Your locally-owned newspaper, serving North Bend and Snoqualmie, Washington
January 26, 2012 VOL. 4, NO. 4
Tribe gets tropical Snoqualmie Tribe invests in operations in Fiji. Page 2
Second thoughts Schools superintendent is questioned about numbers. Page 2
Police blotter Page 6
Shake it Small earthquake hits the Valley. Page 6
“Starry Nights” come out at Encompass Page 8
Storm freezes Snoqualmie Valley for almost a week By Sebastian Moraga A furious mix of snow, wind and ice that paralyzed the Snoqualmie Valley between Jan. 18 and 21 left more than 10,000 people in the dark as tree limbs collapsed and downed power lines. By the time power returned Jan. 22, the storm had left a trail of mudslides, icy roads, small fires and closed highways. The bad weather cancelled dozens of events and meetings, from regularly scheduled ones like school days to long-awaited ones like the grand opening of the Snoqualmie YMCA. No fatalities were reported, although some suffered minor injuries in vehicle accidents on Interstate 90. Snow began in earnest Jan. 18, with the first major incident occurring at 1:36 p.m. when a truck carrying tomatoes jackknifed in the westbound lanes of Interstate 90 just east of North Bend. The truck crashed against a guardrail, and blocked traffic for about 90 minutes. The driver See SNOW, Page 2
Comeback Kid Mount Si basketballer fights back after injury. Page 12
He gets his kicks Mount Si kicker is a top college recruit. Page 12
Prsrt Std U.S. Postage PAID Kent, WA Permit No. 71 POSTAL CUSTOMER
Photo courtesy of Washington State Patrol
An overturned truck stopped traffic on Interstate 90 for 90 minutes Jan. 18, on what turned out to be the beginning of four days of icy roads, closed highways and houses in the dark in the Valley. The driver of the truck was not hurt, and over the course of the storm no fatalities were reported.
Cities step in to collect yard debris By Michele Mihalovich The storm is over, but now what to do with the downed tree limbs in your yard? There are a few options, starting with a special storm debris collection from noon to 4 p.m. Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the North Bend Public Works Yard, 1155 E. North Bend Way. Cheryl Proffitt-Schmidt, administrative services director for the city of North Bend, said the event is only for North Bend utility customers and citizens must bring a copy of their North Bend utility bill to the collection site. Allied Waste, now called Republic Services, is helping with the special collection. Proffitt-Schmidt said the collection is only for wood debris from the recent storm, and all limbs and branches need to be cut into 4-foot lengths. No other form of garbage or
She pointed out that the col“We just knew there was lection is only for Snoqualmie going to be a big need for residents and that no leaves, sod, grass clippings, food or this.” animal waste will be accepted. — Cheryl Proffitt-Schmidt Sammamish is also holding a North Bend Administrative Services special storm debris collection Director this weekend. Mike Keller, the parks resource supervisor, said he’s expecting a pretty big turn recyclables may be dropped off. out. “We just knew there was “We’ve held these after going to be a big need for this,” storms in the past and easily she said. “It’s only for these collect hundreds of yards,” he two days, but if the floodgates said. open and two days aren’t Again, this is only for enough, then maybe we’ll Sammamish residents and only schedule more days.” tree branches and yard debris Joan Pliego, Snoqualmie’s will be taken. communications coordinator, Collections will be held at said the city will hold a free Beaver Lake Park ball fields, collection point for woody 2526 244th Ave. S.E., and East debris at the former holiday Sammamish Park, 21300 N.E. tree lot, on the corner of 16th St. Snoqualmie Parkway and Collections will be held on state Route 202, from 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday from to 3 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, and again on Feb. 4 See TREES, Page 2 and 5.
Newspaper’s photo contest deadline is Feb. 3 Your time to enter to win $100 for your best photos is nearing the end. The deadline to enter the SnoValley Star’s Snoqualmie Valley Photo Contest is Feb. 3. Awards of $100 will be presented for the best in each of three categories: Life in the Valley (people), animals/pets and Northwest nature (scenics). Staff members of the Star will select the best photos and will consider composition, lighting and originality. Photos may not be composites or changed dramatically from the original picture. Digital files can be sent to photocontest@snovalleystar.com by the deadline. Include the name, address and phone number of the photographer, plus the story behind the photo. All entries become the property of SnoValley Star and its parent company for use in any of its publications. Winners will be announced in the Feb. 16 issue of the Star.