Bellevue approves mixed-use housing changes, weighs transit priorities: Bellevue City Council on Tuesday approved zoning and land use code changes meant to spur more housing in mixed-use areas, with an emphasis on affordability and walkable neighborhoods. Councilmembers also moved to send Sound Transit a letter outlining Bellevue’s priorities as the agency faces a major funding gap, and they launched work on a new public-private development agreement process for projects tied to city land or funding. (info)

Bellevue earns silver certification for data-driven city work: Bellevue has received a Silver What Works Cities Certification from Results for America and Bloomberg Philanthropies, recognizing how the city uses data to guide policy, budgeting, services and community engagement. Announced March 20, the award highlights Bellevue’s use of performance metrics, public dashboards and equity analysis in city planning, and signals that the city is being recognized nationally for building data tools that shape day-to-day government decisions. (info)

Bellevue Essentials earns national diversity award: Bellevue’s Bellevue Essentials civic leadership program took second place this week in a National League of Cities diversity awards category for mid-sized cities, recognizing its work helping more residents—especially first-generation Americans and multilingual communities—get involved in local government. The 14-year-old program has graduated more than 400 people, with many going on to serve on city boards, commissions and the City Council, and applications for the next 10-week cohort open in April. (info)

Bellevue seeks public input on parking rule overhaul: Bellevue is asking residents to weigh in on proposed updates to its decades-old parking and mobility rules at three community events this spring, including two in-person open houses on April 20 at City Hall and May 6 at Crossroads Community Center, plus a virtual session on May 8. The city says the changes could affect parking minimums, accessible parking, bike parking, loading areas and walkways, with public feedback helping shape the final proposal as Bellevue looks at how these rules connect to transportation, accessibility and housing. (info)

Bellevue clears first phase of 491-unit housing project downtown: Bellevue has approved the master plan and first design phase for a two-part residential development at 919 109th Ave. NE, where a parking lot and two homes will be replaced with 491 apartments over time. The Crest Holdings project is expected to unfold over about 10 years, starting with an eight-story building with 196 units and underground parking, while a later 22-story tower would add more housing, affordable units, a restaurant, and pedestrian and street upgrades nearby. (info)

Dave and Busters Bunny Bash on Mar. 28 from 9am-11am. (info)

For the Birds Concert on Mar. 28 from 7-8:30pm. (info)

Spring Festival & Flashlight Egg Hunt on Apr. 3 from 8am-2:30pm. (info)

Kenmore opens registration for youth summer camps: Spring sign-ups are now underway for youth summer camps in Kenmore, with programs ranging from skateboarding and rowing to paddling and multi-sport activities. The city is working with local recreation groups to host the camps at Kenmore parks, continuing its push to give kids more ways to stay active and spend time outdoors over the summer. (info)

80th Avenue NE project will add sidewalks, bike lanes and traffic calming: A major street upgrade is set to begin in June 2026 along 80th Avenue NE between Bothell Way and NE 185th Street, with plans for new sidewalks on both sides of the road, safer crossings near school bus stops, and improved bike lanes. The project also includes chicanes and a lower 30 mph speed limit to slow traffic, while utility work will start earlier in April and May; during construction, drivers should expect a detour via NE 192nd Street and 73rd Avenue NE, except for local access. (info)

Goose Ridge Live Music tomorrow from 5-7pm. (info)

Live Music at The Cottage on Mar. 27 from 6:30-9:30pm. (info)

Final SR 18 weekend closures set as I-90 interchange project wraps up: The long-running I-90/SR 18 construction project south of Snoqualmie is entering its final stretch, with WSDOT planning at least three extended weekend closures starting as early as March 31 for paving and striping. Drivers should expect major delays, follow detours, and watch for schedule changes tied to weather, but once this work is finished, the new diverging diamond interchange is expected to be complete, with the broader SR 18 widening project still on track for late summer. (info)

Snoqualmie sets aside council meeting for battery storage comments: Snoqualmie City Council has cleared most of its March 23 agenda to make room for public comment on the proposed Jupiter Power battery energy storage facility, a project that has drawn strong community interest. The 7 p.m. roundtable meeting at City Hall will give speakers up to three minutes each, with overflow space available if chambers fill up, and written comments must be submitted by 3 p.m. that day. (info)

Snoqualmie Valley art groups team up for summer trail exhibit: Three Snoqualmie Valley arts nonprofits — Lee Arts Foundation, Fall City Arts, and North Bend Art & Industry — are partnering on the second annual Art in Nature Walk, a free outdoor exhibition running July 1 through August 31 along the Snoqualmie Valley Trail in Carnation, Fall City, and North Bend. The expanded event will feature work from more than 150 local artists on display in natural settings, with a virtual auction sending 100% of proceeds directly back to the artists while giving residents and visitors another reason to explore the valley this summer. (info)

