Former Mayors to Address City Council on I-90 and Tolling Feb. 2

Mercer Island City Council will meet with former mayors of Mercer Island to discuss the history of I-90 and WSDOT's proposal to study tolling of I-90, among other topics. The public is invited to observe and listen, but not comment.

Sacramento Lines Up Investors to Buy Kings

Sacramento investors plan to make a counter-offer to buy the Sacramento Kings from the Maloof brothers.

Council Considers Downtown Zoning Changes on Mercer Island: City Council Live Blog

Keep up with the latest City Council developments on Mercer Island Patch.

Volunteers Graduate From City-Sponsored CERT Program

Graduating from a 10-week program, CERT members volunteers are trained to support the efforts of Mercer Island's first responders in the event of a major earthquake or another catastrophic disaster.

Public Input Sought for Luther Burbank Park Playground Redesign

Two meetings on Feb. 5 & 19 at the the Mercer Island Community & Event Center will discuss and brainstorm on designs for a new playground at Luther Burbank Park, near the tennis courts.

Metro Proposes Service Cuts in I-90 Corridor to Improve Speed, Overcrowding

Changes include eliminating Route 216 service to Mercer Island Park & Ride, cutting South Bellevue Park & Ride from Route 211, and adding a stop to the Eastgate Freeway Station to Route 210.

Comcast Opens XFINITY Store in Factoria

The new customer service store is open 7-days-a-week for cable service, upgrades and 3D TV.

PSE Grants City $30K for Green Power Solar Project

Mercer Island PTAs were also awarded over $2,000 from Puget Sound Energy's Green Power Challenge.

King County Officials Warn of Flu Outbreaks at Long-Term Care Facilities

Influenza cases have sharply increased at nursing homes and other long-term care facilities in our area during the first two weeks of 2013.

City Manager Rich Conrad to Retire at End of the Year

The city's head administrator has worked at City Hall for nearly 35 years.

New Posters Target Teen Marijuana Use

The city-sponsored Mercer Island Communities That Care Coalition (CTC) is increasing its focus on preventing underage use of marijuana after the passage of Initiative 502 in November.

Seahawks Send-Off Rally Set for Friday in Renton

Join Blitz and the Sea Gals Friday afternoon for a barbecue and Seahawks send-off party at Renton City Hall.

City Council I-90 Tolling LiveBlog

Approximately 100 citizens and representatives are at City Hall for City Council's Jan. 7 meeting on a presentation by WSDOT possible I-90 tolling between I-405 and I-5.

VIDEO: King County Executive Makes Friendly Wager on Seahawks Game

Dow Constantine and Prince George's County (Md.) Executive Rushern L. Baker III have agreed to wear the opposing team's jersey in public if their team is not victorious Sunday.

Mercer Island Thrift Shop to Open on Sundays

Residents have requested extended hours at the Mercer Island Thrift Shop for a number of years, say officials.

Smith Opposes Bipartisan ‘Fiscal Cliff’ Deal

Congressman Adam Smith, who voted against the 'Fiscal Cliff' deal, said it delayed addressing fundamental choices we face will only make matters worse. The U.S. House passed the legislation, 257-167.

WSDOT Schedules I-90 Tolling Meetings in January

State engineers seek public input to design and scope an environmental assessment study of tolling the Interstate 90 corridor between I-5 and I-405.

Fiscal Cliff: Most Mercer Island Families Will Pay $7,830 More With No Agreement

Mercer Island will pay more than most if no compromise is reached and rates increase; President, Congress have just a few days to avert automatic tax increases and spending cuts.

WSDOT Says I-90 Tolling Could Start as Soon as 2015

State transportation officials will seek public input in 2013. An environmental study and legislative approval would be needed for any tolls on the I-90 bridge.

Eight-Cent Gas Tax Hike Proposed by King County Executive

Dow Constantine and the Sound Cities Association, formerly known as the Suburban Cities Association, are asking the state legislature to help "solve our statewide transportation crisis."

