As 2015 comes to an end, we glance back at a few of the stories featured on our pages during the last 12 months. The year-in-review feature has been a Monroe Monitor tradition since the early 1980s, and we are proud to be continuing the legacy.
JANUARY
Monroe
Monroe brought in the New Year with a new Polar Plunge event, coordinated by Monroe chiropractor Dr. Nathan Strohm and the Monroe-áChamber of Commerce. The event included a 5K fun run followed by an icy dip into the waters of Lake Tye, hot food, beverages and bonfires near the shore. The event raised money for the Sky Valley Food Bank and Children's Hospital, and was attended by Monroe Mayor Geoffrey Thomas, who finished his run with a headfirst plunge into the chilly lake.
Monroe resident Morgan Wolf, 16, was recognized for her entrepreneurial efforts selling hand-crafted products made from wool, including headbands, cat toys and felt balls. The young small business owner was in the process of learning the intricacies of Washington state tax law governing micro-businesses, and planned to use her profits to help pay for college.
Former Monroe resident Oscar Garcia-Pacheco committed suicide in his cell at the state penitentiary in Walla Walla on Jan 5. Garcia-Pacheco had been sentenced to 22 years in prison for the murder of his wife, Jacoba Ramirez-Rodriguez, on May 24, 2013. Garcia-Pacheco stabbed her 19 times near the corner of West Main and North Lewis streets in downtown Monroe as she was attempting to serve him with a protection order.
Community Transit route changes that would have eliminated Monroe's Village Way loop caused concern among local elected officials and community organizations including the Monroe Library, the Monroe Boys & Girls Club and the East County Senior Center. Monroe Mayor Geoffrey Thomas helped spearhead an effort to keep Village Way on the route, working with Community Transit officials to communicate the importance of keeping the approximately half-mile section of roadway on the bus line due to the significant number of social services on the route.
Update: In February, the Community Transit Board of Directors voted to keep the Village Way loop, after hearing comments and concerns from Monroe's elected officials and other community leaders.
Monroe Fire Department 2014 Administrative Staff Member of the Year Ed Faulds was recognized for his dedication and commitment to the Monroe Fire Department's prevention and pre-fire planning division. The longtime Monroe resident owned Monroe Floral until his retirement in 2012, and is an active member of the Monroe Lions Club. He suffered a spinal cord injury -áin 2005, which resulted in paraplegia from the chest down, and has since volunteered his time to work with other spinal cord injury patients.
The Behind the Badge Foundation held its fourth annual Jayme Biendl Memorial Run on Jan. 25 in Sky River Park. The event honors thememory of Jayme Biendl, a Monroe Correctional Complex officer killed in the line of duty in January 2011. Proceeds from the yearly event benefit the Behind the Badge Foundation, a nonprofit agency dedicated to supporting law enforcement agencies, families and communities after a line of duty death.
Monroe City Councilmember Jeff Rasmussen took a leadership position at the Monroe Boys & Girls Club, leaving a career in banking to become the unit director.
Monroe Sea Gal Jessica Irwin prepared for her second Seahawks Super Bowl in a row. The 2008 Monroe High School graduate sat down with the Monroe Monitor and talked about her experiences cheering on the Seattle Seahawks, including two Super Bowls, countless professional football games and worldwide travel.
Valley
Sultan celebrated the New Year with an "East CoastGÇ¥ style party at the Volunteers of America A-frame on Dec. 31. Guests cheered and counted down as they watched the famous Times Square New Year's Eve ball during its traditional descent from the top of the flagpole. The following day, Index residents brought in the New Year with the annual Caroll Cochran Peace March, which took place in the town of Index.
Elected officials from Sultan, Skykomish, Gold Bar and Index gathered during the first Sky Valley Chamber of Commerce meeting of the year. Among topics of discussion was the Skykomish Hotel, a historic four-story structure on the corner of Fifth Street and Railway Avenue that had fallen into grave disrepair. Skykomish Town Councilmember Henry Sladek reported the town was seeking to transition ownership of the old hotel, in hopes of restoring the dilapidated landmark.
Update: The town of Skykomish took over ownership of the 12,132-square-foot building in May, and issued a Request for Proposal seeking an agency interested in spearheading renovations. In August, Mayor Tony Grider announced the town council had approved a lease agreement with Keith Maehlum and Revive Historic Skykomish LLC. Since that time, the hotel has undergone major improvements, including a new roof and exterior paint.
Sultan Mayor Carolyn Eslick gave her annual state-of-the-city address during the first Sky Valley Chamber of Commerce meeting of the year. Eslick gave accolades to community members for their extensive volunteerism. Sultan residents volunteered a total of 14,450 hours in 2014, working toward the city's betterment. Eslick created the city's volunteer program shortly after taking office in 2008. She also commended city staff for its successful pursuit of grant funding to help improve city streets and parks. In 2014, the city of Sultan was awarded a total of $570,950 in grant funding.
Update: Sultan has continued its legislative advocacy and pursuit of grant funding in 2015, receiving a total of $1,128,867 throughout the year. Funds were used to expand River Park, build a trail system and reconstruct several roadways.
The city of Sultan implemented a new bi-weekly garbage collection system using its new fully automated garbage truck. The new system featured new 64-gallon garbage containers along with a color-coded pickup schedule, which resulted in immediate savings to the city's garbage service customers.
FEBRUARY
Monroe
Monroe was caught up in football frenzy after the Seattle Seahawks' heart-pounding win against the Green Bay Packers in January earned them a ticket to their second Super Bowl in a row. The Monroe Chamber of Commerce organized an impromptu Main Street Super Bowl rally to send the team off in style, and the city of Monroe raised the 12th flag in honor of the Hawks. Monroe Mayor Geoffrey Thomas invited former professional football player Smiley Creswell to raise the bright blue flag, which was on loan from the Seahawks.
The Monroe City Council announced its support of the Monroe School District's Proposition No. 1, a $110.9 million general obligation bond slated for the April 2015 ballot. The council voted unanimously to adopt a resolution proclaiming its support.
The Monroe Lowe's store was recognized by the Monroe Boys & Girls Club for outreach through the Lowe's Heroes program, which provided a truckload of toys for kids in need. They also adopted three families, providing holiday gifts to each of the families.
Monroe Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Una Wirkebau organized a three-day New Orleans-themed event called Arti Gras, which culminated in a masquerade ball that also served as the chamber's annual auction fundraiser. The series kicked off with an art show held at the Saaski Gallery on Feb. 12, a tasting festival and art walk in Monroe's downtown core on Feb. 13, and the masquerade ball took place on Saturday, Feb. 14.
The Monroe School District hired former Seattle Seahawk Michael Bumpus as the new head coach for the Monroe High School Bearcats football team. Bumpus, who lives in Monroe with his wife and three kids, was with the Seahawks for two years.
The Monroe Albertson's store was the first of many Albertson's and Safeway grocery stores in the Puget Sound region to convert over to Haggen.
Update: In September, Haggen announced its intention to close its Monroe store as it sought to scale back operations through a Chapter 11 process.
Monroe Police Officers investigated the death of Alex Finney, after responding to a report of an unconscious male in a vehicle near the intersection of McDougal and Lewis streets. Finney, 44, had struggled with depression in recent years, and according to friends had turned to drugs. His loss was felt around the world, as friends from as far away as South Africa mourned his passing.
Valley
The city of Sultan held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the Fourth Street overlay project and the High Avenue reconstruction project, both of which were made possible with grant funding through the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board. The project included water and sewer improvements which were funded through a water and sewer bond obtained by the city.
