April 7, 2021 North County Outlook

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Vol. 14 No. 30 n April 7, 2021 - April 13, 2021

MARYSVILLE • ARLINGTON • SMOKEY POINT • LAKEWOOD • TULALIP • QUIL CEDA VILLAGE

Easter Bunny, firefighters Weston High School visit Tulalip neighborhoods remains accredited

By Christopher Andersson christopher@northcountyoutlook.com

By Christopher Andersson christopher@northcountyoutlook.com

The Easter Bunny and local firefighters visited Tulalip neighborhoods on April 3 to help spread Easter fun in a safe way this year.

The Easter Bunny Run was put together by Tulalip organization Together We’re Better with volunteer help from the Tulalip Bay Fire District.

“The fire district usually does a Santa Run each year so we wanted to see if we could do that with the Easter Bunny,” said Malory Simpson, one of the organizers for the event and founder of Together We’re Better.

The organization normally puts together an Easter egg hunt for Tulalip, however because an egg

Weston High School’s standards and educational practices remain high as they will remain accredited after a review process from the Washington Association of Educational Service Districts.

The association performs an accreditation process to make sure local education systems are focused on student learning, achievement and growth. More than 200 schools statewide have received the accreditation.

“Obviously, providing a top-notch education for our students is a top priority here,” said Andrea DixonHundredmark, principal at Weston High School.

She said it is good to have what they’re doing recognized.

See EASTER on page 2

PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER ANDERSSON

Anthony Martin, right, gets some Easter eggs from firefighter mascot Sparky during the Tulalip Easter Bunny Run on April 3.

“We were very pleased to continue being an accredited high school,” she said.

Weston High School is the Arlington School District’s high school of choice.

“We’re a small high school that provides support for students that may have had problems in the larger comprehensive high school structure,” said Dixon-Hundredmark. “Weston is, in a sense, a boutique high school."

The schools is meant to help students who need a different type of school.

“There are some students that really thrive in a smaller environment,” said Dixon-Hundredmark.

The accreditation process helps to make sure the school is meeting guidelines

See WESTON on page 4

Community responds to racist threats

By Christopher Andersson christopher@northcountyoutlook.com

PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER ANDERSSON

JJ Frank speaks during a press conference on April 3 regarding recent death threat incidents at Marysville schools.

After two death threat incidents targeting minorities, local Black families and activists are calling for the resignation of Marysville School District leadership because of their handling of those incidents.

The first incident, in December 2020, saw Marysville students in an online leadership class discuss killing Black people during a time when they were not supervised by a teacher.

The students began listing specific Black students and discussing whether they should be killed and also referred to those students with racial slurs.

The second incident, in January 2021, occurred when a 20-year-old posted a picture on a student’s social media account that displayed a picture

of a gun with the caption "Killing minorities soon."

JJ Frank, a local Black father of two Marysville-Pilchuck High School students who were mentioned in the first death threat, said he has worked with district leadership over the last four months and they have failed to respond adequately.

“We came to the table to try to keep our children safe and to keep the learning environment protected,” he said during an April 3 press conference.

Patrice Frank, wife of JJ Frank, said they have had to do a lot of work to get the district to move on the issue.

“This has been a traumatic and exhausting experience. And it’s just sad that we, as the families that have been victimized, have to take all of the effort in order for the district to take baby steps to move toward what is right,

what is fair and what is transparent for the safety of our children,” she said.

“My family has been victimized but I have to have to press conference just to get them to hear us,” said JJ Frank.

Acting MSD Superintendent Lori Knudson wrote that the district takes student safety seriously in a statement to local parents.

“The safety of each student is a top priority. This includes physical, social, and emotional safety. We will strive to do everything in our power to make certain that each student we serve feels safe physically, socially, emotionally, and free from racial or any other forms of discrimination,” she wrote.

She wrote the incidents confirm that racism is still a presence in the school district.

See RACISM on page 6

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EASTER Continued from page 1

hunt couldn’t be done safely during the pandemic, they wanted to hold something else this year.

“We were trying to find something safe and COVID friendly,” said Simpson.

The Easter Bunny, a local fire engine, and aid car came out with many volunteers from Together We’re Better to hand out candy and eggs.

