Housing tops calls to 211 EVERETT - A call to 211 can get residents in touch with countless social services across Snohomish County, but for the cities of Everett, Snohomish, Monroe and Mukilteo, the major needs are the same: Finding or affording shelter for their families. More...
Benches at food bank stolen MONROE - Someone stole two recently-donated benches from the Sky Valley Food Bank in a surprising crime last week. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published Jan. 6, 2010
MUKILTEO
Small projects planned for ferry terminal MUKILTEO - While the new year will probably not see the new, larger ferry terminal residents have wanted for so long, Mukilteo is in store for short-term ferry projects and improvements. More...
By LINDSAY TOLER
Published Jan. 6, 2010
SNOHOMISH
Days are numbered for The Hub restaurant SNOHOMISH - The Hub, the longtime family restaurant on Avenue D, will be closing its doors sometime in early 2010, co-owner Steve Dana said last week. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published Jan. 6, 2010
First Street sees holiday bump but remains cautious heading into 2010 SNOHOMISH - The holiday season gave First Street retailers an uptick in sales, but owners are not sure if 2010 will offer a large improvement in the economy.
Last year’s heavy snow kept shoppers away from First Street, but a stable climate this year brought out customers. More...
I continue my quest to interview interesting characters in the Snohomish area by stepping out of my comfort zone this month when I enter Stewart’s Place tavern on First Street. I wanted to talk to owner Joel Poll. More...
By JESSICA SPARKS
and LINDSAY TOLER
Published Jan. 13, 2010
City Council goes back to morning meetings EVERETT- The City Council passed a resolution to change the Wednesday meeting times without giving residents notice the topic would be discussed. More...
Public works director lead pick to run City Hall? MONROE - Deciding the next city administrator is yet to come before the City Council, but the talk in City Hall suggests public works director Gene Brazel is the leading candidate. More...
Student hit by vehicle improving MUKILTEO - A Harbour Pointe Middle School student was struck by a vehicle while walking to school in Mukilteo last week. More...
Council creates sustainability committee MUKILTEO - One of the first things Mukilteo’s City Council did this year was form a sustainability committee, electing four council members to study how environmental issues factor into the city’s daily business. More...
Students keep MLK dream alive EVERETT - In downtown Everett, 11 a.m. is usually a quiet time.
Coffee shops see the last of the early morning caffeine rush as restaurants prepare for the lunch crowd, and a quick glance through any office window shows employees working at desks or meeting in conference rooms.
But last week, this quiet was shattered by chanting, cheering and singing. More...
Note by note, Symphony hangs on EVERETT - In order to afford holding a concert next week, musicians with the Everett Symphony have agreed to perform as volunteers, donating their performance fees back to the symphony. More...
By LINDSAY TOLER
Published Jan. 20, 2010
Locals say ban won’t stop them bringing guns into parks EVERETT - Carrying firearms in Snohomish County parks is still illegal, despite attempts by County Councilman John Koster and a group of concealed weapon permit holders who spoke out at last week’s public hearing. More...
By LINDSAY TOLER
Published Jan. 20, 2010
Koster wants rematch EVERETT - Republican County Councilman John Koster will challenge U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, a Democrat, for his congressional seat, Koster announced last week. More...
‘Green’ City Hall earns gold status MUKILTEO - Mukilteo’s City Hall is about as “green” as you can get.
The building recently received a “gold” ranking, the second best of four rankings, from the U.S. Green Building Council, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit coalition of building industry leaders. More...
Everett High School celebrates 100 years EVERETT - More than 100 years ago, a man riding his horse along what is now Broadway sauntered past a group building a small, wooden structure.
He asked the men what they were doing, and they answered they were building a schoolhouse for elementary students. More...
Council close to approving ethics revisions MONROE - The City Council appears to have enough votes to allow a hearing examiner hear ethics complaints if the alleged violator so chooses in a policy move that residents and council members fought against in the past but now seem willing to accept. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published Jan. 27, 2010
City closer to selling piece of North Kelsey MONROE - The City Council moved forward on a purchase and sale agreement with a Seattle developer to put a big-box store on the north section of land in the North Kelsey development area last week. learn how it will affect their offers to market North Kelsey. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published Jan. 27, 2010
MUKILTEO
City explores need for red-light cameras MUKILTEO - Watch out, red-light runners.
City staff are launching a series of studies to determine whether intersections are so dangerous that they need traffic safety cameras installed More...
By LINDSAY TOLER
Published Jan. 27, 2010
Final hearing attracts big crowd MUKILTEO - Mukilteo residents flooded Kamiak High School’s auditorium to oppose commercial passenger flights at Paine Field airport, eventually forcing organizers to turn people away. More...
Everett asks voters to renew school levy Feb. 9 EVERETT - The Everett School District, like many districts in Snohomish County, is asking voters to renew its maintenance and operations levy, which covers 20 percent of the district’s operating budget. More...
By TRIBUNE STAFF
Published Feb. 3, 2010
Volunteers count county’s homeless EVERETT - More than 2,291 homeless Snohomish County residents registered last week during the annual Point In Time Count, a snapshot of the homeless situation in Washington state communities. More...
Public works director up for top City Hall job MONROE - Mayor Robert Zimmerman announced plans to propose public works director Gene Brazel for the position of interim city administrator this week, confirming talk in City Hall that Brazel would get the nod. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published Feb. 3, 2010
Monroe student collects items for troops MONROE - Alexander Kersey took his scout group fundraiser to send socks to soldiers and made it his own last year. Now, Kersey is doing another fundraiser of his own to send nuts and notes to soldiers. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published Feb. 3, 2010
Doctor tips to maintain healthy weight MONROE - Fidgeting is one of the many ways you can reduce your weight, Dr. Christina Lee said. Other methods include walking more and adding exercise into your daily schedule. More...
Students part of Haiti text donations MUKILTEO - Fourth graders at Discovery Elementary School are proving that small people with small amounts of money can make a big difference for those in need. More...
Snohomish Slew predicts ... SNOHOMISH - Dallas Van Dyke tries to get a hold of Snohomish Slew at the fifth annual GroundFrog Day event Jan. 30 in Snohomish. More...
Snohomish couple help count homeless SNOHOMISH - The number of homeless people counted in Snohomish County fell slightly according to the annual homeless count headed by Volunteers of America. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published Feb. 3, 2010
Little Cedars donates $1,000 to Haiti SNOHOMISH - The students of Little Cedars Elementary raised more than $1,000 for earthquake relief efforts in Haiti the week of Jan. 18. The donation will go to the American Red Cross. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published Feb. 3, 2010
Downtown groups hope state will save Main Street program SNOHOMISH - A program designed to revitalize downtowns that Snohomish and Monroe participate in may be saved by legislators while they work to cut another $2 billion from the state budget. More...
New senior center director loves Snohomish, ready to get to work SNOHOMISH - Kim Mosley, the new executive director of the Snohomish Senior Center, may have some big shoes to fill but she is eager to get started. She took over for former and first-ever executive director Karen Charnell on Jan. 25. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published Feb. 3, 2010
School district asks for levy renewal Feb. 9 SNOHOMISH- The Snohomish School District is asking voters to renew its maintenance and operations levy in a special election Feb. 9. Ballots were mailed Jan. 21. More...
Collins group drops lawsuits against port EVERETT - A preservationist group dropped its lawsuits over the Collins Building last month, leaving the building’s fate in the hands of federal mediators. More...
Reardon calls for end to infighting in annual address EVERETT - County Executive Aaron Reardon called for the county to act more competitively in the business market and for an end to the infighting between himself and the County Council during his annual state of the county address last week. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published Feb. 10, 2010
Symphony cancels season, reworks business model EVERETT - After years of struggling with mounting debt exacerbated by the recently struggling economy, the Everett Symphony has emerged with a new plan: the show will go on, but you’ll only get what you pay for. More...
By LINDSAY TOLER
Published Feb. 10, 2010
MONROE
Theater group puts on bilingual play MONROE - The people behind a local performance of the play “Real Women Have Curves” have a goal in mind: to better connect the white and Latino populations of the city.
The play is about a daughter in a Mexican-American family who battles traditionalist views of women in Latino culture while working to get into college. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published Feb. 10, 2010
Council restructures ethics complaint process MONROE - A 6-1 vote to change the city’s ethics ordinance adds a hearing examiner, strips the investigative abilities of the ethics board and puts more responsibility on residents who file complaints. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published Feb. 10, 2010
Council clears Brazel MONROE - Monroe public works director Gene Brazel will become the interim city administrator starting March 1. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published Feb. 10, 2010
MUKILTEO
Council nixes parking garage MUKILTEO - If last week’s two-and-a-half hour public hearing on parking is any indication, the City Council and residents agree on two things: parking near the waterfront is infuriatingly difficult, More...
