County Executive says funds are tight, a recent audit could point to why
SNOHOMISH COUNTY—In Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers’ proposed 2025 Biennial Budget, he said funds are tight for the county driven by inflation, rapid population growth, and COVID relief funds hitting the end of their limits. But a recent county audit, conducted on both Executive and Council Office staffing operations, may point to another contributing factor […]
‘Molbak’s bones’: Woodinville demolishes proposed historic landmark
WOODINVILLE—In January 2024, when Molbak’s Garden and Home closed its doors, plant lovers in King County and beyond wilted more than a little. According to The Seattle Times, the Woodinville gardening complex attracted “1 million visitors a year” at its peak in 2006. For 67 years, the store served as an accessible introduction to horticulture, […]
Washington Courts online system mostly restored
OLYMPIA—As of Monday, November 18, 2024, Washington state’s Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) has restored access to most court systems included Odyssey Case Management System (Odyssey) and Odyssey Portal. E-filing will continue to be suspended until further notice pursuant to Emergency Order 01-24. Due to the two-week outage, the Snohomish County Superior Court Clerk’s Office […]
Commentary: Just Trust Joe?
Doubling down on obfuscation: At the November 4 Council Regular meeting, the Council voted to close the public hearing on the City’s biennial preliminary budget from the mayor for the years 2025-2026. The mayor’s 2025-2026 budget draws down the general fund ending balance, our savings account, from $5 million today, to under $2 million in […]
A Crisis of Leadership in Washington’s GOP: Missteps, Mismanagement, and Missed Opportunities
Election season is the one time during a two-year cycle when the legislative caucuses (House and Senate) and the State and County Party align with a singular purpose: to get Republicans elected. Period. Full stop. For the rest of the cycle, legislative caucuses focus on representing constituents in the legislature, while the State and County […]
Women’s rights group invites public to Standing Up for Women and Girls forum
SEATTLE—Women’s Declaration International’s (WDI) USA Chapter will be hosting Standing Up for Women and Girls in Washington forum at the Seattle Public Library, Level 4 Multi-purpose Conference Room, on Sunday, November 17, at 7 p.m. Registration for the event is required for entry. WDI is an explicitly non-partisan feminist group created by women, for women, […]
Washington Supreme Court Justices elect Debra Stephens as next Chief Justice
OLYMPIA—Justice Debra L Stephens will serve as the 59th chief justice of the Washington Supreme Court, following a vote of her colleagues on the Washington Supreme Court on Wednesday, November 6. Stephens will be sworn into the position in January, succeeding current Chief Justice Steven C. González. Since 1996, the internal vote for the position […]
I-5 protest sheds light on Ethiopian crisis
Political demonstrators near Seattle slowed I-5 traffic November 7 protesting the leadership of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. A convoy of over 50 vehicles waved Ethiopian flags as they slow-rolled along the right two lanes of the I-5 heading to Olympia. “They did seem quite friendly,” KIRO reporter James Lynch said at the scene. “They […]
Pedersen elected new WA State Senate Majority Leader
TUKWILA—Senator Jamie Pedersen (D-Seattle) will be the new Senate Majority Leader in the Washington State Senate, following a vote among Senate Democrats on Monday, November 11. Pedersen will take over immediately as Sen. Andy Billig (D-Spokane) prepares to retire after 14 years of service in the Legislature, including six years (2018-2024) as leader of the […]
Gesa Credit Union awards $475,000 to 44 Local Hero Organizations
LYNNWOOD—Gesa, a community-focused credit union, is proud to announce the recipients of its 2024 Local Heroes Grant Program, which provides funds to organizations supporting local heroes within the community. This year, Gesa awarded more than $475,000 in grants to 44 organizations across the Pacific Northwest, marking its largest donation year yet. The top awarded organizations […]
