My Everett News

Everett Police Officers were dispatched to the 9800 block of 18th Ave West, near the Quail Hallow condos. Callers reported hearing gun shots around 11am and then seeing one subject down on the ground. Everett officers, in concert with the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, responded to the area.

As responding officers converged on the incident location, they learned that the victim of the shooting had been driven away in a dark colored sedan. Everett officers arrived on scene and quickly determined a shooting had occurred. They locked the scene down, set up containment and requested a K9 to track any outstanding suspects.

A few minutes later, Snohomish County Sheriffs located a black sedan at 128th and 4th Ave West. They located the male victim who had been shot in the neck. The victim was transported to the hospital with life threatening injuries.

The incident is still an active investigation as EPD Major Crimes detectives are putting together what led to the shooting.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Everett Police Department TIP LINE at (425) 257-8450 or Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound at 1-800-222-TIPS.

The Department of Corrections & Monroe Police Department are searching for minimum security incarcerated individual escaped from Monroe Correctional Complex.

A minimum security incarcerated individual has escaped from the Minimum Security Unit at the Monroe Correctional Complex in Monroe, Washington. The individual, 59-year-old Patrick Lester Clay (DOC 908566) appears to have escaped by breaking into a staff office during routine maintenance cleaning and stealing the keys to the staff members car which Clay then drove off grounds.

DOC search teams and local law enforcement are actively searching for Clay. The Monroe School district released a statement at 11am that their security team is working closely with law enforcement, but they have decided not to lock down the schools.

Clay was last seen in a white 4 door GMC Sierra truck, plate number C39525X. Clay was last seen wearing khaki pants, khaki jacket and khaki beanie with white tennis shoes and a yellow DOC vest on; however, there was a blue grey zip up sweatshirt and black ballcap in the vehicle which he may be wearing now.

Clay had a release date of December 24, 2025, for convictions from King County for counts of burglary, malicious mischief, harassment and theft.

If you see this vehicle or Patrick Clay do not approach, please call 911 or Monroe Correctional Complex at 360-794-2720. 

The Everett Fire and Everett Police Departments are warning the Everett community about a concerning increase in fentanyl overdoses involving young children. Since last Saturday, Everett Fire and Police have responded to three overdoses where children were exposed to fentanyl that was left unsecured in the homes. Sadly, one child has passed away due to this tragic incident.

The first incident was on Saturday, April 20, just after 7:45 am on E Marine View Drive in the Delta Neighborhood. Firefighters were called to the residence after an 11-month-old child was found unresponsive by the parents. Before the arrival of the firefighters, the baby was given Narcan. Firefighters provided medical aid to the child, who was later taken to the hospital for further treatment. The baby is in stable condition and has been released from the hospital.

The second call happened on Wednesday, April 24, just after 11:45am at an apartment building on Broadway in the Port Gardner neighborhood. The call was concerning a six-month-old baby who was experiencing difficulty breathing. Firefighters arrived to find the baby unresponsive and immediately administered medical care, including administration of Narcan. The baby is currently at Children’s Hospital in stable condition.

On Wednesday, April 24, 911 received a call about a 13-month-old baby who wasn’t breathing. The call came from an apartment located in the Westmont neighborhood off of W Casino Road at around 1:30 p.m. Firefighters arrived at the scene and immediately began life-saving measures. The child was transported to Providence Regional Medical Center. However, despite their best efforts, the child passed away. The Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct a positive identification of the child, as well as determine the official cause and manner of death.

Because the Everett Police Department is actively investigating all three cases, more specific information is not being released at this time. Everett Police does not believe the cases are connected.

The City of Everett is deeply concerned about the increasing fentanyl overdoses that involve young children. Even a small amount of fentanyl residue can be lethal to children, as the drug can be more potent to a baby or toddler’s smaller body and lack of opioid tolerance. Pills can look like candy to children, especially when they’re brightly colored.

