Bellevue rolls out EV charging support for apartment and condo buildings: Bellevue's Sustainable Bellevue team has launched ChargeReady Bellevue, a free technical assistance program to help multifamily property owners plan and install electric vehicle charging for their residents. With EV ownership in Bellevue nearly tripling over the past six years, the city is targeting one of the biggest hurdles renters face — no easy way to charge at home. The program offers on-site assessments, electrical capacity reviews, cost estimates, and guidance on available funding, and property owners can get started by visiting the ChargeReady page or emailing [email protected]. (info)

Bellevue Council advances Comprehensive Plan amendments and housing reforms: At Tuesday's meeting, the Bellevue City Council unanimously approved two Comprehensive Plan amendments for further study — one aligning city transportation plans and another that would allow mixed-use residential development at the 10-acre Evans Plaza site in Bridle Trails. The council also got a first look at a preapproved plans program for accessory dwelling units and cottage housing, aimed at cutting costs and red tape for homeowners looking to add smaller homes on their property. Both the plan amendments and the housing program will go through Planning Commission review and community engagement before returning to council for final decisions, with business tax simplification also on the horizon for a vote this summer. (info)

Bellevue launches facilitator training for Cultural Conversations program: Bellevue's Neighborhoods team is accepting applications through April 12 for a new facilitator course tied to its Cultural Conversations program, which brings residents together across cultural and linguistic differences. From May to August, participants will attend monthly two-hour sessions covering group facilitation, cultural competency, and community engagement — then help shape the 2026–2027 program season running September through May. The course is free, open to anyone who lives, works, or spends time in Bellevue, and applications are available in seven languages beyond English. (info)

Downtown Bellevue office building to make way for 350-unit apartment complex: Trammell Crow Company has closed on three parcels in downtown Bellevue, clearing the path for a roughly 350-unit apartment building that would replace the existing John L. Scott office at 11040 Main Street. The proposed mid-rise, dubbed "High Street Residential," would rise seven to eight stories with architect Weber Thompson at the helm, and plans include a public plaza, wider sidewalks, and a new bike lane along the block. The project still needs to clear Bellevue's design review and permitting process, though earlier filings pointed to a potential construction start as early as spring 2026. (info)

City Council Meeting on March 17th. (info)

Keep Bellevue Beautiful on March 21st. (info)

Kenmore theater company wins regional award ahead of new show opening: The As If Theatre Company, which performs out of the historic Kenmore Community Club on Brew Row, recently took home the 2024-2025 Gregory Award for People's Choice Organization of the Year for North Puget Sound. The company, which uses theater to build community and foster empathy and connection, is keeping the momentum going with their upcoming production of Yoga Play, opening March 19. You can read the full story and an interview with co-founder at Findkenmore.org. (info)

Coworking Tuesdays on March 17th. (info)

Mastrogiannis Distillery and Winery opens permanent tasting room in downtown North Bend: After making a splash at North Bend's Sip Suds & Si event, Mastrogiannis Distillery and Winery has officially put down roots with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 5 at their new location at 201 W. North Bend Way. The husband-and-wife team of Ilias and Bojana Mastrogiannis say they want to bring Greek hospitality to the Snoqualmie Valley — and they're already eyeing the area as a future home. "We like to say we didn't find North Bend, North Bend found us," Ilias said at the event. (info)

Snoqualmie reviews December flood response at community town hall: The city of Snoqualmie hosted a public town hall on March 4 to debrief residents on the December 10, 2025 flooding event, drawing several dozen attendees — many from the hardest-hit downtown area — to share what worked and what fell short. City officials highlighted two major pain points: traffic gridlock that slowed emergency response times, and unclear communication around evacuation decisions. Residents came back with a clear wish list for next time, including more sandbag stations, better explanation of flood phases, and emergency alerts that don't depend on internet or cell service. (info)

