UPDATED 3/4: EvergreenHealth Contract With United Healthcare Terminated

EvergreenHealth community-owned hospital

Evergreen's contract with United Healthcare was terminated March 1, 2026

Details and FAQ  (& read comments)

EvergreenHealth is the largest public hospital in the State of Washington. It is community-owned and remains independent of the large hospital chains.  After month-long negations their contract with United Healthcare expired on March 1, 2026. 

Dr. Etorre Palazzo is Evergreen's CEO.  Here's a short clip of Etoree (1.5 min) explaining Evergreen's attributes and mission in our community. He's done much to enlarge their capacity of services, including mental health treatment in primary care clinics and emergency departments.

My daughter was born at Evergreen Health 33 years ago.  

-- Bob Yoder, 2/20/2026, updated: 3/34/2026

UPDATED 1/30/2026: Police Search for Suspect Who Stabbed Woman On Bear Creek Trail

The suspect is described as a Hispanic male, approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall with a medium build. He is described as having a wide face and bumpy, textured skin. At the time of the assault, he was wearing a green hoodie, jeans, and a black hat.

Redmond detectives are actively investigating the assault. Anyone who was on or near Bear Creek Trail between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Jan. 24, has dash-cam footage, or recalls seeing someone matching the suspect’s description is encouraged to please call 425-556-2500 and ask to speak with a detective.

--RPD. 1/3/2025

City News Now | January 12, 2026

LOTS OF GOOD NEWS HERE!  I'm going to sign up for the Community Police Academy.  "Talk Sporty To Me" looks good too!

-- Bob Yoder, 1/15/26

Redmond City Council Elected Official Ceremony

December 2nd 2025 Redmond City Council ceremony and Business Meeting.  (Ceremony begins after 30 seconds.)

Former Governor Gary Locke read segments of the Declaration of Independence honoring our government and local Redmond councilmembers.  Retiring councilmember Jeralee Anderson described her accomplishments over 8 years of service and bid adieu.  Retiring Steve Fields was absent.  Councilmember Melissa Stuart was sworn in for a second term and Ms. Soni and Mr. Prakriya were sworn into their council positions. Many local dignitaries attended. It was a full house.  

The ceremony is 17 minutes long and I encourage you to listen. (The Business part of the meeting starts after the ceremony.)

Mayor Birney's "Here in Redmond"

City News Now | September 15, 2025

This is some of the best city news I've seen... Some good places to watch the salmon migrate are:  the trestle and red-steel bridges over the Sammamish River. The Avondale Way bridge over Bear Creek. The 90th Street bridge over the Sammamish River. Juel Park's Bear Creek, Leary Way bridge.  

-- Bob Yoder, 9/18 

EvergreenHealth Community Healthcare Access Team (CHAT)

Sahayra Bororjas Tapia, Outreach Liaison with the EvergreenHealth Community Healthcare Access Team (CHAT), discusses CHAT’s resources, from housing, transportation services, to helping a patient find a provider.

If you or someone you know are in need of assistance, please call CHAT at (425) 899-3200 or email CHAT@evergreenhealth.com.

The EvergreenHealth Community Healthcare Access Team (CHAT) is levy-funded.

Riding light rail is a snap, just ask Mayor Angela Birney!

2 Line Train Problems Continue

The following 2 Line Train problems were reported by Sound Transit today, June 11:

Marymoor Village Station - Elevator 1 unavailable until further notice. Elevator at Exit A.  

2 Line trains are sharing one track at the BelRed Station until further notice due to maintenance activity.

2 Line trains are sharing one track from Redmond Technology Station to Downtown Redmond Station until further notice.

2 Line trains Downtown Redmond Station - Elevator 1 unavailable until further notice. 

Exit B

2 Line Downtown Redmond Station - Elevator 2 unavailable until further notice. Exit A.  

Contact Sound Transit to be put on service alert texts. 888-889-6365

UPDATED: Redmond Seeks to Move Resources From Popular Old Fire House Teen Center

A video of teens giving passonate testimony to Council this week .

(click link)

The City may close down the Old Fire House Teen Center "for safety reasons" despite over 3,400 signatures to keep it open. Ironically, the Nelson Legacy Group (NLG) headquarters is directly adjacent to the Teen Center.  NLG the largest landowner and developer in Redmond.  

photo Bob Yoder

From the COR Marketing Department:  "Redmond is planning for the future of Redmond’s younger residents and wants to understand how to best serve the community of teens (approximately 13 to 19 years old), now and in the future.

Throughout spring 2025, the City will engage with the community to learn more about what Redmond teens need, how the City can best serve their interests, and where services are needed the most.

For more information on the project and the history of teen services in Redmond, visit redmond.gov/TeenServices(External link)."

-- redmond.gov  4/8/2025

###

On 04/15/25, twenty-two teens spoke pasionately to Council of the importance of the Redmond Fire House Teen Center, comparing it to how "sterile" and unwelcoming the Marymoor Community Center is.  Hear their passionate testimonies at this link:  

https://redmond.granicus.com/player/clip/3096?view_id=2&redirect=true

-- Bob Yoder, 4/18/25

45th Legislative District Town Hall, March 15, 2025 / Quite Revealing

Rep. intros at 3.5 minutes. The bulk of the town hall starts at 17 minutes.  Rare opportunity to learn the state of Washington State.  It's not good.   

