Inslee proposes $70 billion biennium budget with new 1% tax increase for wealthy
OLYMPIA—Governor Jay Inslee held a press conference on Tuesday, December 17, addressing his proposed $69.8 billion 2025-2027 biennium state budget in what very well might be the last press conference he ever holds as Governor. “I want to express pride in Washington today and this announcement we’re making today. I was so in love with […]
Joint DHS/FBI statement on reports of drones in New Jersey
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Department of Homeland Security jointly issued a statement on December 12 on the reported sightings of drones in New Jersey: “We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or public safety threat or have a foreign nexus. The FBI, DHS and our federal […]
Ammonia leak leaves one fire fighter with mild injuries
MUKILTEO—One fire fighter suffered mild injuries after being exposed to ammonia when responding to a 3-alarm hazardous materials incident at the Pacific Seafood processing plant in Mukilteo on Friday morning. Mukilteo Fire Department along with the Mukilteo Police Department, South County Regional Fire Authority, Paine Field Fire, Everett Fire Department, Marysville Regional Fire Authority, Snohomish […]
Snohomish Asst Principal arrested following child sex abuse allegations
SNOHOMISH—Julian Parker, 37, an assistant principal at Centennial Middle School in the Snohomish School District remains on leave following his November 6 arrest after allegations of child sex abuse. Judge Tam Bui set bail at $50,000, and he was ordered to have no contact with minors. Parker was placed on leave after over a decade in […]
Edmonds School District cancels controversial ‘Know Your Rights’ immigration event
EDMONDS—The Edmonds School District has officially cancelled its controversial “Know Your Rights” session aimed at preparing undocumented immigrants and their allies for potential ICE raids. The session was to meet at Meadowdale High School on December 17th, but due to controversy online resulting in harassment, the session has been cancelled indefinitely, a district spokesperson told […]
Snohomish County state lawmakers talk 2025 legislative priorities
EVERETT—Under the theme “One County, One Voice,” Representative Mary Fosse (D-Everett) moderated a bipartisan forum hosted by the Economic Alliance Snohomish County (EASC) on December 5 at Elks Lodge in Everett where panelists discussed housing affordability, behavioral health, childcare, economic development and labor force, transportation, infrastructure, and public safety. With Washington state facing a projected […]
New State Office of Independent Investigations to investigate first use-of-deadly-force incident
OLYMPIA—The Washington State Office of Independent Investigations (OII) will soon begin its first investigation since the agency was created by the state legislature in 2021 in the wake of national calls for accountable use of force following the death of George Floyd and national riots that followed in the summer of 2020. OII is to […]
Multi-agency response to threat at Kamiak High School
MUKILTEO—Law enforcement from the Mukilteo Police, Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, and the Washington State Patrol responded to an online threat at Kamiak High School at approximately 2 p.m. on Wednesday, December 4. Following the search, it was determined that there was no threat to the high school nor the surrounding area and nothing suspicious was […]
Marysville adopts $450 million 2025-2026 biennial budget
MARYSVILLE—Continuing its commitment to fiscal prudence in a time of economic uncertainty, the Marysville City Council unanimously adopted the city’s next two-year budget at its November 25 meeting. The balanced 2025-2026 biennial budget of $450,135,923 proposed by Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring maintains essential city services while essentially holding the line on staffing. It adds two […]
Inslee announces plan for new juvenile rehabilitation facility
OLYMPIA—Washington state’s juvenile rehabilitation (JR) system has been noted in recent years for its innovative, trauma-informed education and therapeutic programming. But 2024 has brought significant challenges. The state’s JR population is increasing, including a 60% increase in young people at Green Hill School since 2023. The resulting overcrowding at certain facilities has created unsafe conditions […]
