My Everett News

Join Snohomish County PUD and the City of Everett in celebrating the new community solar array, El Sol al Alcance de tus Manos, on Sept. 19, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 1226 W. Casino Rd., Everett, WA 98204 (adjacent to Walter E. Hall Park).

The community solar array is located on 1.75 acres of City of Everett property and can generate 400 kilowatts of power, which can supply electricity to around 30 homes per year. All funds generated by this project go to support the Community Energy Fund, administered by St. Vincent de Paul, to help income-qualified community households pay their electric bills.

The project, which was named by community members in the Casino Road neighborhood to reflect the idea that renewable energy is within everyone’s reach, also includes a mixed media art display featuring work from local artists Luisana Hernandez, Ruben Trujillo, and Yessica Marquez.

The artists partnered with the PUD and community members to create unified public artwork that reflects solar energy, connection, transformation, and collective action. The artwork also includes nearly 1,000 suns and hands that were decorated by students from the community.

“This project is a shining example of what is possible when public and private entities work together in partnership with the community,” said PUD CEO/General Manager John Haarlow.

“This project benefits our grid, our most vulnerable community members, and the environment, while also creating a beautiful community art display that can be enjoyed by all.”

The event will include speeches from Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin, PUD Commissioners Julieta Altamirano-Crosby and Sid Logan and Everett Councilmember Luis Burbano and be followed by a performance by local artist Aurelio Valdez. There will also be a ribbon cutting for a community path that was installed by the City of Everett to increase the community’s connection with the project and Walter E. Hall Park. Attendees will be able to enjoy free shave ice as well and can construct a free solar oven kit to make smores at home, while supplies last.

More than 80% of the project costs were funded through state and federal grants and tax credits including the Washington Clean Energy Fund administered by the Department of Commerce, the Community Solar Expansion Program administered by the WSU Energy Program and the Federal Investment Tax Credit with a Bonus Credit through the U.S. Department of Energy.

Shooting in apartment area on 13000 block of 8th Ave West.

On Friday, September 4, at approximately 10:25 p.m., South County deputies responded to the 13000 block of 8th Ave West in South Everett following a report of a DV Assault where a 27-year-old victim was shot in the head.

Deputies located the 27-year-old male victim, who was transported to Harborview Medical Center for treatment.

The 46-year-old male suspect and the 27-year-old victim were known to one another. Responding deputies quickly identified the suspect.

Following the shooting, the suspect fled the area on foot. Deputies established containment around the area, and an extensive K9 track was conducted with assistance from surrounding law enforcement agencies. The initial search did not locate the suspect.

Patrol deputies processed the scene and developed probable cause for Assault 1 DV. South County deputies continued their efforts to locate the 46-year-old suspect and later located him in Everett. He was arrested and booked into the Snohomish County Jail for Assault 1 DV.

This remains an active investigation.

The.Sonics could play in an arena next to the Tulalip Resort and Casino.

When the Seattle Supersonics receive the green light to return in 2028, most of us assumed they’d play at Climate Pledge Arena, but there is a real possibility they could play in Snohomish County instead.

The NBA wanted multiple bidders for the Sonics return and they finally received their second bid, with an unlikely turn of events. The second bidder, BlackSun Private Equity, has been working with the Tulalip Tribes to make a bid which includes building a sports-and-entertainment complex on the Tulalip reservation.

The Seattle Times broke the news:

Documents reviewed by The Seattle Times indicate BlackSun has been in conversation with the Tulalip Tribes about the possibility of constructing a sports-and-entertainment complex on tribal-owned land near Marysville if successful in its bid. Sources told the Times the sides were in the final stages of a partnership agreement.

BlackSun with help from Tulalip and others are perpared to submit a $8.1 billion offer for the rights to the Sonics expansion team. If they win the bid, the team would be playing in an arena next to the Tulalip Resort Casino just nine miles north of  Downtown Everett.