Snohomish County Sheriff Ty Trenary was the guest of honor during the Sultan Community Block Watch organization's first meeting of 2015. Sultan Block Watch Captain Bob Klement and Sultan Mayor Carolyn Eslick presented Sultan Police Chief Monte Beaton with a certificate of appreciation on behalf of the residents of Sultan.
Gold Bar resident Amadita Lopez-Moss organized a 5K fun run to take place in March in Sultan's Osprey Park. The Silent Bleed Superficial Siderosis Pajama Fun Run was meant to raise awareness of a degenerative illness called Superficial Siderosis, a neurological disease that affects the brain and central nervous system. Her mom, Rene Lopez, suffers from the rare condition, of which there are fewer than 270 reported cases worldwide.
Update: As reported by Monroe Monitor reporter Ruth Tess, Lopez-Moss raised a total of $534 during the event. Lopez-Moss hopes to organize another run during the summer of 2016.
The Monroe Monitor traveled to Olympia with Sultan resident Julianna Johnson, leader of Sultan Cub Scouts Pack 52, and her sister-in-law Jamy, who leads Sultan Girl Scouts Troop 44590. Julianna and Jamy brought six Cub Scouts and six Girl Scouts down to the state capitol to meet with 39th District legislators and participate in the Have a Heart for Kids day rally, an early childhood education advocacy event organized by Children's Alliance. Julianna's 5-year-old daughter Sabella spoke during the rally, urging the lawmakers to invest in early learning.
The Sky Valley Chamber of Commerce held its 17th annual Sky Valley Community Awards Celebration, honoring those who have made a difference in their communities. Uteva Woodhull was honored as the 2015 Sky Valley Volunteer of the Year, the event's highest honor.
The city of Sultan formally proclaimed the week of Feb. 7-14 as Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week, in honor of 16-month old Briella Caniparoli. Caniparoli was born with three severe heart defects, but has beaten the odds ever since she drew her first breath. Born to Sultan residents Chris and Mark Caniparoli, Briella's older brother Conner is her most devoted supporter. The proclamation was read during the Feb. 12 Sultan City Council meeting.
Update: Now two years old, Briella successfully underwent her second open heart surgery on Nov. 2. She suffered a couple setbacks while in the hospital, but her health since then has been on a positive trajectory. During a checkup before Christmas, her cardiologist was happy with her heart's function.
Sultan-area resident Kathleen Morrisson spearheaded a meeting between Snohomish County officials and residents of the Mann Road area, who lose access to and from their homes any time the Skykomish River overflows its banks. Newly elected Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers was in attendance, along with engineers from the county's Surface Water Management and Public Works departments.
MARCH
Monroe
Monroe Police Department officers arrested known drug dealer Dino Urness at the Twin Rivers Chevrolet gas station for possession of heroin. Urness, who was traveling with girlfriend Trista Plaggmier, attempted to flush the drugs in the women's restroom, but was interrupted by Monroe officers. Both Urness and Plaggmier were arrested and booked into Snohomish County Jail on suspicion of heroin possession with intent to deliver, after officers recovered a scale coated with heroin residue and approximately 46 grams of heroin.
Update: Urness is currently in the Snohomish County Jail on $60,000 bail after being picked up on a warrant. The warrant was issued in August, after Urness failed to appear for a mandated court hearing. He will be back in court in January.
The city of Monroe began its search for candidates to serve on the city's first salary commission, a five-person commission responsible for setting the salaries for Monroe's elected officials. The city implemented the salary commission in order to simplify the pay structure and improve salary consistency. In the past, councilmembers were prohibited from voting on their own pay increase, so councilmembers earned differing amounts of money dependent on their terms of service.
Monroe's Valley General Hospital became formally known as EvergreenHealth Monroe, per its alliance with EvergreenHealth in Kirkland. The event was celebrated with a symbolic ribbon-tying ceremony on March 2.
The Monroe Monitor featured Monroe firefighters recognized for their efforts during the Monroe Fire Department's 2014 awards ceremony, including Firefighter of the Year Pete Parrish, Part-Time Firefighter of the Year Darrell Oswald, Administrative Employee of the Year Ed Faulds and longtime volunteer Terry Emmel.
Monroe Police Department Officer Jason Southard and K9 Nuke assisted the Marysville Police Department in apprehending an armed bank robber. Bank employees told officers the suspect had pointed a black handgun at them during the course of the robbery, during which he stole approximately $7,000. Nuke wore his custom-fitted bulletproof vest during the track, purchased through a community fundraising initiative.
Monroe Mayor Geoffrey Thomas began communicating with downtown Monroe business owners to gather input on parking configurations. Thomas spent several Saturdays touring downtown, explaining the upcoming sewer separation/sidewalk widening project, often accompanied by Councilmember Jim Kamp. At one point Thomas, Kamp and Councilmember Jeff Rasmussen visited Duvall to get a feel for what wider sidewalks actually looked like.
Downtown parking became an issue when a few of the Monroe city councilmembers introduced the idea of implementing parallel parking in the downtown corridor. The idea was met with widespread opposition from business owners, because the conversion meant parking spaces would be lost. Eventually, councilmembers voted to compromise by having angle-in parking on one side of the street and parallel parking on the other. Business owners were not satisfied, but the measure still passed 4-3.
The Monroe City Council decided to pursue an outright ban on marijuana-related businesses in the city. Ever since the passage of I-502, the council has grappled with the idea of banning marijuana business, initially implementing a business license moratorium.
Eight-year old Harli Carswell was featured for her brave triumph in the face of type 1 diabetes. Harli, who lives in Monroe with her parents Jake and Chrissy Carswell and her three siblings, has had to learn to carefully calculate the number of carbohydrates she plans to consume at every meal and translate that into how much insulin her body will need to turn the food into energy.
A rally was held as Monroe elected officials and business owners came together in support of the Monroe School District's Proposition No. 1, a $110.9 million bond measure slated for the April 28 ballot.
Valley
The Monroe Monitor spotlighted the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife's (WDFW) team of Karelian Bear dogs, after a retirement ceremony and bear dog presentation held in Index. The event was coordinated by Index resident Sue Cross, who invited WDFW to showcase its team of bear dogs to community members and students from the Index School. The event honored WDFW Officer Bruce Richards and 12-year-old partner Mishka, who was the department's very first working bear dog.
The Monroe Monitor traveled to Olympia to catch up with Sultan resident Russell Wiita, who was serving as a policy intern through the Washington State Legislative Internship Program. As an intern, the 20-year-old University of Washington student was responsible for legislative research, bill tracking, scheduling and correspondence with constituents. Wiita had just begun to contemplate his candidacy for the Sultan City Council at the time of his interview with the Monitor.
Sultan Police Chief Monte Beaton and his daughter, Emily, were honored during the annual Snohomish County Sheriff's Office awards ceremony at the Everett Performing Arts Center. Beaton was recognized for his 2014 Sky Valley Citizens Academy, which became the model for successful sheriff's office citizens academies around the region. His daughter was honored for her contributions to the academy, which included bringing freshly baked treats every week for academy attendees and raising money for survivors of the Oso landslide.
Nick Olson of Olson Tech in Sultan was highlighted in a business spotlight feature. Olson offers computer-related services, including cloud backup, sales, networking, data backup and recovery, wireless configuration, upgrades and website design. Since opening his doors in June 2014, Olson has performed extensive community outreach to ensure that all students have access to the technology they need. Olson's community advocacy is inspired by his fianc+¬e Amy Luft, who passed away in 2010.
