Construction was the big news in Marysville and Arlington in 2019.
New businesses, houses and streets were built or are still being built all over our communities.
From a new casino in Tulalip to a major remodeled one north of Arlington, along with numerous buildings going up in the new Cascade Industrial Center, business was booming.
Housing developments also were popping up all over the towns.
And streets like the First Street Bypass and Arlington Valley Road were built to try to diminish traffic woes caused by all the growth.
It’s not going to let up. With projects like the Civic Center and I-5 ramps, construction is likely to be a major story in years to come, too.
Below is a list of some of the other top stories for the year.
January
Marysville police focus on de-escalation training.
First graduate of Tulalip Tribes’ Healing to Wellness Court.
The economy looked great locally as jobs could be found everywhere.
Grace Academy broke ground on $6 million expansion.
Marysville and Arlington both approved what was later named the Cascade Industrial Center. Businesses start showing up quickly.
The huge Pilot Travel Center opened at Island Crossing.
Arlington made the Top 10 for reality show “Small Business Revolution – Main Street.” It didn’t make the finals.
Buildings were demolished for the new jail in Marysville. More go down for the Civic Campus, which has its groundbreaking Jan. 13, 2020.
M-P boys basketball wins conference title. Later wins district and 4th at state.
February
500 attend Marysville’s first Wedding Show.
Integrated Learning Center loses sponsor, and is still in flux.
Snow pounds area, leading to school days off.
Co-working space opens in downtown Arlington
Marysville seeks downtown developers, later adding tax breaks for them.
Civil rights suit filed in Arlington against police. City settles for $1.5 million.
$96 million school bond voted down in Arlington
M-P diver Andrew Kallio was fourth at state. Already this season he broke a school record.
9 wrestlers place at state, led by Cayden White of M-P, who was second.
March
Beautiful new fields open in Lakewood
Arlington’s girls basketball team makes it to state
Poochapalooza ends after 10 years.
AHS band gets new uniforms
Marysville supports Regional Fire Authority then OK’d by voters in April.
New byway helps industry in Arlington
Ken Cage, Marysville’s historian, dies at 85.
Terri Gobin becomes chairwoman of the Tulalip Tribes.
A ceremony at Oso remembered the 43 victims of the slide five years before.
Construction sales taxes pay for public art in Arlington.
April
Airport hangers were in short supply at Arlington
The last house goes down as construction starts and is still under way on the First Street Bypass.
“Complete Streets” program improves sidewalks, bike lanes, etc., in Arlington
Superintendent Michael Mack leaves Lakewood for Saudi Arabia.
Marysville council’s trips to Washington, D.C., pay off in federal funds returned.
Local girls blazing trail in Boy Scouts.
Solar panels sold to public at new facility near airport.
Arlington cracks down on code enforcement.
May
State budget includes money for Cedar Field. Work is being done now.
Vaping is a concern in Marysville and Arlington.
Improvements are finished at Wenberg Park at Lake Goodwin.
There’s interest in Marysville in a co-housing development.
Improvements on I-5 will include a peak shoulder lane, that later was changed to an HOV lane.
Arlington baseball and M-P soccer make it to state.
Salvation Army won’t have officers to cut costs, but later it becomes the Cold-Weather Shelter.
Arlington wants $8.2 million bond for fire station and police impound facility.
June
Fancy water pad opens at Haller Park in Arlington.
Julia Parra of Arlington led local tracksters at state meet.
Lakewood’s girls softball team goes 2-2 at state.
Ex-Arlington businessman Jeff Phebus charged with killing his wife.
Scott Peacock named superintendent in Lakewood.
Longtime M-P wrestling coach Craig Iverson retires. Marcus Haughian takes over.
Jarred Rome of Marysville was named to SnoCo Sports Hall of Fame. After getting his award in September, he died at the age of 42.
Marysville school employees worked hard all summer fixing up schools.
