not just seniors.
The program’s volunteers have been trained to help you take advantage of beneficial tax code provisions that can save you money.
Allied Waste cancels pick up in North Bend and Snoqualmie due to weather
February 24, 2011
Allied Waste has cancelled garbage and recycling collection Thursday for North Bend and Snoqualmie due to snow and ice. The inclement weather makes it difficult for the company’s trucks to maneuver on side streets, according to the company.
Several inches of snow fell in Snoqualmie Valley on Wednesday and Thursday. City work crews have been keeping arterials clear for drivers. The National Weather Service is forecasting another 1 to 2 inches of snow Thursday.
Low temperatures could cause problems for drivers. The low Thursday night is expected to be 15 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the National Weather Service. At that temperature, salt is less effective at breaking down ice on the road, said Dan Marcinko, Snoqualmie’s public works director.
School bond fails by slimmest margin
February 23, 2011
The bond to build a new middle school on Snoqualmie Ridge has failed.
The last count issued at 4:59 p.m. Feb. 22 left the bond at 59.99 percent, 0.01 percent away from the 60 percent required to pass.
“That’s just painful,” Snoqualmie Valley School Board President Dan Popp said.
The election was scheduled to be certified Feb. 23.
Kim van Ekstrom, an elections department spokeswoman, said prior to the last count on the last day before certification about 150 Snoqualmie Valley ballots still had not been counted.
These ballots either had missing signatures or its signature did not match the one on file.
The county contacted these voters, who had until Feb. 22 to fix the ballots.
Horses, humans recovering well from fire nearly 10 months later
February 23, 2011
It has been nearly 10 months since a fire broke out at the barn owned by Doug Madden and his wife, Kelly Bolen. The couple, who run a horse-riding business, lost two horses to the fire. Madden had to put one horse down himself, and the memory still haunts him.
But they are moving on with their lives — figuratively and literally.
Doug Madden combs the mane of Hunter, who was severely injured during a barn fire in May 2010. The horse has made a strong recovery, but memories of the fire still haunt Madden. By Dan Catchpole
Madden and Bolen relocated in mid-February from outside Snoqualmie to outside Issaquah. The horses that were injured in the fire are healing well, and the couple has two new horses. They also have continued with plans to expand their business, Equine Escapes. And they have a five-month-old son.
For all the good things that have come in the past year, there have been plenty of quiet, sad moments, Madden said as he groomed Hunter, one of the horses that was severely burned in the fire.
Last spring, Hunter’s right side was covered in scabs. Large patches of his fur were missing.
Today, there are few signs of his close brush with death.
