Around the County

Mukilteo: Senior group wins award

Senior Services of Snohomish County, based in Mukilteo, recently received an award for its paratransit program.

The Transportation Assistance Program received the 2011 Urban Community Transportation System of the Year award at a recent conferenc

e in Indiana. The award was presented by the Community Transportation Association of America, a national organization.

The Transportation Assistance Program, also known as TAP, provides transportation for older adults and people with disabilities who live in Snohomish County’s rural areas. It connects riders to Community Transit, Everett Transit and King County Metro and to those agencies’ paratransit services.

Everett: Veterans’ information fair

A Veterans Fair today at Everett Community College is set to provide housing information to local military veterans.

Reps. Rick Larsen and Jay Inslee, Democrats from the 2nd and 1st congressional districts, are hosting the event from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in Baker Room 120 at the college, 2000 Tower St.

The fair is set to focus on veterans housing issues, with representatives of the Veterans Administration, Snohomish County Housing Authority and Catholic Community Services on hand to answer questions and provide assistance.

New Snohomish County tech director

A technology specialist from Tucson, Ariz., has joined Snohomish County in a top management post.

Gage Andrews, 59, replaces Larry Calter as director of the Department of Information Services. He is scheduled to begin Sept. 12.

Andrews has 20 years of experience and has most recently served as acting director of the city of Tucson’s Information Technology Department. His 20 years in the tech field includes jobs in the private sector.

Calter left Snohomish County for the private sector on April 1 after three years on the job. The position had become mired in political battles between County Executive Aaron Reardon’s office, which oversees the technology department, and other elected leaders, who rely on their services.

Last year, an audit by Moss Adams of Seattle used blunt language to criticize the management of county tech services and the county’s political environment.

Lynnwood: Donations pay for kids’ swim lessons

A Lynnwood firefighters’ bowling fundraiser in July raised enough money to pay for about 33 children to take swim lessons.

The July 12 fundraiser at Lynnwood Bowl & Skate raised $1,500, said Dave Matthews, a firefighter and paramedic in Lynnwood. The fundraiser was organized by the firefighters’ Local 1984.

The kids were screened through the Alderwood Boys & Girls Club, Matthews said. The swim lesson vouchers will be distributed by the city.

The firefighters hope to make the fundraiser an annual event, Matthews said. He also credits the bowling alley manager, Larry Matlin, for donating his facility and helping organize the event.