Did you miss your news last week? Here’s a selection of the week’s top news items from across Snohomish County as they appeared in The Herald. For the full stories, go to www.heraldnet.com.
Sunday, Nov. 28
Copter blast, crash kills 2. A helicopter passing overhead caught the attention of Loren Kraetz as he was raking leaves in his yard on Saturday. As he watched, the helicopter’s engine suddenly revved loudly, then six or eight seconds later Kraetz saw what he believed to be the helicopter’s engine exploding. The pilot managed to land the helicopter in an open field just north of Highway 530 in Arlington. Kraetz, 67, ran back and told his wife to call 911. Paramedics arrived shortly after, Kraetz said, to find two lifeless bodies.
Yoshiaki Nohara
Monday, Nov. 29
Debris feeds fatal blaze. An Everett man died Sunday afternoon in a fire in his debris-filled home. The man was found dead in his living room at 4833 Colby Ave. after the fire, Everett Fire Marshal Warren Burns said. It took two or three searches before he was found amid a floor-to-ceiling collection of newspapers, boxes and other items, Burns said. Neighbors said the man was Arthur Hopkins, who owned numerous parcels of land in Everett. A computer search matched Hopkins’ name with the Colby home and several other parcels, including a historic apartment building in the 2100 block of Rucker Avenue that burned two years ago. Hopkins was 84.
Bill Sheets
Tuesday, Nov. 30
Man lived long life of clutter and generosity. A narrow sleeping area had been cleared on the edge of the bare, gray mattress. The remainder was piled nearly to the ceiling with a jumble of blankets, clothes, newspapers and magazines. Many other rooms were stacked to the ceiling with more of the same. This was Arthur Hopkins’ inner life, which no one else was allowed to see. Hopkins, 84, who died Sunday in a fire at his Everett home, had an outer life, too, his friends and neighbors said. “Just a wonderful man,” neighbor Sue Cook said.
Bill Sheets
Wednesday, Dec. 1
Rossi rejoices, for now. Republican Dino Rossi took up the mantle of governor-elect on Tuesday, but an unprecedented third vote count could keep Rossi and Democratic rival Christine Gregoire guessing until almost Christmas. Secretary of State Sam Reed certified Rossi as the victor by a mere 42 votes. Reed called it the closest governor’s race in U.S. history.
Associated Press
Thursday, Dec. 2
Beach and trail dream is jelling. Port of Everett officials are considering construction of a small beach near Mukilteo that eventually could open up a long stretch of waterfront now blocked by railroad tracks. The 1.5 acres of man-made beach, proposed by the Tulalip Tribes, would be part of the environmental work required by the port for construction of a $15.5 million pier and railroad spur to expedite shipment of huge containers to the Boeing Co.’s Everett plant.
Mike Benbow
Friday, Dec. 3
Second deadly fire. A north Everett grandmother died Thursday after she fell asleep in a recliner with a lit cigarette. It was the second fatal fire in the city in less than a week. Pauline Potter, 78, received burns to 80 percent of her body when the chair she was sleeping in caught fire, said her grandson, Jeff Potter.
Diana Hefley
Saturday, Dec. 4
Marysville residents drop recall campaign. The strife-weary Marysville School District, still facing budget problems, has finally closed the book on last year’s teachers strike. A recall campaign aimed at removing Marysville School Board members Helen Mount and Ron Young was dropped on Friday. The move will allow the pair to finish their terms in 2005, while saving taxpayers $50,000 to $100,000 in election costs.
Eric Stevick
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