All results / Stories / Michael Whitney

School admins studying advised 3-foot distance within classroom spaces

School districts are still working out whether to shrink from six feet to three feet

Insurance pool has paid more than $275,000 so far in Snohomish Regional Fire’s attorney fees in “Firefighter 8” case

MONROE — A statewide insurance pool that insures abut 160 cities, fire districts, and 911 centers had paid more than $275,000 so far to the attorneys defending Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue in a religious discrimination lawsuit filed by eight unvaccinated firefighters. The case initiated in 2022 has gone through U.S. District Court and the decision is now being appealed to the federal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Shamed Monroe school board member didn’t violate law, open government experts say

School boards and other government boards have limited authority for setting a closed-door session where the public can't attend.

Clearer picture of personal property tax impacts if city’s builder incentive idea is fruitful

If the City Council agrees to put in place a temporary tax waiver on new multimillion-dollar residential buildings in the city’s Midtown District along Avenue D

Pharm A Save Monroe exits pharmacy business

Pharm A Save Monroe, by how the public knows it, ceased this week when it transferred its prescription files to Rite Aid.

Public defender case limits per lawyer may reduce if rules change, worrying cities of budget costs to hire more lawyers

Public defenders need to be juggling fewer cases per year, says the state’s bar association. The state court system is considering it. It could frame up a conflict of priorities, though. Indigent defense is taxpayer-paid out of local government budgets, and they’re already strapped.

State may plunge $7.4 million toward futue AquaSox stadium

A $7.4 million state Legislature earmark is being proposed for a much better ballpark in Everett to retain the AquaSox minor league team

Four who died in plane crash identified

Stories of the lives of the four men who died in the Snohomish plane crash Friday, Nov. 18 are starting to emerge.

Everett to pay $500k to settle bikini baristas lawsuit

The City Council authorized a $500,000 payout to settle a long-drawn-out federal lawsuit over the city’s “bikini barista” rulebook

Everett tax rise ballot measure placed by council

EVERETT — Everett's property tax levy ballot measure will be on August ballots. The city asks to increase the cap it can charge for its property tax levy.

Tulalip Tribes assert Port measure is an overreach, Port responds it isn't

A letter from The Tulalip Tribe opposing the Port's Proposition 1 boundary and tax district expansion has now received a responding statement from the Port.

Kaci Edelbrock Memorial 5K Run/Walk on Oct. 3 sends its proceeds back into community

When 350-plus runners take off at Lake Tye Park on Sunday, Oct. 3, the broader community is who benefits.

Petition circulating to raise Everett’s minimum wage

EVERETT -- A petition circulating to raise Everett’s minimum wage

Monroe Schools looks to limit devices in classtime

School board shaping phone use policy

MONROE -- Monroe Schools looks to create a policy to limit devices in classtime. The School Board is discussing the nuances of the issue.

COVID rates slowly rising locally

COVID-19 case counts have been slowly creeping up since July

Max Weed respected people of all ages

The kind gentleman at Weed’s Variety, the little shop with nearly everything, enjoyed his lifelong community and friends.

City to collect sales tax for affordable housing

The city will bump up its sales tax rate as part of a goal to foster more affordable housing in town.

Snohomish city councilmembers lean toward future fireworks ban

SNOHOMISH — A majority of City Council members voiced that fireworks use should be banned within city limits, giving burn risks and jarring noise among reasons why during a workshop last week. The council anticipates returning to the topic in 2025 after finishing off its budget deliberations and comprehensive plan decisions this fall and winter.

State transportation budget negotiations set plan

State gas tax to increase

OLYMPIA — The state Legislature Saturday approved a bipartisan, $15.5 billion transportation plan that in part increases the state gas tax for the first time since 2016. The state tax on regular gas will rise from $0.494 per gallon now to $0.554 on July 1. It codifies a 2% annual gas tax increase from summer 2026 onward. Diesel gas tax will rise by 3 cents per gallon July 1, and another 3 cents in summer 2027, then have 2% increases every year from 2028 onward.