My Everett News

Those who travel on or near the US 2 trestle in Snohomish County, including people who drive, walk, bike, and roll, are invited to comment on the draft purpose and need statement for a new study of the Trestle and a section of Interstate 5.

The US 2 Trestle in Snohomish County is the only direct route across the Snohomish River between eastern Snohomish County and the I-5 corridor in Everett.

In partnership with the Federal Highway Administration, the Washington State Department of Transportation is completing a planning and environmental linkages study. These studies are designed to gather public input about transportation issues and environmental concerns for specific areas. In the case of US 2, the study will help identify improvements that could improve traffic flow on and around the trestle for all travelers.

The first step of the US 2 trestle planning and environmental linkages study is to develop a purpose and need statement with public input. The final statement will carry over to the future National Environmental Policy Act review helping to speed up that process. A NEPA review is required for all transportation projects receiving federal funding or permits.

Area of study. Click to expand.

To help travelers learn about the study and comment on the purpose and need, WSDOT is hosting an online open house and survey for four weeks. Online open house attendees can review the study background, complete a survey about their travel on or near the US 2 trestle, and review and provide comment on the draft NEPA purpose and need statement. There will also be more opportunities to comment in the future. Content is available in English, Spanish, Russian, Korean, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.

The goal of the online open house is to:

• Help us understand your experience traveling on or near the US 2 trestle and
• Gather feedback on the draft Purpose & Need statement.

Online open house information:

When: Tuesday, May 14 to Friday, June 7, 2024
Where: engage.wsdot.wa.gov/us2trestle

Voicemail comments also accepted: 425-233-8970

Access for participation for those without home internet:
Free Wi-Fi access is available through Snohomish County libraries:

Everett Public Library – 2702 Hoyt Ave., Everett, WA 98201
Library on Wheels – 7312 35th Ave. NE, Marysville, Washington 98271
Marysville Library – 6120 Grove St., Marysville, WA 98270
Lake Stevens Library – 2211 Grade Road, Lake Stevens, WA 98258
Snohomish Library – 311 Maple Ave., Snohomish, Washington 98290
Additional Wi-Fi locations are provided through the Washington State Department of Commerce.

Former Everett City Councilmember, Scott Murphy, announced today that he will run for Mayor of the City of Everett in 2025.

“Public safety, homelessness and crime remain huge problems and the city’s finances are a mess,” said Murphy. “It’s time after six years that we change our current trend and restore our city to a place where we can begin to really tackle the issues our community is seeing every day in our neighborhoods and on our streets. Everett has been a great city and we can’t sit by and allow Everett to slide downhill like other cities.”

Murphy, a Democrat, served on the City Council from 2013 through 2021 where he demonstrated a strong commitment to investing in public safety, police, fire and emergency medical aid services, and other essential utility services including water, sewer and streets and their importance on public health and safety.

“Whether it is the increasing number of unhoused individuals, public drug use, the city’s worsening budget deficit, or just not feeling safe when out and about in Everett, any way you cut it, we are worse off than we were six years ago,” said Murphy. “Cassie Franklin has convened multiple political task forces over the years, yet things keep getting worse. Cassie Franklin proposed a 44% increase in the city’s property tax portion that will pass through to Everett residents and businesses. Expenses have ballooned since I left the City Council in 2021 and it’s time for serious fiscal accountability!”

Former Everett Councilmember Brenda Stonecipher said, “Scott is uniquely qualified to be Mayor of Everett. We worked together on the City Council for nine years and there was a mutual respect between us. Scott understands the city budget, the financial problems facing the city, and the community we serve.

I am confident that Scott will engage the City Council and our community in an open and transparent process to identify ways to improve efficiency and do more with the resources that are available. I also believe Scott will continue to support public safety, including fire and police where Scott is a strong advocate. Scott recognizes that the city’s efforts to address street-level impacts of the substance abuse crisis have not worked and the insufficient progress in providing adequate housing options are of paramount importance. I believe Scott will approach these issues with fresh energy and ideas.

Every city needs the right kind of leadership at the right time. I have a high regard for Scott and I believe he is the Mayor that Everett needs now,” said Stonecipher.

Initial endorsers include:

• Former Everett Mayor Ed Hansen
• Former Everett Councilmember Brenda Stonecipher
• Former Everett Councilmember Bill Rucker
• Former Everett Councilmember Rich Anderson
• Former Everett Councilmember Shannon Affholter
• Former Everett Councilmember Gigi Burke
• Former Everett Councilmember Ron Gipson
• Former Everett Councilmember Connie Niva
• Former School Board Member Kristie Dutton.

“Scott Murphy’s community stewardship along with his business and strong financial experience set him apart from the current Mayor,” said Rich Anderson, former Everett Councilmember and a retired Certified Public Accountant. “Scott has the integrity and character to lead the city with sound planning and better judgment.”