By LINDSAY TOLER
Published Feb. 10, 2010
SNOHOMISH
Tourist train will stop at First Street SNOHOMISH - If all goes well, the tourist train coming to Snohomish will definitely stop at First Street, but there are some hoops to jump through first. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published Feb. 10, 2010
City eyeing left over stimulus money for signal SNOHOMISH - The funding to design a traffic light at the intersection of First Street and Avenue D was vetted by the City Council last week, but the city is angling to pay for construction by applying for economic stimulus money left over from 2009. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published Feb. 10, 2010
Bad economy brings construction costs down SNOHOMISH - Projects in the school district are progressing, and the district also scored a few construction deals that are millions under budget thanks to the down economy. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published Feb. 10, 2010
February 17, 2010
EVERETT
Groups join to help the jobless EVERETT - Next month marks an unhappy anniversary for Lonzo Wilson — a year since he was laid off from a job doing warehouse and janitorial work. More...
Symphony wants to hear from you on how best to serve community EVERETT - After a mounting debt caused the Everett Symphony to prematurely close for the season, organizers have announced they will restructure the symphony — with the help of community leaders — to be sustainable next season. More...
By LINDSAY TOLER
Published Feb. 17, 2010
Council goes back to night meetings EVERETT - The battle over City Council meeting times is over, but the flurry of resident activism spurred by the debate continues. More...
By LINDSAY TOLER
Published Feb. 17, 2010
MONROE
5 years later, city agrees to release public records MONROE - In a surprise move at the advice of its attorney, the City Council voted last week to fully release the documents that spurred an open records lawsuit the city lost last fall. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published Feb. 17, 2010
Imagine Children’s Museum’s Kristina Droppers (left) watches as Rebekah Huskey, 4, of Monroe slides her “curling rock” toward the target during a game of carpet curling Feb. 11 at the museum in Everett. To celebrate the Vancouver Winter Olympics, the museum set up various winter sports events but with a warmer indoor setting in mind. Visitors to the museum were able to participate in carpet skating, floor hockey and carpet curling.
MUKILTEO
Opponents wait for FAA’s reaction to hearings on commercial flights EVERETT - As Mukilteo residents wait to hear whether the Federal Aviation Administration will allow commercial passenger flights at Paine Field, local groups are continuing to fight the plan by challenging the FAA’s environmental assessment released last year. More...
By LINDSAY TOLER
Published Feb. 17, 2010
Voters approve school levies MUKILTEO - Voters across the county agreed to give local schools a big boost — despite the economic recession.
In Everett, Mukilteo and school districts across the county, early leads assured levies for daily operations and building repairs would pass. More...
With about 50 fans watching from the stands, freshman Lexi Armbruster takes aim at the basket Feb. 10 during the last official sports event in the “Old Gym” at Snohomish High School. More...
I first started going to Haiti on a regular basis in 2002. I was part of a dental team led by Dr. Mike Karr from Granite Falls. I got to see the capital, Port-au-Prince, and some of the surrounding areas from the slums and shanty towns to the walled compounds in the hills belonging to the elite who make up only about 5 percent of the population. More...
By WARNER BLAKE
special to the Tribune
Published Feb. 17, 2010
This is the story of Joseph McNulty who broke his wooden leg protecting the citizens of Snohomish from being hit by trains. More...
February 24, 2010
Area paramedics help Haitians get medical care EVERETT - An Everett paramedic’s quest to help earthquake-stricken Haiti by forming a relief organization is now gaining volunteers nationally. It recently sent its fourth team of volunteers to the island nation. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published Feb. 24, 2010
City will ask voters to up EMS tax EVERETT - Voters will decide whether to raise taxes to fund emergency medical services during a special election in April. More...
By LINDSAY TOLER
Published Feb. 24, 2010
Port, preservationists begin new process for Collins Building EVERETT - After years of debate, the Collins Building process is getting a do-over.
The Port of Everett Commission is starting at the beginning, launching a new engineering study that will be presented to the Port of Everett Commission and local residents June 5. More...
By LINDSAY TOLER
Published Feb. 24, 2010
Learn about county’s black history EVERETT - About 40 years ago, when just a few hundred African Americans lived in Snohomish County, a black man worked to reach out to minority youth. He helped one black girl find a summer job, giving her pocket money and keeping her off the street and out of trouble. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published Feb. 24, 2010
Diversity training helps teacher connect with students EVERETT - As an English teacher to non-English speaking students, Elaine Bryan has the chance to learn about international cultures first hand.
“I learn all the time,” Bryan said. “They are very proud of their heritage.” More...
By LINDSAY TOLER
Published Feb. 24, 2010
City installs solar-powered trash bins EVERETT - Everett’s Parks Department will use solar-powered trash compactors, reducing the frequency of garbage pick-up, fuel consumption and vehicle emissions.
The 35 new compactors will cost the city $145,000, paid to Big Belly Solar, the only manufacturer of solar-powered compactors and the patent holder for the design and construction.
About half the cost of the compactors — about $138,000 — was paid through grant money from the $787 billion stimulus package passed by Congress last year.
By LINDSAY TOLER
Published Feb. 24, 2010
Everett Transit adjusts routes EVERETT - Everett Transit bus service routes will change March 28 to solve problems caused by changes in November, when the transit provider added routes and increased service in areas throughout the city. More...
City applies for loan to buy police cars MONROE - The Police Department will finally be able to replace four aging police cruisers thanks to the City Council agreeing to apply for a state loan. More...
Council decides to forgo streaming meetings online SNOHOMISH - The City Council will not be putting recordings of its meetings online, saying the written minutes are detailed enough for residents to understand what happened at meetings they couldn’t attend. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published Feb. 24, 2010
The Hub’s last day is March 14 SNOHOMISH - Your last chance to get a Pantherburger is coming March 14. The Hub, the longtime family restaurant on Avenue D, set its closing date last week. It opened in 1960.
The restaurant is closing because of a decline in sales over the past two years.
The building is for sale, but there have been no buyers yet, co-owner Steve Dana said last week.
Dana announced plans last week to run against 44th Legislative District state Rep. Hans Dunshee, but the closure of the restaurant is not timed to this new campaign.
Dana had not yet filed with the Public Disclosure Commission as of last week. The commission tracts campaign funding.
Dunshee is a Democrat; Dana plans to run as a Republican.
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published Feb. 24, 2010
Assault suspect turns self in to police SNOHOMISH - Snohomish police said they have found the person who allegedly hit another man with a reportedly hard glass object that crushed the man’s skull during a six-person scuffle at the Sports Page Bar and Grille last April. More...
EvCC considers going smoke free EVERETT - Everett Community College could become the second college in the state to go smoke free.
The college is considering a campus-wide smoking ban at the behest of students, faculty and staff who say walking past designated smoking areas is bad for their health. More...
By LINDSAY TOLER
Published March 3, 2010
Blog tells Everett’s stories EVERETT - For Steve and Denise Liedlich, Everett is more than just a city. It’s where they met four years ago listening to a band in Zippy’s coffee shop. It’s where they fell in love and decided to get married. More...
By LINDSAY TOLER
Published March 3, 2010
Musicians form new symphonic group EVERETT - As the final, fading notes of the Everett Symphony’s January concert floated over the packed auditorium, longtime conductor Paul-Elliott Cobbs remembers seeing one thing: tears. More...
Police bust up chop shop MONROE - Authorities are calling an alleged chop shop busted up late last week a professional organization. The chop shop focused on stealing souped-up Hondas and Acuras for their speedy VTEC engines and parts. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published March 3, 2010
Monroe resident challenges Kristiansen for House seat MONROE - Eleanor Walters, a Monroe Democrat with a history of fighting for equal rights, is the first challenger to put her hat in the ring against incumbent state Rep. Dan Kristiansen. More...
Snohomish bagpiper performs at Olympics before Curling events Alexander Schiele, middle piper, was invited to join one of the top bagpipe bands in the world performing at the Olympics before the Curling events. His last performance was Feb. 24. Schiele began learning to play bagpipes at age 7, much to the surprise of his parents. His grandmother bought a “practice chanter” to keep his interest while she told stories of her trip to Scotland. He enjoyed it and worked his way through all of the simple lessons in the book that came with it. He soon began taking lessons from one of a couple of full-time bagpipe instructors in the Seattle area, Kevin Auld, and soon joined Northwest Junior Pipe Band practicing hard and quickly rising through the amateur competition ranks. Schiele lives in Snohomish and attends Sky Valley Education Center in Monroe as a homeschooled student. He travels to Shoreline for band practice twice a week and private lessons twice a week. He also travels to Vancouver, British Columbia, monthly for competitions. He has performed several times on television, at Seahawks games, Mariners games, and at the 2008 World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, where the band placed fifth in the world at their competition level in a field of 23 worldwide bands.
New mayor, council stress respect, thoughtful growth SNOHOMISH - This year the city has a new mayor and two new council members. Karen Guzak was voted in as mayor at the start of the year, and Councilmen Greg Guedel and Tom Hamilton are new additions as a result of last fall’s election. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published March 3, 2010
SULTAN
Cities along U.S. 2 want lower speed limits SULTAN - Another tragic death on U.S. 2 turned into the catalyst for residents to renew calls for lowering speed limits and making roadway improvements near Sultan and Gold Bar on the “highway of death.” More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published March 3, 2010
March 10, 2010
EVERETT
Sequoia shows district key to higher graduation rates EVERETT - Like most high school students, Elizabeth Draper struggled with her math and science courses.
