Government

Verdant awards $4.3 million in community health grants

The Verdant Health Commission announced Thursday it has awarded $4.3 million in grants to 31 community organizations offering programs and services that address Verdant’s strategic priorities: mental health, health care access and food security. “This funding will ensure that health-elated programming is available and accessible for the community, said Commissioner Karianna Wilson. “By working together…

Snohomish PUD Board approves rate increase

The Snohomish County PUD Board of Commissioners recently approved a 2% general rate increase for all residential and commercial electric and water customers. According to PUD news release issued Monday, the PUD board also approved a revised implementation of a base charge for electric customers, modifying the remaining deployment schedule from four years to two….

Lynnwood council asks city ethics board to investigate Binda’s alleged misconduct

The Lynnwood City Council has asked the city’s board of ethics to investigate allegations that Councilmember Josh Binda violated city code when he used the council chambers to film a promotional video from which he benefited financially.  Following a lengthy discussion about the matter during its Jan. 23 business meeting, the council voted 6-0 –…

Puget Sound Regional Council seeking VISION 2050 Award nominees

The Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) is seeking nominations for its VISION 2050 Awards program through April 1. According to a PSRC news release, the VISION 2050 Awards celebrate efforts that are enhancing the region’s communities and natural environment while advancing equity and opportunity for all. They recognize innovative work by jurisdictions, tribes, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and other groups…

State survey: Most people say housing is top issue

Housing and homelessness topped a list of 12 issues in a new survey that asked Washington state residents to rank their top two problems facing the state. The Department of Commerce partnered with the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) to conduct the 12-county survey in late 2022. Other issues on the list included crime and…

Lynnwood Public Facilities District to meet Jan. 10

The Lynnwood Public Facilities District (LPFD) will hold its January 2023 board meeting from 10 a.m.-noon Jan. 10 in the LPFD conference room, 3815 196th St. S.W., Ste. 136, Lynnwood. The hybrid meeting is also available on Zoom at this link. Meeting ID: is 869 1652 2392 and passcode is 923574. Or you can access by phone…

Lynnwood Councilmember Sessions says she won’t run for reelection

Lynnwood City Councilmember Shannon Sessions announced Friday that she won’t be running for reelection in 2023 to the Position 7 council seat she has held since 2015. “I’m so grateful to the citizens of Lynnwood for their trust as they elected me to serve on Lynnwood City Council for two terms,” Sessions said. “After much prayer…

Community Transit to host public hearing Nov. 3 on 2023 budget

The Community Transit Board of Directors’ monthly board meeting will take place at 3 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 3. The meeting will begin with a public hearing on Community Transit’s proposed 2023 budget. The public hearing and board meeting will be hybrid, with in-person attendance and an online option available. For meeting materials and information on…

Proposed Community Transit 2023 budget available for comment; public hearing Nov. 3

Community Transit has released its 2023 proposed budget, and the goals include working to develop new services, build facilities to accommodate growth, and create connections to light rail in Lynnwood. “Our strategic priorities are delivering excellent service every day, and building a brighter future for customers,” said Community Transit CEO Ric Ilgenfritz in an agency news…

South County Fire to hold public hearings Oct. 18 on 2023 budget, benefit charge

The South County Fire Board of Commissioners will hold public hearings Oct. 18 on the regional fire authority’s proposed budget, benefit charge and levies for 2023. The board meeting begins at 7 p.m. and will be held remotely using Zoom teleconferencing (Meeting ID 861 5293 4763). For instructions on how to provide public comments during…

Verdant Health Commission unveils 2023-24 strategic plan, new grantmaking standards

With a focus on mental health, health care access and food security, the Verdant Health Commission Friday morning rolled out its two-year strategic plan during a community forum in Lynnwood. The Verdant Health Commission Board recently completed a Community Health Needs Assessment – with more than 500 residents participating – and the results helped commissioners…

Snohomish PUD releases new MySnoPUD app

Snohomoish County PUD has released a MySnoPUD app, which gives customers easy access to payment tools, bill and usage information and push notifications. The new MySnoPUD app is free and available for download from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Customers will be able to use biometric authentication such as Face ID or their fingerprint…

Public comment invited on Puget Sound Regional Council draft Transportation Improvement Program

The Puget Sound Regional Council is encouraging public comment on a $5.4 billion draft regional Transportation Improvement Program that shows projects moving forward in the central Puget Sound region through 2026, funded by state, federal, regional and local funds. The draft TIP represents over $34 billion in total transportation investments at project completion. The public…

Fearnehough appointed to South County Fire board

Michael Fearnehough has been appointed to the South County Fire Board of Commissioners. Fearnehough was the board’s unanimous choice to fill a vacant commissioner seat in Election District 2, which includes Lynnwood neighborhoods west of Highway 99 and the unincorporated communities of Esperance, Lake Serene and Picnic Point. He replaces Greg Urban, who resigned from…

Citing supply chain issues, PUD delays installation of smart meters in homes, businesses

Due to supply chain and manufacturing issues, Snohomish County PUD said Monday it is delaying the deployment of its smart meter program until mid-2023. The program, known as Connect Up, will install new electric and water advanced meters on all customers’ homes and businesses. The PUD was originally scheduled to begin deployment of new meters…

Providence reverses course on moving Swedish Edmonds maternity operations to Everett

After announcing Wednesday that it was considering “temporarily” moving Swedish Edmonds childbirth and NICU operations to Providence Everett due to staffing challenges, Providence Swedish said Thursday it is no longer considering the idea. Thursday’s decision by Providence Swedish not to pursue combining the two maternity centers came hours after the Public Hospital District No. 2…

Snohomish Health District administrative officer plans to step down at end of 2022

Shawn Frederick has announced that he will be stepping down at the end of his third full year leading the Snohomish Health District as administrative officer. Frederick has worked at the district for more than six years and has served as administrative officer since 2019. In a news release announcing his departure, the health district…

Aug. 2 primary ballots to be mailed this week

Snohomish County Elections this week will mail ballots for the Aug. 2 primary election to 500,000 registered voters. Ballots were mailed to military and overseas voters on June 17 and to out-of-state and rural voters on July 8. A local voters’ pamphlet will also be mailed this week to every household. All eligible voters should…

Reminder: July 15 deadline to apply for South County Fire Commission vacancy

Friday, July 15 is the final day to apply to fill a vacancy on the South County Fire Board of Commissioners in Election District 2. Election District 2 Commissioner Greg Urban is resigning because he is moving out of the area. His vacant seat will be filled by board appointment. Candidates must be registered to…