This year’s Point in Time homeless count found 2,382 people in 1,401 families without a permanent place to stay. That compares to last year’s final count of 2,273 people in 1,385 families.

An estimated 829 were homeless children, 115 were homeless veterans and 381 said they were victims of domestic violence.

“While there are signs that the national economy is improving, we’re still seeing the effects of the Great Recession,” said County Executive Aaron Reardon. “We must find new ways to help families without a home as well as those on the brink of losing their homes.”

The numbers are divided into three categories:  those in an emergency shelter or transitional housing (1,336 people), those on the streets (723 people) and those that are precariously housed — often referred to as “couch surfing” (323 people).

Numbers specific to Lynnwood were not available.

“Statistics gathered will help the county determine how different populations are affected by homelessness as well as better ways to help them,” said Ken Stark, Snohomish County’s Human Services director.

The Point in Time count is a federal requirement. The results help secure federal and state funding to fight homelessness.

The city’s controversial red light cameras won’t be going away anytime soon.

Last week the City Council extended the contract with Arizona-based American Traffic Solutions (ATS) through this November.

Last November council members extended the expiring contract until this February so an investigation into a few police department leaders’ questionable interactions with ATS was completed. (The Herald covered that story extensively.) They were later cleared of any ethical violations.

Although the new contract extension expires this November, the city may opt out at any time. Doing so, however, could be an expensive proposition, officials say. The camera equipment is owned by ATS and would be removed if the contract is terminated. To continue the red light program, a new vendor would need to be selected and  new equipment installed.

“Switching companies probably would be a major hassle,” said Councilman Sid Roberts.

The issue of signal timing was also brought up at the meeting. Some critics claim the city shortened the yellow light timing to catch more violators.

Police Chief Steve Jensen denied that, saying they comply with uniform traffic codes.

“There’s a misconception that the city shortened the yellow light and that’s blatantly a falsehood,” he said.

Red light cameras brought in $2.2 million in fiscal year 2011.

City officials said of the violations that are caught by red light cameras, ATS rejects about 40 percent of them. Of the remaining violations, the police department said it rejects another 35 percent.

“We are looking at this very hard and we understand the difficulties that many people have with the whole idea of these devices,” Councilman Van AuBuchon said.

More than 200 customers now use rooftop solar units for at least part of their energy needs. Most of it comes through PUD’s Solar Express program, which offers financial incentives and technical assistance to get you started.

“We’ve seen very strong interest in solar from both residential customers and businesses,” said PUD Energy Efficiency Program Manager Jessica Mitchell. “We can help customers identify models so projects pencil out and they can manage their energy future in a profitable manner.”

Customer-generated solar energy reduces the PUD’s need to purchase new power, while helping residents reduce their own utility bills.

Residential customers can qualify for up to $2,500 in incentives for rooftop panels or solar hot water systems. (The cost ranges from $4,900 to $11,000 depending on the size, manufacturer and complexity.) You may also qualify for a low-interest loan and additional tax credits.

For more information call the PUD Energy Hotline at 425-783-1700 or click on the link above.

Edmonds police and Edmonds-Woodway High School officials are investigating explosions that were confined inside two garbage cans in the school cafeteria during the second lunch period Monday. EWHS Principal Michelle Trifunovic sent the following letter home to parents Monday afternoon following the event, which caused no property damage or injuries:

January 30, 2012

Dear Edmonds-Woodway Families,

I want to ensure that you have the facts regarding a brief incident that occurred at approximately 11:40 a.m. today in the café area of the school. No injuries and no property damage were caused after items placed in two different garbage cans exploded but were contained to the garbage receptacles. Fire District 1 determined that the items were bottles which contained a common household chemical that when sealed, the pressure forced the bottles to explode. Videos of how to construct such devices are easily accessible and common on the Internet. Please talk with your student and if they have any information regarding this incident please call  Edmonds Police at 425-771-0200. The matter is under investigation.

Sincerely,
Michelle Trifunovic
Principal
Edmonds-Woodway High School

Swedish/Edmonds dietician Megan Ellison listens as Graham Kerr gives cooking tips at Cedar Valley Community School Thursday night.

Story and photo by Lara Alexander

The lunchroom of Cedar Valley Community School in Lynnwood was full Thursday night with parents, children and community members ready to learn about healthy foods. Co-sponsored by Swedish/Edmonds and the Edmonds School District, Healthier Choices is a series of free family events aimed at helping families learn fun ways to make healthy food choices and prepare easy, affordable breakfasts and snacks.

