February 2, 2022 North County Outlook by The North County Outlook

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Vol. 15 No. 20 n February 2, 2022 - February 8, 2022

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

Marysville community resource center supports local families By Christopher Andersson christopher@northcountyoutlook.com The Center at North Marysville is a new community resource center that has supported local families during the pandemic. The center provides a variety of services to residents in the 98270 and 98271 zip codes and is located in the Lakewood community at 1424 172nd St. NE, Marysville. The organization has been officially open since May of last year and has spent much of that time helping struggling families. “In this COVID world a lot of it is around rental and utility assistance,” said Ryan Brown, executive director of LINC NW, the sponsoring organization for the center. See CENTER on page 5

PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER ANDERSSON

Administrative social worker Mariel Gonzalez and student and family advocate Erin Maas from the Center at North Marysville pack one of the center’s backpacks for victims of domestic violence on Jan. 28.

Better internet coming to SR-530 corridor By Christopher Andersson christopher@northcountyoutlook.com A $16 million investment into broadband is meant to bring better internet access to rural communities around SR-530. Construction is scheduled to be done in 2024 for expanded broadband from Arlington to Darrington, including better connections for the Trafton and Oso communities. The Washington State Department of Commerce Broadband Office provided the grant in January with a total of $16,713,615 for the Snohomish County project and about $129 million for other parts of the state. About 5,600 residences and businesses are expected to benefit from better internet access. “I was really excited to see that we secured this

grant,” said Snohomish County Council member Nate Nehring. “This is a significant amount of money to be invested in the SR-530 area,” he added. COVID has made it clear how necessary stable internet is for living in the modern world. “The pandemic has really highlighted the need for reliable internet access,” said Nehring. Students who are learning from home or adults working from home need strong broadband in order to be connected, he said. “And that is easy to get if you live in an urban area, but we’ve seen that for others there can be a lot of trouble getting reliable internet access,” said Nehring. A lot of residents of the

See BROADBAND on page 3

Food bank to begin mobile food pantry program By Christopher Andersson christopher@northcountyoutlook.com A new mobile food pantry will soon bring the Arlington Community Food Bank directly out to those in need. The food truck has been purchased by the local food bank thanks to donations from Arlington High School students, local businesses and the city of Arlington. Students and officials gathered on Jan. 27 to recognize the community’s funding of the project. “The truck is done, it’s just waiting for us to pick it up,” said Carla Rankin, executive director of the Arlington Community Food Bank. It is currently in Maine and a volunteer plans to drive it to Washington state in the coming weeks, as that is cheaper than getting it shipped.

The project began when Rankin started as the food bank’s first executive director in March of 2019. “My first week I was blown away because the phone was ringing off the hook and the biggest question was ‘can you deliver to me, I can’t make it to the food bank,’” she said. The food bank does have a delivery program, however it is labor intensive. Rankin said she was inspired by bookmobile programs she remembered from when she was a kid that brought books directly out into the community. “We have to meet people where they are, not where we’re at,” said Rankin. Arlington Mayor Barbara Tolbert said services that go out into the community are much more accessible. “We have been far See PANTRY on page 2

PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER ANDERSSON

Arlington Community Food Bank director Carla Rankin, left, receives a $19,000 donation from Arlington High School students, from left, Laura Meno, Levi Younger, Kaden Davis and Ethan Martin, on Jan. 27 to help start the food bank’s new mobile food pantry program.

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more successful when we disrupt a single point of service delivery. That is the old model that no longer works for people today,” she said. A mobile food pantry would also allow more client choice. “Instead of a box of food we picked out, they can pick their food right off the truck,” said Rankin. The food truck has refrigerated units to keep produce and other foods fresh. The project was delayed a bit due to the COVID pandemic and the food bank dealing with changes to their model and sudden increased demand. “We didn’t stop thinking about that mobile food pantry, although it was a little bit on the back burner,” said Rankin. Rankin began talking with Arlington High School teachers who passed down the initiative to students. DECA, school leadership and the school’s boys basketball team all contributed to raising $19,000 for the project. “We wanted to do something to be remembered and help our community,” said ASB Secretary Laura Meno. It began with grade level competitions and expanded to other fundraisers. “About two weeks before Thanksgiving in 2020 we were pretty bummed out that there wasn’t going to be a basketball season,” said Kaden Davis, part of Arlington High School’s boys basketball team. “We put together a Turkey Day food drive,” that raised food donations and also monetary donations for the mobile food pantry. “It was just a great way to get our basketball team involved in the community,” said Davis. Rankin appreciated the students’ efforts to kick-start funding for the mobile food pantry initiative. “That was so impressive, and they were the driving force of this pantry to make it come to life,” she said. The city of Arlington contributed $60,000 from federal pandemic relief funds to the project too. “The federal government gave cities some money to mitigate the impacts of COVID,” said Tolbert. “When we found out how much money Arlington was getting

