Bellevue reviews affordable housing plan, advances city code cleanup: Bellevue's City Council reviewed a draft of the city's updated Affordable Housing Strategy on Tuesday, which maps out tools and funding to expand housing access over the next seven years, especially for lower-income households. The strategy, first created in 2017, was shaped by input from over 650 residents and 60 organizations through community events held over the past 15 months, including the city's first Better Cities Film Festival. The Office of Housing will hold two more public sessions before bringing final recommendations back to the council, and residents can review the full draft at engagingbellevue.com/2025-affordable-housing-strategy. The council also kicked off work on a batch of minor land use and city code updates—mostly small fixes to comply with state law and align with recently adopted middle housing rules—which will go to the Planning Commission for review before returning to the council later this year. (info)

Bellevue's Grand Connection bridge scores $2 million federal grant, eyes 2030 opening: Bellevue landed a $2 million federal grant to help plan the Grand Connection Crossing (GCX), a 2,000-foot pedestrian and bike bridge that will link downtown to the Wilburton neighborhood and Eastrail by spanning I-405 near Northeast Sixth Street. The bridge, estimated to cost around $200 million total, is currently at 30% design and the city plans to issue a request for proposals for a general contractor early this year, with hopes to open the span by 2030. The design includes a series of gathering spots called "rooms"—like the Northwest Terrace and Sequoia Overlook—and the city is coordinating with developers on the Wilburton side whose properties the bridge will cross as it descends to meet the trail. (info)

Bellevue is offering $200,000 per year in 2027 and 2028 to organizations that can bring together education and human services providers to improve collaboration and service delivery across the city. The funding responds to feedback from a 2025 needs assessment, where local nonprofits said they needed more support for coordination and deeper partnerships to tackle community challenges collectively. Applications opened February 2 and are due by 4 PM on February 27, with organizations required to show they can facilitate equitable problem-solving and aren't already receiving city funding for similar work—interested groups can find details and apply at the city's Human Services Funding page or contact Ruth Blaw at [email protected]. (info)

City Council Meeting on February 10th. (info)

Valentine's Day Cookie Decorating Class on February 11th. (info)

Valentine’s Day Dash on February 14th. (info)

Bothell opens community survey to shape 2027-2028 budget priorities: Bothell is asking residents to complete its biennial community survey by March 1 to help shape the city's 2027-2028 budget and provide feedback on current services. The city mailed postcards with unique access codes to a random sample of homes for statistically valid results, but anyone 18 or older can take the 10-minute survey online in English, Spanish, or simplified Chinese—and enter to win one of three $200 gift cards. The survey, conducted with independent researchers to keep responses anonymous, helps the City Council understand resident satisfaction and priorities as Bothell grows, with results expected later this year and available at bothellwa.gov/budget. (info)

Bothell Business Forum on February 11th. (info)

Lunar New Year at the Bothell Library on February 14th. (info)

Downtown Discovery Walk on February 21st. (info)

Snoqualmie City Council backs tripling property tax cap in 2026 legislative priorities: Snoqualmie's City Council adopted its 2026 legislative priorities on January 26, including a new item supporting a state bill that would triple the property tax cap from 1% to 3% annually to help stabilize city revenue. The list, led by new Mayor James Mayhew, keeps funding for a community center pool expansion and affordable housing as top priorities, while also adding three public safety goals—more funding for crisis intervention training, police recruitment support (potentially through councilmanic authority for sales tax levies instead of voter approval), and expanded police pursuit authority for crimes like auto theft. House Bill 1334, which would raise the property tax cap, was reintroduced in January after stalling in committee last year and could face a public hearing soon. (info)

Snoqualmie Valley Trail near North Bend closing for 6-8 weeks starting mid-February: A section of the Snoqualmie Valley Trail near North Bend will close as soon as February 16 for about 6-8 weeks to allow construction vehicles temporary access while SE Edgewick Road undergoes repairs, with additional intermittent closures on Saturday, February 7 from 7 AM to 1 PM for equipment staging. King County Parks says no detour will be available because there's no safe, ADA-accessible alternative route that can accommodate pedestrians and cyclists of all ages and abilities in that location. The county says it evaluated the closure carefully and will work to complete the road repairs as quickly as possible to minimize disruption for trail users. (info)