“I found it really hard to focus,” Elizabeth, 17, said. “I didn’t even want to go to class.” More...
By LINDSAY TOLER
Published March 10, 2010
Bus service cuts take effect in June EVERETT - The Community Transit board of directors unanimously, though reluctantly, voted to suspend Sunday and holiday service, increase fares and make other cuts to close a $5 million budget gap. More...
Vandals hit Miracle League Field again MONROE - The Miracle League Field in Monroe has been hit by vandals for the third time in the past couple of months, the Police Department reported last week.
Officers were called to the special ball field March 4 around 8 a.m. and found graffiti on the wall directly behind home plate. City park employees estimate damages to the property could reach $5,000.
Labor costs for parks employees to repair and/or replace the damage, as well as police officer response and reporting time add up to thousands of dollars for the city.
The city is asking for your help. If you know anything about these incidents or observe similar acts, notify police immediately. Call the Monroe Police Department during business hours at 360-794-6300. Anonymous information may be left on the department’s tip line at 360-863-4600. In the event you observe in-progress damage or suspicious activity, immediately call 911. The Rotary Club of Monroe is offering a $500 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for this recent vandalism to the Miracle League Field. This field serves the needs of disabled kids and adults in the Sky Valley area and was dedicated in September 2009 after years of fundraising by the rotary, local businesses and city and state representatives.
By TRIBUNE STAFF
Published March 10, 2010
Kristiansen running for fourth term in state House MONROE - State Rep. Dan Kristiansen, a Republican from Snohomish, is not sure what the race for the 39th Legislative District will be like — he hasn’t met his opponent yet, but he is confident in his positions. More...
Residents want city to keep building heights in check SNOHOMISH - City planners eye allowing taller buildings in an eastside mixed-use neighborhood, but residents shot the idea down in a meeting held to gather feedback. Residents said they do not want multistory structures to alienate the small-town feel of the neighborhood. More...
Girl attacked with tire iron SNOHOMISH - A 17-year-old girl reported being hit in the head with a tire iron in the 900 block of Pine Avenue on Feb. 28.
The victim told Snohomish police that a girl unknown to her riding in a car with a male driver pulled up to her and the two exchanged words.
The situation escalated, and the female suspect pulled out a tire iron and hit the victim over the head and fled.
The victim was taken to an area hospital, treated and released.
The attack happened at about 2:30 a.m.
The victim described her attacker as a white girl, aged 18 or 19, blond hair, wearing a black jacket, tank top and blue jeans. The victim was unable to describe the male driver.
The vehicle was described as a newer silver car with tinted windows and four tail lights.
If anyone has information about this attack, call officer Fontenot at 360-568-0888.
Stanton Meadows residents plan to appeal cell tower MONROE - Residents in a neighborhood in the northwest part of town are upset over a proposed cell phone tower next to a nearby park. They are concerned the tower would be harmful to children’s health. More...
Former councilman fined again for campaign reporting violations MONROE - Former City Councilman Chad Minnick has been fined for the second time in two years by the state’s campaign finance agency for failing to properly report campaign expenditures during his unsuccessful 2007 re-election bid. More...
By JESSICA SPARKS
Published March 17, 2010
MUKILTEO
Weekends can be hungry times for many students MUKILTEO - Every Monday morning at Olympic View Middle School, teachers keep watch for students who seem more lethargic and drained than they did on Friday afternoon. While some of these students may just be disappointed class is back in session, principal Nancy Coogan says Monday morning exhaustion is a small symptom of a much bigger problem: students going the weekend without meals. More...
By LINDSAY TOLER
Published March 17, 2010
Does city need red-light cameras? MUKILTEO - The number of Mukilteo drivers making illegal right turns at over 10 miles per hour is “surprisingly high,” according to a recently released report. More...
By LINDSAY TOLER
Published March 17, 2010
Council to broadcast live online MUKILTEO - Mukilteo City Council meetings will soon be broadcast live over the Internet for residents to watch from home. More...
By LINDSAY TOLER
Published March 17, 2010
SNOHOMISH
Snohomish grad fighting rare cancer
Community hosts dinner March 26 to help pay medical bills SNOHOMISH - Ashleigh Lowery never thought she would be diagnosed with a major disease at age 24 but in her time of need the community has rallied to support her. More...
By WARNER BLAKE
special to the Tribune
Published March 17, 2010
“The second railroad meeting last Friday evening would not have impressed a stranger very forcibly with the idea that the people of Snohomish were imbued with a spirit of progress.”
This was reported 123 years ago in the Snohomish Eye, at a time when two railroad companies wanted to come through town, More...
Program may help those affected by Sunday cuts SNOHOMISH COUNTY - Starting this summer, Community Transit will cut all Sunday service in Snohomish County, a particularly devastating blow to churches and religious groups who depend on buses to bring disabled, elderly and low-income members to weekly services. More...
By LINDSAY TOLER
Published March 17, 2010
March 24, 2010
EVERETT
Committee introduces council rules EVERETT - The City Council discussed ideas for new rules that will govern how the council operates, but last week’s discussion intended for the full council only had four members present. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published March 24, 2010
Don’t become a victim of census fraud EVERETT - As census forms were sent to people across the country last week, Everett Police Department released details of the identity theft scam they call an “emerging trend.” More...
Help school district balance its budget EVERETT - As Everett Public Schools prepare to close a $7 million budget gap, the district is reaching out to community members to find out which cuts would have the least impact. More...
Woman recognized for saving man’s life SNOHOMISH - It was a cold, damp January evening as people slogged their way home on 92nd Street SE. A car stopped in the middle of the road was just a hazard to most people, but when Cheryle Wood’s daughter saw a person slumped behind the wheel, the pair knew something was wrong. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published March 24, 2010
FAA needs more time to answer Paine Field comments SNOHOMISH COUNTY - Federal officials say they received so many comments about starting commercial passenger service out of Paine Field airport that they’ve delayed releasing their final report until this summer. More...
Snohomish celebrates Easter April 3 SNOHOMISH - The Snohomish Chamber of Commerce’s Easter Parade celebrates its 30th anniversary April 3 at 11 a.m. on First Street in historic downtown. The community is invited to the only Easter Parade in Washington. More...
City may open up more parks to dogs SNOHOMISH - Dogs may get something to wag about as the city is looking to designate more parks as dog-friendly.
Currently only Ferguson Park allows dogs. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published March 24, 2010
March 31, 2010
EVERETT
New bus routes begin this week EVERETT - Everett Transit bus service routes changed this week to solve problems caused by changes in November, when the transit provider added routes and increased service in areas throughout the city. More...
By LINDSAY TOLER
Published March 31, 2010
Web site dedicated to all things port EVERETT - Residents advocating for more access to the Port of Everett are turning to the Internet.
Everett Port Watch, found online at portreform.net, calls for expanded public access to officials, records and places within the port’s jurisdiction. More...
By LINDSAY TOLER
Published March 31, 2010
Everett Schools Foundation has been helping students for 25 years EVERETT - In 1985, a group of concerned citizens banded together to advocate for Everett School District programs. Twenty-five years later, the Everett Public Schools Foundation is still going strong, raising more than $95,000 earlier this month to benefit low-income families and fund new projects for students. More...
Landowners lobby council to push through twice rejected rezone MONROE - A controversial rezone proposal — that in the past couldn’t get city support and prompted a minority bloc on council to aggressively push to change the city’s ethics code to move the proposal forward — is trying to be revived. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY and JESSICA SPARKS
Published March 31, 2010
Ballots for schools arrive soon MONROE - The Monroe School District plans to run two levies and a $47.4 million bond in an April 27 special election. Ballots will be arriving in mailboxes soon. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published March 31, 2010
Tipping cops for a good cause MONROE - Police officers hustled for a good cause at the Sailfish Grill restaurant last week. It was the 16th annual Tip-A-Cop event, which raises money for the Washington State Special Olympics. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published March 31, 2010
Sky Valley Food Bank director retires MONROE - Sky Valley Food Bank director Julie Morris is retiring after serving residents for more than 12 years.
Monroe Chamber of Commerce director Neil Watkins will step in as the new food bank director. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published March 31, 2010
MUKILTEO
Band director adds hall a famer to credentials MUKILTEO - Brian Steves says he was born to be a music teacher.
When he was young, he conducted his five brothers and sisters, including his twin, into a family band and even organized the music for church services on Sundays. Today, he considers a baton to be his instrument as he directs hundreds of students in the Kamiak High School orchestra. More...
No more WASL: Students take new, shorter state test SNOHOMISH COUNTY - Students in Washington state took the new High School Proficiency Exam earlier this month. The test replaces the Washington Assessment of Student Learning as a requirement for graduation. More...
By LINDSAY TOLER
Published March 31, 2010
April 2010
April 7, 2010
EVERETT
School district releases budget proposals EVERETT - When most mothers hear about budget cuts for the Everett School District, they think of an increase in their child’s class size. Monica Sullivan says she waited on budget news to determine her family’s size. More...