Snoqualmie parts ways with city administrator Mike Chambless: Snoqualmie says City Administrator Mike Chambless is no longer in the role after less than three years with the city and about two and a half years in top leadership. The city has not said publicly whether he resigned or was fired, though a source told Snoqualmie Valley Info he was terminated without cause; for now, the city’s leadership team is handling daily operations while officials prepare to launch a search for Snoqualmie’s third city administrator in under five years. (info)

Snoqualmie Valley Food Bank picks new executive director: The Snoqualmie Valley Food Bank has named Calib Miller as its next executive director, with his tenure set to begin March 30. Miller brings nearly 10 years of food bank leadership experience and a personal connection to the mission, stepping in as the organization prepares for a major expansion, including a new $5 million facility expected to open in January 2027. (info)

Milwaukee Lodge Music Series on Mar. 28 from 6:30-8:30pm. (info)

Issaquah outlines major South Lake Sammamish construction projects: Issaquah is giving South Lake Sammamish residents a heads-up on several big infrastructure projects that will affect the area over the next few years. The biggest near-term work includes WSDOT’s fish-passage project, which starts impacting routes like I-90, SR-900, NW Sammamish Drive and Newport Way in 2026, along with the city’s water line replacements this May through September; longer term, pedestrian and bike upgrades on NW Sammamish Road are planned for 2028 through 2030 to better connect the neighborhood with downtown. (info)

Issaquah to share plans for Squak Valley Park creek restoration: Issaquah is kicking off the design phase of a project to restore about 700 feet of the east bank of Issaquah Creek near Squak Valley Park, with work planned to improve habitat, remove invasive plants, stabilize the bank, and add trails and interpretive signs. The city is inviting neighbors to a community meeting on April 22 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Gibson Hall, where Public Works and Parks staff will answer questions and walk through what’s next for the project. (info)

Costco talks testing, local ties and life at its Issaquah headquarters: In a March 18 Q&A with the city’s Uniquely Issaquah series, Costco executive Erika Kostal gave residents a behind-the-scenes look at how the company handles membership, product testing and regional inventory decisions from its hometown base in Issaquah. She said some ideas, like the sushi department, have been tested locally, but Costco also spreads trials across the country, and she emphasized that the company sees Issaquah as more than a headquarters address, with employees active in local sports, parks programs and businesses. (info)

Grease at Village Theatre on Mar. 27. (info)

Pottery Workshop on Mar. 27 from 5-7pm. (info)

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

Downtown Kirkland roads to close Saturday for rally and march: Drivers in downtown Kirkland should plan for delays and parking disruptions Saturday, March 28, as a permitted rally and march at Marina Park is expected to affect traffic from about 3 to 4 p.m. Lane closures will hit parts of Kirkland Avenue, Lake Street, Central Way and 3rd Street, and the city says the permit is meant to manage safety and access during the free speech event, not to signal support for the organizers or their message. (info)

Flur at Vision Music Live on Mar. 27th. (info)

Salsa & Bachata Dance Social With Classes on Mar. 27th. (info)

Homemade FIlled Donuts Cooking Class on Mar. 29th. (info)

Mercer Island Farmers Market hit by costly break-in before season opener: Thieves ransacked the Mercer Island Farmers Market’s storage area, stealing or destroying more than $10,000 worth of equipment just weeks before the 2026 season begins on May 31. Organizers say the damage included electronics, emergency supplies, signs and the market’s well-known gnome mascot, Milo, and they’re now asking for community help through donations, vendor fundraising and turnout at opening day while police investigate. (info)

MIYFS Foundation recovers most of $145,000 lost in cyber fraud: The Mercer Island Youth and Family Services Foundation says it has recovered $142,984.74 of a $145,000 quarterly grant payment that was diverted after its email system was breached in December 2025. The foundation discovered the fraud on Jan. 29, opened a police case right away, and says there’s no sign donor or financial system data was compromised; leaders are now tightening payment security and say reserves will cover the small remaining loss so services won’t be affected. (info)

MIHS robotics team earns state design honor, heads to Worlds again: Mercer Island High School’s VEX Robotics team 98040C, known as the Slippery Penguins, won the Design Award at the 2026 Washington V5RC High School Regional Championship at Lake Washington High School, securing a trip to the VEX World Championship for the fourth straight year. The award recognizes excellence in the full engineering design process, and for a team coming out of Washington’s highly competitive robotics scene, it’s a major achievement ahead of Worlds in St. Louis on April 21–24. (info)

Spring 2026 Recycling Event on Mar. 29th at 9am. (info)

Stay Active & Independent for Life (SAIL) Fitness Class on Mar. 30th from 10am-11:30am. (info)

Redmond hosts Lauren Barnes for Women’s History Month soccer talk: More than 60 people turned out in Redmond on March 23 for a Fútbol for All event featuring former Reign FC captain Lauren Barnes and Mayor Angela Birney, with the conversation centered on women’s sports and community connection. The free speaker series, backed by Amazon and the Port of Seattle, is part of the city’s broader “Redmond is Ready for the World” campaign tied to World Cup programming, with more soccer-themed events planned in the coming months. (info)