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Arlington Mayor Barbara Tolbert speaks at a presentation about the Arlington Community Food Bank’s new mobile food pantry program on Jan. 27.

one of my first calls was to Carla [Rankin]." SMARTCAP, a real estate investment business, and SMARTCAP Construction, a related construction company, both donated $10,000 to the project as well. “The community here in Arlington has been amazing. It’s really something we’re proud to be a part of,” said Robert Shipley, director of development at SMARTCAP. “I live in this community and work in this community and it excites me to be a part of such a great cause,” said Matt Terlau, director of field operations with SMARTCAP Construction. Rankin said the mobile food pantry will be going out into the community soon after it arrives in Arlington. Food bank officials have been talking with Arlington Police Department’s embedded social workers to see where homeless people gather and where would be good spots to park the truck. “We’re also going to meet with the school district and the city to find specific areas where we can park,” said Rankin. Volunteers are also needed to help staff the trailer and begin the program. Continued sponsors and financial donations are also needed for the program as only a significant down payment has been on the truck. More information about the Arlington Community Food Bank is available at arlingtonfoodbank.org.

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MSD sets superintendent interviews By Christopher Andersson christopher@northcountyoutlook.com

The Marysville School District’s final interviews with potential superintendent candidates are tentatively scheduled for Feb. 14 and 15. Final updates about the superintendent search and details of those interviews are scheduled to soon be posted on the district’s website at msd25.org/page/superintendentsearch-2021-2022. The finalist interviews beginning Feb. 14 will have additional opportunities for public participation for students, parents and Marysville School District staff. Currently, the application process for the position is closed. “The position officially closed Monday night [Jan. 15] and we’re feeling very good about the pool of applicants,” said Kris McDuffy, of GR Recruiting, the firm that is leading the superintendent search, during the Jan. 19 Marysville School Board meeting. “We heard from 43 individuals

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area have spoken to Nehring and he said this will improve their day-to-day living. “I’ve spoken with the superintendent and mayor in Darrington and they both talk about the need,” he said. “And since then I’ve heard from all sorts of residents about the need for this,” he added. There won’t be much of an benefit for those in Arlington city limits, but just outside those limits in communities such as Trafton the community should see improvement. “Broadband was one of the elements that was identified as part of the Stilly Valley Economic Recovery plan that was developed right after the Oso slide,” said Paul Ellis, Arlington’s city administrator. That plan was about developing sustainability in response to the disaster after it cut off a highway that typically moved workers and supplies every day between the communities. “We saw at that time how dependent the whole valley was on one another,” said Ellis.

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and felt good about that given what the pools are looking like across the country,” she said. It is currently a competitive market for superintendents as this is not a time that many want to make a big move. “Folks that would have been more willing to move before are more often staying put right now,” said McDuffy. She said the applicants were a good demographic mix of individuals, with candidates from in-state, out-of-state and one from outside the country. There was also a variety of candidates include women and men, and a variety of different races, said McDuffy. “There’s quite a mix of sitting superintendents versus other district administrative leaders,” she said. That pool will get narrowed down by GR Recruiting. “Currently, we’re doing some initial background checks and going through all of their paperwork,” she said. “That pool quickly gets narrowed down for a lot of reasons. First,

“Broadband access was something that was brought to light as a necessity that we had been overlooking at that time,” he added. Ellis said he was glad the grant was coming to support those communities.

did they finish all of their paperwork and then do they meet the minimum qualifications." McDuffy said the firm also looks at online presence. “If they’ve been terminated that sometimes takes further review. That wouldn’t necessarily automatically disqualify someone,” she said. School Board member Connor Krebbs requested that the firm provide a reason why each candidate was dismissed, which McDuffy said they would provide. “I just want to make sure there isn’t a biased reason why they are being set aside,” said Krebbs. The School Board plans to interview the top candidates selected by GR Recruiting on Feb. 2 and 4, and then select a few of those candidates for final public interviews on Feb. 14 and 15. The Feb. 2 and 4 interviews will be done by the Marysville School Board in executive session, and therefore not in public, as is standard practice for early rounds to give privacy for those candidates who will not advance.