Westbound SR 18 at I-90 faces nightly lane closures for three months starting February 3: The right lane of westbound State Route 18 at Interstate 90 will close nightly from 9 PM to 5 AM, Sunday through Thursday, for the next 12 weeks starting February 3 while Puget Sound Energy installs new electrical lines and equipment. No detours are planned, but drivers in the Snoqualmie area should expect possible delays during the overnight work. Real-time traffic updates are available through the WSDOT mobile app, Travel Center Map, or email alerts. (info)

The Real Twin Peaks from February 20th to February 22nd. (info)

Urban Forestry and Stormwater Walk and Learn on February 21st. (info)

City Council Regular Meeting on February 23rd. (info)

Issaquah businesses must comply with new state compost and organic waste law: As of January 1, 2026, Washington State's Organics Management Law requires Issaquah businesses that generate enough organic waste to fill one 96-gallon cart per week—meaning most businesses that sell, prepare, serve, or manufacture food—to divert food scraps and organic materials from the garbage to compost collection or food donation. The law aims to reduce methane emissions from landfills and redirect nutrients back into local food systems through composting. The City of Issaquah is offering free technical assistance, indoor collection bins, educational signage, and staff training to help businesses comply, and encourages anyone needing support to contact the environmental team at [email protected]. (info)

Special Election on February 10th. (info)

Senior Social at Blakely Hall on February 10th. (info)

Issaquah Pre-School Open House on February 11th. (info)

Valentine’s Day Village Market Pop Up at Blakely Hall on February 14th. (info)

Parents Night Out on February 14th. (info)

Kirkland Council approves Houghton Village zoning changes, directs property sale in 2026: At its February 3 meeting, the Kirkland City Council adopted minor zoning code amendments allowing developers to build up to five stories at the Houghton Village site if they follow the approved Development Plan, and separately directed the city manager to put the Houghton Village property up for sale sometime in 2026. The council also received a progress update on the city's Transportation Strategic Plan programs, discussed vacation and management leave policies for non-union staff as a retention tool, and authorized the Fire Department to collect compliance reporting fees. In an earlier study session, council members reviewed Municipal Court caseloads and bail practices as part of an ongoing criminal justice system review, and met jointly with the Transportation Commission to go over the 2026-2027 work plan. (info)

Kirkland's ballot drop box moved to Wester Lot for drive-up voting in February 10 special election: Kirkland has relocated its ballot drop box from City Hall to the Wester Lot to make voting easier and safer for the February 10, 2026 special election. The new location features a drive-up design that lets voters drop off their ballots without leaving their cars, replacing the old setup that required people to get out and walk to the box. King County Elections operates ballot drop boxes throughout the county, and voters can find more information about the election and all drop box locations at www.kingcounty.gov/elections. (info)

Business Workshops for Kirkland Pitch Competition on February 10th and February 17th. (info)

Co-Working and Business Advising Day with the City of Kirkland on February 11th. (info)

Juanita Bay Habitat Stewardship Day on February 13th. (info)

Conversations with Council on February 21st. (info)

Mercer Island wrestlers crown five Kingco champions, send six boys to state: Mercer Island High School's wrestling team had a standout weekend at the Kingco Championships, crowning five champions across the girls and boys divisions. Emerson Woods went undefeated in the girls 110-pound weight class on February 6, while Levi Jones, Andy Wei, Beckum Nason, and Luke Sincock all won their respective weight classes on the boys side February 7. In total, six Mercer Island boys qualified for the state championships, including fourth-place finishers Cassius Ethe and Ethan Malagaya, while Woods will compete this weekend in the girls state qualifier for a chance to advance to the WIAA Mat Classic State Championship at the Tacoma Dome on February 19. (info)

