MARYSVILLE – A lot happened in 2018, but even more will happen in 2019 as a result. Big news that started or gained ground last year includes:

•A new casino-hotel off Fourth being built by the Tulalip Tribes. Work has slowed as a new contractor had to be hired. But it should pick up again soon. North of Arlington Angel of the Winds is expanding.

•A new public safety building and civic campus in Marysville. Funding has been approved and work should start soon.

•The Manufacturing and Industrial Center has advanced to the point that activity should increase in the coming year.

•The last property has been purchased for the First Street Bypass so that project will be moving forward.

One of the big things that did happen in 2018 was the Tulalip Tribes finished the intersection at 116th Street and Interstate 5. It took longer than expected because designs were changed to lessen traffic on side streets. And be sure to stay in your lane because a lot of cars are going in a lot of different directions up there. But it’s great to have another full-service interchange directing traffic.

Another important story last year was the embedded social worker program is off to a fast start helping people involved in homelessness and drugs.

Following is a month-by-month listing of the top Marysville Globe headlines of 2018:

January

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring looks forward to improvements on First Street and embedded social worker program to help homeless and curb drug addiction.

Al Aldrich, lobbyist for Arlington and Marysville, goes to work in Olympia.

Former Marysville schools superintendent Becky Berg recovers from surgery to remove brain tumor. She later resigned and Jason Thompson has been named her replacement.

Tom King and Mark James sworn in as new Marysville council members. Arlington swears in Josh Roundy.

Angel of the Winds casino north of Arlington plans $60 million expansion.

Arlington High School Air Force Junior ROTC could end if numbers don’t improve. Later, program is saved.

Snohomish County looks at ordinance similar to Marysville’s to take down nuisance houses.

Push for equity, diversity in schools in both Arlington and Marysville.

With Arlington out of the picture, Marysville and Fire District 12 discuss Regional Fire Authority. Vote could take place in April 2019.

New library opens in Smokey Point.

Groups in Arlington and Marysville count homeless and offer services.

Marysville chaplain Greg Kanehen shares advice on suicide after death of quarterback at WSU.

Lakewood to get new baseball, softball fields. They should be ready in spring of 2019.

Cory Cooper of Marysville won big on the TV show “The Price is Right.”

An Arlington teacher, Andrew Medley, was arrested after making threats.

February

The Puget Sound Regional Council Growth Management Policy Board made changes that will make it easier for the Arlington-Marysville Manufacturing Industrial Center to become a reality.

The state legislature passed a capital budget that included funds for the Spray Pad in Arlington, which should be done in 2019.

Army Reserves in Marysville have to be ready to be called up in less than 120 days, much faster than under previous policy.

Marysville-Pilchuck, Arlington and Lakewood all got to host boys basketball playoff games because of their strong seasons; M-P and Arlington advanced to state. Arlington’s girls made the playoffs. Seventeen local wrestlers advanced to state; 7 went on to place there.

M-P hosts about 3,000 students from leadership classes all over the state.

The Stilly Valley Chamber of Commerce was born after a name change.

Coastal Farm moved into the old Kmart building in Marysville.

A Microgrid and Clean Energy Technology Center will be built in Arlington near the airport. It won’t open until 2020.

A Marysville School District levy that was failing on Election Night, ended up receiving 58 percent approval.

A school bond for Arlington schools failed.

March

The governor vetoed a public records bill passed by the legislature that limited its transparency.

Marysville students rallied for safe schools in the wake of yet another school shooting, this one in Parkland, Fla. Lakewood later joins in the effort.

Two suspects in the murder of Tye Burley of Arlington were captured in California.

A 15-year-old boy pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter in the death of Marysville Getchell student Robert Myrick Jr. He was later sentenced to 12 months rather than the 30 days recommended by prosecutors.

M-P and Arlington were ousted from state in boys basketball. Tulalip went to state but lost its first two games.

Plans are made for a memorial for victims of the Highway 530 Oso Slide.

Marysville has focused on school safety and made numerous improvements since the shooting at M-P 3 1/2 years ago.

New tennis courts at Lakewood High School are a big success.

A YMCA fund-raiser raises money for those with Parkinson’s.

