Seastside Newsletter #92

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Bellevue:

News:

• Seven arrested in western Washington drug trafficking sting: Renton police and DEA agents arrested seven people and served eight federal narcotics warrants across Renton, Seattle, Bellevue, and Burien on Thursday morning, targeting what authorities described as a regional drug trafficking network. Five of the warrants were executed in Renton, with the remaining three served in the other cities. Officials say the coordinated operation successfully disrupted the trafficking ring's operations across the western Washington area. (info)

• Bellevue considers adding speed cameras at 37 new locations citywide: Bellevue officials have identified 37 potential sites for new speed safety cameras and will present the expansion plan to the City Council this winter, with installation possibly beginning in mid-2026 if approved. The locations were selected based on crash data and community input highlighting concerns about speeding in school zones, high-crash areas, and known street-racing spots, with fines set lower than standard tickets and a 50% reduction available for low-income residents. Residents can weigh in through a survey open until November 30 and attend public sessions on October 28 and 30 to learn more about the site selection process. (info)

• Bellevue Council drops tax language from state legislative agenda after affordability concerns: The Bellevue City Council unanimously voted on October 14 to remove references to expanding Real Estate Excise Tax authority and property tax options from its 2025 state legislative agenda, following a last-minute amendment by Councilmember Jared Nieuwenhuis who cited affordability concerns and recent tax increases. The revised language now simply asks the state for "greater flexibility for local revenue decisions" without mentioning specific taxes, after city staff clarified the original wording was meant to preserve local control rather than signal plans for tax hikes. The change aims to avoid confusion and emphasize the city's focus on balancing growth and fiscal responsibility without suggesting support for higher taxes on residents or housing developers. (info)

• Bellwether Housing selected to build Bellevue's first affordable housing project in Wilburton: Bellevue has chosen Seattle nonprofit Bellwether Housing to develop at least 127 affordable homes on city-owned land near the Wilburton light rail station, with construction expected to wrap up by 2030. The project will serve families earning 30-80% of the area's median income and include ground-floor space for a local youth services organization, marking Bellwether's first development in Bellevue after 40 years of work in the Puget Sound region. The mixed-use development is part of the city's goal to create 5,700 affordable homes over the next decade and fits into the broader vision for the Wilburton Transit-Oriented Development District, which aims to build a sustainable, walkable neighborhood near downtown. (info)

• Bellevue Council approves new five-year sustainability plan targeting carbon neutrality: The Bellevue City Council unanimously voted to adopt the 2026-2030 Sustainable Bellevue Plan, an updated roadmap featuring strengthened strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and boost climate resilience across five focus areas: climate change, energy and buildings, mobility and land use, waste, and natural systems. Key actions include expanding the Energy Smart Eastside program, promoting building decarbonization, and electrifying more city vehicles, building on progress since the original 2021 plan that set the goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2050. Staff will continue refining cost estimates and revenue options to fund these climate efforts, with more details expected during the 2027-28 budget cycle. (info)

• Pet Evolution Opens New Bellevue Location: Pet Evolution has opened a new store at 1500 SE 38th Street, offering healthy pet food, grooming, and self-wash stations. The grand opening on October 25–26 will feature family activities, giveaways, and discounts, marking the franchise’s continued growth under founder Rian Thiele’s mission to promote pet wellness.

Events:

• Trick of Treat with the Farm Animals on Oct. 25 from 1-3pm. (info)

• Halloween on the Hill on October 25th from 12pm - 3pm. (info)

• Sustainable Commute Solutions as a Retention Tool on October 27th from 1pm - 2:30pm

• Tuesday Trivia at Evergreen Point Bistro on Oct. 28 at 7pm. (info)

Bothell & Kenmore:

News:

• Bothell Salary Commission Hearing: On October 30 at 5:00pm, the Bothell Salary Commission will hold a public hearing to review a draft resolution adjusting City Council compensation. Residents can participate in person at City Hall, virtually via Teams, or by submitting written comments. (info)

• Lauren Iida Exhibition at City Hall Gallery: Through December 31, the Bothell City Hall Gallery features The Sleep of Reason by local artist Lauren Iida, showcasing hand-cut paper works and a video exploring identity and memory. Iida, raised in Canyon Park, draws on personal history and mentorship to inspire her acclaimed Pacific Northwest art. (info)

• Kenmore Police Join BlueBridge Partnership: The Kenmore Police Department has joined the BlueBridge Alliance, a nonprofit helping officers provide immediate aid like food, clothing, and medication to residents in crisis. All local donations go directly to Kenmore community members, with the first $2,500 matched by BlueBridge. (info)

Events:

• Trivia Night at Copperworks Distilling Kenmore on Oct. 23 from 7-9pm. (info)

• Kenmore Afternoon Book Group on Oct. 24 from 2-3:30pm. (info)

