My Everett News

After nearly 44 years of public service at the Port of Everett, Assistant Controller & Records Officer Carolyn Diedrich retired on May 1.

Mallory Good, the Port’s new Assistant Controller, has taken on the majority of Diedrich’s role. Good’s position maintains complex accounts within the Port’s financial system and assists the Finance Director.

“I want to thank Carolyn for her many years of dedicated service to the Port of Everett and its many constituents,” Port of Everett CEO Lisa Lefeber said. “As the longest-tenured employee in Port history, she not only has witnessed a lot of change at the Port, but also has helped manage the Port’s finances over the better part of four decades, earning 26 years of clean financial audits. We wish Carolyn all the best in her well-deserved retirement.”

With her 44 years, Diedrich beats recent retiree Jim Weber’s employment record. Weber retired as the Port’s Marina Operations Director after 43 years as a full-time employee – although his part-time work added up to 47 years total with the Port. The two combined have provided 91 years of service to the Port of Everett.

After taking accounting and payroll classes at Everett Community College, Diedrich was hired as the Port’s Receptionist/Accounts Receivable Technician in 1980. She was just 17.

It didn’t take long for her to move onto the Finance team. Diedrich held many accounting and administrative roles over the years, specializing in accounts payable, HR, payroll, liabilities, assets, records management and more. She finished her career as the Assistant Controller, a position she held since 2019. Throughout her time with the Port, Diedrich was also the Records Officer.

“I’ve enjoyed getting to know all these parts of the Port,” Diedrich said. “It’s much more than a marina – especially when you’re in Finance. There’s the Port’s international seaport and real estate developments too.”

Having big shoes to fill, Good joined the Port of Everett in July 2023, bringing 12 years of experience in accounting management and financial systems. Prior to joining the Port, she worked as the Accounting Manager for Snohomish County and a Tax Accountant at Kieckhafer, Schiffer & Company.

“I am eager to collaboratively work with the team to contribute to the continued growth and success of the Port,” Good said. “While the transition may have its challenges, I approach it with a growth mindset and a willingness to learn.”

Good is a graduate of Washington State University, having earned her master’s degree in accounting with a concentration in taxation and her bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting.

“I was grateful for the opportunity to join the Port of Everett, as the Port’s commitment to economic development and public stewardship aligns with my values,” Good said.

An arrest was made on May 1st, 2024 in the 1984 homicide case of Judith “Judy” Weaver, a 42-year-old woman from Everett, WA. Judy was a mother, grandmother, sister, and daughter.

Nearly forty years after the murder, new DNA evidence led investigators to Mitchell Gaff in Olympia, WA. Mitchell has been booked in the Snohomish County Jail and is charged with Murder in the 1st degree, plus first-degree rape, first-degree arson, first-degree kidnapping and first-degree burglary.

After walking home in the dark from the cafe she co-owned (Bell-Ness Cafe on Hewitt Avenue), Judy Weaver stopped by Dairy Queen on her way home. That was the last time she was seen before her body was found in her residence on Rucker Ave. She was discovered by the Everett Fire Department in response to a fire that was called in. She was found dead in her home, tied up with a phone cord, strangled and brutalized.

Convicted sex offender Mitchell Gaff

Mitchell Gaff was convicted of assaulting a woman in 1979. She escaped after her hands being bound and being repeatedly hit with a pistol. Gaff also was convicted of raping two teenage girls in Everett in 1984. He spent nearly two decades in the McNeil Island Corrections Center, which famously housed Robert “Birdman of Alcatraz” Stroud for manslaughter and Charles Manson for federal check forgery back when it was a Federal Penitentiary.

“After nearly 40 years, Judy Weaver’s loved ones and our community will finally see someone held accountable for her tragic killing,” said Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin. “My heart is with Judy’s family and friends as they continue grieving this difficult loss. I also want to commend our police department and our partner agencies for their continued focus on cold cases like this.”

