Record dollars given in high school scholarships
The current economy hasn't made a dent on high school scholarships coordinated through the Stanwood-Camano Area Foundation. A total of 150 graduating high school seniors received an assortment of 250 scholarships amounting to $140,000, said Theresa Metzger, foundation executive director. Full Story
Big boots to fill
Firefighter Robert Shelly with Camano Island Fire and Rescue puts a yellow helmet on one of his youngest donors to help Fill the Boot over the weekend, an annual fundraiser to benefit Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). Full Story
ConGRADulations
Stanwood High School principal Christine Gruver (left) presents diplomas to students Rachael Zinicola, Kristian Enge and Jesse Preston (left to right) at the Active Student Support for Independence, Skills and Transition (ASSIST) program graduation Thursday. Full Story
Woman hits utility pole after finding spider on her leg
Police in the city of Stanwood responded to the following recently: June 2, a driver in the 7900 block of Pioneer Highway was distracted by a spider on her leg, lost control of her vehicle and hit a utility pole. May 28, a cell phone was stolen from the 7400 block of 272nd Street NW. Full Story
Man charged with selling gas
A 27-year-old Stanwood man has been charged with first degree theft related to the alleged illegal sale of gasoline. The man reportedly worked for All-Ways Air Control in Stanwood for two years and allegedly made $65,000 in unauthorized charges on the company's gas credit card, according to court documents. Full Story
No recall for Schenk
Schenk Packing Co., with locations in Stanwood and Mount Vernon, was not involved in a recent beef recall. The ground beef recall, announced last Tuesday, centered on products from SP Provisions, a Portland company, which had possible E. coli contamination. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, SP Provisions has recalled about 40,000 pounds of ground beef. Full Story
McNaughton Group to appeal to SnoCo council
The Snohomish County Council is next in line to rule on the McNaughton Group's planned 12 rural cluster subdivisions in the Lake Goodwin area. The McNaughton Group will appeal the county hearing examiner's decision, said Kevin Ballard, the company's general manager, in a statement. Full Story
Firefighter's invention destined to save lives
It's been said necessity is the mother of invention. Joe Noonchester, former Stanwood/Camano Fire and Rescue captain, has recently received a patent for a wheeled rescue device, a potentially lifesaving new tool for firefighters and rescue personnel. Full Story
Cut phone service restored
A break occurred in landline phone service on Camano Island Friday morning. The service went out at about 1:30 a.m., when a contractor drilled a hole in a utility pole and cut through one of Verizon's fiber optic cables, said Jon Davies, Verizon spokesman. Full Story
Arson dog joins county fire marshal's office
The Snohomish County Fire Marshal's Office is one of two agencies in Western Washington to have a certified arson dog on staff. Topper, a 2-year-old Labrador recently joined the staff through a State Farm Insurance grant. Full Story
West Nile detected in mosquitoes
Mosquito samples collected in Yakima County that tested positive for West Nile virus are the first signal of the presence of the disease in Washington in 2009. It's one of the earliest detections of West Nile virus since state health monitoring began in 2001. Full Story
Transfer station hours revised
Following a review of customer needs and a decrease in waste tonnage, Snohomish County's Solid Waste Division will adjust business hours at its transfer station in Arlington beginning Sun., June 28. The transfer station hours will be 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays. Full Story
Carcass never on Whidbey Island
A recent article about a gray whale head exhibit at Cama Beach State Park stated that the dead whale drifted over to Whidbey Island. The gray whale carcass was always on Camano Island and was moved from the south end to Cama Beach on boats owned by Sue Murphy. Full Story
Local teen wins Cinderella pageant
When Chantel Clifford, of Stanwood, went to the state Cinderella Scholarship Pageant last month, she didn't expect to walk away with a crown. Still, she won Overall Teen. The title means a $1,000 scholarship for college, and a spot at the Cinderella International Scholarship Pageant in late July. She was also voted Miss Congeniality. Full Story
Milestone of fire and metal
Rick (left) and Steve Westly, of Wesweld Corp. in Stanwood, celebrate their company's quarter century birthday Friday with an open house and barbecue. Lymon Westly started Wesweld 25 years ago, and now his sons, Rick and Steve, have taken the reigns. Full Story
Construction of new fire district facilities
Thanks to a voter-approved $10 million bond, Camano Island Fire and Rescue is ready to upgrade facilities and equipment in many parts of the island, and construction will begin this summer. According to Assistant Chief Levon Yengoyan, building permits have been issued for two projects: a new station in the Madrona area and a remodel of the Country Club station. Full Story
Derby Downs!
Will Webb, of Camano Island, works to attach a giantsized lighted frame in the shape of a soap box race car to be hoisted atop the Hamilton smokestack Friday morning. Full Story
D-Day fighter
The mighty roar of freedom could be heard as the P-51B Mustang, "Impatient Virgin," soars above the heads of a crowd gathered to honor the 65th anniversary of D-Day in Stanwood. Full Story
Councilman Koster files for re-election
Snohomish County Councilman John Koster has filed as a candidate for re-election. Koster, an Arlington resident, is seeking his third term. He represents the council's 1st District, which covers the northern part of Snohomish County, including Stanwood, Arlington, Marysville, Granite Falls and Darrington, as well as unincorporated areas surrounding these cities. Full Story
County closer to taking ownership of Wenberg
Snohomish County is one step closer to taking over ownership of Wenberg State Park. The Snohomish County Council authorized county executive Aaron Reardon to enter negotiations with the state Parks and Recreation Committee Wednesday. Full Story
Warm Beach man hit by bus dies
An 86-year-old Warm Beach man has died from injuries he sustained after being struck by a Community Transit bus last month. The man, who was crossing Marine Drive in Stanwood, died of his injuries on May 22. Full Story
Top of the food chain
Hanging out atop a telephone pole on Rekdal Road, a mature American Bald Eagle eyes its supper now uncovered in the freshly mowed grass in the farm field below. Full Story
County gives builders more time to construct homes without penalty
Snohomish County has approved legislation that allows for additional extensions on preliminary permit approvals for residential subdivisions. County Executive Aaron Reardon proposed the extensions in February, making good on a promise he made during his State of the County address in January. Full Story
