My Everett News

When Liz Vogeli decided not to run for reelection, the door opened up for new candidates to emerge for South Everett. Three candidates emerged: Niko Battle, Luis Burbano, and Alan Rubio. The Everett City Council is a non-partisan body.

Upon investigating the three candidates, we found one is ineligible for the position. Here’s a look at the three candidates. You can also watch their debate video at the end of the article.

Niko Battle speaking at an Alliance for Gun Responsibility event.

Niko Battle

Niko is a young, well-spoken candidate with a resume that seems primed for a political career. While in high school he was speaking up about gun safety and drew attention locally in his 2016 Washington Caucus pro-Hillary Clinton speech.

Niko is now a debate and political consultant with a long history of helping out candidates in Georgia and Washington.

Unfortunately, Niko Battle is ineligible for the position. According to the Snohomish County Elections division records, Nikolas Battle didn’t register to vote in Snohomish County until May 7th, 2025, which ignores the charter requirements:

“To be eligible to run for Everett City Council, an individual must be a registered voter and resident of the City of Everett for at least one year immediately preceding the election.”

In addition to a 2-month old registration, his mailing address and “season address” list Granite Falls, WA, but a generic Everett apartment address was also provided, but, strangely, with no unit listed. Concerns have also come to our attention with several claims made in Lynnwood Times articles that are very misleading.

You can learn more about Niko at nikobattle.com

Luis Burbano

Luis Burbana

Luis Burbano describes himself as a sustainability advocate, engineer, father, husband, and small business co-owner. He was born in Ecuador and immigrated to the United States when he was a teenager. He started to advocate for safer roads in district four after he was hit by a car twice while commuting to work by bicycle.

Luis served on the Sound Transit Community Board for the design of the Light Rail coming to Everett. He is a long-time Boeing engineer and co-owns Tamia Cakes with his wife.

You can learn more about Luis at electluisburbano.com

Alan Rubio

Alan Rubio

Alan Rubio is also a first-generation immigrant who moved to Everett in 2011. He also works in the aerospace industry, but as a contractor.

Rubio is a proud father of two and an active member of the Everett community, including an adopt-a-street volunteer.

You can learn more about Alan at ElectLuisBurbano.com

To learn more about the candidates and to see and hear them talk, we recommend watching the three candidates from the LWV Forum Debate:

3100 block of 164th St SW in Lynnwood

At approximately 8:01 a.m., South County Deputies responded to a report of an assault with a weapon in the 3100 block of 164th St SW in Lynnwood, WA.

Upon arrival, deputies discovered that a 4-year-old child had accessed a loaded firearm and accidentally shot his 42-year-old mother.

The woman sustained a gunshot wound to her upper left arm. She was transported to Harborview Medical Center with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The 4-year-old also sustained minor injuries during the incident.

During the investigation, deputies learned that the child had retrieved the firearm from his father, who was asleep on the couch at the time. Multiple unsecured firearms were observed throughout the residence.

The father, a 44-year-old male, was arrested and booked into the Snohomish County Jail on charges of reckless endangerment and unlawful storage of a firearm.

The two children living in the home, ages 4 and 9, were released to family members following the incident.

The 2025 North Puget Sound Contracting Conference returns to the Lynnwood Event Center on Thursday, Nov. 6, connecting businesses, government agencies and prime contractors for the region’s leading business-to-government event.

An evening reception on Wednesday, Nov. 5 has been added this year for more networking opportunities.

The annual conference is hosted by Economic Alliance Snohomish County (EASC) in partnership with Washington APEX Accelerator and Washington Small Business Development Center, once again featuring crucial insights from expert panels for attendees to learn about doing business in the government marketplace.

One key session, “Pipelines to Government Sales,” will inform businesses on the types of contracting opportunities available for goods and services suppliers. Panelists include:

• Shana Barehand, WA State Department of Enterprise Services
• Alex Stutzman, U.S. General Services Administration
• Maija Lampinen, Port of Everett

The panel focuses on the differences between local, state and federal procurement, offering practical tips and highlighting upcoming opportunities including recent changes and consolidation to federal goods and services procurement.

“This conference helps companies discover how to access the government marketplace,” says Cara Buckingham, Center Manager and Advisor with Washington APEX Accelerator. “The goal is to support firms in becoming more competitive and successful by sharing key information and cultivating meaningful relationships.”

