Michael Whitney

Michael Whitney

Everett mayor delays deadline on Hope ‘N Wellness center to relocate

EVERETT — The city has extended its cease-and-desist deadline on Hope ‘N Wellness, a resource center downtown near Pacific and Rucker avenues that assists hundreds of primarily homeless individuals. Instead of Feb. 28, it’s now April 30, as brainstorming continues about how to relocate the indie social services organization without losing it.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | February 19, 2025

Pitch to establish Snohomish as ‘sanctuary city’ to be explored

SNOHOMISH — In the coming weeks, city leaders will explore making Snohomish a sanctuary city for unauthorized immigrants and the LGBTQ+ community.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | February 12, 2025

PUD rates to raise again April 1

SNOHOMISH COUNTY — Your power bill will increase a bit April 1.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | February 12, 2025

Man who led police chase through Fryelands arrested, had visited police station saying SUV stolen

MONROE — On Feb. 5 at around 8:30 p.m., Monroe Police arrested the man who was in a police pursuit around Monroe and prompted a near-two-hour manhunt overnight in the Fryelands Friday, Jan. 24.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | February 11, 2025

$1.5M bail for alleged stabber of boy in Everett

Police arrested the man Jan. 29 when someone called in a tip saying he was riding on their bus in South Everett. The next day, a judge set his bail at $2 million, but Freeman was absent. He’d refused to attend his first appearance. He showed up Feb. 3. A district court judge pro-tem modified his bail to $1.5 million.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | February 4, 2025

New Snohomish City Hall / PD campus designs shown, funding plan nearly done

SNOHOMISH -- Details of the future City Hall in Snohomish to be built at Pine Avenue and Third Street.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | January 29, 2025

Public buses will drive you to cold weather shelters for free

If you need to get to a cold weather shelter, just hop on a bus. The Volunteers of America announced last week that Community Transit now offers free bus rides to cold weather shelters. Everett Transit has offered free bus transportation since the start of the season.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | January 29, 2025

Lake Stevens School District trying again for school bond

Lake Stevens School District trying again for school bond on February ballots.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | January 29, 2025

Blackman Lake phosphorous controls proposed on developments

SNOHOMISH — A proposal to protect the Blackman Lake watershed would place new requirements on development in the immediate area of the lake

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | January 29, 2025

Wanted SUV driver leads police pursuit around Monroe, manhunt in Fryelands Neighborhood

MONROE — A long police pursuit through town and broad, near-two-hour manhunt that followed in the Fryelands Neighborhood Friday night.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | January 28, 2025

Snohomish parks board tours future Homestead Park site

SNOHOMISH — Members of the city’s park board hiked the future Homestead Park space last week to get a sense of the site. It will continue its conversation at a meeting Jan. 22 that starts at 6 p.m. in the Carnegie Building.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | January 22, 2025

Plan submitted to develop barren acres at 13th St.–Ave. D into residential

SNOHOMISH — A developer is proposing more than 200 housing units on the former county public works yard at 13th Street and Avenue D.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | January 22, 2025

Historic Everett calendar for 2025 shows off cars

EVERETT — The nonprofit group Historic Everett’s 2025 calendar celebrates Cruising to Colby with 12 pages of showstopper cars downtown.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | January 22, 2025

County Council delays wetlands decision

The County Council last week paused on acting on updating the rules for wetland buffers and critical areas in its development regulations to do more fact-finding first.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | January 21, 2025

Teen stabbed on Broadway, suspect sought and is still at large

Teen stabbed on Broadway, suspect sought and is still at large

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | January 16, 2025

Oldest state employee, from Monroe, calls it a day at age 91

MONROE — Gloria Hopkins knew a small celebration would happen for her retirement, but was wowed by how big a deal it would become. At age 91, she was the state’s oldest classified employee, verified by the state’s human resources division within its Office of Financial Management. On Dec. 31, Hopkins clocked out for the last time, concluding 27 years of working in accounting at the Monroe Correctional Complex for the state Department of Corrections (DOC).

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | January 8, 2025

82 people in county died while homeless

Eighty-two people, if not more, died while homeless in Snohomish County during 2024. Nine were known to be veterans.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | January 8, 2025

Car thief whose wreck created big delay on U.S. 2 one October morning pleads not guilty

EVERETT — The driver who led a police chase Oct. 1 before causing U.S. 2 to be closed for hours pleaded not guilty in late October, and will face a jury trial in Snohomish County Superior Court this year.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | December 31, 2024

Damages to Zion Lutheran from vandalism topped $30,000

SNOHOMISH — A man angered with Zion Lutheran Church on Avenue A who has persistently vandalized it caused $39,000 worth of damage earlier this year.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | December 31, 2024

King County Metro bus driver’s killing sparks outrage across transit community

Transit drivers are angered by the killing of Shawn Yim, a 59-year-old King County Metro bus driver who was reportedly maced, then stabbed in an altercation while on duty on a bus route in Seattle.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | December 30, 2024

Teen’s near-fatal stabbing at Everett Lions Park was gang-related

EVERETT — The 14-year-old stabbed numerous times and left to die in Lions Park last month was set up. Classmates from Lakewood High did the hit. One hailed from a rival gang.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | December 30, 2024

Alterations to wetland buffer, critical area rules in Snohomish County code questioned

Certain proposed alterations to how the county protects wetlands in its development regulations have raised some eyebrows, including objections from officials with the state Department of Ecology and the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | December 25, 2024

Big housing site by Glacier Peak High being debated before Hearing Examiner

SNOHOMISH — A decision over a major development along Cathcart Way behind and around Glacier Peak High School and Little Cedars Elementary is coming soon.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | December 25, 2024

Executive Somers halts Maltby UGA expansion with veto

MALTBY — The County Council couldn’t muster enough votes to override a veto from Executive Dave Somers that halted a council-created expansion of the Maltby Urban Growth Area (UGA). They also discussed the veto of another UGA in southwest county.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | December 25, 2024

Everett stadium to be downtown near arena, site selection made

EVERETT — Last week, the City Council voted 7-0 to place a future multimillion-dollar stadium near Hewitt and Broadway. The council chose this site over rehabilitating Funko Field to retain the Everett AquaSox minor league baseball team. More planning and more formal funding plans are due to come in January

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | December 23, 2024

All decked out in Snohomish

Randy and Terri Vail, at the corner of Third Street and Avenue F in Snohomish, again decked out their historic home with Christmas lights and decorations. The home’s scene is visible from down the street.

By MICHAEL WHITNEY | December 23, 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

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

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

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

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