The drum roll of change was completed Monday as new era of leadership took over the Maple Valley City Council.
This is a look back at 2009 through photographs that have been published in The Reporter and on the Web site.
A family lost their home and most possessions following a Monday morning fire caused by a candle that was knocked over. The family escaped without injury.
Mountain View Fire and Rescue/Black Diamond Fire Department responded to the house fire at about 9:30 a.m. in the 312 block of 172nd Ave. S.E.
Investigators estimate the home a total loss at $300,000 and $80,000 for contents.
The department firefighters have collected more than $700 for the family to replace Christmas gifts lost in the fire.
Tyler Phippen has learned early what it takes to succeed in athletics, and after winning a gold medal in the taekwondo Pan Am Junior championship, the Tahoma High senior also discovered what it means.
The Maple Valley city staff will be in a new home for the New Year.
The staff will be moving from the current City Hall location at Hagen Plaza, 22035 S.E. Wax Rd., to the Dynamic Computer Services Orgnization/Windermere building at 22017 S.E.Wax Rd. next to the Post Office.
Laure Iddings, mayor of Maple Valley for the past 12 years, informed City Manager David Johnston today (Monday) she will resign her City Council seat effective Jan. 1.
Capt. Kyle Ohashi, public information officer for the Kent Fire Department, reported the Sunday morning fire in the 12000 block of SE 196 St. is being investigated as a suspicious fire caused by an incendiary device.
Sometimes I like to remember Christmas from years past. Oh for the days when I could eat real food and not worry about my evil doctor telling me I will be dead before New Year’s Day.
Covington received a report card for the holiday season, and the marks were good.
The city hired Seattle-based Elway Research to provide a report to the Council. The city was looking for information regarding perceptions of quality of life, city government priorities, satisfaction with various departments, support or opposition for a list of projects that would require taxation, and sources used and desired to get information about the city.
The Tahoma High wrestling team made its way to the Tri-State Wrestling Tournament at North Idaho College in Coeur d’Alene and came home with three championships, a second and a third-place medal for the team.
It’s that time of year when the holiday classic “It’s a Wonderful Life” plays on televisions across the area. Anyone who has seen the movie, knows every time a bell rings an angel gets its wings.
Listen carefully, and tiny bells are ringing at the Black Diamond Community Center as angels gather to prepare special gifts.
The city of Black Diamond has released a document stating former City Administrator Leonard Smith was terminated for cause Dec. 8 by Mayor Howard Botts.
Some of missing pieces in the story surrounding the abrupt departures of former Black Diamond City Attorney Loren Combs and City Administrator Leonard Smith have come to light, but more details are on the way.
The final resolution to the story is still in doubt.
Just as one political season comes to a close, the next starts up as Nancy E. Wyatt announced her intention to challenge Rep. Geoff Simpson, D-Covington for the 47th District State House Position No. 1
The 47th covers southeast King County including Covington, Kent, the Renton Highlands and Black Diamond.
The National Weather Service has released a winter weather advisory for the area .
Snow began falling during the afternoon today, Sunday, and the weather service is predicting accumulations of 1 inch during the night with overnight low temperatures around 29.
The Tahoma High wrestling team dominated Auburn Friday at home with a 54-14 team victory.
Of the 13 weigh classes, Tahoma took 10 and the Trojans three.
The King County Road Services Division is reporting repairs to the Landsburg Bridge will begin 8 a.m. Monday, Dec. 14.
King County repairs to Landsburg Bridge could disrupt traffic near Maple Valley
The new year promises to bring another challenging financial issue for cities – animal shelter and control.
The King County Council passed legislation Nov. 9 directing Executive Dow Constantine to end animal sheltering services by Jan. 31 and animal control services to cities by June 30.
The Tahoma Bears are primed and ready to rise to the top, all the way to the top of the state 4A class.
The Bears have been pegged as second in the state behind Lake Stevens by Dave Gilbertson on his Web site Washington Wrestling Report, and hopes are very high in Tahoma land.
The Covington City Council unanimously approved the 2010 operating and capital budget.
The total projected budget for the city is about $23 million.
The city did not raise taxes to balance the columns, but during 2009 there were a total of nine layoffs with four others reduced to half time and one vacant position was eliminated.
