The ten stories listed below had the most views and interactions over the course of 2022. The stories vary widely in subject matter – from remembrances and redevelopment to The Queen and The Speedster. The thread that ties them all together is that all have some connection to Bellevue.
Number 10
Remembering Paul Hartnett and Bob Stinson
Two all-time Bellevue greats passed this year. Both Hartnett and Stinson served as reminders that getting involved in your community is always better than complaining from the sides.
Number 9
American Heroes Park Master Plan
The City of Bellevue unveiled the visionary master plan for American Heroes Park.
Number 8
Queen Elizabeth’s Visit to Offutt AFB
Shortly after the passing of Queen Elizabeth, longtime Bellevue resident Dorene Sherman shared her memories of the time that The Queen visited Offutt Air Force Base on her way back to England.
Number 7
Day in the Life of a Bellevue Police Officer
Jessica Manning shares “A Day in the Life” of *Her* life as a Bellevue Police Officer.
Number 6
Stella’s Celebrates 85 Years of Business
Stella’s Bar & Grill celebrated another milestone this year – 85 years – and the Francois family sat down to share some of their memories of the highs and lows of running a family business for more than eight decades.
Number 5
Bellevue’s Jaiya Patillo – Fastest Girl in The USA
Did you know the fastest girl in the country lives in Bellevue? It’s true. 13-year-old Jaiya Patillo makes national track headlines frequently throughout the year. This summer she won the 400-meter at the Nike National Competition in Oregon.
Number 4
Bellevue Public Library Find New Home
While work has been going on in 2022, the library hopes to move into its new home in 2023. Meanwhile, the Bellevue Food Pantry will be moving into the old library space, greatly expanding its capacity.
Number 3
Olde Towne Redevelopment Vision Announced
The Bridge Flats was announced in August as the first major redevelopment project in Olde Towne. 2023 should see major development on this corner, the beginning of some streetscape projects, and possibly more announcements regarding new development in the Frontier District.
Number 2
Bowling Alley New Owner to Remodel and Reopen in 2023
Who knew Bellevue loved bowling? Well, apparently everyone! The story of Steve Kucirek purchasing and renovating the former Leopard Lanes bowling alley missed out on the #1 spot by a very slim margin. Kucirek plans to reopen the yet-to-be-named entertainment facility in 2023 much to the delight of the community.
Number 1
Offutt AFB Runway Reopens
Sooner or later, Offutt needed to repair the runway. The patchwork repair over the years held until the flood of 2019. After a little uncertainty about what was to happen – Offutt decided to rebuild. While the process was necessary, the greater Bellevue area missed the roar of the planes in the air. After an 18-month absence, we all heard the “Sounds of Freedom” again in the skies above Bellevue this past September.
