Michael Whitney

Michael Whitney

Clark Park project is to construct off-leash dog park to replace historic gazebo

EVERETT — The city has temporarily fenced off Clark Park at 24th and Lombard to begin deconstructing the park’s historic gazebo and constructing an off-leash dog play area in its place. City spokeswoman Simone Tarver said it could take until summer, when the 2,700-square-foot dog park is scheduled to be complete, before the fence is taken away.

Tree falls on historic home on Avenue B

SNOHOMISH — A thick American Elm maybe five stories high uprooted and crashed down onto one of the historic homes along Avenue B around midnight during last Tuesday’s heavy windstorm.

Family in Lake Roesiger loses home to tree

SNOHOMISH — Nobody was inside when the trees crashed, but now a young Lake Roesiger-area family is left seeking a new home.

Everett Libraries making cutbacks starting Dec. 1

EVERETT — The Everett public library system will be open fewer days and fewer hours starting Dec. 1, and be providing fewer general services, its director outlined at City Council.

Prosecutors in Snohomish County, local cities handling more cases with fewer resources

Caseloads at the county haven’t kept up with the growing population, and cases are getting denser and more complex. Meanwhile, the recategorization of drugs and drug possession as a gross misdemeanor has driven an estimated 90% of this caseload increase in Everett for Everett prosecutors.

Quarter midget racing organization fears losing track in contract bid cycle

MONROE — The nonprofit that runs youth quarter midget racing at the Evergreen State Fair Park fears it will get shut out of running on its longtime track.

County Council has mixed views on County Executive’s property tax increase

County Executive Dave Somers’ proposal to raise the county property tax rate by 8%, which would pencil to about a $15 increase to a $600,000 home according to the county finance office, has generated two separate countermeasures from the County Council ratcheting the rate down. Council Vice President Nate Nehring proposes taking no increase, and making multiple budget cuts to offset not having as much revenue come in. Nehring said the public doesn’t have an appetite for more taxes. Council President Jared Mead proposed a middle ground of 4%.

Snohomish Chamber doing “The Big Give” public holiday event

SNOHOMISH — The chamber is doing a new initiative this weekend called The Big Give, a free-entry event meant to show off some Christmas spirit.

Bickford Bridge fix won’t be fast

SNOHOMISH — There’s no quick fix for the pothole covered by a steel plate on the Bickford Bridge over state Route 9.

Cold weather shelters open for when freezing temps threaten

Cold weather shelters around Snohomish County available for when freezing temps threaten

Clearer picture of shrunken Everett city budget shown

The City Council is going through the final stages of deciding Everett’s near-$950 million budget. Public hearings will be at the Nov. 13 and Nov. 20 council meetings. The final council vote will be Dec. 4.

Bird flu infects flock in Snohomish County

Backyard poultry keepers have been on alert of a new wave of avian flu, and are calling on people to lock up their flocks.

Bell Canada buying Ziply Fiber

Bell Canada, the telecom arm of Canadian conglomerate BCE, plans to buy Washington-based Ziply Fiber, the two companies announced Nov. 4.

Driver who killed Snohomish teens sentenced

SNOHOMISH — In March 2023, two best friends from Snohomish were out celebrating one of them turning 18 with a trip to Seattle’s Alki Beach when their car was hit by a drunken driver going the wrong way on the West Seattle bridge.

VOAWW Pallet Shelter site still being hashed out in court

EVERETT — A group of neighbors seek to prevent the placement of tiny home shelters for homeless people at the corner of Glenwood Avenue and Sievers-Duecy Boulevard. They say it’s land that was deeded to the city with the obligation to be the expansion of the Phil Johnson Ballfields.

Monroe’s budget invests in parks, streetlights, sewers

MONROE — Mayor Geoffrey Thomas’s $92 million recommended biennial budget continues to build on past momentum, has cash toward Trombley Park on the northside and the future city plaza downtown, funds Flock license plate-reading cameras to quicken solving police investigations, and invests in a big sewer treatment project.

Tuesday 8:30 p.m. update: Local election results

Election results. Public rejecting Snohomish County sales tax for public safety, and more

Homeowners near Monroe hospital disturbed by potential upzone

MONROE — Homeowners living in the Strawberry Lane area just south of the hospital feel blindsided by a plan to upzone their area as part of the city's Comprehensive Plan. A few City Council members asked planners to create alternatives to avoid the rezone.

Snohomish’s future 10-acre Homestead Park to be designed

Snohomish’s future 10-acre Homestead Park to be designed

End of one of Monroe's historic Buck Houses, 'not too late' to save other

MONROE -- Demolition began Oct. 21 on one of the historic Buck Houses on S. Ann Street.

Razed Waits Motel site to be sold as townhomes site

EVERETT — The former site of the Waits Motel, 1301 Lombard Ave., near Broadway will be rezoned to allow a townhome development up to three stories tall, and its plan is to sell to a developer.

No lead pipes in Snohomish

SNOHOMISH — The city happily found there are no leaded pipes in the city’s drinking water system. No private water service pipes from the water main to the property building appeared to have leaded connections either.

Boeing workers reject contract again, stay on strike

Boeing assembly workers remain on strike after declining the latest offer between the union and The Boeing Co. presented last week.

