Training academy graduates 13 South County Fire recruits

Training academy graduates 13

South County Fire recruits

South County Fire will have 13 new faces.

In total, 30 recruits graduated in December from the Snohomish County Fire Training Academy’s 14-week program.

Jonathan Bailey, Anthoy Casanas, Brendan Cleary, Tracy Finch, Kyle Johnson, Everard Lewis II, Karl Long, Julian Markfield, Keenan Metcalfe, Daniel Nelson, Thomas Perillat, Ryan Scott and Michael Swanson will join the South County agency after additional weeks of training.

Bailey and Nelson were recognized with the First Whip award for leadership. The award dates back to when fire apparatuses were drawn by horses. The first whip was the driver and the captain’s most trusted helper, a news release said.

Sky Valley Youth Coalition awarded by Seahawks and Boeing

Some 30 kids from Sultan’s Sky Valley Youth Coalition were treated to an MVP experience at the Seahawks game on Dec. 22.

Free tickets, food vouchers, swag bags, sweatshirts, a pre-game buffet and a visit from former Seahawk Rico Tipton were the prizes for the Legion of Youth 2019 honor.

The program from the Seahawks and Boeing recognizes students who are committed to their school, demonstrate leadership and are active in their community, a news release said.

The Sky Valley Youth Coalition is a branch of the Volunteers of America Western Washington.

Money raised for Snohomish Veterans of Foreign Wars

More than $1,400 was raised for local veterans by about 180 guests at an inaugural dinner, Dining Out, for the Snohomish National Guard 176th Engineer Company.

The money raised last month goes to local veterans and their families through the Soldiers and Family Readiness Group of the 176th Engineer Company and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 921 in Snohomish.

Farlan Dubarry was the guest of honor, and spoke about his experiences storming Okinawa, Japan in April 1945. He described how the 96th Infantry Division made an assault landing on the Hagushi beaches of Okinawa. Within three days the group overcame all resistance in the large Sunabe Hill mass which dominated April 1, 1945, while motivating current soldiers to have integrity and live the Army values.

For more information about the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 921, contact Tom Kreinbring at kreinbr3@gmail.com.

Arlington Fire collects 11,000 pounds of food

During the Arlington Fire Department’s annual Santa Run, firefighters, their families and Santa collected more than 11,000 pounds of food and $2,213 in donations for the Arlington Community Food Bank.

This year’s total set a record for the 30-year-old tradition.

The drive runs for 10 nights in December, when firefighters and their families escort Santa through town on a decorated fire truck.

“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you, citizens of Arlington, for your incredible good will and generosity,” Chief Dave Kraski said.