Week in Review: Mercer Island Has a New Mayor, a New Congressional District, Cellar 46 Closes and More

Monday, Jan. 2

Enjoying their moment in the sun, a reader-contributed video captures Mercer Island High School's marching band march in the Jan. 2 Parade of Roses in Pasadena, California.

Mercer Island will be in a new 9th Congressional district, the most racially diverse district in the state, based on maps approved by the Washington State Redistricting Commission — but remain in an enlarged 41st State Legislative District.

Tuesday, Jan. 3

MIHS senior quarterback Jeff Lindquist was one of 100 prep-football All-Americans named to the starting roster of this afternoon's All-American Bowl.

Noted Fisheries Biologist Max Katz Dies at 91

A former UW professor, Katz was active in the local Jewish community and was a member of the Shevet Achim congregation.

Wednesday, Jan. 4

Mercer Island City Council elected councilman Bruce Bassett as the city's new mayor and Dan Grausz the city's deputy mayor during its Jan. 3 public meeting at City Hall.

Hi-tech professional Debbie Bertlin won election in November with 59 percent of the vote over then-deputy mayor El Jahncke.

The Town Center wine bar, run by local owner Ryan Allison, shuttered its doors Dec. 23.

Traffic patterns on the 520 bridge also are shifting as commuters adjust to the new tolls.

Thursday, Jan. 5

A court decision says that the state is not doing enough to fund "basic public education." The lawsuit was filed by a coalition that counts the Mercer Island School District and Mercer Island Education Association as members.

Investment rating agency Moody's gives the school district a key endorsement as its school board considers putting a $100 or $200 million-plus bond on a special election ballot this April.

Councilman Jim Pearman will step down Feb. 1 for a job with FEMA and the city is seeking candidates to replace him.

Friday, Jan. 6

The following information from Dec. 25 - Jan. 4 was supplied by the Mercer Island Police Department. Where arrests or charges are mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction.

Some restaurants face raising menu prices in order to cover the latest increase in Washington's minimum wage, one of the highest in the country.

Saturday, Jan. 7

A boys and girls home doubleheader is on tap against KingCo 3A/2A League rival Mount Si

Mothers and daughters from one of Mercer Island's most active service clubs delivered some holiday cheer in the form of 200 gift bags to formerly homeless women in Seattle.

With the holiday season behind us, January is the time to enjoy deals on wines at local restaurants and retailers without long waits.