June 23, 2021 North County Outlook

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M-PHS celebrates graduation

By Christopher Andersson christopher@northcountyoutlook.com The Marysville-Pilchuck High School Class of 2021 held their graduation ceremony on June 17 at Quil Ceda Stadium.

Students at the commencement reflected on their four-year journey that took them through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Freshman year was a “big difference from middle school. Classes were more challenging, sports became more interesting and we found ourselves worrying about things that didn’t really matter,” said class speaker Jesus German.

After that year came sophomore year.

“We walked through the school like some kind of high school experts,” said German.

See M-PHS on page 2

PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER ANDERSSON

Marysville Getchell High School senior class president Heather Warner speaks at her commencement ceremony on June 17.

Getchell celebrates Class of 2021

By Christopher Andersson christopher@northcountyoutlook.com

PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER ANDERSSON

Marysville-Pilchuck High School graduates Elizabeth Turral, left, and Julia Davis, celebrate at the end of their commencement ceremony on June 17.

Marysville Getchell High School graduates received their diplomas on June 17 and talked about how school has allowed them to grow over the last four years.

Students said the experience of going to Getchell has changed them as people.

“If you had told 'freshman me' all of the things that I was going to do, I would have told you that you had the wrong person,” said senior class president Heather Warner. “We are not the same people that we were as we headed into high school."

See GETCHELL on page 2

ASD lunch program continues this summer

By Christopher Andersson christopher@northcountyoutlook.com Arlington School District will continue to serve free lunches this summer. The program began on June 21 and continues through July 29.

The program is funded with federal money specifically meant to support summer lunch programs.

The lunches will be aligned to the district’s summer school program and therefore no longer have a week’s worth of meals.

“So, now it will be a daily pick-up,” said Ed Aylesworth, director of child nutrition and support services at the district.

Any child between the age of 1 to 18 will be able to receive food.

No registration or paperwork is necessary to pick up a meal and the child does not have to be enrolled in school.

The summer program will be held at Weston High School, 4407 172nd St. NE, Arlington, on Mondays through Fridays ending on July 16.

Meals there will be provided 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

At Pioneer Elementary, 8213 Eaglefield Dr., Arlington, meals will be served on Tuesdays and Thursdays from June 29 to July 29, except for July 6 and 8 when no meals will be provided.

That location will be open 11 a.m. to noon.

Foods provided include sandwiches, chicken salad and breadsticks.

“We’re using shelf-stable foods,” said Aylesworth. “These are basic foods that don’t have to be frozen and don’t have to be heated up.”

See ASD on page 2

PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER ANDERSSON

Arlington School District child nutrition workers Christina Mesa, foreground, and Kimberly Stryker bring out boxes of food as part of the district’s summer meals program on June 21.

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Warner said it was not just the classes and experiences that helped her through four years of high school.

“The friends we make throughout high school make us into who we are today,” she said.

Valedictorian speaker Taryn Neal encouraged students to embrace struggles and failures and to grow as a person through them.

She shared the story of her own experience with a coding competition.

“I came so close to quitting so many times,” said Neal. “I discovered I loved the challenge despite my struggles … my perseverance in that event changed my entire outlook."

Getchell's graduating students have missed many important milestones for their senior year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Class of 2021 has persevered through one of the most difficult and challenging times of this nation’s history,” said Getchell principal Richard Zimmerman.

He commended them for making it through online classes and all of the other challenges they faced.

Valedictorian speaker Kendal Kolasinski said it hasn’t been easy working from home.

“Like many of my peers I have struggled to complete assignments on time and stay motivated,” she said.

With the challenges and uncertainties caused by the pandemic Kolasinski said she hopes all the graduates realize that is okay to struggle.

M-PHS Continued from page 1

“We had a better idea of what to expect then,” said class president Trae Tingelstad, and students began making more friends with each other.

In junior year there was the pressure of schoolwork and other responsibilities.

“We started looking and applying for colleges,” said Tingelstad.

Valedictorian speaker Aaron Abele said he made many memories during his high school years.

“The loud, jam-packed spirit assemblies. Going to play in sports games. Cheering during those sports games. Being a part of clubs … those parts of high school will stick with us for the rest of our lives,” he said.

Students also began to see the end of their time at high school coming up dur-

PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER ANDERSSON

Marysville Getchell High School graduates enter their commencement ceremony on June 17.

“Through these experiences I have learned no one is completely put together,” she said.

Valedictorian speaker Camilla Bartholomew wanted to emphasize that all graduates deserve praise.

“We are all successful despite grades or what we do on assignments,” she said.

She paraphrased one of her teachers in her speech: “We are all successful outside the classroom. We show up for our friends, we are instrumental in our community lives,” she said.

Many speakers said they were going to remember the classmates they have known over the last four years.

