A look back at 2007

A review of the year’s top stories Here is a quick glance at some of the top stories in Lake Stevens and Granite Falls during 2007.
Here is a quick glance at some of the top stories in Lake Stevens and Granite Falls during 2007.

January
The year started out with a vacant seat on the Lake Stevens City Council, which was quickly filled by newly annexed resident, Suzanne Quigley.
The seat was empty because Mayor Lynn Walty stepped down in November 2006 and now Mayor Vern Little was appointed to the Mayoral position.
The Granite Falls Museum also opened in January right on schedule. With a spar-tree as the centerpiece of the Museum and many local folks volunteering to get the work done, it is sure to be an important piece of the history of Granite Falls.
February
The Lake Stevens High Wrestlers started the year out right with the State Championship win. Viking wrestlers are a thing to behold and a strong tradition here in our small town.
The Vikes have just as good of a chance to take it again in 2008.
On the morning of Feb. 13, a 17-year-old boy broke into a home on the 44th block of 123rd Ave. NE in Lake Stevens.
A 14-year-old girl was home alone at the time of the break-in. She quickly called 911 and the burglar was shot and wounded by a Snohomish County Sheriff’s Deputy.

March
The land near the intersection of Highway 2 and State Route 9 became a hot issue for both the City of Lake Stevens and the City of Snohomish.

That parcel of land has been in the Lake Stevens Urban Growth Area for years, but with a developer knocking on the door at the Snohomish City offices, they too wanted a piece of the pot.

Lake Stevens and Snohomish are waiting to hear from the county, which city will end up with the property.

Synergy Group was founded in Lake Stevens to bring together all local non-profit organizations and to help make sure no family in need falls through the cracks.

A family of three was walking along the Granite Falls Fish Ladder when raging river waters overtook them leaving them stranded and in need of rescue.
April
Oldtimers living in Lake Stevens remember the Chicken Restaurant of old and the traditions that came with “the Chicken”.

In April, Mini-Mart owner Frank McDaniel had a new Chicken made in hopes of placing it atop his newly renovated Chicken Restaurant. His hopes were dashed through a city ordinance but teenagers around town still wanted the Chicken to be part of their school history.

Three firefighters were trapped in a Lake Stevens home on April 14 after a roof collapsed on them. All were treated and released.

The fire caused over $700,000 worth of damage.

Thanks to local artist, George David, the salmon started running Lake Stevens.

David carved the fish monument to adorn the roundabout located on Lundeen Parkway.

May
May was a big month for news in both Granite Falls and Lake Stevens.
Andrea Peterson, an elementary music teacher at Monte Cristo Elementary School in Granite Falls, was named National Teacher of the Year and was honored at a reception by Governor Christine Gregoire and other state officials.

The Critical Areas Ordinance was introduced at a Lake Stevens City Council meeting which brought with it many opinions and changes.

The Miss Aquafest Pageant returned to Aquafest with Cambree Benetua crowned as Miss Aquafest 2007.

The local American Legion Post honored Jack Sahlbom when he retired as Post Commander after seven years of service. Sahlbom was instrumental in bringing the War Memorial to downtown Lake Stevens.

On a sad note, a Lake Stevens woman was found dead in her home on 117th Avenue NE after being strangled by her estranged boyfriend.
The boyfriend was found hiding in a travel trailer on the property.

June
Seniors from both Granite Falls and Lake Stevens graduated from high school. The classes of 2007 shared their hopes and dreams for the future.

Mayor Vern Little takes on mayors from all over the county on the racetrack at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in the annual Mayor’s Cup event.

Little beat his competition and keeps the good name of Lake Stevens in tact.

July
Of course, the biggest thing happening in July is always Aquafest.

The streets of downtown Lake Stevens were host to thousands of event goers who enjoyed rides, great food and hometown fun. Between the parades, fireworks and hourly events, there was no way one could get bored at this annual event.

A lakefront home burst into flames in the early hours of July 5. The family escaped the flames with no injuries but hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage was done to the home.

According to the homeowners, it looks like arson.

Arson also hit the Lake Stevens High School campus causing over $1 million in damage.

August
After months of searching, the Lake Stevens Community Food Bank hired new directors.

Jim and Betty Foster chose to take on the project because of their love of community and service.

Granite Falls hosted their annual Show-n-Shine event in the streets of downtown Granite Falls.

Chrome and metallic covered the streets as car enthusiasts shared their “wheels” with car lovers from around the state.

A new under five playground was dedicated in memory of Sirita Sotelo, the little girl who was beat to death by her stepmother in Lake Stevens a few years ago.

The playground is a celebration of Sirita’s life and the new law
which carries her name.

September
Kids returned to school but one Glenwood Elementary school bus got a shock when a man drove up behind the bus and jumped out of his car and onto the bus .scarring children and parents alike.

The man was arrested after parents recognized him from their neighborhood.

The Journal received several calls regarding Ashley Pointe resident Paul Burden.

Burden likes to sit in his electric wheelchair on 20th Street and wave at passersby helping to put a smile on their face.

October
Lake Stevens High School graduates Cecil Elsner and Andy Smith were killed in a plane crash.

The boys were with a group of skydivers who were returning to the Snohomish airfield after a skydiving trip.

Getchell firefighters traveled to Southern California to help fight the blazes of the California fires, which took over much of southern California all the way down to the Mexican border.

The Journal hosted a Candidate Forum giving readers the opportunity to get to know each of the local candidates.

November
After months of working to bring a University of Washington campus to the Lake Stevens area, Cavelero Mid High was host to a Town Hall Meeting where many local students and citizens had the opportunity to express their hopes of seeing a campus built in our area and what they would like the campus to provide.

The decision is now in the hands of legislators with the Lake Stevens site being fourth on the list of recommended sites.

The Lake Stevens Sewer District celebrates its Golden Anniversary. After 50 years, the sewer district sees only a bright and expanding future.
Local elections are over with two city council seats being won by newcomers Mark Somers and John Spencer.

December
Sports, sports and more high school sports.
Wrestling and boys and girls basketball cover the pages of the Journal with all three teams looking great for the season.

Santa Claus comes to town and firefighters host Tips for Kids.

On the down side, the year ended with a shooting in the Frontier Heights area with shots being fired both from inside and outside of the home.
No one was injured and the police are still investigating the crime.

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