Groundbreaking ceremony marks beginning of Ballinger Park transformation

A long-awaited groundbreaking Tuesday marked the beginning of efforts to create a natural sanctuary at Mountlake Terrace’s 16-acre Ballinger Park. Among those attending were 32nd District State Reps. Cindy Ryu and Lauren Davis and State Sen. Jesse Salomon, and representatives from the offices of U.S. Reps. Rick Larsen and Suzan DelBene, both of whom couldn’t…

County offering disaster preparedness training course in July

Community members ages 14 and up are invited to attend a two-day course: “When Disaster Strikes: Prepare. Act. Survive” offered by the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management July 22-23. The goal is to teach attendees the skills needed to aid their family and other community members in the immediate aftermath of a natural disaster…

Under the Weather column taking a break

The Under the Weather column is taking a break. Columnist Kelsie Nelson said she hopes to resume her popular weather forecasting column in the future but is unable to continue writing it at this time.  

Sno-Isle Libraries’ summer reading program for kids and teens underway

Sno-Isle Libraries Summer Reading program is designed to foster the love of reading in kids and teens across Island and Snohomish counties. All summer long, kids and teens can enjoy books and fun, free events at the library. Kids and teens who read (or are read to) for 10n hours will get a prize book…

Former Mountlake Terrace Police Chief Scott Smith dies

Former Mountlake Terrace Police Chief Scott Smith died earlier this week at the age of 66. Smith served for 28 years as a police officer for Mountlake Terrace. He began his career at Mountlake Terrace in 1980,  moving up the ranks and eventually being appointed as chief in March 2000. Smith was a graduate of…

Snohomish County PUD crews will be working on range of projects this summer

Snohomish County PUD crews will be busy this summer making electric system improvements and completing preventative maintenance projects. The work helps ensure the PUD maintains high levels of reliability through storm season and meets growing demand, the utility said. PUD crews will be working on a variety of substation and line projects. Among the local…

Verdant Health Commission offering grant technical assistance June 8, 13

The Verdant Health Commission will offer technical assistance/office hours on June 8 and 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for any nonprofit organizations that need technical assistance with submitting an online application for funding. Office space and a computer will be available for use.  Community members are encouraged to sign up for a time…

Seattle Men’s Chorus presenting Disney Pride in concert June 9 and 10

Seattle Men’s Chorus — which includes local residents — is celebrating LGBTQ Pride with the iconic music of Disney during a performance at Seattle’s Paramount Theatre Friday and Saturday, June 9-10. Over 40 songs from classics like The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, and Mary Poppins, as well as modern favorites from Coco, Zootopia, and…

State AG sues makers of ‘forever chemicals’ that have seeped into drinking water

Companies involved in making and selling firefighting foam used for decades in Washington hid potential health risks from chemicals in the product, contributing to drinking water pollution around the state, according to allegations in a lawsuit Attorney General Bob Ferguson filed on Tuesday. The case centers on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, often referred…

Sponsor spotlight: Tips for porch and deck maintenance

Summertime provides ideal weather to enjoy the porch or deck at home. Like your home’s interior, you should keep your exterior clean and in good shape for optimal comfort. To help you enjoy your outdoor living space, here are some tips for porch or deck maintenance.  Cleaning: Sweep your deck and remove debris trapped in…

Gloria MacKay: Teacher and author was a lifelong learner

Gloria Claire MacKay Gloria Claire MacKay (Wahlgren) passed on May 8, 2023. She was 89 years. Gloria was an independent, life-long learner. As a genre-defying reader, innovative techie, and Seattle sports fan, her interests knew no bounds.  She is a graduate of the University of Washington where she majored in journalism and acquired teaching credentials….

Mountlake Terrace Police Blotter: May 20-30, 2023

May 20 22300 block 51st Avenue West: A man was arrested for several firearm-related crimes after reportedly firing a weapon in his neighborhood and threatening his neighbors. Charges include aiming or discharging firearms/dangerous weapons as well as unlawful possession of firearms and harassment. The man admitted to firing one weapon into the air from his…

Sponsor spotlight: Shrimp tacos the special at Scotty’s Food Truck this week

This week’s special at Scotty’s Food Truck: shrimp tacos on flour tortillas with pineapple pico de gallo, lime and avocado crema with cabbage slaw. Scotty’s is open Thursday through Saturday in Edmonds’ Five Corners neighborhood. Call ahead to avoid the wait: 206-795-1615. Five Corners in Edmonds 8330 212th St. S.W. Thursday, Friday and Saturday 3:30-7:30…