“I want to thank my classmates and friends for making these last four years a lot more fun than I thought they would be,” said valedictorian speaker

ing their junior year.

“All we could talk about was how fun senior year was going to be and how exciting it was going to be,” said German.

The pandemic came up during their junior year.

“Most of us probably said ‘sweet, two weeks off from school,’” said German.

“Who could have imagined logging into a Zoom meeting for seven straight months to attend classes,” said Abele.

Eventually some inperson school returned and seniors were able to make it through their final year.

“Even though this year has not been a normal senior year, I’m incredibly proud to say this year’s seniors never gave up,” said Tingelstad.

Abele said he was glad seniors were able to succeed.

“Although this year has

ASD Continued from page 1

Aylesworth said the district hopes to extend their support services to the community where it is needed.

“We have students and families that are in need all year long,” he said. “We hope to combat food insecurity."

Funds for the program come from the federal government and their Summer Food Services Program, which allows local school districts to continue providing lunches during summer to areas of high need. The district was interested in the program before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Emersen Baumgart.

“Relationships make life worth living. Thank you all for the great impact you have on me,” she said.

About 65 percent of graduates are planning to attend a college or university, with 155 planning to attend a four-year university and 55 planning to attend Everett Community College.

In total, more than a million dollars of scholarship funding is going to the class.

Valedictorian speaker Tanisha Singh said it is an intimidating time for graduates now, but said she is looking forward to it.

“Change is a terrifying process.

Next year there is no school to go back to … however, change is also good, and most importantly, change is necessary,” she said.

been a whirlwind of events we have persevered and adapted to the new environment and circumstances,” he said.

M-PHS principal Christine Bell praised the graduating class for their mental growth.

“Although our Class of 2021 lost a lot of opportunities this year, they also gained a wealth of perspective and are possibly the most mature class to cross our stage as a result,” she said.

Valedictorian speaker Spencer Sawyer said it was not just the COVID-19 virus though.

“Since March of last year we have faced many hurdles as a whole. We experienced a worldwide pandemic, we fought against racial injustice and we dealt with the impacts of severe climate change,” she said.

“I’m so thankful just to

“We actually went to the training and everything and then the pandemic hit right after,” said Aylesworth.

The district used that training to begin their lunch program in March 2020 and into the summer.

“We partnered with the food bank to provide their Meals ’til Monday program as well,” said Aylesworth, and that food is again available this summer.

Over the last school year the program has distributed more than 344,000 meals to local students.

District officials hope to continue providing summer meals.

“We want to continue as we’re approved for it,” said Aylesworth.

be standing here today with so many lives changed or lost because of the pandemic,” said Sawyer.

Isabelle Calle, an M-PHS valedictorian, wanted to thank the school staff who helped students succeed.

“I would like to thank the school and all our teachers for adapting so quickly to the situation. You have all made an unpredictable situation easier to deal with,” she said.

Students learned many things as a result of working through those months at home, said valedictorian speaker Elizabeth Turral.

“We learned how to deal with disappointment as we missed out on a normal senior year … no dances or concerts and no packed football stadium to celebrate another Berry Bowl win,” she said. “We pressed on and because of that, we are here tonight."

Normally the program has more limits than it has currently.

“Usually it only applies to certain areas that qualify by having more than 50 percent of families with free or reduced lunch,” said Aylesworth.

Typically, districts are supposed to serve their meals on-site as well.

Both of those requirements have been waived during the COVID-19 pandemic though.

“Right now we can serve everybody,” said Aylesworth.

If the program returns in future years it may have to be more targeted to specific regions of Arlington and service on-site.

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June 23, 2021 - June 29, 2021 NORTH COUNTY OUTLOOK

3

County COVID rate continues to drop

By Christopher Andersson christopher@northcountyoutlook.com As Washington state prepares for a June 30 reopening, Snohomish County’s COVID-19 case rate has dropped to it’s lowest level in more than seven months.

“For the first time since midOctober our two-week case rate has dropped below 80,” said Snohomish Health District Health Officer Dr. Chris Spitters during a June 15 press briefing.

There were about 300 new cases across the county in the week of June 6 to 12, he said.

That reduces the two-week daily case rate average to 79 cases per 100,000 people, which means a sixth straight week of dropping case numbers.

“New cases are dropping off

significantly,” said Spitters.

He attributes the drop to the number of people receiving the vaccine in the county.

About 55 percent of the county’s residents age 12 or older have been vaccinated. All adult age groups have at least 50 percent who have begun vaccination.

“We want to continue to see these numbers go up as we get closer to the state’s reopening,” said Spitters.

In the week of June 6 to 12 about 25,000 community members got vaccinated in Snohomish County, which is a number that remains steady from previous weeks.

However, about 250,000 eligible adults remain unvaccinated in the county.

