With the weather heating up, Snohomish County is teaming up with Lynnwood police to keep motorcyclists safe.

The county recently declared May “Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.” During the next two weekends, officers will be looking for impaired drivers, including those on motorcycles, as part of ongoing emphasis patrols.

“As the weather improves, more and more motorcyclists are hitting the roads,” said Tracy McMillan, Snohomish County’s DUI & Target Zero Manager. “Drivers of all vehicles need to be extra attentive. Motorists should perform visual checks before they enter or exit a lane of traffic and at intersections.”

The county reminds drivers to share the road with motorcycles and to be extra alert.

“Motorcyclists have responsibilities too,” said Lynnwood Police Sgt. Wayne Davis. “They should obey traffic rules, be alert to other drivers, never ride while impaired or distracted, and always wear a DOT-approved helmet and other protective gear.”

Statistics show that per vehicle mile traveled, motorcyclists are about 39 times more likely than car occupants to die in traffic crashes.

Currently, the Arts Commission, Historical Commission, Library Board, Parks & Recreation Board, and the Neighborhoods & Demographic Diversity Commission are all seeking new members. No experience or education is necessary.

Volunteers advise city staff on projects and advocate to the mayor and city council on policies that matter to the community.

Boards and commissions typically meet once per month. A majority of board and commission members must live within Lynnwood city limits and be registered voters, but several board and commissions have ‘at-large positions.’

If you would like more information contact Julie Moore at 425-670-5023 or jmoore@ci.lynnwood.wa.us.

Nine Bartell pharmacies in Snohomish County are providing reduced fee or free whooping cough vaccines, in cooperation with the Snohomish Health District.

The stores in the Lynnwood area offering the vaccine are at 17633 Highway 99 and 3625 148^th Street SW.

Vaccines are available for a fee of $15 per injection. In order to qualify for a free vaccine, patients should be uninsured and at 200% of the 2012 federal poverty limit guidelines.

An outbreak of whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is spreading throughout Washington state. In Snohomish County, 270 cases have been reported since the beginning of 2012.

On Saturday, May 5, members of the Lake Stickney Conservancy, students from Edmonds Community College, and employees from Target and REI teamed up with Snohomish County’s Parks and Recreation Department to battle Himalayan blackberries and other invasive plants on the west shore of Lake Stickney.

The 13.5 acre park, recently acquired by Snohomish County, contains forests and wetlands that will provide wildlife habitat while also filtering out pollutants that affect water quality.

“We are absolutely thrilled that Snohomish County purchased the west end of Lake Stickney,” said Joyce Altaras, Lake Stickney Conservancy president. “Now, instead of condos, the beautiful forests and wetlands that are there will become a nature preserve that will be opened to the public in the future.”

During the past two years, the conservancy has organized volunteer events that led to the removal of an old house and swimming pool on site as well as several tons of old tires, trash and debris.

Rep. Mary Helen Roberts (D-21) and Rep. Luis Moscoso (D-1) both recently endorsed I-502.

“Initiative 502 will free up law enforcement resources needed to combat violent crime,” said Rep. Moscoso. “A tightly-regulated system for marijuana will allow our police and prosecutors to focus on more important public safety priorities.”

Under I-502, privately owned stores would be licensed to sell limited quantities of marijuana to adults 21 and over.  Washington growers and processors would be licensed to provide marijuana to the stores.

Eighty percent of a new marijuana excise tax would be dedicated to health care, prevention, research and education.  The rest of the tax, and all sales tax, would go to the state general fund and local budgets.

A preliminary analysis estimates I-502 would generate $560 million in new revenue annually.

Customers called 911 after seeing the man about 9 a.m. Medics responded and took the victim to Harborview with head injuries.

While the store is still open for business, police closed off a portion of the parking during their investigation.

So far there’s no information on a description of the suspect or suspects. Anyone with information on the case is asked to call Lynnwood police.

A burglary prevention fair will be held Saturday, May 5, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Meadowdale High School.

Property crimes detectives will be available to answer questions about current burglary crime trends. You can also discuss safety concerns with crime prevention officers.

Staff at vendor tables will give advice about locks, alarms, surveillance systems and more.

This fair is sponsored by the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office along with the Lynnwood Edmonds, and Mountlake Terrace police departments.

About 7:45 a.m., deputies responded to the shooting in the 22nd Avenue West and 148th Street SW. It appears a 20-year-old man was standing at the bus stop when another male shot him in the back. It’s unclear if the two new each other.

The victim walked to his nearby home and collapsed.  His mother called medics, who rushed him to the hospital. His injuries are unknown.

The shooter fled the scene in an unknown vehicle.  No description is available yet.

Snohomish County PUD is warning of a scam involving postcards that appear to come from the utility.

The cards encourage customers to attend a dinner where they can learn how to save “hundreds to thousands” off their utility bills. They use a sample bill to indicate how much can be saved.

PUD says this deceptive marketing technique is nationwide.

They offer these tips to keep your private information secure:

• If a customer receives a phone call asking for financial information, such as a credit card number to make a utility payment, he/she should never provide this information. The PUD never calls customers to collect credit card information over the phone.  If customers aren’t sure if a call is from the PUD, he/she should call PUD Customer Service to verify the information given.

• If a person comes to a customer’s home or business claiming to be a PUD employee, the customer should ask to see the person’s PUD identification. Employees carry an ID card with their picture on it and will gladly show it to customers. If customers believe they are the target of a potential scam, please call PUD Customer Service to report it.
• Be wary of offers from businesses promising huge savings on your energy bill, particularly if they reference what you paid on previous bills. The PUD does not share your account information with other organizations without your consent. If you have questions about an energy-efficiency offer, call PUD Customer Service.