Year in Review - July

Blaze destroys historic building

A cloud of smoke hovered over the Lower Valley after a fire ravaged

two businesses in downtown Carnation. Officials said the fire that

destroyed Eldorado Stone and NAPA Auto Parts Store was ignited by a faulty

space heater.

The historic building was formerly the city's grange store.

`Golden Bear' opens TPC

World-class golf champion Jack Nicklaus made an appearance at

the newly opened TPC Snoqualmie Ridge golf course, which he designed.

Nicklaus played a round of golf while several hundred members

and media followed closely behind.

A professional golf tournament could be held at the Ridge as early

as 2001.

Sharp leaves CSSV

Joan Sharp, executive director of Children's Services of

Sno-Valley, accepted a position as project manager with the United Way of King County.

During her time with CSSV, Sharp oversaw the construction of the

new facility and the expansion to Duvall.

Hunter won't run again

Carnation mayor David Hunter announced that he would not run

for re-election in November. He said that increased responsibilities at work

and obligations to his family helped make his decision.

Hunter was appointed as mayor after former Mayor Jack Stein

stepped down in March 1998.

Cities consider sharing water

The cities of North Bend and Snoqualmie discussed the

possibility of sharing water resources.

The two water systems could be connected by a 2,500-foot line

between Reinig Road and 92nd Street. The intertie would still need the

approval of the state Department of Ecology.

Council allows adult biz

in downtown

The city of North Bend approved an ordinance keeping topless

bars, strip clubs and other adult entertainment only in the downtown

commercial district. That way, those businesses would not be allowed to

locate in a more attractive site in or around North Bend.

North Bend keeps pipeline ban

North Bend's ordinance prohibiting petroleum pipelines from the

city limits remained unchallenged as the Olympic Pipe Line Co. backed

off from a legal fight.

The Central Puget Sound Growth Management Hearings Board,

which was asked by Olympic to review the ordinance, ordered the petition

dismissed with prejudice, meaning Olympic cannot resubmit the

challenge.

Farmer fears annexation

Ewing Stringfellow, owner of the Middle Fork S Ranch in North

Bend, said he was worried about the city's plans to annex an adjacent

property into North Bend which would eventually lead to hundreds of new

houses and apartments.

Stringfellow said the smells and sounds of a working farm

wouldn't mix with dense residential development.

Snoqualmie

to add firing range

The Snoqualmie City Council sought bids for a firing range for

the Snoqualmie Police Department that would cost approximately $190,000.

Officials said the range would eventually pay for itself

because Snoqualmie officers currently use a range in Bellevue about four times

a year, which costs $300-$500 each time to rent. The department also pays

for travel and overtime.

Prosecutors seek death penalty

Dressed in a red jail uniform, Dayva Cross was reluctantly

wheeled into court to hear that prosecutors wanted to seek the death

penalty against him.

When the public defender tried to hand Cross a copy of the

document, Cross refused to accept it and instead muttered obscenities to the judge

and prosecutor.

Duvall bank robbed

Thomas Scott Kriehn of Edmonds allegedly robbed the Duvall

Seafirst bank, police said. The man ran out of the bank, but police canvassed the

area and were able to locate Kriehn and the money.

Man defends tree

Snoqualmie resident Ray Hartzell became alarmed after he thought

the city was going to remove a big leaf maple tree near Mount Si High's

football field.

City officials said the tree would be spared from the city's

$585,000 road and sidewalk project.

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