December

The Arlington community gave the gift of time and hope during the holidays through Operation Christmas Hope, the toy store, food bank and meals for senior and families in need, thanks to service clubs, churches and other groups.

Former Marysville Globe-Arlington Times publisher Kris Passey died of pancreatic cancer.

The lodging tax program based on putting “heads in beds” caused some City Council members to lose sleep. The city’s lodging tax advisory committee will review the council’s recommendations that seek to shore up inequities in grant fund distribution by early February.

In its first three months, the Arlington Youth Council is already busy speaking on behalf of young peers to help outfit the new Boys &Girls Club teen center now under way, and amenities for a yet-to-be located teen park.

November

City officials explored a diversion program, called Community Court, that would help chronic low-level offenders caught in the revolving door of justice as an alternative to jail time.

The woman arrested in connection with an explosive fire that destroyed a historic building that house 2 Bits And More in downtown Arlington is being held on $500,000 bail and faces a charge of first-degree arson.

The Arlington School District is selling a 180-acre piece of property on SR 530 northeast of city limits that at one time had been planned to site a new high school.

Pioneer Elementary allows kids to write on the wall at school, as long as the message is positive.

Police unveiled a flexible, innovative online system that enables residents and business owners to learn more about crime in Arlington and in their own neighborhood.

In a financial milestone, the city adopted its first-ever proposed biennial budget.

October

City and county officials broke ground on ball field improvements at Bill Quake Memorial Park, including new artificial turf being used for the first time for baseball to repel rain, and provide better drainage and shock absorption.

Arlington students got a lesson at an open house for the Advanced Manufacturing Training &Education Center at Weston High School: local aerospace jobs are soaring.

A new Arlington hospital administrator launched efforts to improve market share, explore through market research and online surveys to uncover why people go elsewhere.

The Justice Department awarded the Stillaguamish Tribe with grants totaling $1 million that will enhance youth cultural programs, help crime victims, and combat alcohol and drug abuse.

Like Marysville, Arlington started to get tough on nuisance properties.

September

An Arlington mom and daughter were among five killed in Cascade Mall in Burlington when a man went on a shooting spree.

In only its second year, the Arlington Viking Festival expanded to two days.

August

Arlington, Darrington established Youth Councils to advise their respective mayors and councils on issues important to young people, meeting one of several goals as finalist twin cities in the America’s Best Communities competition.

The man suspected of killing his former Oso neighbors execution style faced a Snohomish County judge some three months after sheriff’s detectives sought his arrest. John Reed pleaded not guilty to two counts of aggravated murder.

July

Arlington, Marysville warned Pokemon Go players to stay safe as the hunt took off locally.

The Arlington Airport received a famous visitor not once, but twice in less than a week – the Goodyear Blimp.

Ex-Arlington police officer Jason Rhodes challenged a firing six years after an incident occurred.

Construction began on a new $22 million behavioral hospital at Smokey Point.

June

The city honored outgoing schools superintendent Kris McDuffy for her partnership efforts to land a manufacturing training center.

Curtis Rookaird of Arlington prevails in a $1.6 million wrongful dismissal lawsuit against Burlington Northern Santa Fe.

Jonathan Ventura was promoted to Arlington police chief, and Bruce Stedman to fire chief June 6.

Fire District 21 – Arlington Heights contended that the city of Arlington overcharges for EMS; city officials countered that the fire district isn’t paying its fair share for coverage

Arlington hired new schools superintendent Chrys Sweeting, an assistant superintendent from Puyallup School District.

Arlington put the historic Trafton Elementary School up for sale.

May

An ultralight aircraft took off without its pilot, then crashed at Arlington Airport when he tried chase it down. He suffered minor injuries.

Two bodies believed to those of a missing Arlington couple since April were found near Oso after detectives were led to the site by one of two brothers connected to the slayings. Both fled to Mexico. Brother Tony Reed surrendered to authorities after an international manhunt. John Reed was still at large.

April

The Arlington and Darrington team was among eight communities nationwide that made the finals of the America’s Best Communities competition. Each community was provided $100,000 to turn their plans into reality. Top prize is $3 million.

The Stillaguamish Tribe donated $500,000 to help build a splash pad at Haller Park.

Housing Hope aimed to address homelessness in Arlington, Marysville, Tulalip, Stanwood and Camano Island with a site in Lakewood that could serve 182 low-income families over the next decade.

Arlington Public Schools Superintendent Kris McDuffy accepted a job in the Edmonds School District.

An Oso couple, Patrick Shunn and Monique Patenaude, were slain, allegedly by a neighbor whom they were in a land dispute with. One alleged killer’s brother, Tony Reed, gave himself up and led officials to the bodies. After a long manhunt, the suspect, John Reed, was captured in Mexico and is now awaiting trial in Snohomish County.

March

Police arrested an Arlington woman who reportedly pretended to have young children so that when school staff were distracted on a visit, she could help herself to purses, wallets and electronics from offices and classrooms.

A former Arlington School District track coach from 2011 to 2015 resigned from his teaching job at Lake Stevens High School after being accused of a sexual relationship with a former student.

Dwayne Lane, founder of the namesake car dealership that now has six locations locally, died.

To demonstrate a commitment to its affiliation with the Cascade Valley Hospital and Clinics, Skagit Regional Health pledged a $72 million investment over the next five years to install a new electronic health record system.

February

Arlington’s Cascade Valley Hospital elected chairman Timothy Cavanagh was charged with felony domestic-violence stalking an ex-girlfriend, and burglary.

The Arlington City Council accepted a $158,473 grant to build new restrooms and a concession area at Haller Park

The Arlington City Council voted Feb. 1 to relax marijuana laws.

January

Mayor Barb Tolbert was sworn in to a second term, and two long-term council members took the oath of office, joined by two new first-timers on council.

Arlington Valley Road was among several road projects to receive state transportation funding.