“We’re very pleased that will become available now,” he said. The investment is coming to the SR-530 corridor partially because of efforts of the Snohomish County Broadband Action Team,

formed by Snohomish County Council members Nate Nehring and Sam Low. The group included community members and leaders who were tasked with raising awareness of the need for broadband

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The city will close portions of 8th Street between Cedar and Ash avenues to through traffic Jan. 31-Feb. 4 and Feb. 7-11.

8th Street closures for roadwork set through Feb. 11 Road construction is currently underway on 8th Street between State and Ash avenues. To make asphalt repairs as part of that project, next week While local access will remain open, navigating through this portion of roadway will be difficult and very rough. Following that work, 8th Street will be fully closed

in sections between State Avenue, Cedar Avenue and Ash Avenue for a full road overlay. Tentative schedule: Jan. 31-Feb. 4 Asphalt repair (partial road closures, rough roads and limited access). Feb. 7-11 Asphalt grinding and overlay (road closures).

and developing strategies to bring it to rural Snohomish County. “This is a great team effort,” said Nehring. Nehring was also glad that some of Washington state’s investments are com-

ing back to Snohomish County. “These are our tax dollars that went up to the state level and it’s always good when we can bring some of those back for local projects,” he said.

February 2, 2022 - February 8, 2022 NORTH COUNTY OUTLOOK

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Dueling Pianos return to Marysville By Christopher Andersson christopher@northcountyoutlook.com

On this year’s Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14, Marysville will again present Dueling Pianos with Jeff and Rhiannon. “We’re so excited to bring Jeff and Rhiannon back to the opera house,” said Chris Taylor, cultural arts supervisor with Marysville’s Parks, Culture and Recreation Department. A dinner will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. that includes grilled chicken, pasta Alfredo with vegetables, Caesar salad and other foods.

Non-alcoholic beverages are provided as part of admission, while wine and beer are available for purchase. The concert will be held from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. “When you hear ‘dueling’ you may think competition, but it really is more of a collaboration,” said Taylor. “This is two pianos working side-by-side to recreate those songs,” he added. These dueling pianos performers have come to the Marysville Opera House for Valentine’s Day a couple

of times now. “It is so much fun to watch,” said Taylor. “You get to sit with your loved one for a fun night and you can submit songs and they will choose some of those to play." The performers have a list of thousands of songs that they can play on their pianos. Those songs include not just classical piano songs but also rock and roll classics, Broadway hits and modern jazz songs. “I think people like the interactiveness of it,” said Taylor. “You’re not just listening to the songs, you feel like you’re a part of it." Jeff and Rhiannon also have a good rapport with the audience and keep up

energy throughout the concert. The concert will largely be similar to previous years' events, said Taylor, but with some safety measures because of COVID. “We want to keep those safety measures in place while still being able to hold the concert,” he said. Couples will still be able to sit together during the event. “We’re going to be mindful of our spacing so we have that little extra social distancing,” said Taylor. Seating will be assigned for the event, although those who register can contact Taylor and let him know which group you would like to be seated with.

FILE PHOTO

Jeff Colreon, of Dueling Pianos with Jeff and Rhiannon, plays at the stage of the Marysville Opera House on Valentine’s Day 2020. Tables will seat a maximum of eight people each. Registration for the event

is available at marysvillewa. gov and will close on Feb. 11 or when tickets sell out.

GoFundMe campaign started for local kids whose parents were killed

By Christopher Andersson christopher@northcountyoutlook.com

Local police and fire agencies began a crowdfunding campaign that has already raised more than $40,000 for three Arlington kids who were recently left parentless. On Jan. 20 Tausha Schmidt and Justin Wilkerson were walking near 204th Street when they were hit and killed by a driver who is suspected to have been drunk at that time. The two leave behind

three children ranging from 8 to 17 years of age. “Most of our staff came out that day to help because it was such a busy scene,” said Arlington Police Sergeant Peter Barrett. “One of our officers and one of our chaplains spent a lot of time with the kids there." Those staff members looked at what the kids were going through and were concerned about the future for them. The two older kids currently have aspirations to eventually go to college.

