The Verdant Health Commission will be hosting a National Night Out event on Tuesday, Aug. 2 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Community Life Center in Lynnwood. The commission invites community partners and agencies to participate, with the goal of promoting a shared goal of a safer, healthier and more inclusive community. There will be…
Health and fitness
Snohomish County temporarily reopens emergency rental assistance program
Have you or a loved one been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic? The Snohomish County Emergency Rental Assistance Program has temporarily reopened to accept new applications through 211. The program has limited funds and assistance cannot be guaranteed. For more information, visit snohomish-county-coronavirus-response-snoco-gis.hub.arcgis.com/pages/emergency-rental-assistance The county also provided the following additional resources: Utility Assistance: snohomishcountywa.gov/552/Energy-Assistance Food…
Healthy Eating: Fresh from the garden — strawberry-rhubarb sauce
I recognize that it’s almost officially summer. But it feels like “Juneuary” right now. I’m still bundled up. My new garden seems to be confused as well. Seedlings are slow to take off. I’ve lost a few of my tomato plants already (anyone knit sweaters for tomato plants?!) Some seeds which should take 10 days…
Dr. James Lewis selected as Snohomish Health District’s next health officer
The Snohomish Health District has a new health officer — Dr. James Lewis. He will take over the health officer role from Dr. Chris Spitters, who is stepping down after more than 20 years with the district. Lewis, who is set to start Aug. 1, is currently a medical epidemiologist with Public Health – Seattle &…
Eligible donors urged to give blood as national blood shortage continues
The Washington State Department of Health, in partnership with the Washington State Blood Coalition, is encouraging eligible donors to give blood this summer. In addition to celebrating World Blood Donor Day on June 14, blood centers in Washington state are preparing for the summer months ahead—which is a critical time for blood donations. “Blood donations…
Multi-state salmonella outbreak linked to backyard poultry
The Washington State Department of Health is working with local and federal public health partners to investigate 11 identified cases of salmonella linked to backyard poultry in Pierce, Kitsap, Snohomish, Lincoln, King, Yakima and Lewis counties. This is part of a nationwide outbreak that has sickened 219 people in 38 states. In Washington, two people…
State Department of Health confirms paralytic shellfish poisoning illness
The Washington State Department of Health and Snohomish County Health District have identified a confirmed case of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) in a Snohomish County resident. The individual experienced tingling and numbness of the lips, tongue, and extremities after consuming butter clams that were recreationally harvested in Island County. The butter clams harvested by the…
Snohomish County Council approves integrating Snohomish Health District into county government
The Snohomish County Council on Wednesday unanimously approved a motion to integrate the Snohomish Health District and Snohomish County. According to a county news release, this decision was made “to strengthen public health in Snohomish County and ensure public health remains a central focus of our region.” Integrating the two entities has been considered for…
State officials caution against touching sick or dead wild birds
The Washington State Department of Health and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife are asking the public to avoid contact with wild birds, especially sick or dead wild birds or their young. An outbreak of avian influenza, also known as bird flu, is impacting wild birds including Canada geese, snow geese, bald eagles, and…
Washington part of multi-state salmonella outbreak linked to peanut butter
The Washington State Department of Health is working with local and federal public health partners to investigate a case of salmonella that is likely linked to consuming contaminated Jif brand peanut butter products. The Whitman County resident, who was not hospitalized, has a confirmed case of salmonella ssociated with a nationwide peanut butter outbreak involving 11…
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Families turn out for Edmonds School District health and fitness fair
The Edmonds School District held its free Health and Fitness Expo Saturday, May 21 at Edmonds District Stadium, next to Edmonds-Woodway High School. The sun was out and the event proved to be popular as participants engaged in a variety of activities and also learned about healthy habits and nutrition. Activities included a 1k fun…
Community invited to share health care perspectives during Verdant focus group May 23
The Verdant Health Commission is inviting the community to attend a virtual focus group Monday, May 23, to assist Verdant’s efforts to increase health care accessfor all South Snohomish County residents. The meeting will run from noon-1:30 p.m. via Zoom. Residents are encouraged to participate in the focus group to provide their perspective. There is…