Thursday night’s event featured cooking demonstrations and nutrition advice from internationally known culinary and television personality Graham Kerr and Swedish/Edmonds registered dietitian Megan Ellison. Kerr is best known as The Galloping Gourmet. He cheerfully greeted audience members before the cooking demonstration. “I was just telling my daughter that I used to watch you on TV before there was a Food Network channel!” said one mom.

Kerr lives in Island County and is committed to helping people make healthy, creative, lifestyle chan

ges to increase consumption of fresh, local edible plants and seafood. “I was the Paula Deen of my day,” said Kerr, referring to his past as a celebrity chef who paid no mind to calories, until his wife suffered a stroke and a heart attack. Using his knowledge of tastes and aromas, Kerr says, “I realized that I could reinvent food for her so that it brings pleasure and not harm.”

“We all know childhood obesity is a concern across the U.S. and here in Snohomish County,” says Ellison. “Our goal is to show families how to sustain an easy, healthy meal plan that includes fun and tasty options that kids will want to eat.”

According to the Snohomish Health District, students who are obese or overweight report lower grades, lower expectations to go far in school, and more disabilities than students who are not obese or overweight.

The next Healthier Choices events are scheduled for:

• Thursday, Febuary 23
• Thursday, March 15
• Saturday, April 28

Times and locations for these events will be announced in the near future.

Firefighters had a tough time keeping their footing on the icy pavement.

A fire did more than $100,000 damage to a home near 208thand 23rd around 5:15 this morning.

The homeowners, an elderly couple, were already awake when the fire started. They called 911 and reported that their house was filling up with smoke. Both made it out safely.

When firefighters arrived, smoke was coming from the house and an orange glow was visible in a second-floor window. Inside, they found a bedroom in flames.

Firefighters from Fire District 1 and Lynnwood had the fire under control within 20 minutes and kept flames from spreading beyond the bedroom.

Fire damage was contained to the one room but heavy smoke damage throughout the second-floor left the home uninhabitable.

Support 7 and the Red Cross are helping the couple. They have homeowner’s insurance.

The fire was traced back to an electrical problem.

“We are running all five plows right now trying to clear gutter lines.  We have widespread ponding at blocked catch basins, but nothing significant at this point,” Les Rubstello from Lynnwood Public Works told us. “We will have a night crew come on at 7 p.m. and continue the fight.

In case it does flood, sand bags and sand are available to fill up and pick up at Fire Station 15.

City crews also have a few downed trees, which they’ll clear Saturday.

It’s a similar situation throughout Snohomish County, which is in charge of 50,000 catch basins.

“Snohomish County crews have done an excellent job keeping roads cleared during this weather event despite the difficult conditions,” County Executive Aaron Reardon said. “As rain continues, they turn toward keeping stormwater drains and catch basins clear to prevent urban flooding.”

Roads in residential areas are treated after higher-priority routes are cleared. Officials say residents can help by shoveling the snow away from grates in their neighborhoods when it’s safe to do so.

A fire in Brier caused more than $200,000 damage and left a couple homeless this morning.

Neighbors called 911 around 8:40 a.m. after seeing smoke and flames coming from the home in the 21500 block of Elm Drive. A woman was home at the time but she made it out safely.

Crews responded from nearby Brier Fire Station 18. “When they arrived at the house, the garage was in flames and smoke was pouring out from the eaves,” said Leslie Hynes, spokesperson for Fire District 1

About 35 firefighters from Fire District 1, Lynnwood and Bothell responded.  “The flames had extended to the attic, but firefighters made a quick attack and had the fire under control within about 20 minutes,” Hynes added.

No one was hurt. The fire caused heavy damage to the attic and garage, and destroyed a car parked inside. Firefighters were able to stop the flames before they spread to the living area, but there was heavy smoke damage throughout the house.

The couple has insurance. Investigators determined the fire started in the garage, but were unable to find the cause. They say it doesn’t appear to be suspicious.

• All schools and programs are closed for one day.
• All after-school activities, evening events, and athletic practices are canceled.
• School days lost for weather closures must be made up. Please update your calendars to reflect the following:
  • Tuesday, June 19 is now a full day of school;
  • Wednesday, June 20 is now a full day of school;
  • Thursday, June 21 is now an early release;
  • Friday, June 22 is now an early release and the last day of school.