“They thought ‘what could we do to possibly help them out,’” said Barrett, and they proceeded to approach the Arlington police officers union and ask for some funding to start a campaign on GoFundMe.com, a crowdfunding website. “The union president and the board actually got together for an emergency meeting,” said Barrett. “It all came together really quickly, within about 12 to 20 hours." The GoFundMe campaign is online at https://bit.

ly/3ukqRgd and is currently ongoing. Funds donated to the site will be used to support immediate and future needs of the children and are being handled by the Arlington police officers union, the Arlington/Stanwood Union Firefighters Local 3438 and Northwest Incident Support. As of Jan. 29 the total was about $42,000, with an additional $5,000 that the Arlington police officers union has committed but hasn’t officially transferred to the campaign yet, said Barrett. “The overall goal is to hit $50,000 so we’re getting pretty close,” he said. Barrett said many in the union were glad to help with the campaign. “A lot of us are parents and I feel like this resonated with our officers because of that,” he said. Police officers don’t often have the chance to make positive contributions after a crime, said Barrett. “We go to some of these tragic events and we can make a difference at the scene,” he said. “But this is an opportunity for us to not just make a difference that day but also make a difference for the rest of their lives." He hopes that the campaign can make a positive change in Arlington. “Hopefully this continues to stay in the forefront of people’s minds,” said Barrett. The suspected drunk driver has been booked into jail and the investigation was still ongoing as of Jan. 29.

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MFD named 'Best in Class' By Christopher Andersson christopher@northcountyoutlook.com The Marysville Fire District was recognized as a ‘Best-inClass’ employer due to qualities like their low employee turnover rate. The honor was given by Gallagher, one of the world’s largest HR consulting firms in the world. “We were really excited because we were up against a lot of other businesses and organizations,” said Steve Edin, Marysville Fire District’s human resources manager. “We were competing against several thousand organizations across the U.S." This is the first time the fire district has received the award. “So we were really glad to be put in the mid-size employer category and come out with one of their best-in-class recognitions,” said Edin. Gallagher uses a number of data points for the award

CENTER Continued from page 1

“We don’t have a lot of money, but folks in that world sometimes need someone to say we’re going to talk this through with you and walk with you,” he said. Even if direct funding support is limited, administrative social worker Mariel Gonzalez said they still connect families with resources where they can. “With COVID it’s been hard. There have been a lot of people really struggling,” said Gonzalez. “We try to fill in other gaps in their lives if we can. Connecting them with food, diapers or jackets." The center also runs a mentoring program connecting community members with local students from the Marysville, Lakewood and Granite Falls school districts. “We work inside the schools for students who just need another person to listen and care for them,” said Erin Maas, student and family advocate at the center. “Our mentors are community members who are just interested in helping the students,” she added. Because of the pandemic that program is virtual right now. When COVID rates were lower the center also Sure, you love our paper... but don’t forget to

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which they acquire from their annual Benefits Strategy & Benchmarking survey. Some of those benchmarks include benefits and compensation, turnover rate, use of HR technology, affordability of health plan premiums and keeping open communication with employees. “We believe in attracting the right people with good benefits. We don’t want high turnover here,” said Edin, who added that firefighters who stay in the community tend to serve it better. “Especially in this day and age when it is getting harder and harder to attract and retain good talent." The fire district’s low turnover rate was one of the reasons they received the recognition, said Edin. “That tells us that we are offering a good working environment that people feel supported in,” he said. They also try new methods to keep and recruit firefighters

served as a gathering place for Lakewood students. The center itself neighbors Lakewood High School. “We’ve hosted the Lakewood basketball team for team dinners. We held tailgate parties for students,” said Brown. “We want to be one of the safest places in town and just carry this vibe where we’re comfortable and inviting for students." The center is also building a supply closet of essential items such as shower supplies, interview clothing and cold weather jackets and gloves. “So when people come on site and they need some things we can send them out with whatever they need,” said Gonzalez. LINC NW and the center have also worked to create supply backpacks that

to the district often, he said. The district’s health insurance offered was another area they scored highly in. “The health insurance we offer is through the Washington Fire Chiefs Association,” said Edin. “There has not been any increase in the premiums for that for a couple of years now,” he said. The district employs more than 130 firefighters and administrators. Edin said district officials strive to keep a positive relationship with the local firefighters union, IAFF Local 3219. “And when problems do come up we’re ready to deal with them,” said Edin. He said there is a strong collaboration between the two groups. A fire district’s workforce is important for the safety of the community as a whole. “Our employees are our greatest asset,” said Edin. “We want to reflect that with our benefits.”

are provided to victims of domestic violence by local police departments. Brown said that LINC NW had been working on the idea for the center for a couple of years and had spent a lot of time talking with locals about what was needed. They came away with those conversations focused on issues like substance abuse, safe spaces for students and support for homeless individuals. “For so long Lakewood has operated as an island and the city of Marysville has been just out of reach,” said Brown. With the nearby growth the need for services there has increased, he said. Some of the first projects the building was used for was helping to feed Lake-