“We’re giving out an Easter egg for every kid,” said Simpson. “We’re going out to the developments in Tulalip that are within the fire district’s boundaries."

Families said they enjoyed the event and having a little Easter fun come to their neighborhood.

“I didn’t even hear about, so it’s just kind of a nice surprise,” said local parent Daniel Jones, whose son said he was happy to be able to see the Easter Bunny.

“I think it’s great. Because of COVID we haven’t even got to see the Easter Bunny,” said parent Michelle Martin.

For Martin, it was one of her children’s first time being able to see the Easter Bunny.

“So, it’s pretty important he gets to

PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER ANDERSSON

Volunteers and local firefighters from Tulalip organization Together We’re Better and the Tulalip Bay Fire District who helped put on the April 3 Easter Bunny Run. see him, so we’re pretty thankful,” she said.

The Easter Bunny Run went through at least five Tulalip neighborhoods during the day.

“We can’t hit all the places on the reservation and we’re not doing the exact Santa Run they normally do, but we’re hoping we get to as many people as we can and that people are happy with what we can put together,” said Simpson.

She was happy to put on the event and hopes the kids enjoy seeing the Easter Bunny.

Simpson said she doesn’t know yet if the organization will do another Easter Bunny Run next year, but she does want the egg hunt to return next year if it is

safe to do so.

Together We’re Better began as a Tulalip organization that held monthly potlucks in 2015.

“It’s an organization that came about when my mom was told to bring the community together, and she didn’t know how to do that,” said Simpson.

After her mother passed away, she said she took up the work and named the group after a phrase from her daughter’s artwork.

The group helped fund the Easter Bunny Run for local neighborhoods.

“For the most part it’s been community driven and community funded, and that’s what Together We’re Better has always been about,” said Simpson.

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Communities

April 7, 2021 - April 13, 2021 NORTH COUNTY OUTLOOK

3

Organizations discuss pandemic recovery School district, city and hospital district officials talked about how they are planning for pandemic recover

By Christopher Andersson christopher@northcountyoutlook.com Local Arlington organizations including the school district and Skagit Regional Health talked about how they plan to recover from the pandemic together on March 29.

The joint meeting was held between the Arlington School District, city of Arlington, Skagit Regional Health (which runs Cascade Valley Hospital) and Stilly Valley Health Connections.

Officials talked about current plans on how to come out of the coronavirus pandemic and what “returning to normal” will look like.

Arlington School District Superintendent Chrys Sweeting said they are working on their recovery plan currently.

Academically there were many high schoolers who fell behind.

“There were 66 percent of our ninth graders who have failed one or more classes, but as you went up [the grades] there was less,” said Sweeting.

Seniors only had 13 percent of students who failed at least one class, she said.

The district is working on summer school programs and other ways that students will be able to backfill credits.

Sweeting said distance learning was hard on many.

“Some thrived, but more struggled with it,” she said.

District officials hope to waive certain graduation requirements with approval from the board of directors.

“We’re working on graduation ceremonies,” said Sweeting.

With the improving COVID-19 virus case numbers, the school district may be able to hold graduation ceremonies this year.

“Instead of having some drive-by graduations, we may be able to have some with limited attendance,” she said.

The district wants to

support students not just catch up academically but to recover from the stress and trauma of losing such a long amount of time.

“It has been very hard on everyone, our students, our families and our staff,” said Sweeting.

Ardis Schmiege, superintendent/CEO of Stilly Valley Health Connections, said her organization will be hosting a discussion on youth mental health education in April and hopes to host similar programs to support the community.

The organization, which is a project of Public Hospital District No. 3, hopes to support programs like that locally in the coming months, said Schmiege.

Their physical location could be open soon as well.

“If all goes well, we should be able to open up our building, sometime late summer or early fall,” said Schmiege.

Jola Barnett, regional vice president of operations for Skagit Regional Health, said that Cascade Valley Hospital has had to change a lot over the last year.

“Just like every other

organization, COVID has had a dramatic impact on everything we do,” she said.

They are not beginning to plan what “demobilization” will look like.