While the state’s reopening will

mean less mandates, Spitters encouraged caution as restrictions ease.

“It’s important to remember that unvaccinated individuals and immunosuppressed individuals regardless of their vaccination status should continue to wear face coverings,” he said.

Those who have not received vaccination are still a danger for spreading COVID-19.

A recent study from the medical journal The Lancet showed that “extending such guidelines to other individuals could fuel a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases,” said Spitters.

“The authors urged a cautious approach in the coming months, especially with the emergence of highly-transmissible COVID variants,” he said.

The new ‘Delta variant’ of the COVID-19 virus has been identified in the state and county.

“The antibodies are not quite as powerful in neutralizing [COVID-19] in the test tube,” for this variant, said Spitters.

Outside the lab the effects remain to be seen, but Spitters said it is not more concerning than other variants.

“This doesn’t seem to be breaking away from the pack from other variants,” he said. “It is of concern and we will continue to watch it."

Those who are vaccinated do not need a mask in most settings, but may continue to need them in specific environments such as healthcare settings, schools and public transportation, said Spitters.

As recovery efforts continue,

County Executive Dave Somers is proposing use federal funds to support local hazard pay.

“I proposed last week, with the support of county council chair [Stephanie] Wright and vice-chair [Megan] Dunn, two ordinances to provide hazard pay to some county employees and grocery stores with more than 500 employees in Snohomish County,” said Somers.

For grocery store workers that could mean an extra $4 per hour.

“They have ensured our food supplies remain uninterrupted and at great risk to their personal lives,” said Somers.

The extra money is meant to provide a small stimulus, support local grocery store workers and allow local businesses to retrain their employees.

Fireworks prohibited in Arlington, Marysville

By Christopher Andersson christopher@northcountyoutlook.com

Fireworks are now banned in the city limits of both Marysville and Arlington, with Arlington’s prohibition going into effect this year.

City of Arlington’s Laws This is the first year that fireworks will be banned in Arlington.

There is a minimum fine of $103 for those issued a citation and fireworks can be confiscated by the police as well.

“We’re trying to put out some information now” to help people understand the new laws, said Paul Ellis, Arlington’s city administrator.

That outreach work includes three billboard trailers in town that are being moved around the city

with reminders about the new law.

“The police will be putting out some extra patrols during that day,” said Ellis.

The new ordinance only applies within Arlington city limits.

“If you live on the edge of the city, you may still be close to those unincorporated areas where they are legal,” said Ellis.

People who see fireworks being discharged in their neighborhood can call the non-emergency line at 425-407-3999 to report.

“It’s best to call the nonemergency number if you see fireworks, so we’re not plugging up the emergency line,” said Ellis.

The city plans to have staff that night to answer calls to the number.

Arlington’s law was enacted after discussions by the Arlington City Council that began in 2019.

“Every year it seems like we’ve had these conversations after the Fourth of July,” said Ellis. “There are mixed feelings about fireworks, some like them and some people don’t."

An advisory vote in November 2019 approved of banning fireworks with 50.7 percent approval.

“This is the trend with most of the cities in Snohomish County,” said Ellis.

“Even in the unincorporated areas of the county they are having these discussions,” although those considerations are only for the more urbanized and growing parts of unincorporated Snohomish Coun-

Please do not call 911 unless there is an immediate threat to life or property.

www.marysvillefiredistrict.org/fireworks

ty, he said.

Arlington’s public fireworks display at Quake Park will remain in place and is planned for 10 p.m. on July 4.

City of Marysville’s Laws “Since 2017 personal use of all fireworks has been illegal in city limits,” said Connie Mennie, communications administrator with the city of Marysville.

“The only exception is for the large fireworks displays permitted by the fire marshal."

Between 2017 and 2019 Marysville police issued 103 tickets for fireworks violations.

“For the first couple of years the police took a more

educational approach,” said Mennie. “Now they are in an enforcement approach."

In 2020 the Marysville Police Department received 214 calls about fireworks and issued 31 citations.

“People are sometimes frustrated that their neighbor didn’t get a ticket,” said Mennie, but to issue a ticket an officer has to directly see an individual lighting off a firework or possessing them, which can be difficult.

Mennie said sometimes people hear fireworks in the distance that could be coming from the Tulalip reservation or outside city limits, where fireworks are

legal.

Those that see fireworks can call the non-emergency number at 425-407-3999.

Marysville’s law banning fireworks took effect in 2017.

“This was a process that took several years,” said Mennie. “There were many citizens who wanted us to outlaw fireworks but also many who didn’t want that."

A November 2015 advisory vote showed 59 percent of voters in favor of banning fireworks.

“I would suggest that people can watch fireworks at our public fireworks show,” said Mennie, which will be visible in the downtown area.

