Seastside Newsletter #99

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Bellevue:

News:

• Officer and suspect injured in police shooting at Bellevue Transit Center: A Bellevue police officer and a suspect were both hurt in a shooting Friday afternoon at the Bellevue Transit Center, with the incident starting around 12:24 p.m. following reports of an altercation. The 29-year-old officer is in satisfactory condition while the suspect remains in critical condition at Harborview Medical Center. Per state law, the King County Independent Force Investigation Team has taken over the case and will handle the investigation moving forward. (info)

• Bellevue named best sustainable and scenic city for 2026: Bellevue earned the top spot in Good Housekeeping's 2026 Travel Awards for Best Sustainable and Scenic City, recognized for its network of over 100 parks, walkable downtown, and free all-electric Bellhop shuttle service that operates within a six-mile radius. More than 125 travel testers evaluated the city's outdoor recreation, cultural attractions, and dining scene—praising everything from kayaking on Lake Washington to the public art installations and restaurants like Tendon Kohaku. The recognition comes from Good Housekeeping Institute's fourth annual awards program, which assesses destinations worldwide based on attractions, accessibility, lodging, entertainment, and safety. (info)

• Bellevue City Council adopts Diversity Advantage Plan 2035: The Bellevue City Council approved a new 10-year strategic plan Tuesday that sets 41 long-term equity objectives across the city's six strategic target areas, aiming to make services more accessible and embed diversity, equity, and inclusion into city operations and culture. The plan, which updates Bellevue's original 2014 Diversity Advantage Plan, was shaped by extensive community input facilitated by the Centering Communities of Color Coordinating Team, including an open house in November where residents reviewed preliminary recommendations. The city is now working to identify short-term actions and develop metrics to track progress, with Mayor Lynne Robinson calling the inclusive process something she's "very proud" the city had the capacity to undertake. (info)

Events:

• Santa Claus Visit at Marketplace at Factoria on Dec. 14 from 11am-7pm. (info)

• Holiday Champagne Tasting on December 19th. (info)

• The Nutcracker on December 20th. (info)

Bothell & Kenmore:

News:

• Bothell launches program to support mobile food startups: Bothell is opening applications for its new Mobile Food Incubator Program, designed to help aspiring food truck, trailer, cart, and kiosk owners get their businesses off the ground with mentorship, training, and support from the city and King County Health through the permitting process. Applications are open from December 6 through January 9, and selected vendors will operate at Triangle Junction in downtown Bothell on a rotating schedule for one year, with the city handling restroom agreements and site logistics. Triangle Junction already hosts Pop Shops on Main, a retail incubator program, and offers an ADA-accessible space with picnic tables, event areas, and community flowerpots aimed at activating downtown. (info)

• Kenmore unveils three new wayfinding signs funded by state tourism grant: Kenmore recently installed three whimsical wayfinding signs in Downtown Kenmore, Brew Row, and South Kenmore to help visitors discover local amenities and attractions. The signs were funded through a State of Washington Tourism Regeneration Grant and are designed to connect people with the city's recreational and cultural offerings while supporting local businesses. The new signage aims to make it easier for visitors to navigate and engage with different areas of Kenmore. (info)

Events:

• Kenmore Holiday Food and Toy Drive from now until December 15th. (info)

• Yoga Nidra and Sound Bath on Dec. 19 from 8-9:30pm. (info)

• Christmas Eve Candlelight Service on Dec. 24 from 3-5pm. (info)

Fall City & Snoqualmie:

News:

• Dramatic rescue made by crews of drivers trapped in swiftwaters near Fall City: Eastside Fire and Rescue crews used a helicopter to rescue two people stranded by floodwaters near Fall City Wednesday night, with one driver pulled from the roof of their vehicle and the other from a tree. Video of the rescue shows responders navigating between tall trees and power lines to lift the individuals to safety as the Snoqualmie River flooded areas around Fall City, Carnation, and Snoqualmie Falls due to torrential rains. Emergency officials are reminding residents not to drive through flooded areas, warning that water can be deeper than it appears and cars can be swept away in just two feet of water. (info)