5 City's draft block grant plan open for pubic review February 2, 2022 - February 8, 2022 NORTH COUNTY OUTLOOK

The city of Marysville has opened its Community Development Block Grant Draft Annual Action Plan for Program Year 2022 for public review and comment. The draft plan provides specific actions in 2022 to serve low- and moderateincome residents in alignment with the adopted 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan. The city expects to receive $365,000 in CDBG federal funds in 2022. The draft plan recommends using those funds to support capital projects and public services including minor home repair, Meals on Wheels and chore services for senior citizens, the Marysville Community Food Bank, and Boys & Girls Club of Snohomish County, among others. Public review and comment is open. n Written comments must be received no later than 4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 7. Emailahess@marysvillewa.gov or write to Amy Hess, Senior Planner, Marysville Community Development, 80 Columbia Ave., Marysville WA 98270. n Oral comments may be made at a virtual public meeting at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 10.

wood students at the beginning of the pandemic. Brown said those efforts evolved into a dedicated center which officially opened in May of 2021. With funding from local grants and charitable foundations the center now has two full-time employees. “The ability to reach into the community and create real impact has been a blast,” said Brown. “Now we get to serve people in meaningful ways,” he said. In the future the center hopes to partner with larger organizations. Currently they have an office in the building that is used by Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County. “If there is where the home base is for these larger organizations that would be great,” said Brown,

Comments received will be considered by the Citizen Advisory Committee for Housing and Community Development before forwarding a recommendation to the City Council. A summary of and response to any comments received will be included in the final Annual Action Plan. The City Council will hold a public hearing and consider approval of the Annual Action Plan at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 28, at Marysville City Hall. Public comments will be accepted in person and via Zoom. Find plan details and instructions about how to participate and comment in virtual meetings at https://www.marysvillewa.gov/434/Community-Development-Block-Grants, For more information, email Amy Hess, Senior Planner, at ahess@marysvillewa.gov. To request the Draft Annual Action Plan in an alternative format, please contact the Community Development department at 360-363-8100 (voice) or 800-833-6399 (TDD)

who added having a contact point in north county would be convenient for those who have trouble getting to south Everett or Lynnwood. Brown also hopes that the social aspects can continue for Lakewood students when it is safe to do so. “We’d love to operate this as a drop-in center for kids,” he said. The organization could also expand with student programs to help with literacy, he added.

More direct support services could also come in the future if they can secure the funding and support for them. “We want to get a laundry/shower facility into the building,” said Brown. “That would really help us to serve kids on the homeless roster and families that are living in their cars." For more information or to inquire about support, local families can go to thecenteratnorthmarysville. org.

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February 2, 2022 - February 8, 2022 NORTH COUNTY OUTLOOK

Opinion

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City projects, priorities for 2022

This week I was honored to present my annual State of the City address that highlighted your city’s accomplishments in 2021 and what’s ahead in 2022. While we certainly are experiencing many challenges including impacts of the ongoing pandemic along with worker shortage, cost inflation and supply chain issues, Marysville continues to fare very well in comparison to many other cities both locally and nationally. I’m proud that we are now beginning to put in motion projects that have been planned for many years. In a city growing as fast as Marysville is, it’s imperative that we have solid infrastructure. That’s why traffic improvement projects are high on the city’s priority list. The work to widen State Avenue north of Fred Meyer between 100th and 104th Streets NE is nearly complete. Improvements include building a new bridge over Quilceda Creek to accommodate five traffic lanes, signal upgrades, roadway lighting and new sidewalks. The section under the bridge will be completed this summer, helping the environment by treating roadway runoff, restoring wildlife habitat and opening up the fish stream corridor. This fall we plan to go out to bid on the final segment of the State Avenue widening project, between 104th and 116th Streets NE. When construction is finished in late 2023, all of State Avenue/Smokey Point Boulevard – our city’s main north-south arterial – will have five traffic lanes. Although it’s not a city project, we are closely tracking the status of the new Interstate 5 and SR 529 freeway interchange and northbound HOV lane extension from Everett to Marysville. This WSDOT project was fully funded in

Jon Nehring the Connection Washington state transportation package and was slated to begin construction this year. Unfortunately, initial bids last fall came in higher than the budgeted amount, not surprising given our current economic situation. While WSDOT is reviewing the project for potential cost savings, we are asking our state legislators in Olympia to fund the needed amount to complete the project. It is a top Legislative priority of ours and the project is sorely needed. After more than 30 years of working with the City of Arlington and regional partners to establish the Cascade Industrial Center, we’re seeing that vision come to life as new industrial manufacturing businesses are choosing to locate in Marysville. We anticipate that the CIC will bring 20,000 new family-wage jobs to our area in the next 10 years. This will offer Marysville residents the option to work close to home, reducing commutes and spending more time in our community. The City Council’s adoption of an updated Downtown Master Plan in September 2021 expanded the downtown boundary, increased housing options, and supports the city[‘s long-term vision for downtown and waterfront redevelopment.

