County likely to accept Wenberg
Wenberg State Park may soon belong to Snohomish County. Based on an analysis, Snohomish County Parks and Recreation has recommended the county accept the state's desired transfer of the park. The state would like to transfer Wenberg State Park to Snohomish County, said Eric Watilo, northwest region director for the state Parks and Recreation Commission. Full Story
Jewelry, electronics, cash stolen; windows broken
Police in the city of Stanwood responded to the following recently: May 7, missing jewelry was reported from the 8300 block of 272nd St. NW, which was presumed to be stolen. May 5, jewelry and other items were stolen from a business in the 8700 block of 271st Street NW. Full Story
$25K sound system stolen from Warm Beach church
Music at the Warm Beach Community Church was momentarily silenced due to thieves after a recent break-in. At some point during the night of Sun., March 29, the church, located near the corner of Clarence Avenue and 188th Street NW, was burglarized, and more than $25,000 worth of electronics was taken. Full Story
Early deadlines for holiday
The Stanwood/Camano NEWS needs to set early deadlines for the May 26 editions of the NEWS and Advertiser. All display ads requiring a proof need to be in before noon, Wed., May 20. All other display ads need to be in before 5 p.m., Wed., May 20. Please call early to reserve space. Full Story
Relay for Life - still time to get involved
In the not too distant future, more than 1,000 residents will take to the Stanwood High School (SHS) track and join in the seventh annual Relay for Life. The event, which starts Sat., May 29 at 7 p.m. and ends the next day at noon, is rapidly approaching. Full Story
Hearing examiner sides with 7-Lakes
The Snohomish County hearing examiner appears to have validated 7-Lakes' position on the McNaughton Group's Lake Goodwin development. Hearing Examiner Barbara Dykes granted an appeal that local community group 7-Lakes filed under the State Environmental Protection Act (SEPA) and sent the 49-home rural cluster back to the county's Planning and Development Services. Full Story
Legislature approves Haugen consumer protection bill
In a move to help establish clearer guidelines for consumer mail-in rebates, the Legislature has passed Senate Bill 5978, sponsored by Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island. Haugen was prompted to sponsor the bill by a Stanwood constituent, who was concerned about the length of time it took to receive a rebate on the purchase of a cell phone. Full Story
State confirms first H1N1 death in Washington
The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed the state's first death related to swine-origin influenza (H1N1), a Snohomish County man, who died Wed., May 6. The man, in his 30s, had been suffering flu-like symptoms. Testing completed Sat. Full Story
Volunteer who triumphed over brain injury recognized by Mariners
Zach Furney, 22, of Stanwood, never thought he'd be the starring attraction at a Seattle Mariners baseball game. However, during the April 21 game versus the Tampa Bay Rays, Furney took to centerfield, accompanied by thunderous applause. Full Story
Stanwood teen improves
Julie Faragher, 16, of Stanwood, is steadily improving. "She is definitely looking more and more like her old self," said her mom, Kendall Faragher. "She makes everyone smile that stops by to check on her." Julie's car entered a tributary of the Stillaguamish River while she was heading toward Stanwood on Marine Drive on April 15. Full Story
Bus driver needs help to walk for cure
It started with something small. Shortly after Christmas, Amy VandenBosch, a school bus driver with the Stanwood-Camano School District, donated more than a foot of her hair to Locks of Love, a nonprofit that makes wigs for cancer patients. Full Story
North County Fire/ EMS incident report
For the month of April, North County Fire/EMS reported 164 calls: two structure fires, 26 fire responses, 19 motor vehicle accidents, 108 medical calls, eight service calls, one water rescue and two hazardous material responses. Year to date calls: 625. Full Story
Mosquito district urges people to destroy bug habitat
With spring arriving, near record rainfall and warming temperatures in the forecast, mosquito season has arrived. Mosquitoes are already active either as over-wintering females or larvae, ready to morph into their adult stage, according to Camano Island Mosquito Control District Manager Jay Lawrence. Full Story
Feliz Cinco de Mayo!
Shauna Levesque, a server at La Hacienda restaurant in Stanwood, stands decked out in a festive sombrero as part of Cinco de Mayo celebrations last Tuesday. Contrary to popular belief, May 5 is not Mexican Independence Day. On May 5, 1862, 4,000 Mexican soldiers defeated 8,000 French and Mexican traitor forces at Puebla, Mexico, 100 miles east of Mexico City. As a result of the battle, the Mexican Army successfully drove out Emperor Napoleon III's military forces and prevented him from gaining a stronghold that would have threatened a divided U.S. during a critical point of the Civil War. Full Story
New laws regulate access to driving records, alter motorcycle definitions
The governor has signed legislation sponsored by Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island, to allow employers to obtain the driving record of an employee or potential employee under specific circumstances. The Department of Licensing (DOL) maintains a driving record of every person licensed to operate a motor vehicle. Full Story
Green energy
Stanwood High School junior, Bryan Kerr, was one of five students in Snohomish County PUD's service district to win in the photography division of the utility's 2009 essay, art and photography competition. In the photography category, the judges based their decisions on how well an entry illustrated an energy theme — in addition to its artistic and technical quality. Each winner received $75. Full Story