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Communities

June 23, 2021 - June 29, 2021 NORTH COUNTY OUTLOOK

www.northcountyoutlook.com

Dead Asian giant hornet found in Marysville

By Christopher Andersson christopher@northcountyoutlook.com

An invasive Asian giant hornet was found in Marysville recently, the first detected this year in Washington state.

The hornet species, sometimes colloquially known as the “murder hornet” because of media reports in 2019, was first detected in North American that year with reports in British Columbia and Whatcom County.

The Marysville hornet was first found on June 4.

It was dead at the time and was found on a lawn.

“A lot of unusual circumstances surround this,” said Sven-Erik Spichiger, an entomologist with the Washington State Department of Agriculture, during a June 16 press briefing.

The color of it’s head and back half are similar to Asian giant hornets found in Whatcom County, “but all of the rest of the segments do not contain the orange-yellow stripes we are accustomed to seeing,” said Spichiger.

The hornet was male and most males only awaken in the fall or July at the earliest, said Spichiger, making the case stranger.

“We do not believe that any males should be alive this time of year yet,” he said.

It’s unlikely the hornet had been in the lawn for very long.

“If it had been sitting on the lawn since last year ants would have eaten it, rodents would have eaten it and the massive amounts of rain and snow would have degraded it further,” said Spichiger.

The hornet specimen could have gotten to the lawn in a number of ways, but Spichiger did not want to speculate to its exact origin.

“A single dead specimen does not indicate a population,” he said. “Hopefully it is just a one and done."

The Washington State Department of Agriculture is still taking precautions and will be putting traps up in the county though, he said.

Karla Salp, public engagement specialist with

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the department, said it would be helpful if residents in Snohomish County were watchful over the coming months just in case.

“Half of Washington’s confirmed detections and all of British Columbia’s detections came from alert community members,” she said.

Asian giant hornet sightings can be reported by e-mailing hornets@agr. wa.gov or by calling 1-800443-6684.

The hornets are typically 1.5 to 2 inches and are essentially hairless.

“They have a really large head that is disproportionate to their body,” said Salp.

“If in doubt, send it over.

We’d rather get reports that aren’t the Asian giant hornet than miss ones that actually are."

Trapping is also an op-

tion for those who want to help more.

“They can also participate in our citizen trapping program,” said Salp.

More details about that program are available at agr.wa.gov/hornets.

“That has all the information on how to build a trap,” said Salp, which can be done with simple mate-

rials so as soda bottles.

The Washington State Department of Agriculture hopes to prevent the spread of Asian giant hornets because they are an invasive species that kills honeybees.

“They are a big threat for our population of honeybees. They can take out a hive in hours,” said Salp.

There are also health risks for humans as well.

“They have a very painful sting and you can have serious complications if you’re allergic,” said Salp.

Although the hornets don’t typically attack unless threatened, they also often build their nests in the ground so humans sometimes inadvertently step on

them prompting an attack.

“There is a direct impact to agriculture,” said Salp, not only because they eat fruit but because reduction in honeybee population means less pollinators for local plants.

More information about the Asian giant hornet is available at agr.wa.gov/ hornets.

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June 23, 2021 - June 29, 2021 NORTH COUNTY OUTLOOK

5

Many summer programs return this year

By Christopher Andersson christopher@northcountyoutlook.com With COVID-19 pandemic restrictions being lifted many, but not all, regular summer events and festivals will be returning to the communities.

While larger festivals that take several months to plan, such as Marysville’s Strawberry Festival or the Festival of the River, are not returning in 2021, many smaller events are returning to their normal times.

Marysville Events Marysville’s signature festival, the Strawberry Festival, will not be held for a second year, although organizers are planning to bring the festival back for 2022.

The city of Marysville however has begun to bring back some programs.

“We’re looking forward to a little return to normalcy with our summer events,” said Dave Hall, assistant director of Marysville’s Parks, Culture and Recreation Department.

Events may have some social distancing rules but many familiar events are scheduled to return.

Marysville’s downtown will host a Fourth of July show again this year, although the city hopes to return to a public gathering event again next year.

“We would like to get back to the bigger Fourth of July event we held at Marysville-Pilchuck [in 2019],” said Hall.

He said some community members were dis-

LEGAL NOTICE SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON FOR SNOHOMISH COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: KENNETH LEE JOHNSON, Deceased, NO. 21-4-00862-31, 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: June 9, 2021.

Personal Representative: Shane Hurley Attorney for Personal Representative: Breanne W. Martin, WSBA #44519 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. 21-4-00862-31.

appointed that the event couldn’t return this year.

“We had to plan this event six months ago with the COVID restrictions that were in place then,” said Hall.

Rather than risk a total cancellation, organizers opted to hold another downtown event like last year’s display.

Marysville’s All-Comers Track Meets will return this year every Thursday from July 11 to Aug. 1 at 6 p.m.