I-90 at Snoqualmie Pass reopens after nearly 24-hour closure due to winter storm: Interstate 90 at Snoqualmie Pass reopened in both directions on March 14 after severe winter weather — including 22 inches of overnight snowfall — triggered multiple crashes and forced a closure stretching from North Bend to Ellensburg. WSDOT lifted the closure but chains remain required for all vehicles except those with all-wheel drive. Drivers heading over the pass should expect continued winter conditions. (info)

Pro skier's GoPro captures dramatic rescue of buried skier at Snoqualmie resort: Professional skier Ian Deans is getting attention after GoPro footage showed him digging out a fellow skier who had become trapped under deep snow at Summit at Snoqualmie on March 15. Deans spotted the buried man just feet away from dozens of other skiers who passed by without noticing, and quickly cleared his airway. Deans stressed the incident happened in-bounds and wasn't avalanche-related, calling it a reminder that hazards can pop up anywhere on the mountain. (info)

Snoqualmie Valley Seed Exchange on March 21st. (info)

SnoValley Pride Sparkle Party on March 21st. (info)

An Introduction to Plein Air Painting - Art Class on March 22nd. (info)

Issaquah selected as 2026 Leave No Trace Spotlight community: National nonprofit Leave No Trace has chosen Issaquah as one of 12 communities across the country to receive a 2026 Spotlight designation, recognizing the city's commitment to responsible outdoor recreation. From April 9–11, Leave No Trace will partner with Green Issaquah on free public events including a trivia night at Formula Brewing, trail outreach at High Point Trailhead, and a hands-on restoration day at Confluence Park. The three-day program is designed to leave local volunteers and residents with the education and tools to keep protecting Issaquah's parks and natural areas long after the visit wraps up. (info)

Issaquah rallies to fight potential light rail cuts at Sound Transit board retreat: Sound Transit is weighing options to close a $35 million budget gap, and Issaquah's long-awaited light rail station — already funded in part through local tax dollars — is at risk of being delayed or cut. The city is urging residents to show up in person to the Sound Transit Board Retreat on March 18 at the Tacoma Art Museum, where board members will review cost-saving scenarios, including a possible Issaquah delay. A free city shuttle departs City Hall South at 8:30 a.m. — RSVP to [email protected] by March 16 — and residents can also submit public comment at the follow-up board meeting on March 22. (info)

Small landslide closes eastbound SR-18 near Tiger Mountain: A small landslide dropped debris onto eastbound State Route 18 near Tiger Mountain on Monday, prompting WSDOT to close the roadway from Issaquah-Hobart Road to I-90. Geotechnical engineers and crews were dispatched to assess the slide and clear the road, with officials warning drivers to expect significant delays in the area. No timeline for reopening was immediately available, and the situation was still developing as of the initial report. (info)

Nursery Event on March 21st. (info)

Community Meeting: Police Chief Recruting on March 23rd. (info)

Spring into Adventure: Lake Sammamish Outdoor Festival on March 28th. (info)

No new news!

Business Pitch Workshop on March 17th. (info)

Green Kirkland New Steward Orientation on March 19th. (info)

2026 Kirkland Business Pitch Competition on March 24th. (info)

Mercer Island School Board highlights student achievements and addresses safety policies at March meeting: The Mercer Island School District board's March 12 meeting covered a range of topics, from celebrating the MIHS girls swim and dive team's 3A state championship to reviewing updated board policy on sexual harassment of students and formalizing the superintendent's annual performance review. Board President Stephanie Burnett's letter to Superintendent Fred Rundle acknowledged the district's difficult year in the wake of misconduct allegations against two former MIHS teachers, praising his steady leadership and commitment to rebuilding trust. The board also confirmed it is reviewing a tort claim filed by a former student alleging the district failed to protect her from grooming and abuse by former teacher Curtis Johnston. (info)

Mercer Island races to meet state housing compliance deadline by July 31: After the state Growth Management Hearings Board ruled in August 2025 that Mercer Island's comprehensive plan fell short on several housing requirements, the city has been scrambling to get into compliance before a July 31 deadline. A land capacity analysis already underway has identified a shortfall of 519 affordable housing units below 50% of area median income — and the price tag to address the deepest end of that deficit is estimated between $265 million and $311 million, none of which is currently funded. City Manager Jessi Bon was blunt about the challenge: "We don't have these resources," she said, adding the city will explore options like a fee-in-lieu program and partnerships with affordable housing developers while working toward a council adoption of plan revisions by early summer. (info)