July
Work continues on new Tulalip Casino off I-5 and Fourth in Marysville
Longtime Marysville parks director Jim Ballew announces retirement right after city’s bang-up July 4 event. Tara Mizell takes over.
Traffic signal woes at Island Crossing.
Marysville’s athletic director, Greg Erickson, retired after 26 years. In September, Rocky Verbeck took over.
Spook Woods is cut down for a housing development.
The Living Room Coffee House, and its associated church, close down.
5 Rights Brewing Co. opens on 3rd Street.
Marysville court’s Mental Health Court successful.
Arlington council wants to ban fireworks. It later is approved by voters.
August
Kiwanis announces new Crabtoberfest
Marysville’s Grove Church expands good deeds to Arlington
Angel of the Winds casino has huge expansion. It fully opens later in year.
A delivery truck driver only gets 3 months in death of pedestrian at I-5 onramp two years before.
Marysville police chief Rick Smith retires.
Marysville schools start with different programs to stop bullying and help new students.
Switch to August a big hit for Arlington Fly-In.
September
Oxford House opens its first facility in Marysville to help moms with kids.
The 1979 Arlington Eagles football team celebrates its state title.
The state breached the dike for the new estuary off I-5 and Highway 529.
October
Marysville decides to try to pass a levy in February to build two new schools.
Snohomish County Mulitiple Agency Response team rules Marysville shooting of Jeffrey Keith Sims is justified.
Arlington Walmart does a $4 million upgrade.
Marysville Globe third in state in general excellence
Arlington buys use-of-force virtual simulator.
Security upgrades continue to take place at Marysville schools.
New paramedic program to reduce non-emergency 9-1-1 calls.
November
Locals participate in Peking to Paris vintage car race
Longtime Tulalip Tribes leader Stan Jones dies. Over 1,000 attend his services.
Incumbents Mariana Maksimos in Marysville and Sue Weiss in Arlington lose in elections. Arlington mayor Barb Tolbert won by the slimmest of margins. Weiss later rebuked for comments about Tolbert.
The Arlington Eagles volleyball team placed sixth at state. The Eagle boys were fourth and girls fifth at state in cross country.
Cold-weather shelter in Arlington shuts down.
Arlington, Marysville sign pacts with Port of Everett.
MG’s girls soccer team went to state.
M-P and Lakewood both won state playoff games, but Arlington lost in football.
Arlington puts bond, levy on February ballot.
December
Marysville City Councilman Mark James to run for state office
Marysville looks to restore funding to health district, while Arlington looks at funding local resource center instead.
No Christmas lights on water tower due to safety.
2 Arlington school board members step down after 36 years combined in office.
AHS honors military at basketball game.
TOP ONLINE STORIES FOR 2019
Marysville Globe
23,651 – Newly renovated park to reopen with ceremony Thursday
5,799 – Bust right across the street from Marysville Globe
3,457 – We’re growing and growing in Marysville
3,183 – Marysville restaurant-lounge gets a makeover at age 50
3,172 – Oxford Houses turn addicts’ lives around
2,553 – Civility is Still Alive and Well in Our Courts
2,424 – Grace Academy plans $6 million expansion to be done by August
2,216 – Suspect in alleged vehicular assault sought
2,095 – Arlington woman gets 16 years for killing husband
1,934 – Helping others an easy call
Arlington Times
26,085 – Suspect in murder owned Arlington thrift shop
4,578 – Pilot Travel Center now open at Island Crossing
3,381 – Marysville woman wins $30K in Safeway Monopoly
3,117 – 2nd-hand heroin smoke gives 1st-responders, others more to worry about
2,643 – Team from ‘Main Street’ reality show visits Arlington among 10 cities vying for starring role
2,067 – Sword attack just missed killing man in Marysville
2,280 – Arlington Assembly opens new Kids and Teens Center
2,118 – Coach’s wife’s bout with cancer leads to benefit game
2,077 – Angel of the Winds Casino: A sneak peek at resort’s game-changing expansion
1,910 – Young man killed by hit-and-run driver was well-loved
