Happy Holidays North Bend and welcome to the new edition of your Weekly Recap - one day early this week. It looks like we are in for some very cold weather starting this weekend. Our Public Works team will be monitoring conditions and are ready to roll out the plows, including Darth Blader and Snowdozer (named by local 4th graders) , if snow starts falling. We hope you enjoy the long holiday weekend and enjoy time with family and friends.
With temperatures dropping and snow in the forecast, the City would like to remind residents of snowplow routes, as well as the steps they can take to assist Public Works crews when winter weather strikes, and snowplows hit the streets. To understand the order in which streets are plowed, please see the 2021/2022 City of North Bend Snowplow Route Map, We added another plow to our fleet this year to improve efficiency in managing street treatment during snow events. Please note, according to policy, the City does NOT use anti-icer/de-icer on streets out of caution for the Snoqualmie aquifer (located directly beneath many City roads), drinking water quality, and potential adverse impact to public health. The sand used does have salt mixed within it, which expedites snow/ice thaw. Click linked headline for tips to ensure roads are cleared when plows are running.
The King County Office of Emergency Management has activated its Emergency News blog, which offers extensive information and resources related to the predicted, extended cold snap forecast for Western Washington. This website provides preparedness tips, travel and road condition info as well as locations of severe weather winter shelters. Click linked headline to visit King County Emergency News.
As a preventative measure to mitigate the spread of the highly contagious Delta and Omicron Covid-19 variants, North Bend City Hall is temporarily closed to the public. It is anticipated to reopen on February 1, 2022, but that target date may change depending on Covid-19 transmission and case rates in King County. City staff will monitor conditions and provide an update to the public in late January. City Hall remains open to staff, elected officials and approved contractors.
436th Ave SE Reopened
Crews were able to pave another portion of the new roundabout at the intersection of North Bend Way and 436th, allowing the small, closed section of 436th Ave SE to reopen. Work on the roundabout is ongoing, and the City thanks residents for their patience while this transportation improvement project continues.
After months of pandemic related delays, the City finally received a brand-new snowplow to add to its fleet. In honor of the new plow, the City enlisted the help of 4th graders at North Bend and Opstad Elementary schools to name its two largest plows. With dozens of creative name submissions, the City’s Public Works crew members then voted on their favorite names. The two names selected were Darth Blader and Snowdozer. Darth Blader was submitted by NBE 4th grader Jonah Schmidt from Mrs. Pynn’s class and Snowdozer was submitted by Mrs. Peretti’s 4th grade class at Opstad Elementary.
The City thanks all who entered the 2021 Light up North Bend contest for their creative and festive displays. Winners will receive a gift card to the North Bend business of their choice. [Note: the Residential, VMA Division was a tight race so the winner and runner-up both received gift cards.] Visit the City homepage for a downloadable map of all contest entries.
The 2021 Light up North Bend winners are:
- Residential, VMA Division Winner: The Duran Family, 14704 449th Ave SE
- Residential, VMA Division Runner-up: The Hansen Home, 485 SE 10th Street
- Residential, Hollywood Division Winner: The Repanich Home, 394 Merritt PL NE
- Residential, Griswold Division Winner: The Gambill Home, 14700 446th Ave SE
- Business, Hollywood Division Winner: Ole Cedar Mill Mini Storage, 44800 SE North Bend Way
- Business, Griswold Division: Pioneer Coffee, 202 W. North Bend Way
Keep up with the City on Social Media
One of the easiest ways to keep up with City happenings is to follow us on social media. We are active on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Stop by and become a City of North Bend follower today. You can also find the City on NextDoor HERE.
