FootballA-Palooza opens the Scarlet and Gray Exhibition Page 16
Your locally-owned newspaper, serving North Bend and Snoqualmie, Washington
Snoqualmie grows by 593 acres
August 23, 2012 VOL. 4, NO. 34
By Michele Mihalovich The city of Snoqualmie will soon be 593 acres bigger. In a 5-2 vote Aug. 13, the City Council approved annexing what is commonly referred to as the Old Weyerhaeuser Mill site, east of historic downtown. Councilmen Jeff MacNichols and Charles Peterson voted against the annexation, citing concerns about possible Meadowbrook Bridge improvements. The bridge is currently within King County’s jurisdiction. Peterson said bridge expansion or improvements would be the city’s responsibility if the annexation were approved. Public Works Director Dan Marcinko told the council that the bridge would still be used by the county, and more than likely the county would help
Boeing Classic returns Events pack the weeklong annual golf tournament. Page 8
Back to school All you need to know to get your children ready to go Page 10
See GROWTH, Page 3
By Michele Mihalovich
Pageant princess North Bend girl qualifies for national competition. Page 14
Police blotter Page 18
Calendar Page 19 Prsrt Std U.S. Postage PAID Kent, WA Permit No. 71 POSTAL CUSTOMER
A Seafair Pirate deafens Railroad Days Parade spectators with an explosion from his miniature cannon. See a slideshow of photos at www.snovalleystar.com. For more photos, also see Page 6.
Pirate invasion thrills By Michele Mihalovich What do a bunch of scurvyinfected pirates have to do with Snoqualmie Railroad Days? Nothing. But judging by the hundreds of cheering landlubbers lining the parade route, they loved the invaders. “Fire in the hole,” screamed one of the Seattle Seafair Pirates, followed by an explosive bang and gray smoke from their tiny cannon. And even though the crowd knew the ear-ringing blast was coming, because they’d heard the explosions getting closer as
the parade progressed, people still jumped at the shock of the noise. Toddlers and dogs didn’t appear to enjoy the explosive blasts as much as the adults, but when a handsomely decorated pirate handed a shellshocked kid a shiny, silver coin, it appeared the little ones were willing to forgive the scallywags. The Aug. 18 parade down Railroad Avenue also included back-flipping gymnasts, pompom-shaking cheerleaders, dancing unicyclists, Model T cars, classic hot rods, politicians
Local woman joins wildfire relief effort By Warren Kagarise
with candy and a real crowdpleaser, Waste Management’s replica of one of the first garbage trucks ever manufactured. But the parade wasn’t the only highlight of Railroad Days. Tons of folks turned up to eat ham and pancakes at the fire station, and every corner seemed to be filled with the smell of something delicious smoking on a barbecue. Locals highlighted their painting, pottery and photography; bagpipers performed on one of several stages; and kids
Towing a horse trailer packed with supplies, Kim Arellano steered her Ford F-350 across the Cascades and close to the Taylor Bridge Fire. The wildfire raging near Cle Elum and Ellensburg caused hundreds of firefighters to descend on neighboring Kittitas County. The disaster also led Arellano and countless volunteers throughout Washington and the Pacific Northwest to mobilize and support the relief effort. Arellano is modest about hauling supplies from Issaquah and the Snoqualmie Valley to the fire-stricken area. “My part was so small, but it was so rewarding,” she said.
See PIRATES, Page 3
See VOLUNTEER, Page 3