Mill Creek Beacon - Your Hometown News Source

Thank you to everyone who is staying indoors and practicing social distancing. We are starting to flatten the curve. In fact, we have been such good soldiers in the war on the virus that we are being rewarded with fewer hospitalizations and deaths.

COVID-19

As of Wednesday, April 15, we have had 34 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Mill Creek area and two deaths. The numbers are probably higher because not everyone is tested and many don’t even realize they are carrying the virus.

The City is preparing for a substantial loss of revenue. We are cutting costs, bringing projects in-house and postponing others.

So let’s get real. Like a roller coaster ride, we can’t get off at the top of the first hill. We are on for the full ride, like it or not. We will get through this!

Food bank help

Marcia Christ has put a barrel in her driveway to drop off donations for the Mill Creek Food Bank. People are hungry and most drop off locations are closed. Since the shutdown, the number of families needing food banks has more than doubled.

The barrel will be available until April 30. Donations are welcome from 7:30 a.m. until dusk. It is located in the Parkside development. The address is 15416 28th Drive SE.

Current needs include: peanut butter, canned soup, ramen, mac and cheese, canned fruit, canned tuna, canned chicken, juice, coffee, nuts, shampoo and conditioner, feminine products, toilet paper, diapers (sizes 5 and 6) and wipes. Please help if you can. If you need help, please reach out.

New City web page

The City has a new a COVID-19 Community Resource page on our web site at http://www.cityofmillcreek.com. Many resources are linked on one page for your convenience. If you need help, help is available. You just need to reach out.

Communications Coordinator Bill Craig did a terrific job for all of us. Thank you!

Personal protective equipment

A recent drive for unused PPE generated over 100,000 pieces of critical equipment. It came from many sources. Thank you to everyone who contributed! You are saving lives.

Another bright spot is a network of 3-D printers in Snohomish County. This is amazing: One business created a program and now idle 3-D printers throughout our County are producing PPE, especially face shields. This is a critical need for medical personnel and first responders.

Let’s not overlook the distilleries now producing hand sanitizer. Another life saver!

Thank you to everyone for pulling together!

Special shopping hours

Kudos to stores with special shopping hours for seniors and those with compromised health systems. A special thank you to the stores that are adding more protections such as face covers, gloves and plastic shielding for their employees and customers.

Mega-kudos to Costco for special shopping hours for our medical personnel and first responders. They are risking their lives each day. Thank you so much!

Upcoming Council meetings

Until further notice, City Council meetings are being held online only. No one will be in the council chambers. You can still participate by calling in. Our council packets and call-in information are available online at the City web site. As always, the complete audio recording will be posted to the City web site.