The track meets begin at 6 p.m. with registration at 5:30 p.m.

“It is $5 to enter and you can do as many of the events as you want,” said Hall.

The city’s Popcorn in the Park movie series and Sounds of Summer concert series are returning this year to Jennings Park.

The Sounds of Summer series brings free music to the Rotary Pavilion at the park.

It will be held on two Fridays beginning on July 16 at 7 p.m. and will feature the Lonely Hearts Club Band the first week and Ranger and the “Re-Arrangers” the second week.

A free children’s concert will also be held on July 21 at noon at the pavilion as well.

The family film series, Popcorn in the Park, will be held for four Saturdays beginning July 24. That program is also free.

Films begin at 9 p.m. or at dusk, whichever comes first.

Movies shown this year will include “A Dog’s Journey,” “Sonic the Hedgehog,” “San Andreas” and “Frozen 2.”

Finally, the city plans to bring back Touch-a-Truck on Sept. 11, which allows local families a chance to learn about various heavyduty public works and public safety vehicles.

“There is a bunch of city equipment, big trucks and police cars that the children can come to climb on,” said Hall.

Hall said Marysville’s Parks, Culture and Recreation Department is happy to be able to begin bringing these events back.

“We’re excited to get back to community events.

We’re really looking forward to it,” he said.

Arlington Events The annual Arlington Car Show was canceled, although the Downtown Arlington Business Association is presenting free concerts on July 17 and later in August to provide some events.

A 21-and-older summer kickoff show will also be hosted by the association on June 26 and locals can get tickets at brownpapertickets.com.

“The Farmers Market will continue through the summer and they are scheduling music,” said Sarah Lopez, community engagement director with the city of Arlington. “If anyone would like to perform, they can contact the Stilly Valley Chamber."

Many of Arlington’s ‘Frontier Days’ Fourth of July events will return, however the pancake breakfast and parade will not be held this year.

The Kiwanis Auction is also online this year.

In downtown Arlington, Lifeway Church is organizing the Old Fashioned Fourth celebration to provide fun and games for families and children.

Arlington Rotary is hosting their annual Duck Dash on that day, which helps raise funds for the Rotary’s community efforts such as college scholarships.

A Fourth of July beer garden will be held at Haller Park.

The Pedal, Paddle, Puff Triathlon is scheduled to return and will open registration at 8 a.m. with a 9 a.m. start time.

The Arlington fireworks display at Quake Park is scheduled to begin at 10 p.m.

The following weekend, from July 9 to 11, the Arlington Street Fair will return, bringing many types of vendors to Olympic Avenue.

The Stillaguamish Tribe’s Festival of the River will not be held again this year, but the Tribe is planning to bring it back in 2022.

“We’re planning to hold a National Night Out event on Aug. 3,” said Lopez.

The night typically provides community members a change to get out and meet local police officers and government officials.

“We’re encouraging neighborhoods to contact us if they would like to participate,” she said.

Arlington’s Fly-In will return, but as modified drive-in event, said Lopez.

Those who want to attend to should go to arlingtonskyfest.com for tickets.

Village Community Services is hosting a Smokey Point Community Block Party on Aug. 15.

“This is the first time this event has been put on and they are still planning it out,” said Lopez.

The Arlington Arts Council plans to bring back

their Art in the Park event on Aug. 28 and 29, which helps local artists display their artwork at downtown Legion Park.

The Friendship Walk, which raises funds for Village Community Services, and the Dragstrip Reunion Car Show at the Arlington Airport are scheduled to return on Sept. 11.

Lopez said community groups may announce more events as the summer continues.

“Hopefully we can squeeze some more fun stuff in. We’re working on it right now,” she said.

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Opinion

June 23, 2021 - June 29, 2021 NORTH COUNTY OUTLOOK

n Guest Opinion

MPD officers dedicated to serving community

With law enforcement reforms set to take effect in late July and more reform work on the horizon, many opinions exist on how law enforcement should conduct its work. On June 8, I read an article in the Suburban Times written by Chief Mike Zaro of the Lakewood Police Department. Chief Zaro's article inspired me to reflect on that particular day we were having in Marysville.

These are the stories you might not hear about on the nightly news or even be aware of, save for the distant call of a police siren. This day in Marysville was no different than many others. Still, it serves to educate those who don't have insight into, and those who may have forgotten, the complex world that we ask our police officers to navigate.

On June 8, 10 officers and two supervisors served the Marysville community on patrol. The day started at 7:30 a.m. when a day shift officer responded to a call, finding a barefoot man who ran through other people's backyards, yelling at hallucinations of "people in hazmat suits" to give him his dog back. Our officer talked to the man's wife and learned that this behavior was out of the ordinary. His wife believed that her husband was using illegal narcotics. Our officer worked with the Marysville Fire District to safely get the man help at Providence

Chief Erik Scairpon

Hospital.

