Happy Friday North Bend. After making it through another wind / snowstorm, we want to give a big shout out to the City's Public Works crews who worked around the clock last weekend plowing roads. THANK YOU! Here is the latest edition of your Weekly Recap. Be sure to click the linked headlines (where applicable) to read the full news release. Make it a great weekend!
Have questions about water? We have a new website page that contains answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the City’s water supply and water infrastructure planning. Click the linked headline to view the Q&A.
Important Reminder: Starting March 1, 2021, Republic Waste will launch new garbage/recycle collection routes in North Bend, with approximately 50% of City customers being assigned new service days. The updated schedule will increase efficiency and balance existing routes – resulting in less time that trucks are on City roads. Republic will also be adding new routes to serve the City’s growing population. If your collection day will change, Republic Services should have notified you of your new service day in mid-February.
This week Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust (MTSGT) announced a new volunteer program - Trailhead Ambassadors – will launch this summer in the North Bend area where recreational trails see some of the largest numbers of visitors in Washington. The Trailhead Ambassadors program is currently recruiting volunteers to educate and empower visitors on trails and public lands within the I-90 corridor. As most North Bend residents already know, in recent years local trail use has increased exponentially. Mountains to Sound Greenway said this program is a direct reflection of the need to provide more resources to trail users about how to recreate responsibly.
Get the donuts, cherry pie and coffee ready because Mayor Rob has proclaimed February 24th Twin Peaks Day. February 24th is the chosen day celebrated by fans worldwide because it is the day FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper arrived in Twin Peaks.
In late February/early March Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King County will begin site preparation work for its newest community located at 250 E. 2nd Street in downtown North Bend. Site preparation on the land parcel at E. 2nd Street and Janet Ave includes tree removal. There are plans to save two trees on the property, though. The new, income qualified affordable housing project includes 7 townhomes, each with 3 bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms. In the coming months the City will partner with Habitat to Humanity with application outreach for community members.
The virtual February 16th Council Meeting is now available for viewing in the Media Center of the City Website. See Mayor Rob’s State of the City Address and the Public Hearing regarding a proposed small sewer rate increase that will help fund Phase 2 of the critical Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvement Project.
Crews started work this week to remove 5 long-vacant homes on E. Park Street – just west of North Bend Way. The land parcels encompassing 1.5 acres on both sides of Park Street are the future site of a 25-unit future townhome project. Following home removal work, additional site work is anticipated to begin this spring.
NORTH BEND COVID-19 ACTIVITY UPDATE
Covid-19 activity stayed flat this past week in North Bend. Over the past 14 days there were 14 new cases reported in the City with a 11.1% test positivity rate (slight positivity rate increase). The City’s 7-day daily case average decreased from 1.3 to 0.7. Although vaccine rollout continues, it is still vital to follow public health guidelines – spread out, mask up and keep social circles small – to #KeepNorthBendHealthy until the vaccine reaches more of our population in the coming months.
STATE COVID-19 VACCINE UPDATE
According to the Washington State DOH, as of Feb. 15, more than 1.2 million doses of vaccine have been given across the state, which is nearly 83 percent of the 1.45 million doses that have been delivered to providers and long-term care programs. Washington is currently averaging 26,204 vaccine doses given each day. This information can be found on the DOH data dashboard under the vaccines tab, which is updated three times per week. More vaccine will be coming to Washington starting next week through the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program. Due to the allocation increase, three more pharmacies will be added to the program: Walmart, Rite Aid, and Kroger (Fred Meyer and QFC). These pharmacies will join Safeway/Albertsons, Costco, and Health Mart Independent Pharmacies.
Curious about development projects within the City limits? Try out our easy to use interactive Development map to see what current and future commercial, residential and parks projects are planned in North Bend. Click the linked headline to explore the map.
Encompass Executive Director – and longtime Snoqualmie Valley volunteer – Nela Cumming - was recently highlighted in 425 Magazine. She’s passionate about helping others and has helped make Encompass the successful, impactful nonprofit organization that it is.
Keep Up with City News and Happenings on Social Media
Are you on social media? We are too. You can follow the City of North Bend to keep up with news, events, and other information. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
The City has changed its mailing address. No more PO Box. Instead we are using our physical address: 920 SE Cedar Falls Way, North Bend, WA 98045. Please note the change for utility bills and other correspondence.
