Legislature passes Haugen bill to preserve farmland
Legislation to maintain farmland is a signature away from becoming law.
Senate Bill 6211 designates the I-5 corridor between Starbird Road and Bow Hill Road as an agricultural scenic corridor, an area that showcases the state’s agriculture. Full Story
Railway safety exercise involves local agencies
Police, fire and EMS vehicles will gather in the area east of the Amtrak platform this weekend when Stanwood Camano Fire and Stanwood Police departments will be working with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway and Amtrak on training events March 13 and 14.
Neighboring residents and passers by should not call 911 to report an emergency. Full Story
Stillaguamish Tribe files suit against former leaders and local real estate agent
In a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Seattle, the Stillaguamish Tribe says it was the victim of a conspiracy to funnel millions of dollars away from its members through illegal practices. Former tribal leaders Edward Goodridge and his son, Edward Goodridge Jr., are named among the list of defendants. Full Story
A haze of controversy surrounds I-1068
“Decriminalize” is the buzzword for Sensible Washington, the group backing I-1068, the latest effort to legalize marijuana.
In short, this measure seeks to remove state civil and criminal penalties for people 18 or older who cultivate, possess, transport, sell, or use marijuana. Full Story
Agreement brings in work, potential income to school district
The transportation department of the Stanwood- Camano School District (SCSD) will be looking under the hoods of the Conway Unified School District’s (CUSD) buses.
The interlocal agreement, passed by the board of directors on Tuesday, to provide school bus maintenance and repair for the neighboring district creates a potential revenue stream. Full Story
Verizon seeks $2 million from SnoCo cities
Verizon Northwest is asking at least 10 local cities for money.
Stanwood is on the list.
Crystil Robinson, the city’s finance director, said she received a letter from Verizon’s attorneys in January. Full Story
Verdict still out on Jones versus Badley
Any outcome in the civil lawsuit between Courtney Jones and Basil Badley, the husband of Senator Mary Margaret Haugen (D-Camano) remains to be determined.
A spokesperson for Jones’ attorney, Rebecca J. Roe of the Seattle firm Schroeter, Goldmark and Bender, said a summons was filed on Nov. 20 of last year with Island County Superior Court on Jones’ behalf. Full Story
County gearing up for construction season
Normally, spring means construction, but nothing is typical these days.
Snohomish County’s Planning and Development Services (PDS) has watched permit revenues drop. Since 2008, monthly collections have decreased from a range of $1.5 million to just above $700,000. As the number of new permit applications has declined, planning staff has been trimmed. Full Story
Railroad crossings closed for maintenance
Burlington Northern Sante Fe has announced some local railroad crossings will be closed for maintenance March 5-19.
Crossings to be closed are W. Stackpole Road, E. Johnson Road, Logen Road, Miller Road and Valde Road. The closures will occur periodically, from 7 a.m. to p.m. Full Story
