Three new firefighters recently joined the Mercer Island Fire Department. Retirements had left some vacancies to fill, according to interim chief Chris Tubbs. Two of the new firefighters live north of Seattle, and one is from the Eastside.
Coffee with the Senior Commission: open house reception, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., May 30, CCMV Groveland Room. The City Council-appointed Senior Commission invites Island residents ages 55 and up. Refreshments served. Discuss new senior programs and services. 232-0738.
A 17-year-old Islander got a headache and small cut above his eye after he was in a head-on collision in the intersection of S.E. 42nd Street and 85th Avenue S.E. around 7:30 a.m. on May 23. According to the incident report, another vehicle driven by a 37-year-old Seattle man taking a left turn pulled in front of the teen.
The City Council did not make any decisions regarding the upcoming parks levy after a stakeholders group recommendation was presented last Monday. The Council will continue deliberating the scope and cost of the levy during its summer planning session, taking place on June 21 at the Community Center at Mercer View.
Former Island mayor Ben Werner died early in the morning on May 17. He was 88. Werner served on the Mercer Island City Council for more than 20 years and was mayor for six. He was also a key figure in the negotiations and planning of I-90. Services are planned for early June and will take place on the Island. A full obituary will be published at a later date.
The Rotary Islander of the Month has been awarded to Mercer Island High School students Alyssa Chung and Matthew Sims.
It is time to order your 2008 graduate grams. Graduate grams are handsome hand-lettered, personalized certificates that congratulate students on the completion of their studies. The grams raise money for the PTA Community Scholarship Program that honors high school graduates with scholarships. Go to www.misd.k12.wa.us for the order form or e-mail bpck@msn.com. The PTA Council is happy to take contributions for these scholarships at any time. Scholarship contributions may be made at any time to the PTA at P.O. Box 124, Mercer Island, WA.
A 56-year-old father is under investigation for the assault of his young son at his Island home the morning of May 11. According to the incident report, the 10-year-old boy was dragged into the home by his wrist, knocked down a flight of stairs, kicked and had his head banged into a couch. Police received a call from a Bellevue woman, who reported the incident after hearing the boy’s story and saw his injuries. The case was forwarded to Child Protective Services.
The City Council unanimously gave $16,000 from its beautification fund to help pay for the permit fees needed to host a trial Farmer’s Market in the Town Center this summer.
Memorial Day Bridge Tournament: May 23-26, Renton Community Center, 1715 Maple Valley Highway, Renton. Host: Seattle Bridge Unit #446, local chapter of American Contract Bridge League. Laurie Sayer, (425) 226-7521, www.sbu446.org, www.acbl.org.
Mercer Island High School Associate Principal Michael Schiehser will take over as interim director of instruction and assessment following the retirement of Sharon Gillaspie on June 30.
