Seastside Newsletter #81

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Bellevue:

News:

• Bellevue Plans Speed Safety Camera Expansion with Community Input and New State Law: The City of Bellevue is preparing to expand its use of speed safety cameras under updated state legislation that allows placement near parks, hospitals, and other high-risk areas. Currently used in school zones and red-light intersections, the cameras aim to reduce speeding—a major factor in serious crashes—as part of Bellevue’s Vision Zero plan to eliminate fatal and severe collisions by 2030. A new operations guide, funded in part by a federal grant, will outline camera placement, fine structures, equity safeguards, and reinvestment strategies. The City Council is expected to review proposed camera locations by late 2025, with installations beginning in 2026. Community feedback is being gathered through local events and an online questionnaire. (info)

• Bellevue Council Advances Grand Connection, E-Scooter Code, Sustainability Plan, and Tourism Budget: The Bellevue City Council received several key updates this week, including progress on the Grand Connection program, which aims to improve pedestrian access across downtown, with preparations now underway for the I-405 pedestrian crossing. The city is seeking state approval to use a construction method that integrates contractor input early in the design phase, supported by a range of financing tools presented by the city’s finance team. The Council also directed staff to draft an ordinance amending the city’s e-scooter code to align with state law and neighboring cities, paving the way for a shared micromobility program by 2026. Separately, Bellevue has already exceeded its municipal emissions reduction goal of 50% by 2030, achieving a 54% reduction this year. Staff are finalizing the draft 2026-2030 Sustainable Bellevue Plan, which will be open for public comment in August. Lastly, Council gave a nod to bring forward legislation adopting the 2026 Bellevue-Redmond Tourism Promotional Area budget and strategic plan to support tourism promotion funded by lodging taxes. (info)

Events:

• Downtown Movies in the Park on August 5th. (info)

• Made in Bellevue on August 6th. (info)

• Bellevue Farmers Market on August 7th. (info)

• Bellevue Children’s Business Fair on August 9th. (info)

Bothell & Kenmore:

News:

• Bothell seeks public input on first-ever climate action plan: The City of Bothell has released a draft of its inaugural Climate Action Plan for public review, responding to visible climate impacts like hotter summers, changing rainfall, and increased wildfire smoke. The plan, developed over the past year with community input, outlines specific actions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions across buildings, transportation, and waste management while preparing residents for local climate effects. Residents have until August 31 to provide feedback before the final plan goes to City Council later this year. (info)

Events:

• National Night Out on August 5th. (info)

• The Starter Gradner on August 5th. (info)

• Kids Concert on August 6th. (info)

• Music in the Park on August 8th. (info)

• Moonlight on Main on August 9th. (info)

Fall City & Snoqualmie:

News:

• Snoqualmie gets quick fixes for backed-up I-90 interchange: WSDOT will install temporary traffic solutions at the problematic I-90/SR 18 interchange after Snoqualmie city officials and residents pushed for immediate action on dangerous backups at Exit 25. The fixes include plastic dividers to separate traffic lanes, electronic signs to guide drivers, and possible re-striping of the off-ramp—all designed to ease congestion until SR 18's expanded lanes open later this year. While these are just Band-Aid solutions, officials expect the traffic nightmare to significantly improve once the full highway widening project wraps up this fall. (info)

• Eight weeks of lane closures start Monday on SR 203 near Carnation

  WSDOT will reduce SR 203 to single-lane traffic near Carnation starting August 4, with flaggers directing cars through the work zone from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays for about eight weeks. Crews are wrapping up a fish barrier removal project that already completed a new bridge over a Snoqualmie River tributary in February—now they'll remove the old culvert and improve the streambed habitat. Drivers can get real-time updates through WSDOT's app or travel map to plan around the delays. (info)

• Snoqualmie Valley Food Bank sounds alarm over federal program cuts: The Snoqualmie Valley Food Bank is scrambling to fill a massive gap after federal nutrition programs were slashed in 2025, cutting off thousands of pounds of food monthly and forcing the organization to reduce portions for families. Executive Director Alison Roberts says they've lost half their federal TEFAP funding and been dropped by Northwest Harvest, their major supplier, while SNAP benefit cuts are driving even more people to seek help. The food bank is desperately seeking community food drives, financial donations, and items like canned tuna and mac and cheese to avoid running out of supplies entirely and leaving local families without their safety net. (info)

