This week’s watchwords Football
Jetty
Silvertips
Emmys
The Cougars kick off the season against Rutgers on Thursday in Seattle, and the Huskies play Hawaii on Saturday.
This week is your last chance to visit Jetty Island, which closes for the year on Labor Day.
Preseason hockey begins in Everett on Friday with a 7 p.m. game against Victoria at Comcast Arena.
Bryan Cranston and “Breaking Bad” are key contenders at the Primetime Emmy Awards, starting at 5 p.m. today on NBC.
MONDAY, 08.25.2014
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EVERETT, WASHINGTON
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A most deserving honor
Many students returning to failing schools Some who have been receiving notifications consider it a wake-up call for more parent involvement. By Jerry Cornfield Herald Writer
(54.2 percent), Garfield (54 percent) and Jefferson (50.6 percent) were the only three to break the 50 percent barrier. Statewide, with all 39 counties combined, turnout fell just shy of 31.2 percent, which didn’t bring a smile to the face of Secretary of State Kim Wyman. “I was certain we would be higher,” she said. But, she noted,
With the new school year less than a week away, thousands of parents in Snohomish County and throughout the state are dealing with some sobering news: their children are enrolled in schools the federal government deems to be failing. Letters sent to parents of elementary and secondary students earlier this month lay out the situation and, in some cases, offer them a chance to transfer their child to a non-failing school, if one exists, and obtain tutoring if they qualify. The missives, which a majority of public schools in Washington’s 295 districts had to send out, are punishment for not complying with a federal law requiring every student in a school to pass state tests in math, reading and English language. Their arrival is stirring questions from some recipients. “There is a fair amount of confusion,” said Cynthia Jones, director of categorical programs for Everett School District who received parents’ calls about the letters. “There is confusion about what does it mean for my child’s school and what does it mean for my child.” The confusion dissipates, Jones said, once she spends a few minutes explaining the reasons for the notification. “It’s great when a parent contacts us,” she said, because their questions can be answered in greater detail than can be laid out in the letter. Everett and Snohomish school districts were among those which mailed letters the week of Aug. 11. All districts in Snohomish County acted by the end of last week. On Wednesday, Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy
See VOTERS, back page, this section
See SCHOOLS, back page, this section
France thanks Snohomish man for his service during WWII By Kari Bray Herald Writer
MACHIAS — Douglas Whipple, 96, says he can’t remember much of the war. But as he talks, the memories surface. Whipple was an Army sergeant on the front lines of World War II in France and Germany. He was awarded the Bronze Star for heroic service as an artillery forward observer — his job was
to spot enemy fire and warn the rest of his battalion. His keen eyesight once saved his twin brother, Don, whose squadron had been cornered by German troops. He fought near the rivers of Germany and in the hedgerows of France. On Sunday, the French government thanked Whipple for his service. He was named a Chevalier in the Légion d’honneur, or the French Legion
of Honor. The Embassy of France honors U.S. veterans who fought to protect France in World Wars I and II by making them Chevaliers, or knights, in the nation’s Legion of Honor. Napoleon Bonaparte established the legion in 1802. U.S. veterans can become members by applying through their state’s French consulate. Last year, Douglas’ son Robert got a package in the mail from a family friend. It was for his father
and included a copy of a newsletter with instructions on how to apply for the legion. “You would be most deserving,” the friend wrote. Robert applied on his father’s behalf. He didn’t tell his father what he was up to until he had set up an award ceremony in Lake Stevens with the help of American Legion Post 181. See WHIPPLE, back page, this section
We have the worst voter turnout in state Herald Writer
EVERETT — With primary election ballots all counted, Snohomish County emerged as the place with the worst turnout of voters in the state. Snohomish County earned the dubious distinction with a final turnout figure of 25.6 percent, the county’s poorest showing for a non-presidential mid-term primary in two decades.
Turnout reached only 21.9 percent in 1990 and 22.7 percent in 1974, according to county election officials. “It’s extremely disappointing,” said Snohomish County Auditor Carolyn Weikel, noting it felt like she threw a party and nobody showed up. “This is our opportunity to have impact on the government that is in place, and so few people take that opportunity to heart and participate,” she said.
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“It’s discouraging.” Overall, the state’s three most populous counties— King, Pierce and Snohomish— finished in the bottom five, based on the percentage of voter participation. Pierce tallied the second-lowest with 27.4 percent turnout, and King was fifth at 29.3 percent. In between were Clark (28.6 percent) and Thurston (29 percent) counties. On the other end of the spectrum, the rural counties of Ferry
Wakey wakey Who’s not a morning person: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that teenagers’ school days begin no earlier than 8:30 a.m., because forcing them to get up at the crack of dawn causes poor health, bad grades and car crashes (Page A5). Dear Abby . . . B3 Short Takes . . B4
And that’s just for the teens. For their parents, side effects of early school starts can include chronic nagging syndrome, uneaten breakfast disorder, and uncontrollable repetition of the words, “Get up. I’M NOT GOING TO TELL YOU AGAIN.” That wine’s real fine, you betcha: A wine grape
Horoscope . . . B7 Lottery . . . . . . A2
Your Photos . . B1 Obituaries . . . A4
grower in the Horse Heaven Hills near Richland is growing a type of red wine grape developed in Minnesota to withstand harsh northern winters (Page A6). And since the grapes hail from Minnesota, wine made from them pairs well with cabbage rolls, deep fried cheese curds and Tater Tot hotdish. Opinion . . . . . A7 Sports . . . . . . C1
Vape away: The American Heart Association has given cautious backing to electronic cigarettes as a last resort to help smokers quit (Page A5). A nicotine product hasn’t gotten this kind of medical endorsement since the More Doctors Smoke Camels ad campaign of the 1950s.
— Mark Carlson, Herald staff
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Douglas Whipple’s face is reflected in a display case on the kitchen table that is filled with WWII honors, memorabilia, dog tags and more. Now, the 96-year-old Snohomish man is to be inducted into the French Legion of Honor for helping liberate and protect France during the war.
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