REPORTER
Mercer Island
Serving the Mercer Island community since 1947
Island boater presumed drowned
Life in color
‘E.T.’ appears at Mercerdale Park This Saturday, “E.T.” will appear on the giant inflatable movie screen in Mercerdale Park. Islanders should bring blankets, lawn chairs and flashlights. Concession treats are sold on site. Call the Community Center at (206) 275-7609 to confirm cancellations on bad weather days, as movies are cancelled during inclement weather. Staff will be on site with special activities inspired from the movie beginning at 7:30 p.m. The movie will begin at approximately 8:30 p.m.
Boat found in Kirkland with generator on, tool found dangling overboard By Reporter Staff
$5 million for new South end firehouse
Countdown to the Blue Angels
Council to vote to send levy to ballot on Aug. 6
Next week marks the annual visit to the area by the Blue Angels, which means various Interstate 90 closures. I-90 will close on Thursday, Aug. 2, from 9:45 a.m. to noon and from 1:15 to 2:30 p.m. for the practice session. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday (Aug. 3-5), the road will be closed from 12:45 to 2:40 p.m.
[more-online www.MI-Reporter.com
Contributed Photo
Louise Hankes, a Mercer Island artist, is the only Islander in this year’s Bellevue Festival of the Arts. Learn more about her art and story on page 19.
By Mary L. Grady
editor@mi-reporter.com
The savings from the giant, multi-year sewer lake line project, just keep on giving. The nearly $400,000 savings from the project means the City Council can reduce the amount they will ask voters for to replace the aging South end firestation. The 50-year-old South end fire station is in need of a complete makeover. It is too small, seismically insufficient, and does not provide adequate space for staff or equipment. The fire department also needs to replace its rescue truck and purchase state-
Your community news source
ing capability on the South end of the Island should be split into two votes, one to fund the construction of a new firehouse on S.E. 68th Street, and the other for the equipment. But it appears that only the new truck will be of-the-art breathing apparatus for included with the construction the firefightpackage. ers. The Council In the past, is close to large ticket finalizing a items such as nine-year, $5.2 fire trucks had million levy been financed to rebuild the by periodic South end firinfusion to a estation, on its sinking fund. existing land; Perhaps and purchase File Photo a new reswary of the reaction that Built as a volunteer fire department, cue truck to Island vot- the South-end station is 50 years old. replace the ers had to the aging, existing $196 million rescue truck school bond vote in April, the for $400,000. City Council hopes to do right by As it stands now, new breathresidents and voters by asking the ing apparatus will be purchased right amount at the right time. through other city funds when it At issue is whether or not the total needed to upgrade firefightFirehouse | Page 2
missing | Page 6
REPORTER
This week Music in the Park continues on Thursday and Sunday evenings. All concerts begin at 7 p.m. and run until 8:30 p.m. On Thursday, July 26: Eclectic Approach — original songs of blended poetic hip-hop infiltrated with rock. On Sunday, July 29: Convergence Zone Bluegrass — bluegrass and country, folk and a little pop.
Mercer Island
Hip hop and country at Music in the Park
Island resident Richard Sweezey remains missing after his empty boat was found near Kirkland last Friday afternoon. A search was begun by the King County Sheriff ’s Office on Friday evening, but was stopped Sunday morning without finding Sweezy. Sheriff ’s office spokesperson, Cindi West, said on Monday that the boat had been towed from the scene and there are no further plans at this point to continue the search. “Unfortunately, we have done everything we can up to this point. We are waiting to see if the Seattle
One year $39, two years just $59
MI | THIS WEEK
Wednesday, JULY 25, 2012 | 75¢
SUBSCRIBE call (253) 872-6610
www.mi-reporter.com