Hi I need to leave to Snoqualmie in the morning for an appointment at 7:30am, would you think the drive there could be icy? I have 2 toddlers I’m taking with me and don’t want to risk any slippery roads. Should I reschedule? Or will the roads be okay?

Despite the cold we still have a variety of birds down at the beach! Not sure if this is a visitor or resident but a welcomed sight nonetheless

Hi Renton! Here's your latest local update. Thank you for the support! For more check out Seastside.

News:

• Renton Education Association Pushes for More Funding Amid $15M Budget Cuts: The Renton Education Association (REA) is advocating for increased state funding while negotiating systemic changes with the local school board as the Renton School District faces a 5% budget cut, totaling $15 million. The REA, representing 1,100 educators, is fighting for smaller class sizes, mental health resources, and workload relief. Many teachers fear job losses, and students face disrupted learning due to the district’s trimester schedule, which has raised concerns over pacing and student-teacher relationships. The REA is urging lawmakers to address Washington’s outdated school funding model during the state’s legislative session, which runs through April 27.(info)
• Mayor Armondo Pavone Elected Vice President of Sound Cities Association Board: Renton Mayor Armondo Pavone has been elected as Vice President of the Sound Cities Association (SCA) Board of Directors for 2025. Representing 38 King County cities, SCA provides a regional voice for over one million residents. Des Moines Mayor Traci Buxton, SCA’s newly elected President, praised Pavone’s leadership and collaboration. Pavone, serving his second mayoral term, was first elected to the SCA Board in 2023 and has been actively involved in regional planning efforts, including the Puget Sound Regional Council.(info)
• Renton Man Killed While Confronting Car Thief:A 35-year-old Renton man was shot and killed early Saturday morning after attempting to stop a suspect from stealing his car near South 27th Place and Benson. The victim grabbed the driver’s side window as the suspect drove off, dragging and fatally shooting him. Police later found the stolen 2019 Kia Sorento but have not yet apprehended the suspect. Authorities report at least five car prowls in the area that night and believe multiple suspects are involved. Residents along Benson Road are urged to check security footage from 3:15 to 7:30 a.m. and report any leads to Sergeant Judd.(info)
• Renton Man Credits Dog for Saving His Life After Hit-and-Run: A Renton man is recovering at Harborview Medical Center after a hit-and-run driver struck him while he was walking his dog, Esco, near Talbot Road South and 51st Court on Jan. 24. Despite being injured, Esco ran home alone—nearly a mile—to alert the family, leading to a timely rescue. Richard Sanchez, the victim, suffered severe leg injuries, while Esco is also recovering with pain medication. The Sanchez family, who recently lost their son, is grateful for Esco’s heroism. Renton Police are seeking any dashcam footage or witness reports, particularly of a car with a small sunroof and potential front-end damage. If you have information, please contact Renton Police.(info)

Events:

• Moonlight Masquerade Winter Family Dance on February 7th at 6pm.(info)
• Bingo! Teen edition at Highlands Neighborhood Center on February 7th at 6:30pm.(info)
• Annual Black History Month Educational Forum on February 8th.
• Be My Valentine Disco Dance on February 13th.(info)

I need to go to work by SEATAC this afternoon via the 405. I live east of 405 in the Highlands and I normally get on at Exit 4, taking that steep, curving hill down on 3rd Street that passes under the highway. Alternately, I can get on it at Exit 5.

How're the conditions out there? Any recommendations?

Background; I'm a recent transplant in a FWD SUV with only a little bit of snow driving experience. (I did put all-weather tires on there.) I just drove around the neighborhood a bit to get a feel, but we don't have hills in our immediate area.

I've seen in a few local groups posts looking for businesses to boycott. I'm hoping to start a place for listing businesses to support.

I don’t get out much because of my joints it was pretty cold outside so apologies for the slight blurriness of my photos. But I’m quite fond of Bird Island and the boardwalk. I really appreciate that our city has a space like this. What a joy to be alive and see the sunset once again! Can’t seem to post more than one for some reason so I suppose I’ll save my duck photos for later

Vote YES for the Issaquah School District February Bond

Neighbors, the February 11, 2025, Issaquah School District bond is a direct response to community feedback, prioritizing the most urgent school needs without increasing the current tax rate. After the November bond measure didn’t pass, the district listened to voters and significantly reduced the bond by 63%, focusing only on the most critical improvements:

✅ Safety & Security Upgrades – Enhancing fire systems, security measures, and entry access at all schools to better protect students and staff.

✅ Targeted Overcrowding Relief – Constructing a new high school, a project previously approved by voters, to ensure students have the space they need to learn effectively.

