Education Hill resident reports continued service outage with Frontier

An Education Hill resident reports that he still has no internet service at his home.  He has been without service for more than two weeks now when the lines were severed by a contractor.  His neighbor in a condo unit a few doors down has had internet service for more than a week.  The resident states "Frontier claims that all internet service has been 100% restored in our area, which is not true.  Supposedly a tech will be coming out tomorrow to check things out."

Reported by Bob Yoder

Redmond Police Execute Search Warrant in Kirkland

           

Redmond, Wash. – Redmond Police Department’s Pro-Act Unit and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team served a search warrant and took two males into custody at approximately 6:10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4.  
The warrant was issued for narcotics trafficking and stolen property on the 14000 block of 108^th Ave. NE in Kirkland. The residence is in close proximity to Kirkland’s Helen Keller Elementary School, daycare centers and a church. Police searched the location on Saturday to minimize community disruption.
The 54-year-old male in the residence was booked into King County Jail and charged with Violation of the Uniform Controlled Substance Act for Heroin and Methamphetamine. His vehicle was impounded. The second male was booked and released on his own recognizance. Police recovered drug paraphernalia and multiple weapons, ranging from handguns to assault rifles, at the home.
Redmond’s Pro-Act Unit conducts investigations with crimes related to auto theft, car prowl, burglary and financial fraud. Pro-Act works collaborative investigations with nearby agencies and regional partners, in this case the Kirkland and Bellevue Police Departments. Redmond’s SWAT Team handles arrests of violent suspects, hostage situations, barricaded persons and hazardous search warrants. 
The investigation remains ongoing.

Eastside Symphony Fall Concert

Eastside Symphony Fall Concert


We open our season with the winners of our Young Soloist competition, at the Redmond Performing Arts Center. Purchase your tickets on line at www.eastsidesymhony.org to avoid lines at the box office or at the Brown Paper Ticket link below. You can also purchase tickets at the door the day of the concert.

Elgar: Cello Concerto, 1st & 2nd mvts, Aaron Hauser, cello

Bloch: "Nigun" from Baal Shem, Takumi Taguchi, violin

Tchaikovksy: Swan Lake Suite

Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet Suite  Read More >>

Redmond Honors Achievments of K-9 Unit

                                                           

Redmond, Wash. – The Redmond Police Department celebrates the 13 1/2-year career of its K-9 Trainer and Officer, Sam Hovenden.

 

As a Master Trainer, Officer Sam Hovenden has certified more than 100 K-9 police teams throughout Washington in patrol and narcotics. With two police dogs, German Shepherds Vader and Monte, Officer Hovenden's work in the K-9 Unit has resulted in more than 2,400 applications and 364 captures. The two teams are credited with the seizure of more than $3 million in narcotics and $2.5 million in cash.

"Redmond Police Department is proud to recognize the 13 years of service from Officer Sam Hovenden and his partners Vader and Monte," said Redmond Police Chief Ron Gibson.

  

Outside of patrol duties, Officer Hovenden, Vader and Monte were a well-known presence throughout Redmond at crime prevention programs and community events. Officer Hovenden's outreach efforts allowed children and families to meet police dogs and learn about their role in law enforcement.

 

"Officer Hovenden, Vader and Monte have been a tremendous asset to the Redmond Police Department and greater Puget Sound area," said Gibson.

 

Following Vader's retirement, Officer Hovenden will continue to serve Redmond as a police officer. He is the current President of the Washington State Police Canine Association, Red Cross Hero Award recipient and Redmond's Officer of the Year in 2000.

 

Redmond Police's K-9 Unit is a time-honored tradition that first joined the department in 1980. The legacy will continue as Officer Dan Smith serves Redmond with the department's newest K-9 addition, Remy.

Celebrate Fire Prevention Week at a Redmond Fire Station

Fire Prevention Week is rapidly approaching and we would like to invite you to celebrate with us!