A centerpiece of the city’s downtown vision is the new Civic Center currently under construction that will house the city’s public-facing customer service functions in one convenient location. The Police, Jail and Court will move into the Public Safety side to the north this spring. City Hall offices and permit functions will follow, with full public opening at the end of summer. A remodel of Comeford Park will include new public plaza space and amphitheater, new restrooms and pathways with improved lighting. The Spray Park will remain in place. After the Court moves into the new Civic Center, the Court building will become the new Community Center by year’s end. We look forward to opening this larger location to better serve youth, adult and senior programming needs. In my State of the City presentation, I cover much more information including 2021 accomplishments and details about public safety, parks and recreation, and community partnerships. If you’d like to see the presentation in person, please join me at the Marysville Tulalip Chamber ‘Business Before Hours’ on Friday, Feb. 25; register at https://business.marysvilletulalipchamber. com/events. A video recording will be posted on the city website at www.marysvillewa.gov and the city’s public access cable TV channels, Comcast channel 21 and Ziply channel 25. Marysville is a dynamic, improving community with a lot of opportunities ahead. I’m honored to serve you and excited for our future. Jon Nehring has been Mayor of Marysville since 2010. You can reach him at 360-363-8000 or jnehring@marysvillewa.gov.

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Our Favorite Quotes "If there were no night, we would not appreciate the day, nor could we see the stars and the vastness of the heavens. We must partake of the bitter with the sweet. There is a divine purpose in the adversities we encounter everyday. They prepare, they purge, they purify, and thus they bless." Author — James E. Faust Submitted by North County Outlook editor Scott Frank.

RAVE RAVE: The Arlington-Stillaguamish Eagle Festival is Feb. 4-5 and offers a wide variety of fun and educational activities for the entire family. For more information go to http://arlingtonwa.gov/eaglefest. I hope to see you all there. RAVE: Don't forget to fill out and return your ballot for the Feb.

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

8 special election. There are some important local issues on the ballot, including levies for the Marysville School District and the Tulalip Bay Fire District, that will be decided so it's important that your voice be heard. There are a number of local ballot drop boxes — check out https://bit.ly/3L1nSyT for their locations.

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Weekly Puzzle CLUES ACROSS 1. __ de Mornay, actress 8. Surrenders 13. Omission 14. The white poplar 15. They become butterflies 19. Used to chop 20. Select 21. Volcanic craters 22. Consumer price index 23. Utilize 24. “True Blood” actress Paquin 25. Got up 26. Sank in 30. Retail 31. Giants 32. Most bald 33. Changes color 34. Unit of loudness 35. Undresses 38. Fathers 39. Learned skill 40. Remove qualification 44. Covered with frost 45. Speak up 46. Nowhere to be found 47. Part of surgery (abbr.) 48. Type of wrap

49. Church seating 50. Mathematical figure 51. College football conference 55. Turkish officer title 57. Organized body of knowledge 58. Smooth and glossy 59. Left CLUES DOWN 1. Get back 2. Pass or go by 3. Having a sharp taste 4. Midway between east and southeast 5. Cairo Regional Airport 6. Peace officer 7. Brings to life 8. Automotive vehicles 9. One point south of due east 10. Football position 11. Goes by 12. Most attractive 16. Road divisions 17. Not the sea 18. Small, faint constellation

22. Cabbage 25. Least frequent 27. Change slightly 28. A country in NE Africa 29. Metric units of measure 30. More coherent 32. Make uninteresting 34. Nausea 35. Institution of Oceanography 36. Of little value 37. Hindu model of the ideal man 38. Biblical exclamation 40. You throw it at a board 41. Be about to happen 42. Brutal 43. Opened one’s mouth widely 45. 19th letter of Greek alphabet 48. Saturate 51. The woman 52. Someone who is highly skilled 53. A way to launch an attack on 54. Where golfers begin 56. Atomic number 58

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Sports

February 2, 2022 - February 8, 2022 NORTH COUNTY OUTLOOK

Girl wrestlers compete at Arlington By Nathan Whalen nathan@northcountyoutlook.com

PHOTO BY NATHAN WHALEN

Arlington’s Raina Allen wrestles Lake Stevens Maddie Bowers during a Jan. 27 match where wrestlers from Arlington, Lake Stevens and Marysville competed.