✅ Financial Responsibility & Oversight – The Capital Projects Oversight Committee—made up of community volunteers—will monitor how every dollar is spent, ensuring full transparency and accountability.

Why This Matters

Some argue that the district should focus on different priorities, but safe, well-maintained schools are essential for student success.

➡️ This bond does NOT raise the current tax rate. It maintains funding at the same level while addressing critical facility needs.

➡️ This bond is based on YOUR feedback. The district heard concerns about cost and scaled this bond down to the essentials.

➡️ Investing in schools BENEFITS the entire community. Well-maintained schools strengthen property values, attract great educators, and support student achievement.

A YES vote means safer, less crowded schools with strong community oversight—all without increasing taxes. Let’s invest in our schools and our community.

Ballots are due February 11—please vote YES!

I live up on Benson Hill and last night I thought for a minute we were being invaded, as a helicopter passed by 3 times, very low and extremely loud. I assumed maybe a Trauma flight from Valley to Harborview, but ruled that out after they buzzed our place 3 times. The helicopters were almost all white with no readable markings, with blue and white lights. They were so loud it was alarming. Now tonight they are going again. Another 3 passes by the house. My son half jokingly suggested that is a massive squad of ICE agents being flown into town to conduct raids on illegals...I really hope that's not the case.
But it is very unsettling to see this almost military type activity with the current political state of the country and the transition of power.
Maybe I'm being paranoid, but I wish I knew what the heck those things are. Has anybody heard anything? Surely others have noticed them.

I have some nicer women's clothing that I'd prefer to give to an organization that distributes directly to people who need it at no cost to them, rather than to Goodwill so someone can buy and resale it. I'm an avid thrifter for my own needs, so no shade, but thrift stores are getting so expensive that people who genuinely need decent clothes can't afford to thrift.

I'm hoping for somewhere local to Renton/South King County.

Its my birthday soon and I Need to get my License renewed on or before that date. I have not had to do a renewal since pre covid, would people recommend the Renton DMV for this still or maybe should I find one that might be quicker or anything else?

Just looking for recommendations I suppose :)

My boyfriend and I are currently living in Capitol Hill and are looking to move to the Renton area. He works 4/5 days from home with his office in downtown Seattle and I will be commuting one day a week down to the Tacoma area for class. We’re not too concerned about commuting as long as we’re 20ish minutes or less from a transit station or light rail. Our budget is about $2,200 maximum and we’ve already toured Grant (which technically has a Seattle address), The Windsor, Pebble Cove, and Regency Woods. We also were looking to tour Crown Pointe, Hilltop in the Highlands, and Woodcliffe. We have a bunch saved on Zillow to potentially tour that fit our needs but any insight from current/ past residents in the area would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Anybody know what’s going on?

I live in Benson Hill, and there have been, what sounds like firecrackers, going of here for at least 2 minutes now.

What's the chance sometime here might know is up?

We have an office chair that we need to get rid of. It’s in pretty bad shape. When we reached out to Waste Management, they quoted us $170.

Anyone know of a place that we can dispose of it? Thanks in advance!

Sorry for the late weekly update!! Here are some news and events I found from Renton this week. Let me know if I missed anything and you can find more at Seastside if you enjoy these updates :)

News:

- Renton Awarded $157,700 Grant to Transition to Electric Maintenance Equipment: Renton’s Public Works Department received $157,700 from the Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) to replace some gas-powered maintenance equipment with battery-electric alternatives. This transition aligns with the city’s mission to provide a safe and vibrant community while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving air quality for workers and residents, and fostering a healthier work environment. Renton is one of 344 communities nationwide to receive this grant, marking a significant step toward more sustainable city operations. (info)

- 60+ Cars Burglarized in Renton During Overnight Spree: Renton police are investigating an overnight rash of break-ins that targeted over 60 cars across eight locations, including area hotels, Top Golf, Boeing parking lots, and an apartment complex. The incidents occurred on Jan. 24-25, with a crew of three or four suspects reportedly responsible. Stolen items included valuables and firearms, making the suspects potentially armed and dangerous. Police are gathering evidence and urging the public to secure valuables and report any additional incidents at 253-852-2121. (info)

Events:

- Startup and Small Business Coworking on January 31st. (info)

- Winter lights at Piazza Park and downtown, 233 Burnett Ave. S., from 5 – 10 p.m as well as Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park, 1201 Lake Washington Blvd. N. from 5 – 9 p.m. Both are through February 28th. (info)

- Moonlight Masquerade Winter Family Dance on February 7 from 6 - 8 pm. (info)

- Bingo Teen Night on February 7th from 6:30pm - 9pm. (info)

Xfinity is throttling the shit out of my internet here does anybody that lives here have verizon home internet? I use discord a lot and foundry VTT so I'd like to actuallly be able to play fucking D&D without contantly disconnecting.