 

Kid adventures:

• Hang out with your firefighters.
• Meet Sparky the Fire Dog.
• Explore a fire engine and aid car.
• Put on kids fire gear, just like the firefighters, and keep the red hat!
• Tour your neighborhood fire station.
• Light refreshments provided.

Fire Station Open Houses

6:30 - 8:30 pm (unless otherwise noted)

Monday, October 6 - Station 16
6502 185 Ave NE, Redmond
Map to Station 16

Monday, October 6 - Station 18
22710 NE Alder Crest Dr, Redmond
Map to Station 18

Tuesday, October 7 - Station 17
16917 NE 116 St, Redmond
Map to Station 17

Wednesday, October 8 - Station 13
8701 208 Ave NE, Redmond
Map to Station 13

Thursday, October 9 - Station 12
4211 148 Ave NE, Bellevue
Map to Station 12

Friday, October 10 - Station 14
5021 264 Ave NE, Redmond
Map to Station 14

Saturday, October 11 - Station 11 (11:00 am - 2:00 pm)
8450 161 Ave NE, Redmond
Map to Station 11

 

 For more details, visit us at:  http://www.redmond.gov/publicsafety/fire

 

Redmond Home Prices Gain in August

Redmond Home Prices Gain in August

By Paul Siemering

Redfin Real Estate Agent

 

Redmond’s real estate market may still favor sellers, but the slowdown in competition means it’s become a much friendlier place for homebuyers. In August, homes sold three days slower compared with the same time last year, spending a median 11 days on the market. And the number of homes that sold above their list price fell by 4.6 percent.

 

Many homes for sale are now receiving one or two offers, eliminating an opportunity for a bidding war. In Redmond, even a handful of offers can hinder someone’s chance of winning a home: typically one or two of those offers will be all-cash and another may be from someone with a hefty down payment and strong financing. If you’re a more traditional buyer, now is a good time to resume or start your search because many homes no longer receive multiple bids.

 

My advice to homebuyers who want to avoid competition is to wait and see how much interest a property gets before making an offer. I recently helped a customer buy a home in English Hill without facing a bidding war. We saw the house the first day it came on the market but waited a few days to see if it would turn into a competitive situation. It didn’t, and a week later we submitted an offer and got the home, paying $25,000 below the asking price.

 

Despite the less competitive market, home prices gained in August. Prices were up 6 percent from last year and the median home price was $570,152. Sales fell 24 percent with 131 homes sold.

 

For more information, visit Redfin.com

New Redmond Bike Park video

The Redmond Bike Park for mountain bikes and BMX'ers is open!  Check out a new and exciting video on it here!  http://www.redmond.gov/cms/one.aspx?objectId=1502

LWSD continues to grow; develops short-term housing plan

 

School neighborhood boundary change process to take place this fall

 

Media Contact

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​Lake Washington School District was the fastest-growing district in King County over the 2012-13 and 2013-14 school years. This fall, the district matched its projected growth. There were 716 more students in the district in September than at the same time last year. Current enrollment now stands at 26,615.
“To make sure we have room for our rapidly growing student numbers, we need to have two things in place,” noted Dr. Traci Pierce, superintendent. “First, we need to make sure we have enough classrooms overall to house the expected numbers. Then we can determine how to distribute the student population through a boundary adjustment process.”
To ensure enough classrooms overall, district staff analyzed five options to address short-term capacity needs, including:

1. Changing the Capital Facility Plan standard of service temporarily
2. Making interior building modifications
3. Adding portable classrooms, either traditional or “green”*
4. Constructing permanent additions
5. Leasing commercial space

*”Green” portables are more durable, have lower energy consumption and have more windows.
The solutions had to be affordable within the limited available funds for additional classrooms since two proposed bond measures did not pass in 2014. These available funds come from a mixture of past bonds that have been sold but unallocated; state construction assistance funds received and expected; and school impact fees. These sources total about $21.5 million to address district capacity needs through 2017-18.  Read More >>

