Volunteer fire districts get almost $600K

OSO – The Department of Homeland Security has awarded Darrington Fire District 24 and Oso Fire District 25 a $593,110 grant to assist in recruiting and retaining volunteer firefighters and EMTs. The funding will be available to both for four years.

The fire districts rely on volunteers to ensure that their communities are protected during emergencies. Their volunteers responded to 850 emergency calls in 2017. Resources provided include training and support necessary for responders to do their jobs. Some of the areas the grant will pay for include:

•Hiring a full-time captain whose primary job will be to coordinate recruitment, retention and training.

•A basic training program for up to 40 new and existing volunteers to the National Standard Firefighter II level.

•Marketing to reach out to perspective volunteer candidates in the communities.

•New personal protective equipment and uniforms for new volunteer firefighter/EMTs.

•Stipends to new and existing volunteers for training.

Fire chiefs Drew Bono in Darrington and Willy Harper in Oso are happy for the help.

“Many fire departments have moved away from using volunteers. We are confident that this recruitment and retention program will help keep our volunteers ready and willing for years to come,” Harper said.

Wrong-way driver killed

LYNNWOOD – A wrong-way driver was killed on I-5 Sunday.

Jose Alonso-Marinez, 26, of Snohomish was northbound on a southbound lane of I-5 at 5:15 a.m. at milepost 180, a state patrol report says. He struck a barrier to the right, and came to stop in the lane. A car driven by William Holebrook, 83, of Arlington tried to avoid the vehicle by veering to the left, but struck it on the right side.

The Snohomish man died, but Holebrook was not injured.

Customer Appreciation Days

SMOKEY POINT – A ribbon cutting and three Customer Appreciation Days will take place at Rairdon’s Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Marysville starting Sept. 13 at 16610 Smokey Point Blvd.

The ribbon cutting, with Arlington Mayor Barb Tolbert, will be at 3 p.m. The 13th also is First Responder/Law Enforcement/Military Day. Sept. 14 is Local School Activities/Athletics Day and the 15th Tribal Day. Special activities are planned each day.

DEATHS

Marysville

Oscar Carbajal, 55, Sept. 4

Darwin Cleveland, 82, Aug. 30

William Dearmin, 82, Aug. 17

Barbara Edwards, 68, Aug. 30

William Frazier Sr., 79, Aug. 29

Jason Hardwick, 30, June 28

Mary Hulbert, 96, Aug. 26

Kenneth Joel, 54, Aug. 29

Barbara Jorgensen, 82, Aug. 21

Ruby Martin, 98, Sept. 1

Marieta Maxwell, 56, Aug. 25

Bernice Nelson, 71, Aug. 28

Emma (Ruth) Nicholas, 91, Aug. 26

Robert Norman, 93, Aug. 23

David Peters, 78, Sept. 2

Talon Pomerinke, 22, Aug. 21

James Siko, 45, Aug. 28

Arlington

David Edwards, 63, Aug. 25

Karin Gjendem-Becker, Aug. 25

Larry Jackson, 71, Aug. 20

Gail Jensen, 71, Aug. 21

John Kneeland, 68, Aug. 28

Darla Meissner, 79, Aug. 21

Mark Moseley, 62, Sept. 2

Jonathan Pew, 27, Aug. 25

Florence Pryor, 102, Aug. 21

William Rambo, 80, Sept. 1

Betty Reynolds, 79, Aug. 23

Rita Sarsten, 65, Aug. 26

Tulalip

Patricia Hirsch, 74, Aug. 22

Valerie Jensen, 95, Sept. 3

Timmy Morken, 70, Aug. 14

Beverly Scalf, 89, Aug. 22