The day passed with the buzzing routine of a medium-sized city of over 70,000 people combined with the visitors and workers that come to Marysville. Animal nuisance complaints, traffic collisions, questionable activity calls, follow-ups to other cases and more. The officers that day wrote only eight citations: four were for criminal violations, one was for a criminal traffic offense, and the remaining three were regular traffic tickets.

An embedded social worker from the Compass Health Impact team joined one of our patrol officers at 2 p.m. for a four-hour shift. At 3:42 p.m., the routine shattered with a priority call. Multiple alert tones rang out on the radio instructing officers to "listen up, this one's important."

Officers responded to a male running around in the Sunnyside neighborhood, chasing young children and threatening to shoot them with a rifle. Officers responded quickly, located the male, and used safe tactics to begin negotiating with him. Without us-

ing any force and with the benefit of having a mental health worker on the scene, the officers took him into custody for threatening the children's safety.

With barely any downtime, the emergency radio tones came again right at five o'clock. Snohomish 911 reported that nine people were actively fighting outside a Lakewoodarea apartment. Multiple 911 lines were ringing. The stakes became higher: one 911 caller reported that someone had a knife. With lights and sirens activated, the team again leaped into action.

While dodging rushhour traffic, officers headed to the scene received an update. The dispatcher's voice came across the radio with guarded professional urgency. The fight had escalated; someone was stabbed.

Your Marysville Police officers responded quickly.

They located the people involved in the conflict and found the young male victim with a stab wound to his left arm. The injury was severe enough that an officer applied a first aid tourniquet while waiting for a Marysville Fire medical aid unit. The incident ended with the victim transported to the hospital and the male suspect booked into jail for first-degree assault.

Shortly later that night, at 7:28 p.m., night shift officers went to a high-priority See SCAIRPON on page 7

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Our Favorite Quotes "Aaah, summer - that long anticipated stretch of lazy, lingering days, free of responsibility and rife with possibility. It's a time to hunt for insects, master handstands, practice swimming strokes, conquer trees, explore nooks and crannies, and make new friends."

Author ­— Darell Hammond Submitted by North County Outlook editor Scott Frank.

&

RAVE RAVE: A big shout out to all the young ladies who finished up their awesome “Girls on the Run” season this year in the Snohomish County and around the country. Especially big (local) thanks to all the ladies at Quil Ceda Elementary and the final 5K they hosted last weekend. This season was filled with hurdles and roadblocks which you overcame. Your inspiration goes well beyond the classroom. Thank you for

all that you do for these young ladies and their future. 4-years in the books and 40 more to go.

RAVE: It's great to see that some of the popular summer activities are coming back.

Thanks to the local cites and organizations for working so hard to bring them back. It's been a long year and these events will help bring a little normalcy back to our lives.

utlook

Real People. Real Life.

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.

News Deadline: Friday before publication 5PM editor@northcountyoutlook.com

Publisher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sue Stevenson Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Scott Frank Staff Writers . . . .Christopher Andersson, Nathan Whalen Display Ad Sales . . . . . . Carole Estenson, Brittney Tuengel Graphic Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Christina Poisal Office Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Leah Hughes-Anderson Contributing Writers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steve Smith

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M'ville plans fireworks show

By Christopher Andersson christopher@northcountyoutlook.com Marysville’s downtown fireworks show will return this year to celebrate the Fourth of July.

In 2019 the city started it’s first public fireworks show at Marysville-Pilchuck High School, but could not hold a public gathering in 2020.

“Last year due to the pandemic we had to alter our Fourth of July celebration so more people could see the fireworks display at a distance,” said Jennifer Friess, Marysville athletic supervisor and one of the organizers of the event.

The city shot off fireworks at their Public Works building while community members watched from their cars in various parts of the downtown Marysville area.

“It was really successful,” said Friess.

There was not much space left to park cars as vehicles had filled Marysville’s downtown area, she said.

“Everything had been can-

SCAIRPON Continued from page 6

alarm call reporting a man walking around the new city campus construction site on Delta Avenue. When officers arrived, they found a vehicle with a man inside that matched the description provided and stopped

celed at that time … so it was a good opportunity to bring everyone together in a safe way,” said Friess. “It was a time when something like that was needed most.”

They plan to hold a similar event in 2021 with fireworks tentatively beginning at 10 p.m.

“When we started to put together the event this year, we weren’t sure what guidelines would be in place,” said Friess.

Because they had to plan months in advance, city officials did not want to risk creating a public gathering event with too big of a crowd and then potentially canceling if restrictions hadn’t been eased by July.

Instead, community members are invited to stop by the downtown again.

“We’re encouraging families to come out and pull up a chair,” said Friess. “Ebey Waterfront Park is going to be a great location to view them again."