• Fall City group offered $1.45M to end development pushback: A Bellevue-based developer has offered $1.45 million to settle a long-running dispute with Fall City Sustainable Growth, a nonprofit that's been fighting plans to build more than 100 homes across six subdivisions in the unincorporated King County community of about 2,000 residents. A recent community survey of 427 respondents showed 75% want to reject negotiations with Taylor Development and continue pushing back, with residents primarily concerned about impacts to their groundwater supply, salmon population, and rural character rather than accepting money. The Fall City Community Association has launched a petition calling for construction to be paused until a groundwater and environmental impact analysis—ordered by the King County Hearing Examiner in December 2024—is completed, with FCSG President Mike Suelzle saying it would be "premature" to accept the offer before seeing that data. (info)

Events:

• SnoValley Pride holiday drag show on December 15th. (info)

• Carnation ugly sweater party on December 19th. (info)

• Ugly Sweater Karaoke Contest on December 20th. (info)

Issaquah:

News:

• Issaquah Creek has crested as mayor declares state of emergency: Mayor Pauly declared a state of emergency in Issaquah as Issaquah Creek crested during December flooding, though officials say water levels aren't expected to rise further and residents should continue staying off flooded roads. The city is distributing free flood clean-up kits at the Issaquah Community Center for affected residents, while volunteers have been delivering kits door-to-door in impacted neighborhoods. Residents who sustained property damage are being urged to document everything with photos before cleanup, save all receipts, contact their insurance agents if they have flood coverage, and complete King County's damage survey—the city has also created a Flood Damage Permit Guide and is offering flexibility on building permits for repairs like foundation work and drywall replacement. (info)

Events:

• Historically Hip Artisan Market on December 14th. (info)

• Beers and Carols on December 15th. (info)

• 9 to 5 Artisan Pop-Up at the Holiday Shop on December 16th. (info)

• Yuletide on Front on December 21st. (info)

Kirkland:

News:

• Celebrate 100th Corridor improvements with Blue Friday ribbon cutting: Kirkland is hosting a Seahawks-themed ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday, December 12 at 12:45 p.m. to celebrate the completion of the 100th Avenue Northeast Corridor Improvements Project, with Blitz the mascot joining attendees at 1 p.m. for photos at the new HAWK crossing (residents are encouraged to wear blue and green). The project upgraded one of Kirkland's busiest north-south streets with sidewalk-level bicycle lanes—a new standard for the city that proved cost-effective—along with wider sidewalks separated by stormwater-retentive medians, upgraded utilities, and modernized traffic signals. This is the second of three capital projects stemming from a 2014 corridor study following Kirkland's 2011 annexation of North Juanita and Finn Hill, with improvements now complete between NE 139th and NE 145th Streets and a future project planned between NE 132nd and NE 139th Streets. (info)

• Traffic alert for December 14: 12Ks of Christmas: Drivers should expect delays and road closures around Marina Park in Kirkland on Sunday, December 14 due to the 12Ks of Christmas run/walk, which is expecting about 1,500 participants in 5K, 12K, and Kids Dash events. Major impacts will run from 9 a.m. to approximately 11:30 a.m., with Lakeshore Plaza and Kirkland Avenue between the City dock and Lake Street closed from 5:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and various other streets closing in waves as runners pass through (vehicles parked in restricted areas will be towed). Event organizers are encouraging carpooling and advance parking planning, with information on public parking including the Peter Kirk Municipal Parking Garage available on the city's website. (info)

Events:

• 12ks of Christmas on December 14th. (info)

• Nutcracker on December 16th. (info)

• Community Bonfires at the Park on Dec 20th and 22nd at various times. (info)

Mercer Island:

News:

• Mercer Island Church Delivers Thousands of Socks to Seattle’s Unhoused: Congregational Church on Mercer Island collected more than 8,000 pairs of socks for Operation Nightwatch through its annual drive, combining community donations and fundraising to support people experiencing homelessness during the winter months. (info)

• MIHS AP Microeconomics Students Support Local Food Pantry Mercer Island High School AP microeconomics classes collected nearly $2,000 in food and donations for the Fall City Food Pantry, using the drive as a hands-on lesson in economic value, generosity, and community impact. (info)

Events:

• Stay Active & Independent for Life (SAIL) Fitness Class on Dec. 15 at 10:30am. (info)

• Hopelink Mobile Food Market on Dec. 17 at 1pm. (info)

• Restoration Event at Clarke beach Park at 10am on Dec. 20. (info)

Redmond:

News:

• Redmond Adopts 2025 Environmental Sustainability Action Plan: The Redmond City Council approved an updated five-year climate plan outlining high-impact strategies to cut emissions and boost resilience, including cleaner buildings, sustainable transportation, zero-waste goals, and community-driven climate action aligned with Redmond 2050. (info)

Events:

• Happy Hour at Brown’s Stockyard Exchange on Dec. 14 from 4-6pm. (info)

• Drop-in Play at the Redmond Senior & Community Center on Dec. 16 from 10am-12pm. (info)

• Redmond Lights on Dec. 16 from 5-11pm. (info)

Renton:

News:

• Cedar River Sets Record Flood Levels in Renton: The Cedar River exceeded its previous flood record Thursday, inundating backyards in Renton neighborhoods as residents and volunteers rushed to place sandbags, while officials warned water levels could remain high through Saturday and issued a precautionary boil-water advisory for parts of the area. (info)

• Renton Launches “Ready to Play!” World Cup Campaign: The City of Renton unveiled a new initiative to prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, aiming to unite local businesses and the community through events like free downtown watch parties, public art, and partnerships to welcome an expected surge of visitors to the region. (info)

Events:

• Terrarium Ornaments Workshop at Urban Sprouts on Dec. 14 from 2-3pm. (info)

• Co-Create Night: Luther’s Table on Dec. 17 & 18. (info)

• Santa House on Dec. 20 from 1-4pm. (info)

Sammamish:

News:

• Mud Bay Opens New Sammamish Highlands Store: Mud Bay relocated on November 22 to a larger, higher-traffic former Petco space in Sammamish Highlands, aiming to improve convenience, expand product offerings including small-animal food, and host in-store events and fundraisers supporting local animal shelters. (info)

• Sammamish Independent’s Holiday Lights Competition Returns: The Sammamish Independent is inviting community submissions for its annual holiday lights contest, offering a $100 cash prize and feature story, with entries due by December 17 and judging based on creativity, design, and overall display. (info)

Events:

• Frosty Fest on Dec. 17 from 4-7pm. (info)

Woodinville:

News:

• No News this Week!

Events:

• Craft Holiday Market at Tenor/ Avallé Winemaking Studio on Dec. 18 from 4-8:30pm. (info)

• Sip & Sleigh at Chateau Ste. Michelle on Dec. 18 from 4:30-7pm. (info)

• Goose Ridge Live Music on Dec. 18 from 4-7pm. (info)

What we are currently loving!

• RaajGharana just opened in Issaquah this summer, and it’s already the place locals whisper about when they want Indian fine dining that feels both elevated and soulful. The menu leans into regal classics with a modern touch — think velvety butter chicken, aromatic biryanis, and rich, spice-layered curries that make every bite feel like it was worth the wait.

Weather this Week:

• This week in Bellevue leans fully into winter mode, with gray skies, intermittent rain, and that familiar Pacific Northwest chill settling in. It’s a great stretch for cozy mornings, early sunsets, and enjoying the calm between storms—just keep a rain jacket handy if you’re heading out.