Other community members endorsing Murphy include: Larry O’Donnell; Jack and Mary Ellen O’Donnell; Chris Adams; Phil and Scuttle Bannan; Bob and Christy Andre; Mike Deller; Carlton Gipson; Dan and Ash Gunderson; Phil and Kelly Johnson; Jim and Sharon Langus; Si and Lisa Newland; Retired Everett Police Captain Greg Lineberry; Pat and Angie Sievers; Jack and Marilyn Courrier; Morrie Trautman and Larry and Linda Jubie.

For a complete list of current endorsements please visit: www.electscottmurphy.com.

“I intend to challenge the mayor on a number of issues, and will provide the citizens with a clear account of where this Mayor has failed, and what my plans will include. I am committed to campaigning the next year and a half to be elected, and to do my best if elected to work night and day to address our citizens’ concerns,” said Murphy.

Murphy has lived in Everett for 32 years and he and his wife Kippy raised their 3 children in Everett. In addition to serving on the City Council, Murphy served 16 years as President and COO of Goldfinch Brothers Inc. where he was instrumental in the company’s expansion and growth. Goldfinch Brothers is a six-generation family-owned local Everett business with over a century of success in the construction industry.

Murphy’s community service includes serving as Board President, Everett Public Facilities District (Everett Events Center); Board Chair, Community Foundation of Snohomish County; President, Everett Public Schools Foundation; President and Coach, North Everett Little League; Board Member, Providence Hospital General Foundation; Co-Chair (with Kippy), Providence Festival of Trees; and Board Member, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Snohomish County.

Imagine Children’s Museum launched a fun mural project intended to turn heads and spark imaginations in the Everett community.

At the corner of Pacific and Colby Avenues, mural artist, Gina Ribaudo, is enlivening downtown Everett with original artwork offering a colorful welcome to the area.

The mural features playful scenes of Port Gardener Bay’s ecosystem and a local woodland forest with a rope bridge and fishing pond. These hint at the playful learning galleries found inside Imagine Children’s Museum.

“This new mural brings the wonder of playful learning inside the Museum into the outside world,” said Nancy Johnson, CEO of Imagine Children’s Museum. “Everyone who sees the mural will get a glimpse of what awaits inside the Museum, or simply be reminded of the beauty of our Puget Sound region.”

Imagine Children’s Museum is the largest children’s museum in the Pacific Northwest and a major destination for children ages 12 and under and their grown-ups. Every year, more than 283,000 children, families, school groups and youth organizations visit the three-story facility at the corner of Wall St. and Hoyt Ave.

A tribute to the Museum’s commitment to the arts can be seen throughout its expansive interior. Throughout every floor of the Museum, you will find original works of art, including other murals by Gina Ribaudo.

Over the past 20 years, Ribaudo has painted larger-than-life murals that reflect the wonders of Snohomish County – including mountains, waterways and street scenes.

Imagine Children’s Museum’s mission is to utilize playful learning to enrich children’s lives. It serves the community through hands-on indoor and outdoor exhibits, field trips, camps, classes, family events and outreach programs.

Visual art can be inspiring for children, and can help them develop visual literacy skills, including the ability to observe details and make connections between what they see and the real world. Art can spark new conversations with children, providing opportunities for vocabulary development and language enrichment.

Murals are vibrant expressions of community identity and pride. As larger-than-life artworks, murals have the unique ability to uplift public spaces, injecting a sense of vitality and unity. For children, murals can instill a community connection and a sense of belonging.

Whether you’re a seasoned art enthusiast or simply a curious explorer who appreciates the transformative power of art, this new mural is a must-see. Drive or walk by today to witness the beauty of imagination coming to life!

The Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Every third Friday of the month, all families with children ages 12 and under can visit the Museum during its free family nights from 5 to 9 p.m.

The Aurora Borealis geomagnetic storm wasn’t the only unusual event on this past weekend.

Traffic woes began with President Biden flying into Seattle on Air Force One Friday, causing Flight restrictions at SeaTac and Paine Field plus highway and street closures during Friday rush hour for his motorcade to a private fundraising events. He also travelled to Medina on Saturday to visit Bill Gates at his home, then back to the airport, leading to further closures.

Construction projects also added to the chaos. I-5 North was down to one lane in Everett combined with several ramp closures, adding 45-minutes to northbound drives plus traffic flooding the streets of Everett from those seeking alternative routes. The 520 bridge was closed in both directions for the weekend and both I-90 and 405 had lane reductions at different times.

With the weather being so nice, we saw more motorcyles and RVs on the road, plus trucks making runs to the hardware store for spring projects and lawncare. Heck, it seemed like everyone and their mother was out on the roads… wait, that’s right, it was also Mother’s Day Weekend!

The good news is future weekend traffic shouldn’t suffer the same perfect storm, but Everett is heading into a period of 529 bridge being down to a single lane and then a full 529 Northbound Snohomish River Bridge closure starting May 28th (where it will remain closed for four months).