Other panel and workshop topics include:

• Small Works Contracting in Washington State
• Upcoming Project Opportunities in Snohomish County
• Navigating Prevailing Wage
• Winning Strategies for Consultants
• The Future of Regional Transit
• Department of Defense CMMC Cybersecurity Requirements
• Selling to the Defense Logistics Agency
• Understanding SBA Loans and Qualifications
• Harnessing Artificial Intelligence in Government Contracting

Additionally, attendees will have access to matchmaking sessions, exhibitors, and networking with more than 600 attendees from across the region. Businesses in construction, manufacturing, services and consulting are especially encouraged to attend.

Registration and exhibitor space are open now at https://bit.ly/RegisterNPSCC25.

The League of Women Voters is a non-profit famous for holding the presidential debates from 1920 to 1988 in an effort to help the public see the faces and hear the voices of the candidates.

The Snohomish County The League of Women Voters held an online zoom debate or “candidate forum” for the Everett Mayor position which has four candidates.

The four candidates you will see in the video are:

• Cassie Franklin (current Mayor)
• Scott Murphy (former Council Member & President of Goldfinch Brothers)
• Dr. Janice Green (retired Boeing PM & community advocate)
• Rich Ryan (renter, a worker, a musician, and a neighbor)

Today, July 10, 2025, the Port of Everett is set to kick off a trio of live music lineups at Waterfront Place, featuring everything from local rock ’n’ roll, soul and funk to sounds of the Caribbean, as well as a performance by a Grammy-nominated country star – all taking stage at Snohomish County’s destination waterfront for another unforgettable summer.

The Port of Everett waterfront is the host venue to returning summer favorites Music at the Marina, Rock the Boat, and Puget Sounds Steel Drums.

Music at the Marina – Thursdays, July 10 – Aug. 28 at Port Gardner Landing

Everett Music Initiative has an impressive 2025 Music at the Marina lineup starting tonight with eight FREE weekly concerts this summer, from classic hits of the 80s to feel-good funk to Pacific Northwest rock ’n’ roll.

Grab your low back lawn chairs and head to Port Gardner Landing on Thursday nights to enjoy music at the pier, plus a beer garden (limited chair space) and food trucks, or grab a table at one of the many waterfront restaurants nearby. The event runs 5-9 p.m. with music starting at 6:30 p.m.

Here’s the 2025 Lineup:

• July 10: Nite Wave (80s New Wave Tribute)
• July 17: Santa Poco (Twang & Country)
• July 24: The Little Lies (A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac)
• July 31: Moxie (Feel Good Funk / R&B)
• August 7: Steel Beans & Small Paul (PNW Rock and Roll)
• August 14: Victims of Love (A Tribute to The Eagles)
• August 21: Queen Mother (A Tribute to the Music of Queen)
• August 28: Leroy Bell & His Only Friends (An Evening of Pop & Soul)

Rock the Boat – Friday, July 18 at Boxcar Park

Rock the Boat at Boxcar Park in Everett

Everett Music Initiative and Cruzin’ 2 Colby present Rock the Boat at Boxcar Park on Friday, July 18. Grammy-nominated country artist headliner Jo Dee Messina will be joined by Chayce Beckham and Antwane Tyler for an unforgettable night of country music just steps from Possession Sound.

Enjoy amazing performances, plus a beer garden and delicious food trucks to keep the good times rolling. It’s the perfect way to kick back, grab a drink, and experience incredible country music all in one place with incredible waterfront views.

Ticketed, 21+ event. Purchase tickets HERE.

2025 Rock the Boat lineup:

Gates open: 4:00 p.m.
Antwane Tyler: 5:00 p.m.
Chayce Beckham: 6:30 p.m.
Jo Dee Messina: 8:30 p.m.

Puget Sounds Steel Drums – Fridays in August at Pacific Rim Plaza

Back by popular demand, the Port of Everett is hosting its third annual Puget Sound Steel Drums series. While not a formal concert, rather an experience to stop and enjoy on your trip around the waterfront, passersby will be transported to the Caribbean islands through sound each Friday in August from 5-7 p.m. at the Port’s Pacific Rim Plaza near Hotel Indigo.

