Local officials address declaration of emergency regarding COVID-19 in Snohomish County
by Luke Putvin A local declaration of emergency for Snohomish County was signed on March 4, 2020 by County Executive Dave Somers and others regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Somers, along with County Councilmember and Board of Health Chair Stephanie Wright, Interim Health Officer Dr. Chris Spitters and several local mayors, gathered on March 5 […]
Questions surround alleged 39th LD Democratic candidate’s checkered past
LAKE STEVENS—Zephaniah Borynack, who is running for the Washington State House of Representatives to represent the 39th District Position 1 as an alleged “Democrat,” has his fair share with legal trouble over the years, from explosives charges to a pattern of sexual misconduct. There also appears to be a possible link to his Republican opponent, […]
Initiative against banning natural gas in WA state gets 546,000 signatures
OLYMPIA—The Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW), Let’s Go Washington, the Washington Hospitality Association (WHA) and others on Friday, July 5, submitted the final round of petitions supporting Initiative 2066 to protect natural gas as an energy choice, bringing the total to 546,000+ signatures in 50 days. The 546,000+ signatures gathered is the second-highest for […]
Over 430,000 signatures submitted for initiative against banning natural gas
THURSTON COUNTY—The Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW), Let’s Go Washington, and the Washington Housing Association celebrated submitting 431,063 signatures to the Secretary of State’s Office Tuesday, July 2, to qualify placing Initiative 2066 (I-2066) – to protect natural gas as an energy choice and prevent gas bans – on the upcoming November ballot. By […]
US Supreme Court strikes down federal agencies’ ability to interpret laws
WASHINGTON, D.C.—On Friday, June 28, the United States Supreme Court overturned the decades-old Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council, a 1984 ruling which set the precedent of when courts should defer to federal agencies’ interpretations of statues—also known as the Chevron deference. “Judges are not experts in the field and are not part of either […]
With Paid Family and Medical Leave finances still troubled, payroll tax likely to increase
Who could have predicted this? A lot of us. The number of people tapping the taxpayer-provided Paid Family and Medical Leave fund is increasing every year. The paid-leave program, abbreviated PFML, was launched in 2020. It imposes a tax on employers and workers, whether or not the workers paying in ever use the program. The money […]
Snohomish County schools recognized for exemplary performance by state
OLYMPIA— For the 2021–22 and 2022–23 school years, 571 public schools in 178 school districts across Washington state have earned recognition for closing opportunity gaps and for students’ growth and academic achievement. Of those, 104 public schools earned recognition for both school years. Recognized schools will receive a banner to display in their buildings. The […]
Inslee appoints Gent Welsh adjutant general
OLYMPIA—Brigadier general Gent Welsh has been appointed adjutant general of Washington, Governor Jay Inslee announced on Friday, June 21. Welsh will command all Washington Army and Air National Guard forces and serve as the director of the Washington Military Department, which along with the Washington National Guard, includes the state’s Emergency Management Division and the Washington […]
After layoffs, Everett Herald newsroom threatens walk-out over pulled article
EVERETT—Editors of The Everett Daily Herald, one of Snohomish County’s longest standing publications, threatened to walkout on Thursday over the removal of the paper’s reporting on its own layoffs. The article concerned 12 newsroom employees, 10 of whom were unionized, who were given pink slips on Wednesday, June 19. According to news editor Caleb Hutton, […]
Everett Community College celebrates 2024 honors graduates
EVERETT—Graduates of the Everett Community College honors program presented their final projects at the college’s honors forum on June 5. Honors graduates include Kai Decker, Chien Nguyen and Elishah Webb. The guest speaker at the honors forum was 2013 EvCC Outstanding Graduate Colby Droullard, who earned honors credits at Everett Community College and is now […]