“Our investigators have worked tirelessly to get justice for Judy Weaver’s family,” said Everett Police Chief John DeRousse. “We are incredibly proud of Detective Susan Logothetti for her effort and persistence which ultimately led to the identification and arrest of this suspect.”

Logothetti submitted old crime scene evidence to the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab where their scientists were able to extract DNA that matched Mitchell Gaff. Much of this credit goes to years of DNA work by Lisa Collins and Mary Knowlton of the WSP Crime Lab in Marysville.

Charges were filed against Mitchell Gaff in Snohomish County Superior Court. The remaining legal process will be administered through the court system with inquiries about the process handled by Snohomish County Superior Court. Mitchell is expected to appear in court on Thursday.

The Washington State Patrol (WSP) is actively seeking information related to metal debris being thrown from an overpass onto Interstate 5, striking a vehicle.

The incident occurred at 6:57 a.m. on April 30, 2024, on 164th St SW over northbound Interstate 5. An unknown male pedestrian was observed on the 164th St SW overpass throwing debris onto Interstate 5.

A black Acura SUV was northbound on Interstate 5 passing under 164th St SW when it was struck by a large steel beam approximately 51 inches long. The steel beam went through the front windshield and came to rest in the front passenger area of the Acura.

WSP is asking witnesses of the collision or anyone who observed a pedestrian throwing debris from 164th St SW to call (360) 654-1144. Your assistance is appreciated as troopers work to locate the suspect.

More road work expected in Everett in May on both I-5 and State Route 529. Road crews will attempt to make it as easy as possible for travelers by keeping the closures on separate days.

Both projects involve significant northbound lane reductions.

The I-5 Marine View Drive project between Everett and Marysville reduces the northbound freeway to one lane. Weather permitting, that work will occur on the weekend of May 3-6. If weather is bad, it will be postponed until May 10-13.

The SR 529 project reduces the northbound bridge to a single lane starting Monday, May 6, lasting about three weeks before the full northbound SR 529 Snohomish River Bridge closure starts Tuesday, May 28. That full closure will last about 4 months.

If weather doesn’t cooperate for the I-5 project on May 3rd, then both I-5 and SR 529 will be reduced to one lane at the same time on May 10th to 13th.

What is this Road Work For? 

Adding an HOV lane and new freeway ramps. The work on I-5 is a major project and will:

• Extend the HOV lane from downtown Everett to SR 529.
• Complete the I-5/SR 529 interchange by adding a northbound I-5 off-ramp to SR 529 and a southbound on-ramp from SR 529 to southbound I-5.
• Build a permanent median barrier between the northbound and southbound lanes.

The new median barrier is in place; the HOV extension and ramps will open in summer or fall 2025. In addition to extending the HOV lane from Everett to SR 529, this project will add an off-ramp from northbound I-5 to SR 529 and an on-ramp from SR 529 to southbound I-5.

While northbound I-5 is reduced to one lane for a weekend, the contractor will replace asphalt pavement with concrete in a section between 41st Street and the Marine View Drive. It takes all weekend to remove the asphalt, then pour the concrete and let it harden.

Preserving a 97-year-old bridge

The northbound SR 529 Snohomish River Bridge was built in 1927. It’s past time to repaint the bridge as well as make steel and mechanical repairs. Some of the work can be done with one northbound lane open, so southbound isn’t affected.

But once the paint containment system is in place they can’t move the bridge to raise or lower it. However, the Coast Guard requires that section of the Snohomish River remains open to large boats, so they need to keep the bridge raised for the entire four months of this preservation work.

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.

Update on 4/27: Snohomish County Sheriff has the suspect in custody.

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.

UPDATE: Patrick was apprehended without incident in the Beacon Hill neighborhood of Seattle Monday night (April 29th). He’s back in custody and will be placed in restrictive housing to face charges of an escape and auto theft. 

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.

The stolen truck the inmate used to get away.

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.