Union Bank assumes Frontier Bank
On April 30, Union Bank N.A. assumed responsibility of Frontier Bank in an agreement with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and all 50 Frontier branches reopened as Union Bank branches last Monday.
The exchange came shortly after Washington State Department of Financial Institutions closed Frontier, which is based in Everett, and appointed FDIC as the receiver. Full Story
Trips to the corner store for cigarettes going up
Another dollar bill has been rolled into the tax on a pack of cigarettes down at the corner store.
Starting this month, smokers can expect to pay a state tax of $3.025 per pack.
Statewide, the average price of a pack of smokes is now more than $7. Full Story
District to drop 18 teaching positions
A unanimous, yet reluctant “aye” from directors of the Stanwood-Camano School District Board put weight behind the numbers.
Such hesitation shows how the board feels about reductions to our educational program, said President Roger Myers. Full Story
Nominate volunteer for Spirit Award
Honor an adult, youth and/or company who actively volunteers in the community to create a culture of involvement and inspire others to serve by nominating your favorite volunteers for the Spirit of Snohomish County Awards, a project of United Way, which annually recognizes individuals and organizations that are helping to create opportunities for a better life for all. Full Story
Mayor cleans up
Mayor Dianne White stands in a dumpster while hosting the city’s Operation Clean Sweep on Saturday. Full Story
State responds to federal health care bill
Work to launch federal health care reforms is already underway, said Mike Kreidler, the state insurance commissioner.
“This is a time of exhilarating change, and we’re already in the thick of it,” Kreidler said.
“Every single health insurance plan in Washington state – and there are thousands of them – will change this year.” Full Story
Lost boat
Lost during last week’s windstorm, a 12-foot fiberglass Livingston boat in the Warm Beach area. Please call Curt Andersen, 425- 931-3299, if found. Full Story
Sign up for PUD’s Planet Power and get a $15 Amazon gift card
Snohomish County PUD’s Planet Power program offers a way for customers to voluntarily support renewable energy projects in Northwest communities. Now, the first 600 customers to sign up (by July 31, 2010), will also receive a special $15 Amazon. com gift card good for millions of products including home furnishings, books, apparel, health and beauty aids and more. Full Story
Sign damage at downtown business
Z’s All Things Good is still open, just minus a sign. Or, at least minus the official sign, which is now leaning against a tree in the front yard.
Susanna Mantis, Z’s owner, said she got a call from the neighbor Sunday morning, saying her sign was laying on a bush in their yard, dented and bent. Full Story
Illegal soon
Jim Hughes of Stanwood enters a crosswalk just as truck driver pulls through. Full Story
North County Fire to run EMS levy
The commissioners of North County Fire/EMS will ask voters to renew its current Emergency Medical Services (EMS) levy on the Aug. 17 primary election ballot. Full Story
Sales tax on candy begins June 1
I got my eyes opened wide this week during a Department of Revenue implementation meeting regarding new sales taxes on candy, gum, and bottled water.
Among those in attendance were Revenue staff members and grocers, wholesalers and convenience store reps. One main topic was a new list compiled by Revenue of candy items that will be subject to the sales tax as of June 1. Full Story
Another SHS team heading to nationals
Stanwood’s Technology Student Association (TSA) is heading to Baltimore, Md. in June to attend the national conference after a strong performance at the state event last March.
Stanwood High School TSA students compete in a variety of events with a science, technology, engineering and mathematics focus judged by experts in the industry and educators. Full Story
National Day of Prayer
May 6 was National Day of Prayer. Several hundred people met for a concert of prayer at noon in the parking lot at Haggen Food and Pharmacy, the largest crowd organizers could remember. Full Story
NW Plus approves design
NW Plus Credit Union approved Pelletier + Schaar’s design for their new building at the intersection of 271st Street NW and 92nd Avenue NW. Full Story
Island County requests proposal for substance abuse funding
May 28 is the due date for proposals to Island County Human Services for grants in support of substance abuse prevention designed to meet the needs of youth in Island County. Funding is for programs and services designed to prevent or delay the abuse of alcohol and/ or other drugs including tobacco.
The funds must be used between July 12, 2010 and June 30, 2011. Full Story