Sultan resident Jody Kerr, owner of Scottish Thistle Farm between Monroe and Sultan, demonstrated a permaculture technique known as H++gelkultur that he plans on using to develop a Community Supported Agriculture facility. H++gelkultur beds are essentially raised garden beds constructed out of woodsy, organic materials.
Snohomish County Fire District No. 5 spearheaded an initiative to get east Snohomish County residents signed up for Smart911, an online tool for enhancing public safety. Smart911 allows users to set up a free online safety profile featuring information that could be useful for first responders during an emergency.
Sultan High School senior Matt Baller was featured by reporter Christopher Andersson for his athleticism and 3.9 GPA.
Sultan High School biology teacher Ryan Monger collaborated with the Sky Valley Preschool to organize a field trip, during which a number of baby Coho salmon were released from the school's hatchery into the Sultan River. Monger's students interacted with preschoolers as they talked about the salmon, released them into the river and watched them swim away.
Sultan residents Dave Sivewright and Christina Nelson tied the knot in a red, white and blue wedding ceremony fit for a Highway 2 Freedom Runner GÇô and his wife. Pastor Aaron Day officiated the ceremony, which was held in Sultan on March 28. The Sivewrights sported custom-made red, white and blue converse, and everyone was decked out in patriotic colors. Dave, who has been running along U.S. 2 with an American flag since 2013, has earned notoriety as the U.S. 2 Freedom Runner.
APRIL
Monroe
Evergreen Speedway operators Doug and Traci Hobbs held their NASCAR season opener, which included a Seahawks-themed car show, stunts by Mike "Mr. DizzyGÇ¥ Buse, appearances by Blitz and a few of the Sea Gals and an evening of racing. A portion of the proceeds went to the South Snohomish County Toys for Tots, a United States Marine Corps reserve program that provides toys to families in need.
The Monroe Monitor ran a three-part series regarding the Monroe School District's April 28 bond measure, including detailed information regarding capital facilities projects that the bond would provide funding for.
Update: The bond passed with 62.74 percent of the vote. Renovations will begin next year at Park Place Middle School, the district's most extensive project.
Kathleen's Day Spa owner Kathleen Sather celebrated 25 years in business with retroactive specials throughout the year. During April, Sather offered $35 facials, which is what they cost when she started providing them.
Dave Osaki was hired to be the city of Monroe's new Community Development director, a position created by Mayor Geoffrey Thomas. Osaki came to Monroe with 30 years of professional experience in community and economic development, having most recently served as the Community Development director for the city of Fife. Osaki started work on April 1.
In addition to being identified as a Comcast Cares recipient, the Monroe Boys & Girls Club was selected to receive a $25,000 health initiative grant from United Way. The Comcast Cares single-day volunteer event on April 25 included numerous upgrades and renovations at the club. Comcast and United Way were able to synchronize their efforts so that technology upgrades from the grant could occur at the same time as the Comcast Cares Day.
The Treasure Chest, a children's clothing boutique for local foster and adoptive families, opened its doors in Monroe on April 26. Founded by Monroe residents Kevin and Julie Hanford, the small boutique provides clothing, toys, books and shoes for foster and adopted children at no cost to the caretakers. The shop is located inside Cascade Church and open five days a month and by private appointment.
Valley
Community Volunteer Elizabeth Emmons was honored as the city of Sultan's Volunteer Spotlight for the month of April. Emmons was recognized for her high level of commitment to the community and exemplary volunteerism. Emmons has served as the events coordinator for the Sky Valley Chamber of Commerce for many years and is the president of the Sultan Elementary School PTO.
Update: Emmons has continued to make a difference in the Sultan community, recently earning accolades from Sultan City Councilmember Rocky Walker for her efforts in spearheading sand-bagging operations during this year's flooding.
The 2015 Sky Valley Chamber Auction was a star-studded Hollywood-themed affair, with guests decked out as everything from Egyptian pharaohs to pirates. Sky Valley Chamber of Commerce Board President Brian Copple impressed attendees with his Klingon garb, but his speech, given entirely in the Klingon language, was truly unprecedented. His wife Debbie, also dressed as a Klingon, articulated his words in English, so that nothing was lost in translation. Copple learned the Klingon language, which has become a phenomenon among Star Trek enthusiasts, by watching Star Trek movies.
Update: the 24th annual Sky Valley Chamber Auction was considered a success by its organizers, bringing in more than $1,700 in the dessert dash alone.
Staff and care workers from Pasado's Safe Haven animal sanctuary rescued 71 cats and kittens in what was reportedly one of the worst hoarding cases they had ever seen. Staff traveled more than 190 miles to Electric City to perform the rescue, removing the cats from a single-wide trailer filled with garbage, feces, urine and rotting food.
The Monroe Monitor traveled to Olympia with Sultan resident Bob Klement to see Senate Bill 5881 get signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee. Klement conceptualized the legislation, wishing for a law that would give at-risk youth increased access to outdoor recreational activities like fishing. Klement worked with state Sen. Kirk Pearson to craft the bill, which allows nonprofit organizations to acquire a group fishing permit.
Sultan resident Travis Lee Albin, 38, died while river rafting on the Sultan River. Albin was an experienced outdoorsman, but was overcome by the strong current.
MAY
Monroe
The Monitor spotlighted former Monroe Police Department Deputy Chief Cherie Harris, who was recognized for graduating from the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy in Quanitco, Virginia. Harris left the MPD in 2012 to become a captain with the Kirkland Police Department.
Ben Franklin Craft & Frame Shop presented the Behind the Badge Foundation with a $2,380 donation raised during its annual Easter photo event. The event was coordinated by Monroe resident Kris Stamey, and featured bunnies supplied by Snohomish County 4-H members.
Monroe police officer Trevor Larson was sworn in by Judge Steven Clough. Larson was hired by the MPD in April 2014, graduating from the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission's basic law enforcement academy on Dec. 9.
Monroe implemented its first ever salary commission, appointing Dave Van Kirk, Erin Angus-Snapka and Brian Coonan to serve on the commission. The commission was intended to be a five-person commission, but it was decided that it would operate as a three-person commission until additional candidates could be located.
Monroe High School held a large-scale DUI awareness assembly in order to impart a solemn message about driving while intoxicated. The event featured troopers from the Washington State Patrol, high school actors, an Airlift Northwest helicopter, firefighters and EMTs from Monroe and Clearview and officers from the Monroe Police Department.
Students at Park Place Middle School launched a multifaceted World War II research project, meant to honor Monroe residents who lost their lives in the war and spread awareness about a long-forgotten World War II monument near the intersection of Kelsey and Hill streets. The project culminated in a ceremony called "Gone but Not ForgottenGÇ¥ in June. Eighteen Monroe residents lost their lives in WWII, and students carefully researched each one and compiled the information.
May was all about the fight against cancer, with two major American Cancer Society events held in Monroe; Sky Valley Bark for Life and Sky Valley Relay for Life. The canine-focused Bark for Life event was held at Lake Tye Park on May 17, and Relay for Life took place at Monroe High School May 30-31. The event featured a surprise marriage proposal, as Relay for Life emcee Jerry "Big DogGÇ¥ Dixon shocked the crowd and proposed to girlfriend Jan Woolery in front of hundreds of people.
Valley
Sultan volunteers came together to create a community garden near the Volunteers of America A-frame. The projects was spearheaded by community advocate Susie Hollenbeck, who joined with volunteers Angela Curtis, Joe and Elizabeth Stone, Jody and Tiffany Kerr, Trish Kenagy and others.
