Lynnwood City Council passes sales tax increase to 10.7%, now highest in Washington state
LYNNWOOD—The council voted 5-1, at its Monday business meeting, to impose a councilmanic 0.1% public safety sales tax increase without voter approval, to fund criminal justice and safety priorities—Council Vice President Derica Escamilla was the lone dissent. Starting April 1, on April Fool’s Day, Lynnwood’s combined sales tax rate will increase to 10.7%—the highest in Washington state. […]
Wally Webster II named Lynnwood Times Person of the Year for 2025
LYNNWOOD—It with absolute pleasure that the Lynnwood Times editorial board has named Wally Webster II, Founder of the ACCESS Project, as Person of the Year for 2025, for his tireless commitment to community service, social justice, and commitment to tackling youth violence and, ultimately, paving the road for our next generation of leaders. Webster (nicknamed […]
Police fatally shoot Oak Harbor man after high-speed chase following kidnapping, domestic assault
EVERETT—A 38-year-old Oak Harbor man was shot and killed by police early Friday, January 2, 2026, following a high-speed pursuit from Skagit County that began with a domestic dispute in Island County and ended in Snohomish County, authorities said. No officers were injured. At approximately 4:48 am, Skagit County dispatch advised deputies were in pursuit […]
Lynnwood Menorah lighting defies darkness after Sydney terror attack
LYNNWOOD—Amid grief over a deadly terrorist attack at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, Australia, approximately two hundred gathered at the Lynnwood City Center Light Rail Station on Sunday to light a giant menorah, affirming that goodness and light will overcome darkness and hate. Rabbi Berel Paltiel, director of Snohaimish Chabad of Snohomish County, led the […]
Bellevue Police Officer survives ambush at transit center, suspect shot
BELLEVUE—A Bellevue police officer was seriously injured Friday, December 12, after being stabbed by a man who prosecutors say made a bogus 911 call to lure officers to the scene. King County prosecutors on Monday charged 38-year-old Mohamed Morray Bangura with first-degree assault and second-degree assault, both with deadly weapon enhancements. Bangura, a Sierra Leone […]
Marysville Police Department welcomes new K-9 Officers
MARYSVILLE—The Marysville Police Department proudly welcomed two new K-9 officers during a swearing-in ceremony held on Monday, Dec. 8, led by Mayor Jon Nehring and Police Chief Erik Scairpon. K-9 Officers Kona and Charlie were officially sworn in, marking the beginning of a new chapter in service and community protection. Chief Scairpon addressed attendees, reflecting […]
Lynnwood Council ends 2025 with a bang, now pay more in 2026
LYNNWOOD—At its final 2025 meeting for the year on December 8, attended by over 120 people, Lynnwood City Council swore in Mayor-elect George Hurst and new councilmembers, honored outgoing leaders, then approved (4-3) a 14.7% permit/fee hike and 33% business license increase; unanimously passed 2.7% COLA for city employees; authorized drafting a voter-free 0.1% public […]
Everett Police Chief announces retirement after 31 years of service
EVERETT—After more than three decades in law enforcement, including two years as chief, Everett Police Chief John DeRousse announced Monday, December 8, that he will retire from the department at the end of 2025. Deputy Chief Goetz will be appointed as Chief of Police. “Chief DeRousse has given nearly three decades of steadfast service to […]
27-year sentence for habitual offender that killed Lynnwood grandmother
LYNNWOOD—Robert Craig Rowland, a 39-year-old man with a lengthy criminal record, was sentenced to 27 years in prison on Tuesday, December 2, for the second-degree murder of 83-year-old Trudy Slanger in a fatal wrong-way collision on 525 near Highway 99. Snohomish County Superior Court Judge George Appel facilitated the sentence hearing. The tragedy unfolded on […]
Lynnwood City Council continues its discussion on recodifying animal control laws
LYNNWOOD—The Lynnwood City Council continued its discussion on recodifying portions of the Lynnwood Municipal Code (LMC) related to animal control and dangerous animals at its Work Session Monday, December 1, but no action was taken just yet. The city of Lynnwood had requests – from both members of the council and members of the community […]