Free mental wellness conference for teens at Everett Community College May 21
Leadership Launch, a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing student leaders and strengthening communities, is hosting Emotion Commotion on May 21, from noon-4 p.m. at Everett Community College. Held at the Henry M. Jackson Conference Center, the student-organized event will feature keynote speakers and workshops focused on the topics of mental wellness through movement, self-expression through…
Verdant Community Wellness Center celebrates grand reopening
The Verdant Health Commission hosted a grand reopening of the Verdant Community Wellness Center in Lynnwood on Friday. Closed since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the wellness center is now open for public use. From wellness booths to mascots handing out balloons, the reopening contained something for the whole family. The Verdant team…
USDA: Keeping infants safe in midst of formula shortages
There are few things that worry a parent more than their children’s health and safety. The ongoing infant formula shortage due to supply chain issues, which worsened due to a major formula recall in February, has left many caregivers feeling concerned and anxious about their options for safely feeding their infants, the USDA Food and Nutrition…
Verdant Community Wellness Center to hold grand reopening event May 13
After being closed to the public for more than two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Verdant Community Wellness Center in Lynnwood will hold a grand reopening from 3-6 p.m. Friday, May 13. Residents are invited to rediscover the classes, programs and resources available at the center. During the grand reopening, participants will enjoy…
Lynnwood’s Hansa Temple offers free meditation class first Saturday of each month
Lynnwood’s Hansa Temple is offering a free, two-hour morning meditation class this Saturday, May 7. From 7-9 a.m., Amy Morrison and Robyn Mattis will lead the class, with a chanting break starting at 8 a.m. Everyone is welcome to join in all or part of the class. This free class will be offered on the…
Fecal pollution restricts shellfish harvest in Snohomish and other counties
The Washington State Department of Health has completed the annual water quality evaluation of the state’s commercial shellfish growing areas. Unfortunately, the department said, high fecal bacteria levels will lead to harvest restrictions in four of Washington’s 115 shellfish growing areas. An additional 19 areas currently meet water quality standards but are threatened with classification…
Scene in Lynnwood: Ribbon cut for Head2Toe Spine and Sports Therapy
County leaders promote ‘higher level of precautions’ as COVID case rates rise
Say the word COVID more than two years after the outbreak, and we think we’ve heard it all. People shake their heads, roll their eyes, sigh – “enough” – the body language can be loud and clear. We may be done hearing about the pandemic, but — you knew there had to be a “but”…
Verdant Health Commission launches community survey
The Verdant Health Commission is seeking responses to a brief community survey to better understand the overall health and health care needs of South Snohomish County residents. The survey, posted on www.verdanthealth.org, will be available in multiple languages from May 2 through May 31 to ensure that a diversity of perspectives and lived experiences are…
Healthy Eating: Ways to enjoy nutritious rhubarb — including a recipe for snacking cake
Rhubarb is one of the first things to emerge in my garden. It looks prehistoric as it emerges from the ground. Only the stalks of the plant are edible. The leaves contain toxins and high concentrations of oxalic acid. The stalks themselves are fleshy, sour, and acidic. While you can eat them raw, many people…
Snohomish County announces $5 million pandemic recovery program focused on small businesses, tourism
Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers Monday announced $5.2 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) investments to support pandemic recovery efforts for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and tourism. These investments include the creation of a Small Business Innovation Assistance (SBIA) program, which provides technical assistance and grants to small businesses and entrepreneurs; and an expansion…
Tubie Friends online fundraising auction to benefit children begins Thursday
Beginning Thursday, people can purchase items such as an 8-pound block of Beecher’s Handmade Cheese, Funko figurines, two hours of kayaking on Lake Union, a Harry Potter gift set, a “Chick Flick” gift basket, and even a unicorn encounter while donating to a charitable cause. Tubie Friends, a South Snohomish County-based nonprofit organization that helps…
Puget Sound area transit agencies no longer requiring face masks
Agencies providing transit services to riders throughout the Puget Sound region announced Tuesday that face coverings will no longer be required on transit, at transit facilities or in transit hubs. The change is effective immediately, and includes the following agencies: Community Transit Everett Transit King County Metro Kitsap Transit Pierce Transit Seattle Department of Transportation…