City Council Meeting on March 17th. (info)

Restoration Event | Upper Luther Burbank Park on March 21st. (info)

Mindfulness Walk | Pioneer Park on March 24th. (info)

Redmond Pauses Flock Cameras Amid Privacy Concerns, Faces Potential Financial Risk: Redmond suspended its Flock surveillance program over data access and privacy issues but remains under contract through 2027, raising uncertainty around repaying grant funding or incurring penalties while officials reassess the technology. (info)

Redmond Launches Free Electric Shuttle to Connect Residents to Light Rail: The city introduced “RedLink,” a free on-demand electric shuttle pilot running through June 2027 to improve local mobility and reduce car reliance, connecting neighborhoods like Downtown, Education Hill, and Southeast Redmond to transit and key destinations. (info)

Line Dancing with Evamarie today from 5-7pm. (info)

Wednesday Drum Circle on Mar. 18 from 11:30am-12:30pm. (info)

Flatstick Pub Bingo on Mar. 18 from 7-9pm. (info)

Bomb Threat at Renton’s Valley Medical Center Cleared With No Injuries: Police responded to a 911 bomb threat call Sunday evening, but K9 units found no danger, operations resumed normally, and the case is now under investigation. (info)

Renton Mayor Pavone Named 2026 President of Regional Cities Association: Mayor Armondo Pavone was elected to lead the Sound Cities Association, representing 38 King County cities, positioning him to influence regional policy and collaboration across over one million residents. (info)

Renton Opens Vendor Applications for Summer Events at Legacy Square: The city is inviting local food and craft vendors to apply by March 31 for curated summer programming from June to September, aiming to activate downtown with concerts, festivals, and community events while prioritizing local businesses. (info)

Taste of Sweden on Mar. 21 from 12-4pm. (info)

Laugh it Up (or Cry it Out) w/ Lexis Shardé and Friends on Mar. 21 from 8-9:30pm. (info)

Speakeasy Nerd Night on Mar. 24th from 7-11:55pm. (info)

Sammamish Clarifies Limited Role in Issaquah’s New High School Project: The city stated it must approve a right-of-way permit for frontage work tied to Issaquah’s planned fourth high school if it meets legal and environmental standards, but has no authority over the broader project, which is fully under Issaquah’s jurisdiction. (info)

Sammamish Founder Builds Community Soccer Club to Honor Late Father: Skyline graduate Amin Sidialicherif launched Sammamish FC to create affordable, local pathways for players, growing it into a competitive UPSL team while preserving a personal legacy rooted in his father’s influence. (info)

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

Woodinville’s Harvest Development Loses High-Profile Chefs but Nears Completion: Several James Beard-nominated chefs have exited the project’s restaurant lineup, though the 100,000-square-foot retail center remains mostly leased and on track for completion this year. (info)

Kamayan Feast | Hilton Garden Inn on Mar. 21 from 11am-1pm. (info)

Heart Repertory Tehatre Presents Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit on Mar. 21 from 7:30-10pm. (info)

Bingo at Métier BRewing on Mar 22 from 3-4:30pm. (info)

BA Bakehouse (Bellevue): This brand-new Chinese bakery concept just opened its first U.S. location in Bellevue in 2026, and it’s already pulling crowds with glossy milk breads, delicate pastries, and drinks that look almost too polished to touch. Think of it as a softer, more design-forward café moment—grab a tray, load up on custard buns and airy cakes, and don’t be surprised if a quick coffee stop turns into a full-on sugar-fueled hang.

Bellevue steps into the week of March 16th with that classic early-spring mix—cool mornings, passing showers, and the occasional burst of sunshine to break things up. It’s a bit of everything this week, so keep a light jacket close and take advantage of those brighter moments when they show up.