Downtown Redmond Frontier Service Outage

Redmond, WA –On Saturday, September 20th, a construction crew accidently cut through Frontier Communications fiber and copper cables. This disrupted 911 service as well as Frontier Communications FiOS, phone, television, and internet services.
Full 911 voice service was restored on Sunday morning. Frontier Communications reports that all FiOS services were restored by the end of the day yesterday.
Unfortunately customers on copper service line may have to wait as long as September 30th for restored service.
"This has been demoralizing for our small businesses in downtown Redmond," said Mayor John Marchione. "The severed line prevents businesses and ATMs from effective debit and credit card transactions. The disruption is particularly devastating for companies that rely on phone service to conduct business," continued Mayor Marchione.
The City is working with all parties to establish a claims process. More information will follow next week.
To track the progress of restoration or for questions regarding this outage, you can call Frontier Customer Service at 800-922-1492 or read updates at http://outage.frontier.com/Redmond-2014-09-20.

Black Bear spotted in Redmond Ridge residential community

Redmond Ridge neighbor reports a Black Bear foraging in his back yard, as follows: 


"Yes, the black bear was in my backyard. My house is on Elliston way NE Redmond.  We live in the Redmond ridge east community.  I called 911 too.  My neighbor told me that they have spotted the black bear before in their backyard too.  It was standing near our apple tree for few minutes.  Then, it ran towards the wet land."

Redmond Way Closed for Construction on Weekend

Redmond, WA - A portion of Redmond Way will be closed to traffic the next two weekends with significant weekday impacts through Sep. 29. Construction of the Redmond Way Stormwater Treatment Facility project is underway with pipe installation and pavement repair scheduled to close traffic between Bear Creek Parkway and the QFC entrance. Visit www.redmond.gov and register to receive traffic alerts.

• Weekend closures
o Friday, Sep. 19 at 10 pm – Monday, Sep. 22 at 5 am
o Friday, Sep. 26 at 10 pm – Monday, Sep. 29 at 5 am

Detour signage is in place directing motorist to alternate routes. Access to local businesses and residents will be maintained. Construction is weather dependent and closures or evening work may extend beyond current closure notices. Public notifications will be updated if changes occur.

For more information regarding the Redmond Way Stormwater Treatment facility project visit www.redmond.gov/downtown or contact the Public Works Construction Division at 425-556-2723. 

Boy Scout Troop Turns 50

Boy Scout Troop 550, sponsored by Redmond United Methodist Church, turned 50 years old earlier this year. In commemoration of that event there will be an Anniversary Celebration and Reunion Saturday October 11^th at 5:00 PM at Galley Hall in the Church basement.

Troop 550 has been continuously sponsored by Redmond United Methodist Church for all of its 50 years. In those 50 years Troop 550 has awarded the rank of Eagle to over 100 Scouts as well as building young men who are good citizens and leaders in their community.

All former and current members are invited to join us for this truly momentous occasion.

Redmond man complains about safety issues at Redmond Skate Park

A concerned Redmond man, Chris Wallman, spoke up at City Council during Items from the Audience last Tuesday about the dangers at the Redmond Skate Park.  This was his second presentation on the subject.  He complained of drug sales, a fight, loitering by the homeless and drug abusers within the park. 


He said he had to risk his life by breaking up fight where he encountered at-risk youth using brass knuckles fighting a man.  When he reported the incident to the City of Redmond the only response he got was from officer Bret Cambell but he said the city came up with no answers. 


He acknowledged Redmond Police Chief Ron Gibson's earlier concerns from his first presentation to Council but the Park remains susceptible "to tragedies that can be prevented."  A council member also responded to his earlier presentation.


Mr. Wallman said he would continue to address his concerns about safety within the Redmond Skate Park if nothing is done.  He left a paper for the record that addresses how other cities around the country address safety at similar parks.   

Candidates Forum On Mental Health Issues

                    Brightwater Center Meeting Room

22505 State Route 9 SE,

Woodinville, WA  98072

Thursday, September 25, 7 –8:30PM

 

Moderator – Jonathan Martin,

 editorial writer, Seattle Times

All candidates for the state legislature from districts 41, 45 and 48 have been invited to participate.

