Islanders who were unable to attend the Sound Transit open house on Jan. 27 on Mercer Island have a couple more chances to find out more about the project.
The IMS Gators completed a perfect season at 7-0 by defeating Maywood, 81-18, on Jan. 9, and Beaver Lake, 54-39, on Jan. 7. The wins gave Islander Middle School the 2009 Foothills League Title. The team went on to take the Foothills tournament title, with eight individual champions.
Puget Sound Energy is reminding customers having trouble paying their heating bills that almost $29 million in monetary assistance is available this year from two low-income programs administered by community service agencies. PSE customers can also apply to The Salvation Army Warm Home Fund for emergency, short-term utility bill assistance.
If people have their way, tolls will be put on the 520 bridge as soon as next year.
The Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the East Link project is an analysis of the potential effects of the construction and operation of one of the most ambitious projects undertaken by the region since the clean up of Lake Washington.
Light rail is coming to Mercer Island, and Sound Transit encourages interested people to comment on a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) released on Dec. 12, 2008. The review and comment period for this Draft EIS has been expanded to 75 days, ending on Feb. 25. This Draft EIS provides information on the light rail route, station and maintenance facility alternatives. The Draft EIS informs the public and decision-makers about the project’s benefits and effects prior to identifying a preferred alternative.
It goes without saying that it has been a wild ride for 2008 real estate values. The inventory went up, asking prices fell and uncertainty ruled the day.
Former Deputy City Manager and City Attorney Londi Lindell has filed a lawsuit against the City of Mercer Island and four top city officials for damages resulting from her dismissal as the assistant city manager last year.
A 20-minute documentary on Ethiopia’s 2007 millennium celebration, created by Mercer Island High School graduates Ross Laing and Alex Baron, aired on Ethiopian Television (ETV) this past fall. Laing and Baron produced and shot the documentary, “Generation to Generation,” while visiting the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, during the country’s millennium celebration in September 2007 (Ethiopia follows the ancient Coptic calendar, which marks the year 2000 in our 2007).
In a 2-1 vote, state regulators today approved the sale of Puget Sound Energy to the New York-based, multinational Puget Holdings LLC, a transaction with an estimated value of $7.4 billion. The sale is subject to 78 conditions to protect customers and preserve the public interest.
The Mercer Island School Board reshuffled its leadership last month, electing Janet Frohnmayer as president, Adair Dingle as vice president, and Pat Braman as legislative representative. All three nominated members were elected unanimously on Dec. 11. Before turning over responsibilities, the board took a few moments to recognize outgoing president Pat Braman, who has lead the team for the past year.
Author Dr. Ned Hallowell will discuss important matters on raising children in a talk about his book: “The Childhood Roots of Adult Happiness: Five Steps to Help Kids Create and Sustain Lifelong Joy” at 7 p.m., Jan. 12, at the MIHS Performing Arts Center. Hallowell’s message is how connections with children can provide the essential ingredients of happiness: resilience, optimism, playfulness, connectedness and a can-do attitude. Hallowell is an instructor at Harvard Medical School and the founder of the Hallowell Center for Cognitive and Emotional Health. He speaks on ADD, handling a fast-paced life and family issues. He has been featured on television and in national news media.
Washington’s minimum wage increases 48 cents to $8.55 an hour beginning Jan. 1, 2009.