• IMAGINE Presents - Halloween Karaoke and Costume Contest on Oct. 24 from 6:30-8:30pm. (info)

Fall City & Snoqualmie:

News:

• Earliest Snowfall in Years at Snoqualmie Pass: Snoqualmie Pass, WA, saw its first measurable snowfall of the season on October 12, the earliest since 2019. The Summit at Snoqualmie resort received nearly half an inch of fresh powder, sparking excitement among Pacific Northwest skiers as nearby resorts like Crystal Mountain and Stevens Pass prepare to open for the 2025–26 season. (info)

• Military Training in North Bend to Involve Nighttime Helicopters and Blasts: From October 14–24, residents near the Washington State Fire Training Academy in North Bend may hear helicopters and simulated explosions as the U.S. Army conducts scheduled nighttime exercises. Officials emphasize the drills are pre-planned and safe, helping agencies prepare for real-world emergencies. (info)

• ChatGPT said:

  Rivertrail Construction Begins in Downtown Snoqualmie: The first phase, “Rivertrail Northwest (NW) of Sandy Cove,” is underway to build a one-mile soft-surface segment between Kimball Creek and roughly Northern Street, with shoreline restoration and prep for future connections; most work is slated to finish and open by summer 2026 as part of the multi-phase Rivertrail (formerly Riverwalk) that will create a three-mile loop linking Snoqualmie Falls, historic downtown, and Meadowbrook while removing flood-prone properties. (info)

Events:

• Rocky Horror Picture Show 50th Anniversary with Live Shadow Cast at the North Bend Theatre on Oct. 24. (info)

• Live Music at Sigillo Cellars - Swanero Quartet on Oct. 25. (info)

• Halloween Wine Train on Oct. 31. (info)

Issaquah:

News:

• Deadly Single-Car Crash in Issaquah Under Investigation: Issaquah police are investigating a fatal single-vehicle crash that occurred around 2:30 a.m. on Front Street near the I-90 overpass. The driver, believed to be the only person involved, was pronounced dead at the scene as authorities closed the road for several hours to investigate the cause. (info)

• Cougar Mountain Zoo Welcomes Three African Lion Cubs: Issaquah’s Cougar Mountain Zoo has introduced three new African lion cubs—two females and one male—born at Tanganyika Wildlife Park and now settling into a nursery habitat. Zoo officials call it a major milestone for conservation awareness as global lion populations face sharp declines due to habitat loss and human conflict. (info)

Events:

• Boo at the Barn on October 24th and 25th. (info)

• Fall Farm Fresh Market on Oct. 25 from 11am-1pm. (info)

• Halloween Party at Rollin’ Log on Oct. 31 from 9pm-11:30pm. (info)

Kirkland:

News:

• Kirkland to Host Día de Los Muertos Celebration October 25: The City of Kirkland invites residents to a Día de Los Muertos festival on October 25 from 2–4 p.m. at the Peter Kirk Community Center, featuring crafts, live performances, and treats from Cafecito Mexican Bakery. The family event honors remembrance and togetherness through music, art, and cultural tradition. (info)

Events:

• Kirkland Zombie Wine, Beer and Spirits Walk on Oct. 24 from 5-8pm (info)

• Treat Street at Kirkland Urban: A Spooktacular Halloween Celebration on Oct. 25 from 5-8pm. (info)

• Winterfest Tree Lighting on Nov. 29. (info)

Mercer Island:

News:

• No News This Week!

Events:

• Witches Night Out on Oct. 22 from 5-8pm. (info)

• Town Center Trick-or-Treat on Oct. 31 from 3:30-5:30pm. (info)

Redmond:

News:

• Redmond Buying Community Center Site for $18.5M: The City of Redmond will purchase LWTech’s 3.25-acre property at 6505 176th Ave NE (20,491-sq-ft facility) to permanently house the Redmond Community Center at Marymoor Village, avoiding lease costs (projected $2.9M savings over the building’s life) with CIP funding already set aside; closing is slated by October 31, 2025. (info)

• Mac & Jack’s Closing Redmond Brewery, Moving Production to Bremerton: Mac & Jack’s will shift brewing to Silver City Brewery’s facility in Bremerton (both owned by Ackley Brands), citing 2026 zoning impacts near Redmond’s light rail; the move begins Oct. 15 and runs through year-end while the Redmond taproom stays open and employees receive transition support. (info)

Events:

• BECU Drive-In Movies at Marymoor Park on October 23rd. (info)

• Bark in the Park on October 24th. (info)

• Boos & Bones: Halloween Costume Party on Oct.25 from 7-10pm. (info)

Renton:

News:

• Seven Arrested in Western Washington Drug Trafficking Sting: Renton police and DEA agents executed eight federal narcotics warrants across Renton, Seattle, Bellevue, and Burien, arresting seven suspects tied to a regional drug trafficking ring. The operation, conducted early Thursday, successfully disrupted the network, according to authorities. (info)

• New SR 167 Express Toll Lane Rules Start October 20: WSDOT will launch upgraded tolling on SR 167 from Renton to Puyallup beginning 5 a.m. Monday. Drivers can save by using a Good to Go! account and appropriate pass—Flex Pass for carpoolers, Motorcycle Pass for riders—while those without passes will be billed by mail. (info)

Events:

• Location Insights for Entrepreneurs on October 23rd from 10:30-2pm. (info)

• Truck or Treat: Sensory Friendly Stroll on Oct. 24 from 5-5:45pm. (info)

• Renton Municipal Art Commission: Costume Contest on Oct 25 from 3-4pm. (info)

• Fish or Treat on October 25th. (info)

Sammamish:

News:

• Skyline football coach Peyton Pelluer reinstated after brief suspension: Skyline High School head football coach Peyton Pelluer was reinstated on Tuesday, October 21, just days after being suspended on Friday, October 17, hours before the team's game against Woodinville, which he missed. The entire coaching staff resigned in solidarity following the suspension, with assistant coach Gino Simone posting on social media that the action stemmed from complaints about player participation and claiming a "small but vocal minority of parents" had spread misinformation about Pelluer and the staff. The district announced Pelluer's reinstatement through the FinalForms athletic management system but hasn't released details about its investigation, noting only that "all allegations deserve a thorough review," and the reunited coaching staff is now preparing the team for Friday's Senior Night game against Mt. Si at 7 p.m. (info)

• Sammamish Police Department welcomes its first K9 unit: The Sammamish Police Department has added K9 Falco, a 2-year-old German Shepherd, and his handler Deputy Lee Wunderlich as the city's first police dog team, trained in tracking, searching, and suspect apprehension after completing over 400 hours of specialized training together. The K9 unit is expected to enhance public safety, reduce response times, and strengthen local policing capabilities as Sammamish continues to grow. The new team operates through the city's partnership with the King County Sheriff's Office, which provides law enforcement services to Sammamish. (info)

Events:

• Evans Creek Meadow Volunteer on October 25th. (info)

• Trunk-R-Treat 2025 on Oct. 30 at 4pm. (info)

Woodinville:

News:

• Woodinville delivers record infrastructure budget with no property tax increase: Mayor Mike Millman announced that Woodinville has passed a balanced budget featuring over $67 million in infrastructure projects—the largest capital investment in the city's history—without raising property taxes, thanks to more than $24 million in grant funding that now makes up over a third of the budget. The funding will support a new bridge, road upgrades, expanded trails, additional parking, a new dog park, a stage at Wilmot Park, and bike and pedestrian safety improvements, with the city securing its first-ever federal grants through partnerships with local, county, state, and federal entities. Millman highlighted successful collaborative efforts including lobbying to protect downtown parking improvements, pushing back on a proposed transfer station in the tourist district, and working with state representatives to meet Growth Management Act requirements in ways that preserve neighborhood character while maintaining local control. (info)

• Woodinville's SR202/Trestle replacement and 133rd Avenue roundabout projects move forward: The SR202/Trestle Replacement Project is tackling a major traffic bottleneck while building a new trail bridge over the highway on the former railroad trestle, connecting SR202, the Sammamish River Trail, a future roundabout, and Eastrail, with plans to expand SR202 to eight lanes and remove an existing pillar. Meanwhile, crews installed a pedestrian tunnel in early October at the new 133rd Avenue roundabout, allowing trail users to safely pass under the roundabout's busy traffic lanes and providing an alternate route to ease downtown congestion during the SR202/Trestle project. Both infrastructure improvements are part of Woodinville's push to enhance connectivity and traffic flow in the area. (info)

Events:

• Trivia Night at Northwest Spirits on October 23rd. (info)

• Community Business Listening Session on October 23rd from 11:30am - 12:30pm. (info)

• Trick or Tree on October 30th. (info)

• Sip & Stroll Art Event on October 31st. (info)

What we are currently loving!

• Qamaria Coffee in Redmond has quickly become one of our favorite coffee spots in town. The Yemeni-inspired drinks like the Qamaria Latte and Adeni Chai Latte bring something totally different to the local scene with rich spices and smooth, balanced flavor. We recommend trying the Pistachio Latte with a slice of Rose Tres Leches, it’s an unreal combo.

Weather this Week:

• Expect a chilly and wet stretch this week with highs ranging from the low 50s to low 60s and lows dipping into the low 40s. Mid-week brings breezy rain and potential flooding, especially on Friday and Saturday. Plan for a mix of sunshine and clouds on Sunday and Monday, but still keep an umbrella nearby.