Our monthly “Island Links” blog post is a curated list of the previous month’s most notable Mercer Island-related links from around the web.
Here are the latest links to catch our eye:
Happy 2018!
The Mercer Island Reporter shared this “Year in Review,” which looks back month-by-month at the biggest Mercer Island-related stories of 2017. One of the year’s theme’s was new leadership – the year brought a new Mercer Island City Manager, School District Superintendent, Chamber of Commerce Director, and SJCC CEO, to name a few.
The Islander, published by the Mercer Island High School journalism program, also posted a “Year in Review,” looking back at the most exciting 2017 articles and events for the school newspaper. With its viral James Mattis interview, it was a big year for the student newspaper.
Though the holiday season is behind us, we would be remiss not to mention the paddle-boarding Santas that entertained commuters on I-90 on a cold morning in December. [Mercer Island Patch]
Biggest recent story
Islander Middle School was evacuated on Wednesday of last week after a bomb threat was discovered in a note. Students were safely evacuated to the Mercer Island Community and Event Center. The threat was the fourth threatening incident that has occurred recently in Mercer Island schools. A previous threat at the Mercer Island High School on Thursday, December 14th, resulted in the cancellation of classes at the high school on the following day. [The Seattle Times / KOMO News]
The Mercer Island School District shared a letter on behalf of school district Superintendent Donna Colosky and Mercer Island Police Chief Ed Holmes in regard to the incidents and the district’s policies for responding to the threats. [Mercer Island School District]
More news from the Mercer Island Police Department
The Mercer Island police patrol boat made a near-midnight rescue of a man who had overturned his kayak in Lake Washington; the man had been in the water for an hour and was in a “hypothermic state” before rescuers located him by the light of his cell phone. [Mercer Island Reporter]
The fleeing driver who hit and killed Solomon Johnson received a sentence on December 15th of 136 months in prison. [Mercer Island Police Department]
Biggest Media Appearance
Former Mercer Island resident Frederick Darren Berg, “mastermind of Washington state’s biggest Ponzi scheme,” escaped from prison in California; he was serving 18 years after he was sentenced in 2012 for bankruptcy fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering [Time.com / The Seattle Times]
City News
The Mercer Island November 7th General Election results were certified on November 28th, and all council transitions are now complete. Former council member Dan Grausz was honored for his 18 years of service and contributions to the city of Mercer Island; Tom Acker was sworn in to serve as council member for Position #4. [Mercer Island Reporter]
The Mercer Island Parks & Recreation Department was named recipient of the 2017 Mercer Island Community Fund grant; the City used $10,000 of the $15,800 grant to support the Island Crest Park field renovation project and the rest to support Summer Celebration, Music in the Mark, and the Leap for Green Sustainable Fair. [Mercer Island Reporter]
Non-Profits in the Spotlight
The Mercer Island Reporter is publishing a new series of articles that highlight local non-profit organizations; learn about Mercer Island Youth & Family Services and the Mercer Island Women’s Club. [Mercer Island Reporter]
Real Estate News
The former home of Milwaukee Bucks’ Jason Terry is for sale on Mercer Island, complete with a private gated entrance and located on nearly three acres. [SF Gate]
A beautiful westside waterfront home owned by Bruce Tall (owner of Tall’s Camera) was recently featured in Patti’s Payne’s Cool Pads column. [Puget Sound Business Journal]
Have we missed a great Mercer Island-related article or notable story? Please share with us in the comments.