“We want to keep a controlled, safe, cost-effective work process,” said Barnett.

“Some items are going to stay with us forever as part of our pandemic planning."

Current procedures such as cleaning schedules, personal protective equipment, screening, isolation and vaccination efforts have all seen changes during the pandemic though.

If the COVID-19 virus wanes with the vaccine, as most hope will happen, the hospital has to bring its procedures back to “normal” though.

“We have to sit down and define triggers and targets at which point certain activities can be changed,” said Barnett.

Skagit Regional Health has set up two clinics local to the area for vaccination efforts, one of those at Smokey Point.

Those two sites have administered approximately 34,000 doses so far.

About 61 percent of Skagit Regional Health’s staff, contractors and providers have received the COVID-19 vaccine. With medical staff that number increases to 76 percent.

“The supply for the first doses remain relatively inconsistent,” said Barnett, although it is better for the second dose.

As part of the vaccination effort and ongoing pandemic work, communications officials from the four organizations have been working together.

“We are continuing to meet monthly during COVID,” said Sarah Lopez, city of Arlington’s communications manager and community revitalization manager.

The group is working to provide accurate information to encourage vaccination and continued safety measures.

“We want to make sure we were sharing consistent, factual information that was up-to-date,” said Erika Coghill, director of finance at Stilly Valley Health Connections.

“As we know there is

so much information out there, some of it not as reliable as others,” said Kari Ranten, regional director of marketing and communications.

That group plans to continue to work together to keep channels of information open.

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April 7, 2021- April 13, 2021 NORTH COUNTY OUTLOOK

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Youth mental health focus of presentation The free presentation will be held April 15

By Christopher Andersson christopher@northcountyoutlook.com Families can learn about youth mental health and how to help their children during a free online presentation hosted by Stilly Valley Health Connections this month.

NAMI Seattle, the local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, will talk about symptoms of mental illness, how to recognize it and how to respond to it.

The presentation will be on April 14, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., over Zoom, an online teleconferencing app. Registration is required. To sign-up go to stillyvalleyhealth.org or call 360-386-9918.

“My hope is that after attending this presentation, families will have a better understanding of how to identify mental health conditions and know there are local organizations, such as NAMI, that provide support and resources,” said Erika Coghill, director of finance at Stilly Valley Health Connections and one of the

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organizers of the event.

There will be multiple parts to the presentation.

“The first part is educational, and focuses on the early warning signs of mental health conditions and how to help someone who is showing signs,” said Coghill.

A speaker with personal experience with mental health issues is scheduled to speak after that.

“And at the end, participants can ask questions and learn more about resources in our area,” said Coghill.

Stilly Valley Health Connections is an organization

meant to support health in the area.

“One of our areas of focus is mental health,” said Coghill.

“With the COVID-19 pandemic, there is an increasing need for better understanding, education, and access to mental health, particularly for children,” she said.

To support better mental health the organization wanted to partner with NAMI Seattle for a local presentation.

“Stilly Valley Health Connections will continue bringing programs, like this

WESTON Continued from page 1

to help students.

“Non-accredited high schools don’t necessarily meet the rigorous standards that colleges and employees are looking for from high school graduates,” said Dixon-Hundredmark.

Weston High School was first accredited in 2012. Accreditation lasts for six years.

After three years a Washington Association of Educational Service Districts panel review progress and implements recommendations for the school.

presentation, to residents in our community,” said Coghill.

The organization is a program from Public Hospital District No. 3, which serves Arlington, Darrington and the surrounding communities.

The district was originally established in 1964 to run Cascade Valley Hospital and Clinics. In 2016 Cascade Valley Hospital management was transferred to Skagit Regional Health, although the elected board of Public Hospital District No. 3 still oversees the merger agreement.

During this year’s panel they recommended continuing to build a culture of high expectations and engagement for students, improving attendance and to integrate more with the community.

“With what we do day in and day out I wasn’t surprised we were given the accreditation again,” said DixonHundredmark, who added she believes students are graduating with a lot of knowledge.

The work to prepare for accreditation includes making sure the curriculum engages students, that the staff are supporting the students and that the emotional well-being of the students is taken care of.