Family, friends celebrate Donnetta Walser’s work MONROE - Last week, more than 75 of Donnetta Walser’s closest friends gathered to celebrate the former mayor’s life as a teacher, politician and community activist. More...
Director ‘let go’ MONROE - Planning director Hiller West is no longer working for the city, the Tribune learned late last week.
West was let go apparently because he differed with the mayor on growth issues. More...
By JESSICA SPARKS and
MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published April 7, 2010
Local curlers carrying on family tradition SNOHOMISH - The game of curling is rather simple: You slide a 42-pound granite rock along a sheet of ice toward a target known as the “house” 42 yards away. More...
Community Transit finalizes service cuts EVERETT - Community Transit’s Board of Directors finalized major service cuts scheduled for this summer, including changes to the route linking Monroe and Snohomish to the Boeing plant in Everett. More...
By LINDSAY TOLER
Published April 14, 2010
Senior center remodel underway EVERETT - The Carl Gipson Senior Center is getting a face lift.
After years of finding federal and state grants to fund the project, the city is building a larger kitchen area, adding an elevator to the parking garage and installing fire sprinklers to the entire building. More...
Developer questions mayor’s decision to fire planning director MONROE - The developer of an $11.5 million family fun center at North Kelsey plans to go ahead but a week ago had serious reservations and considered putting the project on hold in the fallout of planning director Hiller West’s unexpected firing April 2. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published April 14, 2010
City budget estimates off by hundreds of thousands MONROE - Three months in, Monroe’s general fund is $400,000 off from anticipated year-end figures, putting the city in a deficit at year’s end, despite a recent cost-saving staff reorganization. More...
If county does, city will join housing group SNOHOMISH - The City Council decided to start negotiations to become part of a regional consortium that will focus on creating more affordable housing, with the caveat that the city will not pay money toward a necessary study unless Snohomish County joins the group. More...
Waters recovering after large manure lagoon fails SNOHOMISH - A massive breach of a manure lagoon early last week at the Bartelheimer Brothers dairy farm east of the city sent millions of gallons of manure into French Slough, which eventually drains into the Snohomish River. More...
County Council lifts gun ban in parks EVERETT - If the Snohomish County Council had its way, carrying guns in parks would still be illegal.
After last week’s council meeting and for the first time since the 1970s, concealed carry permit holders can bring their firearms into county parks. More...
Cell tower hearing rescheduled to May 4 MONROE - The T-Mobile cell phone tower appeals hearing was continued to next month after the city failed to turn over requested documents to the cell company in time for last week’s hearing. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published April 28, 2010
MUKILTEO
Council approves new spending MUKILTEO - Mukilteo added $234,100 to its $31 million budget last week.
The City Council approved 19 new costs, most of which had not been presented to the council before. More...
Farmers market opens this week SNOHOMISH - Fresh local produce will be at your fingertips each week in Snohomish as the farmers market opens this week. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published May 5, 2010
Mixed results for school measures MONROE - Two of three school district ballot measures appear headed toward defeat in last week’s special election, but late ballots could push one of them over to the win column. More...
Unemployed frustrated with though job hunts EVERETT - There were plenty of people looking for jobs at the Snohomish County Job Fair at Everett Community College last week, but job pickings are slim, they said. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published May 5, 2010
District will change some bus routes SNOHOMISH - Changing school bus routes and taking $1 million from its rainy day fund, the Snohomish School District appears ready to weather an estimated $1.5 million budget shortfall largely created by state funding cuts in education. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published May 5, 2010
City takes away commuter parking MUKILTEO - As of June 1, people will not be able to park their vehicles overnight at Lighthouse Park, leaving 75 ferry commuters needing a new place to park. More...
City says its purchasing land in Japanese Gulch MUKILTEO - Mukilteo is nearly set to acquire a “significant” chunk of Japanese Gulch, a natural wetlands site residents have long wanted the city to own so it can be preserved. More...
Court facility decision splits council EVERETT - The municipal court will remain at its current site, and the city plans to spend $6 million to renovate it.
The City Council approved the plan last week instead of spending time to look at similarly-priced alternatives. Location and timing were key factors for the decision. More...
School board will discuss ballot failure MONROE - School district officials are leaving most of the district’s next moves on funding up to the school board after voters rejected two of three propositions in the April 27 special election. More...
Multidrug-resistant TB shows up in Snohomish County SNOHOMISH - The health board approved funding for an extra Snohomish Health District official to manage the two strains of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis cases discovered in the county by health officials earlier this month. More...
City revisits ban on antique stores on Hewitt EVERETT - Downtown storefront buildings are not leasing as quickly as owners and property managers would like, and they have asked the planning commission to re-evaluate the zoning code that currently bans antique shops from street level spaces. More...
By ALENA ONWEILER SWANSON
Published May 26, 2010
Community Transit fare increases, service changes go into effect early June EVERETT - Starting June 1, fares are increasing for Community Transit riders and starting June 13, Sunday services will be cut from all Community Transit routes. On June 14, many route changes start affecting early morning and late night riders. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published May 26, 2010
Council opens up access to city business EVERETT - The Everett City Council held its first trial run of how meetings will proceed from now on in an effort to be more inclusive and transparent for residents. More...
Council puts EMS levy on August ballot MUKILTEO - Voters will decide this summer if they want to increase property taxes to pay for paramedic services provided by the Fire Department. More...
THEN AND NOW The paper trail for our story begins on Nov. 13, 1903, when this publication reported that the application form for a library bequest from Carnegie’s New York City office had arrived in town. More...
By WARNER BLAKE
special to the Tribune
Published May 26, 2010
June 2010
June 2, 2010
Board wants to run levy again, unsure about bond MONROE - Try, try again. After voters rejected a levy and bond asked by the school district, the school board voted last week to run the levy again and held off on making a decision about the bond. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published June 2, 2010
Artists’ Garage Sale moves to Everett EVERETT - The Artists’ Garage Sale moves to Everett June 5 for their 16th annual gathering where artists clean out their closets and sell their artwork at sale prices. More...
Council talks annexation again MUKILTEO - The Mukilteo City Council is reopening the discussion on annexation in parts of unincorporated Snohomish County after more than a year of council discussions, a lawsuit and disagreements between Fire District 1 and the city. More...
By ALENA ONWEILER SWANSON
Published June 2, 2010
SNOHOMISH
Council ditches valley irrigation idea SNOHOMISH - The City Council shot down a proposal to study sending treated sewage to valley farmers for irrigation last month, closing the door on bringing back a discussion on whether to upgrade the city’s wastewater treatment plant or build a sewage line to Everett. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published June 2, 2010
June 9, 2010
EVERETT
Commissioner describes mood of daylong meeting as ‘Collins or bust’ EVERETT - While an air of distrust and frustration filled the public meeting on the Collins Building June 5 that brought out nearly 50 residents, there still seemed to be people searching for a compromise that would serve both building preservationists and the Port of Everett. More...
By ALENA ONWEILER SWANSON
Published June 9, 2010
Board asks voters to mitigate state cuts EVERETT - The Everett School Board last week approved putting a temporary supplemental levy on the Aug. 17 primary ballot. The levy would last four years and seeks to maintain funding for schools as the state continues to cut education. More...
By ALENA ONWEILER SWANSON
Published June 10, 2010
Mukilteo edition
SNOHOMISH
Glacier Peak takes home soccer title SNOHOMISH- It may not be as big as winning the World Cup, which begins June 11, but to the Glacier Peak Grizzlies boys soccer team, winning the 3A state title May 29 may feel just as big. More...
By DOUG RAMSAY
contributing writer
Published June 9, 2010
Port waits on report before making Collins decision EVERETT - Residents were left without an answer after Port of Everett commissioners met to discuss the results of the daylong meeting on the Collins Building that was held June 5. More...
By ALENA ONWEILER SWANSON
Published June 16, 2010
County Council forms human rights commission EVERETT- The County Council approved creating a Human Rights Commission last week, but supporters have long wanted the commission to have enforcement authority and called the move a “baby step.” More...
Eyman to council: It’s your move MUKILTEO - Six-year-old Elijah Sherwood, son of Nick Sherwood from BanCams.com, wearing a camera on his head and a bright blue “Let Voters Decide” T-shirt, led the walk into City Hall in an effort to get the issue of red-light cameras before voters. More...
‘Sentiment alone’ can’t save Collins Building EVERETT - The Port of Everett bid goodbye to the Collins Building — again — as the decision was made to deconstruct the building, which should be completely leveled in 10 to 15 weeks, port spokeswoman Lisa Lefeber said last week. More...
By ALENA ONWEILER SWANSON
Published June 23, 2010
City Council passes minimal governing rules EVERETT - A revised version of governing rules and procedures was passed unanimously by the City Council, leaving some council members feeling like more could have been done. More...
By ALENA ONWEILER SWANSON
Published June 23, 2010
MUKILTEO
Lots of activities planned for Wednesdays MUKILTEO - The dismal weather has not stopped people from enjoying Waterfront Wednesdays’ activities, which include singing performances, artistic demonstrations and movie nights. And it’s growing. More...
