Michael Whitney

Michael Whitney

Future Everett stadium to be downtown - selection made

Downtown it is

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | December 18, 2024

Safer crosswalks in Snohomish sought via plans

SNOHOMISH — A pedestrian awareness campaign for drivers to be more careful is being prepared for early next year by the city’s volunteer Public Safety Board. The city also has safety measures cominng.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | December 18, 2024

Snohomish educator accused of wanting sex with 12-year-old arrested in police sting

SNOHOMISH — A 61-year-old Snohomish man who taught in Woodinville’s Northshore School District for 30 years was arrested in a regional sting on allegations of attempted child rape in the first degree. This is different than the Snohomish School District educator who was arrested in November.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | December 18, 2024

Middle school administrator in Snohomish accused of child rape, on leave since Sept. 4

SNOHOMISH — An assistant principal at Centennial Middle School has been on leave since the start of the school year, and was arrested Nov. 6 from the investigation of an alleged rape of a child. The allegations are unrelated to any student, a separate set of family court documents confirmed.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | December 17, 2024

Albertsons and Kroger mega-merger of grocery store chains is dead

The Albertsons and Kroger mega-merger of grocery store chains is dead.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | December 17, 2024

Executive Somers won’t veto council’s budget, but not happy either

County Executive Dave Somers late last week announced his decision he will not veto the budget County Council approved Nov. 27, but also would not sign it, meaning it will be enacted into law without his endorsement.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | December 17, 2024

Decision on Everett stadium site is this Wednesday

EVERETT — The City Council is expected to decide where Everett’s future stadium will be located with a vote at its meeting Dec. 18. The meeting will include a public hearing. This week, the council will hear a briefing on the matter. The choice is between plunging money into rehabilitating Funko Field at Everett Memorial Stadium, near 39th and Broadway, or building a new stadium on a 12.5-acre footprint near the northeast corner of Broadway and Wall Street a block east of Angel of the Winds Arena downtown. The latter demolishes some downtown buildings. Both will solidify keeping the Everett AquaSox minor league baseball team.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | December 11, 2024

Snohomish’s pre-professional USL 2 soccer team will be called Snohomish United

SNOHOMISH — The Snohomish United soccer club presented its upcoming pre-professional league team’s name, jersey and logo last week at Haywire Brewing to a full house of 150 or more kids, parents and supporters. The club is joining the USL League Two as an expansion team in the Northwest Division. The USL2 is the first rung of pro soccer.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | December 11, 2024

Snohomish Panther sign being refurbished

SNOHOMISH — The longstanding Panther sign in front of Snohomish High School is getting refurbished by a student-led class in the Sno-Isle Tech Skills Center.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | December 11, 2024

Snohomish Schools has plans to standardize student phone use policy starting January

SNOHOMISH — A formal policy to restrict using cell phones and electronics during school will be discussed by the Snohomish School Board at its meeting Wednesday, Dec. 11.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | December 10, 2024

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.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | December 4, 2024

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.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | November 27, 2024

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.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | November 27, 2024

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.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | November 27, 2024

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.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | November 20, 2024

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.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | November 20, 2024

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%.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | November 20, 2024

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.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | November 20, 2024

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.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | November 19, 2024

Cold weather shelters open for when freezing temps threaten

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

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | November 13, 2024

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.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | November 13, 2024

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.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | November 12, 2024

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.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | November 12, 2024

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.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | November 11, 2024

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.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | November 6, 2024

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.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | November 6, 2024

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

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

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | November 5, 2024

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.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | October 30, 2024

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

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

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | October 30, 2024

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.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | October 30, 2024

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.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | October 30, 2024

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.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | October 30, 2024

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.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | October 29, 2024

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.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | October 23, 2024

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.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | October 23, 2024

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.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | October 23, 2024

Red light cameras running at 41st and Rucker in Everett

Red light cameras running at 41st — Rucker

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | October 23, 2024

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.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | October 23, 2024

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.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | October 23, 2024

Repeat vandal to Snohomish Zion Lutheran Church caught

Repeat vandal to Snohomish Zion Lutheran Church caught

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | October 16, 2024

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.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | October 9, 2024

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.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | October 9, 2024

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

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

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | October 9, 2024

Snohomish utility bill increases criticized as burdensome

Snohomish utility bill increases criticized as burdensome

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | October 9, 2024

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

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | October 9, 2024

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.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | October 9, 2024

Everett homeless resource center Hope 'N Wellness 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.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | October 2, 2024

Everett Transit has new director as longtime leader retires

Everett Transit has new director as longtime leader retires

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | October 2, 2024

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.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | October 1, 2024

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.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | September 25, 2024

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