Free flu vaccines for uninsured
SNOHOMISH COUNTY — The Department of Health is collaborating with Safeway and Albertsons stores to offer no-cost influenza (flu) vaccination for uninsured adults over the age of 18 to help prevent flu illness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Health officials are concerned that the presence of both viruses could put more people in the hospital and strain the health care system.
Certain Safeway and Albertsons stores will offer flu vaccine free of charge through June 2021 to uninsured adults.
Two participating stores in Everett are the Safeway at 1715 Broadway and the Safeway at 4128 Rucker Ave.
The pharmacies will not charge an administration fee, and no proof of residency or immigration status will be required.
New box truck for Sky Valley Food Bank
MONROE — A grant request for new wheels came through.
Earlier this month, the Sky Valley Food Bank took delivery of a brand-new Isuzu refrigerated box truck, which is a 16-foot commercial vehicle. The food bank won a $77,000 grant to receive the truck through Kroger’s Zero Hunger / Zero Waste grant program.
Kroger owns Fred Meyer and QFC grocery stores.
The food bank is elated for the truck because it’s big enough to hold all the food it gets from distribution centers. The truck it already had couldn’t.
The food bank at 233 Sky River Parkway is preparing for its holiday food and Christmas Toy distributions. To donate,
call 360-794-7959 or visit www.svfoodbank.org
Snohomish small business grants
SNOHOMISH — Business owners have until Friday, Oct. 30
to apply for a second round of CARES Act relief grant funds through the city of Snohomish. The application is on the city’s website at www.snohomishwa.gov
The grants are for qualifying small businesses with less
than 10 employees that have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. The grants are worth up to $5,000.
Secure your loads for roadway safety
Unsecured loads lead to dangerous road conditions, unsightly and environmentally damaging litter, and injuries and deaths.
If law enforcement observes your vehicle with an unsecured load, you can receive a citation with fines up to $228. If your load falls out of your vehicle and injures someone, you will face fines up to $5,000 plus jail time, the Washington State Patrol warns. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that road debris contributes to more than 50,000 traffic collisions, 9,000 injuries, and 125 fatalities every year in the U.S.
All of this can be prevented if everyone takes the time to properly secure all loads before going on the road. It only takes a few minutes and some basic supplies. Tarp it, tie it, or strap it are just a few of the ways to keep our roadways safe and looking beautiful.
Last week was “Secure Your Load Week” from the Washington State Patrol.
Snohomish small business grants
SNOHOMISH — Business owners have until Friday, Oct. 30
to apply for a second round of CARES Act relief grant funds through the city of Snohomish. The application is on the city’s website at www.snohomishwa.gov
The grants are for qualifying small businesses with less
than 10 employees that have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. The grants are worth up to $5,000.
Monroe mayor, council compensation to be same next year
MONROE — The pay scale for Mayor Geoffrey Thomas and City Council members will stay the same for 2021, the city's all-volunteer salary commission decided 3-0 on Monday, Oct. 26.
Thomas is paid $43,200 and council members are paid $9,600 a year.
During the meeting, a commissioner openly asked if the mayor's position should be converted to full-time because of how much work Thomas does, but the idea didn't formally take flight.
Snohomish parks and rec board vacancy
SNOHOMISH — Help make decisions for the city's parks by applying for a vacancy on the city's parks and recreation board. Applications are due to the City Clerk's Office by 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13. The board meets on the fourth Wednesday of every month at 6 p.m.
To apply, go to www.snohomishwa.gov or contact Deputy City Clerk Brandi Whitson at whitson@snohomishwa.gov
Members of the Park and Recreation Board must live within the city's urban growth boundary.
Tribune wins journalism award
SNOHOMISH — Editor Michael Whitney’s on-scene coverage of the fire that destroyed part of the former Seattle-Snohomish Mill in August 2019 won second place for breaking news in the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association’s 2020 contest within one of the group competition divisions. The contest results were announced Oct. 9.
A New York journalism organization judged the entries. Fifty-one newspapers, mostly weeklies, competed.
Find News Bites on a semi-regular basis in the pages of the Tribune.
