YOUR LOCALLY OWNED NEWSPAPER SERVING SNOQUALMIE AND NORTH BEND
FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2016
SNO★VALLEY
STAR
EMOTIONAL VICTORY
Brooke Henderson seizes first major title with playoff victory at Sahalee Page 14
City wetland transfer draws concerns
BY STUART MILLER For the SnoValley Star
The Snoqualmie City Council approved a transfer of lands between Puget Western Inc. and the City of Snoqualmie on Monday night. PWI will trade two undevelopable wetland
parcels in exchange for about 4.5 acres of city property. The land that PWI intends to trade was supposed to be the site of 40 new Kimball Creek Village housing units – about half of it affordable housing – but the property was found to be almost completely impeded by wetland
and required wetland buffer zones. It was rendered undevelopable for the housing units. The city’s property also houses wetlands and buffer zones, but enough buildable land remains for development of the housing units. Some city councilmembers
expressed concerns about the land transfer. Councilmember Charles Peterson asked Community Development Director Mark Hoffman whether the housing units would be rented or sold. PWI has not decided on the matter. “So I don’t know if I’m voting
for apartments or private ownership?” Peterson asked. The concern stems from experiences with the Snoqualmie Ridge development. Many affordable housing units there were purchased, SEE LAND, PAGE 6
North Bend celebrates market’s opening day
HATS OFF TO GRADS
BY STUART MILLER
For the SnoValley Star
GREG FARRAR | gfarrar@snovalleystar.com
Graduates gather on the Mount Si High School football field June 10 and toss their mortarboards in the traditional ritual at the end of the commencement ceremony. For more photos, see Page 8.
District breaks ground on $208 million high school BY STUART MILLER For the SnoValley Star
The ceremonial golden shovel rested in the corner while Snoqualmie Valley School District officials took turns clinging to a bright red jackhammer, pounding away at solid concrete blocks.
The jackhammer felt more appropriate than a shovel given the scope of the project for which they were breaking ground. Construction of a brand new Mount Si High School is beginning this month. “Randy has assured me there’s no rebar in these, so I
think we at least have a fighting chance,” Superintendent Joel Aune said while he and the Snoqualmie Valley School District Board of Directors donned hardhats and reflective construction vests before stepping up for their turns on the jackhammer. The Snoqualmie Valley
community approved a February 2015 school bond to secure funds for the $208.2 million rebuild and expansion. The community’s support for the bond shows what they value and think is important: education and investing SEE GROUND, PAGE 7
A slight drizzle didn’t drench the aromas of cooking meats, grilled vegetables and wood-fired stoves at North Bend’s first farmers market of the year on June 9. Customers milled around the 36 booths set up at Si View Park despite the damp weather. Some got a bite to eat at one of the cooked food stands; others bought fresh produce for later at the farm booths. Some took time to learn about local charities and clubs; others eyed local artists’ prints and jewelry. The North Bend Farmers Market started 11 years ago and has become a muchanticipated weekly event in town. The market can draw over 1,500 people a week, Si View Recreation Supervisor Mina Rudd said. She expectSEE MARKET, PAGE 6
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