Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How did Mercer Island High School land in Washington’s top 10?
Be sure to catch Parent & Child: Out of This World Stories on the Mercer Island Patch calendar
Hello Mercer Island! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How did Mercer Island High School land in Washington’s top 10?
- Why Washington leaders are split over Trump’s Venezuela military operation
Today's riddle: What did the baby light bulb say to its mom? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Mercer Islandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Monday: An a.m. shower or two; cloudy, with a high of 45 and low of 39 degrees.
- Tuesday: Breezy with occasional rain, temps: high: 46, low: 38.
- Wednesday: A little rain, with a high of 47 and low of 37 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Washington High Schools 2025 Academic State Rankings (washingtonstatenews.net) — Mercer Island High School has been ranked the 8th-best public high school in Washington for 2025 by U.S. News, highlighting strong college readiness and graduation outcomes. The statewide list also showcases top-performing schools across the region, offering context for how Mercer Island compares academically to peers from Bellevue, Redmond, Spokane, and other districts. 
Find out what's happening in Mercer Islandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
• Some WA leaders applaud, others condemn US military operation in Venezuela (fox13seattle.com) — Washington leaders are sharply divided over President Trump’s decision to use military force in Venezuela, with several members of the state’s congressional delegation issuing strongly worded statements. Buried in the related links is a brief mention of a Mercer Island murder-suicide investigation, but the main focus is statewide political reaction to foreign policy, not local island impacts.
📸 Around Mercer Island
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Mercer Island
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Parent & Child: Out of This World Stories
Youth Theatre Northwest, 4400 86th Ave SE, Mercer Island
9:30 am
Saturday January 17
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Family Story Time
Mercer Island Library , 4400 88th Ave SE , Mercer Island
11:15 am - Kids Craft Club
Mercer Island Library , 4400 88th Ave SE , Mercer Island
3:00 pm
Thursday January 8
Sunday January 11
📣 Mercer Island 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
- Toddler Story Time
Bellevue Library 1111 110th Avenue NE, Bellevue, WA 98004
10:15 am - Talk Time: English Conversation Practice
Bellevue Library 1111 110th Avenue NE, Bellevue, WA 98004
10:30 am - Gardening with Native Plants
Newport Way Library 14250 SE Newport Way, Bellevue, WA 98006
1:00 pm - Makerspace Drop-in
Bellevue Library 1111 110th Avenue NE, Bellevue, WA 98004
3:00 pm - Baby Story Time
Newport Way Library 14250 SE Newport Way, Bellevue, WA 98006
1:00 pm - Bellevue Makerspace Equipment Reservations
Bellevue Library 1111 110th Avenue NE, Bellevue, WA 98004
3:00 pm - Monthly Game Bonanza
Skyway Library , 12601 76th Avenue South , Seattle
4:00 pm - Reading Buddies at the Newcastle Library (Study Zone)
Newcastle Library , 12901 Newcastle Way , Renton
5:00 pm - Intro to 3D Printing
Bellevue Library 1111 110th Avenue NE, Bellevue, WA 98004
6:00 pm
Monday January 5
Tuesday January 6
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 Mercer Island PatchAM possible:
- Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible! - SD Framing — (425) 628-1326
@sd.framing Follow us on Instagram for the latest updates! - Crystal Carpet Cleaning & Restoration, Inc. — (425) 649-0908
Celebrating 35 years serving our community
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Lost Dog Seen on E Mercer Way
Hi neighbors, We’ve seen a dog that appears to be lost in our neighborhood and wanted to help find its owner. • Yesterday: My husband saw the dog on… (Nextdoor Mid Mercer Island) - All clear reported at Fairview Ave and Boren Ave.
11:44AM on Jan 3: Collision at Fairview Ave & Boren Ave is blocking all southbound traffic on Fairview Ave. (Nextdoor )
- American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. posted a job opening for Aerie - Stock Associate - Evening (Off-Hours) in Bellevue. Apply here.
- SAS Retail Services posted a job opening for Traveling Store Merchandiser in Bellevue. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Mercer Island here.
🗞 Nearby News
Bellevue
- Asian Beauty Retailer SUKOSHI Announces Bellevue Opening Date (downtownbellevue.com)
- From Office Campuses to Affordable Housing, Mass Timber Finds a Market (propmodo.com)
- The Times' new publisher, Ryan Blethen, reflects on family, community (bellinghamherald.com)
Seattle
- Growing Up in Washington During the 50s, 60s, and 70s (kffm.com)
Ok Mercer Island! 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 love you watts and watts!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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