August 14
Khumba Mela in Sammamish celebrates the birth of Krishna
“Dancers, musicians, flower weavers, set builders and all manner of volunteers have been busy for the last few months at the Vedic Cultural Center in Sammamish, preparing for Khumba Mela, a festival which honors the birth of Krishna. Khumba Mela began on Thursday, and will continue until Sunday, Aug. 16.”
August 21
Murder devastates Sammamish community
“A Sammamish woman, 39-year-old Rhan Rha, was found dead onboard a boat in President Channel off Orcas Island Wednesday, Aug. 12., in an apparent murder-suicide. San Juan County Sheriff’s Office reported finding Rha’s body along with her apparent murderer, 39-year-old Albert Beutler of Bellevue.”
August 28
New cinema a boost for idling Highlands
“Port Blakely Communities took another important step forward in their cultivation of a residential and commercial community in the Issaquah Highlands, with the announcement last week that Regal Entertainment Group will open a 14 screen, 64,000 square foot theater there in May 2011. The state-of-the-art theatre will be named Regal Cinemas Issaquah Highlands Stadium 14.”
Three teens, one bottle of Grey Goose, and a loaded .357 handgun
“Police arrested a 19-year-old Sammamish man and charged him with providing a premise for minors to consume alcohol, after a 15-year-old boy and two 14-year-old boys were found intoxicated in the hot tub of a Sammamish home. One of the 14-year-old boys was in possession of a .357 Ruger revolver handgun, which was loaded with six hollow point .357 rounds. According to the police report, the owners of the home — the parents of one of the boys — were on holiday in Whistler at the time.”
Former Eastside Catholic assistant football coach charged with sexual assault
“Joseph A. Chimenti is accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old female Eastside student, while he was holidaying with her parents at a resort in Chelan this summer. Chimenti was arrested at his Sammamish home on July 21, and has pleaded not guilty to fourth-degree sex assault.
He has been released on bail. This allegation has raised some serious questions as to how Chimenti was hired at Eastside. Early reports alleged that the coach had already been charged with sexual assault from a previous incident in Virginia, when he was hired in Sammamish.”
Sammamish to get a glimpse of its future
“Back, Ethan Hines and Nick Curtright, and front, Ryan Clapper, Ally Hines, Eli Curtright, and Ethan and Catherine Hatlelid are just some of the Sammamish youngsters who will take part in the “Future of Sammamish Kids Parade” as part of the city’s 10th birthday celebrations on Saturday.”
September 4
Immigration changes means sad farewell for Issaquah family
“The people of Issaquah and Sammamish are rallying behind one local family which, despite many years as an integral part of this community, has been asked to leave the country. Originally from Canada, the Gibson family of Rod, his wife Leah, and children Tessa and Connor, moved to the United States in 1999, several years after Rod started working in the U.S. A lighting engineer who specializes in entertainment, such as concerts and events, Rod’s work visa was up for renewal in April. According to his lawyer, it was denied because the U.S. immigration department is now interpreting the rules in a slightly different way than they had in the past. Different enough that the Gibson’s had to be out of the country by the stroke of midnight on Wednesday, Sept. 2.”
September 11
Parks department to consider enforcement officers, park stewards, to solve dog problem
“The City of Issaquah Parks Department will investigate a number of options for Timberlake Park, following the decision to ban pets from the park after numerous complaints during the summer that unrestrained dogs were causing a nuisance there. According to Parks and Recreation Director Anne McGill, one of those options could include the appointment of an enforcement officer, who would patrol parks and would have the ability to issue fines for non-compliance with on-leash regulations.”
Emotions boil over at Beaver Lake Park meeting
“If the public meeting held at Beaver Lake Lodge last week was any indication, whether or not to put synthetic turf and lights on the playing fields at Beaver Lake Park will be one of the most intensely debated issues in the city since it was founded 10 years ago. Already the battle lines have been drawn, largely with sporting groups and parents of sports playing children on one side, and those who will have to live near such a complex on the other. Throw into this mix the opinions of those who feel the City of Sammamish should not be sacrificing forest and park land to the provision of sports amenities, and those who support synthetic turf for its benefits to water runoff, and you have plenty of voices. In the meeting last Thursday, Sept. 3, those voices were raised, in an at times unruly and belligerent meeting between residents and park users, project consultants and city staff.”
September 18
“In her address to community groups in Issaquah last week, Washington Governor Christine Gregoire said that people in the state were in a crisis unmatched since the Great Depression. Rising rates of unemployment means that more and more families are turning to social services and charitable organizations for their survival. Aware of this crisis on their doorsteps, the mayors of both Issaquah and Sammamish have joined the leaders of other Eastside cities in a push to encourage everyone who is able to donate to their local food bank. Expanding on the annual ‘Mayor’s Day of Concern for the Hungry’ campaign sponsored by the Emergency Feeding Program of Seattle & King County, the cities will soon proclaim Sept. 26 through Oct. 24 as the ‘Eastside Month of Concern for the Hungry.”
