News from around the county
Reardon to form panel to review race relations, bias, other issues
EVERETT — Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon is seeking volunteers to sit on a panel that will address race relations, domestic abuse, discrimination, unemployment and housing.
Reardon said he had already made plans for the community council before a cross was burned outside a black pastor's home in Arlington last month. But he said the incident had fueled interest.
The council will help fulfill a promise Reardon made in a speech in Arlington after the incident that the county will not "accept hate by ignoring it," he said.
Applicants for the council should submit a résumé and a letter indicating their interest and what role they believe the council should play.
Applications will be accepted through April 30 at the Executive's Office on the third floor of the county administration building. Applications also may be mailed to Martha Robins, Snohomish County Executive's Office, Mail Stop No. 407, 3000 Rockefeller Ave., Everett, WA 98201-4046.
Sexual Assault Awareness Week to be noted with candlelight vigil
EVERETT — The Providence Everett Sexual Assault Center will host a candlelight vigil Saturday to recognize victims of sexual assault and to mark Sexual Assault Awareness Week.
The vigil will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Matthew Parsons Memorial Park, across Wall Street from the Snohomish County Courthouse in downtown Everett.
Last year, the Providence center examined about 700 patients for sexual assault. It provides date-rape drug testing, support groups and a 24-hour sexual- assault crisis line (425-252-4800).
TOMORROW: Residents opposed to a casino on Highway 9 near Lake Stevens will hold a community meeting from 7 to 9 p.m. to discuss possible county code changes that could have blocked the business. The meeting will take place at Calvary Chapel of Everett, 9428 Fourth St. S.E., at Fourth and Highway 9.
Providence Everett gets grant for newborn-intensive-care unit
Providence Everett Medical Center has received a grant that will help expand care for the hospital's youngest patients.
The Providence General Foundation recently received a $31,410 grant from the Employees Community Fund of Boeing Puget Sound. The money will be used to purchase additional monitors and equipment for the newborn-intensive-care unit at the Providence Pavilion for Women and Children. The equipment will monitor babies' cardiac activity, oxygen levels, blood analysis, body temperature and blood pressure.
The grant will help increase the number of babies the intensive-care unit can handle. The equipment is expected to be purchased within the next month.
Everett police to join in sharing information on crime, terrorism
The Everett Police Department will participate in an information-sharing database known as the Puget Sound Law Enforcement Information Exchange, or LinX.
The City Council recently approved the department's participation in the program, which is meant to prevent and respond to terrorist and criminal threats. The database was created after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks as a way to identify and locate criminals and terrorists, assess risks and threats, and help prevent criminal activity. The database will provide participating agencies with a single source for regional law-enforcement information.
Besides Everett, other agencies involved in this program include the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Bremerton Police Department, Seattle Police Department, Snohomish County Sheriff's Office and Washington State Patrol.
Japanese consul general to honor Everett Community College official
Mayumi Nishiyama Smith, the director of the Nippon Business Institute at Everett Community College, will be honored by the consul general of Japan on Friday.
Nishiyama Smith is among a handful of recipients in the Puget Sound area being honored for their contributions toward Japanese-U.S. relations in politics, economics, education, journalism, science, technology, art and sports.
Citizens advisory committee on diversity has 1st meeting
An Everett citizens advisory committee on diversity met for the first time on Monday to discuss what issues it thinks are important to the city.
The committee is composed of 25 community leaders who represent various groups, ethnicities and religions within the city. The group's first task is to set a working plan of issues and goals.
The advisory committee was appointed by Mayor Ray Stephanson.
Lake Stevens school-chief finalists to meet with public this week
LAKE STEVENS — The Lake Stevens School Board will host several forums this week so the public can meet the three finalists for superintendent.
The board named three finalists April 1 to replace Joe Ghaffari, who will retire at the end of the school year after 13 years as superintendent.
Beginning today, one of the finalists will meet with community leaders and parents twice each day, from 1 to 2 p.m. and from 5 to 6 p.m. at the district service center, 12309 23rd St. N.E.
