Eastside cities team up to crack down on street racing and reckless driving: Bellevue, Issaquah, Redmond, and Kirkland have launched the Eastside Safe Streets Task Force, a joint enforcement effort targeting street racing, speeding, and modified exhaust violations that's been active since Feb. 12. Officers from all four departments are pooling resources to patrol high-risk areas, with offenders facing tickets, arrests, or criminal citations. The move comes as Bellevue alone recorded four fatal crashes and 36 serious-injury crashes in 2025, and follows the city's own Safer Roads Initiative, which saw a 62% spike in speeding tickets issued in January. (info)

Bellevue Council advances six-year economic development plan and Old Bellevue design rules: At its Feb. 11 meeting, the Bellevue City Council reviewed a draft 2026–2031 Economic Development Plan built on 14 months of community input from more than 400 stakeholders, identifying cost of living, permitting barriers, and traffic congestion as key hurdles to growth. The council also adopted a six-month interim design control for Old Bellevue's Main Street corridor to preserve its small-scale, walkable character while longer-term regulations are worked out. Additional action included approving human services funding allocations for 2027–2028 and receiving updates on permitting activity and a new land use planning workplan tied to the city's recently adopted Comprehensive Plan. (info)

Old Bellevue gets temporary development freeze to protect Main Street's character: The Bellevue City Council voted 4-3 on Feb. 10 to impose a six-month Interim Official Control on a stretch of Main Street between 100th Avenue NE and Bellevue Way, requiring new development to match the area's low-rise, pedestrian-friendly feel. The move was partly spurred by a pending proposal from Vander Hoek Corp. for an eight-story, 176-unit apartment building at Main and 103rd — though that project is already grandfathered in under existing zoning and won't be affected. The temporary rules give the city time to craft permanent design standards while a public hearing is required within 60 days; notably, the ordinance does not protect existing businesses or require developers to retain current tenants. (info)

Cross-lake light rail connection enters final testing ahead of March 28 launch: Sound Transit kicked off simulated service on Feb. 14 for the long-awaited Crosslake Connection, running full 2 Line schedules from Downtown Redmond through Bellevue and across Lake Washington — though Eastside riders must still exit at South Bellevue Station until the official opening. When the line goes live on March 28, it will mark the first direct light rail link between Seattle and the Eastside, cutting the trip from South Bellevue to the International District to about 13 minutes. Sound Transit plans public celebrations, ribbon cuttings, and station events throughout opening day. (info)

Northbound I-405 closing overnight in Bellevue for sign work: WSDOT is shutting down northbound I-405 in Bellevue from 11 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23 to 4 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24 so crews can remove a sign bridge and install new signage between Coal Creek Parkway SE and I-90. The Coal Creek Parkway on-ramp and the northbound I-405 connection to I-90 will both be closed, with a signed detour in place. The work is part of the larger I-405 Renton-to-Bellevue Widening and Express Toll Lanes project, which will eventually add lanes and a two-lane express toll system linking Bellevue to Lynnwood. (info)

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

Great Neighborhoods Eastgate and Factoria - Urban Design Workshop on February 28th. (info)

Draft Affordable Housing Strategy Info Session on February 26th. (info)

Network on Aging meeting on March 5th. (info)

405 and SR 522 closures coming to Bothell over four weekends: Drivers in Bothell should plan ahead for a month of significant road disruptions, with closures on I-405 and SR 522 running from February 20 through as early as March 16. The final two weekends will be the most disruptive, shutting down all northbound and southbound lanes of I-405 through Bothell as crews remove ramps and widen the highway for the Brickyard to SR 527 Improvement Project. WSDOT is warning of potential hour-long backups across the region and urging drivers to identify alternate routes before heading out. (info)

Bothell opens applications for small business incubator programs at Triangle Junction: Bothell entrepreneurs have until March 23 to apply for two city-backed incubator programs — Pop Shops on Main, which gives small and disadvantaged businesses access to rotating retail space downtown, and the Mobile Food Incubator Program, designed to help new food vendors navigate permitting and get on their feet. Both programs are based at Triangle Junction, the downtown plaza at Main Street and Bothell Way, which has grown from four pop-up shops in 2021 to eight retail spots plus food vendor support. Local artists are also invited to apply for a paid mural activation at the plaza, with submissions due March 13.(info)

Bothell hires Claire Khouri as new deputy city manager: The City of Bothell has tapped Claire Khouri to serve as its next deputy city manager, stepping into the role vacated by Toni Call, who recently retired. Khouri comes with a strong public sector resume — most recently as Chief of Strategy & Planning at TriMet, and before that more than six years at Sound Transit in senior leadership roles. She's set to start March 16 and has said she's drawn to Bothell's growth trajectory and sense of community. (info)

General Meeting of Bothell Kenmore Chamber of Commerce on February 26th. (info)

Living in Retirement Seminar on February 26th. (info)

Open House: Bothell PROS Plan on February 26th. (info)

Bothell Prepared: Disaster Preparedness Class on February 28th. (info)

Doomscrolling Detox: Finding Your Balance in the Digital Age on March 11th.

