ELECTION UPDATE: After deadline passes, here are candidates for local offices

After the filing deadline passed for the 2013 election on Friday (May 17), 9 candidates have officially declared that they’re running for five Des Moines City Council seats, including two incumbents... [Read more]

And they’re off – here’s who’s running for Des Moines offices (so far…)

Monday, May 13 was the first day to file to run for office with King County Elections for 2013, and the race for Des Moines City Council is off and running. Incumbents Matt Pina, Carmen Scott, Melissa... [Read more]

Des Moines City Council appoints Jeremy Nutting to open seat

Story & Photos by Justin Bennett At about 7:20 p.m. Thursday night (May 2), Jeremy Nutting was appointed and sworn in as the newest member of the Des Moines City Council, filling the position recently... [Read more]

Dave Upthegrove announces candidacy for Julia Patterson’s Council seat

State Representative Dave Upthegrove on Tuesday (April 30) announced his campaign for King County Council Position #5, being vacated by Councilmember Julia Patterson, who is retiring this year. Born and... [Read more]

King County Councilmember Julia Patterson will not seek re-election

King County Council Vice-Chair Julia Patterson – who has served the South King County area for 23 years – announced Friday (April 26) she will not seek a fourth term on the King County Council. Patterson’s... [Read more]

Des Moines Seeking Developers for Marina; ‘Big Changes’ planned

Big changes are in store for the heart of Des Moines, as the City on Monday (April 22) announced a ‘Request for Qualifications’ soliciting development teams to build on commercial property at the... [Read more]

Des Moines Councilmember Dan Caldwell Resigns; City Seeking Replacement

At last Thursday’s meeting (April 4), Des Moines City Councilmember Dan Caldwell announced his resignation due to health reasons, so now the city is looking for a replacement. The council meets... [Read more]

Judge Veronica Galvan to Run to Retain Presiding Judge of Des Moines Court

Judge Veronica A. Galvan has announced she will run to retain her position as Presiding Judge of Des Moines Municipal Court, a position she has held for six years. Judge Galvan was originally appointed... [Read more]

City Seeking Residents to Write Pro & Con Statements for Proposition No. 1

The City of Des Moines is seeking residents to write both “Pro” and “Con” statements for the voter pamphlet on Proposition No. 1 – the City Utility Occupation Tax for paving improvements... [Read more]

Rep. Tina Orwall Confirmed as Deputy Speaker Pro Tempore Monday

Rep. Tina Orwall (D-33), was officially confirmed as Deputy Speaker Pro Tempore by the full House of Representatives during Monday’s opening session (Jan. 14) in Olympia. “It is an incredible... [Read more]

EARLY ELECTION RESULTS: Normandy Park Tax Ahead, Burien Annexation Losing

The first round of results for Tuesday’s General Election (Nov. 6), have been released, and the early tally shows that Normandy Park’s Property Tax Rate increase is ahead, while Burien’s... [Read more]

LETTER: ‘An Open Letter to all Real Estate Companies Selling in Des Moines’

An open letter to all real estate companies selling in the city of Des Moines, Describing as many positive reasons for buying a home in Des Moines  including: quality of the school system, beautiful views,... [Read more]

Looks Like South King Fire & Rescue Levy Will Pass; Det. Awarded a SAFER Grant

It looks like South King Fire & Rescue has passed their recent Maintenance and Operations Levy, with a current overwhelming “Yes” vote of 61% and a “No” vote of 39% as of Aug.... [Read more]

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: ‘South King Fire & Rescue Needs Our Help!’

Dear Editor, Our fire district has lost over 22% of its annual revenue since 2009 as property values have declined. This reduction has necessitated major cutbacks in service levels and personnel, longer... [Read more]

Group Launches Website to Protest City’s Planned Marina Development

A group calling itself ‘Friends of the Des Moines, Wa. Waterfront’ has launched a new website protesting the City of Des Moines’ plans for development of the Marina. “We recently... [Read more]

Port of Seattle Approves Lease for Des Moines Creek Business Park

Click image to see larger version. The Port of Seattle Commission on Tuesday (June 5) approved the lease of over 42 acres in the Des Moines Creek Business Park (DMCBP) that will create over 200 construction... [Read more]

‘It’s Quite a Crisis’ – The City of Normandy Park is Rapidly Going Broke

"A structural problem" – Normandy Park City Manager Doug Schulze. by Ralph Nichols Normandy Park, one of King County’s smallest suburban cities, is rapidly going broke. City Manager Doug... [Read more]

LETTER: ‘Has any Council Member Ever Looked at Des Moines Crime Statistics?’

Dear Editor of The Waterland Blog, Recently there was a story circulated around town about a Des Moines City Council Retreat, in which the council made a decision to select “public safety” as their... [Read more]

LETTER: ‘The Minority Has Spoken’ About South King Fire & Rescue Levy

The Minority Has Spoken The South King Fire and Rescue Levy did not pass. With 59% of our community voting in favor of it, it failed. In any other election a 19 point margin would be a landslide victory;... [Read more]

LETTER: ‘Feel Cape Cod. Then, Say Something Nice … About Our Council’

Dear Editor, For many years now Des Moines has been “My Cape Cod” and every day it seemed farther away until just recently. Our city council has finally seen the resemblance and need for something... [Read more]