🌱 Patch AM: Maple Valley Highway & Cedar River Flooding

What's up Renton! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Cedar River flooding threatens SR 169, with shelter and safety help available.
• What Renton’s new council leadership means for City Hall in 2026
• How a Renton Harley-Davidson cafe carries on Ms. Helen’s legacy

Also on today's calendar: Historically Hip Artisan Market and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: I once read a book about anti-gravity. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Friday: Cloudy with a shower or two, with a high of 59 and low of 44 degrees.
• Saturday: Low clouds, then some sun, temps: high: 56, low: 48.
• Sunday: Cloudy with a shower or two, with a high of 58 and low of 51 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Maple Valley Highway & Cedar River Flooding (patch.com) — Residents in Renton and nearby Cedar River areas are being warned about potentially record-high river levels and dangerous flooding that could close SR 169 and other local roads through Saturday. Renton Regional Fire Authority and King County agencies outline evacuation options, an open emergency shelter, and key safety tips for traveling or relocating. Locals are urged to monitor official channels and avoid flooded routes to stay safe.
   

2. Ruth Perez chosen as Renton City Council president (rentonreporter.com) — Renton City Council has chosen Councilmember Ruth Pérez as council president and Councilmember Ryan McIrvin as president pro tempore for 2026, following this year’s elections. Pérez, the first Latina and immigrant on the council, returns to the presidency after previously serving in 2020, while McIrvin brings prior leadership experience from his 2022 term as president.
   

3. ‘Ms. Helen' Coleman, Godmother of Seattle Soul Food, Has Died (eater.com) — A beloved Seattle soul food pioneer’s legacy now has a small but meaningful link to Renton, where her daughter runs a cafe inside a Harley-Davidson dealership. The story traces Helen L. Coleman’s decades of feeding the Central District, the closure of her restaurants, and how her family continues serving soul food even as Seattle’s Black community has been pushed to outlying areas.
   

4. Washington cities embrace Age-Friendly Communities (king5.com) — Renton is among several Washington cities joining age-friendly community efforts aimed at helping residents thrive at every age. The story highlights how Seattle is leading with programs for housing, transportation, and social connection, and notes that cities like Renton are part of a broader statewide push to prepare for an aging population and improve livability for all generations.
   

📸 Around Renton

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 Renton

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Saturday December 13

• Historically Hip Artisan Market
  232 Front St N, Issaquah
  9:00 am
• PSCS Winter Maker's Market (in support of youth!)
  Puget Sound Community School, 660 S Dearborn St, Seattle
  1:00 pm

Sunday December 14

• Historically Hip Artisan Market
  232 Front St N, Issaquah
  11:00 am

Tuesday December 16

• 9 to 5 Artisan Pop-Up at the Holiday Shop
  232 Front St N, Issaquah
  1:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Friday December 12

• Hearing Loss Association of America Renton Support Group
  Renton Senior Activity Center , 211 Burnett Ave N , Renton
  1:00 pm
• Friendly Friday Pinball Tournament
  8-Bit Arcade , 916 S 3rd St , Renton
  7:30 pm
• Friday night Music at Paparepas Renton
  Paparepas Venezuelan Food (Renton) , 17034 116th Ave SE , Renton
  8:00 pm

Saturday December 13

• Holiday Gift Making Too
  Tomato Tomato Creative Space , 226 Main Ave S Unit C , Renton
  10:00 am

Sunday December 14

• Washington Health Outreach for Free and Low-Cost Veterinary Care
  Renton Library , 100 Mill Avenue South , Renton
  11:00 am
• Tutors at Fairwood Library (Study Zone)
  Fairwood Library , 17009 140th Avenue SE , Renton
  3:00 pm

Monday December 15

• Small Business Coaching
  Fairwood Library , 17009 140th Avenue SE , Renton
  10:00 am
• WorkSource: Job and Resume Assistance
  Renton Library , 100 Mill Avenue South , Renton
  10:00 am

📣 Renton Shout Outs!

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

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

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Broke for the Holidays? Here's How to Flip the Script —Swannee Rivers Read on Patch

• The Cleaning Authority, LLC posted a job opening for Housekeeper House Cleaner in Renton. Apply here.
• TEAGUE posted a job opening for Senior Facilities Coordinator - Temporary in Renton. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Renton here.

Ok Renton! 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 couldn’t put it down.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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