To further serve the community the board approved the start of Stilly Valley Health Connections.

In the fall of 2020 they moved into a new Smokey Point facility that they hope will provide space for health and wellness activities, although it has not been open to the public yet due to the pandemic.

Officials with Stilly Valley Health Connections hope to hold a grand opening for their facility sometime later this year.

More information about the organization is available at stillyvalleyhealth.org.

“It’s such a multi-faceted approach to ensure that policies and practice are a living embodiment of the school,” said Dixon-Hundredmark.

School staff also look at data whenever available to find how to improve their work.

“We do deep dives on individual student data so we know areas our students are strong in and what needs to be worked on,” said Dixon-Hundredmark.

She said all this work is meant to ensure student achievement and prepare students for their post-high school life.

“We’re getting graduates that are acutely prepared to face the problems of the 21st Century,” she said.

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Opinion

n GUEST OPINION

City events are growing this spring With the start of spring comes hope and optimism for a better season ahead. Something we’re really looking forward to here at the city is beginning to offer more public programs and events as allowed. Of course, we will continue to encourage safety precautions and abide by all regulations. Even so, I am encouraged to see this and hope that you are, too.

Last week Marysville Little Leaguers played the long-awaited first game at the beautifully renovated Cedar Field. This project was completed last year but, unfortunately, that baseball and softball season was put on hold. Special thanks to project partners at the State of Washington, Snohomish County and Marysville Little League, who paid for nearly half the $880,000 project cost; the city funded the balance.

The popular Fishing Derby is being reimagined to help youngsters enjoy the thrill of catching their own fish without encouraging a large crowd. It will take place the first two weeks in May; look for more in-

Jon Nehring

formation coming soon.

Also in May, we’ll host the popular Shred-AThon at City Hall on May 8 from 9 a.m. to noon (or until the trucks are full).

You can bring up to six file-size boxes of paperwork for free shredding, as well as clean polystyrene, bubble wrap and old computers and electronics for recycling.

I’m especially looking forward to the 4th of July, when the city will again host a professional fireworks show. Similar to last year, we will also offer fun community activities for all ages leading up to the holiday.

A new offering this year is Picnic in the Park, now underway. You can order your lunch from participating local restaurants to be delivered

directly to designated parking spots at Jennings Park for you to enjoy in the park.

Other new events are Poochella in the Park, a dog-themed field day at Jennings Park on June 5, and Wonders of the Ebey Trail community scavenger hunt June 3-21.

Several familiar programs are also returning.

The Outdoor Speaker Series continues at the Marysville Opera House, with hiker and cyclist Patrick McGinty on April 13 and Pickleball expert Rick Bomar on May 11.

We also host free open houses at the Opera House on the first and third Wednesday evenings of each month.

Sounds of Summer concerts, a children’s concert and Cinema Under the Stars outdoor movie nights are planned in July and August.

What are you looking forward to most this summer in Marysville? I hope to see you out and about.

Jon Nehring has been Mayor of Marysville since 2010. You can reach him at 360-363-8000 or jnehring@marysvillewa.gov.

April 7, 2021 - April 13, 2021 NORTH COUNTY OUTLOOK

5

Our Favorite Quotes "At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us."

Author ­— Albert Schweitzer Submitted by North County Outlook editor Scott Frank.

&

RAVE RAVE: A big thank you goes out to the Together We’re Better organization and the Tulalip Bay Fire District members for organizing and putting on the Easter Bunny Run last weekend. It was a wonderful family event to bring to the Tulalip community.

munity. It is tragic that things like the recent events happen, and our community, school district and city leaders must do everything in their power to ensure those types of actions are not tolerated and that those responsible are held accountable.

RAVE: Thank you to everyone who turned out at Comeford Park on Saturday to take a stand against racism in our com-

RAVE: It's unfortunate to see the COVID rate in Snohomish County is on the rise, Mask up, socially distance and wash your hands.