By ALENA ONWEILER SWANSON
Published June 23, 2010
SNOHOMISH
Neighbors watch out for each other SNOHOMISH - A northeast neighborhood is building its community and keeping an eye out for each other.
Neighbors near Morgantown Park formed a neighborhood watch program last month. They hope to make their program strong and permanent. More...
New farmers’ group plans for year-round market SNOHOMISH - A permanent, year-round farmers market is the eventual goal of a new nonprofit dedicated to all things farming in Snohomish County that was just launched earlier this month. More...
Red-light cameras won’t be coming to Mukilteo after all MUKILTEO - The Mukilteo City Council unanimously voted to rescind the decision to install red-light cameras at the intersection of Harbour Pointe Boulevard and Mukilteo Speedway and speed zone cameras in front of Olympic View Middle School. More...
By ALENA ONWEILER SWANSON
Published June 30, 2010
SNOHOMISH
Parents angry over popular teacher’s reassignment SNOHOMISH - The reassignment of one of Dutch Hill Elementary’s most popular and accomplished teachers left parents frustrated, upset and still seeking answers after a meeting with district officials last week. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published June 30, 2010
FCC wants more info on towers; opponents welcome news SNOHOMISH - KRKO radio tower opponents believe a recent Federal Communications Commission letter may be a game changer as to whether two additional AM radio towers can be built in the Snohomish River Valley. More...
Gulch activities planned for July 11 MUKILTEO - The Japanese Gulch Group, along with other sponsors, has a day of gulch activities planned for fun, learning and preservation during a tour and work party July 11 at 1 p.m. More...
By ALENA ONWEILER
Published July 7, 2010
Lighthouse Festival planning underway; still ways to help out MUKILTEO - Mukilteo’s Lighthouse Festival plans are already underway, with a lineup of events, including races, matches, art, food and beer gardens, fireworks and much more. It’s not too late to sign up and get in on the action. More...
Community Transit hoping for federal aid EVERETT - Community Transit, with the help of Sen. Patty Murray, is trying to bring Sunday and holiday services back for 2011 and 2012 by asking for $11 million in federal money. more...
By ALENA ONWEILER
Published July 14, 2010
Take down of Collins Building begins EVERETT - The Collins Building has a gust of wind blowing through it as the 84-year-old, three-story building is now being deconstructed — windows being the first to go. more...
By ALENA ONWEILER
Published July 14, 2010
MUKILTEO
Voters to get say on cameras MUKILTEO - The Mukilteo City Council voted to place the red-light and speed zone camera initiative on the Nov. 2 general election ballot. more...
By ALENA ONWEILER
Published July 14, 2010
SNOHOMISH
Hamlin to step down from council SNOHOMISH - City Councilman Randy Hamlin announced his resignation last week, citing increasing family and work commitments. more...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published July 14, 2010
NBA player back to host basketball camp SNOHOMISH - Hometown basketball star Jon Brockman is hosting his first-ever basketball camp next month, and he plans to invite some of his NBA friends to stop by. more...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published July 14, 2010
July 21, 2010
EVERETT
Play a piano on a city street EVERETT - People walking downtown will soon hear music playing from street bands or people who stop to play one of the pianos the city is rolling out next month. More...
By ALENA ONWEILER
Published July 21, 2010
MONROE
Developer misses deadline to close North Kelsey deal MONROE - A $9.6 million deal with Sabey Corp. to build a big-box store at North Kelsey is currently on hold.
The delay affects the city budget. It is expected that the city will need to refinance its $11.27 million loan it took out for another North Kelsey property. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published July 21, 2010
City budget continues to bleed MONROE - The city is looking at a $193,000 deficit by the end of this year and anticipates a $1 million shortfall in next year’s budget. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published July 21, 2010
MUKILTEO
Fire departments propose plan to share additional positions MUKILTEO - A packed City Council workshop last week held a room full of Mukilteo and Lynnwood firefighters, as the council discussed ways the two cities could cut costs next year by merging some fire department positions. More...
Principal reverses teacher decision SNOHOMISH - Pressured by parents, Dutch Hill Elementary principal Donna Kapustka reversed the unpopular decision to reassign a talented teacher to another classroom. More...
From homeless to advocate EVERETT - When he was young, Ron Berry wanted to be a football player. By age 17, he would end up living under a bridge. Now 39, he sits with his 6-month-old daughter, Zoey, with tears in his eyes. More...
“Concerned citizen(s)” sue city over camera initiative MUKILTEO - Mukilteo Citizens for Simple Government is suing the city of Mukilteo and Snohomish County to stop the red-light camera initiative from reaching the ballot. With the news of the coming lawsuit, the City Council still formally adopted the resolution to put the issue to a public vote last week. More...
By ALENA ONWEILER
Published July 28, 2010
SNOHOMISH
Trail meeting turns into discussion on senior center parking SNOHOMISH - The city is beginning to design the missing link of the Centennial Trail, but seniors at an open house last week still want to know where they can park.
Members of the Snohomish Senior Center use a gravel area outside the center’s property line to park. The gravel area is on the trail’s right-of-way. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published July 28, 2010
More students will be walking to school EVERETT - Approximately 1,490 more students living less than a mile from their school may find themselves walking next year due to Everett School District budget cuts.
The cuts will impact seven buses that drive seven routes but will save the district $400,000. Each bus costs about $326 per day, not including the cost of fuel, district spokeswoman Mary Waggoner said. More...
Library to build proper teen center EVERETT - With the Everett Public Library’s main branch preparing to build an area just for teens next summer, the youth will have more than just a few bookshelves to call their own. More...
YMCA caught off guard by vote to end agreement MONROE - Without any warning given to the YMCA, the City Council at the recommendation of the mayor terminated its agreement with The Y as part of sweeping budget cuts last week. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published Aug. 4, 2010
MUKILTEO
Woman killed crossing the street MUKILTEO - On July 29 at about 8 a.m., a 73-year-old Mukilteo woman was killed by a 12-wheel commercial truck at the intersection of Harbour Pointe Boulevard and Blue Heron Boulevard. More...
By ALENA ONWEILER
Published Aug. 4, 2010
SNOHOMISH
Agency’s mistake to blame for lagoon break SNOHOMISH - An old drainage system that should have been removed years ago caused a 27 million gallon manure lagoon spill near French Creek in April. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published Aug. 4, 2010
August 11, 2010
Bar owner wants everyone to be heart healthy EVERETT - When Shawn O’Donnell’s mother suffered a heart attack 25 years ago, he started on a health kick that he now wants to share with the community with a bicycle poker run Aug. 14. More...
By ALENA ONWEILER
Published Aug. 11, 2010
Police prepare for loss of 3 officers MONROE - The mayor’s proposal to lay off three police officers could affect the Police Department’s ability to respond to incidents like car prowls and other nonviolent incidents in a timely manner, which residents expressed concern about at a meeting of the Monroe Police Officers Guild last week. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published Aug. 11, 2010
Radio towers going back up in the valley SNOHOMISH - The KRKO radio towers allegedly brought down by ecoterrorists almost a year ago are going back up in the Snohomish River Valley. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published Aug. 11, 2010
Voters can have their say on cameras MUKILTEO- The court ruled in favor of the city of Mukilteo and Snohomish County last week, allowing the Initiative No. 2 red-light camera issue to remain on the Nov. 2 ballot. More...
Help fill buses with school supplies EVERETT - Buses will be lining up in August to collect school supplies for the Everett School District’s first-ever Stuff the Bus program. More...
By ALENA ONWEILER
Published Aug. 18, 2010
MONROE
Residents let down by vote to end YMCA contract MONROE - The termination of the city’s contract with the YMCA has left residents, who use the YMCA for free and at discounted rates under the contract, scratching their heads. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published Aug. 18, 2010
MUKILTEO
Council wants advisory annexation vote MUKILTEO - Mukilteo residents will get to weigh in this November on whether they want the city to double its population through annexation. More...
By ALENA ONWEILER
Published Aug. 18, 2010
SNOHOMISH
High schools losing money for drug counselor SNOHOMISH - The Snohomish School District is scrambling for ways to continue specialized counseling services at its high schools after it recently learned it lost funding for one of its drug and alcohol abuse counselors. More...
District cuts bus routes within a mile SNOHOMISH - More students will be walking to school this year as the district no longer will pick up most students within a one-mile radius of their school. More...
Everett- City of Everett historian David Dilgard stands across from two Everett buildings on Hewitt Avenue that recently turned 100 years old. The five-story Commerce Building (left) on the northeast corner of Hewitt and Rockefeller avenues and the Horseshoe Tavern building are mentioned in the Everett Library’s podcast. More...
By ALENA ONWEILER
Published Aug. 25, 2010
PUD and Everett partner for a greener Casino Road Everett- Casino Road residents will soon be able to be more energy efficient with several fixtures and installations offered to them for free starting this week.
The PUD is partnering with many cities in Snohomish County to create the Community Power Project. The partnership is with several groups to bring energy conservation to more communities across Snohomish County. More...
