$30,000 damage caused in arson at middle school

Herald staff

EVERETT — Someone set a child’s backpack ablaze, causing damage estimated at $30,000 to Jefferson Middle School.

The backpack was placed against the outside of the school gymnasium door at 2500 Cadet Way, said Snohomish County Fire Investigator Bruce Pulver. Someone set it on fire a little after 6 p.m. Wednesday. The blazing backpack ignited the wall and burned through to the inside. Fire damage was confined to the wall, but there was extensive smoke damage in the gym and the exhaust system, Pulver said.

Investigators ask anyone with information on the fire to call 425-388-3557.

Budget workshops planned: The city council plans workshops today and Monday on the city’s preliminary 2001 budget.

The first workshop will be 9 a.m. to about 5 p.m. today; the second will be 7 to about 10 p.m. Monday. Both workshops will be at City Hall, 4822 Grove St.

The workshops are designed for council members to finalize the preliminary budget before presenting it at a public hearing Nov. 13.

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The public is welcome to attend and observe the workshops, but no public comment will be taken. For more information, call 360-651-5000.

Young cyclist injured: A Lake Stevens-area boy is in serious condition at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle after his bicycle collided with a car.

Snohomish County Sheriff spokeswoman Jan Jorgensen said the boy, believed to be 13 to 15 years old, was riding east on Eighth Street SE and attempted to cross 91st Avenue SE. The boy crossed paths with a sedan heading south on 91st.

The accident happened about 5 p.m. Thursday. The boy suffered head injuries and was flown to Harborview. The sedan driver was not injured. Neither alcohol nor speed were involved, Jorgensen said.

The boy did not appear to be wearing a helmet, said Lake Stevens firefighter Shane Nelson.