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The USS Ralph Johnson (shown here at the dock) left Everett Wednesday and will be stationed in Japan.

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) departed Naval Station Everett to join the Forward Deployed Naval Forces in Yokosuka, Japan.

USS Ralph Johnson will forward deploy to Japan to replace the guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin (DDG 89) that is scheduled for overhaul maintenance.

The move involves the relocation of the ship’s crew of approximately 300 sailors and their family members.

USS Ralph Johnson arrived in Everett as a newly commissioned ship in April 2018.

The forward presence of USS Ralph Johnson supports the U.S. Navy’s commitment to the security and stability of the Indo-Pacific region.

The Navy continually monitors Fleet capabilities and rebalances assets over time to provide the most robust, capable maritime force possible.

Wednesday night’s City Council meeting in Everett, Washington was a good night for three historic properties. First off, the council unanimously approved the transfer of the historic Van Valey House at 2130 Colby in north Everett to the Everett History Museum. Here’s some background on the transaction from the council briefing packet.

The Everett History Museum hopes to re-open the Van Valey House on March 1, 2022.

From 2002 through 2019, the City used the Van Valey House as an event venue, storage facility and office space. The expenses to operate and maintain the Van Valey House have exceeded the revenue associated with public and private rentals.

The Everett Museum of History wants to take ownership of the Van Valey House. Members of the Morrow family support this transfer. This transfer honors the City’s agreement with the Morrows to place the Van Valey House in museum ownership, and it relieves the City of responsibility for the maintenance and operations of the Van Valey House. Consistent with the 2002 Donation Agreement, the Everett Museum of History will not pay the City for the Van Valey House.

In the other two actions, the city council added the Gowdy House located at 2803 19th St. to the Everett Register of Historic Places along with the Walsh Platt Motors building which sits at the southwest corner of Hewitt and Rucker. That building is currently undergoing extensive renovation.

The car hit head on into this pole and rolled back across the street.

The crew from Engine 7 got the fire in the tree quickly knocked down.

The car was destroyed but the driver did get out safely.

Just before 10 PM Everett Police and Fire responded to a report of a car on fire under a tree at that intersection. It appeared the car hit a pole and caught fire.

The driver was able to safely exit as the car’s engine compartment burst into flames with the car rolling backward ending up under a tree across the street. The tree caught fire but Everett firefighters were able to quickly bring things under control.

Again the driver was not seriously injured and Everett Police are looking into the cause of the crash.

Here are a few photos of the scene. Click photo to enlarge.

Word in this afternoon from Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers on the passing of retired Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Eric Lucas.

Judge Eric Lucas (photo courtesy Snohomish County)

Judge Lucas was a graduate of Harvard University and the first Black Superior Court Judge in Snohomish County. He wrote, taught, and otherwise gave of himself to help the next generation. Judge Lucas was an active and engaged member of Snohomish County NAACP and spent much of his time outside the halls of justice working with youth. He led the NAACP’s Annual Prodigies of Peace Essay Contest, helping the next generation understand their role in leading community change. Recently, Judge Lucas had been instrumental in engaging with the Marysville School District, when Black students’ lives were threatened.

Judge Lucas will be sorely missed. He was a bright light in Snohomish County and an engaging personality for all who met him. My deepest condolences go out to his family and friends for this significant loss.