Submit a Rant & Rave or Letter to the Editor by emailing it to editor@northcountyoutlook.com or on our website at www.northcountyoutlook.com

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North County Outlook is published every Wednesday and mailed direct to households and businesses in Marysville, Arlington, Smokey Point, Tulalip and Quil Ceda Village. Letters to the editor, community news and story ideas may be e-mailed to editor@northcountyoutlook.com, or sent to the mailing address below. The Publisher reserves the right to edit material for content, grammar, taste, style or length, and all submitted items are published at the sole discretion of the Publisher.

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Communities

April 7, 2021- April 13, 2021 NORTH COUNTY OUTLOOK

RACISM Continued from page 1

“The death threats have further required us to recognize and take responsibility for our own learning related to racism and hate, and commit to strengthening our practices, communication and training,” said Knudson.

Students involved with the December incident were not criminally charged but instead entered into a diversion program.

“We've got to hold a stan-

dard that all death threats are wrong and, at minimum, they need a mental evaluation to see if they are safe to themselves and to the family and children in the school district,” said JJ Frank.

Local Black families were also concerned about the transparency of the district’s actions, although the district is prevented in some regards from sharing personal information about students.

“When incidents occur, the law prevents us from sharing specific details involving the discipline of stu-

dents,” wrote Knudson.

Knudson did write that the two students from the December incident are currently in “a program outside of school which includes no contact with other students virtually or in person during instructional time.”

Initially, those students were given a suspension and moved to another school.

JJ Frank and others were also disappointed that the threats were being brushed off as jokes by some in the community.

“When a student threat-

Legal Notices LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON FOR SNOHOMISH COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: KAREN LEE SINKA, Deceased. NO. 21-4-00287-31, PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS, RCW 11.40.030

SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON FOR SNOHOMISH COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF AARON NELS TOFTDAHL, Deceased, NO. 21-4-00430-31, PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS, RCW 11.40.030

SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON FOR SNOHOMISH COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: DIANE GAIL WALTERS, Deceased, NO. 21-4-00420-31, PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS, RCW 11.40.030

THE PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE NAMED BELOW has been appointed as personal representative of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the personal representative or the personal representative’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probate proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the personal representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1) (c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and RCW 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets.

DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION: March 24, 2021 Personal Representative: William Toftdahl Attorney for Personal Representative: Steven J. Peiffle, WSBA #14704 Address for Mailing or Service: P.O. Box 188, 103 North Street, Arlington, WA 98223

THE PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE NAMED BELOW has been appointed as personal representative of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the personal representative or the personal representative’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probate proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the personal representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1) (c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and RCW 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets.

DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION: March 24, 2021.

Personal Representative: Nichole C. Walters Attorney for Personal Representative: Tanner K. Olson, WSBA #52879 Address for Mailing or Service: P.O. Box 188, 103 North Street, Arlington, WA 98223

Court of probate proceedings and cause number: Snohomish County Superior Court, Cause No. 21-4-00430-31.

Court of probate proceedings and cause number: Snohomish County Superior Court, Cause No. 21-4-00420-31.

THE PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE NAMED BELOW has been appointed as personal representative of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the personal representative or the personal representative’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probate proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the personal representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1) (c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and RCW 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets.

DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION: April 7, 2021.

Personal Representative: Virginia L. Smith-Apple Attorney for Personal Representative: Steven J. Peiffle, WSBA #14704 Address for Mailing or Service: P.O. Box 188, 103 North Street, Arlington, WA 98223

Court of probate proceedings and cause number: Snohomish County Superior Court, Cause No. 21-4-00287-31.

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON FOR SNOHOMISH COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: WILLIAM A. SKINNER, Deceased, NO. 21-4-00502-31, PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS, RCW 11.40.030

THE PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE NAMED BELOW has been appointed as personal representative of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the personal representative or the personal representative’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probate proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the personal representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1) (c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and RCW 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets.

DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION: April 7, 2021.

Personal Representative: Beverly I. Skinner Attorney for Personal Representative: Steven J. Peiffle, WSBA #14704 Address for Mailing or Service: P.O. Box 188, 103 North Street, Arlington, WA 98223

Court of probate proceedings and cause number: Snohomish County Superior Court, Cause No. 21-4-00502-31.

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ens another student’s life and says they want to kill them, that is not a joke,” he said.