Carbon Monoxide Detectors, Minimum Wage and Other New Laws Ahead for 2013

Here’s a sampling of new laws, rules and other government changes that kick in with the new year.

Community Center Closes Temporarily for Annual Maintenance

The MICEC will close until after Christmas for resurfacing the community center's gym floors, cleaning carpets and other annual repairs. It will operate under limited hours and limited services until Jan. 2.

Help Mercer Island 'TimeBank': City Seeks Volunteers

The city-sponsored program seeks a part-time volunteer coordinator for its "TimeBank", a community exchange between residents and organizations where time is the principal currency.

Public Comments Wanted on New Airport Mapping Tool

The Washington State Department of Transportation designed the Airport Mapping Application with a goal of making the airport and land-use compatibility decision making process easier.

Mercer Island Garbage Pickup Rescheduled For Chirstmas, New Year's Day

Republic Services (also known locally as Allied Waste), will not collect garbage, recycling and yard waste from its Puget Sound-area customers on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1, 2013.

City Hopes Donations Will 'Pave' Way to New Playground Equipment

Much of Luther Burbank Park's aging play equipment needs to be replaced, say local officials, and they're offering to install a path of personalized bricks to honor donors who help fund the project.

State Superintendent Issues Statement on Marijuana

State Superintendent Randy Dorn says passage of I-502 changes nothing in public schools in Washington state, where marijuana remains illegal to anyone under 21 years old.

Litzow Named Education Committee Chair Amidst State Senate 'Coup' in Olympia

Sen. Steve Litzow (R-Mercer Island) and several other State Senate Republicans were named to leadership positions on Monday after Sen. Rodney Tom (D-Bellevue) and Tim Sheldon (D-Potlatch) decided to caucus with Republicans.

US Attorney Says Over $41M Collected for Victims in 2012

An additional $15 million was forfeited to the U.S. to benefit victims and taxpayers.

Mercer Island Thrift Shop Seeks Volunteers

The city is seeking new volunteers to maintain staffing levels at the Mercer Island Thrift Shop, a primary funding source for Mercer Island Youth and Family Services.

How did Mercer Island Vote in the 2012 Election?

Islanders overwhelmingly supported re-electing President Barack Obama, marijuana legalization and gay marriage, and Ok'ed charter schools and a Tim Eyman tax initiative by a narrower margin.

Severe Flu Season Predicted: Are You Vaccinated?

Influenza activity is increasing across the country, so here's where you can get vaccinated on Mercer Island.

City Council Approves Debt Consolidation, Biennial Budget: City Council Live Blog

Get the latest updates from Mercer Island City Council on Mercer Island Patch.

City Council to Approve 2013-2014 Budget Tonight

City Council will meet in council chambers inside City Hall at 7 p.m. for its regularly-scheduled meeting to approve the city's biennial budget and other items of business.

Peanut Butter Plant to Trader Joe's, Whole Foods Shut by FDA

The Sunland Inc. plant that distributes products to Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, Sprouts, Target, Safeway and others is linked to Salmonella contamination that made at least 41 people ill in 20 states.

Mercer Island General Election Turnout 87.3 Percent

King County Elections officials tallied 15,261 votes from Mercer Island as it certified the final results from the 2012 General Election. Countywide, 978,377 (83.58 percent) of registered voters cast valid ballots in the general election.

Letter: Put Extra Money into Fire Equipment Savings Fund

Joy Matsuura writes about her concerns over Mercer Island's city spending priorities.

City Approves Taxes and Fee Increases, Cuts Projects in 2013, 2014

City Council increased the typical Mercer Island homeowner's taxes by $74.54 in 2013 and $91.51 in 2014 in taxes and fees — not including a voter-approved annual tax increase of $60.20 for the Fire Station/Truck levy.

Town Center Parking Analysis, City Budget: City Council Live Blog

Keep up with the latest City Council developments on Mercer Island Patch.

Pot Still Illegal Until Dec. 6, Says City Hall

Passage of Initiative 502 will legalize possession of small amounts of marijuana. Mercer Island City Attorney Katie Knight said police will follow current state law regulating the possession of marijuana.