In Snohomish County Superior Court judge battle, candidates explain how they approach the role

The only Snohomish County Superior Court Judge seat up for election might be one of this year’s more conspicuous county-level races. The roadside billboards first went up months ago. Sitting judge Whitney Rivera was appointed to the superior court this spring and is seeking election. Trial attorney Mary Anderson is taking her second shot at being elected to the bench after running for a seat last year. Ballots are due Nov. 5. It’s a nonpartisan position.

Mayor Redmon’s Snohomish budget invests in water, sewer lines

SNOHOMISH — Mayor Linda Redmon’s proposed $115.5 million biennial budget includes major replacements of the city’s water and sewer lines, as well as traffic-calming and pedestrian infrastructure.

Parents sue Monroe Schools over racism

MONROE —A group of five families have jointly sued the Monroe School District for ignoring and failing to prevent frequent racial discrimination and harassment against their children.

Red light cameras running at 41st and Rucker in Everett

Red light cameras running at 41st — Rucker

Split Snohomish City Council votes no to property tax increase

SNOHOMISH -- The City Council fractured on taking a 1% property tax increase, and ultimately voted 4-3 to not increase property taxes.

Boeing workers decide against new contract, continue strike

EVERETT — Boeing assemblers are anticipated to vote Oct. 23 on whether to accept a renegotiated contract that union leaders agreed to present to employees.

Repeat vandal to Snohomish Zion Lutheran Church caught

Repeat vandal to Snohomish Zion Lutheran Church caught

Asbestos exposure to firefighters at Pine Ave. training, while not ruled out, was not likely

SNOHOMISH ­— It’s possible 64 firefighters from three agencies who did scenario training inside the former Steuber’s Distributing Co. offices at Third and Pine were exposed to asbestos. A final task force report couldn’t rule it out.

Everett outlines balanced budget with service cuts

EVERETT — To have a balanced budget next year, the city plans to cut back on library hours, eliminate all park rangers, suspend its arts and culture grant program and make almost $5 million in labor cuts to plug its $12.6 million budget deficit.

County’s Prop. 1 asks for 0.2¢ sales tax for safety

County’s Prop. 1 asks for 0.2¢ sales tax for safety

Snohomish utility bill increases criticized as burdensome

Snohomish utility bill increases criticized as burdensome

8 firefighters suing Snohomish Regional Fire over vax exemptions file appeal in federal court

Eight firefighters suing Snohomish Regional Fire over COVID-19 vaccine exemptions file appeal in federal court

Car thief whose crash blocked U.S. 2 in court, threatened victim with gun

The driver who led a police chase before causing U.S. 2 to be closed for hours Oct. 1 was promptly hauled before an Everett District Court judge last week.

Homeless resource center stung by regulations

EVERETT -- A resource center near Pacific and Rucker that primarily serves homeless individuals has been told by the city to halt services here by Oct. 21 or risk civil penalties because the zoning code for most of downtown doesn’t allow social services on the first floor.

Everett Transit has new director as longtime leader retires

Everett Transit has new director as longtime leader retires

Glass recycling unaffected by regional end-market fallout

SNOHOMISH COUNTY — The closure of a large Seattle bottle-making factory interrupted the market, but the county will continue to accept dry and clean glass at county recycling stations, the county confirmed. Curbside recyclers also continue service.

Minor-level pro soccer team may be on the horizon for Snohomish County

Work is being done to bring a pro-level soccer team to Snohomish County.

Monroe’s historic Buck Houses slated for demolition soon

MONROE -- Monroe’s historic Buck Houses slated for demolition soon unless a savior appears.

Snohomish city utility rate increases approved 5-1

SNOHOMISH -- Utility rate increases were approved by the council last week which set utility rates from 2025 to 2029.

Medetomidine, another sedative that complicates opioid overdoses, may be here in Snohomish County but not with certainty

Medetomidine has potentially made its way in county drug supplies, local officials said.

Everett council will modify meeting schedule

Everett council will modify meeting schedule

Snohomish Buzz Inn to stay, restaurant at airport gets 12-month lease extension

SNOHOMISH -- The Buzz Inn will be staying a year longer, the restaurant was happy to announce.

Time to comment on AquaSox stadium options

Time to comment on AquaSox stadium options for the environmental impact study.

Boeing workers reject contract, go on strike

Boeing production workers at Washington state’s plants walked off Friday on strike after rejecting a negotiated contract Sept. 12 they say didn’t meet their expectations. On Tuesday, after press time, negotiations restarted. Federal mediators have been assigned to work together with the company and the union.

Gunfire: Late-night argument at Monroe's Lake Tye Park Tuesday escalated to several rounds being fired

MONROE -- An argument between teens Tuesday afterhours at the Lake Tye Park by the skate park parking lot escalated to someone firing several rounds, Monroe Police said.

Snohomish city utility bills to rise by about 12.5% in proposed ‘25 rates

SNOHOMISH -- Snohomish city utility bills to rise by about 12.5% in proposed ‘25 rates, public hearing Sept. 17

Legal fight that delayed building Snohomish to Woodinville trail along rail line over

SNOHOMISH — Snohomish County’s conversion of an unused rail line into a future bicycle and pedestrian trail segment from Snohomish to Woodinville cleared major hurdles with the federal rail authority in the past eight weeks.