New brews in Fall City
Aroma Coffee Company will be opening in Fall City this year after more than a decade. The project began in 2009 when the ownership team tried to sign a lease at the Prescott-Harshman House.
But due to needed upgrades, they had to put the process on hold.
In late 2018, the Nelson family bought the building and began working with the team to make the coffee shop a reality. In August 2019, a septic tank upgrade was approved. And last September, the team got permission from the King County Historic Landmark Commission to renovate the interior for the coffee shop.
The shop is owned by Emily Ridout, Kelsey Wilson and Sara Cox — all Fall City residents or immediately surrounding areas. A press release said they will invest 10 percent of the shop’s profit back into Fall City.
School schedule
Students at Snoqualmie Valley School District will return to class online beginning Aug. 31. In the meantime, students and families can update student information, apply for free and reduced school meals, check on school and activities updates online and begin the 2020 yearbook process.
Council member censured
The Snoqualmie City Council voted to censure council member Peggy Shepard over comments made in an email. The email was sent to a family whose Black daughter was hauled out of her family car and detained by Snoqualmie police in 2019, when they incorrectly presumed she had shoplifted in North Bend. The email included statements the rest of the council alleged were false. Consequently, Shepard was removed from positions representing the city to outside agencies.
Business news
• The King County Local Services department is providing technical assistance and coaching for small businesses. It provides information on the latest federal, state and local funding and loan resources, utility billing assistance, help filling out grant or funding applications and coaching to help businesses survive the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
• The Department of Homeland Security is currently tracking down a malicious phishing scammer who is sending fake emails, claiming to be from the Small Business Association, to get login credentials and other information from businesses. More information is available from the King County Small Business Task Force website.
• North Bend is considering updating its downtown zoning code to promote more affordable housing. The effort is being supported by a Washington state Department of Commerce Grant.