Arlington, Marysville and Lake Stevens girls wrestlers competed Jan. 27 in preparation for the start of the postseason. The three teams competed in a scramble at Arlington High School. No team scores were taken, and the wrestlers were able to compete in several matches. “It was good to have three larger girls teams in the area,” Arlington coach Jim Smoots said. More than 40 matches took place, and the three teams are well coached. “We just have girls wrestling at a high level.” He added that some matchups that took place Jan. 27 could happen again at state. Smoots complimented the efforts of Raina Allen who wrestled a competitive match with Lake Stevens' Maddie Bowers, who is one of the top wrestlers in the area. Allen came up short losing 8-5. In addition, “Hanna Crew has been standing out and pinning almost all of her opponents,” Smoots said of the Arlington wrestler.

Marysville, where both Marysville Getchell and Marysville Pilchuck compete together, saw a few wrestlers earned their first win of the season, coach Andie White said. Marysville Pilchuck’s Gabriela Valenzuela Carbon earned her first victory of the season. Kaitlen Bracken, from Marysville Pilchuck, scored two pins, Marysville Getchell’s Kira Songer won three matches by pinning all of her opponents and Marysville Pilchuck’s Alivia White remained undefeated White said, adding that Anika Garner also won two matches during the scramble. “We had lots of great competition,” White said. Arlington finished its season wrestling Snohomish Jan. 28 and then competing in the Knights Invitational Jan. 29 at Kamiak. Marysville wrapped up its regular season at the scramble in Arlington. Up next will be sub-regional taking place Feb. 4 and Feb. 5 at Marysville Pilchuck. Regionals take place Feb. 12 at Sedro-Woolley and the Mat Classic takes place Feb. 18 and 19.

Martin leads Eagles to victory over MPHS By Nathan Whalen nathan@northcountyoutlook.com

Arlington senior guard Ethan Martin scored 42 points and notched his 1,000th career point during a game Jan. 25 against Marysville Pilchuck. The Eagles won 79-62 and sit at the top of the Wesco Conference with the regular season wrapping up Feb. 4. "We went in knowing it was a tough game," Martin said. "They wanted us really bad, and we knew they would," Arlington coach Nick Brown said. The first quarter ended with Arlington leading 198, but Marysville Pilchuck shaved four points off Arlington's lead during the second quarter and the first half ended with the Eagles leading 33-26. The second half saw Martin score Arlington's first 11 points and stretching their lead back to 11 points with a 44-31 advantage. "We came out at halftime and flipped on a switch," Martin said. The third quarter finished with Arlington leading 51-40. Martin scored an additional 17 points in the fourth quarter and the end of the game saw Arlington lead 7962. "Ethan Martin obviously played phenomenal," Brown said.

Crossword answers from page 6

Marysville Pilchuck coach Luke Carpenter complimented Arlington. "We knew we were going in as underdogs," Carpenter said. "We're trying to hang with these guys and slay some of these giants." He complimented the efforts of junior guard Tommy Nguyen, who scored 14 points for the Tomahawks. "He kind of had a breakout game." In addition, sophomore guard Anthony Najera scored 17 points, Jamaari Jefferson scored 11 points

and junior Jackson Poe scored 13 points. “We battled and learned a lot about ourselves tonight,” Carpenter said. Carpenter also complimented Najera’s leadership and often showing up at 5 a.m. to shoot baskets. “He’s got the heart of a champion.” For Arlington, junior David Zachman and senior Gage Price each scored nine points. Arlington won against Cedarcrest Jan. 29, and the Eagles have a 10-1 record in Wesco and 12-4 overall. Marysville Pilchuck de-

feated Monroe Jan. 29 and stands at 6-4 in Wesco and 6-6 overall. Both teams wrap up their season in early February and the District 1 championships take place Feb. 8 through Feb. 19. “Our goal is to get in there and shake some things up,” Carpenter said. Marysville Pilchuck's final games of the regular season are visiting EdmondsWoodway Feb. 2 and hosting Stanwood Feb. 3 while Arlington hosts Archbishop Murphy Feb. 2 and hosts Marysville Getchell Feb. 4.

PHOTO BY NATHAN WHALEN

Arlington’s Ethan Martin dribbles upcourt against Marysville Pilchuck’s Louis Gallagher during the Eagles’ 79-62 victory Jan. 25.