The front-runner for the SuperSonics is still One Roof Sports and Entertainment. They own the Kraken and are majority owners of Climate Pledge Arena under a public-private partnership, which the NBA prefers.

The BlackSun bid does carry an interesting community tie-in. They have partnered with Native World Sports, an organization wanting to advancing tribal participation in professional sports and entertainment.

BlackSun’s CEO Atonn Muhammad told the Times:

“We want this bid to be seen as basically a partnership between this entity and the communities. For once, we feel like sports and the individuals who operate on behalf of it need to come to the community and be a servant to it instead of taking from it.”

Everett would likely benefit from a stadium with people travelling north to attend games. The light rail “spine” expansion would help people from Tacoma, Belluvue, Redmond, and Seattle attend games. The team would initially play at Climate Pledge Arena until the sport complex completes construction in Tulalip.

The NBA Board of Governors meets mid-September for the next round of expansion discussions for Seattle and Vegas. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is expected to provide an update on the process after the meeting.

Tulalip Resort Casino welcomes Seattle pro football fans to its first-ever “Seattle Football Opening Day Watch Party” under warm sunny skies in the outdoor Tulalip Amphitheatre on Wednesday, September 9.

This free event celebrates the kick-off the 2026-2027 regular season as our victorious “Big Game” trophy winner hosts New England in a re-match of February’s historic game.

Displayed on a giant screen in the 3,000-seat amphitheater, the game is set for a 5:20 p.m. start with the gates opening at 4:30 p.m.

Giveaways and games will add to the festivities, and a variety of food and beverages will be sold throughout the game. This special event is limited to fans 21 and over with valid I.D. required for entry.

Tulalip Resort Casino’s multiple dining and gaming attractions, coupled with award-winning accommodations, offer a complete “night out” experience for “Watch Party” attendees.

For more information about Tulalip Resort Casino visit everythingtulalip.com.

The Future Workforce Alliance and Workforce Snohomish are announcing the launch of the Skills for Snohomish County’s Future Initiative.

The Future Workforce Alliance (FWA) is Snohomish County’s designated local workforce development board, focused on connecting businesses, job seekers, and training resources to strengthen economic opportunity in the county.

Skills for Snohomish County’s Future is a business-driven, year-long pilot that marks a shift in strategy: rather than organizing services primarily around individual job seekers, it builds a coordinated response to employer demand for skilled talent, while ensuring county residents have real access to high-quality career pathways.

The FWA Board of Directors approved the investment as part of its broader strategy to strengthen the region’s workforce system. This is a jobs-first investment in workforce development, starting with confirmed employer demand and working backward to prepare and connect talent, rather than starting with training and hoping it leads to a job. The FWA is the first local workforce development board in the nation to adopt the Skills for America model.

The timing reflects a complex moment in the local economy. While some Snohomish County employers are struggling to find skilled talent, many workers across the county are facing layoffs and job instability. Skills for Snohomish County’s Future is designed to help businesses build sustainable, skills-based hiring practices while helping displaced and underemployed residents move into those quality jobs with room to grow.

“Businesses across Snohomish County need a pipeline of skilled talent to remain competitive and grow and our community needs the ability to retain that talent here, in careers connected to our region’s growth industries. Today, thousands of skilled individuals remain disconnected from those opportunities: some have recently lost jobs through no fault of their own, while others face barriers to entry based on a variety of factors.

This is not simply a supply-demand mismatch. It is a systems failure, one that the Future Workforce Alliance has been deliberately and strategically working to address, so that  economic growth in our county translates into real opportunity for the people who live  here.” – Dr. Janice Greene, Chair, Future Workforce Alliance Board of Directors 

Skills for America is a national initiative that focuses on building deep, sustained  relationships with businesses that help change hiring practices, remove artificial barriers to  entry, and invest in training workers on the job. This model builds on the FWA’s investment in Workforce Compass, a platform run by Workforce Snohomish that uses artificial  intelligence to help job seekers identify skills and connect with training, while helping  businesses find qualified candidates based on skills rather than formal credentials alone. 

