What A.I. Says About "Redmond Neighborhood Blog"

City of Redmond Neighborhoods, February 2026 

  Finally got some recognition, even if it came from a bot! 😊

The Redmond Neighborhood Blog is generally considered a valuable, long-standing resource for hyper-local news, though whether it is "good" depends on what you are looking for—objective reporting or community advocacy. 

Strengths & Content Focus

• Hyper-Local Expertise: The blog has been active for nearly two decades (since at least 2007) and provides deep dives into topics often overlooked by larger outlets, such as city council decisions, land use policies, and local school district levies.
• Active Advocacy: The site's primary author, Bob Yoder, explicitly describes the blog as an "advocate" and "trouble-maker" intended to bring balance and accountability to local government.
• Niche Investigative Reporting: It frequently covers environmental concerns, such as potential aquifer contamination, and tracks the impacts of rapid development on Redmond's "soul" and affordability. 

Things to Consider

• Opinion-Driven Tone: Many posts are written from a specific viewpoint, focusing on "watching" the city administration and critiquing rising costs of living and property taxes.
• Format: As a Blogger-hosted site, it has a traditional, text-heavy layout that may feel less modern than newer media platforms.
• Community Presence: It maintains an active Facebook Group (Friends of Redmond Neighborhood Blog) where residents can discuss local issues directly. 
• Comparison to Other Sources

Source	Best For
Redmond Neighborhood Blog	Deep-dive civic analysis and critical community advocacy
Experience Redmond	Tourism, events, and highlighting local businesses
City of Redmond News	Official government announcements and public meeting notices
Move Redmond	News specifically about transit, biking, and urban walkability

Updated: TEEN COMMUNITY BULLETIN

After attending the Marymoor "Listening Session" and talking to the Parks Director and historical society, I see little hope of saving the OFH just for the teens.  Affordable housing is desparately needed.  Rebuilding and enlarging the firehouse to 6-stories may be the best solution.  The ground story could be used for teen programs.  The top 5 floors for work force housing.  -  B. Yoder, 5/18/2025

NOTICE

Please join Redmond's teen community at City Hall this Tuesday, 4/29, 7PM to speak to the council and mayor about saving the Old Fire House (OFH) Teen Center.  This historic building is now shuttered and Mayor Birney and her staff say they haven't decided what to do with it.  Park Director Loreen Hamilton talks it up as a hazardous waste site. 

Teens are now forced into using the distant multi-use Marymoor Community Center.  While OFH is vacant, the city could be renovating and upgrading it for future use, not scrapping it for another cookie-cutter apartment building.   

I certainly agree with the teens (and a few councilmembers!) the OFH is symbolic and worthy of landmark status. Please bring your families and friends to City Hall Tuesday, 4/29 to show your support.  Plan to arrive early to sign-in if you plan to speak (up to three minutes.)   

-- B. Yoder, 4/25/2025 

Background information.

Redmond High PTSA Co-Presidents give KUDOS for school's community volunteerism

We all need help sometimes...

By Jan LaFond and Shelley Flores, Co-Presidents, RHS PTSA

We like to think of Redmond High as not only a great school for learning, but also an important member of a larger caring community. Our students, staff and volunteers actively support community organizations that help others and contribute to the greater good.  Read More >>

Community Digest III

Excerpts from MUSTANG NEWS, 12/14

NEW ACADEMIC & CAREER PLANNING RESOURCE. "Academic and Career Planning" is a new page on the Redmond High web site. The page contains information about college and career planning, Graduation Portfolio announcements and requirements, copies of important documents related to the Graduation Portfolio, links for post-secondary planning, resources and links for scholarships and financial aid, and information about colleges, careers, and much more. Be sure to check this page regularly for all the latest information about life after high school.

DIGIPEN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. Digipen is offering a series of four workshops exploring computer graphics and game programming careers. The workshops are held on the four Saturdays in January starting January 9th. If you are interested, please contact Elvin Bucu. Cost is $20.

LAKE WASHINGTON SCHOOLS FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES 2009 GRANT AWARDS. LWSF awarded 38 classroom grants to our schools this year - 5 to high schools, 13 to junior highs, and 20 to elementary schools - resulting in over $63,000 awarded in 21 different schools in our district. LWSF Trustees and community members assisted in evaluating the grant proposals. RHS received two grants, one for reading materials for English Language Learners, and one for robotics club supplies. For more information about LWSF or to learn how you can donate to help our Lake Washington schools, check out the LWSF web site.

 LITTLE LEAGUE REGISTRATION OPEN.  Redmond West Little League and Redmond North Little League are currently accepting registration from boys and girls ages 5 through 18. Sign up now and get ready to play ball!

CITY OF REDMOND TEEN CLASSES AT THE OLD FIREHOUSE TEEN CENTER. Start the New Year by learning something new! (And don't forget, classes make great gifts!) All classes will be held at the Old Firehouse Teen Center at 16510 NE 79th Street. For more information or to sign up for any of these classes, please call 425-556-2300, e-mail Chris Cullen, or download the Old Firehouse schedule.  The January classes are:  Silkscreen Co-Op: and Drumming 102: 

by Mary Bourguignon
Editor, Redmond Mustang News

Mustang News is published by the Redmond High School PTSA. To subscribe, please contact rhs.ptsa.news@gmail.com . For more information about the PTSA, please visit our web site at http://www.redmondhsptsa.org/ .