Heritage High School coach, Tulalip Tribal member and local Hawaiian man Martin Napeahi was also disappointed the incident was not being taken seriously.

“A lot of people think ‘oh, just get over it, it was just a joke,’” he said. “I was at a loss for words when I heard that, not from JJ, but from people that we know in the community."

The second death threat incident made by a 20-yearold was investigated by the Snohomish County Sheriff ’s Office.

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The Marysville Police Department initially investigated the incident but handed the case off to the county when they realized the suspect was related to a Marysville police officer.

“I want to update the Marysville community that this investigation is now complete. The Major Crimes Detectives from the Snohomish County Sheriff ’s Office have referred this case to the Snohomish County Prosecutor with a recommended charge of hate crime,” said Erik Scairpon, Marysville Police Chief, in a statement released on April 2.

JJ Frank said Scairpon and Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring have worked with him on the issue of racism in the community and had praise for their handling of the recent situations during the April 3 press conference.

“We are committed to standing shoulder to shoulder with members of our BIPOC community to help support and amplify their voices and leadership in matters related to race and equity,” said Scairpon in his statement.

With the school district, JJ Frank has objected to the lack of communication and the response which he said is not centering the victims or addressing their needs.

“Are you talking to teachers about it? Do students know how to speak up about it?” said Patrice Frank. “We had to work really hard to make sure you all as a community knew what was going on."

After an initial meeting with the district, JJ Frank said they hired Continua Consulting to lead local discussions.

“They have a series of forums set without the families that have been victim-

ized,” he said.

Due to the response so far, JJ Frank and others called for the resignation of school district leaders during the press conference.

“If [superintendent] Jason Thompson, Lori Knudson, [director of secondary schools] Rod Merrell and the Continua Consultants do not resign, we are asking Vanessa Edwards, the president of the board of directors, along with the board of directors, to use their authority to terminate their employment immediately,” he said.

Thompson is currently on a leave of absence due to medical reasons.

Knudson wrote the district will continue their work to end racism in the schools.

“With the work and commitment of the district and school leaders and staff, these changes are beginning to occur. Recent events around racial discrimination and hate have raised concern with parents and guardians and the community, we understand the concern regarding the safety of students,” she said. “I recognize that, by themselves, these acknowledgments and actions are small gestures. They become meaningful when coupled with authentic relationships and informed actions."

People of color at the April 3 press conference expressed frustration by the lack of progress in removing racism from the community as issues of discrimination continue to persist.

Napeahi said he came to the Marysville/Tulalip community in the ‘80s.

“I want to say a lot has changed, but not much has,” he said. “Racism is deeply rooted in this community and you’re a fool if you don’t think so."

Sports

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April 7, 2021 - April 13, 2021 NORTH COUNTY OUTLOOK

7

Arlington defeats Mariner 50-21

By Nathan Whalen nathan@northcountyoutlook.com Arlington High School’s football team scored 35 unanswered points in the second half against Mariner High School to win 50-21 on April 1. The win during the season finale pushed the Eagles to 2-3.

The Eagles got on the board first during a high-scoring first quarter when Levi Younger returned a punt 76 yards for a touchdown. Both teams combined to score five touchdowns in the first quarter.

“It was a wild first quarter,” Arlington Head Coach Greg Dailer said.

The Marauders scored two touchdowns of 46 yards and 24 yards, as well as a 25-yard interception return for a touchdown.

Arlington’s Ryan Gese scored on a 59-yard run. The score after the first quarter saw Arlington trail Mariner 15-21.

“We struggled to put it into the end zone,” Dailer said of the first half. The Eagles gave up three interceptions on three trips to the red zone.

The third quarter saw Arlington score 21 points. Quarterback Michael Tsoukalas ran for an 8-yard touchdown. He also threw two touchdown passes to Younger. The first pass was 27 yards, and the second pass was 11 yards.

Arlington put 14 more points on the board in the fourth quarter. Andrew Brotherton caught an 11-yard pass from Tsoukalas and Gese had a 26-yard run.

Tsoukalis, who started the season as the Eagles starting tight end, finished Thursday’s game 132 yards on 9-16 passing with two touchdowns, and 91 yards on 13 rushes with an additional rushing touchdown. He is also the starting linebacker and kicker.