September 25
Park Pointe developer insists “all systems are go”
“News of the possible auction of Wellington Park Pointe’s development site on the slopes of Tiger Mountain may have rattled some, but not the development company’s Vice President Ron Slater. After the company defaulted on loan repayments and a trustee’s sale of Park Pointe was announced in August, it appeared the long-beleagured development proposal was on the brink, joining a myriad of other construction loans that went sour this year. But according to Slater, reached by telephone this week in Calgary, Canada, the proposal is far from dead — it’s merely a sign of the times. “We’re just restructuring our loan financing, as many firms are these days,” he said. “It’s a matter of time until we can come to an agreement.””
In November, Park Pointe owner, Wellington Park Pointe LLC, filed for bankruptcy.
October 2
Strong-arm robbery at retirement community in north Issaquah
“Police are still searching for clues and looking for new leads in a Sept. 27 strong arm-robbery case that occurred in North Issaquah. Officers said a man wearing a brightly-colored shirt contacted a female resident at around 11:30 a.m. at the Spiritwood at Pine Lake retirement community, located at 3607 228th Ave. Southeast. After a brief conversation with the victim, police said the suspect grabbed her hand and attempted to pull the ring off of her finger. When he was unable to remove it, he pulled a gold bracelet from her wrist.”
Police will prosecute resident who took the law into their own hands in Tree Farm
“Sammamish Police are warning all residents that impersonating a police officer is a very serious offense, after fake parking tickets were placed on cars parked in the Tree Farm neighborhood on Tuesday night, Sept. 22. On that night, Inglewood Junior High School, which is located across Northeast 8th Street from Tree Farm, held its curriculum night. With the school’s parking lot unable to accommodate all the visitors, a number of cars parked on the streets of Tree Farm. At least one frustrated resident took matters into their own hands, putting together a small notice designed to look like a parking infringement ticket and placing one on each vehicle.”
Crowds flood Issaquah for Salmon Days festival
“Thousands of spectators lined Front Street and Northwest Gilman Boulevard on Saturday for Issaquah’s 40th Annual Salmon Days Parade, held Oct. 3-4. Tens of thousands more arrived throughout the day as the sunshine broke through the clouds and took to the event’s diverse array of festival booths and activities along Front Street and East Sunset. Issaquah Police Cmdr. Stan Conrad said they estimated around 180,000 visitors over the course of the two-day event.”
October 16
Gov.: Issaquah/Swedish Hospital ‘Exactly what America needs’
“According to Gov. Christine Gregoire, the other Washington should be paying attention to plans for Issaquah’s new hospital.
Gregoire made the most of the Swedish/Issaquah hospital groundbreaking ceremony in the Issaquah Highlands Oct. 12 by burnishing the state’s credentials as a leader in medical care policy and technology.”
Darigold spill causes fish kill in Issaquah Creek
“An “accidental” chemical leak on Oct. 7 in Issaquah spilled through a storm drain into the East Fork of Issaquah Creek, killing about 50 fish. The unknown volume of ammonia — a refrigerant — entered the creek from the Darigold Inc. plant at 611 Front Street North. The WDFW biologist observed dead or dying fish over a quarter mile reach of the stream, between the plant and the East Fork’s confluence with Issaquah Creek.”
School district ‘Calling for Kids’ campaign raises $235,200
“The cowbells and telephones were ringing as the Issaquah Schools Foundation (ISF) held their Calling for Kids fundraising campaign Tuesday and Wednesday, which they hope will fill in some of the budget gaps at local schools. Dozens of students, parents and district employees volunteered to man the phones at the Costco call center in Issaquah to gather pledges in support of ISF programs that benefit the Issaquah School District. Over 150 students from Issaquah, Skyline and Liberty high schools made phone calls each night soliciting support from area parents and past donors. They aim to raise $250,000, to battle the effects of a state education budget described by many as one of the worst in the nation.”
October 23
Beaver Lake drowning a suicide: coroner
“The drowning of a Sammamish woman in Beaver Lake last week has been ruled a suicide, the King County Medical Examiner’s Office confirms.
Officials now say Lavanya Tirumalasetty, 33, died by asphyxia due to intentionally drowning herself on the evening of Wednesday, Oct. 14. Initial reports had stated the drowning was accidental and speculated the woman was unable to swim.”
October 30
Restaurant owner pleads guilty to immigration fraud
“Thai Ginger restaurant chain owner and Issaquah resident Varee Bradford, 44, pleaded guilty Oct. 23 in U.S. District Court in Seattle to various charges for setting up “sham marriages” for relatives so they could legally stay in the U.S.”
November 5
“With the dust settled and just about all votes counted in the 2009 King County General Election, residents of Issaquah and Sammamish now have a firm idea of the makeup of their city councils for the next two years.”
In Sammamish, John James, John Curley and Tom Odell would replace outgoing councillors Lee Fellinge, Kathy Huckabay and Jack Barry. In Issaquah, Mark Mullet became the first Highlands resident to win a seat on the city council, replacing John Rittenhouse in an uncontested election. Tola Marts would replace David Kappler.