Sammamish neighborhood fights for 20 years to switch school districts — and still losing: A small pocket of 65 homes in northeast Sammamish has spent two decades trying to leave the Snoqualmie Valley School District and join the Lake Washington School District, which literally borders them on three sides. In November, SVSD's board denied the petition for the fourth time, citing concerns about enrollment stability and a potential domino effect of other neighborhoods following suit — so now a group of parents is taking the fight to King County Superior Court. In the meantime, LWSD's superintendent said the district will introduce guaranteed multi-year choice transfer pathways to give families like these a more stable option while the legal process plays out. (info)

North Bend greenlights sidewalk and road improvements funded by state grants: North Bend City Council approved two state-funded transportation projects at its February 3 meeting, both set to break ground this summer. The Sidewalk Gap Project — backed by an $860,310 TIB grant — will fill in missing pedestrian connections along four stretches of road, while the $744,251 Overlay Project will resurface and repair sections of three local streets. Both projects require a city match, covered through existing transportation funds, and continue a streak of annual improvements the city has been funding since 2021. (info)

Snoqualmie Indian Tribe officially designates Snoqualmie River as a cultural waterway: The Snoqualmie Indian Tribal Council has formally designated the 45-mile Snoqualmie River — along with its tributaries and Snoqualmie Falls, the Tribe's most sacred site — as a Cultural Waterway, a move aimed at ensuring its long-term protection and proper management. The Tribe cited growing water demand, worsening drought and flood cycles tied to climate change, and threats to cultural practices passed down through generations as driving factors behind the designation. The resolution signals the Tribe's intent to take an active sovereign role in stewarding the river and calls for broader cooperation in managing the region's increasingly strained water resources. (info)

Reclaim info session on February 24th. (info)

Feed Kiddos Food Drive on February 25th. (info)

Snoqualmie Valley YMCA Annual Fund Drive Kick-Off on February 25th. (info)

Firefighter Fundraiser on February 27th. (info)

Lane closures on W Sunset Way in Issaquah this week for gas line work: Drivers on W Sunset Way in Issaquah should expect delays Monday through Friday, February 23–27, as Puget Sound Energy relocates a gas line between Sunset Ct NW and about 300 feet west. Crews will be running alternating one-lane closures with flaggers from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day as part of prep work ahead of the larger Sunset Way Landslide and Utility Improvements Project slated for June 2026. Questions can be directed to city inspector Mike Nelson at [email protected]. (info)

Issaquah Farmers Market now accepting vendor applications for 2026 season: Vendors hoping to snag a spot at the Issaquah Farmers Market this year should get their applications in soon — the city is now accepting submissions for the 2026 season, with priority given to those who apply by March 30. Applicants are encouraged to review the market's rules and regulations before submitting, and can apply through the online form on the city's website. (info)

City Council Meeting - Special Meeting - Save Issaquah Light Rail Community Meeting on February 24th. (info)

All Over The Map: Stories Behind the Names of Washington Places and Things on February 25th. (info)

King County Basic Disaster Skills Training on February 25th. (info)

City Council Meeting - Special Meeting - Mayor's State of the City Address on February 26th. (info)

Kirkland City Council recap: pool redesign, park expansion, and a postponed school district agreement: At its February 17 meeting, Kirkland City Council directed staff to move forward with designing an activity pool to replace the current wading pool at Peter Kirk Pool, along with options for enclosing it. Council also approved acquiring land adjacent to Mark Twain Park to expand the park and improve access, but postponed a decision on returning athletic field maintenance to the Lake Washington School District while staff gather more information. The next full Council meeting is March 3, with a retreat scheduled for February 27. (info)

Kirkland seeks public comment on 2026 stormwater management plan: The City of Kirkland is inviting residents to weigh in on its 2026 Draft Stormwater Management Program Plan, with comments due by February 28. The plan outlines steps the city intends to take to reduce pollution flowing into local creeks, lakes, and wetlands — from public education on yard care and car washing to inspecting construction sites and maintaining the city's stormwater infrastructure. Residents can review the draft and submit feedback at kirklandwa.gov/stormwater or by emailing [email protected]. (info)

KTUB expands hours for teens and adds indoor playground for young kids: The Kirkland Teen Union Building has added new programming for two very different age groups. High schoolers can now drop in on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. for a study-friendly hangout with free coffee and snacks, while parents of toddlers and young children can bring their kids to a new indoor playground on those same days from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. — a welcome option during wet winter months. The indoor playground serves kids 9 months to 5 years old and costs $4 per child per visit. (info)