Redmond updates welcoming resolution for immigrant residents: The Redmond City Council voted March 17 to adopt an updated Welcoming Resolution, reaffirming that all residents — regardless of immigration status — are entitled to constitutional protections and access to city services. City leaders said the move comes amid concerns about recent federal immigration enforcement and is meant to strengthen trust, expand support through community partnerships and online resources, and reinforce Redmond’s commitment to being a safe, inclusive place for its diverse population. (info)

Shrek Jr Musical on Mar. 27 from 7-9pm. (info)

Happy Hour at Brown’s Stockyard Exchange on Mar. 29th form 4-6pm. (info)

Boots & Brews Line Dancing on Apr. 9th from 7-8pm. (info)

Southbound I-405 wall work in Renton will continue through May: WSDOT says daytime and overnight construction will keep going through May 2026 along southbound I-405 from Ripley Lane North to just north of Pleasure Point as part of the Renton to Bellevue widening and express toll lanes project. Crews are building retaining walls, drainage, grading and paving, and nearby residents should expect ongoing noise from heavy equipment, though the state says it will use noise-reduction measures and can provide ear plugs or white noise machines on request. (info)

Renton invites residents to Mayor Pavone’s State of the City on March 25: Renton is hosting Mayor Armondo Pavone’s 2026 State of the City address on Wednesday, March 25, at the Hyatt Regency Lake Washington in Southport. The free event runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., with an interactive reception first and the main presentation at 6:30 p.m., giving residents a chance to hear about city priorities, future plans, and connect with staff and elected officials. (info)

King County transfer stations to open late March 22: King County’s 11 solid waste facilities will start later than usual on Sunday, March 22, including the Renton, Bow Lake, and Factoria transfer stations, which will open three hours late from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The delayed start affects residents and businesses using the sites to drop off garbage, recycling, and other waste, so anyone planning a trip that day should check the full list of locations and hours before heading out. (info)

2026 After Horus at Berliner Pub on Mar. 26th from 4-6pm. (info)

Sushi Roll Class on Mar. 28th from 11:30am-1pm. (info)

Washington passes new tax on households earning more than $1 million: State lawmakers approved a 9.9% income tax on annual household income above $1 million before the 2026 session ended March 12, and Gov. Bob Ferguson is expected to sign it. The measure is likely to hit Sammamish harder than most places in Washington because the city sits largely in the 41st and 45th legislative districts, which have the state’s highest share of affected taxpayers. Supporters say the tax, set to begin in 2028 with first payments due in 2029, will raise about $3.7 billion a year for schools, child care, and healthcare while also funding sales tax breaks on basic household goods and expanded tax credits for working families and small businesses. (info)

George Davis Creek restoration work begins this spring: A major habitat restoration project along the lower George Davis Creek is set to start this spring and continue through late fall 2026, with a focus on improving salmon passage and restoring streamside habitat. In partnership with King County, the work includes replacing outdated culverts on Shore Lane and the East Lake Sammamish Trail with larger box culverts and installing a short-span bridge under East Lake Sammamish Parkway. Starting in May, parts of the trail, parkway, and Shore Lane will close during construction as crews begin replacing the aging crossings. (info)

Sammamish road work brings closures on NE 25th Street and utility work nearby: Sammamish drivers should plan for delays over the next few weeks as sewer work closes NE 25th Street from March 23 to April 4, with a detour in place during the day and the road reopening each night. A second project starts March 25 and runs through April 15, weather permitting, with traffic control on 209th Place NE and nearby streets as crews lower utilities tied to last year’s PSE pipe replacement work. (info)

Evan’s Meadow Restoration on Apr. 11th at 10am. (info)

Woodinville awards $25,000 in community grants for 2026: Woodinville has selected seven local groups to receive a total of $25,000 through its 2026 Community Grants program, which supports events and programs aimed at building community and boosting economic activity. This year’s funding will help pay for projects ranging from teen arts and social-emotional learning to the farmers market, Warm Coats, Pollinator Fest, a women’s conference, and the Woodinville Skateboard Challenge. (info)

Paired Dinner Experience on Mar. 27th from 6-8pm. (info)

Yoga + Wine at Prohibition Cellars on Mar. 29th from 2-5pm. (info)

Bingo at Métier Brewing on Mar. 29th from 3-4:30pm. (info)

Union Restaurant & Bar (Renton)
A fresh reboot of a longtime Renton space, Union Restaurant & Bar just opened in 2026 after a full remodel, bringing a more modern, polished energy to Henderson Avenue. Expect a menu built for easy nights out—elevated comfort plates, cocktails, and a vibe that feels like Renton finally got its “let’s grab dinner and stay awhile” spot.

Bellevue heads into the week of March 24th with classic spring unpredictability—expect a mix of clouds, light rain, and a few welcome breaks of sunshine. Temperatures stay mild, making it a great week for getting outside when the skies cooperate, but you’ll still want that jacket and umbrella close by.