Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How new bus routes will change your trips from Mercer Island.
Coming up on the Mercer Island Patch calendar: Tot Shabbat

Hello Mercer Island! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☀️
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In today's newsletter:
- How new bus routes will change your trips from Mercer Island.
- What might replace this $7.1 million Mercer Island church site?
- Police probe damage to 32 trees and other Island crime reports
Also on today's calendar: Not a Quiet Night and 8 more events.
Today's riddle: Do you know what the two sides of a circle are? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Thursday: A couple of afternoon showers, with a high of 65 and low of 52 degrees.
- Friday: Cloudy with showers around, temps: high: 61, low: 50.
- Saturday: Sunshine and some clouds, with a high of 66 and low of 46 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Bus route changes, improvements for University of Washington, college campus connections (kingcountymetro.blog) — New Metro routes 215 and 269 will soon give Mercer Island riders stronger all-week and peak connections to Eastside cities, North Bend, Snoqualmie and the University of Washington via the 2 Line station on the Island. With revised schedules taking effect ahead of UW's fall quarter, these changes aim to make commuting easier for students, workers, and residents who rely on transit across King County.
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2. Mercer Island church sold to homebuilder for $7.1 million (kentreporter.com) — A longtime Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints property at 4001 Island Crest Way on Mercer Island has been sold to local homebuilder-affiliated 4001 ICW LLC for $7.1 million. The 2.47-acre, R-9.6-zoned site offers a rare redevelopment opportunity in a prime Island location, though the buyer has not yet detailed specific plans for the land.
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3. Police investigating report of approximately 32 damaged trees (mi-reporter.com) — Mercer Island police recently handled a string of incidents, from digital fraud and warrant arrests to an assault case and a stolen vehicle recovered at the QFC parking lot. Officers are also investigating significant property damage after about 32 trees were reported harmed near Southeast 45th Street, with no suspects identified yet in that environmental vandalism.
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4. MIHS cross country squads are running strong this season (mi-reporter.com) — Mercer Island High School's boys and girls cross country teams are off to a standout season, with the girls ranked first and the boys fifth in the 3A state coaches poll. Young runners and veteran leaders are powering strong showings at KingCo meets, while coaches emphasize an inclusive, co-ed, no-cut program that builds friendships and resilience for Island students.
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5. MI murder suspects' pre-trial hearings continued to November (mi-reporter.com) — Pre-trial hearings for two defendants in the 2024 killing of Mercer Island resident Curtis Engeland have been pushed to November, with trial currently set for January 2027. Both suspects remain jailed on high bail as attorneys continue preparations, including new counsel and additional interviews, while prosecutors say repeated continuances are typical in complex murder cases.
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📸 Around Mercer Island
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Mercer Island
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Tot Shabbat →
The Stroum Jewish Community Center, 3801 E Mercer Way, Mercer Island
9:45 am
Friday September 25
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Not a Quiet Night →
Barrels, 7605 Southeast 27th Street, Suite 107, Mercer Island
6:00 pm - Family Story Time
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE, Mercer Island
11:15 am - Home Equity & Real Estate Workshop: Mercer Island →
Columbia Bank, Mercer Island - Ajolote Mixed Media Art Workshop
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE, Mercer Island
5:30 pm - Beginner Canasta Series →
The Stroum Jewish Community Center, 3801 E Mercer Way, Mercer Island
10:00 am - Film Screening: Ultimate Citizens
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE, Mercer Island
6:00 pm - 中文家庭故事会 / Mandarin Story Time
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE, Mercer Island
10:30 am - Washington Chapter: Mercer Island Masquerade →
The Rock, 7605 SE 27th St, Mercer Island
9:00 pm - Monthly Challah Bake →
The Stroum Jewish Community Center, 3801 E Mercer Way, Mercer Island
1:00 pm - Family Story Time
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE, Mercer Island
11:15 am
Friday September 25
Sunday September 27
Tuesday September 29
Wednesday September 30
Thursday October 1
Friday October 2
Sunday October 4
📣 Mercer Island Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- EARLY START Bellevue →
North Bellevue Community Center, 4063 148th Ave NE, Bellevue
10:00 am
Thursday September 24
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Mercer Island PatchAM possible:
- Eastside Tree Works — 2063969998
- Hardwood Plus LLC — 4259700562
- Crystal Carpet Cleaning & Restoration, Inc. — (425) 649-0908
- A&L Performance tuning — (503) 954-6985
- SD Framing — (425) 628-1326
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- LIDS Corporation posted a job opening for 8105 - Assistant Store Manager FT in Bellevue. Apply here.
- MyJobsCorner posted a job opening for Care Coordinator Jobs: Hiring Immediately! Full Time / Part Time - $20-$37/Hr in Seattle. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Mercer Island here.
Ok Mercer Island! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: The inside and the outside ! (Thank you James M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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