Businesses Respond to New Masking Directive
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www.mukilteobeacon.com INSIDE: New bike lanes … 14 Citizens of the Year named … 15 Mukilteo BeaconYOUR HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER 728 3rd St., Ste. D Mukilteo, WA 98275 Volume XXIX Number 49 August 18, 2021 Businesses respond to new masking directive BY DAVID PAN [email protected] ere we go again. H Less than two months after Gov. Jay Inslee did away with most COVID-19 restrictions during what was described as a triumphant state reopening, masks are back. In response to increasing COVID case rates, the Snohomish Health District issued a new masking directive that took effect Thursday, Aug. 12. The district said every- one 5 years of age and up in Snohomish County must wear a face covering within indoor public spaces. The order applies to indoor spaces open to the public, including retail, grocery stores, government buildings, and other businesses and places where members of the public can enter freely. The health district’s directive meant a return to masks for all employees at Ace Hardware. Because all of its employees had been vaccinated, they were not required to wear masks prior to last week, said general manager Chantelle Burris. The policy changed after the health district’s announcement. “Our policy is that everyone is masked on the sales floor,” Burris said. “I think for us, we just want everyone to be safe. If that’s what they (health district) want us to do, we’ll do it.” If customers walk in without a mask, the Beacon photo by David Pan staff offers them free ones. Mike Halter and the rest of the staf at Ace Hardware are wearing masks after the Snohomish Health District issued a new mask directive last week due to increasing COVID-19 case rates. see MASKING page 20 u New option: District to offer City Council race between Carlson, Crocco still remote learning for elementary too close to call and middle school students Two political rivals 240 high school students have signed up for Virtual Academy remain on friendly terms BY DAVID PAN BY [email protected] DAVID PAN [email protected] ith the start of the new school year fast approaching and he battle for second place in W COVID-19 cases continuing to rise, some parents of elementary T the Mukilteo City Council and middle school students began to feel uneasy about sending their Position No. 3 race is headed for children back for in-person instruction. extra innings. Erin Senge, president of the Parent Teacher Student Association Former Boeing manager Alex (PTSA) at Mukilteo Elementary School, started receiving texts from her Crocco maintained his slim lead friends, over Carolyn “Dode” Carlson af- “They were all panicking,” said Senge, who has two elementary-age ter Tuesday’s vote count. Crocco children and one middle schooler. has a seven-vote advantage. Parents were telling Senge sending their children back to school was Crocco leads 23.85% to 23.73% just not a good option for them. Many had assumed a vaccine would (1,370 to 1,363). be available for children under 12 by the start of the school year. Former Councilmember Steve But as of mid-August, no vaccine has been approved for children Schmalz finished first in the Posi- under 12, and U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murphy said last week tion 3 race with 38% (2,195). Tim it’s possible a COVID-19 vaccine for kids under the age of 12 will be Ellis was fourth with 14% (797). available before the end of the year. The top two finishers advance to The Mukilteo School District also had been hearing from parents the Nov. 2 general election. wondering about online instruction for their children, and on Friday, According to Snohomish Coun- Aug 13, the district announced a new remote learning option for ele- ty Auditor Garth Fell, based on the mentary and middle school students. small difference in votes for the To address parents’ concerns about rising COVID case rates and the second and third place finishers, Photo courtesy of Carolyn “Dode” Carlson lack of vaccinations for students 12 and younger, the district will be the race is subject to a mandatory offering a limited distance learning program for elementary and middle City Council candidates Carolyn “Dode” Carlson and Alex Crocco were all machine recount. smiles at the Music at the Beach concert Saturday, Aug. 14, at Lighthouse school (preschool through grade 8) beginning in September. On Tuesday, Aug. 17, the Coun- In an email to families, the district noted that it initially had not Park. Crocco is ahead of Carlson by seven votes in the race for second place ty Canvassing Board established for Position No. 3 as of Tuesday’s