Businesses that participate in the initiative will be supported in identifying the actual skills  a role requires, removing unnecessary barriers, and building on-the-job training so newly  hired workers can grow into the position. 

Beginning in January 2027, staff from Workforce Snohomish and Washington State  Employment Security Department (ESD) will work closely with two to three local advanced  manufacturing businesses, with an initial focus on meeting their immediate hiring needs  and ensuring new hires are set up for success. Over time, the initiative will explore  opportunities for additional training and advancement once foundational hiring goals are  met. 

“This initiative is an expansion of the work our Business Engagement team already does  every day with businesses across Snohomish County, deepening those relationships so we  can meet businesses where they are and help them build the workforce they need to grow.  As industries evolve and skills gaps continue to hold back both businesses and job  seekers, we believe this is the future of workforce development: a model built to scale, one  that can eventually bring together a broader network of communities, organizations, and  agencies around a shared approach.

We’re proud to bring our expertise in employer  engagement to this work, and we’re grateful for the Future Workforce Alliance’s investment  in building what our region needs for the long term,” said Joy Emory, President & CEO,  Workforce Snohomish. 

Urban Air employees protesting outside of the Everett venue on Saturday, August 29, 2026.

On Saturday current and former employees of Urban Air in Everett staged a peaceful protest against claims of unfair treatment and potential child labor law violations.

Their protest was aimed primarily at the owner of Everett’s Urban Air, Olivia Tejas, not the current general manager.

Flyers handed out at the protest.

The protestors’ complaints claim the owner of Urban Air Everett:

• Works minors as late as 11 pm during school weeks (four hours past the state regulations of 7 PM for 15-year-olds, even on non-school weeks). Also frequently scheduling them for shifts ending at 10pm.
• Clocks workers out for breaks, even if the break wasn’t given.
• Clocks workers out at their scheduled time, even if they are required to stay late.
• No pay for mandatory training time.
• Sexism, favoritism, and disrespect towards employees.

Washington Labor & Industries child labor rules for minors under 16:

Negative customer reviews of Urban Air Everett center around dirtiness, unsafe understaffing, and rudeness from a person who matches the description of the owner.

One of the former employees also got banned the day after. If he enter the premises the owner will call law authorities. On Sunday, Urban Air posted they are hiring new employees – 16 and older.

YWCA brings keynote speaker Laila Ali (boxing champion, author, entrepreneur & advocate) to their Inspire Luncheon on September 24 livestreaming online and at The Westin Seattle. This year’s theme is “Together We Are Powerful,” celebrating the resiliency of their community and the teamwork required to move women, men, and families from surviving to thriving.

Hear Laila Ali share her experience as the youngest daughter of global icon and humanitarian Muhammad Ali, proudly carrying forward a legacy of excellence, purpose, and impact while building her own path. A five-time boxing world champion, Laila made history as the first woman to provide expert boxing commentary for NBC Sports during the 2012 Olympic Games, and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2022 for her impact on the sport.

Laila Ali’s advocacy work includes serving as past president of the Women’s Sports Foundation, supporting gender equity in sports and education; a longtime ambassador for the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA); and partner with Feeding America and Peace4Kids to fight food insecurity and improve access to nutrition and support underserved communities.

Gifts inspired by the event support YWCA programs across Snohomish and King counties like emergency and permanent housing; gender-based violence services; and job training.

What:
YWCA’s largest fundraiser of the year, held virtually and in-person, featuring the personal story of a program participant, remarks from YWCA leadership, and a conversation between emcee Angela Poe Russell and Laila Ali.

When:
September 24, 2026
12:00-1:15pm PDT

Where:
Online – link shared after registration.
The Westin Seattle

YWCA’s Luncheons bring together more than 2,500 guests in support of women and families annually. Last year, this generous group raised over $1M to fund programs that provide resources for gender-based violence survivors, affordable housing, and job training.

Register for this event on YWCA’s website (scroll to bottom of page) or call 206.461.4440. Tickets start at $25.