Maple Valley should have a new city manager early in the new year, as the City Council hopes to appoint someone by the end of February.

Former city manager Anthony Hemstad resigned last July during a council executive session after working for Maple Valley for five years.

Christy Todd, who had been serving as the city attorney, has been the interim city manager while the council tries to find a permanent city manager.

Council members began reviewing candidates’ resumes Dec. 26 and will interview applicants in February, with the plan to offer the job to one of them the last week of February.

Education: The next Kent schools chief

About six months are left in Barbara Grohe’s tenure as Kent School District superintendent. She’ll retire at the end of the current school year in June. The School Board, with the help of an executive recruitment firm who’s conducting a nationwide search, is looking for her replacement. Whoever is picked is expected to be offered a salary of $240,000.

Business: A Target in Covington?

Last September, Covington officials heard a proposal from a developer that wants to build a Target store on a site neighboring Covington Elementary School. But the city wants to see the two properties developed together. Stay tuned for further developments.

Ashton Development, which owns the Covington Esplanade plaza, among other commercial projects in the city, owns the 20-acre parcel next to the school.

Transportation: A sturdier bridge on 169

June is the state Department of Transportation’s target for completing the renovation of the Green River (Kummer) Bridge on State Route 169 – or, more accurately, the retrenching of the span’s base. The bridge was closed in November after state highway officials said it was getting too dangerous for motorists as a result of ground at one end that was shifting. A vital part of the portion of highway linking Black Diamond and Enumclaw, motorists enduring detours or taking alternative routes will be glad – and feel safer – when the project is finished.

Staff writer Kris Hill contributed to this report.