Marysville neighbors come to rescue after house fire

Carolyn Barkley in Marysville has endured a tumultuous year. Her home burned down on July 4. She aimed to move away from the ashes.

She did temporarily, but restoration work was done so well that she’s back, happy as can be, with her dog, Bailey.

Barkley thanks the men who pried her fried car from the garage, the dry cleaners who successfully salvaged her mother’s wedding dress, the insurance company that was there for her from day one, and the construction crew who met her every request with a smile.

She couldn’t say enough about her neighbors who put up with hammering, a portable potty in her yard for five months and the dumpster.

“When I moved home, someone even left an expensive bottle of Scotch to wish me well,” she says.

Wear your cammies

The Sweet on Sarvey fundraiser is planned for Saturday and Sunday outside the Granite Falls Red Apple, the Albertsons at 11401 State Ave. in Marysville and the Safeway in Arlington.

Donate to help the Sarvey Wildlife Center in Arlington with expenses. As I wrote March 14, founder Kaye Baxter is terminally ill with cancer. The center’s aim is to treat animals and release them back into the wild. It’s spring, the busy baby animal season. The center also has permanent residents that include several types of birds.

Fundraiser organizer Dorthy Ottaway asks that folks also wear camouflage gear to show support for Baxter and her wildlife center.

“I choose camouflage because it represents the wilderness,” Ottaway says. “Or Army green or khaki. Just natural-looking colors.”

Volunteers get sweet treat

Volunteering is something folks do from their hearts. Giving back and all that.

But in this case, volunteering can be done for your tummy.

They need helpers for the sixth annual Taste of Decadence fundraiser May 2 in Arlington. Michelle Dietz-Date, resource development manager with Village Community Services, says the organization needs workers for two- to five-hour shifts to be a host, decorate, set up the auction or clean up.

Proceeds from the event will help north Snohomish County adults who have disabilities. To volunteer, call 360-653-7752, ext. 14.

What does it have to do with your appetite?

Dietz-Date says there will be a very decadent dessert bar and all volunteers are invited to enjoy the goodies.

I’m checking my calendar.

Fun fact: Debra Loughrey-Johnson credits her later-in-life college degree with giving her credentials to land the perfect job as executive director for Grandview Village senior living community in Marysville.

She graduated from Seattle University at age 41.

“I never quite knew why I got a degree, except that I got it for me,” she says. “I love my job, so I am thrilled that it took me 23 years to get that paper.”

She has three children, who all graduated from college before the age of 22.

Columnist Kristi O’Harran: 425-339-3451 or oharran@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Snohomish County Health Department Director Dennis Worsham on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department director tapped as WA health secretary

Dennis Worsham became the first director of the county health department in January 2023. His last day will be July 3.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Mukilteo in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
On second go, Mukilteo City Council votes against sales tax hike

A veto from Mayor Joe Marine forced the council to bring the potential 0.1% sales tax increase back for another vote Monday.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Two visitors comb the beach at Kayak Point Regional County Park on Friday, June 14, 2024, in Tulalip, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Nate Nehring and WSU Beach Watchers to host beach cleanup at Kayak Point

Children and families are especially encouraged to attend the event at Kayak Point Regional County Park.

One person dead in single-vehicle fatal crash near Stanwood

A 33-year-old male was found dead at the scene Monday evening with his vehicle partially wrapped around a tree.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Snohomish Regional firefighters respond to nearly 90 calls on the Fourth

While crews stayed busy on Independence Day, it was far more peaceful than other years.

Vehicles travel along Mukilteo Speedway on Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Mukilteo approves 84-acre annexation east of Speedway

The annexation of unincorporated land is expected to bring new revenue to the city as it faces budget challenges.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.