Mercer Island|News|
City to 'Power Up' Community Center Solar Array July 23
The solar installation will help power the community center, thereby reducing the cost of operating that facility for decades to come.

Email: kendall.watson@patch.com
Phone: 206-455-1331
Hometown: Salem, UT
Age: 37
Bio: From 2006 to 2010, I've worked at newspapers in California and Washington state, including the Mercer Island Reporter in 2009 covering education and sports.
Beliefs
At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable. This disclosure is not a license for us to inject our beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that our beliefs are on the record will cause editors to be ever mindful to write, report and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you ever see evidence that we failed in this mission, please let us know.
Politics
How would you describe your political beliefs?
I'm a mixed bag. I strongly believe in the power of the government to act as a force for good and to improve people's lives. It is, after all, made up of people. But I also believe that our elected representatives should be held accountable and spend money they raise for the state carefully and wisely—they should conserve our resources for when we really need them. It is, after all, our money. And finally, we should always be thinking about how our actions affect others, now and in the future—both those we don't know and our loved ones living with us now, as well as our children and grandchildren not yet born.
Are you registered with a certain party?
I am not currently registered with a political party.
Religion
How religious would you consider yourself?
I consider myself a casual observer of the mystery of life, and enjoy the multitude of expressions in celebration of it. Heck, it's one of the main reasons I sought out a career in writing. I believe in this.
The solar installation will help power the community center, thereby reducing the cost of operating that facility for decades to come.

Rock blasting will close Interstate 90 in both directions next week, Monday through Thursday (July 15-18), starting at 7:30 p.m., according to a WSDOT traffic bulletin.
The fire was in the 25500 block of NE 67 Place.
A 17-year-old girl said she was "punching it" on Interstate 90 because she was tired of arguing with her boyfriend and wanted to get home.
The Flash award is given annually to recognize a local senior citizen who has led or served the community as a role model.
The following information from June 30 - July 5 was supplied by the Mercer Island Police Department. Where arrests or charges are mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction.
Music by a Jimmy Buffet cover band, a ribbon cutting and hot dogs and ice cream for sale will be available at the Beach Party event.
State regulations require specialized training for trench rescues must occur every year.
Mercer Island's Hometown heroes were nominated by members of the community.
Sammamish Police responded to several fireworks-related calls over the Independence Day holiday. Fireworks are illegal in Sammamish.
Mercer Island parks officials say the topiary deer art is reportedly not adjusting well to the dry, sandy Lid Park soil.
Both the State Route 520 bridge in both directions and northbound Interstate 405 will be closed from 10 p.m. Friday, July 12, until 5 a.m. Monday, July 15.
Mercer Island's annual summer party kicks off on Saturday, July 13, with a weekend packed full of fun for all ages. Get the details here.
US Rep. Dave Reichert (R-Auburn) warned the US Department of Transportation to not overstep their authority as they reviewed a WSDOT application to toll I-90.