Robert De Freitas of Panessence will be back playing the steel pan beginning Friday, Aug. 1. Listen to Robert’s Caribbean take on Bob Marley, Jimmy Buffet, Sade and more on the steel drums, and feel the island beat.

An 11-year-old boy is currently in critical but stable condition after a near-drowning incident in Silver Lake.

On Tuesday, July 8th, around 2:53 p.m., the Everett Fire Department was dispatched to the Thornton A. Sullivan Park after receiving reports that an 11-year-old child had fallen off the dock into the water.

An alert adult, who was with another group of children playing and diving off the dock, noticed that the child had not resurfaced and yelled for help.

A family member indicated that the child did not know how to swim.

A 13-year-old young man swimming in the area noticed the situation and bravely dove into the water to search for the missing child.

After several attempts, he successfully located the boy and brought him to the surface, where bystanders were able to lift him onto the dock.

Three nurses, along with several other community members, immediately began performing CPR on the child. Witness information indicated that the child had been underwater for a period ranging from four to six minutes.

Firefighters from Engine 7, stationed near the park, arrived within minutes of being dispatched, with other fire crews arriving shortly after. Fire crews continued CPR and were able to regain a pulse before Medic 6 transported the boy to Providence Regional Medical Center.

At the time of this news release, the victim had regained consciousness and was receiving continued medical treatment.

The Everett Fire Department wants to recognize the courageous actions of the 13-year-old teen for his bravery, which undoubtedly played a vital role in saving the child’s life.

The quick actions of bystanders also played a crucial role in saving the child’s life. This incident underscores the importance of having CPR training, as it can make a significant difference in critical situations and help ensure the safety of our community, especially around water.

A total of 17 personnel, including six fire units and four police units, responded to this incident. Thank you to the Everett Police Department, South County Fire, and the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office for their quick response and assistance in this incident.

Water Safety Tips from Everett Fire:

Drownings happen quickly, and often they are silent. It only takes a moment. A child or weak swimmer can drown in the time it takes to reply to a text, check a fishing line, or apply sunscreen. As you enjoy this beautiful summer weather, please keep these water safety tips in mind:

• Always watch children when they are in or near water, and never leave them unattended, even when a lifeguard is present.
• Designate an official Water Watcher, an adult tasked with supervising children in the water. That should be their only task – they shouldn’t be reading, texting, or playing games on their phone.
• Teach children how to swim.
• Know how and when to use life jackets, especially with children and weak swimmers. Ensure life jackets are Coast Guard-certified, correctly fitted, and worn.
• Never allow anyone to swim alone.
• Don’t drop kids off at the beach unsupervised.
• Learn first aid and CPR.

Everett-based Funko, Inc., a leading pop culture lifestyle brand, today announced that Michael Lunsford has been appointed as the Company’s Interim Chief Executive Officer, effective July 5th, 2025.

Former Funko CEO Cynthia Williams resigned

The appointment follows the departure of Cynthia Williams from her role as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, effective on the same date. Ms. Williams had only served as the CEO a little over a year. She was appointed CEO with a start date of May 20th, 2024

In the company’s Q1 2025 earnings report, net sales fell 11.6% year over year to $190.7 million, and net loss widened to $28 million, compared to $23.6 million in Q1, 2024.

Interim CEO Michael Lunsford

Mr. Lunsford previously served as Funko’s Interim Chief Executive Officer in 2023-2024 when Brian Mariotti took a leave of absence,  and continues to serve as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors.

“The Board of Directors thanks Cynthia for her many accomplishments during her tenure at Funko,” said Chairman of the Board, Charles Denson. “We believe a change in leadership is necessary to deliver full shareholder value and believe Mike’s appointment positions us accordingly.

Mike is experienced in leading several companies, including Funko, through successful corporate transitions. The Board has asked Mike to help us realize the full potential of the business, including helping to identify a new chief executive officer, accelerating our organic growth, and exploring all financial and strategic options for the business.”

Here’s what Michael Lunsford had to say about his interim CEO role:

“I believe we have yet to achieve the full potential of Funko,” said Lunsford. “We have an iconic brand, passionate fans, great licensing and retail partners, and a dedicated team of highly capable employees. The recent changes to the global business environment have constrained our growth initiatives, and we intend to first address those challenges but always with an eye towards the long-term growth of the business. We will continue to focus on profitable growth and delighting our fans.”