NEWS BITES for Feb. 3, 2021

GroundFrog predicts more yuck
SNOHOMISH — There’s going to be six weeks of the same froggy weather to come, the city’s “frognosticator” Snohomish Slew indicated Saturday. How the prediction on GroundFrog Day works is that if Slew, a bullfrog, croaks when put on the spot, it means spring weather is on its way. He didn’t croak this year. The annual GroundFrog Day prediction was done as an online video this year, shot live at the Avenue A Gazebo.

Walsh Hills project approved
SNOHOMISH — Hearing Examiner Andrew Reeves approved the Walsh Hills subdivision to have 111 houses along Terrace Avenue on the disused site of the Delta Rehabilitation Center in a decision issued Friday, Jan. 29. There are 26 conditions which the project must abide by as part of the approval.
On traffic concerns raised by neighbors, Reeves wrote that the project “would not cause affected intersections to drop below acceptable levels of service and that no additional safety analysis or mitigation would be required.”
The density complies with the land’s zoning, Reeves wrote.

Motorcycle officer recuperating
MONROE —  Motorcycle Police Officer Javier Patton is now recuperating from injuries at home, the city said, after he was rear ended by a Subaru station wagon near the intersection of eastbound U.S. 2 and Lewis Street on Tuesday, Jan. 26. The crash resulted in Patton being taken to EvergreenHealth Hospital. A 35-year-old Monroe man was arrested for driving under the influence. U.S. 2 was closed for hours.