Public participation is strongly encouraged. 

 

Topics for Discussion at the Forum:

 

1. The costs of NOT providing care.
2. Changing language in the Involuntary Treatment Act.
3. Funding for housing for homeless/mentally ill.
4. Funding for more psychiatric beds/psychiatric units.
5. Assisted Outpatient Treatment programs and facilities.
6. Alternatives to incarceration for people living with a mental illness and have broken the law.
7. Others - - - - -
    

For more information:  Contact the NAMI Eastside Public Policy Committee at carolkoepp@comcast.net or call (612) 281-6701

 

 

 

Redmond Bike Park Now Open

Redmond, WA –   The City of Redmond Bike Park is now open for all skill levels of bike enthusiasts to enjoy. Located at Hartman Park; corner of NE 104th St. and 171st Ave NE. The dirt-jump style trails progress from beginner to advance and is designed to help riders develop their skills in a safe environment. The park covers about 2-acres of forested property and riders can easily spend a few hours riding the various trails that include the following features: · "Easy A" Beginner Jump Line - 8 table top & 3 roller jumps with an average 4 foot height and several berm turns. · "Shredmond" Intermediate Jump Line - 9 table top & 1 roller jump with an average 6 foot height. · "A-Line South" Advanced Line - 5 table top, 1 roller jump, 1 1/4 pipe jump with an average 6 foot height. · "Can't Stop, Won't Stop" Pump Track - 350 feet long, 13 rollers with an average 2.5 foot height and 7 berm turns. · "Walk it Off" Skills Loop - 200 feet long, 6 log rides and 16 berm turns. · "Outer Space" Perimeter Loop Trail - pedestrian and bike trail around three sides of the park that bi-passes the jump trails. A special THANK YOU to all the volunteers that dedicated many of their weekends this summer to help build the bike trails – a 176 in total putting in 1,670 hours! On average, each volunteer committed 7.5 hours of their time – a day's worth of work! And boy did they work! These bike enthusiasts performed hard labor by clearing the trails of vegetation and shaping the soil into large jumps. Using hand tools, rakes, shovels, and tampers to pack the soil; this was a very physical and difficult assignment. If you're interested in volunteering as a "Trail Steward" to help with ongoing trail maintenance, please sign up at www.redmond.gov/bikepark to register as a volunteer. For additional questions please contact David Shaw, project manager, at 425-556-2378 or dashaw@redmond.gov.

Office of Communications Anne Marie Peacock 425-556-2165 ampeacock@redmond.gov

---

 

Become a volunteer naturalist - Training starts September 11

Become a volunteer naturalist on the Cedar River and learn about one of the world's amazing wildlife migrations that runs through the heart of Seattle, Renton and on up into Maple Valley! Naturalists will receive 20 hours of training from fish and watershed experts in September. Then they'll spend three weekend days along the river, talking to the public about the spawning salmon and the natural and human history of the Cedar River Watershed.
 
Sponsors of the program, now entering its 17th year, include Friends of the Cedar River Watershed, Seattle Aquarium, Seattle Public Utilities, King County Flood Control District, City of Renton, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the WRIA8 Salmon Recovery Council.
 
Contact Dani Kendall at 206.792-5851 or at dani@cedarriver.org to sign up. Training starts September 11, 2014. For more info or to complete the volunteer application, visit www.cedarriver.org/salmon-journey.

