10 years ago — 1998
n The Lakewood School District encompasses such a rural area that some students ride to school in a station wagon driven by a district employee. It is in this rural area that volunteers are spreading the word to make sure the school’s maintenance and operations levy passes. If it fails for a second time, several staff positions and nearly all the co-curricular programs, including band and athletics, will be cut. Students at Lakewood High School are organizing post cards and making ribbons to tie on cars. “It’s been a really neat experience in that everybody has reached out and volunteered to do things,” said Tara Mizell, member of the steering committee. “I think there’s a lot more people from the community, there’s more involvement this time around,” said Paul Pearson. The postcards that are on their way are grouped by sports, school and activities such as band and drama. Leaders of those activities are writing notes on each card and sending them to parents of children on their rosters. “It’s all rural so it’s challenging to get that word out,” said Mizell. “We are trying to hit it different ways.”
25 years ago — 1983
n Almost two years before the next national elections most of the potential presidential candidates are already announced. The election process, which not too long ago used to start about nine months before the presidential election, now seems to be a never-ending ordeal for campaigners and the public alike. Local elections have yet to reach such a melodramatic stage, but 1983 is an important year in the county’s political life and six months before the election candidates are already tossing their proverbial hats into the public office ring. Local pundits expect the voters to treat this election as a “report card” on the county’s new charter form of government. At home, Mayor John Larson faces a decision, as do Council members Jim Sneff, Tim Teague, Tim Simmons and Alice Carver. At the county level, County Auditor Dean Williams and Sheriff Bob Dodge have already stated their intentions to seek re-election and County Executive Willis Tucker is expected to announce his plans at a political reception at Ramo Realty at Smokey Point. Still to be heard from are the five members of the County Council, the assessor, clerk and treasurer. The forthcoming election will be the first time that the Council will face only the voters in their respective districts. The North County District No. 1 is the largest geographically, encompassing Marysville, Lake Stevens, Granite Falls, Stanwood, Darrington and Arlington.
50 years ago — 1958
n Ripple Rock attracted an international radio and TV hookup but the big blast was not the only one that got attention, for a shot fired by Hildur Eliason, shook up the south end of Arlington. Eliason, who is clearing a lot on the east side of Cobb Avenue, between Jackson and Highland Drive, according to Police Chief Clyde Parket, applied for permission to blow a stump. Permission was granted provided proper precautions were taken. Just before blast time, said Parker, he went into the area and with loudspeaker warned of the blast and requested all children get inside. According to the chief, instead of smothering the blast with brush, chunks of wood were piled atop the area. They rose into the air and hurtled end over end, one striking the house of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Lind, 402 Cobb Ave., below and to the side of the window. The block penetrated the wall, shattered the window, while other debris landed on the roof and rock struck the windshield of the family car. Mrs. Lind was home, their 2-year-old daughter Kristie asleep in the house. Another block of wood landed on the lawn of Councilmember Don Meier, at the corner of Jackson and Cobb. Gravel and dirt showered down and when the dust cleared away a survey of the damage began. According to Parker, Mr. Eliason agreed to foot the bill for damages.