Other areas to view include Asbery Field and the Marysville Mall.

him to investigate. They determined the man had broken into the city construction site and stolen a concrete saw, a gas can and a cutting torch. We are pleased to report that the project remains on track for a timely opening next year!

A quick sidebar: each time someone has broken into that site, our officers have

“There will be a couple different food truck opportunities,” said Friess, including the Sugar and Spoon food truck which is planned to park in front of the Maryfest building at 1259 State Ave, Marysville.

Maryfest, the organization that runs Strawberry Festival, plans to have an information tent there as well.

At Ebey Waterfront Park a kettle corn tent is scheduled to set up and two food trucks plan to be at Asbery Field as well.

“We will also have some photo opportunities outside the perimeter of Asbery Field and at Ebey Waterfront Park,” said Friess.

Families can come take Fourth of July pictures at the stations.

Food truck and photo opportunities will be available from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The event was well attended last year so Friess recommends setting up your spot sooner rather than later.

“Try to get there early because all the spots did fill up last year,” she said.

quickly located and arrested them, protecting our community investment in public safety and civic services.

This one day in June, your Marysville Police officers responded with accountability, courage and professionalism to 184 calls for service. These same men and women recently handled juvenile homicide

M'ville hosts All-Comers Track Meets

By Nathan Whalen nathan@northcountyoutlook.com

With pandemic restrictions easing and activities starting, a series of track meets next month provides a great way to go outside and have some sun.

The All-Comers Track Meet takes place each Thursday from July 1 through July 22.

Children, teens, adults, senior citizens and everyone in between show up to compete in a variety of track and field events.

“It’s just a really good, fun, active event for families to enjoy,” said Jennifer Friess, athletics supervisor for the city of Marysville’s department of Parks, Culture and Recreation.

Students from the track teams at Marysville-Pilchuck and Lakewood high schools volunteer to help organize the meet as well as participate, Marysville-Pilchuck track and field coach Mike Cull said, adding the meets are more low-key and fun without any pressure.

Friess said the All-Comers Track Meets started in 2006, but the recession canceled the events in 2008. The track meets started again in 2017 and alternate between Marysville-Pilchuck and Lakewood high schools.

The pandemic prompted the cancellation of 2020 track meets.

Cull said the track meets attract people from surrounding communities and from Skagit County. He added Shoreline and Bellingham hold similar events during the summer.

Athletes compete in 10 running events that range from 50-meters to 1,600 meters.

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Children will be some of the competitors showing up to the All-Comers Track Meet taking place the first four Thursdays in July and organized by the city of Marysville.

Running events take place on a rolling start.

Field events include long jump, softball throw, shot put and high jump.

Friess said between 100 and 150 people typically show up to compete. Cull said numbers of people increased each time a track meet was held.

Each track meet starts at 5:30 p.m. and takes place July 1, July 8, July 15 and July 22. Registration costs $5 and people can preregister at marysvillewa.gov/971/AllComers-Track-Meets or on the day of the event. Friess said she is encouraging people to pre-register.

For more information about events organized by the city of Marysville, go to www.marysvillewa.gov.

7 Arlington Duck Dash returns June 23, 2021 - June 29, 2021 NORTH COUNTY OUTLOOK

The Arlington Rotary's Duck Dash will return this year on the Fourth of July to raise funds for local organizations and other causes.

“We’re really excited to have the Duck Dash back. This is our one big fundraiser we do every year,” said A.J. Chippendale, public relations director for Arlington Rotary.

“In the last couple of years we’ve given out more than $100,000 each year,” from money raised because of the event, she said.

Individuals can purchase tickets and watch during the event as rubber ducks are released into the Stillaguamish River.

If the first duck to reach the finish line has the same number as your ticket you can receive a cash prize. This year three $2,020 prizes will be awarded and three $2,021 prizes will be awarded.

Duck Dash tickets will be sold by local Rotarians and at Arlington businesses, according to Chippendale. Tickets are $5 each or $20 for a pack of five.

All proceeds from ticket sales go to support charitable efforts of the local Rotary club while sponsorship funds help to run the event and also go to charity.

Graduating seniors in local

cases, infant deaths, and on one single day responded to seven suicide attempts.

Every minute of every day is different for a Marysville Police officer. They don't always get a break, sometimes miss a meal, and don't always get to reset between calls.

While the statewide and national conversation continues to play out on how and what we should police, our community continues to ask for our response. Every day we receive 911 calls, and the community expects us to respond to handle both complex and straightforward issues. At a time like this, you can continue to depend upon us. Chuck Wexler, the executive direc-

school districts received $60,000 in scholarships the last two years because of those funds.

“This year we’ll be able to give $70,000,” said Chippendale.

The Rotary Club also supports groups such as the Arlington Community Food Bank, the Stilly Valley Center and the Arlington Boys & Girls “There are several organizations we typically give to … typically a number of different groups that ask for support,” said Chippendale.