Update: Hollenbeck passed away in September, and community garden board members mourned her loss. Sultan resident Susie Walker, a lifelong friend of Hollenbeck, is building a commemorative bench that will be placed at the garden in Hollenbeck's honor.
The Great Northern and Cascade Railway in Skykomish celebrated its third season with a grand opening party in May. The mini-railway features a scaled-down, authentic live steam locomotive that can carry up to 40 passengers at a time.
The Snohomish County Sheriff's Office East Precinct in Sultan held a community wide barbecue and open house. Guests were invited to stop by and interact with officers and enjoy K9 demonstrations by Deputy Mathew Boice and K9 Kilo.
The Snohomish County Sheriff's Office implemented a volunteer-based program called You are Not Alone (YANA), designed to target seniors and disabled residents who suffer from mobility issues. YANA is meant to proactively address health complications that can arise when older, mobility challenged residents become "shut insGÇ¥ or isolated in their homes.
Sultan's Community Block Watch organization welcomed 39th District Rep.Elizabeth Scott to its May meeting to give an overview of what happens during a legislative session. Scott spent a couple hours talking about the budgeting process, policy making, education and Common Core.
JUNE
Monroe
Snohomish County's multi-jurisdictional team of trained rescue swimmers practiced life-saving skills in the waters of Lake Tye. Firefighters from Monroe, Clearview, Gold Bar and Everett attended the drill, which included many exercises that simulated what a real water-rescue would entail.
Businesses in downtown Monroe reported a lag in sales as a result of the Main Street sidewalk construction, which started at the end of April. The city worked to minimize impacts, but businesses dissatisfied with the partial conversion to parallel parking were equally displeased with the entire construction process. Members of the Monroe City Council decided to wave all fees related to permits for sidewalk uses.
Park Place Middle School's "Gone but Not ForgottenGÇ¥ ceremony was a touching tribute to 18 Monroe soldiers who lost their lives in World War II. Students presented their research on the 18 young men who died and local veterans formed a panel and answered questions.
Monroe Correctional Complex workers picketed near the prison to send a message to lawmakers in Olympia to fund their contract. Correctional officers were concerned about a potential government shutdown, as legislators seemed unable to come to an agreement about the budget. The Monroe Correctional Complex employs about 1,200 workers to manage more than 2,500 offenders.
Monroe Police Department Sgt. Brian Johnston presented during the Monroe Chamber of Commerce lunch meeting, giving attendees background on the Behind the Badge Foundation. Johnston is currently the president of the nonprofit organization, which is dedicated to serving families and the agencies of law enforcement officers who have been killed in the line of duty.
The Evergreen Speedway held its annual Summer Showdown event. Operated by Doug and Traci Hobbs, the speedway is a top-10 NASCAR home track. The Summer Showdown event featured live music, vendors, food, an appearance by "Momma LynchGÇ¥ and, of course, a lot of racing.
The Washington Bully Alliance (Wabull), a new nonprofit dog rescue organization that focuses on "bully breedsGÇ¥ was featured in the Monitor for its extensive rescue work. Wabull was founded by Lisa Kirk-Thomsen, Ana McLean and Megan Boulton.
Longtime Snohomish County Council Chairman Dave Somers sat down with the Monitor to discuss his candidacy for the Snohomish County Executive seat. The Monroe-area resident was in his fourth term on the county council, and ran against Executive John Lovick over concerns about county finances.
The Monroe community said farewell to Monroe School District Superintendent Ken Hoover, who retired at the end of June. Hoover was extremely community oriented and involved in the Monroe Lions Club and Monroe Rotary Club. His wife and fellow Lion, Kim, was active with the Monroe Arts Council. Upon his retirement, the Hoovers left the Monroe community.
Update: Dr. Fredrika Smith was hired to replace Dr. Hoover.
The Zaremba family announced that 2015 could be their last year selling fireworks in Monroe. The Zarembas have sold fireworks since 1985, many of those years in Monroe.
Valley
The Monroe Monitor began its election coverage with a feature about Sultan City Council candidate Russell Wiita. Wiita was just 20 when he announced his candidacy and is one of the youngest candidates that longtime residents can recall. Wiita came with a long history of community advocacy and political experience, including experience as the Sultan City Council student representative.
Update: Councilmember Russell Wiita was sworn in to the Sultan City Council on Dec. 17.
Residents living near Index voiced concerns about the Mt. Index River Road landslide, which has continued to move and shift since the hillside first slid in December 2013.
The city of Sultan celebrated as the long-awaited Sultan Boys & Girls Club finally opened its doors, nearly 4 1/2 years after the original club burned down on Dec. 24, 2010. A variety of funding sources came together to make the club happen, including insurance money, grant funding from Snohomish County, donations and a $500,000 grant from the state of Washington. Mayor Carolyn Eslick's Blue Ribbon Committee helped the process, and Russell Wiita was instrumental in securing the $500,000 in state funding.
The Sultan Education Foundation was featured for its continued focus on funding educational opportunities for Sultan School District students. Over the last 22 years, the SEF has gone from giving one $300 scholarship to giving out a total of $28,250 to this year's students. Community volunteer Elizabeth Emmons organized a SEF fundraiser called Battle of the Badges, which was a police versus fire softball game held on June 28.
Sultan Girl Scouts Troop No. 44590 held its first bridging ceremony to honor the scouts as they advanced to the next level of scouting. The Girl Scouts organization is dedicated to empowering girls and encouraging them to be their best selves.
Snohomish County Fire District No. 26 in Gold Bar purchased two new medic units and was featured as one of the few remaining all-volunteer fire stations. The department announced its intention to pass a $950,000 bond measure in November that would construct a new training facility, purchase new fire apparatus and remodel Station No. 53 near Gold Bar City Hall.
Update: The department's November bond measure passed with 71.29 percent of the vote.
Sultan resident Doris Jelinek celebrated her 100th birthday and was honored with a key to the city by Sultan Mayor Carolyn Eslick and members of the Sultan City Council. Jelinek moved to Sultan when she was around 10 years old, eventually marrying Louis Jelinek, who served as Sultan's fire chief for many years. Jelinek, who expressed regret about the fact that she had never graduated from high school, was given an honorary diploma from the Sultan School District.
JULY
Monroe
The Washington Legislature narrowly avoided a partial government shutdown, finally agreeing on a two-year state operating budget shortly before midnight on June 30. Rep. Elizabeth Scott reflected on harrowing negotiations, including the supplemental transportation package, which passed in the middle of the night during the third special session. Scott testified against the package at 1:20 a.m., imploring House Speaker Frank Chopp to "put the vote down.GÇ¥
The city of Monroe installed pedestrian safety flags in the downtown core after urging from several Monroe residents.
Local entrepreneur Jerry "Big DogGÇ¥ Dixon started renting kayaks out of the concession stand at Monroe's Lake Tye Park. Additionally, he partnered with the Monroe Fire Department and Safe Kids of Snohomish County to offer free life jackets.
Monroe residents Marta and Wendell Miller lost their Lewis Street home in a house fire on July 4. Presumably started by a firework, the fire swiftly consumed a row of arborvitae trees planted on the north side of the house. The Millers, who were inside watching television with their family when the fire started, were able to get out of the house safely with their three kids in tow. The incident resulted in a massive public outpouring of concern for the Millers, who are an integral part of the Monroe community.
Update: The Miller family is currently living in Snohomish as they wait for their Monroe home to be rebuilt. Demolition on the burned structure was slated to begin at the end of November.
