City briefs

Half Pint Book drive in Lynnwood

Half Price Books Stores are having a book drive called Half Pint Books which runs through the end of March. To support the drive, donate new and/or gently used children’s books (ranging from tot to teen) to any Half Price Books’ stores, including the Lynnwood location in James Village at the corner of Highway 99 and 196th St. SW. Other addresses can be found at www.halfpricebooks.com.

Books benefit Swedish and Harborview Medical Centers.

The Half Pint Library program began in 1999 as a way to help hospitalized children take their minds of treatment, or being confined to unpleasant surroundings, a press release stated.

MLT meet on parks and rec. plan

An open house to discuss updating the city’s Recreation and Parks Comprehensive plan is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28 at Mountlake Terrace City Hall, 23204 58th Ave. W.

The Recreation and Parks advisory commission and staff will be available to help answer questions and obtain input regarding what types of recreation facilities and programs are needed for the next six-to 20-year time periods. For more information contact Mountlake Terrace’s recreation and parks director Don Sarcletti, at 425-776-9173 ext. 114.

Police offer

citizens’ academy

The Lynnwood Police department is accepting applications for its 16-week citizens’ academy. The course teaches Lynnwood residents about police procedures and includes information about how detectives solve crimes using fingerprints and DNA, the department’s canine unit and tours of the jail and 911 center, among other things.

Classes meet 7 to 10 p.m. every Thursday. The free course begins Feb. 20 and ends June 5. For more information or to sign up, call Trudy Dana at 744-6939, e-mail tdana@ci.lynnwood.wa.us or sign up on the Lynnwood Police Department’s Web site, www.ci.lynnwood.wa.us/police. Applications for the academy can also be picked up at the front desk of the police department, 19321 44th Ave. W. in Lynnwood.

Go to a City Council meeting

Lynnwood City Council regular meetings start at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of the month.

Mountlake Terrace City Council regular meetings start at 7 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of the month.

Brier City Council regular meetings start at 7:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month.

For more information in Lynnwood call 425-775-1971 in Mountlake Terrace 425-776-1161 and in Brier 425-775-5440.

Car seat checks in Lynnwood

Motor vehicle crashes are the single largest cause of child fatalities in the country, officials said.

However, proper child seat safety can reduce the risk of injury or death by 70 percent, officials added, if the car seat is installed correctly. Lynnwood Police have recently nationally certified five technicians to help parents and care givers be sure their precious cargo is as safe as possible.

Free car seat checks are now available every Wednesday from noon to 8 p.m. by appointment, at the Lynnwood Police Station at 19321 44th Avenue West. Checks take about 30 to 45 minutes to complete and it is best to have the child there for the check. For more info. or to make an appointment call 425-744-6900.

Donate an old cell phone for safety

Project Donate a Phone is back on and the need is high, say officials for The Snohomish County Center for Battered Women.

The center is in need of old or new cellular phones, even ones with missing parts can help, Center officials said. Usable cell phones will be provided free to all women who use the center’s services. In case of emergency old phones can still be used to dial 911. The ones that can’t be used will be recycled to a business who has agreed to pay the non-profit organization for parts. To donate phones, drop them off at the Mountlake Terrace Police Department at 5906 232nd St. SW or to the Snohomish County Center for Battered Women at 1310 Pacific Avenue in Everett #5 (corner of Grand and Pacific) or Mr. Bill’s restaurant at the Everett Mall. More information call Terri or Vicci at 425-259-2827. The Center for Battered women are also looking for volunteers. For more information contact Darla Lewis at 425-259-2827, ext. 18.

Crime Watchers needed in MLT

Crime Watch is looking for new members. Retired citizens who would like to join the group can pick up an application at the Mountlake Terrace Police Department, 5906 232nd St. SW. Volunteers work an average of two hours a week and are provided with uniforms. This is a non-enforcement, non-confrontational patrol program, so no weapons are used. The volunteers in the Crime Watch program enjoy the camaraderie of the group and being able to give something back to the community, officials said. For more information contact Joie Worthen, Crime Prevention Coordinator at the Mountlake Terrace Police Department at 425-670-8260.

Have a court date? Click here:

Citizens can now go to a new website, www.courts.wa.gov, and look up their court dates by clicking on “find your court date” and entering a valid name or case number.

All courts in Washington including Lynnwood Municipal and South Snohomish County District Court are on the site except for Seattle Municipal Court.

Given that court proceedings may be rescheduled at any time, official said, users are encouraged to call their local court the morning of their appearance. An automated court directory is also available online via the Washington Courts website, combined with a “Courthouse Locator” which provides maps and directions to every courthouse throughout Washington State. For the Lynnwood Municipal Court call 425-670-6668. For the South Snohomish County District Court call 425-774-8803.

Free blood pressure screening at library

Red Cross volunteers provide free blood pressure screening from 1 to 3 p.m. on the first and third Friday of each month at the Lynnwood Library at 19200 44th Ave. W.