Some of the funds go outside of Arlington as well.

“A small component of what we do is international projects, although most of the money stays local,” said Chippendale.

The event will be at Haller Park.

“We’re starting a little earlier than normal and putting the ducks in the water around 5 p.m.,” said Chippendale.

The event will be largely the same as previous years, she said.

Chippendale said that Rotary members are happy that the Duck Dash event is returning this year after missing 2020.

“We’re looking forward to this being a really fun year for the event,” she said.

tor of the Police Executive Research Forum, recently wrote to chiefs and sheriffs across the nation. He wondered: "So yes, the police are pulled in a hundred ways that have little to do with enforcing laws. But isn't this one of the reasons that good people become good cops?"

Your officers are selfless with their dedication to the community and the pride that they take in their work.

They are full of integrity, yet like you and I, they are fallible. They unhesitatingly run into danger yet are affected by the stress and fear they experience on the job.

Despite these stresses and demands, our public safety team continues to provide this community with the

best possible policing that we can. We value the trust that this community has placed in us and pledge to do our best to preserve that trust with transparency and accountability. The Marysville Police Department will be here for you and with you. Serving our community is why we do our job and what policing means to us.

Yours in service with honor, Chief Erik Scairpon

Police Chief Erik Scairpon joined the City of Marysville in September 2020 after serving 20+ years with the Redmond Police Department. You can reach him at Police@MarysvilleWA.gov or 360-363-8300.

8

June 23, 2021 - June 29, 2021 NORTH COUNTY OUTLOOK

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n WHISTLING GARDENER

Fabulous Ninebarks for your garden Ninebarks breeders have latched on to its are deciduous shrubs native to uncanny ability to sport differNorth America that possess ent colored foliage which adds many redeemyet another layer ing qualities that By Steve Smith make them good of interest to our candidates for our gardens gardens. Several years ago and landscapes. For start- the variety “Diablo” was ers, they are tough as nails introduced to the nursery and will grow almost any- trade, which features dark where in our northwest purple foliage that presents gardens. Reaching 5 to 10 a striking contrast to the feet tall (depending on the clusters of white flowers variety), their lobed ser- in late spring. It turns out rated foliage emerges in that “Diablo” was just the spring followed in June by beginning of a long line of clusters of white flowers new introductions that are that are favorites of our lo- now available to gardeners cal pollinators. After the everywhere. Here are four flowers fade and the fruits new ones that have caught starts to form, the clusters my interest.

“Little Devil”— Well, change from white to pink to a rusty red at maturity, like so many new plants, often hanging on all winter there has to be a dwarf if the birds don’t eat them version of whatever the up first. In addition to col- popular flavor happens to orful clusters of red fruit be, and that is exactly what in the winter, the bark of “Little Devil” is. Smaller this native shrub peels off leaves, tighter growth habit in strips with each layer a and finer texture, but still slightly different color, giv- all the wonderful qualities ing it an attractive winter of “Diablo”. If you don’t appearance. The fall color happen to like the thorns is also remarkable, which on barberries, then try a makes this plant a 4-sea- “Little Devil” ninebark. son-of-interest specimen.

As if all of the above attributes weren’t reason enough to incorporate a ninebark into your garden,

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“Fireside” — Introduced by Bailey Nurseries in their First Editions Series of shrubs, they describe it as follows: “First Editions® Fireside® Ninebark features showy clusters of white flowers with shell pink overtones at the ends of the branches from late spring to early summer, which emerge from distinctive pink flower buds. It has attractive burgundy foliage with hints of black which emerges coppery-bronze in spring. The serrated lobed leaves are highly ornamental and turn an outstanding deep purple in the fall. The peeling tan bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.” “Fireside” grows to around 5 to 6 feet tall.

“Amber Jubilee” — Another Bailey Nurseries introduction, here is their description: “Rounded and dense in habit with a bold array of colors in glowing tones of orange, yellow and gold, Amber Jubilee™ stands out in the garden border or makes an eyecatching hedge. Clusters of delicate white blooms

The Diablo Ninebark and Euonymus.

in spring and fall add extra interest”. Also, a compact grower, “Amber Jubilee” is a real garden standout.

“Ginger Wine” — Part of the Wine Series from Proven Winners, this selection offers spring foliage in a sunny orange tone maturing to a sparkling burgundy. Like all ninebarks, the clusters of white flowers

cover the plant in June and develop into red seed heads for the fall and winter.

Ninebarks as a whole are easy to grow with perhaps mildew being the only challenge when planted in too much shade. As for pruning, if you need to reduce the size, simply cut out some of the older stems after blooming and

COURTESY PHOTO

you should be good to go.

Surely there is a spot somewhere in your garden to try out one of these new introductions. Stay safe and keep on gardening.

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