Everett Farmers Market opens on Mother’s Day

Get ready for a festive Mother’s Day bash tomorrow, Sunday, May 12th. It will be the official kick off for the 31st year for the Everett Farmers Market.

Everett Farmer’s Market Map – click to expand

The 2024 Everett Farmers market takes place on Sundays from 10:30am to 3pm, starting on Mother’s Day and running into October.

Over 100 vendors will be attending. There are too many vendors to list, but you’ll see lots of locally produced foods and crafts. You can see them all here.

The location is in the heart of Downtown Everett at Wetmore Avenue and Wall Street.

5/12 Featured Music: Mark Goldberg
Mark Goldberg, guitarist and pianist will be playing from 12-2pm

The City of Everett’s popular Sorticulture Garden Arts Festival returns to downtown Everett from June 7th to June 9th.

This year’s event will be the biggest one yet, taking over five city blocks in downtown Everett to showcase the talents of 130 local artists, plant nurseries and vendors offering handcrafted art, plants, flowers and locally made outdoor products. There will also be live music performances, street food and an outdoor beer and wine garden. Additionally, gardening enthusiasts can partake in workshops hosted by renowned experts like Ciscoe Morris on the Sunnyside Nursery Garden stage.

The 2024 Everett Sorticulture event hours will be:

• 10 am to 7pm Friday, June 7th
• 10am to 6pm Saturday, June 8th
• 10am to 4pm Sunday, June 9th

“Sorticulture is one of the highlights of my year! In addition to being a beloved celebration of the arts and nature, Sorticulture is also a significant economic driver for the City of Everett and our vibrant creative economy, drawing thousands of visitors to enjoy the festival and check out our fantastic downtown businesses,” said Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin.

For attendees who plan on purchasing more than they can carry, two package hold and pick-up booths will be available, staffed by volunteers from the Everett Rowing Association, ensuring a convenient shopping experience for everyone.

In planning for 2024, staff worked to incorporate past feedback in an effort to continue improving upon the overall event experience. This includes having more seating available and offering a complimentary event parking shuttle courtesy of Everett Transit. Visitors can park for free at Everett Station and catch a shuttle to the heart of the event every 15 minutes.

Another noteworthy addition is a partnership with the Schack Art Center to offer classes and gardening lectures inside the Schack to create new educational and artistic experiences at Sorticulture.

“Being part of Sorticulture’s journey and witnessing its expansion across five city blocks has truly been a fantastic experience. With an estimated economic impact exceeding $3.8 million for local businesses and artists, Sorticulture continues to thrive,” expressed Tyler Chism, the Placemaking Manager. “As one of nearly 20 festivals enhancing our downtown, Sorticulture showcases Everett as a vibrant, safe, and inviting city—a prime destination for both visitors and residents alike.”

For more information about Sorticulture and the lineup of participating artists and vendors, visit visiteverett.com/sorticulture.

Jerradon Phelps (left), Kevin Lewis (center), and Victim Alisha (right) Source: Fox News

On May 8, 2024, the Supreme Court of Washington denied Kevin Lewis’ final appeal motion.

On September 20, 2017, Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit detectives responded to a homicide at a residence in the 3100 block of York Road in Everett where the 24-year-old victim, Alisha Canales-McGuire, was fatally shot following a murder-for-hire plot.

Alisha had been staying at her sister’s home and it is believed her sister Amanda, who was out of town at the time, was the intended target of the murder-for-hire by her ex-husband Kevin Lewis. Kevin Lewis was found to have paid Jerradon Phelps & Alexis Hale $2,400 to kill Amanda Canales.

After a year and a half of investigative work by detectives, they were able to crack open the case.

In April 2019, the two individuals hired for murder, a then 17-year-old Spokane female and a 20-year-old Tacoma man, were arrested for aggravated first-degree murder with a firearm and criminal conspiracy to commit murder. Also, the victim’s ex-brother-in-law, 31-year-old Kevin Lewis, was arrested for first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder and solicitation to commit murder.

The investigation continued through the summer of 2021. In 2021, all three were convicted and Kevin Lewis was sentenced to life in prison. This week, on May 8, 2024, the Supreme Court of Washington ruled that Kevin Lewis’ second appeal for his first-degree murder conviction was denied. He has now exhausted all appeal efforts and he will spend life in prison.

Following this decision, The Snohomish County Sheriff wants to recognize Major Crimes Unit Lead Detective, Tedd Betts, for his relentless effort and steadfast commitment to securing justice for the victim and her family.

His diligent investigation involved executing dozens of search warrants and compiling extensive documentation, comprising hundreds of pages, to ensure accountability for the crimes committed by the three individuals. The recent ruling by the Supreme Court of Washington highlights the meticulous attention to detail and careful refinement that characterized this complex investigation.