Monroe yard floods when fiber crew hits water main

Snohomish, WALocal News

A recent incident in Monroe's Fryelands Neighborhood has raised concerns among residents after a yard was flooded due to a water main break caused by a Ziply Fiber subcontractor. According to Ryan Luckin, a spokesperson for Ziply, the subcontractor was engaged in underground installation work when the accident occurred. Efforts were made by both Ziply and the city inspector to contact the homeowner for access to assess the damage in the crawl space, but these requests were denied. As a result, the investigation into the incident remains incomplete. Ziply has stated that it will work closely with insurance companies to address any claims related to the flooding.

The ongoing expansion of fiber optic cables in Monroe aims to enhance broadband internet services, but this incident highlights the potential risks associated with such infrastructure projects. With subcontractors operating in public rights-of-way, the community must remain vigilant about the impact of these upgrades. This event serves as a reminder of the importance of effective communication and collaboration between utility companies and homeowners during major installations.

Related Articles

Appeals court upholds decision against SRFR Firefighter 8

The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court's decision against Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue, siding with the agency in a religious discrimination case involving eight firefighters who refused the COVID-19 vaccine. The firefighters, who sought back pay after being placed on unpaid leave, argued that the agency failed to provide reasonable accommodations for their religious beliefs. Attorneys representing the firefighters criticized the ruling, stating it jeopardizes religious freedom protections.

Fortney family revives teen leader program

Adam and Jill Fortney launched the Lead The Way Foundation, a nonprofit aimed at helping teens become positive community members. The foundation offers a free eight-week program for youth aged 13-17, focusing on leadership skills and personal development, starting on October 8 at Sno-Isle Tech Skills Center in Everett.

Sultan middle school student seeks national championship title in taekwondo

Fourteen-year-old Zayden Zimmerman, a mixed martial arts enthusiast, will compete as the No. 1 seed in the Moo Do taekwondo national championships on October 16 in Sacramento. After earning her first-degree black belt and winning 35 first-place medals, she aims to qualify for the 2026 AAU Junior Olympics in Des Moines. Zayden also excels in jiu-jitsu, having won all four of her competitions since starting the sport last year.