🌱 Patch AM: Which Bellevue high schools just landed in Washington’s top 10?

Coffee in hand, Bellevue? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Which Bellevue high schools just landed in Washington’s top 10?
• When will Bellevue riders start seeing 2 Line trains on I-90?
• Could radioactive shrimp be lurking in your freezer?

Also on today's calendar: Cebiche & Pisco Workshop with La Mar Bellevue and 2 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the windowsill say to the glass? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Monday: Rain in the afternoon, with a high of 49 and low of 39 degrees.
• Tuesday: An a.m. shower; mostly cloudy, temps: high: 48, low: 38.
• Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, a little rain, with a high of 47 and low of 36 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Pullman High School Takes The Lead In Eastern Washington With A Solid Statewide Ranking (mega993online.com) — Bellevue’s public high schools dominate the latest U.S. News 2025 Washington rankings, with International, Newport, Interlake, and Bellevue High all landing in the statewide top 10. The piece explains the ranking criteria and also spotlights top schools east of the Cascades, giving Bellevue families context for how their schools compare statewide and nationally.
   

2. 4 light rail stations to close this weekend (bellinghamherald.com) — Light rail riders in Bellevue should watch for 2 Line test trains running across I-90 between South Bellevue and Seattle early next week, a visible step toward cross-lake service. Weekend signal work will briefly close four downtown Seattle stations and add safety systems needed before Bellevue trains share tracks with the main 1 Line ahead of the 2026 launch.
   

3. More shrimp recalled for possible radioactivity (foodsafetynews.com) — A Bellevue-based company, Direct Source Seafood, is recalling more than 83,000 bags of frozen raw shrimp over concerns they may be contaminated with the radioactive isotope cesium-137. While the recalled products were sold under Market 32 and Waterfront Bistro brands in other states, Bellevue residents should be aware in case they’ve purchased shrimp while traveling or ordering from out-of-state retailers.
   

4. What to know about Washington Gov. Ferguson's $3B transportation spending plan (opb.org) — A new $3 billion transportation plan from Gov. Bob Ferguson could shape how Bellevue residents travel statewide, with major investments in highway paving, bridge repairs, and new ferries over the next decade. While not Bellevue-specific, the proposal targets aging infrastructure like key bridges and flood-damaged routes that many Eastside commuters rely on, and now heads to the Legislature for approval.
   

5. Seattle Times readers donate more than $1.9M midway through Fund for Those in Need (bellinghamherald.com) — A Bellevue retiree is among more than 2,500 donors helping The Seattle Times’ Fund for Those in Need raise over $1.9 million so far this season. The campaign supports 13 nonprofits serving families from Federal Way and Kent to Seattle and Bellevue, backing services like homelessness prevention, food aid, and therapy for children with developmental delays.
   

📸 Around Bellevue

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Bellevue

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Tuesday December 23

• Community Board Games & Puzzles: Exchange & Play
  Newport Way Library , 14250 SE Newport Way , Bellevue
  12:00 pm
• Bellevue Community Resource Center
  Bellevue Library , 1111 110th Avenue NE , Bellevue
  1:30 pm
• Winter Jazz Afternoon
  Newport Way Library , 14250 SE Newport Way , Bellevue
  3:30 pm
• Garden d'Lights
  Bellevue Botanical Garden , 12001 Main Street , Bellevue
  4:30 pm

Saturday January 3

• Cebiche & Pisco Workshop with La Mar Bellevue
  10508 Main St, Bellevue, WA 98004
  3:00 pm

📣 Bellevue Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Monday December 22

• Garden d'Lights
  Bellevue Botanical Garden , 12001 Main Street , Bellevue
  4:30 pm

Tuesday December 23

• Bellevue Community Resource Center
  Bellevue Library , 1111 110th Avenue NE , Bellevue
  1:30 pm
• STEAM Tuesdays! Salt Painting
  Newcastle Library , 12901 Newcastle Way , Renton
  5:30 pm
• Fitness Class: Boxing Fitness Class
  Stroum Jewish Community Center , 3801 E Mercer Way , Mercer Island
  6:30 pm

Friday December 26

• Talk Time: English Conversation Practice
  Newcastle Library , 12901 Newcastle Way , Renton
  10:30 am
• Teen Dungeons & Dragons Meet-Up
  Bellevue Library , 1111 110th Avenue NE , Bellevue
  4:00 pm

Saturday December 27

• English Language Learner Social
  Renton Highlands Library , 2801 NE 10th Street , Renton
  4:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Bellevue PatchAM possible:

• k spa — (425) 504-6566
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• Heritage Wealth Advisors — (425) 709-2345
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• Tribeca NW Real Estate — (425) 691-8800
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• Tribeca NW Real Estate — (360) 540-0217
  Best in the PNW Real Estate
• Crystal Carpet Cleaning & Restoration, Inc. — (425) 649-0908
  Celebrating 35 years serving our community

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• I have something I’d like to say, and I mean no offense it’s just what’s on my mind Usually, people come to this site for one of a few reasons: they’re hoping someone can help them find something they need they’re looking for assistance they’re
  searching for a job they want advice or they just want to know what’s going on nearby and why Occasionally there are people who like to joke… (Nextdoor Factoria)
• A collision on I-405 northbound just north of SR 167 is blocking the HOV lane and the two right general purpose lanes, causing a two-mile backup.
  5:20AM on Dec 20: A collision on I-405 northbound just north of SR 167 is blocking the HOV lane and the two right general purpose lanes. (Nextdoor )

• Marriott International posted a job opening for Housekeeper in Bellevue. Apply here.
• Ross Stores, Inc posted a job opening for Early Morning Stock Associate in Bellevue. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Bellevue here.

Ok Bellevue! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I feel your pane.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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