Taking Action in an Opioid Overdose:

The misuse of opioids and fentanyl is a growing concern in Washington State and across the United States. It is important to note that overdoses can occur intentionally or accidentally, even if it’s the first time taking a drug, whether it’s illicit, prescription, or over-the-counter. Minutes count in an opioid overdose.

If you think someone has overdosed, follow these steps:

• Check for signs of overdose.
• Call 911
• Give Naloxone (Narcan®) and start rescue breathing.
• Stay with them.
• Naloxone

Naloxone, also known as Narcan®, can reverse the effects of opioids and save lives during an overdose. Having the medication with you can save a life.

Naloxone can be purchased without a prescription from various pharmacies in Snohomish County and throughout Washington State. The antidote kits cost about $150 and may be eligible for insurance coverage. If you have Apple Health (WA Medicaid) there’s no copay. You can find free naloxone near you by visiting stopoverdose.org.

Grizzly Bears to Be Translocated From Rocky Mountains or Interior British Columbia

The National Park Service and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service have announced a decision to actively restore grizzly bears to the North Cascades of Washington, where the animals once roamed.

Grizzly bears occupied the North Cascades region for thousands of years as a key part of the ecosystem, distributing native plant seeds and keeping other wildlife populations in balance. Populations declined primarily due to direct killing by humans. The last confirmed sighting of a grizzly bear in the U.S. portion of the North Cascades ecosystem was in 1996.

In the Record of Decision released today, agencies have decided to restore grizzly bears to the North Cascades ecosystem through the translocation of grizzly bears from other ecosystems in the Rocky Mountains or interior British Columbia. The decision is the culmination of an Environmental Impact Statement process that began in 2022.

25 Grizzly Bears to Be Added Over Time

Agencies will seek to move three to seven grizzly bears per year for a period of five to 10 years to establish an initial population of 25 bears. The U.S. portion of the North Cascades ecosystem is roughly 9,800 square miles in size, larger than the state of New Jersey, and contains some of the most intact wildlands in the contiguous U.S. Roughly 85% of the mountainous region is under federal management.

“We are going to once again see grizzly bears on the landscape, restoring an important thread in the fabric of the North Cascades.” said Don Striker, Superintendent of North Cascades National Park Service Complex.

Under the decision, grizzly bears in the North Cascades will be designated as a nonessential experimental population under section 10(j) of the Endangered Species Act. The designation will provide authorities and land managers with additional tools for management that would not otherwise be available under existing Endangered Species Act regulations. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service will publish a final 10(j) rule in the Federal Register in coming days.

“The final 10(j) rule is based on extensive community engagement and conversations about how the return of a grizzly bear population in the North Cascades will be actively managed to address concerns about human safety, property and livestock, and grizzly bear recovery.” said Brad Thompson, State Supervisor for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. “It provides an expanded set of management tools in recognition that grizzly bear recovery in the North Cascades is dependent on community tolerance of grizzly bears.”

Public feedback played a key role in the decision. During the fall 2023 public comment period, more than 12,000 comments were received on both the draft Environmental Impact Statement and a proposed 10(j) rule.

There is no set timeline for when translocation of grizzly bears to the ecosystem may begin. The National Park Service will publish updates on the park website and notify partners and the public of implementation plans as they develop.

At the April 23 school board meeting, the Everett Public Schools Board of Directors approved a proposal brought forward by the Everett High School Parent Teacher Association (PTA) to rename Everett High School Library to the Lawrence E. O’Donnell Everett High Library, in recognition of his passion for Everett and the inspiration he has kindled in countless others.

Larry O’Donnell is an esteemed alumnus of the class of 1955 and is a well-known and beloved local historian and author of several books including Everett School District – The First 100 Years.

He began as a kindergartner at the old Jefferson Elementary (where the current post office is located) and according to his retirement letter in April 1989 “…Jefferson contributed to my eventual decision to become a teacher.”

He then attended South Junior High (currently Sequoia High School), later becoming the principal when the school was known as Port Gardner. O’Donnell then became an Everett Seagull, graduating in 1955. He returned to his hometown after college graduation and began his teaching career at the “new” Evergreen Junior High in 1959.

