Lynnwood’s Juneteenth Freedom Festival unites hundreds in commemorating emancipation

LYNNWOOD—Project Girl hosted its third annual Juneteenth Freedom Festival at Cedar Valley Community School in Lynnwood on Thursday, June 19, to commemorate the day the last remaining people in the United States were freed from the evil of slavery and servitude. “I think our community is starting to support us now,” said Olympia Edwards, Founder of Project Girl Mentoring Program […]
Lynnwood City Council discusses residency requirements and unlimited virtual attendance

LYNNWOOD—The Lynnwood City Council revisited a contentious topic Monday, relating to recodifying residency requirements for City Councilmembers, as well as discussed, a 90-day unlimited virtual attendance for councilmembers (which appears to provide a financial benefit to councilmembers if approved), during its Business Meeting Monday, May 12. In the wake of Binda’s residency kerfuffle, Council member […]
Lynnwood Councilwoman Escamilla breaks silence on alleged association with criminals

LYNNWOOD—Lynnwood City Council’s newest member, Derica Escamilla, cleared the air about some recent allegations regarding some of her close family and friends’ criminal histories. In early November, an anonymous letter was sent to the Lynnwood City Attorney’s Office, Lynnwood Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Lynnwood Municipal Court Judge Valerie Boufflou, Lynnwood Police Chief Cole Langdon, Lynnwood Mayor […]
Lynnwood adopts city budget with a 52% property tax increase

Last week, by a vote of 4-3, the Lynnwood City Council passed a City property tax increase of 52%. That large of an increase is something I could not vote for and as City Council President, I am concerned about the impact on residents with such a tremendous tax increase. Please, I want to be […]
Nine presidential nominations by minor parties and independent candidates qualify for Washington’s November ballot

OLYMPIA — Nine presidential nominations by minor parties and independent candidates have qualified to appear on Washington’s November 5 General Election ballot, the Secretary of State’s Office announced on August 13. The Office of the Secretary of State issued letters Tuesday to notify each nominating group of its qualification. Including nominees from the two major […]
Council blocks mayor appointment, Lynnwood Police labor contracts approved

LYNNWOOD—At its Regular Business Meeting, on Monday, August 12, Lynnwood City Council approved the Lynnwood Police Collective Bargaining Agreements and unanimously authorized the mayor to reopen the confirmation process for Director of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts, preventing her interim appointee from permanently being appointed to the position, for now. “I move that the city […]
Lynnwood designates Cheri Ryan as City Historian

LYNNWOOD—Cheri Ryan was presented the Keys to the City and designated Lynnwood’s official “City Historian” during the City Council Meeting on Monday, June 10. “Her work and her family’s dedication to [the] Lynnwood and Alderwood Manor area has enriched al of the lives of Lynnwoodians across our parks system,” Lynnwood Parks, Rec, and Cultural Arts […]
Lynnwood redacts Parks Director applications in wake of transparency concerns

LYNNWOOD—In following up with some City of Lynnwood staff members’, and former staff members’, concerns over the city’s lack of transparency related to executive leadership position appointments, the Lynnwood Times requested to see all applications of those applying, and interviewing, for the vacant Parks Director position left when former Director Lynn Sordel’s retired; however, all […]
Lynnwood Mayor faces criticism in recent appointments and a force retirement

LYNNWOOD—When former Lynnwood Parks & Recreation Director Lynn Sordel officially retired from his position on March 15, he was disappointed by Mayor Christine Frizzell’s decision to place Joel Faber as interim Director instead of his, and his staff’s, recommendation to transition Deputy Director Sarah Olson into the role of Director. Now, some city staff members, […]
Housing Hope celebrates Groundbreaking for new Madrona Highlands in Edmonds

EDMONDS, Wash., May 24, 2023—Well over one hundred residents attended Housing Hope’s groundbreaking ceremony for its new 52-unit affordable housing community, Madrona Highlands, on Tuesday, May 23, in South Edmonds. The $30 million dollar project will be the first of its kind for Housing Hope by working with churches owning “excessive land,” in south Snohomish […]