A Peek Back in Time: Living Snoqualmie Top 12 Stories of 2012

Here’s a look at the 2012 Top 12 “Most Clicked-On” Living Snoqualmie stories, according to online traffic.

With a year marked by some tragic and chaotic events in the Valley, including ice storms, hiking accidents, plane crashes, an end-of-the-world bunker and man hunt on Rattlesnake Ridge, it’s no surprise that many of the most-read 12 stories stemmed from these local events.

Not all of the most-read stories dealt with the weather and tragedy, though, and some stories about big valley events were in the top 20 – just not top 12.

The senior snow prank at Mount Si High School made the list, as well as the latest middle school boundary change and the Issaquah Trader Joe’s (sometimes controversial) move across I-90.  Just click on a title to read the full story.

Living Snoqualmie wishes you a Happy New Year – and a safe New Year’s Eve.  Thank you for reading. Welcome 2013!

1) Ice Storm Knocks Out Snoqualmie Power; Snoqualmie Parkway Closed by Downed Power Line

Most of Snoqualmie is without power at this hour due to today’s ice storm.  Puget Sound Energy says the outages are widespread in our region, mostly due to downed, ice-covered trees.  Due to the sheer size of the outages, it might be awhile before power is restored.

2) Tragic Hiking Accident Near North Bend; Two Federal Way Teens Die After Fall

Snoqualmie Valley residents may hear low-flying helicopters this morning as there was another tragic hiking accident in the area yesterday. The King County Sheriff’s Office is reporting this morning that two teenage hikers died yesterday near the Taylor River hiking area, about 9 miles past Middle Fork near North Bend.

3) Snoqualmie Monday Morning Giggles: Mount Si High School Senior Prank

Monday mornings are hard.  I am always tired as we start a new school week.  Pulling into the MSHS parking lot early this morning got me laughing, though.  It looks like the class of 2012 made some practical joke use out of the remnants of last week’s snow storm.

4) Snoqualmie Power Outage Update; Road Closure Update – January 20th

Still no good news to report, Snoqualmie Valley.  This morning PSE spokesman, Andy Wappler, said many PSE customers could be without power “well into the weekend.”  With daylight today, PSE is hoping to get a full assessment of all damage.  They could not fly helicopters in yesterday’s weather to assess remote locations where many high transmission power lines stand.

5) Snoqualmie Valley Power Outage Update – Saturday, January 21st

Wow.  Absence does make the heart grow fonder.  As we enter day three without power, here is your daily update Snoqualmie.  New updates will again be added as the day progresses. Puget Sound Energy says as of 6AM, Saturday, 1/21, approximately 205,000 customers are still without power.

6) Approach Storm Could Bring Strongest Winds of Year, Possible Blizzard Conditions For Snoqualmie Pass

There’s a strong storm heading toward Western Washington.  Where it tracks as it makes landfall is critical for predicting damaging winds in our area. Snoqualmie Valley residents are used to wind.  Needless to say, it takes big wind events to catch many locals attention.

7) Snoqualmie Valley Ice Storm Aftermath on Highways 18 & 202 Through Pictures

There is a reason Highways 18 and 202 were closed during yesterday’s powerful ice storm.  Check out these storm damage photos courtesy of my friends at Komo News.  If your power is out, you can watch their live newscast on your smart phone here.   A reader reports that Puget Sound Energy is telling North Bend residents to expect NO power for another 2 – 3 days.

8) New Middle School Boundary Lines to be Drawn Through Snoqualmie; Five Options Identified

Snoqualmie Middle School (SMS) will close at the end of this school year and be converted into Mount Si High School’s Freshman Campus in the fall of 2013. In order to make that a reality, current Snoqulamie Middle School students need to be relocated to either Chief Kanim or Twin Falls Middle School.

9) Trader Joe’s Moving to New Issaquah Location, Possibly Providing Easier Access to Snoqualmie Valley Shoppers

For Snoqualmie Valley shoppers who travel to Issaquah to shop at Trader Joe’s, life may become a little easier later this year.  That’s because Trader Joe’s will be relocating their current Pickering Place Issaquah location to a new, larger spot in the Issaquah Commons, on the south side of I-90, near Target.

10) North Bend Chase Band Victim of Armed Take-Over Style Robbery

From North Bend Police Chief, Mark Toner: On Friday, July 6th,  the North Bend Chase Bank was robbed at gunpoint.  The White Male suspect was described as 5’10 – 6’0 tall, heavy build, with dark hair

11) Mount Si High School – There Are No Words…

I sit at my desk stunned and saddened.  My heart aching for a family I do not know and for our community’s high school kids who have been through so much.  Losing someone so young is unfair.  It’s a tragedy.

12) Six Juveniles Captured After Assault, Escape at Snoqualmie Echo Glen Facility

This in from the King County Sheriff’s Office.  Many of you asked about the low-flying helicopters last night. Six high risk juvenile offenders were captured early this morning, September 23rd,  after they assaulted a staff member and escaped from Echo Glen Children’s Center in Snoqualmie.