Your trusted source for local Snohomish, WA news, updated daily with the most important stories from your community.
Gloria Hopkins, at age 91, retired as the oldest classified employee in Washington state after 27 years of service at the Monroe Correctional Complex. Her retirement celebration on December 31 was marked by heartfelt tributes from colleagues and family, highlighting her significant contributions to the community, including co-founding a nonprofit recreation center for teens.
The article highlights the "Reading with Rover" event held at the Everett Public Library, where children read to therapy dogs, fostering a love for reading. This engaging initiative, featuring Barli the Bernese Mountain Dog and her owner Joya Foster, aims to enhance literacy skills among kids in a supportive environment. The event occurs monthly, creating a beloved community activity for families.
The Snohomish County Human Services Department is set to conduct the annual Point-in-Time Homeless Count on January 23, 2025, to assess homelessness in the region. This essential initiative, supported by volunteers and local agencies, aims to gather data that will inform funding and services for those experiencing homelessness. Community involvement is encouraged, highlighting the county's ongoing commitment to addressing this critical issue.
Mike Fong has been appointed as the new Executive Director for Economic Development in Snohomish County, bringing extensive experience from his previous roles, including Chief Recovery and Resilience Officer and Regional Administrator for the Small Business Administration. His leadership aims to foster innovation, job creation, and support for local businesses, contributing to the region's diverse economy.
Snohomish County is set to launch a new online Permit Portal on December 9, aimed at enhancing permitting efficiency for residents and businesses. This initiative, part of broader process improvements by the Planning and Development Services, promises to streamline the application and approval processes. The development reflects a significant step toward modernizing local government services.
Snohomish County has allocated $1.5 million for HVAC improvements at 22 locations to enhance community resilience against extreme weather and air quality events. This initiative supports libraries and senior centers as vital resources for cooling, warming, and cleaner air during emergencies. Local leaders emphasize the importance of these upgrades in safeguarding public health and comfort.
Snohomish County Public Works has released vital resources and guidelines for residents to navigate winter storm emergencies effectively. Key offerings include a snow and ice response webpage, a road closures map, and up-to-date information on social media, ensuring the community stays informed and safe during severe weather conditions.
Snohomish County's Litter Wranglers successfully concluded the 2024 season, collecting over 2,500 bags of litter along nearly 500 miles of county roads. This initiative not only enhances the local environment but also reflects the county's commitment to maintaining public spaces and preserving natural beauty. The Litter Wranglers are expected to resume their efforts in spring 2025.
Snohomish County has been recognized as a leader in advancing equity in local recovery efforts, ranking among the Top 20 jurisdictions in a national report. The report highlights the County's innovative community engagement strategies, including the "Recovery Roadshows," which effectively gathered diverse input for recovery priorities. This recognition underscores Snohomish County's commitment to equity-focused spending, with 75% of its American Rescue Plan funds directed towards equitable initiatives.
The 2024 General Election results reveal significant outcomes for Everett, including wage increases, the failure of a public safety measure in Snohomish County, and the defeat of Monroe's Prop. 1. This article provides timely insights into local election dynamics and their implications for community governance and public services.