Today's forum will be with Steve Webb, the district's assistant superintendent. Timothy Culver, the superintendent of the Sun Prairie Area School District in Wisconsin, will meet residents tomorrow. David Burgess, the superintendent of the Three Rivers School District in Grants Pass, Ore., is scheduled for Friday.
People wishing to attend the sessions should call 425-335-1502. The board hopes to name a new superintendent within two weeks.
Marysville seeks 3 members for Cable TV Advisory Committee
MARYSVILLE — The city seeks three members for its Cable Television Advisory Committee.
The five-member committee was recently reactivated.
The panel serves as an advisory board to the mayor, City Council and city staff members. The city has a government-access channel, Marysville TV21, and an access channel run by the Marysville School District.
Committee members are appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the council. The committee includes a City Council member as chairman, a representative of the Marysville School District, two members of nonprofit organizations or community-service groups in the greater Marysville area and a Marysville resident. The openings are for a resident and two members from community groups.
Letters of interest and résumés may be submitted to City Clerk Gerry Becker at City Hall, 1049 State Ave., Marysville, WA 98270. The deadline for applications is 5 p.m. April 23.
Arlington's new recycling plan will eliminate need for separation
ARLINGTON — A new kind of recycling collection will start this summer.
The City Council approved the change to what's called single-stream recycling by a unanimous vote last week.
The new system allows residents to place several types of recyclable materials, including newspapers, glass and metal cans, in a single container. The present system requires separating the materials into three containers.
The switch is expected to go into effect around July 1, said Karen Latimer, the utilities-division manager.
Entertainment, activities, food planned at Multicultural Family Fair
LYNNWOOD — The third annual Multicultural Family Fair, celebrating the community's arts, crafts, music and food, will be held from noon to 4 p.m. April 24 at Cedar Valley Community School, 19200 56th Ave. W.
Entertainment will include Japanese drummers, Russian singers, Filipino and Hawaiian dancers, and a group of international child performers. Activities will include kite making, Chinese calligraphy and soapstone carving. The Edmonds Community College culinary department will prepare and serve ethnic foods.
Sponsors include the Family Support Center of South Snohomish County, Lynnwood Diversity Task Force, Interfaith Association of Snohomish County and Edmonds School District.
50-year-old hardware store closes in Mountlake Terrace
MOUNTLAKE TERRACE — A hardware store that predated the city's founding closed its doors for a final time Saturday.
True Value Hardware at 22803 44th Ave. W. began business in 1954 as Sand Point Builders Supply at Ballinger Way Northeast and 244th Street Southwest. The owners of the business, Robert Wilcoxon and his brother Erving, moved the store to its present location in 1982.
Robert Wilcoxon will be 88 in June, and his daughter said it was increasingly difficult to compete with big hardware stores and to find employees knowledgeable about a range of products.
Mountlake Terrace schedules spring cleanup, big garage sale
MOUNTLAKE TERRACE — The city's annual spring cleanup will begin with a volunteer work party to help clean and maintain city parks, trails and facilities from 9 a.m. to noon April 24.
Residents will help weed flower beds, pick up litter from parks and take part in other beautification projects under the direction of Parks Supervisor Ken Courtmanch.
Volunteers should bring shovels, rakes, gloves, pruning shears or paintbrushes and meet at the Terrace Park School parking lot, 5409 228th St. S.W. Those wanting to participate can contact Courtmanch at 425-776-1811.
Other events:
• A three-day citywide garage sale is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 30 through May 2.
• For large pieces of household trash, there will be a curbside pickup day May 5 and a free drop-off day May 8 at the city Public Works Department, 6204 215th St. S.W.
Permits to have major appliances such as refrigerators, washers, dryers and stoves hauled away can be purchased at City Hall for $17 to $22, depending on the size of the appliance. Elderly or disabled people who need help during the pickup day can contact Public Works at 425-670-8264.
Compiled by the Seattle Times Snohomish County bureau.