King County Public Health is investigating an E. coli outbreak linked to Tokyo Stop Teriyaki in Bellevue, affecting at least five residents, with ongoing efforts to identify the source and prevent further cases, following restaurant inspections and DNA fingerprinting confirmation.
Amazon announced layoffs affecting 84 employees in Seattle and Bellevue as part of ongoing corporate restructuring, with the layoffs scheduled between February 2 and February 23, 2026. This follows a previous announcement of 14,000 job cuts in October, and the company has laid off nearly 2,400 Washington employees in 2025, amid efforts to streamline management and improve agility.
Mohamed Morray Bangura, charged with stabbing a Bellevue police officer after allegedly making a fake 911 call to lure officers, also assaulted a second officer and had a prior complaint against another officer. Prosecutors seek a $5 million bail, citing the risk of reoffending.
Republic Services has suspended waste collection in Bellevue due to a nationwide labor strike, but has set up temporary drop-off sites starting July 15. The duration of the work stoppage is unknown, and residents are advised to be patient with long wait times at drop-off locations. The city is coordinating with Republic Services to provide additional drop-off options as needed, and billing credits will be issued for missed collections.
A labor strike involving Teamsters members against Republic Services has halted curbside trash collection in Bellevue and surrounding areas, leading residents to haul their own garbage or use a free drop-off site, with the strike affecting multiple cities and prompting the company to collect extra waste on the next service day.
The Kroger-Albertsons merger will result in the sale of 124 grocery stores, including five in Bellevue, to C&S Wholesale Grocers to gain regulatory approval. The merger, valued at $25 billion, aims to create a more competitive market with lower prices and more choices for customers.
The new 2 Line Eastside Link light rail is set to open on April 27, connecting east King County to Seattle with eight stops between South Bellevue and Redmond. Sound Transit aims to improve mobility and access for residents, with trains running every 10 minutes during operating hours. The project, costing approximately $3.7 billion, will eventually expand to include stations at Judkins Park and Mercer Island in 2025. Security measures are in place, and parking will be available at select stations.
Police in Bellevue, Wash., responded to a call from a U.S. Air Force museum reporting a man offering to donate a Cold War-era missile found in his late neighbor's garage. The missile, a Douglas AIR-2 Genie, was missing its warhead and deemed inert and safe. The missile, designed to carry a 1.5-kiloton nuclear warhead, was left with the man to donate as the military did not request it back. This unusual discovery prompted the police to reference Elton John's "Rocket Man" and express doubt about receiving another call like this in the future.
The street between Berry Avenue and Foote Avenue in Bellevue, Kentucky, known as "Taylor Avenue," has been officially renamed "Taylor Swift Avenue" by the mayor ahead of the singer's upcoming concert at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. Local businesses are offering "Swiftie Specials" for the event, and various organizations, bars, and restaurants are hosting events and promotions. One such event is the free "Taylor Tailgate" on Fountain Square, featuring sing-a-longs, friendship bracelet making, flower crown station, themed drinks, and food trucks.
Two Kroger stores in Bellevue and Newport were evacuated due to bomb threats, which police believe to be part of a nationwide hoax. Both stores have been thoroughly checked and cleared, and have since been reopened.
Ernie Aguilar, a man known for his music career and ties to American Idol contestant Oliver Steele, was found shot to death outside of a Bellevue apartment complex early Saturday morning. Aguilar was also a custodian at Bellevue Middle School and active in his church. Police are asking anyone with information to come forward, and a GoFundMe has been set up to help pay for his funeral expenses.
Multiple crews responded to a level 3 fire at an apartment complex in Bellevue, which started on a third-floor deck before quickly spreading through the attic. Everyone got out safely, but the complex was destroyed. The cause of the fire is not known at this time, but the state fire marshal is traveling to Bellevue from Grand Island to inspect the scene. The metro area was in a red flag warning on Tuesday, meaning current weather conditions set high risks for potential fires.