A man in his 50s was injured in a duplex fire southwest of Mill Creek on Thursday evening, February 13, 2014.

A resident in the neighboring duplex unit reported the fire about 5:10 p.m. in the 19900 block of Filbert Road in unincorporated Snohomish County. The neighbor saw smoke coming from the back of the unit where the man lived.

February 10, 2014, update

The Mill Creek City Council unanimously approved a $423,223 consultant contract with KPFF Consulting Engineers to develop a detailed design for fixing the 35th Avenue SE roadway flooding issues at their regular February 4, 2014, meeting. The additional future construction cost is estimated to be $3,500,000.

With the festive holiday lights taken down, winter now becomes the time of hopefully white colors. Then in short periods, the snow gives us warm and happy feelings. However, if you want more color around the outside of your house try “trimming” your windows with the many hues of our non-migrating residents, the Anna Hummingbirds.

Join us at the 2014 Mill Creek Relay for Life Kick-Off Celebration at Mill Creek City Hall on Wednesday, February 19th at 6:30 pm.

Mill Creekers who were sad to see that My Garden Nursery moved to Bellingham last year can take heart that a new nursery and garden center has opened up in the same location.

Li’l Sprout Nursery & Garden Center has been open since November and is staffed by many of the same employees as My Garden Nursery. They offer a wide range of free classes most weekends.

Mill Creek Garden Club is once again selling “Beautiful Bloomers”. They come in a variety of colors and are created for either a sunny or shady spot. Baskets are $34 which includes tax and free delivery before Mother’s Day in the Mill Creek area.

Your basket purchase gives back to the community by providing funds for our Giving through Gardening grants program which provides money for gardening projects in local grade schools.

The Mill Creek Food bank is looking for someone with some spare time who wants to give back to the community.

The successful lead volunteer will work 12 to 15 hours a week to schedule other volunteers, help with food distribution, and create month end reports. Interested parties should contact Bill Kraut of Volunteers of America at 360 593-2873.

Barbara Athanas, Rotary Club of Mill Creek’s Food Bank representative, believes the community’s need for the food bank is great, “Our numbers continue to grow each and every week; and as the food stamp program shrinks, our lines will grow. We are always looking for monetary donations to help cover our monthly expenses and, of course, food donations and drives are what keep us alive.”

“Anyone interested in helping can please leave a message on the food bank phone at 425 582-5154 or contact Bill Kraut.”

The City has been receiving comments and questions regarding the wheelchair (American Disabilities Act) ramp upgrade project that was constructed last summer along Mill Creek Blvd, 148th Street SE and 35th Avenue SE.  This work was done to comply with Federal law when doing a repaving project.  While there is some discretionary choice in the design, all public agencies must adhere to the same regulations.