Big Dog's Hotdog Joint owner Jerry "Big DogGÇ¥ Dixon held a fundraiser for Dale and Patty Drogseth, after their home caught fire on July 23. The home was completely engulfed with flames when firefighters arrived, and the family lost everything. Their son Aaron, a teacher in Shanghai, China, was hosting seven children visiting from China, all of whom managed to get out of the house without injury.
The Monroe School District broke ground on phase one of the athletic field improvements slated for Monroe High School. Funds for the first phase of improvements came from a $250,000 tourism promotion grant from Snohomish County, timber sales, school district funds and a $100,000 grant from the city of Monroe.
The city of Monroe broke ground on the Tjerne Place extension project, which will create a new east-west thoroughfare that stretches from Chain Lake Road to Woods Creek Road. The project was largely funded through a Washington State Transportation Improvement Board grant and will be completed sometime next spring.
Monroe resident Molly Daniels founded the Farm to Table Farmers Market, which took place near downtown Monroe every Wednesday throughout the summer. Daniels, a mother of four, said community need was what inspired her to create the market.
The Monroe Monitor ran a feature on Snohomish Trek 2015. Meant to pay homage to the Mormon migration that took place in the mid-1800s, Trek is coordinated every four years by the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints. Church-goers ages 14 to 18 were invited to participate in Trek, which involved a realistic simulation of what it was supposed to have been like to travel across the Great Plains, painstakingly toting their possessions in wooden handcarts. Trek participants mimicked every aspect of the historical journey, from authentic pioneer-style clothing to limited personal belongings that were hauled by hand. This year's Trek journey took place in Bing Canyon, located in the southeast corner of Washington near Kennewick.
Valley
Gold Bar's Snohomish County Fire District No. 26 initiated a wildfire safety awareness campaign called "Defensible Space.GÇ¥ District 26 constituents were invited to have a free fire-risk assessment done on their homes.
The city of Sultan ushered in summer with the annual Sultan Summer Shindig celebration. Sultan Shindig pays homage to Sultan's logging history with a grand parade, carnival, rides and numerous traditional logging contests and challenges.
Snohomish County Fire District No. 5 in Sultan held a traditional push-in ceremony to celebrate a new fire engine. The engine was blessed into service by Sultan Fire Department Chaplain Steve Boek, after which firefighters pushed the engine into the bay by hand. The new apparatus was built by Pierce Manufacturing and features a hydraulic ladder rack, LED lights and a 750-gallon water tank.
Sultan City Councilmember Marianne Naslund took in a 55-pound English bulldog named Bruce Alford through a service called Dogs on Deployment, a nonprofit agency that provides a national database for members of the military to locate volunteers willing to board their pets. Bruce lived at the Naslund home for several months, until an airline heat embargo was lifted and he was permitted to join his owners in Japan.
The Gold Dust Royalty pageant was held in Gold Bar and for the first time included male contestants. Meant to promote community advocacy and volunteerism, pageant contestants also participated in a food drive, collecting a total of 2,149 items and $260 in cash. All proceeds from the food drive went to benefit the Volunteers of America Western Washington Food Bank in Sultan.
Sultan resident Christina Sivewright received top honors for her American Flag project, which lined Sultan's Main Street with American Flags just in time for Veterans Day 2014. In July, Sultan's VFW Post 2554 received word that Christina's American flag project was selected by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States to receive the Fred C. Hall Memorial Outstanding Post Special Project Award. The honor came with a $1,000 service scholarship, which the VFW donated back to Christina to help her further the project.
The city of Sultan honored members of the Sultan Community Task Force, now known as the Sultan Community Alliance as the Volunteer Spotlight for the month during the July 23 city council meeting.-áThe task force was founded last July by Mayor Carolyn Eslick, in response to public outcry over drug activity, the number of homeless illegally camping and leaving trash in city parks, petty crimes, car prowls and loitering. Once the group became established, Eslick appointed Calei Vaughn as its leader.
AUGUST
Monroe
Sam's Cats and Dogs, Naturally celebrated 10 years in Monroe with a community event that included vendors, wiener dog races, food and music. Close friend and fellow entrepreneur Jerry "Big DogGÇ¥ Dixon helped coordinate the second annual wiener dog races.
The Monroe Chamber of Commerce kicked off its Music in the Park summer series, held at Lake Tye Park in Monroe.
Walmart was recognized for its community outreach through its Volunteerism Always Pays (VAP) program. Through VAP, Walmart encourages its employees to engage in community service, for which the organization commits to making a charitable contribution to the employees' nonprofit of choice. Volunteer hours translate to roughly $10 per hour, which Walmart pays to the employee's nonprofit of choice once the employee completes the volunteer hours.
Monroe Police Department K9 Nuke located a backpack full of stolen items and drug paraphernalia dropped as a fleeing shoplifter ran from the Monroe Fred Meyer. The perpetrator, Matthew Van Erp, was arrested and taken into Snohomish County Jail.
Chef Adam Hoffman of Adam's Northwest Bistro and Brewery hosted a fundraiser for Housing Hope. The event generated a total of $8,500, which was dedicated to supporting Housing Hope programs in east Snohomish County. The Aug. 3 event included a four-course, gourmet meal prepared and served by Hoffman and his staff, who volunteered their time to participate in the event. Hoffman planned an exclusive menu and donated his facility, staff time and food for the event, which allowed 100 percent of the ticket sales to go directly to the Housing Hope organization.
Snohomish County Fire District No. 3 in Monroe, began merger discussions with District 7 in Clearview.
Monroe's National Night Out event featured a record turnout of vendors and attendees. Held at Lake Tye Park, Monroe's Night Out event is the largest in the valley. A collaboration between the Monroe Rotary Club and the Monroe Police Department, the event featured free pizza by Sahara Pizza Monroe, hotdogs, cookies and other refreshments. Nearly 75 vendors participated in this year's event and attendance was estimated in the thousands.
Monroe Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Una Wirkebau launched a massive fundraising campaign after a Music in the Park sponsor had to withdraw funding for the Heart by Heart concert at Lake Tye. Wirkebau successfully raised $4,000 in less than a week, and the resulting concert performance was highly touted by more 1,000 guests from all over the region.
Dreadnought Brewing in Monroe held its first quarterly brewing contest to benefit Monroe nonprofit Take the Next Step (TTNS).
Update: The Fermented Fellowship Scottish Porter, made by homebrewer Ken Thompkins, was the winner of Dreadnought's Take the Next Step homebrew benefit contest. The beer has been on tap since Dec. 15, and is described as "a nice roasted porter that has been aged on toasted American Oak and infused with 12-year single malt scotch. At 8.2 percent and 38 IBUs, this is a nice "warmer' for the holidays.GÇ¥ For every pint sold, Dreadnought will donate $1 to TTNS.
American Legion Arthur Kincaid Post 58 Chaplain Boyd Booze unveiled a proposal for a new veterans monument at Lake Tye Park to the Monroe City Council on Aug. 11. Joining Booze in council chambers were American Legion Arthur Kincaid Commander Larry "WoodyGÇ¥ Woods, 1st Vice Commander Russel Dean, Finance Officer Jerry Taylor and Adjutant Robert Critser. The effort to establish a new monument came on the heels of a recent presentation by Park Place Middle School students called "Gone but Not Forgotten.GÇ¥
Monroe welcomed the 2015 Evergreen State Fair with the Monroe Fair Days parade, which took place Aug. 29 on Main Street. A Monroe tradition for more than 75 years, the parade was put together by the Monroe Chamber of Commerce and the Monroe Fair Days Parade Committee.