Be prepared for state highway projects as you travel this summer

With projects affecting all of the region’s major freeways this summer – as well as many projects on smaller state highways – people need to plan ahead for travel, whether it’s the everyday commute or the big summer road trip, the Washington State Department of Transportation says. The department notes it has many projects scheduled…

Community Transit selects Charles Stearns as chief information officer  

Information technology veteran Charles Stearns will join Community Transit as chief information officer, a key executive role supporting the agency’s work to expand fast, reliable and innovative public transit options for Snohomish County. “Charles will bring deep experience to help carry our public transit services into a future that offers people better options to get…

Everett shelter run by Hand Up Project got $3M in COVID relief despite complaints

Editor’s note: The following story was republished with permission from Crosscut.com. The smell hit Rena Keckler first as she entered the Everett hotel room where her ex-husband, Forest Fraser, had died a few days earlier. Uneaten food had spoiled inside the broken refrigerator. Unwashed laundry lay piled on one of the two beds. Keckler said…

Alderwood Water & Wastewater District treatment plant wins ‘Outstanding Performance’ Award

The Alderwood Water & Wastewater District’s (AWWD) Picnic Point Wastewater Treatment Plant was recently recognized by the Washington State Department of Ecology as the recipient of the agency’s 2022 Outstanding Performance Awards for wastewater treatment plants across the state. This will be the fifth consecutive time that AWWD’s wastewater processing facility has received this award…

How new Washington laws aim to lower out-of-pocket health care costs

Insulin, abortions, hearing aids and cancer screenings are among the medical expenses that may soon cost less for Washington residents with health insurance. In a session when addressing rising costs and making the state more affordable was top of mind, the Legislature this year passed a number of bills to lower out-of-pocket costs for routine…

MLT Transit Center lane closure planned for Sound Transit work

Starting Tuesday, May 30, Sound Transit’s contractor is scheduled to begin road improvement work at the Mountlake Terrace Transit Center entrance. This work will require the partial closure of the road leading into the MLT transit center park-and-ride lot. Two-lane traffic will be maintained at the upper entrance to the garage and the lower exit…

Mountlake Terrace HS Jazz Quintet returns to Baguus Little Asia June 3

The Mountlake Terrace High School Jazz Quintet is back at Baguus Little Asia restaurant from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 3. The jazz combo will perform a two-hour set with a mix of standards and contemporary jazz. Stop in for a few minutes or the entire set. Baguus Little Asia is located at 23511 56th…

Home + Work: How my dad’s cancer changed my path

In June of 2010, a month after his 61st birthday, my dad was on the phone with his boss, the mayor of Richland, and he lost his train of thought so completely that he had to hang up, ending the conversation abruptly. He called my mom to tell her about this bizarre thing that had…

Edmonds School District hosting bus driver hiring open house June 3

The Edmonds School District is hosting a bus driver hiring open house from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, June 3. Those interested are invited to tour the district’s transportation center, learn more about the jobs and apply. The jobs include paid training and a starting wage of $31.92. The Edmonds School District Transportation Center is located at 20601…

Sponsor spotlight: Calling all taxpayers — plan now or pay later

Procrastination is easy, especially when it comes to summertime tax planning. But waiting to implement strategies to reduce your 2023 tax obligations could cost you money. Here are some suggestions to help jumpstart your midyear review: Safeguard your deductions. Ensure you can take deductions by keeping great records throughout the year. You’ll need proof if you…

High school sports roundup for May 26-27, 2023

Softball State tournament, double elimination Regional Athletic Complex in Lacey Round of 16 on Friday, May 26 Mount Spokane defeated Mountlake Terrace 13-12 Consolation bracket Heritage defeated Mountlake Terrace 12-3 Boys tennis State Tournament at the Vancouver Tennis Center in Vancouver Singles: 4th Place: Steven Anderson of Edmonds-Woodway Round of 16- defeated Kevin Kim of…

State Department of Ecology begins rulemaking on climate funds reporting

How Washington invests cap-and-invest auction revenues to prepare for climate change will be captured in public reporting that the Department of Ecology is responsible for publishing under the Climate Commitment Act. Ecology said in a news release last week that it is starting new rulemaking focused on reporting requirements for state agencies that receive and…

Prep track and field: More ESD athletes make their mark on day 3 of state championships

The 2023 WIAA State 2A/3A/4A Track & Field Championships came to a close Saturday but not before more Edmonds School District student athletes put their mark on the three-day event held at Tacoma’s Mount Tahoma High School. Meadowdale, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace and Edmonds-Woodway high schools were represented by athletes who competed strong and, for a…

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