vote count. planned on a remote learning option for elementary and middle the recount calendar. The race will school. A May survey indicated the most interest was at the high be recounted on Tuesday, Aug. said. ahead.” school level, and the district previously announced plans to develop 24 at 9 a.m. Unofficial results will Crocco said he’s not ready to Carlson, president of the Mukil- a Virtual Academy for students in grades 9 through 12. The Virtual be released immediately after the claim victory yet, though he is en- teo Seniors Association, said she Academy currently has 240 students enrolled. recount, and the results will be of- couraged by the numbers. and Crocco get along well and if The district said that it must follow the state requirements for a virtu- ficially certified on Thursday, Aug. “I’m waiting on the process of she ends up finishing third, she al program (Continuous Learning 2.0+), which now requires a set daily 26. the count,” he said. “Dode is a will be supporting him in the gen- schedule, daily attendance and 70% of learning to be synchronous “The candidates will be invited great candidate. I think Mukil- eral election. see VIRTUAL SCHOOL page 20 u to attend the recount process,” Fell teo will do well if she comes out see CARLSON/CROCCO page 8 u 2 - Mukilteo Beacon www.mukilteobPolice eacon.comBeat August 18, 2021 July 6 July 7 Kids Domestic violence 12300 blk. Harbour Pointe Blvd. Someone called about several 8400 blk. 44th Ave. W. One adult brother assaulted his brother Disturbance Lucky dog kids playing after dark and being loud. and was arrested for domestic violence. 3900 blk. Harbour Pointe Blvd. SW. Two guests at a hotel were 600 blk. Campbell Ave. A dog fell down an embankment into a arguing over a financial loan. Both agreed to separate for the person’s backyard. Police checked the dog’s chip, which was not Suspicious Noise evening. up to date. The dog was brought back to the station. The owner 4600 blk. 107th St. SW. Officers contacted a known transient 64th Pl. W./Central Dr. A resident called about loud music and later found out about the dog via social media and picked up her in the wooded area of a camp. He said he would like to be laughter. Police did not observe any unreasonable noises. Suspicious dog. contacted by the social worker about housing. He is refusing to 10800 blk. Harbour Pointe Blvd. There was a report of children leave the area. Malicious mischief playing on the ball fields. They were not located. Runaway raccoon 3800 blk. Harbour Pointe Blvd. SW. While on patrol, police Harbour Reach Dr./Harbour Pointe Blvd. SW. A caller reported a Burglary noticed a damaged window. DUI large raccoon in the middle of the roadway. An officer checked the 5600 blk. Harbor Pointe Blvd. A woman said two wagons were 3900 blk. Harbour Pointe Blvd. SW. An officer stopped a vehicle road but did not locate any animals. stolen from her garage. Parking for erratic driving. When the driver stepped out of the vehicle, 13000 blk. 47th Pl. W. A vehicle was parked for more than 24 he walked over to the bushes and urinated in front of the officer. Theft Theft hours straight. After he refused sobriety tests, he was arrested for DUI. The 11800 blk. Harbour Pointe Blvd. A caller reported a car was 3900 blk. Pacific Pl. A man said his vehicle was broken into suspect resisted arrest, but was eventually detained by police and broken into and a computer and tablet were stolen. The caller later overnight. He said he probably forgot to lock the vehicle. Disturbance transported to jail. said someone tracked down the tablet and located the other stolen 7000 blk. 44th Pl. W. A resident and some movers were arguing items, which were returned to the caller. Malicious mischief back and forth over the moving truck being legally parked in front Fireworks 10900 blk. Mukilteo Speedway. A caller reported a broken of a residence. 5500 blk. 104th Pl. SW. A resident called about fireworks. Suspicious window on the west side of a building. Graffiti also was left on 9600 blk. Harbour Pl. A woman with possible mental health the wall. Malicious mischief Bad breakup issues told police she believed an agency was stalking her. She 12500 blk. Mukilteo Speedway. A window at a business was 6100 blk. Bayview Dr. A man said when his former girlfriend claimed people above and below her were making noises with Suspicious broken with a rock. entered his home to collect some belongings, she also tore up a different sound machines and they are following her from hotel 12400 blk. Harbour Reach Dr. Police were advised of a home- to hotel. few greeting cards she previously sent to him. The man requested less camp on the east side of the bridge in the woods.