Monroe - Local police have identified no suspects as of press time in the homicide case where a 36-year-old Monroe woman was found strangled to death last week. More...
By ALENA ONWEILER and
MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published Aug. 25, 2010
Waterfront projects displace parkers Mukilteo- Mukilteo ferry users will be dropped off in Edmonds for two weeks and some parking lot users will be displaced, the planning department told the council in an update of various waterfront projects earlier this month. More...
By ALENA ONWEILER
Published Aug. 25, 2010
Snohomish
Residents can have their say on $20 city car tab feeSnohomish - Residents can tell the City Council their thoughts on the possibility of letting the council establish an independent taxing authority to raise money for street improvements and maintenance in a public hearing Sept. 21.
The state gave local jurisdictions, like Snohomish, the authority to create what is called a Transportation Benefit District. These districts come with several options on how to raise revenue for street repair. More...
EVERETT — A program to help people purchase their own home is finding more participants than a better-funded one that rents to low-income individuals, so the city is looking to shift some grant money around. more...
Everett— With summer coming to a close, a series of movies at the beach is finishing up and were as popular as ever this year. The events brought in 600 to 700 people. more...
Everett— Bicyclists will be happy to hear the city is in the beginning stages of creating dedicated bike lanes around town that will turn riding from a recreational activity to general commuting in Everett. more...
MONROE — With ten people still on the chopping block as part of a ten-person layoff set for Oct. 1, the council, the mayor and employee unions are still working toward a solution to save jobs. more...
MUKILTEO —The upcoming Curious Glass shop inside the Art Building will be having its grand opening and multiple generations will share their talents through glass and paintings. more...
MUKILTEO — To meet people doing exactly what they want in life is rare, but Marianne Brown knows she’s exactly where she wants to be. Brown is the enthusiastic owner of the Red Cup Café, a coffee shop where she knows the names of most of her customers. more...
MUKILTEO —Kris Kornegay, 26, of Mill Creek (center left) and Bryton Reim, 19, of Mukilteo lead nearly 400 runners down Third Street during this year’s running of Run-A-Muk. more...
SNOHOMISH — A crackdown on heroin and OxyContin dealers led to three separate arrests in one day last week. Snohomish Police have caught four dealers in the past two weeks.
The series of arrests is part of Chief John Turner’s push to eliminate drugs in the community. more...
Story and photos by
MICHAEL WHITNEY
published September 01, 2010
SNOHOMISH — Because of falling revenue, the city has a more than $500,000 deficit to overcome next year. The city is projected to spend $1 million more than it will earn in 2011, but the city only has $480,000 left in its piggy bank.
Fixing the hole could mean less services, or less people working for the city. more...
EVERETT —Jefferson Elementary could be neighboring with a nature park if a group succeeds in its goal of procuring school district land.
“We need to do something before the schools decide on something else to do with the area,” said John Crawford, Greater Eastmont Area Park Group committee chairman. more...
MONROE —Alvie Marcellus of Spokane stands on a spring board to chop through a log during a demonstration by the International Lumberjack group at the Evergreen State Fair in Monroe. more...
MONROE —A property rezone request that was rejected twice before by the planning commission narrowly received an approval recommendation by it two weeks ago. more...
MUKILTEO — While the Mukilteo City Council adjusts its budget for the coming year, business licenses get a second look, possibly to be one of the few where fees are reduced. more...
SNOHOMISH —More students in the Snohomish School District are using the free or reduced lunch program, an impact stemming from the downturned economy. more...
EVERETT — Snohomish County Public Utility District’s tidal energy research project was awarded $10 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
Tidal power converts the energy from the tides into electricity. more...
By ALENA ONWEILER
Published Sept. 15, 2010
Monroe
Photo courtesy of the Monroe Police Officers Guild
Members of the Monroe Police Officers Guild protest outside City Hall during the City Council’s Sept. 7 meeting.
Doug Ramsay photo
Matthew House volunteer Jason Paz folds freshly washed bedding used in the three rooms at the Matthew House in Monroe.
MONROE — Protesters from the Monroe Police Officers Guild and others took to west Main Street last week during the City Council meeting with signs warning that less officers means increased crime.
Meanwhile inside City Hall, the City Council spent an hour and a half behind closed doors negotiating with unions, including the police guild, but new contracts were not finalized. more...
MONROE — For people like Liletha Williams, whose longtime boyfriend is in prison, Matthew House meant the difference between hardship and hope.
“I wouldn’t have made it without them,” Williams said.
Matthew House fed her, clothed her and gave her a place to stay while visiting her boyfriend. It gave her four children toys for Christmas and a boost when the chips were down. more...
MUKILTEO — The city is feeling squeezed by the limited amount of space where businesses can open up, prompting the planning department to show the City Council advantages of annexing more land. more...
SNOHOMISH — City officials are calling an agreement between the city and the state Department of Ecology an important breakthrough that could potentially lessen the burden on utility rate payers. more...
EVERETT — Everett Transit is looking at cutting trips at certain times along a number of routes, which means riders may have to catch a different bus or wait for a later bus. more...
EVERETT — The Everett Symphony has been reborn this fall into the Everett Philharmonic after the bankrupt symphony was forced to close at the end of January.
Most of the musicians have been playing together for more than 25 years. more...
MONROE —The last city official to question the wisdom of allowing commercial development on a flood-prone, environmentally sensitive piece of farmland along U.S. 2 was fired by the mayor, something the mayor denies. more...
MONROE — Police say they have found the man responsible for strangling to death a Monroe woman in her apartment. A 45-year-old man was arrested Sept. 17 for second-degree murder of Angela Pettifer, 36. more...
MUKILTEO — With the 2011 city budget on the discussion table and the economy still struggling along, the new Rosehill Community Center will be opening its doors during a rocky financial time. more...
By ALENA ONWEILER
Published Sept. 22, 2010
Snohomish
SNOHOMISH —Brandon Krauch of Sedro-Woolley captures on his cell phone the launching of a pumpkin by the Tre Barbaric’s trebuchet Sept. 18 at the third annual Snohomish Pumpkin Hurl, which is part of the Snohomish Festival of Pumpkins. more...
SNOHOMISH — The Snohomish School District is recoiling and rethinking many of the bus routes it changed to save money.
The changes left children being picked up at dangerous locations or having to walk to faraway bus stops, parents said last week. more...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published Sept. 22, 2010
September 29, 2010
Doug Ramsay photo
Dan Jubie of Stanwood wipes water off his 1959 Chevrolet Impala Sept. 26 during the 28th annual Snohomish classic car and hot rod display. Mother Nature was not kind to this year’s show as rain fell during most of the morning, resulting in a low turnout with just more than 250 cars participating. Jubie, who said he owns 14 antique vehicles, drove the Impala down from Stanwood despite the fact that it had not been driven in the rain since he bought it in 1995. “I found out the wipers don’t work, which made it a little scary,” Jubie said.
EVERETT – By Nov. 28, Everett Transit will have cut about $600,000 worth of services due to falling sales tax revenue.
“The recession hasn’t been overly kind to the tax dollar,” agency spokeswoman Steffani Lillie said. more...
EVERETT - After summer rain flooded north Everett basements with sewage and rainwater, an environmentally friendly solution could help lessen the backup. more...
MONROE – A Monroe man has been charged with second-degree murder for the death of Angela Pettifer, 36, who was found strangled to death in her apartment in August. more...
MUKILTEO – The city is clarifying its sign code relating to portable signs such as those used by real estate agents and those used by businesses to advertise along streets. more...
SNOHOMISH – The City Council voted unanimously to establish a transportation benefit district to raise money for basic street maintenance projects last week, but any potential funding option will likely be up for a public vote. more...
SNOHOMISH – Residents were able see what an extension of the Centennial Trail may look like in the future at an open house last week at the Snohomish Boys and Girls Club. more...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published Sept. 29, 2010
October 2010
October 6, 2010
Welcome to Ms. Strong’s lab EVERETT - Elaborate bottled ecosystems line the window sill, giving visitors the impression they’re walking into a laboratory and not a fifth-grade classroom. More...
Planning commission question farmland rezone MONROE - The land broker who wants a large shopping center built on flood-prone, environmentally sensitive farmland in east Monroe faced questions from the city’s planning commission last week on the traffic and environmental impacts of rezoning the land to allow commercial use. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published Oct. 6, 2010
October 13, 2010
EVERETT
Trinity Lutheran College builds community garden EVERETT - What was once a slab of concrete is developing into a garden that offers educational opportunities, fresh produce for local food banks, plants for salmon and a place to relax. More...
By ALENA ONWEILER
Published Oct. 13, 2010
Spelldown puts teen center over the top EVERETT - The Everett Public Library has raised more than $3,500 through its adult Spell Down for the main branch’s new teen section that is coming next June. More...
Real estate agents want more signs, council considers request MUKILTEO - Real estate agents lined up before the City Council last week to express their concerns with proposed sign code changes that would limit their ability to advertise open houses.
After a three and a half hour discussion, the City Council decided to send the code amendments back to the planning department for revisions. More...