Redmond, A Welcoming City / Immigration Enforcement

Redmond is a welcoming city, with a strong commitment to cultivating an inclusive community, where everyone feels valued, supported, and connected. The City actively creates an environment where all residents can fully access city services, influence local policy, and feel a sense of belonging and safety. In 2017 and 2020, the City Council passed resolutions No. 1465 and No. 1534, respectively, affirming its commitment towards a culturally inclusive community, as well declaring Redmond as a hate free zone. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The Redmond Police Department would like to provide some clarification after recent inquiries from residents concerned about immigration enforcement and possible future interaction with immigration officials.

What is the Redmond Police Department’s role in immigration enforcement?
The Police Department does not enforce immigration violations. State law and department policy prohibit Redmond Police officers from asking or collecting information about a person’s immigration or citizenship status, unless there is a connection with a state or local criminal investigation, and officers may not detain a person solely to determine immigration status.

Will the police report me or give my information to immigration authorities?
Under state law and policy, the Department is restricted from sharing information with immigration officials, except under certain circumstances as required by law, such as a valid court order.

Will the police help immigration officials with raids or other operations?
The Redmond Police Department would not typically be involved in federal immigration operations at all. If requested, the Department would provide only support services, such as traffic control or peacekeeping efforts for public safety reasons.

What should I do if immigration officials approach me or knock on my door and want to talk to me?
Review these Northwest Immigrant Rights Project materials.

Food Insecurity In Redmond

Volunteering at the Hopelink Food Bank 

Hopelink Food Program

NourishingNetworks

Open  Kitchen - Redmond United Methodist Church

   -- Wednesday 5-6 PM Dine-in or Take-out

Please click "comment" below to leave them.

Redmond Police Celebrates 'Monumental' FAA Drone Decision

Redmond Police Drone Center

Redmond Police celebrates 'monumental' decision by FAA that approves drone use on more 911 calls. 

Below, is a link to King 5 video story on the Redmond Police Department's innovative drone program ... leading the way within western Washington State: 

https://www.king5.com/video/tech/redmond-police-celebrating-monumental-decision-by-faa-that-approves-drone-use-on-more-911-calls/281-6fefce2c-e35d-4851-84dc-51838ff6c66f

-- King 5, 11/26/24

King County Launches 10 Additional Behavioral Health Mobile Crisis Teams

This week King County launched new mobile crisis teams to help people experiencing a mental health, drug or alcohol crisis.

Teams travel across the county to de-escalate behavioral health crises and connect people to support services. King County added 10 teams for a total of 27 teams operated by the Downtown Emergency Service Center and Sound Behavioral Health.

“We’re building a robust crisis system where everyone has access to the care they need, when and where they need it — reducing hospital and jail visits,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “By expanding the number of mobile response teams, we're on track to ensure people in crisis can get 24/7 help from a specialized behavioral health team.”

Anyone can text or call 988 for help and support.

Seattle Times article, 12/5/24  (1 minute read) 

Posted by Yoder, 12/5/24

King County property taxes fund this service.

Redmond Historical Society: "Spirit Whales and Sloth Tales"

 

Saturday Speaker Series Spirit Whales and Sloth Tales: Fossils of Washington State

Did you miss this excellent presentation by David B. Williams? A recording has been uploaded to the Redmond Historical Society YouTube channel, and will be available until December 31st, 2024. And, don't forget to check out David's Walks & Talks or his Street Smart Naturalist Newsletter.

Old Redmond Schoolhouse Early Learning Center

In 2016, Lake Washington School District received a bond approval to begin renovating the original schoolhouse to be the district’s first early learning center. It technically opened in September of 2020, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we were unable to celebrate its opening. Instead, a crowd gathered on February 1, 2023 to mark the delayed opening with a presentation, ribbon cutting and a community open house.

Fun fact: Redmond Coucilmember Osman Sulahuddin is in this video. He always wears clean white sneakers😃. Osman is the youngest member on Council and he represents our youth exceptionally well.

posted by Yoder

10/12/2024

NBC Interviews Police Chief Lowe On First Responder Drones

"Redmond is one of the first in police departments in the U.S. to implement drones as first responders to get to the scene faster. But the drones pose privacy concerns." - NBC News’ David Noreiga has the latest on the tech transforming policing.

Posted by Yoder

9/16/2024

GreenRedmond Tree Planting Events , Two Locations

Below are planting event dates and site locations. Find a site map here  Email:  greenredmond@redmond.gov for the times.  The event usually starts at 9 AM.  

September 2024
Microsoft work party  (closed) 09/25/2024 Arthur Johnson Park
Last Saturday of the Month Volunteer Event  (Click) 09/28/2024 Viewpoint Open Space
October 2024
First event of planting season  (Click) 10/19/2024 Arthur Johnson Park
Green Redmond Day Planting Event  (Click) 10/26/2024 Viewpoint Open Space

Posted by Yoder, 9/13/2024

Let's Move Redmond: An Open Streets Festival

This video interviews attendees of the first Let's Move Redmond event. MOVE REDMOND opened up 161st Street in Downtown Redmond, WA so people could bike, scoot, walk, and play in the streets.

IF YOU DON'T LIVE IN A DOWNTOWN APARTMENT, A GOOD PLACE TO PARK IS IN THE REDMOND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LOT OR RIDE A BIKE, TAKE A SCOOTER, OR WALK FROM YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.  I WOULD NOT ADVISE DRIVING.

Redmond Police