The Downtown Monroe Association (DMA), a nonprofit group dedicated to the improvement of Monroe's historic core, formed.
Valley
Sultan resident Inessa Pearce launched an effort to stop a timber harvest that would remove trees from nearly 200 of acres of land located northeast of Gold Bar near Wallace Falls State Park. Pearce has since founded the Sky Valley Environmental & Economic Alliance, and is working to enhance opportunities for recreational tourism in the Sky Valley area. Pearce owns and operates a recreational lodging business called Rocky's Retreat.
Sultan's Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post No. 2554 was acknowledged by the city of Sultan for outstanding achievements in membership and growth. Its 150 percent retention and recruiting rate was acknowledged as the highest in the state, and in July, the post received notification from the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States that Commander Chuck Donahue had achieved All American status as a Post Commander. Chuck and his wife Judy traveled to the National Convention in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to accept the honor. He was one of only 130 VFW Commanders worldwide to be awarded All American Commander status.
Sultan Middle School Principal Nathan Plummer introduced newly promoted Assistant Principal Keith Buechler. Buechler taught social studies at the middle school for eight years before his promotion to dean of students in 2014, and was looking forward to taking things up a notch.
The Sky Valley Arts Council announced its intention to restore the Sultan Post Office three-panel mural honoring the Sultan Fire Department. The sections of the mural are painted on the former fire department's garage bay doors, and are collectively meant to honor and memorialize different eras in the history of the Sultan Fire Department.
National Night Out events took place in both Gold Bar and Sultan. Gold Bar's Night Out kicked off with a parade down Lewis Avenue from the Gold Bar Family Grocer to Gold Bar Elementary School, featuring the newly crowned Gold Dust Royalty, the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office, Snohomish County Fire District No. 26 and more. Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife Officer Nicholas Jorg rode in the parade with his Karelian bear dog, Colter. Sultan's event was held at the Volunteers of America facility near the Sultan Boys & Girls Club.
Congresswoman Suzan DelBene stopped by Rivers End Cattle Ranch to tour the Lower Skykomish River Restoration Project. The nine-year project was meant to preserve agricultural land, establish conservation areas, restore fish habitat and re-establish shoreline riparian habitat. Rivers End Ranch is owned by long-time farmers Jerry and Stacy Labish. The project was accomplished using an emerging land-restoration strategy, by which different agencies collaborate with willing landowners to achieve multiple benefits. The incentive-based conservation technique builds public-private partnerships between landowners and public agencies to help support and promote conservation activities on private property.
Sultan resident David Box was arrested on suspicion of drive-by shooting.
Update: Box pleaded guilty to second degree assault and second degree assault with a firearm allegation on Nov. 5. He was sentenced to 14 months on the second degree assault charge and 50 months on the assault with the firearm allegation. Upon his release, he will serve 36 months of community custody. He is serving his time at the Washington Corrections Center in Shelton.
Gold Bar residents Dave and Maureen Cook volunteered their time to fix two wooden access ramps at Gold Bar Elementary School, which were destroyed by vandals. Cook and his crew constructed the new ramps and handrails on Aug. 27, just in time for the new school year. Cook paid the members of his crew for their time and donated the labor to the school district. He said he was more than happy to help.
SEPTEMBER
Monroe
September was all about the swifts! This year's Swift Night Out event took place from 5 p.m. to sunset, on Saturday, Sept. 12. Swift attendance was fairly light this year, but people packed the area in front of the Wagner Performing Arts Center in anticipation of the bird's descent into the chimney. The event included a lecture by renowned swift expert Larry Schwitters, who also gave a presentation about Vaux's swifts during the September Monroe Chamber of Commerce luncheon.
Several Monroe residents came together to form Monroe at Home, a group interested in helping seniors successfully live in their own homes for as long as possible. Led by longtime Monroe residents Bill and Carolyn Davisson, the group had been meeting on a volunteer basis for about six months. They were interested in the implementation of a concept known as Village to Village, which involves supporting seniors through increased access to affordable services like transportation, home repairs and social activities.
Monroe police and firefighters faced off in an epic battle of flag football. The second annual charity game took place at noon on Sept. 19 at the Monroe High School football field. The Monroe Police team took the lead early on and managed to reclaim that lead after the game tied in the second half. All proceeds from the game went to support youth programming at the Monroe Boys & Girls Club.
The Monroe Police Department held its 16th annual "Walk Your Child to School DayGÇ¥ on Sept. 15. Six meeting sites were set up around the city, giving students and parents the opportunity to gather before setting off for either Fryelands or Frank Wagner elementary schools.
Restaurateur Sandra Adkins announced that she would open the Main Street Caf+¬ in the old Hitching Post space on West Main Street.
Update: The Main Street Caf+¬ is open. Adkins' menu features homemade soups, sandwiches, salads, breakfast items, pastries and desserts.
Volunteers from the Lowe's Heroes program performed renovations at the Monroe Gospel Women's Mission. Heroes volunteers completed the project on Sept. 23. They built an outdoor corner bench unit featuring three interconnecting planter boxes, and provided new patio furniture and a large, family-size barbecue. Volunteers tore down an old wheelchair ramp that had fallen into disrepair and constructed a new ramp and wooden railing.
Monroe police officers showed up at the Red Robin for an impromptu birthday celebration, after 4-year-old Jackson Bottjer told his mom he wished police officers would sing him happy birthday. His mom, Jennifer, made a general inquiry earlier in the day using social media, and Monroe Police Department staff and officers worked together to make it happen.
Valley
The Sky Valley Arts Council announced its intention to renovate the historic Startup Gym. Sky Valley Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Debbie Copple, who also serves as the secretary of the Sky Valley Arts Council, took the lead on the project. The goal of the Sky Valley Arts Council is to transform the old building into an artistic mecca that can be utilized for art shows, community celebrations and other Sky Valley events.
The city of Sultan and Snohomish County Fire District 5 partnered to host a free Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training course. The eight-week series started on Sept. 15 and ran through Nov. 3. Classes were held 6-9 p.m. each week at the Sultan Fire Department, 304 Alder St. The series was organized by Sultan Volunteer Coordinator Donna Murphy and volunteer project manager Kenda Machorro.
The fourth annual Return of the Salmon Celebration took place on Saturday, Sept. 26, in Sultan's Osprey Park. The event celebrates the salmon that return to the Sultan River each year to spawn and recognizes and honor Sultan's namesake, Chief John T'seul-Ted.
Gold Bar Mayor Linda Loen collaborated with students from Gold Bar Elementary School to create a new art walk that was installed in conjunction with a grant-funded Fifth Street sidewalk improvement project. Composed primarily of artistic images created by students at the school, the new art walk features 22 15-inch square cement tiles inlayed adjacent to the city's new Fifth Street sidewalk.
The Sultan City Council recognized community volunteer Steve Tonkin for his many contributions to the community.
Pasado's Safe Haven animal sanctuary staff rescued six kittens after a staff member witnessed a man throwing them out of a vehicle in Sultan on Sept. 15. All six cats ' one mother and five kittens from what appeared to be two different litters ' were eventually recovered and treated by veterinary professionals at Pasado's Healing Barn. According to Pasado's, all six cats were underweight, had severe flea infestations, ear mites and upper respiratory infections (URI).
