New ballot drop box in Smokey Point

SMOKEY POINT – A new voters ballot drop box has been placed in Smokey Point at 3300 169th Place NE.

The 24-hour drop boxes now number 18 in Snohomish County.

Voters may return their completed ballot in its signature envelope any time before 8 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 6. It is located in the north end of the Lowe’s parking lot.

Ballots may also be returned postage-paid through the mail but must be postmarked no later than Nov. 6.

Finding opioid fixes at library

MARYSVILLE – Sno-Isle Libraries will host “Behind the Scenes of Finding Fixes – The Search for Solutions to the Opioid Epidemic” Nov. 8 from 6:30–8 p.m. at the Sno-Isle Service Center, 7312 35th Ave. NE.

The first season of the Finding Fixes podcast looks at how communities across Snohomish County are coming together to respond to the opioid epidemic. At the event will be local leaders, healthcare providers and community members featured in the five-episode series to give an insider’s perspective on the impact opioids and heroin have on neighbors, friends and family. The evening will be facilitated by Shari Ireton, director of communications with the sheriff’s office. Each of the episodes looks at one possible solution:

•1 – Medicine That Melts under Your Tongue explores local treatment options, including Ideal Options, which partners with the county jail to ensure continuity of care for those seeking drug treatment.

•2 – A Life-Saving Nasal Spray looks at the role naloxone (aka Narcan), an opioid overdose reversal drug, plays in the county.

•3 – A Valuable Lesson from a Landslide examines how the county is using a page from the FEMA playbook – normally used for disaster response – to respond to this slow-moving disaster.

•4 – Professional Handholders highlights the work of the embedded social worker program, as well as the newly-opened Diversion Center.

•5 – The Jail Turns Things Around features the county’s largest de facto “detox” facility and the staff that screens and cares for inmates addicted to opioids and other substances. “Finding Fixes” is available to listen to online or download via Apple or Google Podcasts.

For details go to snohomishoverdoseprevention.com.

Water main being replaced

ARLINGTON – The city has to replace a water main that should have lasted up to 100 years after just 25 years.

The main is in the Farmstead Estates area. Work started Monday and will continue through November.

The leak in the ductile iron pipe was caused by corrosion.

A geotechnical analysis indicates there is high groundwater and soils are slightly acidic. That will require the city to install casing around the replacement pipe to prevent future corrosion.

The city will also complete improvements to the storm system and repave the roads. For details call the city’s Project Hotline at 360-403-3544 or email cityprojects@arlingtonwa.gov

Youth need to check heart, too

ARLINGTON – Young people can have heart issues, too.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest is the leading cause of sudden death in exercising young people and is typically the result of an undiagnosed structural or electrical problem.

The goals of the Nick of Time Youth Heart Screenings are to detect hidden heart conditions, reduce cardiac death through early detection and appropriate medical interventions and or activity modification, to raise awareness, and educate schools and communities about sudden cardiac arrest, warning symptoms, and the value of heart screening.

Any youth ages 14 to 24 are invited to receive a heart screening Nov. 7 from 9 a.m. to 2 at Arlington High School. For more go to www.nickoftimefoundation.org or call 360-618-6306 or 360-618-6315.

Mayor plans another Koffee Klatch

MARYSVILLE – Mayor Jon Nehring will have another Koffee Klatch to talk informally about city programs and services Nov. 14 at 10 a.m. at the Fire Station 62, 10701 Shoultes Road. Light refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP by Nov. 9 to Leah Tocco, executive service coordinator, at 360-363-8091 or ltocco@marysvillewa.gov.

Sing to help someone else get supper

MARYSVILLE – Instead of singing for your supper you could sing for someone else’s.

A “Sing from the Heart” fundraiser for the Marysville Food Bank will take place at Haggen’s Dec. 14-16.

Starting Nov. 1 you can sign up for a 30-minute performing slot at Guest Services at the Haggen’s. For every hour performed, Haggen’s will donate $50 to the food bank.

Writing tips at Marysville library

MARYSVILLE – “Write Now: How to Stop Wishing and Start Writing” is the topic of a free workshop that will take place Nov. 3 at 10:30 a.m. at the Marysville Library, 6120 Grove St.

Jennifer Phillips will teach an interactive session to explore the many paths to writing success, typical barriers and myths, and strategies to help.

Also, a free session on Tricks and Tips for Writers will take place at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 17 at the Marysville Library, 6120 Grove St.

Called, “Write Now: Be a Fiction Magician!” Deb Lund will teach participants card “tricks” that help will you amp up the emotional impact, suspense and conflict in your stories. Keep your cool with “tips” that help you reduce those same elements in your writing life. Bring a manuscript, an idea, or nothing but a paper and a pen, and watch the magic happen. Registration is required for both. Call 360-658-5000.

Bazaar at Stilly Senior Center

SMOKEY POINT – A Holiday Bazaar will take place at the Stillaguamish Senior Center Nov. 3 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Door prizes will be awarded. Soup, sandwiches, beverages and baked goods will be sold, along with holiday gifts from vendors.

Native Bazaar at Youth Center

TULALIP – The Annual Native Bazaar will take place Nov. 16-18 at the Don Hatch Jr. Youth Center, 6700 Totem Beach Road.

Featured items include: Native art, native prints, drums, cedar baskets, clothing, beaded jewelry, carvings and more.

Food also will be sold, including indian tacos and frybread.

For details on being a vendor, call Tammy Taylor at 425-501-4141.

Councilman gets award from AWC

MARYSVILLE – City Councilman Mark James recently received a Certificate of Municipal Leadership from the Association of Washington Cities.

The program recognizes city officials who complete more than 30 training credits in four core areas: Roles, responsibilities and legal requirements; Public sector resource management; Community planning and development; and Effective local leadership.

James was elected in November 2017 to serve on the council beginning Jan. 1, 2018.

Marysville fire wins auditor’s award

MARYSVILLE – The Marysville Fire District has accepted the State Auditor’s Stewardship Award in honor of exemplary dedication to the audit process, which helps make government transparent and work better for the public.

The district was chosen out of more than 2,300 public agencies audited annually in Washington, including more than 350 fire departments. Finance Manager Chelsie McInnis accepted the award on behalf of the district during the recent Washington Fire Commissioners Association conference in Yakima.

The Marysville Fire District has reported clean audits for its entire 26-year history. In a letter, State Auditor Pat McCarthy commended the district on its dedication to making government work better.