Snohomish County Opens First New Start Center in Edmonds Offering Bridge Housing for People Experiencing Homelessness

EDMONDS—Snohomish County’s first New Start Center opened Monday offering bridge housing to help people experiencing homelessness stabilize and connect with services that support long-term housing. “Getting folks in shelter and getting them the support they need is absolutely critical, and that’s what we’re trying to do here,” Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers said. “The County […]
Snohomish County is first in WA to end ‘Housing First’ funding preference; fentanyl exposure to children now lands you jail time

EVERETT — The Snohomish County Council on June 10 approved two ordinances aimed at expanding treatment-focused approaches to addiction and housing while protecting children from fentanyl exposure, but postponed a third measure that would have carved out dedicated funding for behavioral health facilities. “These ordinances represent a step in the right direction for our fight […]
‘We Can and Will Find Opportunities’: Somers Charts Optimistic Path for Snohomish County

MUKILTEO—Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers announced Tuesday that the county stands ready for a sustainable and successful future, even as rapid growth, budget constraints and the scars of natural disasters test its foundations. Speaking at the annual County Update before 200 attendees at Boeing’s Future of Flight, Somers shared his initiatives for 2026 and urged […]
New Lynnwood Crisis Facility Opens, Born From 2021 Jail Suicide

LYNNWOOD — The City of Lynnwood and Sea Mar Community Health Centers cut the ribbon Monday, June 1, on a new Crisis Care Center, a short-term behavioral health facility designed as an alternative to emergency rooms and jails for people in mental health or substance use crises. Situated next to the Community Justice Center, the […]
Snohomish County passes resolution recognizing June as Immigrant Heritage Month

EVERETT—The Snohomish County Council passed a resolution (26-029) recognizing June as Immigrant Heritage Month at their Administrative Session Tuesday, May 26, where they invited several Snohomish County immigrants share their compelling stories of uprooting their lives and choosing America for a better life. County Councilman Nate Nehring shared that he was honored to bring the […]
Join the 2026 Building Bridges Summit featuring Congresswoman Suzan DelBene

EVERETT—The Building Bridges Project will host the 2026 Building Bridges Summit on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at Washington State University-Everett, bringing together elected officials, community leaders, students, and residents for an evening focused on civic dialogue, political polarization, and strengthening community connections. The summit will feature U.S. Congresswoman Suzan DelBene as the featured speaker, along […]
Snohomish County Council recognizes Cinco de Mayo as a day of celebration over oppression

EVERETT—The Snohomish County Council unanimously approved Resolution 26-020, recognizing May 5 in celebration of Cinco de Mayo, at its General Legislative Session, Tuesday, May 5. Speaking, on behalf of the resolution, were Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers, Snohomish County PUD Commissioner Dr. Julieta Altamirano-Crosby, Gerardo Javier Guiza Vargas, Deputy Consul at the Consulate of Mexico in Seattle, and Zac […]
4th Annual Civic Education Day Brings Students to Snohomish County Campus

EVERETT – Yesterday, more than 150 high school students from across Snohomish County traveled to the Snohomish County Government Campus for the fourth annual Civic Education Day. Hosted by Snohomish County Councilmembers Nate Nehring and Jared Mead, students get the opportunity to meet elected officials and county staff and learn about county government and civil […]
Mukilteo Mayor Joe Marine selected as Community Transit Board chair

EVERETT—Mukilteo Mayor Joe Marine was selected by his peers to serve as chair of the Community Transit Board of Directors for 2026, a one-year term. Chair Marine served on the board from 2008-2013, and re-joined in 2020. He has lived in Mukilteo for more than 20 years. Mountlake Terrace City Council Member Kyoko Matsumoto Wright […]
Snohomish County Council unanimously approves providers for New Start Centers

SNOHOMISH COUNTY— The Snohomish County Council unanimously approved a series of motions on January 28, related to service agreements with the Salvation Army and YWCA for its two New Start Centers—a pair of repurposed hotels which the county intend to use for emergency bridge housing for people experiencing homelessness in Snohomish County. The idea of the New Start […]