Wenberg State Park at Lake Goodwin closed for the summer for boat launch and other improvements. It’s now open.

The plan for an innovation center in Arlington received state funding. It plans to open next year.

Lakewood had an open house to show off its new high school.

George Boulton, longtime Arlington Kiwanis member and owner of Flowers by George, dies.

New methodone clinic opens in Arlington.

Marysville officials say drug offenses will be harder to prosecute when Snohomish County prosecutor Mark Roe says they can’t take those cases anymore do to their heavy workload.

April

Embedded social workers Rochelle Long in Marysville and Britney Sutton in Arlington, along with officers Mike Buell in Marysville and Ken Thomas in Arlington, started working with homeless in the communities to try to get them help.

A basketball tourney was held in honor of slain MG student Robbie Myrick.

M-P students continued to protest against school violence.

Marysville announced plans for a new Civic Campus that would be built with money made from selling city properties. The effort was contingent on residents approving a tax to pay for a new Public Safety Building. Later in the year that did happen. Work on the jail and campus should start next year.

Crisis Support in Marysville said it was having its own crisis when it comes to finances. That still is the case.

Everett Community College’s Advanced Manufacturing Training and Education Center North in Arlington connects students to trades jobs.

Marysville police for the first time used a law passed in 2016 that allows them to take guns away from someone they think may harm themselves or others.

Two multi-family housing projects in Smokey Point will add 567 new units.

The last meeting of a six-phase, 1-1/2 year process to find out what the community wants for Marysville schools took place. A week later residents pressured the district to make a decision. Later it was announced that instead of students choosing, boundaries will decide which high school a student attends. That’s still in discussion.

The state attorney general ruled against a lawsuit filed against Maryfest by a former officer. The AG admonished the ex-officer of the volunteer group that guides the annual Marysville Strawberry Festival. A week later, longtime volunteers returned to the organization.

A stage was being built at Legion Park in Arlington.

It was decided that Mountain View and Arts and Tech high schools would combine due to declining enrollment.

A ballot measure for funding Sno-Isle libraries barely passed.

May

Principal Dave Ross and Vice Principal Jeff Ingrum returned to their alma mater M-P to help troubled kids after the school shooting years before.

The Tulalip Law and Justice Center was relocated, while Michelle Sheldon became the first Tulalip tribal member to pass the state bar exam.

Willow Place, which cares for disabled adults, completed an expansion that doubled its size.

A support group formed in Silvana to help Opioid Affected Families of Snohomish County.

M-P’s baseball team qualified for state; Arlington’s was close; M-P’s soccer team was still alive, as was Lakewood’s softball team. Arlington had 12 league champions in track, while M-P had 4. Lauren Carson of M-P and Julia Parra of Arlington were the only district champs. The Tommies later won the district title. M-P and MG’s softball teams also did well.

Marysville residents complained at a City Council meeting about a bikini barista stand opening downtown. It’s still there.

The Challenger Division for young people with disabilities was a hit in Arlington.

Lakewood’s Yareli Ochoa won the state high jump title in 2A.

The Marysville Museum celebrated its first birthday.

June

Two local women created a business model for people to start a daycare for the elderly to give their families a break.

John Reed was found guilty of killing neighbors Patrick Shunn and Monique Patenaude in the Oso area.

M-P’s girls softball team went 2-2 in the state tourney. Lakewood’s girls softball team won its first game at state in the school’s history.

A daycare for men thrives because they spend time building planes.

The Huskies signed M-P basketball star RaeQuan Battle, while the Giants drafted ex-Arlington baseball standout Ryan Walker.

Hundreds graduate from local high schools and receive thousands upon thousands of dollars in scholarships.

At M-P’s graduation, an empty chair symbolized the missing students who were killed 3 1/2 years earlier in the school cafeteria. One of the first responders, school resource officer Chris Sutherland, spoke at the graduation.

Leifer Manor hosted its last Fashion Show for the Marysville Strawberry Festival because owner Donna is retiring.

The Seeds of Grace Market Mentor Project was helping people learn job skills at the Marysville Farmers Market.

Lakewood High School graduated its first class from its new high school.

