Seastside Newsletter #103

Bellevue:

News:

• Mo Malakoutian elected Bellevue mayor, Dave Hamilton named deputy mayor: The Bellevue City Council unanimously chose Mo Malakoutian as the city's new mayor and Dave Hamilton as deputy mayor on Tuesday, with both serving two-year terms. Malakoutian, who's been on the council since 2023 and served as deputy mayor for the past two years, takes over from Lynne Robinson after her six-year stint as mayor. Both Malakoutian and Hamilton are first-term councilmembers elected in 2023, and they'll lead a seven-member council that sets policy and hires the city manager to run day-to-day operations. (info)

• Eastgate Housing Campus sees fewer emergency calls after safety push: The city's Eastgate Housing Campus, which opened in 2023 and now serves over 1,500 people across three facilities, has seen a drop in emergency service calls and nearby encampments following a safety action plan launched in response to neighbor complaints. The plan included operational changes at the PorchLight shelter and Plymouth Crossing supportive housing, plus ramped-up outreach and police patrols in the surrounding area. City staff will check back in with the council later this year on continued progress. (info)

• Bellevue awards $200,000 to 31 arts projects across the city: The City Council approved grants totaling $200,000 for 31 arts projects happening in Bellevue this year, including bonus $1,000 grants for 13 projects in the BelRed Arts District. Applications surged this year—67 requests for $464,000, way up from 26 applications for $68,000 last year—showing strong demand for funding that supports festivals, workshops, and other creative programming that fills cultural gaps in the community. The full list of grant recipients is available in the council's meeting materials. (info)

• School district pitches two levies ahead of February election: Bellevue School District Superintendent Kelly Aramaki briefed the council on two levies heading to voters on February 10—one to continue funding for educational programs and operations, the other for technology and capital projects. The council plans to vote on a resolution at a future meeting that would state their collective position on the levies. (info)

Events:

• City Council Meeting on January 13th. (info)

• Network With Us 'After Hours' on January 15th. (info)

• Sweat Circuit: Ski Conditioning on January 16th. (info)

• Martin Luther King Jr. Health Fair on January 19th.

• Small Business Workshop: Stop Chasing, Start Leading on January 28th. (info)

Bothell & Kenmore:

News:

• Bothell swears in two new councilmembers, Mason Thompson elected mayor for third term: Prasad Anguluri and Brittany Miles took their oaths of office Monday as Bothell's newest City Council members after winning election last November, joining returning councilmembers in a swearing-in ceremony led by Judge Bob Langbehn. The council then re-elected Mason Thompson as mayor for a third term and chose Jenne Alderks as deputy mayor, before diving into committee assignments and priorities for 2026. Anguluri, a 19-year Bothell resident and tech entrepreneur, is focused on sustainable growth, while Miles brings public service and mental health advocacy experience from her home in the North Creek area—both replacing outgoing councilmembers Jeanne Zornes and Benjamin Mahnkey. (info)

• Bothell updates hazard mitigation plan with climate change and mass evacuation strategies: Bothell rolled out its updated Hazard Mitigation Plan this week, a five-year refresh done alongside King County that identifies 14 potential hazards—from earthquakes and flooding to wildfires and public health emergencies—and lays out nine strategies to reduce disaster impacts. New this year are plans to implement the city's recently adopted Climate Action Plan, develop mass evacuation capabilities, expand drone use for emergency response, and train police for worst-case threat scenarios, all informed by community feedback that flagged earthquakes and climate change as top concerns. The update keeps Bothell eligible for state and federal hazard mitigation funding while addressing both regional risks and local priorities. (info)

• Bremerton man charged with first-degree murder in death of missing Bothell woman: A 45-year-old Bremerton man is being held without bail after prosecutors charged him with killing 27-year-old Mallory Barbour, who was reported missing from Bothell last June and whose body was found by a hunter in September along a wooded stretch of Highway 3 in Mason County. Investigators linked the suspect to the crime through forensic ballistics matching shell casings near Barbour's remains to his firearms, plus the discovery of her ID and medications at his apartment—where she'd reportedly lived for a few months before moving out. Court documents show Barbour suffered blunt force trauma and two gunshot wounds, and prosecutors cited the suspect's inconsistent statements, failure to report her missing despite their living arrangement, and six prior nonviolent court cases with 13 outstanding bench warrants as reasons to hold him without bail ahead of his January 13 arraignment. (info)

Events:

• Coffee with Council on January 12th. (info)

• City Council on January 12th. (info)

• Bothell Business Forum on January 14th. (info)

• Project Open House: Wayne Open Space Action Plan on January 15th. (info)

• Swamp Creek Habitat Restoration Project Work Party – Wallace Swamp Creek Park on January 19th. (info)

Fall City & Snoqualmie:

News:

• North Bend swears in three councilmembers, Errol Tremolada named mayor pro tem: North Bend welcomed returning councilmembers Mark Joselyn and Errol Tremolada in early December, then swore in newly elected councilmember Rob McFarland—who previously served as mayor from 2020 to 2024—on December 29, with his term officially starting January 1. The council then selected Tremolada as the 2026 mayor pro tem, a role that has him coordinating with city administration, setting work-study session agendas, and stepping in when Mayor Miller is absent. Meanwhile, neighboring Snoqualmie is set to administer the oath of office to Mayor James Mayhew and Councilmember Dan Murphy at their first city council meeting of the year on Monday, January 12. (info)

• North Bend earns Tree City USA recognition for 15th straight year: The Arbor Day Foundation recognized North Bend as a Tree City USA for the 15th consecutive year, honoring the city's commitment to urban forest management by meeting all four program requirements—maintaining a tree board, enforcing a tree care ordinance, budgeting at least $2 per capita for forestry, and holding an annual Arbor Day observance. North Bend's tree conservation efforts are backed by municipal codes that require developers to retain existing trees and plant new ones, plus landscape regulations aimed at protecting the city's urban canopy. The Tree City USA program is a nationwide network of more than 3,600 communities working with the Arbor Day Foundation, US Forest Service, and National Association of State Foresters to promote tree planting and care (info)

Events:

• Snoqualmie City Council Meeting on January 12th. (info)

• Snoqualmie Valley Connect Business Networking on January 15th. (info)

Issaquah:

News:

• Issaquah hosts neighborhood meeting on transportation projects affecting South Lake Sammamish area: Residents near South Lake Sammamish are invited to an open house on February 5 at Sunset Elementary School, where city staff and WSDOT officials will present upcoming projects that could affect local commutes and daily life. The evening will feature a presentation followed by Q&A and info tables covering WSDOT's Fish Passage Project, planning for the Northwest Sammamish Non-Motorized Project, and work along Newport Way NW. Questions about the meeting or specific projects can be sent to Capital Program & Franchise Manager Kevin Thompson. (info)

• Sheriff's office seeks suspect in Issaquah car prowl and Bellevue shopping spree: The King County Sheriff's Office is looking for a man who allegedly stole credit cards from a parked car at the Poo Poo Point Trailhead in Issaquah on June 11, then racked up over $7,000 in charges at Nordstrom and the Apple Store in Bellevue Square Mall. Surveillance footage shows the suspect wearing a gray baseball cap, gray long-sleeve shirt, black fanny pack, black pants and sneakers, with dark hair and a mustache. Anyone with information can call 206-296-3311, email Detective Hoaglan, or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers for a potential cash reward up to $1,000. (info)

Events:

• Special City Council Meeting on January 12th. (info)

• FREE Family Friendly Cooking Class on January 13th. (info)

• Ken Ludwig's Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery Opens at Village Theatre on January 20th. (info)

Kirkland:

News:

• Kirkland completes all Fire Prop 1 projects on time and under budget: Five years after voters approved Fire Proposition 1 with more than 71% support, Kirkland has finished every project funded by the levy—including hiring 20 additional firefighter/EMTs, replacing or renovating four fire stations to meet modern safety standards, and building a pandemic PPE stockpile. The improvements, shaped by a 2019 Community Safety Advisory Group, addressed critical needs like aging facilities, response-time challenges, and firefighter health risks, with station upgrades now featuring carcinogen-reducing gear storage and diesel exhaust systems plus seismic reinforcements. The city held final community open houses for Fire Stations 21 and 26 in late 2025, marking the completion of all capital projects that officials say will serve residents for decades. (info)

• Kelli Curtis continues as Kirkland mayor, Neal Black named deputy mayor: The Kirkland City Council voted Monday to keep Kelli Curtis in the mayor's seat and selected Councilmember Neal Black as deputy mayor for the coming year. Curtis, who's lived in Kirkland for nearly 30 years, was first appointed to the council in 2019, won election later that year and again in 2023, and has served as mayor since January 2024. As mayor in Kirkland's council-manager form of government, Curtis presides over meetings and represents the city ceremonially but votes alongside other councilmembers without veto power, while also serving on regional committees including the Sound City Association's King County Growth Management Planning Council. (info)

Events:

• Youth Council Meeting on January 12th. (info)

• Juanita Bay Park Habitat Stewardship Day on January 16th. (info)

• Everest Park Forest Stewardship on January 19th. (info)

• Kingsgate Park Forest Stewardship on January 19th. (info)

Mercer Island:

News:

• David Rosenbaum elected Mercer Island mayor, Daniel Becker named deputy mayor: The Mercer Island City Council chose David Rosenbaum as its new mayor and Daniel Becker as deputy mayor at Monday's meeting, both serving two-year terms. Rosenbaum, a councilmember since 2019 and deputy mayor since 2022, is a third-generation Washingtonian and former congressional aide who relocated to Mercer Island with his family. Becker was appointed to the council last June following the death of Councilmember Jake Jacobson, then won election in November to a full term—he was sworn in Monday along with returning councilmembers Ted Weinberg and Lisa Anderl, while newly elected Councilmember Julie Hsieh took her oath last monthLevitate Gastropub (Sammamish, WA)
  This lakeside newcomer has quickly become Sammamish’s go-to for elevated comfort food with a laid-back, gastropub twist — think juicy gourmet burgers, creative seafood specials, and craft cocktails with views that make every sunset feel like an occasion. The rooftop-style patio and chill vibe turn dinner into more than just a meal, and the local beer selection keeps the buzz going well past dessert. (info)

Events:

• Parenting Mercer Island Parent Lab on January 13th. (info)

• City Council Meeting on January 20th. (info)

• Hopelink Mobile Food Market on January 21st. (info)

Redmond:

News:

• Redmond Police Warn of $300K Roofing Scam: A Redmond homeowner lost nearly $300,000 after door-to-door roofing scammers posing as legitimate contractors pressured them into unnecessary repairs, prompting the Redmond Police Department to urge residents to verify contractors, avoid upfront payments, and report suspicious activity immediately. (info)

• Redmond Business Owner Seeks Bollards After Repeated Smash-and-Grabs: A downtown Redmond cannabis shop owner says his store has been rammed at least six times, causing roughly $500,000 in damage, and is urging public pressure on the City of Redmond to approve protective bollards amid what he describes as prolonged permitting delays. (info)

Events:

• RISE Community Happy Hour at Woodblock on Jan. 15 from 3-5pm. (info)

• Boots & Brews Line Dancing on Jan. 15 from 7-8pm. (info)

• Happy Hour at Brown’s Stockyard Exchange on Jan. 19 from 4-6pm. (info)

Renton:

News:

• Man Shot Near Hazen High School in Renton: A man suffered non-life-threatening injuries in a shooting near Northeast 12th Street and Anacortes Avenue, just west of Hazen High School, and the Renton Police Department is searching for two suspects with helicopter support from King County authorities. (info)

• Children Reunited After Custodial Interference Case in Renton Two children were safely located and reunited with their legal guardian following a custodial interference investigation involving their biological mother, according to the Lakewood Police Department, which thanked the public for its assistance. (info)

Events:

• Ribbon Cutting - Bindaas Indian Restaurant Sports Bar & Dukaan on Jan. 22 at 2pm. (info)

• Sunday Funday: Free concert with Super Sones on Jan. 25 from 3-5pm. (info)

Sammamish:

News:

• Lake Washington School District Joins National AI Policy Network: Lake Washington School District was selected to join the 2025–2026 EDSAFE AI Policy Lab Network, collaborating with districts nationwide through the EDSAFE AI Alliance to develop responsible, safety-focused AI guidelines for K–12 education. (info)

• New Mayor and Deputy Mayor Appointed: Josh Amato was selected as Mayor and Debbie Treen as Deputy Mayor following the swearing-in of three new councilmembers on January 6, alongside the re-swearing of Amy Lam. (info)

Events:

• Arbor Montessori Preview Event - Open House on Jan. 17 at 10am. (info)

• Lunar New Year Celebration 2026 on Jan. 31 at 1pm. (info)

Woodinville:

News:

• Woodinville City Council Selects New Leadership: The City of Woodinville appointed Sarah Arndt as Mayor and reselected James Randolph as Deputy Mayor on January 6, following the departure of longtime Mayor Mayor Millman. (info)

Events:

• Yoga at The Carol Edwards Center on Jan. 12 from 7:15-8:30pm. (info)

• Live Music: Alex Britton performing at Chelan Ridge Winery on Jan. 16 from 5-8pm. (info)

• Goose Ridge: Game Night on Jan. 15 from 3-6pm. (info)

What we are currently loving!

• Levitate Gastropub (Sammamish, WA): This lakeside newcomer has quickly become Sammamish’s go-to for elevated comfort food with a laid-back, gastropub twist — think juicy gourmet burgers, creative seafood specials, and craft cocktails with views that make every sunset feel like an occasion. The rooftop-style patio and chill vibe turn dinner into more than just a meal, and the local beer selection keeps the buzz going well past dessert.

Weather this Week:

• Bellevue heads into the week of January 12th under familiar winter skies, with plenty of clouds, cool air, and occasional rain shaping the days. It’s the kind of week that feels slow and steady, ideal for warm layers, quiet walks, and settling into the heart of winter without much fuss.