Dear readers: As we start a new year, I’m thrilled to announce that — thanks to your generosity — we have exceeded our $50,000 goal for the My Neighborhood News Network year-end fund drive by an estimated $10,000! The final numbers are still being caculated, but as of Jan. 1, we have raised $61,110 for the My Neighborhood News Network — which includes My Edmonds News, MLTnews and Lynnwood Today — a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to providing local news in South Snohomish County. That includes a $15,000 match from the Institute for Nonprofit News through its NewsMatch campaign. Your donations wi ..read more

Edmonds-based Caravan Kebab owner Shazad Raja — assisted by several volunteers — prepared and distributed 250 meals on Christmas Day to people in need around South Snohomish County. Volunteers came from organizations that included Volunteers of America Western Washington, Fallen Brothers Food Resource, Snohomish County Mutual Aid and Second Chance Foundation. The boxed meals included curry chicken, vegetable biryani, salad and rice. An additional 30 meals were distributed to Edmonds police officers working on Christmas. As we reported in our earlier story, Raja began collaborating on the eve ..read more

Teresa Wippel, President and CEO of the new My Neighborhood News Network nonprofit, described how she started the news outlet more than a dozen years ago, it’s vital role in the community, and how going nonprofit will ensure its financial sustainability.Karen Crowley of the Snohomish County League of Women Voters spoke of the current precarious state of local news, and how essential it is to our communities and local governments.Comedian Kermet Apio warms up the room.Diana White, Edmonds resident, former Edmonds School Board member, and member of the Prairie Band of the Potawatomi Nation, open ..read more

The Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office identified 60-year-old Rhonda R. Smith as the woman who died in a vehicle-pedestrian crash in unincorporated Lynnwood in May. Smith was walking in the 17900 block of Ash Way at around 9:30 p.m. May 13 when she was struck by a vehicle. She died at the scene. The vehicle driver was arrested and released after a blood sample was taken, and Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Courtney O’Keefe said that the driver has been cooperating with the investigation.  O’Keefe said that detectives are working to determine what caused the crash, i ..read more

Lynnwood City Councilmember Josh Binda responds to questions from Councilmember Jim Smith during the council meeting. Councilmember Patrick Decker is shown at right. The Lynnwood City Council has asked the city’s board of ethics to investigate allegations that Councilmember Josh Binda violated city code when he used the council chambers to film a promotional video from which he benefited financially.  Following a lengthy discussion about the matter during its Jan. 23 business meeting, the council voted 6-0 – with Binda abstaining — to have the ethics board rule on whether the first-term c ..read more

Photo courtesy Safe Lynnwood Protesters gathered again on Sunday outside a proposed methadone clinic adjacent to the Lynnwood Alderwood Boys and Girls Club. The center, operated by Acadia Healthcare, has been the topic of several Lynnwood City Council meetings and related protests since the community learned in late December about Acadia’s proposal to relocate it to 2322 196th St. S.W. Acadia has already acquired a 10-year lease for the building, and the center is scheduled to open at the end of January. Approximately 100 people showed up for a protest against the facility Jan. 14.   ..read more

The Lynnwood Public Facilities District on Wednesday announced the new name for the Lynnwood Convention Center. The former convention center has officially been renamed the Lynnwood Event Center, and the Public Facilities District will be known as the much simpler “The District.” Along with the name change, The District revealed its new mission, vision and values for the property, including the Event Center. The Event Center’s new website and logo launched on Dec.14, while The District will fully launch its new branding and website in early 2023, and reveal new plans for the 13- acre pro ..read more

A Lynnwood couple recently found out firsthand that three zeros really can make a big difference. In July, the couple — who weren’t identified by name — purchased a winning Hit 5 Washington State Lottery ticket that they thought was worth $360, only to found out it was actually worth $360,000. After buying the ticket at their local Fred Meyer, the husband went in to check if they had won anything. Originally, he read that they had won $360, so he tried to collect his prize at the store. The employee said his prize was too large to cash there, and he would have to visit a Lottery office i ..read more

Get ready for an interview or update your wardrobe for your job with free clothing from YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish Working Wardrobe. The organization ofers a large selection of high-quality apparel from sizes XS-5X, and volunteers will assist you in selecting outfits from gently-used clothing to stylishly create your own working wardrobe that fits your needs. Shoes, accessories, undergarments, purses, makeup and toiletries will be included to complete your look. No income verification or voucher is needed and up to three visits are allowed per year. To schedule an appointment, call ..read more

AJ Adamski AJ Adamski has been appointed the new executive director of Leadership Snohomish County (LSC). Adamski joins the organization with over 20 years in the field of education as a teacher and school administrator. As part of a military family, she traveled the world and developed an appreciation of different cultures and communities. “Throughout my career in education, I have often witnessed the focus on what people could not do,” Adamski said. “From the simple, ‘you can’t come late to class,”’ even when reliable transportation was out of reach for their families, to the racial bias in ..read more