By ALENA ONWEILER
Published Oct. 13, 2010
SNOHOMISH
No getting around it, sewer rates will be going up SNOHOMISH - It is a guarantee: Your sewer rate will go up to pay the city’s share of a $44 million wastewater pipeline to Everett.
The City Council came to a consensus last week to increase the sewer rate 11.1 percent each year through 2013. The water rate will increase 5 percent, and the storm water rate will increase 8.25 percent next year. More...
Downtown winery hopes to open tasting room in June EVERETT - After having their wine distillery shut down overnight in January, the Covingtons are back in a downtown location and plan to be one of the first to open a wine tasting room. More...
By ALENA ONWEILER
Published Oct. 20, 2010
School district tries again to pass technology levy MONROE - The Monroe School District is trying again to pass an $11 million levy to pay for new technology for classrooms and make building repairs, such as replacing roofs and heating systems. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published Oct. 20, 2010
5 city employees lose their jobs MONROE - Four city employees lost their jobs last week and one will be laid off at the end of the year under Mayor Robert Zimmerman’s proposed $32 million budget for 2011. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published Oct. 20, 2010
WSF reopens ferry terminal study MUKILTEO - Who wants a ferry terminal? Anyone? With the ferry terminal’s location hanging in the balance, Mukilteo residents at an open house last week seem to have more issues with it being in town than ideas for where a new terminal should go. More...
FCC sets deadline for radio company to provide details on impacts SNOHOMISH- CAAM Partnership, one of two radio companies owned by the Skotdal family, faces a 30-day deadline to straighten out paperwork with the Federal Communications Commission on the ecological impacts of building new AM radio towers in the Snohomish River Valley or the application will be denied, states an FCC letter sent to CAAM on Oct. 13. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published Oct. 20, 2010
October 27, 2010
EVERETT
Theater offers entertainment that doesn’t break the bank EVERETT - On June 14, 1902, performances began to book for the new Everett Theatre built only a year before. More than a century later, the historic theater is striving to offer affordable entertainment for families during a tough economic time. More...
Everett Transit cuts trips EVERETT - Everett Transit cut 23 percent of its trips and even added a few new trips after hearing from residents on the proposed service changes.
On Nov. 28, the service changes will go into effect, cutting 82 trips. The trips were cut to maintain services on holidays and weekends and make up for the lack of revenue. More...
By ALENA ONWEILER
Published Oct. 27, 2010
MONROE
Council says no to apartments MONROE - A large parcel of land in the Fryelands was rezoned last week to allow the building of single-family homes but not the apartments that neighbors feared were sure to come. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published Oct. 27, 2010
Sprinkler system could have contained fire MONROE - The apartment building at 120 W. Hill Street that burned down Oct. 3 met basic fire safety inspection despite being old and lacking a sprinkler system. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published Oct. 27, 2010
MUKILTEO
Local measures on the ballot MUKILTEO - With so many close political races and statewide initiatives on the general election ballot, don’t forget about these local measures.
Ballots have been mailed out and must be postmarked by Nov. 2, the day of the election. More...
By ALENA ONWEILER
Published Oct. 27, 2010
SNOHOMISH
Donations sought for busy holiday season SNOHOMISH - Local food banks are bracing for a busy holiday season and hope the community will step up once again as the number of people using the food bank climbs. More...
Mayor wants to create $100K position MONROE - Amid another round of layoffs and cuts to city services, Mayor Robert Zimmerman wants to create an economic development manager position at a cost of $100,000, a move that drew mixed opinions among City Council members at last week’s council meeting. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published Nov. 3, 2010
City, port do not want ferry terminal moved to Everett EVERETT - Does anyone want a ferry terminal?
Apparently no one does — at least among the people who have attended recent open houses hosted by Washington State Ferries (wsf), which is looking to build a new terminal. More...
By ALENA ONWEILER
Published Nov. 3, 2010
Avoid lines at Holiday Art Mart MUKILTEO - There’s a way to avoid the crowds and lines while finding some unique Christmas gifts in Mukilteo.
The Holiday Art Mart is back for its third year Nov. 6 and will bring in artists from all over the Puget Sound area. More...
Food bank donations way down as more need help EVERETT - The Everett Food Bank is experiencing low donations and increased number of clients as the holiday season approaches.
This time last year the food bank had 1,000 turkeys to give to families. This year, the food bank has one. More...
Neighbors ask city to protect water view EVERETT - A piece of city property that provides a view of the waterfront has been used by neighbors for years and some local residents don’t want the property handed over for private use. More...
Voters say no to red-light cameras, annexation MUKILTEO - Voters overwhelmingly said they don’t want red-light cameras in Mukilteo, approving an initiative by almost 70 percent at last count that would make it difficult for the city to install cameras in the future. More...
By ALENA ONWEILER
Published Nov. 10, 2010
SNOHOMISH
Left: Centennial students Sara Albin, Jordan Harmston and Jake Foskett work in the school store selling reusable water bottles and T-shirts.
Students start lunchroom composting program SNOHOMISH - Students at Centennial Middle School have introduced a composting program to their lunchroom and are now warning others about the toxicity of plastic water bottles. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published Nov. 10, 2010
Council passes on property tax increase SNOHOMISH - The City Council decided not to raise property taxes by 1 percent in a 4-3 vote last week, with some council members voting “no” on the concern that residents will soon be hit with utility tax hikes next year. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published Nov. 10, 2010
November 17, 2010
Surprise from dad
Doug Ramsay photo
Nate Cadicamo, 7, (up top) and his brother Sam, 5, give their father, Matt, a big hug after being surprised by his homecoming Nov. 10 at Little Cedars Elementary School in Snohomish. U.S. Army Lt. Col. Cadicamo had been serving in Afghanistan for the past year where he was the OIC (officer in charge) of the Afghanistan Engineer District, Jalalabad Area Office. Second-grader Nate and kindergartner Sam sat along with a few close friends in the school’s library to watch a video shot by their father in Afghanistan. At the conclusion of the video, he asked his two boys to come to the screen where he told them he would be home by Thanksgiving. He then said he had a better idea. At that point, he walked up behind them for the surprise homecoming. Matt’s wife Sheryne said she and Matt had been planning the surprise for several months, along with help from the school’s staff. “You don’t normally give presents on Veterans Day, but I think this would be the best to give,” she said about surprising her sons. All the boys could think about after the surprise was that they would be able to spend the entire next day with their dad, since there was no school in honor of Veterans Day.
Imagine plans to expand EVERETT - Everett’s Imagine Children’s Museum will be expanding to allow traveling exhibits and more parking. More...
What exactly does the mayor want to spend $100,000 on? MONROE - Mayor Robert Zimmerman’s comments at last week’s City Council meeting has left it uncertain whether he wants to replace a vacant planning director position with an economic development manager position at an initial cost of $100,000. More...
Council hopes rezone request will go away if studied MONROE - The City Council opened the door to a developer who wants to rezone acres of flood-prone environmentally sensitive farmland to put in a big-box store just off U.S. 2 hoping it finally closes the door on this application. More...
After suing, group says city on track to fixing sewage problem SNOHOMISH - At a time when the city’s sewage plant was racking up Clean Water Act violations for dumping too much raw sewage into the Snohomish River, the Puget Soundkeeper Alliance felt it had no choice but to sue the city. More...
November 24, 2010
Sky Valley Food Bank needs help MONROE - The Snohomish Food Bank and Sky Valley Food Bank enter the holiday season this week on pace to serving a growing number of hungry people. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published Nov. 24, 2010
District loses drug counselor; heroin becomes drug of choice SNOHOMISH - After the school district lost one of its drug and alcohol counselors because of a loss of funding, the district is hoping a new student mentorship program will help keep students away from drugs. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published Nov. 24, 2010
Council won’t slow down Smuggler’s Gulch project MUKILEO - The Mukilteo City Council rejected residents’ concerns that the Smuggler’s Gulch project has been moving too fast to know what impact it might have on the environment. More...
Prison guards protest proposed cuts MONROE - Cuts ordered to the state Department of Corrections may mean up to 28 positions, primarily in the kitchen, will be cut at the Monroe Correctional Complex. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published Nov. 24, 2010
Council adopts 2011 budget SNOHOMISH - The City Council unanimously passed a 2011 budget that cuts the Police Department’s K9 program and cuts back on street sweeping services. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published Nov. 24, 2010
December, 2010
December 01, 2010
EVERETT
It’s time to stuff the bus EVERETT - Everett Transit and the bus driver’s union are partnering up for the seventh year in a row to bring holiday meals, gifts and basic necessitites to people who are struggling this year. More...
By ALENA ONWEILER
Published Dec. 1, 2010
Everett Symphony returns, finds new home EVERETT - After having to shut down in January, a victim of the bad economy, the Everett Symphony has reformed and found a new home at Everett Mall. More...
Mukilteo property tax increase decided MUKILTEO — The City Council approved increasing property taxes 1 percent in the coming year after a lengthy discussion on whether an increase was necessary. More...
