Carnation becomes passport acceptance agency
The city of Carnation has opened a U.S. Passport Acceptance Facility at city hall.
Passport Acceptance Facilities are local government offices that accept passport applications on behalf of the U.S. Department of State. Anyone can now visit Carnation City Hall to apply for a passport, no appointment required.
Carnation can process DS-11 applications, which are for children’s passports, first-time adult applications and certain special renewals. DS-82 renewals, or adult standard renewals, are handled via mail and do not require an in-person appointment.
Revenue generated through the program supports city operations like the Carnation Cares Grant Program, which funds nonprofit services such as providing meals for school children and seniors.
“In addition to revenue, one of the city’s primary goals is to foster economic development in the downtown core,” a news release said. “During the pilot phase of the passport program, Carnation business owners saw an uptick in patronage.”
Visit carnationwa.gov/passports for information on pricing and hours of operation.
Sarah Perry secures $2M for Valley in new county budget
King County Council has approved a $20 million budget for 2026-27, and it includes more than $2.8 million in District 3 investments, $2 million of which are in the Snoqualmie Valley.
King County Councilmember Sarah Perry represents District 3, which includes all of the Snoqualmie Valley. She is a member of the council’s Budget Leadership Team and secured funds for 13 different organizations, including several in the Valley.
Valley investments include:
• $1 million to Snoqualmie Valley Hospital to support critical infrastructure and mobility options, increasing access to rural health care in District 3.
• $500,000 to Snoqualmie Valley Food Bank.
• $150,000 to First Light Farm in Carnation.
• $100,000 to Reclaim (formerly Snoqualmie Valley Shelter).
• $100,000 to YMCA of Snoqualmie Valley for health and wellness programs for youth.
• $100,000 to Trail Youth Coffee for youth workforce development and health programs.
• $50,000 to SnoValley Pride.
“We secured important investments in our 2026-2027 budget to improve rural health care access in our district specifically, support our local food banks, maintain resources for our youth and seniors and more,” Perry said in a news release. “These conscientious investments support and sustain the needs of our residents throughout our cities, towns and unincorporated areas, ensuring all of our community members can thrive.”
Local organizations receive historic preservation grants
Two organizations important to the Snoqualmie Valley have received 2026 Valerie Sivinski Fund grants from the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation.
The Northwest Railway Museum and the Mountains to Sound Greenway trust were on a list of 13 organizations and community groups awarded grants in December for historic preservation projects.
The Northwest Railway Museum, which has properties in Snoqualmie and North Bend, received a grant “in support of an in-person preservation field school using the octagonal cupola windows of the historic Snoqualmie Depot as a teaching example,” a news release said.
Its grant was “in support of restoring the Thorp Mountain Lookout, a historic, gable-roofed L-4 cab lookout built in 1930 on the western side of the Teanaway Community Forest in the Cascades.” Teanaway Community Forest is outside Cle Elum.
Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust endeavors to conserve the Mountains to Sound Greenway National Heritage Area. The area spans from Ellensburg to Puget Sound, mainly through the Cascades, including the greater Seattle area, Middle Fork Snoqualmie Valley, Snoqualmie River Valley and Upper Yakima Basin.
The Valerie Sivinski Fund is named in honor of a “beloved former board member of the Washington Trust who served as president in the early 1990s,” the news release said. More than $35,000 was awarded across the 13 recipients.
Si View parks honors founding member of commission
Commissioner Mark Joselyn is stepping away from the Si View Metro Parks Commission after two decades of service.
Joselyn was a founding member of the commission in 2003. A news release said he has played a pivotal role in shaping the district as it has developed.
“Commissioner Joselyn’s leadership has been defined by his unwavering commitment to collaboration, inclusivity and community well-being,” the release states. “His ability to listen to diverse perspectives and foster unity has been instrumental in achieving shared goals and building a stronger, more connected community.”
The five-person Board of Commissioners is elected by the community to govern Si View Metro Parks, a public agency that manages nearly 900 acres of parks in North Bend and the Snoqualmie Valley.
Joselyn also serves as a North Bend City Council member, currently in position 6.
Mount Si seniors recognized for community service
Snoqualmie Valley Rotary recently honored six seniors at Mount Si High School that the organization chose as students of the semester.
The students — Lauren Blad, Carter Cantrell, Samantha Kingrey, Luke Oddleifson, Abigail Rowland and Kenahdie Wilkins — were chosen for their outstanding community service. Each of them volunteer their time around school, in the community or both.
“Nominated by Mount Si staff, these Wildcats exemplify Rotary’s guiding principle of ‘Service Above Self,’” said the Snoqualmie Valley School District Facebook page.
