Oney earns Eagle Scout achievement
Valley teen Grant Oney saw more than 80 people gather last month at Chief Kanim Middle School on the day that he earned his Eagle’s wings.
Oney, a member of Boy Scout Troop 425, earned the rank of Eagle Scout on Friday, June 13.
Scoutmaster Robert Odekirk was on hand to congratulate Grant as the prestigious rank was conferred by fellow Eagle Scout Phil Grate and Assistant Scoutmaster Don Stetson. Jean Peterson gave a rendition of the 23rd Psalm as the opening hymn, and Lyda Hawes provided the invocation and benediction. Scouts from Troop 425, friends, family and members of the community enjoyed a full buffet meal.
Throughout his career as a Scout, Grant earned the Arrow of Light Award and was a member of the elite Order of the Arrow. He earned 22 merit badges and held multiple leadership positions with the troop including assistant senior patrol leader and quartermaster.
For his Eagle Service Project, Grant and his team repaired a bridge at wetlands in Snoqualmie after the November 2006 flood washed it away.
The rank of Eagle is a true honor: For every 50 boys who join scouting, only one reaches the award. Less than 1 percent of the male population will make it. Eagle Scouts of note included Henry Aaron, the baseball home run king, and Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon. Gerald Ford was the first Eagle Scout to become president.
River closure at old Tolt bridge extended
The closure of the Snoqualmie River under the old Tolt Bridge west of Carnation is being extended through Thursday, July 31 to give crews more time to demolish the bridge.
The river has been closed to all boats and recreational users since July 1.
The King County Road Services Division is in the process of dismantling the old bridge. The county opened a new Tolt Bridge on May 30, and the old span must be removed at a time of year when fish passage on the river won’t be disrupted.
Food bank seeks coordinator, board
The Mount Si Helping Hand Food Bank is looking for an individual to become the food bank coordinator.
The coordinator is responsible for all daily activities at the food bank to insure its smooth operation.
The food bank is also seeking individuals who are interested in sitting on the board of directors, and welcomes any local residents who have a desire to help in the growth and development of the food bank. The organization is eager to find individuals with special areas of knowledge, such as accountants and lawyers.
For more information, please contact either Pastor Roy Peacock at pastorroyp@centurytel.net or Gail Gergasko at mtsihelpinghandfoodbank@yahoo.com or (425) 888-0096.
Lambert accepts heritage award
King County Councilmember Kathy Lambert, who represents the Valley, recently picked up an award recognizing the county’s work in preserving local history.
Lambert represented King County at the recent National Alliance of Preservation Commissions (NAPC) annual Excellence Awards, accepting a “Best Practices” recognition.
King County was recognized for its groundbreaking Barn Again Program, which provides technical assistance to barn owners and offers grants for stabilization projects designed to retain these iconic structures. Lambert sponsored the development of the Barn Again program to preserve King County’s historic barns.
“It is exciting to see our barns being preserved, and for our work here to be acknowledged on a national level,” Lambert said.
