Your trusted source for local Snohomish, WA news, updated daily with the most important stories from your community.
Monroe celebrated the opening of its new City Hall and Municipal Court justice wing on July 14, with over 140 attendees cheering at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. The $17 million facility, funded through municipal bonds, will house city employees starting in September and is designed to accommodate the city's growing population, which has increased tenfold since 1970.
Five candidates are competing for the open seat in Everett's City Council District 1, with the primary election scheduled for August 5. Candidates Sam Hem and Mason Rutledge focus on addressing homelessness and improving public safety, while Erica Weir emphasizes the need for a stable financial future for the city. Bill Wheeler presents a contrasting viewpoint, highlighting his belief in limited government despite his past felony conviction.
A Snohomish County judge ordered marijuana retailer Hangar 420 to halt operations at its Clearview location due to an active zoning lawsuit. The county's regulations only permit one marijuana retailer within a 10,000-foot buffer, which Hangar 420 allegedly violates. The injunction will remain in effect until the lawsuit is resolved.
Everett has reopened the dog park at Clark Park, replacing the former gazebo site. A grand opening event is scheduled for Tuesday, July 29 at 4 p.m.
Republic Services will resume trash collections in King and Snohomish counties on Monday after two weeks of missed pickups due to a work stoppage. Cities like Snohomish and Monroe organized public drop-off days for residents during the service disruption, with Snohomish providing nine dumpsters for residents on July 20. The city plans to invoice Republic for the costs incurred during this emergency service measure.
A suspect stole a fire engine from Everett while firefighters responded to a medical emergency, leading to multiple collisions and property damage. The stolen 2018 Pierce Enforcer Pumper caused significant destruction across five locations before the suspect fled on foot. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and police continue to investigate the incident.
Snohomish will host a garbage drop-off event on July 20, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Public Works Yard due to ongoing service delays from Republic Services. The event is for residents only, requiring proof of residency and limited to bagged household trash.
Snohomish County received a $2 million federal BUILD grant to enhance the Everett Intermodal Yard, part of a $34 million project aimed at improving rail capabilities for solid waste management. The funding will support partnerships with BNSF and Republic Services to ensure safe and efficient waste transportation. County officials emphasize that without these improvements, the region could face significant waste disposal challenges.
University of Washington engineering students developed a technology solution to enhance ballot collection in Snohomish County. The system, "Collect. Calculate. Dispatch," optimizes routes and monitors ballot box fullness, potentially improving efficiency for over 533,000 registered voters.
Snohomish County received a $2 million federal BUILD grant to enhance infrastructure for shipping solid waste. This funding will address ongoing health and safety hazards from infrastructure issues that have disrupted services for over a month.