Your locally-owned newspaper, serving North Bend and Snoqualmie, Washington
Golfer heads to state Page 8
Mud, guts, glory and a Viking hat
July 26, 2012 VOL. 4, NO. 30
Vote on it Snoqualmie will ask citizens for tax hike. Page 2
Time for a prize
By Michele Mihalovich
North Bend workers can earn gift cards. Page 3
A beer garden, mud and blood were the driving factors for many who competed in this year’s Warrior Dash. July 21 marked the third Warrior Dash for Jason Cadle, 37, of Black Diamond. Last year’s competition at Meadowbrook Farm in North Bend was his first exposure to the muddy race. But he said he enjoyed it so much, that he decided to compete at Warrior Dash in Whistler, B.C., a few months later and there was no way he and his Team Free Beer were going to miss this past weekend’s competition. He joined nearly 11,000 other warriors this past weekend, ranging in age from 14 to 87. Ethan Tonnemaker, 20, (no town listed),
Rate the candidates Municipal League releases its thoughts. Page 3
Police blotter Page 10
By Michele Mihalovich
Warrior Dash competitors slog through the mud pit, the last obstacle of the 3.55-mile race, held July 21-22 at Meadowbrook Farm in North Bend.
Party time Summer festivals are on tap for weekends. Page 6
Rail crossing near train Tasty burger contest is depot will be upgraded on the menu at annual Festival at Mount Si By Michele Mihalovich
Girls go robotic Camp helps girls explore science. Page 6
Prsrt Std U.S. Postage PAID Kent, WA Permit No. 71 POSTAL CUSTOMER
See WARRIOR, Page 2
The city of North Bend agreed to waive $9,000 in fees for the Northwest Railway Museum in exchange for the nonprofit completing a railroad crossing upgrade this year. The crossing improvement, on Main Street near the North Bend Train Depot, is expected to cost about $65,000, Richard Anderson, executive director of NRM, said in a phone interview. The museum received a donation of lightly used concrete tubs, or panels that the rails are set into, from the city of Redmond. The tubs are valued at approximately $25,000 and the museum is searching for additional contributions to help complete the project, according to city documents. In 1988, the city and NRM
entered into an agreement that the museum would pay $3,000 annually to defray some of the city’s operation costs associated with the North Bend Train Depot and the William Henry Taylor Park. The City Council on July 17 agreed to waive those fees for 2012, 2013 and 2014, but the project must be completed by the end of December. Anderson said the railroad crossing improvement at that intersection was due, even though it’s not that heavily traveled. “Last year, we completely rebuilt the crossings at Meadowbrook Way and Snoqualmie Parkway,” he said. “It was just time.” Anderson said he expects the project to begin this fall and should be completed in about three days.
By Michele Mihalovich In a new culinary twist being offered by North Bend Bar & Grill at this year’s Festival at Mount Si, one lucky winner will be crowned creator of the best “durn” burger. Liz Vollbrecht, manager of the North Bend eatery icon, said the grand-prize winner receives a $100 gift certificate to the restaurant; the burger will be featured on the menu for three months and results in unlimited bragging rights. The restaurant is calling for original recipes until Aug. 4. Vollbrecht said the burger must cost less than $14, “so truffles and foie gras are out ... unfortunately.” The burgers can be eight
ounces of ground beef, lamb, pork or a combination, must be on a ciabatta, brioche or baguette bread, and reflect the American/bar and grill style of the restaurant’s menu. Recipes should be submitted to nbbgburgercontest@gmail. com, and need to include a list of all ingredients, which should be readily available, and specific cooking instructions. Recipes will be prepared by chefs at the festival Aug. 11, and “professional tasters” will determine the winner, Vollbrecht said. The bar and grill has been hosting a chili cook-off during the festival for years, and Vollbrecht said this is another way to get the community involved.