Graveyard Shift Ride-Along with SCSO

On April 8^th, I joined SCSO Deputy McGrath for a ride-along during the graveyard shift. For 10 hours we patrolled South Snohomish County, interacting with traffic law violators, domestic violence suspects and victims, and a number of behavioral health cases involving drug abuse and mental health issues.

These ride-along opportunities give me a firsthand look at the issues our law enforcement personnel are seeing on the street every day. They help to inform my decision-making as a policy maker. Thank you to Deputy McGrath and SCSO for the opportunity.

RAP Spring Showcase Event

This year’s annual RAP Spring Showcase welcomed community members, elected officials, labor leaders, and industry representatives to the RAP Center on Thursday, April 30^th, 2026. The event highlighted student achievement through guided tours, workstations, and student speakers.

During the event, I had the opportunity to share my gratitude with RAP students, staff, and community supporters. RAP Program Director Anne Carnell also announced that the program will be expanding from serving 75 students to 110 students next school year. RAP continues to have a positive impact on the lives of students throughout Snohomish County and I am so appreciative of all who continue to support the program’s growth.

#SnoCoGameDay World Cup Scarf Give-Away

We are less than 50 days away from the World Cup kicking off in the Pacific Northwest! The matches are taking place in Seattle and Vancouver, BC, but plenty of action is happening right here in Snohomish County. Get in on the excitement with a #SnoCoGameday soccer scarf. These scarves were produced by our county’s Destination Management Organization, Discover Snohomish County, and the story, scenery, and magic of SnoCo is stitched into its fabric.

For a chance to get one of these scarves, please respond to this email with the phrase “#SnoCoGameday” and tell me where you plan to wear the scarf. No purchase is necessary. Recipients will be selected by Discover Snohomish County and contacted soon via email.

To learn more about #SnoCoGameday or to see where the scarf has traveled around the world, visit DiscoverSnoCo.com or follow @DiscoverSnoCo on Instagram or Facebook.

County Legislative Page Program

Today marks the conclusion of the Snohomish County Council’s first Legislative Page Program. This week, we hosted ten high school students from across Snohomish County to give them a firsthand look at how county government works. They spent each day learning about the legislative process, engaging with elected officials and staff, and participating in ordinance drafting and mock hearing exercises.

The pages from my district, Asher and Grace, did a great job this week. They asked engaging questions, had thoughtful ideas for their draft ordinances, and presented themselves very professionally throughout the week. I am thankful for all of the staff who made this possible and the students for participating. I hope this program continues so that we can provide more students with the opportunity to build civic knowledge, develop leadership skills, and gain insights into public service.

County Council Budget Retreat

From time-to-time, the County Council holds a budget retreat which is an informal discussion among councilmembers and staff about the current budget situation and plans for next year’s budget. This year's retreat was held on April 13^th at the Parks Administration building at Willis Tucker Park.

During the retreat, we discussed the budget calendar, improvements to the budget process, our Council office budget, 6-year budget forecasts, and priorities of government and legal mandates. As you have likely read in local news, the county is facing a significant budget deficit in the coming years. This discussion was the first of many conversations we will have as a Council on how to address that deficit while continuing to provide core services to the community.

You can explore the County’s budget and review revenues and expenditures for each department through our budget dashboard at this link.     

Artemis II mission

Last month’s Artemis II mission inspired millions across the country and the world. The four-person crew took off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on April 1, 2026 and was the first crewed flight beyond low-earth orbit since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972. Their amazing journey around the moon and back reminded many of us of what we can accomplish together. My kids were especially interested in the mission and followed it closely all the way up to the astronauts’ safe return to Earth.

Workers Memorial Day Ceremony

On April 22^nd, I attended the Workers Memorial Ceremony at the County Courthouse. Workers Memorial Day remembers the lives lost on jobsites throughout our communities each year. During the ceremony, the names of workers who died in workplaces last year were read. Out of 108 individual lives lost last year, six of them were from Snohomish County. The memorial located at the Courthouse was originally commissioned by local labor groups twenty-five years ago on Workers Memorial Day in 2001.

VOAWW Ribbon Cutting

Volunteers of America Western Washington (VOAWW) recently opened a new pallet shelter village in Everett to house up to 20 homeless women and children. On April 27^th, I joined VOAWW staff, community members, and fellow elected officials at the ribbon cutting ceremony. This is a great example of efforts to provide opportunities for our most vulnerable, especially children, to have a safe space to live. Congratulations to VOAWW on this successful project. I am excited to see the new village change lives in our community.

You can read more about the project in this article.

SBA Disaster Assistance Centers

Snohomish County residents impacted by December’s historic flooding can now access in-person support at Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Assistance Centers across the county. The temporary centers are designed to help individuals and families apply for federal disaster aid and connect with recovery resources. There will be locations in Arlington, Snohomish, and Sultan.

Staffed by FEMA specialists and partner agencies, the centers provide one-on-one assistance with applications, answer questions about available programs, and guide residents through the recovery process. The effort follows a federal disaster declaration that made financial assistance available to communities across Washington affected by severe winter storms and flooding.

The centers will operate for a limited time at multiple locations throughout Snohomish County, offering a critical opportunity for residents to receive hands-on help. Those unable to attend in person can still apply online or by phone, with the application deadline set for June 10, 2026. Visit this website for more details.

K-Fair Event

The Greater Seattle Korean Association (GSKA) is proud to partner with the City of Lynnwood, Edmonds College, and the Snohomish Economic Alliance to bring you a career fair dedicated to our Snohomish communities. The event will be held on May 2^nd from 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

The event will connect community members with exciting opportunities across industries including: manufacturing, technology, vocational trades, aerospace, healthcare, and more.

Whether you're job searching, changing careers, or just exploring your options — this event is for everyone. Come meet employers, connect with resources, and take the next step in your career journey.