Events:

• National Night Out on August 5th. (info)

• SnoValley Innovation Fridays: Connect, Collaborate, Create on August 8th. (info)

• Summerwest Summer Music Series on August 9th. (info)

• Sunday Group Trail run on August 10th. (info)

Issaquah:

News:

• Issaquah's new Senior Center Plaza opens with games and gathering spaces: Issaquah has unveiled its redesigned Senior Center Plaza at 75 NE Creek Way, featuring an outdoor ping pong table, bocce ball court, covered seating, and gardens for residents of all ages to enjoy. The plaza also includes a space dedicated to honoring veterans and is part of a larger Pedestrian Park project that will add more parking starting August 5. City officials are calling it a vibrant new community gathering spot, with more updates on the connected Pedestrian Park coming soon. (info)

Events:

• Issaquah Drink and Draw at Formula Brewing on August 4th. (info)

• Regal Summer Dollar Nights on August 5th. (info)

• National Night Out on August 5th. (info)

• Concerts on the Green on August 5th. (info)

• Art Lab and Maker Space on August 6th. (info)

• Issaquah Film Festival on August 8th. (info)

Kirkland:

News:

• Multiple Kirkland road projects bring traffic delays this week: Kirkland drivers should expect significant delays Wednesday and Thursday as crews grind and pave the busy Slater/132nd Avenue intersection, while several other major road projects continue across the city. The Cross Kirkland Corridor trail will stay closed on weekdays between 128th Place and Slater Avenue through August, and drivers on Northeast 85th Street face lane reductions in both directions as construction ramps up overhead. Other ongoing projects include paving 18th Avenue to Crestwoods Park, wall installation on Goat Hill's Northeast 116th Place, and overnight work on Northeast 85th Street east of I-405, with most projects providing Thursday updates on the city's website. (info)

• Houghton Beach closed for swimming while Juanita Beach reopens: King County health officials are telling people and pets to stay out of the water at Houghton Beach Park for at least a week after recent tests found dangerous bacteria levels, though the rest of the park remains open with warning signs posted. Meanwhile, Juanita Beach Park got the all-clear and reopened for swimming as of Monday afternoon, with lifeguards returning to duty Tuesday at noon. Both beaches are part of King County's weekly water testing program that monitors bacteria levels and closes swimming areas when safety thresholds are exceeded. (info)

• Kirkland launches new printed newsletter "The Kirklander": Kirkland residents should find the first issue of "The Kirklander" in their mailboxes this week—a new twice-yearly printed newsletter designed to keep everyone informed about local government and community happenings. The inaugural summer/fall issue is organized around four themes: progress on safety improvements for pedestrians and drivers, sustainability programs and rebates, community events for all ages, and safety tips from police and fire chiefs. City Councilmember Jon Pascal says the newsletter aims to make staying connected with city business easy and accessible for both longtime residents and newcomers. (info)

Events:

• Kirkland Wednesday Market on August 6th. (info)

• Village Fun Days on August 7th. (info)

• Summer Evening Concert on August 7th. (info)

• Juanita Friday Market on August 8th. (info)

• International Night Market on August 13th. (info)

Mercer Island:

News:

• Mercer Island's 50-year-old pool gets major makeover through mid-September: Mary Wayte Pool closed July 28 for a $4 million renovation funded by King County Parks and the school district's levy, marking the biggest investment in the facility since 1972. The project includes resurfacing the pool, ADA upgrades to locker rooms, lobby reconfiguration, and a new viewing area for people with mobility challenges, with swimmers temporarily relocated to Phantom Lake pool in Bellevue for lessons and activities. GLY Construction and Miller Hayashi Architects are handling the district's first progressive design build project, which aims to extend the pool's life by 10 years and have teams ready for swim meets by late September. (info)

Events:

• National Night Out on August 5th. (info)

• BAT Night| Ellis Pond on August 6th. (info)

• Pride in the Park on August 7th. (info)

• Community Coffee on August 8th. (info)

Redmond:

News:

• No new news this week!

