 Our amazing podcast production team pulled together some of our favorite interview moments from 2025. Hear harrowing tales from a wildland firefighter, quirky stories about animals on the loose in Kirkland, and what it took to become iconic voices in sportscasting and popular music. Check it out!
 The next meeting of the Kirkland City Council is on Tuesday, January 6, 2026. Here’s a brief overview of some of the items on the Business Agenda, which starts at 7:30 p.m.:
- The four recently-elected Councilmembers will be sworn in by Kirkland Municipal Court Judge John Olson. Following that, the Council's first order of business for 2026 will be to select the Mayor and Deputy Mayor. In Kirkland's council-manager form of government, the Council selects the Mayor and Deputy Mayor from among its members for two-year terms.
- The Council will first review the updated cost and schedule on a proposed temporary regional booster pump station to help address the water pressure issues in the Upper Highlands neighborhood. Council will then consider directing staff to proceed with the final design and delivery of the project.
- The Council will receive an update on options for safety enhancements in school zones and will provide direction to staff on which option(s) to pursue.
- The Council will receive an update on the Green Loop project, which is a continuous trail and open space corridor designed to connect parks, trails, and natural areas in the Finn Hill and Juanita neighborhoods. Staff will incorporate any Council feedback into the first draft Green Loop Implementation Plan, which is anticipated to be presented to Council in Spring 2026.
- The Council will receive an update on the King County Independent Force Investigation Team, which is the multi-agency unit that conducts independent criminal investigations into the use of deadly force by police officers and of which Kirkland Police Department is a member. Council will consider a modification to the current interlocal agreement to add the Seattle Police Department as a member agency.
Meeting details:
The business meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. There is no 5:30 p.m. study session on January 6. The agenda for the January 6 meeting will be available on the City website prior to the meeting on the Kirkland City Council agendas webpage. You can also receive meeting agendas in your inbox by subscribing to “City Council Agendas” on the Kirkland email lists subscription page.
How to watch: Kirkland City Council meetings are streamed live and can be watched after the fact on the City's:
Meetings are also televised on Comcast Cable Channel 21 and Ziply Cable Channel 31.
How to participate: Members of the public wishing to address the Council may do so in-person or via Zoom during the “Items from the Audience” part of the agenda. That part of the agenda occurs at the beginning of the Council’s business meeting, which starts at 7:30 p.m. Information on the comment sign up process to provide comment to the City Council, and on attending the meeting virtually, is available on the City Council webpage.
Written comments can also be submitted to CityCouncil@kirklandwa.gov. For additional questions, please call the City Clerk’s Office at (425) 587-3190.
Stay in the know: you can also get a preview of what’s coming up at Council in the coming weeks and months by checking out the City Council Agenda Calendar. Please note: this calendar is subject to frequent change and does not constitute legal notice.
 There is no solid waste collection service on New Year’s Day, January 1. If your regular service day falls on Thursday, then your collection day is moved to Friday, and Friday customers will receive solid waste service collection on Saturday. Wondering what to do with your Christmas tree? Unflocked (without powder or fake snow), undecorated Christmas trees up to 6 feet tall can be placed beside your cart on your regular service day during the first two weeks of January to be collected by Waste Management for composting at no extra cost. Taller trees should be cut down to 4-foot segments. Find more information about recycling, compost, and garbage services here.
 City administrative offices will be closed:
- At 12 p.m. noon on Wednesday, December 31
- All day Thursday, January 1
Fire, police, and other critical services will remain fully operational. City services normally accessible through email, the Our Kirkland service portal, and over the phone will be available during regular business hours while administrative offices are open.
As you pack up decorations and festive remnants of the holidays this year, here are some tips for recycling, upcycling, and donating:
- Holiday lights – Broken lights can be brought to a couple locations for recycling. King County has more info available at Green holidays - King County, Washington. Broken holiday lights can also be put in the regular garbage.
- Plastic yard decorations – Do not put into your recycling. If they are in good condition, consider donating them at a local Goodwill or post on Facebook Kirkland Buy Nothing Group for reuse.
- Greeting cards, wrapping paper, and gift bags – Save gift bags and other reusable wrappings to use again! Plain paper cards, bags, and wrapping paper (no glitter or foil) can be recycled curbside. Consider upcycling cards into ornaments, wreaths, or more fun ideas can be found at Recycling Christmas Cards: 12 Creative Ways To Upcycle Old Cards.
- Wreaths – Separate out branches and decorations from metal base. Branches can be placed in the gray yard waste cart. Reuse the wreath base and decorations. Fake wreaths can be donated for reuse and are not recyclable.