“He doesn’t leave the field,”

Dailer said. He added that Tsoukalas stepped up to play quarterback when the Eagles’ starting quarterback was injured during the first game of the season. Dailer said it was great to see Tsoukalas, who is a senior, have success at quarterback during the final game of the season.

Gese rushed for 142 yards on 14 carries with two touchdowns and Younger had four catches for 72 yards, two receiving touchdowns and one punt return for a touchdown.

Dailer also noted the efforts on defense of Andrew Brotherton, who had an interception and the work of Luke Brown.

Dailer complimented the efforts of the offensive line. The team lost five starters from the previous year’s line. This year’s group was younger and inexperienced. He said they improved throughout the year from game one to game five.

PHOTO BY NATHAN WHALEN

Arlington quarterback Michael Tsoukalas tries to pull away from a Mariner High School tackler during the Eagles’ 50-21 win April 1.

Spring sports begin for local athletes

By Nathan Whalen nathan@northcountyoutlook.com One week after the conclusion of a fall sports season, student athletes are returning to baseball diamonds, tracks, tennis courts and golf links to participate in a truncated spring sports season.

An approximately onemonth season, which lacks a postseason, is underway with baseball, softball, track and field, boys soccer, girls tennis, and golf starting this week. Marysville Getchell hosts Marysville-Pilchuck in baseball April 7. They turn around and play each other again April 9 with the Tomahawks hosting.

Marysville Getchell’s softball team heads to Arlington and Lakewood’s baseball team travels to Stanwood on April 7.

“Our number one goal

is to make sure our kids are safe and compete in activities,” Marysville School District Athletic Director Rocky Verbeck said.

Other notable events this week include MG hosting Lake Stevens April 8 in track, Lakewood softball hosting Lake Stevens and M-P soccer hosting Stanwood April 7.

While MarysvillePilchuck and Marysville Getchell compete in spring sports, Tulalip Heritage High School will compete in football season and girls volleyball. The Hawks football team travels to Darrington April 10 and the girls volleyball team starts its season April 12 at Shoreline Christian.

Lakewood, which is usually a 2A school competing in the Northwest Conference, is competing this year against 3A and 4A schools

of the Wesco Conference.

Fall sports finished last week, spring sports go until early May and winter sports concludes the school year.

“We want to make sure we get a spring sport season because they did not get a season last year,” Arlington School District Athletic Director Tom Roys said.

Verbeck said sports like basketball, wrestling and football carried higher risks concerning COVID-19 and putting the winter sports season at the end of the school year was the best place to allow those sports to compete. Roys added that restrictions might be eased when winter sports begin.

Blair said numbers turning out for spring sports in Lakewood is a bit lower, but he thinks participation will increase when students return to class on a hybrid basis. He mentioned the school district is working to improve transportation for student athletes while trying to find people to help stream home games.

“Overall, we need to find a way to get more kids involved,” Blair said.

Only home spectators will be allowed to attend home athletic events and

Crossword answers from page 5

PHOTO BY NATHAN WHALEN

Marysville-Pilchuck High School baseball player Conner Pastian, left, throws the ball to teammate Ethan Alberts. Practice for spring sports started last week. The first game of the season takes place April 7 where Marysville Getchell hosts Marysville-Pilchuck.

they have to wear masks and follow social distancing guidelines.

Arlington and Marysville school districts will continue to stream home athletic games. Arlington games will be streamed from www.theahseagle.com while Marysville games can be viewed from the school

district’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/MarysvilleSD. There are several ways to check the upcoming sports schedule. The first is www. arbiterlive.com and type in the school’s name.

The second is to go to www.wescoathletics.com, which will provide links to

each school’s athletic web page. Here’s a list of links to high schools athletics pages in the Marysville and Arlington areas: n www.ahsflyeaglesfly.com n www.lhscougarathletics.com n www.gotomahawkathletics.org n www.gochargerathletics.org n www.gohawksathletics.org n www.graceacademyeagles.com.

