City briefs

Utter to lead Lynnwood council

The Lynnwood City Council voted 4 to 3 Jan. 6 for council member Lisa Utter to lead the council as council president for 2003.

“I am pleased to have been elected,” Utter said. “My goals are to have the entire council work with the administration as smoothly and efficiently as possible in order to accomplish the business of the city.”

Last year’s president, council member Jim Smith, who nominated Utter, said “Lisa has been invaluable as a vice president this last year- and I’m very pleased to see her taking on the role as a council president. She has been a leader and a work horse throughout her several years of being on the council,” Smith said. The council president, among other things, is in charge of the meeting agendas.

Gravelle is mayor pro-tem again

The Mountlake Terrace City Council voted 4-2 Jan. 6 that Jamie Gravelle be the City Council’s Mayor pro-tem again for 2003. Gravelle was mayor pro-tem for 2002 but needed to be reelected to the annual position. The City Council appointed mayor continues to be Pat Cordova who will continue to be mayor through 2003. The mayor position is reappointed every two years.

Interurban Trail will have detour

A portion of the Interurban Trail in Lynnwood will be closed from Jan. 13 – 15. Snohomish County Public Utilities District #1 will close the trail between 52nd Avenue W. and the 44th Avenue W. Park and Ride to facilitate pole replacement in conjunction with future Sound Transit improvements. The trail detour route will be north on 52nd Ave W./ Cedar Valley Road, then east on 200th Avenue SW and across 44th Avenue W. This is the first of several trail closures during construction of the new Sound Transit facility. For more information contact Matt McReynolds at PUD, 425-783-1000.

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 7-10 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.

Seniors, children joined by quilt

The City of Lynnwood Recreation and Cultural Arts Youth Programs and Senior Center collaborated on a Diversity Quilt this past November called Camp Global Village. During that time the children were instructed in quilt making. Each child had the opportunity to design a square for the quilt. Illustrations of people, trees, the earth and more designs were painted on the squares. After the squares were completed, the members of the quilting class at the Lynnwood Senior Center assembled the squares into blocks of four panels. Charlene Hall, the instructor, sewed the quilt together and the class tied it. The public can view the quilt at the following locations on the dates specified.

The quilt will be at Cedar Valley Community School from Jan. 7-10, the Lynnwood Recreation Center from Jan. 13-20, the Lynnwood City Council Chambers from Jan. 21-26, the Edmonds School District Main office from Jan. 27-31, the Edmonds School District Transportation office from Feb. 3-7 and the Lynnwood Senior Center from Feb. 10-16.

For more information about the quilt or Camp Global Village call Wendy Hough at 425-744-6472 or Ruth Egger at 425-744-6464.

VFW meets first Thursdays

The Veterans of Foreign Wars, All – American Post 1040, Lynnwood meets the at 7:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month at the Alderwood Youth Club, 19619 – 24th.

For more information contact Post Commander Martin Spani at 425- 673-7702 or 425-774-7416 for information. All combat Veterans who earned a campaign medal are eligible for membership.

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.

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.

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.

MLT Crime Watch volunteers needed

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.