HEADS UP
Ice caves closed
The Big Four Ice Caves are set to be closed part of this weekend for an exercise with the U.S. Forest Service and the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Unit.
Parking at the east and west lots will be restricted starting Friday afternoon. The actual drill is between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday.
Those in the area may notice a big emergency response. Several helicopters from the sheriff’s office will be there, along with vehicles and staff from agencies including five fire departments, a technical rescue team, Airlift Northwest and Sno911.
The goal is for all the groups to practice working together.
MEETINGS
North County Fire is thinking about a levy lid lift
People will get two chances this month to comment on a proposal to restore funding for emergency services to $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value.
Voters originally approved the $1.50 rate in 2008, but that has since fallen to $1.36 per $1,000. That’s thanks to rising property values outpacing a restriction to how much levy rates can increase year over year.
The extra money would go toward hiring six emergency personnel and supporting apparatus to respond to higher call volumes. The number has increased by 37% in the past five years, the agency noted.
The board of fire commissioners will consider whether to approve the resolution. Voters would then get a final say in the November general election.
Both meetings start at 4 p.m. June 12 and 26 at Station 99, 8117 267th St. NW, Stanwood.
More info: www.northcountyfireems.com/about_us/funding/levy_lid_lift
EVENTS
Snohomish garden tour
The Snohomish Garden Club’s 34th Annual Garden Tour is from noon to 5 p.m. June 30 starting at the Snohomish Senior Center, 506 Fourth St. There also is a plant sale at 10 a.m.
The tour includes five gardens in the Dutch Hill area, just outside of Snohomish, and a sixth in Monroe. Attendees will see blooming perennials and annuals, garden sculptures and artists painting in each of the gardens.
Tickets are available at McAuliffe’s Valley Nursery and McDaniel’s Do It Center in Snohomish, Molbak’s Home and Garden in Woodinville, and Sunnyside Nursery in Marysville. They also are available the day of the tour. Passes are $15 in person or $12 online, at www.snohomishgardenclub.com. Proceeds go to flower baskets in downtown Snohomish.
More info: Steve Macaulay, 916-813-3307 or macaulay.steve@gmail.com
Flag exchange
Bring in your old American flag for a new one, from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. June 11 to 14, at McClain Insurance, 10410 19th Ave. SE, Everett.
All are welcome to join this free event, just in time for Flag Day. The insurance company is giving out flags made in the United States. The retired flags will be disposed of during a ceremony by Boy Scouts.
More info: 425-379-9200 or claudia@autohomeboat.com
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