Developer contributes to ecological restoration project in Sammamish
“Washington Native Plant Steward Veronica Muskheli packs a fern into a plastic pot during the first ever City of Sammamish-sponsored native plant salvage in the Trossachs development on Saturday. The event was a significant step toward encouraging sustainable land use and restoring native environments in the city.”
November 20
No transit plan a flaw in Town Center, says commissioner
“Some members of the City of Sammamish Planning Commission have identified what they feel are flaws in the city’s Town Center plan, and are considering suggesting the council make a number of significant changes to the plan and its regulations. One of the key issues being debated at the Planning Commission level is the council’s density limits — another is the lack of public transit infrastructure in or near the proposed center. “I have been on the record many times as saying that the Town Center plan contains a major flaw, by omission, of any Transit Oriented Development,” commissioner Scott Hamilton began. “One of the challenges the city faces is that we are an island. We don’t have I-90 to help us relieve traffic, like Mercer Island does. If there is a suggestion that we adjust the plan upward, then we need to have a Transit Oriented Development.””
November 27
School district proposes two levies, one bond for February election
“At meeting of the Lake Washington School District Board of Directors on Monday, Superintendent Chip Kimball presented his recommendations for funding measures to place on the Feb. 9 ballot. His proposal includes a four-year Educational Programs and Operations Levy (EP&O), a four-year Capital Projects Levy including both facilities and technology items, and a new bond measure that would modernize Juanita High School and aim to prevent overcrowding. The Issaquah School District announced earlier this year it would also submit three levy measures to the February ballot.”
December 4
More homes but still no more retail in Highlands
“Familiar complaints concerning the lack of commercial and office development in Issaquah Highlands surfaced during a Dec. 1 City Hall hearing on a new housing development. The proposal, called Block 24, drew criticism from the city’s Urban Village Development Commission (UVDC), as yet another residential development where other uses are thought to be needed. Several members of the UVDC, which manages city planning decisions in master-planned communities Talus and Issaquah Highlands, complained the project would further imbalance already disparate land uses in the Highlands. Commission Chair Geoff Walker, an Issaquah Highlands resident for 11 years, declared he was “ticked off” because “this is happening before more commercial development is in.””
December 11
Residents kick, push, for skate park
“It wasn’t on the agenda for the Dec. 7 Issaquah City Council meeting, but several Highlands residents made sure city leaders heard about their desire for a city-run skate park. Led by local resident Robert Milligan, who also serves as president of the Issaquah Highlands Community Association (IHCA), the residents chose the Dec. 7 meeting to float their idea for a skate park, as the council prepared to deliberate a final time over the 2010 city budget.”
Trailblazing village project underway in Highlands
“On Monday afternoon, City of Issaquah officials and affordable housing advocates celebrated the beginning of construction on a planned 146-unit low- and moderate income development in the Issaquah Highlands. YWCA Seattle-King-Snohomish CEO Sue Sherbrooke, Issaquah Mayor Ava Frisinger, U.S. Congressional candidate Suzan DelBene and several city councilmembers tied ribbons around an ornamental tree across the street from the planned YWCA Family Village at Issaquah.”
Funding secured – a historic night for the Sammamish Heritage Society
“The city council budget discussions at Sammamish City Hall Dec. 1 proved to be a historic moment for the beleaguered Sammamish Heritage Society. Heritage Society co-President Helen Baxter approached the council the week before last with a request for $5,000 to support their activities, in light of the number of other groups in the city which receive regular financial contributions. Despite many years of disinterest in supporting the society, the council had a change of heart, with a number of councilors speaking of the importance of its work and of finding the necessary funds in their budget.”
December 18
Burst pipes damage historic theater
“Freezing temperatures are to blame for flood damage Tuesday night of last week inside Village Theatre’s First Stage property on Front Street North. Eastside Fire and Rescue responded around 6 p.m. to reports of minor flooding caused by burst water pipes inside the building’s attic.”
Wolf at the door again for schools
“Dramatic cuts to the Issaquah School District (ISD) are in the offing, following last week’s release of Governor Christine Gregoire’s draft of the 2010 supplemental state budget. Proposals for state education funding could reduce the district’s share by almost $5 million next school year. The unwelcome news comes on the heels of last year’s budget crisis that reduced ISD’s budget by $7.3 million. Only one teacher was laid-off, but a hiring freeze has effectively increased class sizes.”
December 25
Developer asks for delay of gas station decision
“Citing concerns with perceptions of a planned “Energy Station” and the pace of the process to allow it in the Issaquah Highlands, master planner Port Blakely Communities backed away from proposed changes to an agreement with the city at a Dec. 21 City Council meeting at City Hall. Recommended by the council’s Land Use Committee (LUC) for approval, Agenda Bill 6025 would modify the Issaquah Highlands Two Party Agreement to allow for the construction of “Gasoline Stations” and the accompanying underground storage tanks. But a letter from Port Blakely Communities President Alan Boeker, addressed and sent the same day to Issaquah Mayor Ava Frisinger, requested the item be dropped from consideration.”