Mercer Island emissions down 15% since 2019 despite population growth: Mercer Island's latest emissions report shows community-wide greenhouse gas emissions dropped 15% between 2019 and 2024 even as the population grew by 6%, though year-over-year progress slowed with emissions declining less than 1% from 2023 to 2024. The city's own operational emissions fell even more dramatically—down 55% since 2019, including a 14% drop last year—as part of its 2023 Climate Action Plan to track and reduce emissions annually. The progress is credited to increased adoption of zero-emission vehicles, fewer people commuting after the pandemic, and Puget Sound Energy's transition to cleaner energy sources, according to the report produced with the Eastside Climate Partnership. (info)

Living Alone Senior Group on February 10th. (info)

Restoration Event | Native Plant Nursery on February 12th. (info)

City Council Regular Hybrid Meeting on February 17th. (info)

Police seek public’s help in Redmond trail stabbing as reward reaches $50,000: Investigators are asking anyone with information, photos, or video from Bear Creek Trail on Jan. 24 to come forward as the search continues for a suspect accused of stabbing a woman, with Crime Stoppers increasing the reward to $50,000 for tips leading to an arrest. (info)

Redmond seeks volunteer commissioners for Parks, Trails, Recreation and Arts & Culture: The city is recruiting residents to fill multiple commission vacancies, offering three-year volunteer terms to help shape parks, trails, recreation, and arts programs, with applications encouraged by Feb. 17, 2026. (info)

Life Time expands in Puget Sound with Redmond property purchase: The national fitness chain acquired a former Fred Meyer grocery store in Redmond as part of its broader U.S. expansion, signaling plans to convert the site into a new Life Time gym. (info)

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Renton adopts 2026 Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces (PROS) Plan: The City Council approved a 20-year, community-informed roadmap guiding park investments, equity, environmental stewardship, and recreation priorities, keeping Renton eligible for state and federal grant funding while aligning future decisions with resident input. (info)

Suspect charged in fatal shooting at Renton grocery store: A 32-year-old man faces second-degree murder charges after allegedly shooting Gabriel Olazon Padilla 10 times inside a Renton grocery store, with charging documents detailing a confrontation that escalated into fatal gunfire and a requested $3 million bail. (info)

2026 Development Breakfast on Feb. 11 at 9am. (info)

After Hours Concert with Lulu Swing on Feb. 14 from 8-10pm. (info)

Sushi Roll Class on Feb. 21 from 11am-1:30pm. (info)

Ribon Cutting - Evergreen Goodwill on Feb. 27 at 10am. (info)

No News this Week!

Coffee with City Council on Feb. 14 at 9:30am. (info)

136th Avenue NE Safety Improvements Planned: The City of Woodinville is planning a six-foot-wide paved walkway with buffered separation from traffic along 136th Avenue NE between 186th Street and NE 195th Street, with construction expected in summer or fall 2026 to improve safety for pedestrians, children, and cyclists. (info)

Learn About Northshore School District Funding Measures in Feb 10 Election: The Northshore School District is proposing three voter-approved measures in the February 10, 2026 election, an Educational Programs and Operations levy renewal, a Capital Projects bond, and a Technology levy renewal, aimed at funding day-to-day operations, school modernization and safety, and classroom technology not covered by state funding. (info)

Yoga at the Carol Edwards Center on Feb. 11 from 7:15-8:30pm. (info)

Building Relationships Breakfast on Feb. 12 from 7:30-9am. (info)

Valentine’s day at the Shed on Feb. 12 from 2-10pm. (info)

Sabine Café (Downtown Bellevue): Sabine Café just opened in early 2026 on the plaza level of The Eight tower, and it’s already charming Bellevue with a bright, Mediterranean-inspired all-day menu and a sunny, relaxed vibe perfect for breakfast, lunch, or lingering coffee dates. The space pairs light, fresh dishes like za’atar egg plates, shakshuka, and hummus boards with great outdoor seating that makes every meal feel like a mini getaway right in the heart of downtown.

Bellevue settles into the week of February 10th with classic late-winter vibes—cloudy skies, cool days, and the occasional light rain drifting through. It’s a mellow stretch that invites cozy layers, warm drinks, and taking advantage of any dry breaks for a quiet walk before spring starts to feel a little closer.