Events:

• Outdoor Marymoor Movies: UP on August 6th. (info)

• Matcha Magic Grand Opening on August 9th. (info)

• Redmond Saturday Market on August 9th. (info)

Renton:

News:

• Renton River Days draws over 25,000 for citywide celebration: Renton's annual River Days festival brought more than 25,000 people together last weekend, with 2,700 turning out just for the parade that featured winners like the City's Adaptive Recreation Program (Mayor's Choice) and Baby Dolls Drill Team (Judges Choice). The weekend festivities included a Friday night drone show, chalk art competition won by Raven J., rubber ducky derby, and pickleball tournaments with champions like M&M in women's division and Poach Pirates in the 3.5+ category. Next year marks the festival's 40th anniversary, and organizers are asking attendees to fill out a survey to help shape future celebrations. (info)

• Bellevue man charged in $90,000 copper wire theft spree: Connor Jon Lacktorin, 32, faces 10 charges after allegedly stealing copper wire from telecommunications cables in Bellevue and Renton using a black Toyota 4Runner, causing over $90,000 in damages while netting just over $3,000 from selling 856 pounds of stolen copper. The theft spree targeted Comcast and Lumen cables near Newport High School and Liberty High School between October and December 2024, with police linking Lacktorin to the crimes through his vehicle's license plate and finding wire-cutting tools in his car. Lacktorin, who admitted to drug addiction and claimed he found the wire on the ground, is scheduled for court on August 5 and has a criminal history including arson. (info)

Events:

• Renton Farmers Market on August 5th. (info)

• Craft Social on August 7th. (info)

• Frozen Fun Fest on August 9th. (info)

• Renton Park Run on August 9th. (info)

Sammamish:

News:

• Multiple construction projects bring traffic delays across Sammamish: Sammamish drivers face several weeks of lane closures and delays as multiple projects run simultaneously through mid-August, including stormwater pipe inspections using CCTV technology at various locations through August 11. The city's ADA improvement project is replacing damaged sidewalks and curb ramps along 228th Avenue between SE 4th Street and NE 8th Street, while Ziply Fiber crews are doing potholing work that will close some bus stops August 4-6. PSE's tree trimming operations near Issaquah-Pine Lake Road are expected to continue for another 3-4 weeks with traffic control as needed. (info)

• Issaquah and Lake Washington school districts shrink while high schools burst at seams: Both Issaquah and Lake Washington school districts are grappling with a puzzling enrollment crisis—elementary schools are losing students due to declining birth rates and COVID impacts, while their high schools are dangerously overcrowded and getting worse. Issaquah expects to lose 351 students next year but will still exceed high school capacity by nearly 13% by 2028, prompting plans for a scaled-down $146 million high school addition after voters rejected a full new school bond earlier this year. The enrollment imbalance is forcing both districts to cut elementary staff and combine classes while scrambling to add high school capacity, with Lake Washington considering everything from fourth-fifth grade combinations to potentially building a fifth comprehensive high school. (info)

Events:

• Garden with Lisa on August 5th. (info)

• Two Story Zori on August 7th. (info)

• Sammamish Connections Breakfast on August 8th. (info)

• Movie on the Plaza on August 9th. (info)

• Volunteer at Evans Creek Preserve on August 13th. (info)

Woodinville:

News:

• No new news this week!

Events:

• Live Music Tuesdays on August 5th. (info)

• Music Bingo on August 7th. (info)

• Boots and Brews Line Dancing on August 7th. (info)

• Celebrate Woodinville on August 9th. (info)

What we are currently loving!

• Cantinetta Bellevue (Bellevue)
  Old Bellevue’s Tuscan daydream delivers handmade pastas, seasonal Pacific Northwest ingredients, and a wine list that begs for a long, candlelit dinner. It’s the move for date night when you want silky tagliatelle and a room that hums without shouting.

• Capri Cellars (Issaquah)
  Part bottle shop, part wine bar, Capri Cellars pours rotating tasting flights and by-the-glass picks, then backs them up with charcuterie boards and snacky plates perfect for lingering downtown. Cozy, low-key, and staff who actually love talking wine—this is where you pre-game a Village Theatre show or turn a quick pour into a full evening.

Vibes:

• Expect mild and comfortable temperatures through midweek—Sunday into Tuesday brings a mix of low clouds and sunshine, with highs gently rising from the low to mid‑70s, perfect for leisurely days outdoors. A few passing showers may pop up Wednesday and Thursday, offering just a springy pause before Friday sunshine reappears. Get ready for a standout Saturday—bright, sunny, and pushing into the low‑80s—a perfect capstone to the week.