Legal Notices LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON FOR SNOHOMISH COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF MELODY GILFILLAN, Deceased, NO. 22-4-00147-31, PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS, RCW 11.40.030

SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON FOR SNOHOMISH COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF IRVIN O. SATHER, Deceased, NO. 22-4-00145-31, PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS, RCW 11.40.030

SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON FOR SNOHOMISH COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF EDWARD E. HALL, III, Deceased, NO. 22-4-00146-31, PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS, RCW 11.40.030

SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON FOR SNOHOMISH COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF MELODY GILFILLAN, Deceased, NO. 22-4-00147-31, 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: February 2, 2022. Personal Representative: David J. Wing 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: February 2, 2022. Personal Representative: Heather E. Sather 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: February 2, 2022. Personal Representative: Kathleen F. Bohnsack Attorney for Personal Representative: Bradley E. Neunzig, WSBA #22365 Address for Mailing or Service: P.O. Box 188, 103 North Street, Arlington, WA 98223

SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON FOR SNOHOMISH COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATES OF: PHILLIP Q. RESER and GERALDINE A. RESER, Deceased, NO. 22-4-00143-31, PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS, RCW 11.40.030

Court of probate proceedings and cause number: Snohomish County Superior Court, Cause No. 22-4-00145-31.

Court of probate proceedings and cause number: Snohomish County Superior Court, Cause No. 22-4-00146-31.

Court of probate proceedings and cause number: Snohomish County Superior Court, Cause No. 22-4-00147-31.

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 February 2, 2022. Personal Representative: Edward Reser Attorney for Personal Representative: Bradley E. Neunzig, WSBA #22365 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. 22-4-00143-31.

February 2, 2022 - February 8, 2022 NORTH COUNTY OUTLOOK

Communities

www.northcountyoutlook.com

n WHISTLING GARDENER

Understanding fruit tree pollination Grow i ng deeper into these three items. fruit trees in the When we talk northwest can be about pollinators, a very rewarding we are usually reventure. There ferring to honey is nothing quite bees. Unless you like going out By Steve Smith have been living to the backyard and plucking a handful of in a cave, you are probably tree ripened cherries or a aware of the plight of honey juicy Asian pear or Japanese bees in the world. All sorts of plum. It just doesn’t get any things like extreme weather, fresher than “straight off the loss of habitat, colony coltree." That being said, when lapse disorder, pesticides, you’ve planted your trees and now murder hornets, and waited a couple of years are all contributing to this for a crop and still nothing crisis. As gardeners we can develops, disappointment help honey bees by avoidis usually what you end up ing applying pesticides, esharvesting. If your trees are pecially when plants are in blooming and not setting bloom, and increasing the fruit, the most likely culprit variety of flowering plants in is poor pollination. Three our gardens. Other insects things are usually the cause; can also help with pollinalack of pollinators, improper tion and the next best thing varietal selection, or late to a honey bee is our native freezes. Let’s delve a little mason bee. These little guys

come out around March and do their work when it is too cold for the honey bees to fly. While most of us will never have honey bee hives in our gardens, we can easily encourage mason bees by installing mason bee houses on the south or east facing side of our homes or fences where the morning sun will warm them up and get them moving. Mason bee supplies, including actual sleeping mason bees, can be purchased from most garden centers. February is the ideal time to set them out. As for varietal selections, things can get complicated. Some trees are what we call “self-fertile”, which simply means that the female part of the flower is compatible with the male pollen it produces, so it will pollinate itself and hence one tree is all

you need. Peaches, apricots, nectarines, most newer varieties of cherries, and European plums such as Italian prunes are all self-fertile. Pears, apples, and Japanese plums on the other hand require pollen from a different variety (but same kind of fruit) in order to set fruit. This is called “cross-pollination” because the pollen has to cross from one plant to another. In a few cases with certain varieties of apples, such as Gravenstein and Jonagold, their pollen is sterile and hence will not pollinate any other apple tree, so you can’t rely on them as a source of pollen. If you plant a Gravenstein you will actually need two additional different apple varieties so that everyone gets pollinated. I told you it can get complicated. Finally, late season freezes

A pear tree in Steve Smith's yard. can destroy flower buds and ruin your crop for the whole year. Commercial growers have systems in place to protect from late freezes, but homeowners have few options. Keep a blanket handy if a hard freeze is in the forecast and hope for the best. If you are planning on buying some fruit trees this spring, make sure you ask the salesperson if you need a pollinator and if so, which

COURTESY PHOTO

varieties work best. And don’t forget to plant them in a full sun location with good drainage. If all goes well, you should start enjoying a bounty of home-grown fruit in the second and third year from planting. Stay safe and keep on gardening.

Steve Smith represents Sunnyside Nursery in Marysville and can be reached at sunnysidenursery@msn.com.