Mill Creek Beacon - Your Hometown News Source

Mill Creek is planning ahead for Phases 3 and 4 of the state’s reopening plan. Virus update I was hoping we could sneak into Phase 3 before our virus numbers went up. We didn’t make it. We might not make it to Phase 3 until... — Updated 7/24/2020

As we wait for Phase 3, this virus is a medical and financial disaster.   Graduates Parade Thank you to City Manager Michael Ciaravino, his staff, and the many parents who helped put together the car parade to celebrate the 2020... — Updated 6/19/2020

My personal appreciation goes to those of you who are practicing social distancing and wearing face covers. Not only are you protecting yourself, but you are also helping to keep the rest of us healthy. If we stick to it, the... — Updated 5/15/2020

Thank you to everyone who is staying indoors and practicing social distancing. We are starting to flatten the curve. In fact, we have been such good soldiers in the war on the virus that we are being rewarded with fewer... — Updated 4/17/2020

Even with the coronavirus chaos, there are still a lot of good things happening in Mill Creek. Congratulations to Ethan Thong  The City Council has nominated Ethan Thong of Jackson High School as its representative for the... — Updated 3/23/2020

There are plenty of things going on in our city, and here are five that I wanted to highlight and share. Extended hours for passport services City Manager Michael Ciaravino has extended weekend hours at the Mill Creek City Hall... — Updated 3/1/2020

What a difference the right city manager can make. Last February, the City’s response to the extreme snow event was anemic at best. It wasn’t all the City’s fault. According to WSDOT, half of its plowing equipment was out of... — Updated 1/17/2020

Holiday tree lighting Thank you to everyone who came to our annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. I hope everyone had an opportunity to enjoy all festivities throughout Mill Creek Town Center. Thank you, Heidi Butz, for orchestrating so... — Updated 12/24/2019

Honoring our Veterans Thank you to everyone who took the time to honor our veterans on Veterans Day. It is important to thank all those who have enlisted in the military, both in times of war and in peace. There may not have been a... — Updated 11/15/2019

If anyone said, “Give me 50% of your money and I will take care of you,” you'd be skeptical and ask a lot of questions. Between the School Board, Fire District, cities, county, state, federal government, and a multitude of... — Updated 10/18/2019

Thank you Senator Hobbs! We’ve had some heavy rains lately. Driving home on 35th Ave SE was very pleasant without the old flooding, road closures, and diverting thousands of vehicles through our neighborhoods. This could not... — Updated 9/20/2019

Closures of 35th Ave SE due to flooding are a safety hazard for residents in the neighborhoods that receive the diverted traffic. None of our neighborhoods are designed for thousands of extra cars running on quiet streets. Chief... — Updated 1/27/2017

With all the holiday activities, you might have missed the new balanced budget. Yes – for the first time in years, Mill Creek has a balanced budget without dipping into reserves. In fact, our reserves will be increasing. Given... — Updated 12/16/2016 Full story

Congratulations to City Manager Rebecca Polizzotto and her staff for another successful Veterans Day parade in our Town Center. Mill Creek did not have regular parades before the arrival of Rebecca. The parade was much larger with... — Updated 11/20/2016

Kudos to city staff for storm planning We may have dodged serious storm damage, but our staff was well prepared. The City sent out weather warnings to its email list. (If you haven’t signed up yet, you should. Go to... — Updated 10/20/2016

The council is back is session and we have a heavy schedule in front of us. Plat approval We voted to approve the Seattle Hill Ridge plat, but not before I asked a lot of questions about why the road from Seattle Hill Road to 35th... — Updated 9/20/2016

For the first time ever, the City of Mill Creek has failed to pass its levy for Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Some neighborhoods failed to have even 50 percent support much less the required 60 percent to pass. This levy is... — Updated 8/22/2016 Full story

Hopefully it's no secret Mill Creek has its EMS levy on the Aug. 2 primary ballot. Our current levy expires at the end of this year. The levy is the primary funding source for our emergency medical services. All the money will... — Updated 7/15/2016

I look forward to the annual Mill Creek Festival and Street Fair every year. I love to see my community having fun. Kids laughing and bouncing on inflatables with painted faces and balloons. Children's laughter and smiles just... — Updated 6/30/2016 Full story

The city council had its last retreat in April 2014. The council decided not to have a retreat this year unless absolutely necessary. Two councilmembers work on the weekends and two more have heavy family obligations. A Saturday... — Updated 4/8/2015

Thank you, Sen. Hobbs I'd like to thank Sen. Steve Hobbs for getting 35th Ave SE on the transportation projects list for $4 million. The city is spending over $400,000 to complete an engineering study/design to fix the... — Updated 3/25/2015 Full story

This monthly column is written by Mill Creek Mayor Pam Pruitt and focuses on issues important to residents, as well as offering insight to what the City Council is up to. It reflects the personal views of the mayor and does not... — Updated 2/19/2015 Full story