- Batteries – Bring your household batteries to the Kirkland City Hall or North Kirkland Community Center for recycling. Please empty into recycling containers and do not leave in bags or leave your receptacles. Accepted batteries can be found at Battery Recycling – City of Kirkland
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 Kick off the new year with an act that truly matters. Donating blood is a simple, powerful way to bring hope to patients facing cancer treatments, surgeries, and trauma. January is National Blood Donor Month, and there’s no better time to make a difference. Just one donation can help strengthen our community blood supply and save lives. Schedule a blood donation appointment to donate at Kirkland City Hall on January 21 or 22.
 You don’t have to be a firefighter, paramedic, or medical professional to make a lifesaving difference. Often, it’s the person closest to an emergency who has the biggest impact.
In 2026, the City is again partnering with the Medic One Foundation to offer free CPR/AED & First Aid classes that equip community members with the skills and confidence to respond in a crisis. This hands-on class covers practical techniques you can use at home, at work, or out in the community.
Participants will learn:
- CPR for adults, children, and infants
- How to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
- Basic first aid for common emergencies
The next class is scheduled for Thursday, January 15, from 4-8 p.m. Registration is available on the Eventbrite page.
 Starting as early as Monday, January 5, 2026, the Cross Kirkland Corridor (CKC) trail between Northeast 52 Street and 108 Avenue Northeast will be close to the public. For your safety, do not enter the closed section of the trail.
King County Wastewater Treatment Division anticipates that construction will last through February 2026. This sewer pipe (ESI 14) is a 7-foot diameter pipe, which carries 10 million gallons of wastewater a day on average during dry weather. In late July 2025, King County and City of Kirkland crews detected a leak from the County’s ESI 14 sewer pipe that was entering Kirkland’s piped stream. King County coordinated with Public Health – Seattle & King County, and no public health risk was identified.
In September 2025, King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks issued a Declaration of Urgency to expedite the repair efforts. The City of Kirkland also issued a Proclamation of Emergency to aid in repairs.
Since September, King County crews and contractors have been repairing the section of CKC Trail between NE 52nd Street and 108th Avenue NE. Repair work consists of installing a temporary above-ground wastewater diversion, repairing the joints inside the underground 7-foot diameter pipe, and restoring the construction site.
For questions and more information, please visit the project website.
 The Kirkland Police Department recently gathered with family members, friends, City colleagues, and retired officers for its second and final Swearing-In and Awards Ceremony of 2025. Swearing-in ceremonies are a meaningful tradition in the Police Department as they provide an opportunity to officially welcome new officers and professional staff into public service while recognizing the dedication and professionalism of those who serve the Kirkland community each day.
The ceremony included the Pledge of Allegiance and the administration of official oaths. Events like these highlight the strong connection between the Police Department and the community it serves—reminding us that public safety is built not only on training and skill, but also on trust, service, and shared responsibility.
The City thanks everyone who attended and extends its appreciation to the officers, staff, and families whose commitment helps keep Kirkland a safe and welcoming place to live.
Interested in a meaningful career serving your community? Consider applying to join the Kirkland Police Department today!
 This holiday season, some Kirkland firefighters quietly stepped in to support several local families. Throughout December, crews across the City’s fire stations pooled their own money to purchase holiday gifts and worked with local schools to identify families in their response areas who could use a little extra support.
Thanks to this collective effort, presents were delivered to more than 20 children. The experience was a meaningful reminder that serving the community goes beyond emergency response—it also means coming together to spread kindness, care, and joy whenever the opportunity arises.
 For weekly updates on City of Kirkland capital improvement projects, visit kirklandwa.gov/capitalprojects
Weekly traffic alerts related to city projects will resume in 2026.
Google Lights
Date: Now through January 9
Time: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Location: Feriton Spur Park, 509 6th Street South, Kirkland
Celebrate the season with sparkle and joy! The lights will shine bright nightly from 4 to 9 p.m. through January 9, so you can soak in the holiday glow all season long. Bundle up, bring your loved ones, and let the magic of the holidays light up your night!
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Kirkland Ice Rink
Date: Now through January 11
Location: Lee Johnson Field, 202 3rd St, Kirkland
Experience the magic of winter in downtown Kirkland with festive outdoor ice skating on Lee Johnson Field surrounded by twinkling lights, music, and seasonal cheer for all ages. Presented by the Kirkland Downtown Association, the ice rink will be open through January 11, 2026.
Ice skates are included in the admission fee. Skating sessions are for one hour. Tickets must be purchased online in advance. This is REAL ice, so bundle up! Find more information, including hours of operation, here.
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Want to savor the last of this year's holiday spirit? Relive the festive fun of the Kirkland Downtown Association's Winterfest Tree Lighting.
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