Lake Washington Student Scores Improving on Standardized Tests

11 Schools meet federal standards

 

Redmond, Wash. – Lake Washington School District students improved their average scores on state standardized tests in many grades in reading, writing, math and science. Scores rose in close to two thirds of the grade/content area, continuing general upward trends.   Read More >>

Redmond Historical Society Speaker Series, September 13

Behind the Scenes: Hidden Treasures of Washington’s Museums

Ready for some well-kept secrets from Washington state museums?  Journalist and author Harriet Baskas, who researches the closeted collections of museums, will share some of her favorite finds at the Redmond Historical Society’s Saturday Speaker Series at 10:30am on September 13th.  Sponsored by Humanities Washington, the fast-paced, photo-filled and, at times, offbeat tour through Washington will be told through the stories of museum artifacts that are rarely – or never – shown to the public.  Read More >>

Lake Washington Schools Foundation Awards $220,000 to School District

  

When Lake Washington students return to school this fall, they will be able to build robots, use a 3-D printer and learn how to prevent bullying because of extra funding provided to the school district by Lake Washington Schools Foundation. For the 2014-2015 school year, the Foundation granted the district nearly $220,000 to support district-wide initiatives and provide classroom tools that will help students succeed.  Read More >>

Parents/Community Members Needed for LWSD Curriculum Adoption Committees

Science, math, visual arts under review

 

Each year, Lake Washington School District forms committees to determine new curriculum adoptions. Committees are made up of teachers, administrators and parents. They review standards, teaching practices and materials for specific courses and content areas. Committees take two years to develop a recommendation.

 

This year, four different adoption committees will review the following curricula:

·         9-12^th grade science

·         6^th-8^th grade science

·         6^th-8^th grade math

·         Kindergarten – 5^th grade visual arts

 

The district seeks parents/community members for each of these committees. If you are interested in serving,   Read More >>

Tragic Loss of Retired Chief of Police Steven R. Harris

                                                        

Redmond, WA – It is with great sadness the City of Redmond mourns the loss of retired Police Chief Steven R. Harris.  Chief Harris was tragically killed in a traffic collision yesterday.  His wife, Magi, was a passenger in the vehicle and was critically injured in the collision.  The Washington State Patrol is investigating and all questions related to the collision will be referred to WSP.  Read More >>

Redmond Bike Park Grand Opening is September 6

After months of work by city staff and hundreds of volunteer hours the Redmond Bike Park is complete and ready to ride!   A Grand Opening is planned for Saturday, September 6 and will include the following events:


10-11:30  Dirt Jump Skills Workshop
11:30-12  Site Tour
12-1:00    Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with the Mayor/Volunteer Awards/BBQ
1-2:00      Jump Jam


The BMX bike park includes the following jump tracks:  beginning, intermediate, advanced, skills track, and pump track.  Parking is available at Hartman Park at the corner of NE 104th Street and 171 Ave NE. 

Lake Washington students above state average on ACT scores

Redmond, Wash. – Lake Washington students who take the ACT, a standardized test used in college admissions, continue to show they are more likely to meet college readiness standards than other students in Washington state or in the U.S.  Compared nationally and statewide, far more district students score high enough on each of the four ACT tests to meet the college readiness benchmark that ACT has set for all four subjects – English, math, reading and science. While nationally only 26 percent of students met this standard for all four subjects and 41 percent met it statewide, 59 percent of the students in LWSD who took the ACT qualified, two percent more than in 2013. Read More >>

City of Redmond Selects New Farrel-McWhirter Park Preschool Partner

Redmond, WA – The City of Redmond Parks and Recreation Department has offered preschool at Farrel-McWhirter Park for more than 20 year, and will continue to honor this tradition with its new partner, Nature Vision, for the 2014-2015 school year. Nature Vision will provide comprehensive preschool programs with a focus on preparing children for kindergarten; learning through play and developing social skills at the historic park in a unique farm, nature and forest environment.  Read More >>

Redmond Historical Society Announces Speaker Schedule

The Redmond Historical Society announced the schedule for its 2014-15 Saturday Speaker Series that   begins on September 13th at 10:30am at the Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center. The series features eight speakers addressing topics of local, state and Pacific Northwest historical interest.  Read More about the speakers >>

LWTech holds Redmond Campus open house for students and local business

Afternoon event boasts tours, free massages and free wine seminars

 

Redmond, WA – The Lake Washington Institute of Technology will hold an open house at the Redmond Campus on Aug. 13 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. to introduce students to Redmond Campus classes and local business to Redmond Campus partnership possibilities.