I will be voting absolutely NO. I would like to say I consider myself a progressive that lives nowhere near this high school since members of the board and some on other posts I have seen want to characterize people who oppose the bond as conservatives or "nimby elites" or villainize a retirement community.

So to be clear, I am a 20 year Sammamish resident who once upon a time was a PTA president, vice president, secretary, and 10+ year room mom who supported school districts including ISD with a fervor. Sadly I can't any more.

I, and many friends in Sammamish, OPPOSE this bond for taxing people out of their homes, for the loss of forests, biodiversity, and wildlife habitat being ripped out alone, as well as endangering our two major egress community that already fails emergency evacuation protocols. Now add bussing or teen drivers with another 700+ more kids coming from Highlands and beyond? I fear looming disaster.

Many also believe the progressive viewpoint is reflected in our vehement No!

We don't think it's progressive to push out the elderly, retired, disabled, and economically disadvantaged through onerous bonds and leave a monoculture of economic advantage in our district.

We think having a diversity of economic backgrounds enriches our schools and our students. These bonds do not further that agenda.

They give us bougie 400 million dollar schools, with the emphasis on absurdly wasteful football stadiums, because it seems in the minds of the board, having kids wait a few minutes in a lunch line, picnic on the floor, have a choice school without a football field dominating it, or taking a class period in a portable is calamitous and takes priority, apparently, above roofs over heads.

This emphasis on bonds puts the wants of the HAVES over the capacity of the HAVE-NOTS to pay, and we are literally pushing them out of our communities or forcing them to choose between daycare, taxes, rent/mortgage, or food.

Not very progressive at all if you ask me.

When did making sure our kids have shiny new laptops every year paid for by levies (rather than us--with a PTA fund for those who cannot afford) and soaring three story atriums paid for by never ending bonds, take precedent over the social welfare of elderly people being able to stay in their homes and live peacefully in them?

When did the inconvenience of our kids standing in line five extra minutes while chatting with ones friends for a hot lunch instead of packing a brown bag lunch or being in a portable for a period, trump financially disadvantaged families being able to squeak by in their rent to get to a good school district like ours?

Does that extra few minutes in line merit that maybe that family might next year be forced out when their landlord passes the new bonds and levy taxes assessed on to them in their new lease?

Can you tell me how progressive is that?

Can you tell me how progressive is it to rip out forests and pollute the stream that the threatened Kokanee salmon swim in at the new HS site? Have you seen how they plan to clear cut? Then AstroTurf this bio-diverse old growth forest burgeoning with the wildlife and beauty that lured us to live here instead of Bellevue?

How is turning that area from bio-diverse forest into concrete heat zone help our kids' future with climate change?

Let's get back to that danger presented to the community of Sammamish with adding yet another school to 228th that is already gridlocked at 3pm every day when four schools let out on 228ths.... and during bomb cyclones. Imagine now Paradise or Palisades level 🔥 for those kids' futures.

We already know our infrastructure is not insufficient for the development we have now. Add a town center with a threatened 10 story building height and now 4k living units? Now this high school with another 700+ plus kids being driven in from other communities on a one lane windy road which is our life line out in case of emergency? We are a spark disaster away...

This location was poor judgment from the start.

The fact is this comes back to the board. They do not want to accept NO for an answer for :

1. The poor HS site
2. For using traditional ideas for high schools
3. Using ENDLESS bonds and levies to pay for them.

They won't think outside the box.

They are reluctant to consider smaller Telsa schools without stadiums. They say a 9th grade campus won't work when it has in the past. They haven't looked at ideas like multi-shift lunch periods or year round/four quarter school systems where at any given time 25% percent of the school is on break which immediately reduces overcrowding. They are unhappy shifting down grades so 6th goes back to elementary and 9th goes to junior high, where there is space.

They need to think creatively to accommodate enrollment bubbles, rather than build then shut down like Bellevue has done. They could even allow Bellevue to have some of their district back since enrollment is down in Bellevue and we are so "overcrowded?"

Win, win.

We don't tax people out of their homes and Bellevue doesn't have to shut down schools they just spent millions to build.

Or better yet, heck the ISD board could give up their district building and work from home.

