Snoqualmie fly-fisher earns national award Page 12
Your locally-owned newspaper, serving North Bend and Snoqualmie, Washington
Three boys avoid abduction attempt on Snoqualmie Ridge
July 28, 2011 VOL. 3, NO. 30
Hefty decisions ahead North Bend reviews marijuana law, sales tax. Page 2
Agreement reached State reaches settlement in Echo Glen rape case. Page 3
By Sebastian Moraga A suspect witnesses described as a “gray-haired man” approached three children at a supermarket on Snoqualmie Ridge and offered them candy if they would leave with him, a city of Snoqualmie release stated. One of the boys told the man they were with their mothers, and the man left the store.
Police blotter Page 6
The incident happened at 2 p.m. July 19 at the Ridge Supermarket. The incident was reported to police the next day. Authorities showed the boys a picture of a gray-haired sex offender who lives in the area, and one of the boys said that was definitely not the man who approached them. See ABDUCTION, Page 7
Valley joins fight against county rural schools ban By Dan Catchpole Snoqualmie Valley School District officials are concerned that 20 acres of rural land the district owns near North Bend could become useless if King County adopts a proposed change to its Growth Management Plan. Fifteen properties held by seven school districts and worth about $12 million could be
Still dreaming Music legend Gary Wright weaves his way here. Page 11
Hike of the week
POSTAL CUSTOMER
See SCHOOLS, Page 7
Minor earthquake shakes houses, wakes residents
Make the trek up Little Si and take in big views. Page 12
Prsrt Std U.S. Postage PAID Kent, WA Permit No. 71
affected. The proposal would all but close an existing loophole that allows schools to be built on rural lands. The change is meant to bring the county’s plan in line with state and regional growth management plans, as required by the state’s Growth Management Act. The law was written to fight sprawl in nonurban areas.
By Dan Catchpole
By Mary Miller
Party upside down A dancer from Ignite Dance goes head-over-heels for the North Bend Downtown Block Party July 23. For a closer look at the event, see story and photos, Page 8.
A 3.4 magnitude earthquake woke up several Snoqualmie Ridge residents early July 23. The quake occurred at 1:03 a.m. about nine miles northeast of Snoqualmie. While the earthquake was described as minor on the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network’s website, it shook houses and caused some concern among residents. The quake’s center was 10.6 miles below the surface, about the
depth of the South Whidbey Island Fault line, which runs through Snoqualmie Valley. “I was still awake and the shaking of the walls and furniture, as well as rattling of windows was unmistakable,” Snoqualmie Ridge resident Fiorenzo Cattaneo said in an email. The greatest factors that influence how much an earthquake is felt on the surface is the depth of its center and its See EARTHQUAKE, Page 3