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Kirkland residents express safety concerns over a planned homeless hotel, citing a surge in crime linked to a similar facility in Bellevue. King County aims to convert the La Quinta Inn into homeless housing operated by Plymouth Housing, which has faced criticism from locals fearing increased crime, especially near schools.
Bellevue City Council discussed the Wilburton Transit-Oriented Development land use code amendment and introduced the Safe Speeds Bellevue program to improve street safety. The program aims to reduce speed limits on streets with current limits of 30 mph or more, where nearly 90% of serious crashes occur. Council action on these initiatives will occur in future meetings.
Public health officials confirmed a sixth measles case in Washington involving a King County adult who was infectious at Seattle-Tacoma Airport and Overlake Medical Center. The individual's vaccination status is unknown, and they likely contracted the virus during international travel. Authorities urge those who may have been exposed to verify their vaccination status and consult healthcare providers if symptoms arise.
Bellevue voters express confidence in the city's direction while prioritizing affordability, safety, and smart growth, according to the 2025 VIBe Survey. Conducted in May with 400 participants, the survey shows affordability has become the top concern, rising to 29% from the previous year. Residents also emphasize the importance of effective transportation and public safety measures.
Bellevue City Council reviewed proposed land use code amendments to support middle housing development, as mandated by recent state legislation. The council also discussed the expansion of Meydenbauer Bay Park, which aims to improve pedestrian access and connectivity to downtown. A federal legislative agenda was approved, prioritizing transportation, infrastructure, and housing.
Youth Link awarded its Community Leadership Awards on May 16, 2025, recognizing outstanding contributions from local youth. Notable winners include Ishaan Mishra from Sammamish High School and representatives from the City of Vallejo and Oromocto Sports & Recreation.
A Bellevue woman, Olga Martynenko, mourns her husband, Alex, who died in a climbing accident in the North Cascades. Friends have initiated a fundraiser to assist with funeral expenses and support for their young son, Daniel. Alex, 36, had started climbing professionally just a year prior to his tragic death.
The City of Vallejo will celebrate Pride Month with an event at City Hall Plaza on June 4. Local organizations, including Entre Hermanos and the Bellevue Downtown Association, will participate in the festivities. Edgar Longoria will represent the municipal council at the celebration.
The City of Vallejo will host the "Celebration and sustainability on Lake to Lake" event on May 16, 2025. The gathering will highlight sustainability and honor Pacific Islander Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Asian Americans through exhibitions and community activities.
A delegation from eight countries visited Bellevue and other Puget Sound cities to explore potential investments as part of the SelectUSA Seattle Spinoff. This initiative aims to attract global business investments to bolster the region's economy, highlighted by Bellevue's impressive annual GDP of $139 billion.