Yes, let's take that half empty, fancy new building they used $38 million bond funds meant for the new HS and turn it into a choice Tesla-style HS. We would't need stadiums, soaring 3 story atriums, or even cafeterias.

The waitlist for it would be years long.

They need to prioritize. We need education.

Pack a lunch and provide a box lunch for those that need one. Stop wasting money on cafeterias and sports fields. They keep pushing 40 acre traditional schools that need massive land, huge stadiums and what 400+ million with interest and overrun?? With declining enrollment?

Instead they cook the numbers to convince us all about overcrowding, villainize Sammamish residents that disagree, and try to convince us they are soooo overcrowded in their campaign literature by:

1. Using 95%, not 100% capacity.

2. By NOT using portables to compute capacity?

3. By counting Running Start students that are mostly at Bellevue College in their headcount?

4. By comparing us to 3A Bellevue/Interlake HS with declining enrollments when we have for the last 20 years been a 4A district like high performing, national renowned schools like Newport HS or MT. Si. which are in the 2k or more range?

This is why we don't trust them. They refuse to listen.

It's also telling that they have a developer as an endorsement and only one PTA (Liberty) on VIS to endorse. Back in my days on PTA Boards, we always endorsed bonds. It tells you how very divisive and polarizing this board is and it's actions have become.

Meanwhile they play games by allowing only one person to write the con side of the voter pamphlet and three to write the pro side to give the perception that there are more on the pro side when there were plentiful applicants on both sides who wanted to write.

Pretty dirty politics and we see right through it

These are only some of the many reasons I will be voting No.

And yet? They already have a levy planned for the ballot in April if we say no to this too.They seem to forget they represent us and serve us as constituents.

They keep saying in meetings they need to educate us like we are recalcitrant children rather than understand we voted them in and can vote them out if they choose not to listen.

We no longer trust them. The bait and switch tactic along with the divisive campaigning has left a bitter taste in the mouths of voters. They have not earned our trust back and won't by continuing the same.

Everyone please pay close attention to their careful wording that they estimate the tax rate will stay the same, then have their campaign mouthpieces go out and chorus in unison in comments for them that taxes will "stay the same."

This is voter manipulation at its finest.

Have no doubt! This will tax the elderly, retirees, economically disadvantaged, and financially precarious families in danger of tech layoffs straight out of our school districts.

Again already onerous taxes will be passed on to renters too.

They simply are out of touch and refuse to listen to their constituents. This, of all times, is not the time to tax more or even maintain our already HEAVY taxes when people are hurting.

They just aren't listening to and representing all of their constituents. They serve us.

They need to live within their means. They need to live within OUR means.

My vote will be NO! Absolutely not.

Hi everyone, moving soon so need to rehome many items Sofa, Tv,Tv Console, Accent Chairs, lamps, plants,coffee table, Bed with side tables, Chest of Drawers, Height adjustable desk , office chairs .

To the brown skin guy with short hair in Black that was at pho Asia noodle around 11pm tonight also eating alone…and who I made awkward eye contact with a few times. I wish I said hi and told him he was cute. 😫 I hate being shy cause then I regret not shooting my shot oh well hope I see him again 👉🏽👈🏽

I'm looking to move to the Seattle area in early march, and I’ve been apartment searching for a few months. I’ve been looking in Bellevue mostly, but the prices are not really affordable.

I’ve been warned to probably stay away from Renton, but the prices are better there and there seems to be some safe areas here and there. I found an apartment I’m interested in but can’t find too much info online for it. Altitude apartments situated near downtown Renton and the edge of Talbot hill.

Safety is the number one priority, but would love any insights from locals on the area and any thoughts :) Thanks!

Hi, my husband is getting transferred to seatac airport. we’re moving from portland.. this seems like the best area to move to that’s close enough to his job but not in the city. any feedback or recommendations? has anyone lived here before? Coming from Beaverton this seemed the most comparable cost and neighborhood wise. just based on google lol thanks in advance

I'm looking for a salon that has people that know how to work with fine hair. The hair cuts I've gotten have been ok but I never feel like they know what to do with my hair.

I've been hearing helicopters flying over downtown all day. Anyone know what's going on?

I just wanted to let everyone who might be looking for Kelly K from Weldon Barber know that she has opened up her own shop in the Sola Salons above Ben & Jerry's in the Issaquah Highlands 💈✂️ You can book online at: Cedarandblade.glossgenius.com

https://washington.comcast.com/2025/01/21/vandalism-causes-comcast-service-interruption-in-parts-of-south-king-county/

If you know anything about living in that community, please share your thoughts. Looking at a place to buy there. Thx!