Those convicted of a drug crime in Snohomish County urged to seek Blake relief

SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash., May 26, 2023—State v. Blake is a 2021 Washington State Supreme Court decision that held that the drug possession law was unconstitutional. If you were convicted of soliciting possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, or certain other drug related misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor offenses in Snohomish County District Court you […]
RAP Program to hold Open House, receives ongoing funding

MARYSVILLE, Wash., May 26, 2023—On Thursday, June 8, the Regional Apprenticeship Pathways (RAP) Program is hosting an open house inviting community members to join RAP students, staff, and supporters to celebrate the program this year and learn more about the students’ projects. The open house will take place at the RAP Center, located at 5611 […]
Volunteers of Lynnwood’s Hygiene Center clean up Gold Park

LYNNWOOD, Wash., May 19, 2023—The Lynnwood Hygiene Center closed early on Thursday, May 18, to allow staff member Amberlee Bell, and nine other volunteers the opportunity to clean up neighboring Gold Park. From 4 p.m. until about 4:45 p.m. the crew collected four large bags of trash before reconvening at the Hygiene Center for a […]
Snohomish County awards $500,000 in grants to arts and culture organizations

SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash., May 10, 2023 – Executive Dave Somers today announced that Snohomish County is awarding $500,000 to 21 arts and culture organizations. The Arts and Culture Recovery Grants fund organizations so they can continue activities that support public benefit and enhance community engagement through mid-to-large events and festivals held in Snohomish County. These […]
Lynnwood’s Hygiene Center struggles to keep up with staggering numbers

LYNNWOOD, Wash., May 10, 2023—Every Monday through Saturday morning, Amberlee Bell exits her on-site trailer to prepare the Lynnwood Hygiene Center for operation. The site provides access to private showers, restroom facilities, clothes, and food to people who are homeless and living in extreme poverty. Like many of the six volunteers that work at the […]
Mayors across Snohomish County support recriminalizing illegal drugs

SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash., May 6, 2023—Fifteen mayors represented by the Mayors and Business Leaders for Public Safety coalition, join forces in a letter urging the Snohomish County Council to pass proposed Ordinance 23-046 to recriminalize controlled and counterfeit substances. “Currently, cites in Snohomish County and across Washington state are looking to enact laws governing the possession […]
Annual Homeless Point-in-Time count highest in over 10 years

SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash., May 4, 2023—The Annual Homeless Point-in-Time (PIT) count, designed to provide a snapshot of households experiencing homelessness on a single night, was conducted on January 24, 2023. This survey was supported by the efforts of 247 volunteers, County personnel, and partnering agency staff. The 2023 count identified 1,285 people in 1,028 households […]
Inslee announces Special Session, County leadership split on illegal drug policy

SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash., May 3, 2023—Hours after Snohomish County led the state in proposing an ordinance to recriminalize illegal drugs after the failure of legislature’s passage of the “Blake fix,” Governor Jay Inslee announced that he will call a special session to begin on May 16 that will focus on passing a new drug possession […]
County to consider scheduling a Public Hearing on ordinance to re-criminalize illegal drugs

SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash., May 1, 2023—At its upcoming Administrative Meeting on Tuesday, May 2, the Snohomish County Council is expected to vote on scheduling a Public Hearing for May 17 to propose an ordinance re-criminalizing controlled and counterfeit substances. To view the meeting’s agenda, click here. The ordinance, sponsored by Council President Jared Mead and […]
Possession of controlled substances will be legal in Washington state starting July 1

OLYMPIA, Wash., April 24, 2023—The 2023 legislative session ended last night without the passage of a new state law on the possession of controlled substances, leaving it now up to counties and cities to put local drug-possession laws in place once the state law adopted in 2021 expires on July 1. SB-5536, also known as […]