Marysville teachers asked the school board for more money, now that the state was finally providing more due to the McCleary decision.

July

Marysville started meetings to find out what the community would like to see happen at State Avenue.

The Arlington Fly-In had drones put on a digital fireworks show for the 50th annual event.

Code Enforcement shut down another reported drug house in Marysville.

Arlington residents fought a utility tax. They lost that battle.

Jeff Newell of Arlington was going to drive a tractor to Alaska to raise money for diabetes research. He made it there and back.

A video at an Arlington fire station led to the arrest of three people for two killings.

The school board wanted facts on how much money would be saved if Marysville Getchell became a traditional high school.

Marysville police obtained FARO, an imaging device that can speed up investigations of crime and crash scenes.

August

Neighbors celebrated after an alleged drug house next door finally was cleaned up.

An Arlington man came up with the idea for a better crab pot, and it is being made famous by its use on “Deadliest Catch.”

Arlington’s transportation plan includes money to make 172nd four lanes from I-5 to Highway 9.

A pot shop opened in Tulalip near the Walmart.

The measure to fund a new Public Safety Building in Marysville passed.

Tina Meyer of Arlington, whose son was killed by a distracted driver, worked with officials to get a tougher law passed.

Because of smoke from wildfires, local sports teams had to practice inside.

September

Teachers voted to start work on time in Marysville, after threatening not to if their raises weren’t bigger.

Lakewood schools have the best graduation rates locally thanks to extra efforts being made by staff.

Marysville women who were second in the nation in softball 25 years ago reunite locally.

Kuhnle’s Tavern in Marysville celebrated its 100th birthday with a huge party.

The Tulalip Tribes appealed a housing development over concerns about a nearby stream.

New tennis courts mean a new boys tennis team at Lakewood High.

Eagle Wings disAbility Ministries opened a new educational center in Marysville called the Marysville Tulalip Integrated Learning Center.

Marysville police shoot and kill a man in a domestic violence case. The shooting is still being investigated by the county’s SMART team.

Challenger Jeff Sax released information about a 20-year-old sex and child abuse case against lawmaker John Lovick. He and his children denied the charges. Lovick went on to win the general election.

The Marysville School District announced its effort to start a trades school in the old wood shop at M-P.

About $1 million, guns and drugs were found in an Arlington bust

In one of his many visits to this area, U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen met with some small local farmers and found out they were concerned about new tariffs.

Trina Davis of M-P played with the Fiji national team and ended up being one of their star players.

October

A Department of Corrections officer pled guilty to four sex crimes.

Rachel Israel writes a book about life in Arlington as part of the Love Israel family.

The lack of fire sprinklers kept Marysville from having a permanent cold-weather shelter, even though a variance was given for five years.

The Tulalip Tribes lost a federal lawsuit over the collection of sales taxes at Quil Ceda Village. An appeal is planned.

The Marysville Globe-The Arlington Times won four first-place honors, 10 overall, in a statewide newspaper contest.

Arlington schools hosted forums on school safety.

Recycling efforts in Marysville and Arlington need to be improved. Items are too contaminated to recycle so they are ending up going to the dump.

An Arlington doubles team goes to state; Eagle cross country runners took the team title, advancing to state;

November

Marysville has made many safety changes since the M-P shooting four years ago.

A teacher-pastor at a religious school in Arlington was arrested for voyeurism.

Arlington’s school bond failed for a second time.

Arlington won its first game in the state playoffs, but lost in the second round to Bethel.

Ken Cage announced he is resigning as president of the Marysville Historical Society after 19 years.

Pilot Travel Center will open in mid-December.

December

A committee recommends sending a Regional Fire Authority proposal to voters. The city and fire district leaders still need to sign off on that.

58 local athletes make fall list for All-Wesco sports teams.

Arlington’s school board cuts back its proposal and will try a third time to pass a school bond.

Issues in the investigation have delayed charges against an Arlington woman for alleged sex crimes against minors.

A Marysville man has been sentenced to 1 1/2 years in prison for embezzling $248,000 from his labor union.

Almost 10,000 people attended the Merrysville for the Holidays Electric Lights Parade, about twice as many folks as the previous year.