By ALENA ONWEILER
Published Dec. 1 2010
SNOHOMISH
Snohomish announces snow plan SNOHOMISH — The city will be able to plow the main roads when snowfall hits, but a major snowstorm, such as the 2008 storm, could leave some people stuck. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published Dec. 1, 2010
SNOHOMISH COUNTY
Police step up DUI patrols SNOHOMISH COUNTY – Authorities are warning drivers that if you drive drunk this holiday season, you will be caught. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published Dec. 1, 2010
Community transit launches local program SNOHOMISH COUNTY – Community Transit wants people to shop local in an effort to boost sales tax revenue so the agency can bring back some of the services it had to cut. More...
Everett Animal Shelter losing money, clients Everett - The Everett Animal Shelter is losing money — and clients — as it faces increased operating costs and needs to pay off the cost of its new animal shelter on Smith Island. More...
By ALENA ONWEILER
Published December 8, 2010
Students promote healthy habits Everett - As a mom of a first and fifth grader, Jessica Burt wanted to see the people in her children’s lives promote healthy habits. More...
By ALENA ONWEILER
Published December 8, 2010
Council mulls “mother-in-law” dwellings Everett - A proposal to allow detached “mother-in-law apartments” in the backyards of Everett homes has some council members concerned these structures will bring the quality of nice neighborhoods down. More...
School board approves raises in meeting some call sneaky MONROE — The Monroe school board voted to give raises to most of the district’s administrators and principals at a time when Superintendent Ken Hoover, who recommended the raises, has publicly warned the district must further tighten its belt. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published December 8, 2010
SNOHOMISH
Boot Camp takes exercise outdoors, emphasizes fun SNOHOMISH — It might be the most fun boot camp experience around.
Almost every day, rain or shine, a group of people exercises outdoors as part of Snohomish Boot Camp. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published December 8, 2010
Major dairy ends with auction
SNOHOMISH — A legacy of almost a century of dairy farming in Snohomish County ended last week as the Bartelheimer Bros. Dairy, one the largest dairies in the area, closed operations just east of town. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published December 8, 2010
December 15, 2010
EVERETT
Rent a Christmas tree and help salmon habitat EVERETT - This Christmas you can help salmon restoration by renting a tree — if you can return it alive.
The returned trees will be replanted in salmon spawning areas instead of being thrown out. More...
By ALENA ONWEILER
Published Dec. 15, 2010
Port giving away pieces of Collins Building EVERETT- The Port of Everett is working out the application process for organizations to get parts of the historic Collins Building, the 84-year-old building that’s deconstruction started in July. More...
By ALENA ONWEILER
Published Dec. 15, 2010
Fence regulations to be discussed next month EVERETT - Does your fence meet city code? Are you thinking about replacing yours?
The planning department is looking at amending the city’s fence regulations. The planning commission will discuss the issue next month at a meeting. More...
By ALENA ONWEILER
Published Dec. 15, 2010
MONROE
Council agrees to lower water rate increase MONROE - The City Council debated whether to increase the water rate 2 percent or 5 percent for 2011, acknowledging that residents will be hit with much higher utility rate increases in 2012.
A vote to increase the water rate 5 percent was rejected 3-4. The council unanimously voted to raise the water rate 2 percent for 2011 in a subsequent vote. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published Dec. 15, 2010
MUKILTEO
Council adds to budget before adopting it MUKILTEO - The City Council adopted the 2011 budget after a four-hour revision session where some spending was cut and some spending added, bringing the city’s spending up to $276,600 more than originally proposed and almost doubling the budget gap. More...
11 percent sewer rate increase set SNOHOMISH - The City Council officially decided to raise utility rates for the next three years.
The water rate will increase 5 percent. The storm water rate will increase 8.25 percent. The sewer rate will increase 11.1 percent.
The rate increases were expected. The city has to raise money to build a $40 million sewer pipeline to Everett. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published Dec. 15, 2010
December 22, 2010
Doug Ramsay photo
Valley escapes major flooding Floodwater from the Snohomish and Pilchuck rivers wash over the Snohomish-Monroe Road and Stocker soccer fields in the east side of Snohomish Dec. 13. A warm, heavy rain storm out of Hawaii known as a “Pineapple Express”, blew into Western Washington Dec. 11 and caused rivers throughout the region to spill over their banks. While parts of north Snohomish County experienced heavy flooding, the Snohomish River Valley escaped with only minor flooding at the usual locations including the Snohomish-Monroe Road and the Ben Howard Road near Monroe. The Snohomish River crested late in the morning on Dec. 13 at 27.5 feet, 2.5 feet above the flood stage.
Walmart is coming to Monroe, councilman says MONROE - The City Council reached a deal to sell a parcel of land at North Kelsey, and Councilman Tony Balk made clear last week that a Walmart will be moving in. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published Dec. 22, 2010
Valley businesses ask FEMA to lift building restriction SNOHOMISH - Valley business owners have requested that the Federal Emergency Management Agency loosen building restrictions south of Snohomish, a move that concerns neighbors and farmers. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published Dec. 22, 2010
Police chief finalists introduced to the public MUKILTEO - Mukilteo is a good city with good people.
That is why three finalists vying to be Mukilteo’s new police chief said they wanted the job. Each, though, talked about their philosophies on leadership and ideas for running the Police Department. More...
By ALENA ONWEILER
Published Dec. 22, 2010
City looking to preserve its history EVERETT - It’s 1899 and Hewitt Avenue is bustling with businessmen and politicians.
James J. Hill is planning to bring the Great Northern Railroad over the Cascades to the Puget Sound, More...
By ALENA ONWEILER
Published Dec. 22, 2010
Motorcycle show picks Everett again EVERETT - The Sky Valley Antique and Classic Motorcycle Show will stay in Everett next year after leaving longtime host city of Snohomish under acrimonious terms. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published Dec. 22, 2010
December 29, 2010
EVERETT
Mayor names first female police chief EVERETT - Deputy Chief Kathy Atwood will be Everett’s next police chief, making her the first woman in city history to run the department. More...
By ALENA ONWEILER
Published Dec. 29, 2010
City builds four more Swift stations EVERETT - Swift bus rapid transit just may be the future of buses. They’re quick, efficient, come every 10 minutes, and it’s popular. It’s twice as popular as other buses, actually. More...
By ALENA ONWEILER
Published Dec. 29, 2010
MONROE
City settles records lawsuit MONROE - The city finally settled a lawsuit with an open government advocate who sued the city nearly five years ago for withholding public records and inappropriately blacking out information. More...
By MICHAEL WHITNEY
Published Dec. 29, 2010
Yep, Walmart is coming to North Kelsey MONROE - The rumors can be put to rest: a Walmart is coming.
The retail giant officially announced last week it will build a store at North Kelsey. More...
Council asks for trail parking near senior center SNOHOMISH - The City Council voted to send plans for the Centennial Trail back to the drawing board to sketch out moving 15 trail parking spaces to the senior center. More...
Tribune News Archives 2010 
Historic funeral parlor added to city register
The Hospitality Provider
Karen Guzak selected mayor
Snohomish brothers’ nonprofit helps Africans realize dreams
Monroe student collects items for troops
Snohomish Slew predicts ...
Searching for bargains: Everett Goodwill Outlet opens
Theater group puts on bilingual play
Imagine Children’s Museum’s Kristina Droppers (left) watches as Rebekah Huskey, 4, of Monroe slides her “curling rock” toward the target during a game of carpet curling Feb. 11 at the museum in Everett. To celebrate the Vancouver Winter Olympics, the museum set up various winter sports events but with a warmer indoor setting in mind. Visitors to the museum were able to participate in carpet skating, floor hockey and carpet curling. 
Doug Ramsay photo
Area paramedics help Haitians get medical care
Diversity training helps teacher connect with students
EvCC considers going smoke free
Blog tells Everett’s stories
Residents tell lawmakers not to suspend I-960
Snohomish bagpiper performs at Olympics before Curling events
Weekends can be hungry times for many students
Snohomish grad fighting rare cancer
State looking for historic barns to add to register
Student filmmaker gets a chance this year
Woman recognized for saving man’s life
Newer, safer cars for drivers could be dangerous for firefighters unfamiliar with new technology
Tipping cops for a good cause
Band director adds hall a famer to credentials.jpg)
Family, friends celebrate Donnetta Walser’s work
Kamiak senior illustrates for Everett author
KRKO powers down, residents see new chance to stop project
THEN AND NOW.jpg)
Commissioner describes mood of daylong meeting as ‘Collins or bust’.jpg)
Glacier Peak takes home soccer title
Neighbors watch out for each other
New farmers’ group plans for year-round market
NBA player back to host basketball camp
Play a piano on a city street
SNOHOMISH — A crackdown on heroin and OxyContin dealers led to three separate arrests in one day last week. Snohomish Police have caught four dealers in the past two weeks.
Doug Ramsay photo
Photo courtesy of the Monroe Police Officers Guild
Doug Ramsay photo
Left: Centennial students Sara Albin, Jordan Harmston and Jake Foskett work in the school store selling reusable water bottles and T-shirts.
