This week’s watchwords Final Four
Budgets
Studs
Easter
With Zags knocked out, the NCAA race boils down to Kentucky vs. Wisconsin and Michigan State vs. Duke, games set for Saturday.
State Senate Republicans will likely finish their budget, kicking off weeks of wrangling to reconcile with House Dems’ version.
The last day to remove your studded tires is Tuesday; overlook this one and risk a hefty ($124) fine.
The Easter Bunny will host egg hunts and the Snohomish Easter Parade this weekend. See the Community Extra calendar at HeraldNet.com for a list of activities.
MONDAY, 03.30.2015
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EVERETT, WASHINGTON
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Transit found lacking Everett Station travelers feel unsafe, according to a new review By Chris Winters Herald Writer
EVERETT — A review of Everett Transit’s operations and facilities concluded that, while the agency’s services are largely
successful, it suffers from inadequate facilities and a lack of clear communication among staff and the public. The review was conducted by the American Public Transportation Association, a
professional association that convened a volunteer group of transit officials from across the U.S. to review the city’s bus system. Mayor Ray Stephanson asked for the review as one part of his
administration’s broader efforts to eliminate Everett’s long-term budget deficit. The city balanced its 2015 budget and cut expenses with See TRANSIT, Page A2
School staff trains for crisis Everett teachers and others learn how to think and act, just in case
County ready to fill post Finalists for ombudsman, a position that was created to represent people who are dissatisfied with government, were interviewed Wednesday. By Noah Haglund Herald Writer
MARK MULLIGAN / THE HERALD
Marguerite Moskat (right), assistant principal at Woodside Elementary School in Everett, works in February with fellow Everett School District employees on a tabletop shooting scenario.
Herald Writer
the buzz
EVERETT — It’s a conversation meant to fuel the next conversation. What can they do better? What remains unknown? Everett Public Schools staff recently underwent extensive training on how to think and act in a school shooting or other major incident such as an earthquake.
“The purpose of this is coming together,” Assistant Superintendent Molly Ringo told those gathered at a March 12 session for principals. It was the first time the district has coordinated intensive training on the topic for every school and nearly every school employee, spokeswoman Mary Waggoner said. Teachers, principals, school nurses and office workers
Silent partners Who’s that riding shotgun? The state Department of Transportation will use cameras to monitor toll lanes on I-405 and send bills to vehicles’ registered owners. But the law forbids the state from using images of the people inside the cars to nail carpool lane violators (Street Smarts, Page A3).
spent time with maps of Everett campuses and talked about where ambulances might park and where people could run to safety. It’s not an easy subject for educators who have dedicated their lives to young people. In a perfect world, Everett police wouldn’t have to stand in front of teachers and have that conversation, said Sgt. Tim Reeves, who leads the department’s youth
Because mannequins, blow-up dolls and cardboard cutouts of the World’s Most Interesting Man deserve privacy protection, too. Getting on the green: President Barack Obama, who is often called a socialist by his more vehement critics, on Sunday enjoyed a round of golf at a private country club in Florida with a trio of oil
and private equity moguls that included a board member at Halliburton, Dick Cheney’s old job (Page A7). But don’t despair, progressives: Afterward, Obama engaged in some wealth redistribution by making one of the fatcats pick up the check at the club bar. Surfing the vast cultural wasteland: Canadian pop
services unit. In this world, though, school violence is a reality, he said, and it requires a plan. The conversation in the Everett district started before the Oct. 24 shootings at Marysville Pilchuck High School, but that incident came up often during the training sessions. See CRISIS, back page, this section
star Justin Bieber, age 21 going on 14, gets the celebrity roast treatment tonight on Comedy Central (The Clicker, Page B4). Spoiler alert: A team of anti-bullying experts interrupts the program in an attempt to halt the onslaught of potshots and insults aimed at this very vulnerable young man.
— Mark Carlson, Herald staff
See POST, Page A2
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By Rikki King
EVERETT — The Snohomish County Council appears ready to appoint a new ombudsman as early as this week, after interviewing two finalists Wednesday. They’re choosing between Jill McKinnie, an Everett-based staffer for Democratic U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, and James Krider, a Republican who served two terms as the county’s prosecuting attorney. “We’re going to deliberate and we hope to reach a decision within the next few days,” Council Chairman Dave Somers said after the interviews. The post for a government problem-solver has been vacant since the beginning of the year. Under county code, it must be filled by April 30. County Executive John Lovick recommended the two ombudsman candidates in February. McKinnie has worked as Larsen’s district director since 2001. Her resume includes 30 years as a staffer for congressional Democrats, mostly working on constituent issues. “I learned early on about asking questions,” she told council members. “Don’t act like you know everything.” She serves on the board of directors for Everett-based nonprofit Housing Hope. Krider served as the county’s prosecuting attorney from 1995 through 2002. He has since voluntarily resigned from the practice of law. Krider, asked about the resignation last week, said he made the decision because he had no intention of continuing to practice law. Krider views the ombudsman’s role as a last resort, serving people who are dissatisfied with county government. “The ombudsman is the voice
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