 

“Our campus is a great resource for students and the community,” said Christian Bruhn, LWTech’s Redmond Campus director. “It’s a beautiful, spacious facility with free parking and well-equipped classrooms.”  Read More >>

Help Finish the Redmond Bike Park

Help us finish the

REDMOND BIKE PARK

 

Redmond Parks & Recreation is seeking volunteers for our final push to finish the Redmond Bike Park. 

Our volunteers have made great progress in building Redmond’s first official dirt jump park but there is still more to do.  With the project at just over 60% complete and a Grand Opening goal of September 6^th, we are reaching out to let people know about this volunteer opportunity. 

Weekend Work Parties:

·        August 9 & 10

·        August 16 & 17

Work Parties are from 9am to 4pm.

Parking is available at Hartman Park off NE 104^th St, in Redmond.

All the tools, training, lunch and beverages you’ll need will be provided during the Work Parties.  Come build with us for a whole day, half-day or a whole weekend if you can.  All help is welcome. 

Visit the project website www.redmond.gov/bikepark and take a look at the plans.  To sign up, click on the Shiftboard button and register to be a Trail Builder or other volunteer.  Check out the Photo Gallery to see some great pics of the work that’s been done so far. 

There are a lot of jumps yet to build so come help us finish the Redmond Bike Park. 

Please contact me for more information. 

 

HELP BUILD the REDMOND BIKE PARK | www.Redmond.gov/BikePark 

LWTech's popular funeral parlor showcased in new "Mummies" show

Top embalming historian on site to deconstruct Seattle’s famous mummy “Sylvester”

 

An international film crew is coming to Kirkland’s Lake Washington Institute of Technology’s funeral service lab on August 6 to complete interviews for “Mummies Alive!,” a new international television series scheduled to debut in 2015. 

 

In this episode, embalming historian Jon Austin will demonstrate preservation techniques used to embalm Sylvester, Seattle’s own Ye Olde Curiosity Shop mummy. Legend has it that Sylvester was preserved by dry desert sands, but scientists have found evidence that he was actually embalmed with arsenic. He has been on display in Seattle since 1955 and is a key attraction at the Seattle landmark.  Read More >>

Redmond Neighborhood Blog re-joins Seattle Times Local News Partnership

I am pleased to report the Redmond Neighborhood Blog has been invited to join the Seattle Times Local News Partnership.  Below is the Seattle Times announcement.

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2024155386_newpartners728.html

Bob Yoder, Editor

Redfin Real Estate Report: Competition for Redmond Homes Slows Down

Competition for Redmond Homes Slows Down

 

By KC Brants

Redfin Real Estate Agent

 

Competition for homes was fierce in the spring, with intense bidding wars driving up home sale prices all over Redmond.  Homebuyers were willing to do whatever it took to win the house of their dreams. But as we headed into the summer, we began noticing a shift in the local housing market: Many buyers were either scaling back or stopping their home searches.

 

Tired of the spring bidding wars and escalating prices, many buyers are now being more selective about writing an offer on a home. A few months ago, it was common for a home on the market to receive 10 or more offers. But now, we’re seeing homes for sale receive about three to four offers instead.

 

Unfazed by the drop in competition, some Redmond sellers are continuing to price their homes above market value. They saw homes in their neighborhood selling quickly in the spring and want to get the maximum price for their properties, too.

 

What’s happening in Redmond is part of the disconnect between buyers and sellers happening in hot real estate markets across the country. The slowdown in competition means the market is shifting toward the buyer’s favor. 

 

Here is a snapshot of the market in Redmond in June compared with the same time last year:

•                    Home prices were up 3.2%, and the median home price was $568,000.

·                     The median price for single-family homes was $673,500; for condos it was $314,000.

·                     Sales were up 4.9%, with 148 homes sold.

•                    Homes spent a median 7 days on the market.