Kirkland's Adopt-a-Highway volunteers hit 2,100 bags of litter removed: A small but dedicated crew of about 10 volunteers has quietly made a big dent in roadside litter, removing more than 2,100 bags of trash along I-405 in Kirkland and SR 522 in Woodinville over the past five years. The group heads out every Sunday morning, weather permitting, and their work does more than keep roads looking clean — litter on roadways often ends up in storm drains and waterways. Anyone interested in joining can reach out to [email protected]. (info)

Business Workshops for Kirkland Pitch Competition 2026 on February 24th. (info)

425 Magazine '40 Under 40' on February 26th. (info)

Juanita Bay Park (East) Habitat Stewardship Day - 108th Entrance on February 27th. (info)

Thursday TL RC Social Run/Walk on February 27th. (info)

Kirkland Lunar New Year on February 28th. (info)

Mercer Island voters approve school district levy with strong support: Mercer Island School District's replacement Educational Programs & Operations Levy passed with nearly 75% of the vote in the February 10 special election, with King County Elections certifying the results on February 20. The levy replaces an existing one set to expire at the end of 2026 and will allow the district to collect up to $16 million in 2027, rising to $19 million by 2030 to fund school programs and operations. Superintendent Fred Rundle thanked the community for its support, calling the vote a show of confidence in the district's students and educators. (info)

Mercer Island has several upcoming events and openings for community involvement: Residents looking to get involved have a few opportunities coming up — the annual Senior Resource Fair runs from 10 a.m. to noon on March 7 at the Community and Event Center (free admission), and Coffee with a Cop is the same day from 1 to 3 p.m. at the north-end Starbucks. The city also has three open board positions — one on the Arts Council and two on the Open Space Conservancy — with applications due March 6, and residents can submit feedback on the 2027-2032 Transportation Improvement Plan through letstalk.mercergov.org/tip-2026, with comments due by March 19 to be included in the April 7 council hearing. (info)

MIHS Career Fair on February 25th. (info)

City Council Regular Hybrid Meeting on March 3rd. (info)

Hopelink Mobile Food Market on March 4th. (info)

Redmond Condemns EPA Repeal of Endangerment Finding: Redmond Mayor Angela Birney criticized the EPA’s February 12, 2026 repeal of its greenhouse gas endangerment finding, citing health, climate, infrastructure, and economic risks, and reaffirmed the city’s commitment to climate action despite federal rollbacks. (info)

Line dancing with Evamarie tonight from 5-7pm. (info)

Trivia at Postdoc Brewing from 8-9:45pm on Feb. 25. (info)

Flatstick Pub Study Hall on Feb. 26 from 7-11pm. (info)

Alaska Airlines Opens 660,000-Square-Foot Training Facility in Renton: Alaska Airlines launched a major 19-acre training center near Longacres that will centralize flight attendant, pilot, and customer service training, reinforcing Renton’s aerospace legacy and boosting long-term economic growth alongside broader redevelopment and transit expansion plans. (info)

WA Flood Damage Reaches $182.3M, Governor Seeks Federal Aid: Gov. Bob Ferguson requested up to $173 million in federal support after record December flooding caused at least $182.3 million in public infrastructure damage, displaced over 100,000 residents, damaged nearly 4,000 homes, and highlighted the need for additional mitigation funding to prepare for future disasters. (info)

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

Puzzle Palooza on March 7th. (info)

Cascade Family Fun Day on March 7th from 12-6pm. (info)

Sammamish Opens Applications for Youth Board: The City of Sammamish is accepting applications through March 8 for middle and high school students to join the 2026–2027 Sammamish Youth Board, offering leadership experience, volunteer hours, and direct involvement in local government and community projects. (info)

Evan’s Meadow Restoration on March 21st at 11am. (info)

Woodinville Releases 2026 State of the City Address: Mayor Sarah Arndt and City Manager Brandon Buchanan delivered the annual State of the City presentation on February 19 at Chateau Ste. Michelle, highlighting 2025 accomplishments and upcoming priorities, with the full video and slides now available online. (info)

Foundation’s All In For Kids Luncheon Fundraiser on Feb. 26 from 11am-12:30pm. (info)

Goose Ridge: White Wine Blending Experience on Feb. 26 from 6-8pm. (info)

Indian Grill (Issaquah, WA): Just opened on Front Street, Indian Grill has quickly become the talk of Issaquah with bold, well-balanced curries, perfectly charred tandoori chicken, and creamy naan that arrives warm and pillowy to the table. The friendly service and vibrant spice profiles make it feel like Issaquah’s own bold entry into elevated Indian dining — every bite tastes thoughtfully seasoned and worth the loop around town to try.

Bellevue moves into the week of February 23rd with that subtle hint of seasonal transition—still plenty of clouds and cool air, but with a few brighter breaks starting to sneak in. Expect typical late-winter showers mixed with moments that feel like spring is quietly warming up in the background. It’s a good week to keep the rain jacket handy while enjoying those slightly longer, lighter evenings.