Around North County

Published 10:23 pm Thursday, April 3, 2008

Arlington

Council to consider overpass resolution

A resolution asking the state Transportation Commission to name the I-5 overpass at 172nd Street the “Oliver ‘Punks’ Smith Memorial Interchange” is on the agenda for the Arlington City Council meeting Monday.

The state House of Representatives has twice sent a similar request to the commission, in the form of a House Joint Memorial sponsored by Rep. Kirk Pearson, R-Monroe. However, the memorial measure has not passed in the state Senate.

The naming of the overpass would honor Smith, a longtime city councilman, and have his memory linked with his efforts to get the state to build the overpass.

More info: 360-403-3441.

Stillaguamish ‘roots’ group seeks members

Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society meets monthly. Its next meeting is 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday at the society’s library, 135 S. Olympic Ave., Arlington. Mary Buzzell plans to talk about the history of the Lutheran Church in the Stillaguamish Valley.

It’s not necessary to have family roots in the Stillaguamish Valley to participate in the society. Members share an interest in personal family history and genealogy.

More info: 360-435-4838.

Volunteers needed to help disabled adults

Village Community Services in Arlington is looking for volunteers.

The nonprofit agency’s annual Taste of Decadence fundraiser needs volunteers willing to give several hours to set up for the event and host tables. Proceeds from the May 2 fundraising event help north Snohomish County adults with disabilities.

The agency also needs volunteers to play music, mentor a disabled musician or lead arts and craft projects at a weekly jam session from 1 to 3 p.m. Fridays at Arlington United Church, Fourth and McLeod streets, Arlington.

More info: 360-653-7752, ext. 14.

Darrington

Town Council rejects Housing Hope request

The Darrington Town Council has rejected a request by Housing Hope, an Everett-based nonprofit agency that provides affordable housing, to rezone land in the southeast corner of town. Housing Hope had sought to build self-help housing on the property, which currently is zoned for light industrial use.

Mayor Joyce Jones said council members based their decision on concerns about the effect new housing would have the town’s water system and the lack of jobs for new families in town.

“Housing Hope had a good idea, but the time for this hasn’t arrived yet,” Jones said.

Ambulance association volunteers sought

Darrington Volunteer Ambulance Association is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday at 1115 Seeman St., Darrington.

The association needs more volunteers and invites those who are interested in serving to attend the meeting.

More info: 360-436-0357.

Snohomish County

Sheriff hires former aide for outreach work

Snohomish County Sheriff John Lovick has hired his former legislative assistant to fill a new position in the sheriff’s office.

A month after Lovick took office he asked the County Council to use nearly $100,000 in grant money to hire a director of community partnerships.

During his run for sheriff Lovick vowed to build partnerships with businesses, schools, neighborhoods and other groups to fight crime.

Lovick recently hired Ann Plunkett, who served as his legislative assistant for seven years while he was a state representative. She has a bachelor’s degree in public relations and a master’s degree in public administration.

Plunkett’s goal will be to reach out to the community to help answer questions about public safety, Lovick said.

The sheriff’s office also is revitalizing its Neighborhood Watch program. Two sergeants have been assigned to work with neighbors to create block watches to fight crime.

More info: Sgt. Darrell O’Neill at 425-388-5262 or darrell.oneill@snoco.org.

Marysville

Groups get permission for fireworks stands

The city of Marysville has approved applications by four groups to sell fireworks at stands this summer.

Marysville First Assembly Church, Mountain View Assembly of God, Turning Point Church and the Marysville Kiwanis Club were granted permits to set up fireworks stands leading up to the Fourth of July.

The Kiwanis Club has applied to set up stands at five different locations and the churches one each.

More info: 360-363-8000.