Your locally-owned newspaper, serving North Bend and Snoqualmie, Washington
Fastpitch team takes district title Page 8
May 29, 2014
Snoqualmie to appeal $32,000 fine from state Department of Ecology By Sherry Grindeland The city of Snoqualmie plans to appeal a $32,000 penalty from the Washington Department of Ecology for sewage treatment incident that happened in mid-November 2013. The incident occurred over a weekend at the city’s wastewater treatment plant, when approximately 420,000 gallons of partially treated effluent was discharged into the Snoqualmie River. The effluent had excessive levels of bacteria and turbidity, a measure of the water’s clarity. Bacteria can place people’s
North Bend is seeking Planning Commission and Parks Commission members The city of North Bend has an opening on the Parks Commission and Planning Commission. The opening on the Parks Commission is for a youth, 16-18, who resides in the Snoqualmie Valley School District boundaries. The Parks, Recreation, and Beautification Commission consists of six members, who serve four-year terms and one youth member who serves one year. The commission, an advisory body providing guidance and direction in meeting the parks, recreational, and beautification needs of the city, typically meets once every other month on Wednesday evening. There is one opening for a four-year term on the North Bend Planning Commission. The Planning Commission
health at risk. High turbidity, or cloudiness, can harm fish gills. Snoqualmie Mayor Matt Larson said at no point during the incident was raw sewage being dumped into the river. “It wasn’t goopy, yucky sewage,” Larson said. “Frankly, the way our system is designed, there is no way it can dump sewage into the river. The water would have looked a little silty with tiny, fine sediment.” The Department of Ecology described the chain of events that began Nov. 15 when a See FINE, Page 2
consists of seven members who each serve four-year terms. The commission prepares and recommends coordinated plans, regulations, and restrictions for the physical development of North Bend. The group typically meets twice a month on Thursday evenings. Four planning commissioners must live within the city limits; three just have to live in the 98045 ZIP code. Position 1, the open seat, must be filled by someone who lives within the city limits. Applications must be submitted for the Planning Commission by June 14 and for the Parks Commission by June 20. Applications should be sent to the city of North Bend, Attn: City Clerk, P.O. Box 896, North Bend, 98045. Application forms are available at the City Hall, 211 Main Ave., N., or online at http:// northbendwa.gov. To request an application by mail, call the City Clerk at 888-7627 or by email at soppedal@northbendwa.gov.
Award winner
Connor Jensen’s abstract photo was named a finalist in a statewide photo contest for high school students. See more photos on Page 6.
‘A Hatful of Rain’ opens in Snoqualmie By Emry Dinman “A Hatful of Rain,” presented by Theatre Black Dog, opens May 30 at the Black Dog Arts Café in Snoqualmie. The story is set in the mid50s, shortly after the conclusion of the Korean War. Matt Dy plays the lead role — a veteran named Johnny. He is plagued by an addiction, acquired after being injured in combat when he was issued morphine in the military hospital. Out of shame, Johnny has hidden his addiction for years from his father, played by Adrien Gamache, and his wife Celia, played by Vanessa Cobbs. Johnny has worked himself into a corner with secrets on one side and precarious relationships with his family on the other. Unwilling to move
on his own, Johnny is forced to action when the cold-hearted drug pusher who has sustained Johnny’s addiction demands to be immediately recompensed for debts owed. Among Johnny’s family, only Polo, Johnny’s brother and roommate, is aware of Johnny’s affliction. Polo realizes that he may be the only one who can save his brother from both the drugs and the drug pushers, but amongst this looming responsibility and the love he has for his brother, Polo is caught in his own internal battle over what he desires. He wonders if letting his brother meet his demise is the fastest way to what he wants, and to the woman he loves. The group of thugs that make up the drug pushers are among the most colorful and comedic presences onstage. Richard
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A personalized message published on June 19.
Payne plays the steely and aptly named pusher, Mother. Professor Fred Hopkins plays Mother’s loose cannon sidekick, Apples, and Dan Bordon, plays the caught-between-worlds Chuck. Anna Boranian plays the brazen Putski, another associate of the gang with a droll attitude of contempt for her associates. (Cristie Coffing will take on the role of Putski for closing weekend.) Fans of Shlock Cinema may know Hopkins from his regular broadcasts on SCCTV, where the zany professor and his sidekick Igor introduce viewers to his favorite genre of film: lowbudget movies that are considered so bad, they’re good. Viewers expecting the professor’s trademark humor will not be disappointed in his perforSee RAIN, Page 2 Prsrt Std U.S. Postage PAID Kent, WA Permit No. 71 POSTAL CUSTOMER