Saturday is the day...GroundFrog Day!

Saturday is the day...GroundFrog Day!

Tomorrow is the day, as Snohomish Slew, the finest amphibian weather frognosticator in all the land, becomes the star of his own day...GroundFrog Day.

The fun begins at 11 a.m. at the gazebo at the foot of Avenue A, just south of First Street with entertainment and games.

But the ceremony leading to the main event starts as noon. As the one human is named to translate Frogese, then the Loyal Frog Handler will bring Slew to the stage. At that point, Snohomish's favorite frog will disclose what the next six weeks of weather will bring.

It's the seventh straight year that Slew will be making his prediction. What will he say? Will it be an early spring, or will winter stick around? Only the frog knows.

And he's holding his tongue until Saturday.

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SHD offering free whooping cough shots on February 4

SHD offering free whooping cough shots on February 4

The increase of whooping cough (pertussis) in Snohomish County has led the Snohomish Health District set up two clinics where vaccines will be distributed.

The district will be hosting the Tdap clinics on February 4 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Snohomish Health District at 3020 Rucker Avenue in Everett and the Sea Mar Community Health Center at 9710 State Avenue in Marysville. Around 450 shots will be available between the two sites, thanks to a $14,000 grant from The Everett Clinic Foundation.

While the shots will be free, an advance appointment is strongly recommended. Those can be made by calling 425-388-5088 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. from January 30 to February 3. A few walk-in shots will be available, but that appointment would be the best bet.

The health district is hoping to attract pregnant women in their third trimester and those who are in close contact with newborns, infants, young children and pregnant women.

Snohomish County residents and businesses urged to report damages from the storm

Snohomish County has reported in a press release that, "residents, farmers, businesses and municipalities should begin reporting to the county’s Department of Emergency Management (DEM) storm damages related to winter weather occurring between Jan. 13 through 23".

These damage assessments will determine and justify the need for assistance from the state, federal, and other potential grants. Snohomish County experienced repeated snow, ice, and freezing temperatures which could have led to damage and impacts throughout the County.

The road crews plowed nearly 20,000 miles of roadway using nearly 4,600 tons of sand. Crews worked to clear tree limbs and debris from the storm-water catch basins (about 50,000 throughout the county) to prevent urban flooding.

“Snohomish County has shown continually its ability to respond to weather events such as snow and ice, keeping roads clear and open,” said Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon. “But we also know that some residents and business owners may have suffered damages due to ice and flooding.”

How do you report?

Wind Advisory in effect until midnight

Wind Advisory in effect until midnight

The winds are expected to start picking up in Snohomish and the Cascade foothills later this afternoon.

The National Weather Service has issued a Wind Advisory for Snohomish, Lake Stevens, Monroe and the rest of the foothill towns. It started at 2 p.m. and will be in effect until midnight.

South winds are supposed to shift to the southwest, gusting up to 45 mph in some locations. Sustained winds are expected to be in the 15-30 mph range.

The main concerns are the trees that were damaged by the snow and ice storms last week. The winds could topple over some of the more weakened trees, and some power outages could occur.

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Seattle-Snohomish Mill to close in March

Seattle-Snohomish Mill to close in March

The Seattle-Snohomish Mill will be shutting down in March, putting 50 people out of work and ending 70 years of service to Snohomish.

General Manager Rob Harrison confirmed the closure to KOMO on Tuesday afternoon. A decline in demand for their lumber, caused by collapse of the construction and housing industries, was the big reason for the coming closure.

The mill produced Douglas Fir and Hem-Fir products, including 20-40 foot support beams and kiln-dried beams and boards.

Employees were told about the closure last week, being given 60 days notice of the mill's closure.

Spring is near? Little League sign-ups, tryouts coming up

Here's something to let you dream of spring: sign-ups for Little League are underway!

The North Snohomish Little League and South Snohomish Little League are currently signing up players online, but both have in-person sign up events set up.

The NSLL will have sign-up events on Wednesday night from 6:45-9:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 am to 1 p.m. at the Snohomish Boys & Girls Club.

The SSLL will have sign-ups and tryouts for softball and baseball players between 9-12 years old on February 4 and February 12 at the South Snohomish Little League Complex (players only need to show up for one day).

Check the websites for contact information and deadlines. But the thought of baseball and softball...that means spring isn't too far off, right?

Future Chefs Challenge Thursday at Glacier Peak

Future Chefs Challenge Thursday at Glacier Peak

Thursday is a big day for 21 fourth, fifth and sixth graders in the Snohomish School District, as they get to show off their cooking skills.

The annual "Future Chefs Challenge/Kids Can Cook" event will be taking place Thursday afternoon at Glacier Peak High School. Kids from schools around the district will be putting together their special recipes with the help of GPHS culinary students for the judges that will sample all of the creations and decide on a winner.

In the past, there have been awards for fun food, healthy choices, simple, kid-friendly preparation and "judge's choice".

All 21 will get a framed certificate, a cookbook that includes their recipe, a chef's coat and hat and a medal. The winner will receive extra prizes, as well.

After the judging, those in attendance will be able to sample all of the 21 dishes.

The 21 students taking part this year are:

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  • George Angelos - Grade 5 - Tiropetakia
  • Laurel Peterson - Grade 6 - PB and Berry Pockets

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