The Sultan Community mourned the loss of community advocate Susie Hollenbeck, who succumbed to cancer on Sept. 24. Hollenbeck volunteered countless hours cleaning up the city, working to clear trash from the streets, scrub graffiti and spruce up Sultan's lush system of riverside parks. She coordinated a large-scale, annual community clean-up event known as City Wide Pride, spearheaded a new community garden earlier this year, and was well-known as the volunteer everyone could always count on.
OCTOBER
Monroe
The trial of former Monroe Police Department Sgt. Carlos Martinez started on Oct. 22, and continued through Nov. 10. The jury found Martinez guilty of one count of voyeurism and one count of possession of depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit activity. Due to the statute of limitations, Martinez will only be sentenced on the depictions charge, and will not face sentencing on the voyeurism charge.
Update: The Martinez sentencing has been reset to Jan. 21.
Monroe Cold Weather Alliance Director Amber Mehta organized an event meant to teach kids what it's like to be homeless. "A Walk in their ShoesGÇ¥ was held on Oct. 23. Kids started out at the Sky Valley Food Bank, where they were allotted the same food a homeless person would receive. They then proceeded to the Monroe Library and then the shelter.
The Monroe Fire Department held its annual Fire Prevention Week open house, welcoming a total of 844 guests at the Monroe fire station. Families were allowed to ride in a fire truck, explore the inside of an EMS unit, spray water from a fire hose, use a fire extinguisher and spend time with Sparky the Fire Dog, all while learning about fire prevention and the importance of having working smoke detectors in every bedroom.
Monroe resident Slava Ulanovskiy was recognized for his acceptance into an elite military flight-training program known as the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program (ENJJPT). He was one of 51 cadets from across the nation selected for ENJJPT, beating out more than 800 other candidates for the spot.
Update: Ulanovskiy married fiance+¬-á-áCasey on Dec. 26.
The east Monroe rezone amendment began to work its way through the city's legislative process, with widespread opposition. On Oct. 12, the Monroe Planning Commission heard more than three hours of public testimony regarding the city's proposal to amend the comprehensive plan and rezone 43 acres of property in east Monroe from Limited Open Space (LOS) to General Commercial (GC). Most of the testimony expressed opposition to the proposal.
Monroe Mayor Geoffrey Thomas began working collaboratively with Sultan Mayor Carolyn Eslick, U.S. 2 Safety Coalition chairman Fred Walser and other local leaders on a call-to-action to state lawmakers to fully fund the State Route 522 widening project.
The Monroe Historical Society featured local author Julie Alexander to its membership meeting to talk about her book, "A Rose on the Steel Ground.GÇ¥ The book recounts Alexander's experiences growing up in war-torn South Vietnam during the Vietnam War, and describes the region's subsequent conversion to communism. Alexander, who lives in Everett with her husband, Rick, and son, Michael, has worked at the Monroe Post Office for 17 years.
Housing Hope held a ribbon cutting ceremony-áat the newly constructed-á47-unit Monroe Family Village.-áThe nine-building complex features two- and three-bedroom condominium-style units oriented toward low-income families with children. The development includes laundry facilities, classroom and community space, onsite property management, in-home case management, a playground, two community garden areas and a Futsal court, to accommodate a modified version of soccer.-áThe complex is made up of 24 units that will be supported by project-based Section 8 housing vouchers and 23 units that will be affordable rental units. Numerous local elected officials, including Washington Sen. Kirk Pearson, Monroe Mayor Geoffrey Thomas, Monroe City Councilmember Kevin Hanford and former Monroe councilmember Tony Balk, gathered to celebrate the-áevent.
Valley
Ellie and Clarence, a tiny gift shop located in downtown Index, was featured in the Monitor. Tucked away behind the Bush House Inn, the shop features art by local artists, gifts, knickknacks, jewelry and clothing. The shop is managed be Sky Valley Arts Council board member Mary Ritzman, who opened the tiny boutique over the summer to establish a mechanism for promoting local art from the Sky Valley region all year round.
The city of Sultan unveiled its new Osprey Park interpretive signage. Painted by local artist Jacquie Miner, the brightly colored interpretive signs have been installed at both Osprey Park trailheads; one near the basketball courts and another at the northern trailhead, next to the soccer fields. The watercolor map of Osprey Park features the Sultan River and the Osprey Park trail system, while highlighting park activities, native plants and the area's wildlife.
The 2015 Sky Valley Farm Festival took place Oct. 3 on lower Fern Bluff Road near Sultan. Coordinated by Sky Valley Chamber of Commerce volunteer Elizabeth Emmons, executive director Debbie Copple and the Snohomish County Dairy Women, the Sky Valley Farm Festival was the result of collaboration between several local farms.
Sultan lost James Cowardin, 58, who died on Oct. 3 from cancer. Cowardin was a member of Toastmasters, and was involved in the Sky Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Sky Valley Historical Society and the Sky Valley Senior Center.
The city of Sultan hosted its traditional Sultan High School Homecoming Parade, featuring the award-winning school marching band, which wound through downtown Sultan around 1:30 p.m. Oct. 23. In past years, the parade has featured homecoming royalty, the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office, Snohomish County Fire District No. 5 and the Sultan Elementary School Unicycle team.
The political climate in Sultan began to heat up, as candidates began to anticipate Election Day. City Councilmember Rocky Walker penned a letter to the residents of Sultan, accusing candidates Kay and Ray George, Bart Dalmasso and Al Wirta of being a gang, intent on taking over the city of Sultan. He also alleged that they tried to blackmail two of the incumbents, an allegation that Kay George explained was an attempt at negotiation, not blackmail.
NOVEMBER
Monroe
The Monroe Planning Commission issued its formal recommendation that the Monroe City Council deny the east Monroe rezone proposal.
The Monroe Police and Fire Chaplain program held its 15th annual Monroe Police and Fire Appreciation Week. Police officers and firefighters spent the week visiting classrooms, attending an appreciation lunch held on Nov. 20.-á The annual event is spearheaded by Monroe Police and Fire Chaplain Pastor Michael Hanford, with support from the entire community. St. Mary of the Valley Catholic Church Sister Barbara Geib, who initiated the Monroe Police Chaplain program 30 years ago, is another founder of the appreciation lunch.
The Tualco Grange presented third-grade students at Fryelands Elementary with free dictionaries.
The entire east Snohomish County region was impacted by a fatal storm that swept through Monroe and the Sky Valley on Nov. 17. The storm event caused major flooding and damaged roadways, leaving drivers stymied by flood waters. A young Monroe man by the name of Grant Strinden was killed when a falling tree struck his vehicle as he was driving on Ben Howard Road, and residents of the Mann Road area near Sultan were stranded for days without power. U.S. 2 was completely closed for several days, due to structural damage of a bridge located east of Skykomish.
Congresswoman Suzan DelBene visited students at Frank Wagner Elementary School for education week.
Monroe High School graduate Jason Gaylord introduced his online company, Localloop, to the Monroe community. Localloop is a search engine, jobs platform and social network, with a built-in mechanism for verified business reviews. It has no advertising, nor does the site collect user information, analyze keystrokes or track online behavior. Gaylord created Localloop after collecting data amassed during years of research and development, as a way to take a stand against consumer trafficking.
Monroe's new Downtown Monroe Association moved forward with plans for tangible improvements to the downtown Monroe area. The group tackled a planting project, re-planting the city's decorative planter pots, later hanging white Christmas lights.
