Tomato truck spins, slide hits car on I-90, nobody hurt
January 18, 2012
NEW – 5:35 p.m. Jan. 18, 2011
They looked big but they turned out small.
Two accidents occurred the afternoon of Jan. 18 on Interstate 90 marring what was otherwise an uneventful day of traffic amid heavy snow on the interstate.
The first accident occurred at about1:36 p.m. at milepost 34 in North Bend. A truck carrying tomatoes jacknifed in the westbound lanes and crashed against a guardrail.
Photo courtesy Washington State Patrol.
“It was a significant collision. It tore everything apart,” said Trooper Julie Startup, spokeswoman for the WSP. Read more
North Bend planners mull over Truck Town
January 18, 2012
While it took no final action, the North Bend Planning Commission spent several hours the evening of Jan. 12 going over its recommended list of city transportation projects and draft transportation policy.
One highlight of the interrelated documents was recommended actions surrounding the truck stop commonly referred to as “Truck Town.”
Sitting at Exit 34 off Interstate 90, the stop is operated by TravelCenters of America and is the only facility aimed specifically at tractor-trailers in King County.
Truck Town’s presence has led to plenty of discussion over perceived conflicts between the needs of truckers and the needs of local residents.
Pass and schools close during Valley snowstorm
January 18, 2012
The winter weather not only closed roads and blocked driveways. It also canceled meetings and trips, closed schools, and detoured bus routes and garbage collection.
The Snoqualmie Valley School District closed schools and cancelled all school-related activities at 4 a.m. Jan. 17 due to the snowstorm expected to hit this week.
One canceled activity was a North Bend Elementary School’s fifth-grade trip to Olympia.
The Department of Natural Resources postponed an open house celebrating the Snoqualmie Corridor planning kickoff. The meeting will be rescheduled in February.
Chad Magendanz will run for Legislature
January 18, 2012
Chad Magendanz
In a campaign announcement focused on dollars for education, Chad Magendanz, a Republican and the Issaquah School Board president, entered the race Jan. 5 to represent Issaquah and rural East King County in the Legislature.
Magendanz, a Tiger Mountain resident in Issaquah, launched the local campaign season days after state leaders offered a re-contoured legislative district for the Issaquah area and a little more than a week after the longtime incumbent, GOP state Rep. Glenn Anderson, opted against running for the seat in 2012.
“Much of the policy that affects our kids is not made in the district, it’s made down in Olympia. That’s where the funding for the most part is, and that’s where the major decisions are made as far as the future of education,” Magendanz said to business and education leaders gathered at the King County Library System headquarters in Issaquah.
Home Country
January 18, 2012
Slim Randles Columnist
Dud Campbell had been quiet for almost an hour, which brought concern to his wife, Anita. Dud isn’t the strong, silent type. He’s more like a quick, noisy type. After an hour had gone by in silence, he picked up a sheet of paper and began taking notes.
“Dinner’s pretty soon, Hon,” Anita said.
“Can’t eat now. Uh, can I have something later, maybe?”
“Sure. Hey, you OK?”
He nodded, then went for the coffee pot. He gave Anita a hug on his way back to the table.
Middle school courtyard is set for a makeover
January 18, 2012
It’s meant for when school is in session and the weather is nice. But it’s in Snoqualmie. Not exactly “never the twain shall meet,” but close.
The courtyard at Snoqualmie Middle School will receive a $2 million makeover this year, turning it into an indoor facility similar to Wildcat Court at Mount Si High School.
That way, Principal Vernie Newell said, the school hopes to get more use out of it during the 10 months of classes.
Right now the courtyard has benches, floors on different levels and trees. Students can study, eat and hang out. They also can get drenched in rain and get Advanced Placement credits in “Hypothermia 101.”
Editorial
January 18, 2012
Valley, Wenatchee find common ground
There is nothing wrong with the good people living in Chelan and Kittitas counties, and they even have a few things in common with the Snoqualmie Valley. Both regions share the Cascades and its numerous recreational opportunities. But that’s about it.
Apparently, we will now share a representative for the new 8th Congressional District, per the new boundaries drawn by the redistricting committee.
Many would think that redistricting to balance populations would create compact, geographic districts with similar demographics. No. The committee’s real job is to protect incumbents and the two-party system.
Children at Camp Waskowitz learn a work of art requires the art of work
January 18, 2012
Roberta McFarland, director of Camp Waskowitz, stands next to a story pole children at the camp built last summer. Children helped local artist Bob Antone carve symbols that had special meaning to them. By Sebastian Moraga
Look around, you see China. Look up, you see Mexico.
Look over and you see the Snoqualmie Valley.
The totem poles at Camp Waskowitz, near the southeast edge of North Bend, tell the story of the hands who built them.
High school children from immigrant or difficult backgrounds gathered at the camp two summers in a row to make the poles, with the aid of Valley sculptor and wood carver Bob Antone.
Letters
January 18, 2012
Alternative methods for controlling Snoqualmie Valley elk herd
If the Snoqualmie Valley wants to be on the cutting edge of elk management practices, then why not consider the alternative “herd control” methods tried by our neighboring areas?
The Toutle River Valley successfully relocated 50 elk to the Nooksack Valley. Toutle officials there coordinated with two helicopters and volunteers on the ground to herd the animals into a corral and then transport them to other areas.
Wildcats are nominated for academic award
January 18, 2012
The Seattle-King County chapter of the National Football Foundation tapped Mount Si High School’s Brian Copeland and Connor Deutsch as nominees for its 2011 Scholar Athlete award.
The foundation will choose finalists and then announce two winners 10 a.m. Feb.12 at CenturyLink Field.
Five line players and five skill players from Western Washington have been nominated.