SPRING May 2021 A Special Supplement to

North County Outlook

HEALTHY

Our Healthy Living publication will focus on new and innovative health, medical and specialty care offered in North Snohomish County. We have some of the best facilities and advanced care right here in the North County Community.

Get your message out to over 30,000 readers from Marysville to Arlington who are excited to hear about new resources right in their own backyard!

Published: May 19, 2021 Gloss Deadline: May 3 Inside Deadline: May 5

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April 7, 2021- April 13, 2021 NORTH COUNTY OUTLOOK

Communities

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n WHISTLING GARDENER

These aren't your granny's rhododendrons Rhododenof rhodies on the market these days drons are one of are compact, selfthe most specbranching, and tacular blooming will top out in the shrubs for north3 to 5 foot range west gardens.

— perfect for unThey come in der windows and many colors and By Steve Smith sizes, are usually evergreen, along the foundation of our and for the most part are homes.

But rhodies should never easy to grow. With proper selection, a person could ac- be relegated to mere fountually have a rhodie bloom- dation plants. There are ing in their garden from over 1,000 different species of rhododendrons (which February through June.

Over the years I have includes azaleas) and over found that many garden- 5,000 hybrids.

By far, the vast majority ers have a bad taste in their mouths when it comes to of rhododendrons have rathrhodies. What they remem- er normal looking leaves and ber are the monster green thrive in our northwest marshrubs with huge leaves that itime climate. Because all obliterated their parent’s rhodies (and azaleas) have homes and had to be pruned very shallow and fine root back every few years to keep systems, it is imperative that them under control. While gardeners make the extra efwe still sell larger growing fort to amend the soil with varieties, the vast majority plenty of organic material

and then top it off with an inch of mulch, all of which will help to retain moisture in the summer and provide better air exchange in the winter. Once established, rhododendrons can be fairly drought tolerant, but if you want fabulous blooms in the spring, you should really give them some extra water in the summer and also feed them after they bloom in the spring.

As far as placement, I like to use the rule of thumb that the darker the flower the more sun they will tolerate. All the reds, purples and most pinks do well in full sun, while the lighter shades of pink and white prefer some afternoon shade. Also, the larger the leaves the more some shade is appreciated. However, rhodies that are planted in full shade will often tend to be leggy (spin-

dly) and shy bloomers. Traditionally, it seems like most rhodies only came in various shades of pink, red, white, or purple. More recently, breeders have introduced new flavors in the warmer tones of yellow, peach, or orange. Here are four dynamite cultivars that are sure to get your gardening salivary glands flowing.

Pomegranate Splash: This is a compact variety that forms a tight mound, reaching 4’ x 4’ at maturity. It is covered with bicolor blooms that are white in the center and pinkish/ red on the margins with a prominent purple blotch on the dorsal lobe. The flower trusses are upright and can be composed of as many as 14 individual flowers. A real show stopper that normally blooms in May. Seaview Sunset: Similar

to Pomegranate Splash in that it is also is a bicolor, the predominate color is light yellow, but it is edged with a broad band of red-orange which gives it an overall warm feeling. It blooms earlier that Pomegranate Splash (probably late April) and is more compact, reaching only 3’ x 3’ in 10 years. The flower trusses can contain up to 16 individual flowers so again, it makes an impressive display in the garden.

Cherry Cheesecake: A strong grower reaching 5’ x 5’ at maturity, it is considered a white bloomer despite the bright red edges and dark red blotch. Call it yet another bicolor that adds lots of pizzazz to the garden. Blooming in May, you should find a place for this one.

Melrose Flash: A very late bloomer (perhaps as late as June for us), this rhodie

makes a substantial shrub reaching 5’ x 5’ in ten years.

While it is classified as a pink, the flowers are actually yellow-green with bright purple-pink margins. For me it has a very soft feminine look, but definitely “flashy."

These four varieties offer some new and exciting variations from the old traditional flavors that will never cover up the living room windows and will always look full and lush, even when they are out of bloom.

Keep in mind there are loads of amazing choices available that you’re sure to find one that screams “take me home." Give them a try this spring, you won’t be disappointed.

Steve Smith is the owner of Sunnyside Nursery in Marysville and can be reached at sunnysidenursery@msn.com.