In his 47-year career in Everett Public Schools, he served in multiple roles including teacher, counselor, dean, vice principal, and principal, and at multiple schools, including Cascade High School, Port Gardner, and Whittier, Emerson, Lowell, and Jefferson elementary schools, finishing his career as the district’s Director of Facilities and Planning.

After retirement, O’Donnell continued his lifelong interest in local history, writing or co-writing several books. Larry and his brother Jack O’Donnell can be trusted to answer any historical question, usually without looking it up.

Superintendent Dr. Saltzman added, “Larry O’Donnell’s contributions to our community and dedication to education exemplify the values we strive to instill in every student. By renaming the Everett High School Library in his honor, we pay tribute to his remarkable legacy and inspire future generations to follow in his footsteps of service and learning.”

A dedication ceremony will be held in the Everett High School library on June 5 from 5 to 7 pm with a short program at 6 pm.

Bricks & Minifigs will be opening a location in South Everett on May 25th at 1203 SE Everett Mall Way (Suite N) where the former State Liquor store once lived. If you aren’t familiar with the franchise, it started out of Portland and is a great way to buy used LEGO kits.

This marks the second attempt at launching the Bricks & Minifigs franchise in South Everett. The first attempt was just down the road, at 607 Everett Mall Way in October 2017 by Bothell area resident, Brad Bergman, who recently appeared on the Lego Masters TV Show. This new franchise is being operated by Lake Stevens residents, Tony and Stacie Capelli. The Monroe location, run by Steve and Sharon Jensen, has been going strong since 2017.

“We’re very excited to bring the Bricks & Minifigs experience to Everett,” Tony Capelli said. “Our store is more than just a place to buy LEGO® sets. It’s a place where imaginatons come to life, where friendships are built, and where creativity knows no bounds. We can’t wait to open our doors to the community and provide this forum for our fellow creators.”

Grand Opening Details:

When: Saturday May 25th 2024 from 10am to 6pm.
Where: 1203 SE Everett Mall Way (Suite N)

The first 100 customers through the door for the Grand Opening celebration on May 25th will receive a free customized “Bricks & Minifigs South Everett” signature minifig.

Other promotions and giveaways will also be taking place all day in the store, including raffles, treats and more.

Clark Park Gazebo to be removed.

Historic Everett, an advocacy organization, is asking local citizens to speak up to save a local landmark, the Clark Park Gazebo. The organization has even taken out ads in local newspapers urging residents to contact the City Council and Mayor in Everett to show their support to save the Gazebo from demolition by the City.

The 103-year-old historic structure located in Everett’s first public park was slated for improvements until January, when Mayor Cassie Franklin posted on Facebook that it was to be removed, citing “safety concerns,” and for the installation of a large dog park.

Until the post, the Gazebo was to be incorporated into a smaller dog park. On February 17, Historic Everett sponsored a well-attended “Heart bombing,” in the park, to raise awareness of the proposed removal.

In February, at Everett’s Historical Commission meeting, Commission Chair Patrick Hall suggested a compromise. Build the dog park to reactivate the space while securing the Gazebo. If conditions in the park improve, then seek local and national grants for restoration. The City of Everett Parks Department has not been willing to adopt this compromise.

Historic Everett supports the Historical Commission’s compromise and is urging residents of Everett to speak up and voice support at the April 23rd Historical Commission meeting.

“This is a logical solution that supports the City, it’s residents and honors Everett’s history,” commented Andrea Tucker, President of Historic Everett, “we look forward to partnering with the City to assist in seeking sources of funding to preserve the Gazebo.”

The Clark Park Gazebo was designed by celebrated local architect Benjamin Turnbull and built in 1921. For over a century it has been a treasured community gathering place. In 1993, Clark Park and its historic Gazebo were placed on Everett’s Register of Historic Places.

For more info on Historic Everett: https://historiceverett.org
For more info on the Historical Commission https://www.everettwa.gov/572/Historical-Commission