Washington’s newest Fish and Wildlife commissioner dies
OLYMPIA [JERRY CORNFIELD] — Victor Garcia, an educator, hunter and fisherman appointed to the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission last year, has died. The Department of Fish and Wildlife announced his death Monday. No cause was provided. “Commissioner Garcia loved this state, and cared deeply for fish and wildlife,” said Commission Chair Jim Anderson. “He was ready to do […]
WA Dept of Fish and Wildlife names Michael Jewell as new police chief
OLYMPIA – Following a nationwide search, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Police announced today its new police chief, Michael Jewell, a career law enforcement officer. He was sworn in on July 15, as the new chief. Jewell brings more than 26 years of law enforcement experience to his new role, including 24 years […]
Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission to meet June 11 to 13 in Olympia
OLYMPIA – The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission will hold a hybrid meeting in Olympia from June 11 to 13 to consider proposed land transactions and decide on the lynx Periodic Status Review. The Commission will also hear briefings about the agency budget, agency request legislation, tideland and shoreline legal frameworks, and the electronic catch […]
WA Fish and Wildlife saga deepens with claims of collusion
OLYMPIA [Jerry Cornfield]—Two members of the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission are pushing back on newly surfaced allegations that they shunned government transparency laws and appeared to have colluded with the leader of a wildlife advocacy group on policy matters. A scathing 10-page memo says the behavior of commissioners Lorna Smith and Melanie Rowland posed “serious risks” […]
Snohomish County fire fighters win PETA Awards for freeing crow caught in fishing line
SNOHOMISH COUNTY — A Compassionate Fire Department Award and a Compassionate Parks and Recreation Award are on their way from PETA to Snohomish County Fire District 4 and Snohomish County Parks & Recreation after crews teamed up on August 2 to rescue a crow who was tangled in fishing line and dangling roughly 50 feet […]
Oregon Man Faces Charges After Dragging Protected Sixgill Sharks from Puget Sound for Trophy Photos and Videos
TACOMA — Washington fish and wildlife officers have charged an Oregon man with multiple counts of unlawfully targeting protected sixgill and sevengill sharks after a months-long investigation prompted by online posts and public complaints, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Police said. Connor Seifert, 27, faces nine counts of second-degree unlawful recreational fishing, a misdemeanor, […]
Ports of Everett and South Whidbey to Launch Passenger Ferry Service this Summer
EVERETT—All aboard! The Port of Everett, Port of South Whidbey and Hat Island Community Association have partnered up to launch Harbor Hopper – a new summer pilot program offering the first-ever seasonal passenger-only ferry connection between Everett and Langley, Wash. starting June 4. The Harbor Hopper, made possible in part by Community Connector sponsor Whidbey Telecom, provides […]
Bothell’s sky fills with thousands of crows each night, perplexing researchers
BOTHELL—Anyone living in, or passing through, Bothell near sunset has likely witnessed a peculiar sight; tens of thousands of crows holding daily councils, cawing, roosting, and congregating in one area every single night, particularly between the months of October and March. It’s a natural phenomenon that has piqued the interest of wildlife researchers for decades, […]
2025 Lifestyles Recap: Community Resilience, Cultural Celebration, and Compassion
In 2025, local organizations and individuals throughout Snohomish County demonstrated remarkable community spirit through food security, education, and remembrance efforts. Below are some of the highlights of our coverage for 2025. Vaughn’s Teaching Farm and Kitchen holds 5th annual Christmas on the Farm Vaughn’s Teaching Farm and Kitchen in Lynnwood hosted its 5th annual Christmas […]
Lynnwood teacher returns from the Galapagos Islands
LYNNWOOD—Second graders at Beverly Elementary School are in for a treat this schoolyear as they’ll have the opportunity to learn, firsthand, about their teacher, Emily Czerwonka’s, summer research trip to Ecuador’s remote Galapagos Islands. From June 24, through July 6, Czerwonka traveled to various islands, dove with hammerhead sharks, hiked the volcanic mountains, and saw […]