The Monroe City Council voted to approve the east Monroe rezone proposal, despite opposition. The decision was made after a series of public hearings, including hours of public testimony from Monroe-area residents largely against the proposal. Owned by Heritage Baptist Fellowship, the 42.8-acre piece of property consists of five contiguous parcels near the city's eastern boundary. The property contains environmentally protected habitat, streams, wetlands and floodplain, and is framed by steep slopes on the north side.
Local entrepreneur Jerry "Big DogGÇ¥ Dixon held a fundraiser for the widow of Grant Strinden, the young Monroe man killed in the Nov. 17 storm. Several local businesses combined efforts to accomplish the fundraiser, which took place on Nov. 28, at Big Dog's "HawkdogGÇ¥ truck. Big Dog's owner Jerry "Big DogGÇ¥ Dixon and cohort Gretchen Unick House sold Seahawks-themed hotdogs from 12:30 until after 4 p.m., raising $2,296 for Strinden's fianc+¬e, Ronicka Messner. Dashing Dutchman's Deli co-owner Susan Whitfield provided handmade desserts for the event, including chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter cookie dough frosting, coconut bars dipped in Belgian chocolate and hazelnut Nutella truffles.
The Monroe School District introduced new Facilities Director Heidi Hansen, who will oversee all the district's upcoming construction projects. The Park Place Middle School renovations will start next summer and include demolition, new construction and modernization.
Monroe mourned the loss of Jerry Senner, who passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, Nov. 29. Senner and his wife, Nancy, were the founders of the Western Heritage Center, a historical museum at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds. Known for its rustic appeal and hands-on approach, the center is filled with antique artifacts that tick, turn and move. It showcases segments of a forgotten past, a past Jerry thought was important to preserve and share with others.
Valley
Sultan resident Gerry Gibson was spotlighted in the Monroe Monitor's Veterans Day feature. Born in 1947, he grew up in the Seattle area but often spent time at his parents' riverside property in Sultan. His family purchased their Dyer Road lot when he was 11 or 12, and Gibson recalls spending weekends and holidays next to the Skykomish River, camping and fishing with his family. He and his wife, Bonnie, eventually built their home on that property, where they've lived for the past 14 years. Gibson, a Vietnam Veteran, is a member of the Sultan VFW.
Update: On Dec. 16, Gibson was appointed to the Snohomish County Veterans Assistance Fund Executive Board, an organization dedicated to helping veterans in need. "The Veterans' Assistance Fund distributes over a $500,000 a year just in Snohomish County,GÇ¥ Gibson said.
Two vans belonging to the Sultan Volunteers of America were vandalized. The damage was discovered by director Calei Vaughn on Nov. 11, after Sultan's Veterans Day ceremony. Thieves cut wires and stole the battery out of the food bank van and removed the catalytic converter from the multipurpose van.
The Sultan Veterans Day committee held its annual Veterans Day Ceremony in Sultan. Coordinated by members of the Sultan Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post No. 2554, a group of community volunteers and the city of Sultan, the event took place 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Sultan's All Veterans Memorial. After the ceremony, guests gathered at Sultan City Hall for refreshments and to peruse the display of military artifacts belonging to local veterans and the Sultan Museum.
Sultan resident Madison Whiddon, 17, was killed in a one-car collision on U.S. 2 near Sofie Road in Monroe on Thursday, Nov. 12. The driver of the vehicle was speeding, and officers at the scene reported that he appeared impaired. Cans of "Dust Off,GÇ¥ a known inhalant, were found inside the vehicle. Whiddon's 14-year-old sister Emma and best friend Dakota Rogert were in the vehicle, both suffering extensive injuries in the crash.
Sultan resident Anthony Box, the driver in the accident that killed Madison Whiddon, was arrested in conjunction with the crash.
Update: On Dec. 3, Anthony Box was formally charged with vehicular assault and vehicular homicide by the Snohomish County Prosecutors office.
A thief broke into the Sultan Visitors Information Center, stealing a historic Smith & Wesson .38 Special. The Sky Valley Chamber of Commerce is offering a $200 award for the return of the gun, no questions asked.
The newly restructured Sultan and Sky Valley Community Block Watch Network held its first meeting Nov. 30 -áat the Volunteers of America (VOA) A-frame in Sultan. VOA Senior Director of Behavioral Health Pat Morris was invited by Block Watch lead Shaun Carr to be the guest speaker. Morris provided attendees with an overview of what services are available for the mentally ill in Snohomish County, including information on flex funds which can be accessed by first responders to help those in crisis. Morris, who oversees the regional Care Crisis Line and chat program, has worked in human services for 37 years.
DECEMBER
Monroe
Former Monroe Mayor Donnetta Walser was honored when Mayor Geoffrey Thomas dedicated the Monroe Parks and Public Works building in her honor. Walser, who served the city of Monroe for more than 30 years, was responsible for the acquisition of the Parks and Public Works building during her time as the mayor.
The Monroe Chamber of Commerce said farewell to executive director Una Wirkebau, who left the chamber to take another job.
Little Doves Preschool in Monroe engaged in "Project Thank You,GÇ¥ an operation meant to show local law enforcement they are appreciated. Little Doves Director Linda Herman spearheaded the project, which provided gifts for all members of the Monroe Police Department, including the chief, administrative staff, officers and K-9.
DMA volunteer Terri Weigelt decorated windows in Monroe's downtown core in preparation for the DMA's first fundraising event on Dec. 12. The Christmas Caroling Celebration fundraiser included musical performances by the Park Place Middle School Choir and a pie sale.
The Monroe Police Department held its second annual Shop with a Cop event at the Monroe Walmart on Dec. 16. The event provided a unique holiday experience for 14 kids that included transportation, free pizza and cupcakes, Santa Claus, Christmas stockings filled with gifts, a $100 shopping spree at Walmart and dinner at Five Guys Burgers and Fries.
Monroe City Councilmember Kevin Hanford presented the Sky Valley Food Bank with a donation for $2,500 on behalf of the Employees Community Fund (ECF) of Boeing Puget Sound.
EvergreenHealth Monroe and Fairfax Behavioral Health celebrated the new mental health facility located in Monroe. The new behavioral health center will serve mentally ill patients 55 years old and older on a voluntary and involuntary basis, and will be opened in 2016.
Valley
Pasado's Safe Haven animal sanctuary saved 24 newborn and infant male goats from being bludgeoned to death with a hammer. According to Pasado's, killing male goats is commonplace at dairy farms across the country, and the practice not just limited to goats. The goats will be rehabilitated at the sanctuary, and once they are medically cleared, will be available for adoption.
A multi-agency meeting was held in Sultan to discuss pollution in the Skykomish River. The meeting was the result of efforts made by Sultan resident Gerry Gibson, who began noticing large quantities of a white, sudsy substance floating down the Skykomish River over the summer. When Gibson had the water tested, the results revealed a high level of fecal coliform and the presence of nonorganic pollutants known as surfactants. The Washington State Department of Ecology plans to continue monitoring the river to monitor bacteria levels.
Sultan High School senior Cailee Landis decided she wanted to do something to lift spirits at Sultan High School, so she issued a call-to-action to her fellow students asking them to create posters featuring inspiring quotes. The 17-year-old ASB vice president said she planned to hang them up all around the school during Christmas break.
Update: Caliee far exceeded her goal of 75 posters, receiving around 200 of them. She hopes to have them all hung up by the time school starts again, and will enlist the help of ASB members.
The Snohomish County Public Utility District (PUD) discussed the Sunset Fish Passage and Energy Project during the December commissioners meeting. Commissioners heard testimony from numerous Snohomish County residents opposed to the idea of a hydropower facility despite revisions in the facility's design.
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