Connect, support our neighbors in wake of explosion | From the Publisher

After the terrible explosion that tore a hole through downtown North Bend ​in the wee hours of April 25, I urge my fellow Eastsiders, both individually and as a business community, to come together to help not only these individual ​Snoqualmie Valley​ businesses and their employees, but also the city of North Bend in its efforts to heal and spring back.

Since becoming publisher of the ​Snoqualmie ​Valley Record in October 2008, one characteristic I have quickly and regularly noticed about the people of the ​Snoqualmie ​Valley is their generosity and their resiliency.​ Whether it was the 2009 flood, the Great Recession, ice and snow storms and days-long power outages, or even the Taylor Bridge Fire over the pass in Cle Elum and Ellensburg, the Valley has always come together to generously support ​their neighbors that are affected by ​unfortunate ​events.

After the terrible explosion that tore a hole through downtown North Bend ​in the wee hours of April 25, we are truly grateful that no one was killed or seriously hurt. However, several businesses were badly damaged, but can hopefully be repaired soon.

​​In light of the situation, I urge my fellow Eastsiders, both individually and as a business community, to come together to help not only these individual ​Snoqualmie Valley​ businesses and their employees, but also the city of North Bend in its efforts to heal and spring back. ​

​More and more, every community on the Eastside is interconnected in many ways. What affects one, ​truly ​affects us all.​ At my local publications in Bellevue, ​Snoqualmie, ​Issaquah, Sammamish and Mercer Island, we’ll use our print, web and social media outlets to keep ​our loyal Eastside ​readers ​informed about this event ​and many others that affect our neighborhoods, our communities and the region​.

We’ll also be encouraging partnerships with our ​many ​friends ​at all the Eastside chambers of commerce and business groups, focusing on how they can use their resources and membership to lend a hand to ​help ​our neighbors in ​North Bend. ​

The Snoqualmie Valley is King County’s backyard playground. As many of us know already, the city of North Bend ​is a town that ​has lots to offer​. I urge you to take the 20-minute drive east some weekend, and eat, ​drink, ​play, listen ​to music​, ​shop, ​hike, have fun, relax ​and ​enjoy​ North Bend’s unique gifts. Easy to reach and, with the amazing scenery and outdoor adventures just outside of town, hard to leave. ​You’ll not only have fun, but will also be helping your neighbors at the same time.

 

– William Shaw, publisher, Bellevue Reporter