News Briefs | April 17 edition

Easter services, public meetings and a spectacular reader photo

April 16, 2025 1:30 pm
This stunning shot of a rainbow stretching behind a ferry was captured Thursday, April 10 by Robin Stewart from the deck of the Vashon-Seattle water taxi. Said Stewart: “Thanks to the captain for mentioning the rainbows as we approached the dock!” (Robin Stewart photo)
This stunning shot of a rainbow stretching behind a ferry was captured Thursday, April 10 by Robin Stewart from the deck of the Vashon-Seattle water taxi. Said Stewart: “Thanks to the captain for mentioning the rainbows as we approached the dock!” (Robin Stewart photo)

VIFR Fire Chief Interviews

Help Vashon Island Fire & Rescue select its next fire chief by signing up for a stakeholder interview April 22 or 23.

Each meeting block will be for 45 minutes, and participants should register at this link. All meetings will take place in the small classroom located at 10019 SW Bank Rd.

Health fair

The Vashon Health Care District’s 2025 Health Fair takes place from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, May 3 at the Methodist Church, 17928 Vashon Highway SW.

The health fair is a free event designed to provide outreach, basic preventive medicine and medical screenings, open to all islanders. It will feature free health screenings, blood pressure checks, cholesterol testing, vaccinations and community resources, including mental health and reproductive health counseling, cancer screening information, and assistance with addiction prevention and treatment.

Resource navigators, fluent in both English and Spanish, will be available to help islanders sign up for medical insurance, renew Medicaid vouchers, complete DSHS applications (EBT/Basic Food), obtain Orca cards and secure assistance from state and local agencies.

The King County Dental Van will also be there to offer appointments for those who pre-register. To see if you qualify for free dental care, call Patricia Bañuelos, VYFS Resource Navigator, at 206-348-4252.

There will also be a kids’ corner with hands-on activities, free refreshments, and giveaways, according to the Health Care District.

McMurray student serves as legislative page

Kieran Seiler, a student at McMurray Middle School, served as a page for a week in early April in the Washington State House of Representatives. Sponsored by State Rep. Brianna Thomas, D-West Seattle, Beni is the child of Trish Ferreira of Vashon.

Pages’ responsibilities include presenting the flags, delivering messages to members on the House floor, and distributing materials throughout the Capitol campus. They help the Legislature operate while also receiving daily civics instruction, drafting their own bills, and participating in mock committee hearings.

Governor signs union bill

Gov. Bob Ferguson on Monday, April 7, signed the Legislatures’ HB 1511 into law. It gives Washington State Ferries captains the opportunity to merge their bargaining unit with WSF’s mates by voting, if they choose, to be included in a combined International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots contract.

Easter (April 20) services

On Easter, various churches (Presbyterians, Methodists, Lutherans, Episcopalians and the Burton Church) will host a 6 a.m. sunrise service at Camp Burton. More services and events are listed below.

• Bethel Church (14736 Bethel Lane SW): Easter breakfast 8:30-9:30 a.m. Sunday service starts 10 a.m.

• Burton Community Church (23905 Vashon Hwy SW): Sunday service starts 11 a.m.

• Vashon Island Community Church (9318 SW Cemetery Rd):

Combined Good Friday Service (4/18) with Bethel Church at 7 p.m. at Vashon Island Community Church.

Easter Sunday (4/20) service starts 10 a.m.

• Vashon Lutheran Church (18623 Vashon Highway SW):

Good Friday (April 18) service: 5 p.m.

Easter Sunday (April 20) starts 10:30 a.m.

• Vashon Presbyterian Church (17708 Vashon Hwy SW):

Good Friday (April 18): 7 p.m. joint worship with United Methodist Church at the Presbyterian Church.

Easter Sunday (April 20) service starts 10 a.m.

• Vashon United Methodist Church (17928 Vashon Hwy SW):

Maundy Thursday (April 17): 7 p.m. joint worship with Vashon Presbyterian Church at the Methodist Church.

Easter (April 20): Sunday service starts 10 a.m.

• Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit (15420 Vashon Hwy SW):

Maundy Thursday (April 17): 5:30 p.m. supper, followed by 7 p.m. service. Overnight “Will you watch with me?” — sign up to pray for an hour from home throughout the night.

Good Friday (April 18): 5 p.m. service.

Easter Sunday (April 20): 10 a.m. service with children’s church.

• St. John Vianney Catholic Church (16100 115th Avenue SW):

Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper (April 17): 7 p.m.

Good Friday (April 18): Stations at 3 p.m., liturgy at 7 p.m.

Saturday Easter Vigil (April 19): 9 p.m.

Easter Sunday Mass (April 20): 9:30 a.m.

Public meetings

• The Vashon Groundwater Protection Committee next meets 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 23 at the Land Trust. For an agenda or to join via zoom, email Greg.Rabourn@kingcounty.gov.

• Vashon Island School District’s next board meeting starts at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 24 at Chautauqua Elementary School, Room 302, 9309 SW Cemetery Road. Visit vashonsd.org for more information.

• Vashon Island Fire & Rescue’s next board meeting is at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 30. Visit vifr.org/events for more details.

Mukai and T-Mobile representatives take a picture together at a $45,089 check signing ceremony April 8 at Mukai Farm and Garden. The check is from T-Mobile to the Friends of Mukai for the construction of a memorial sculpture at Ober Park commemorating the 1942 victims of Japanese exile and incarceration. From left to right: Geoff Dean, senior manager at T-Mobile; Rita Brogan, co-president of Friends of Mukai; Debbie Hilliker, rural market manager at T-Mobile; Nicole Tadano, board member of Friends of Mukai; Phil Wood, retail store manager at T-Mobile; Dr. Jade Keala Agua, executive director of Friends of Mukai. (Photo courtesy T-Mobile)

Mukai and T-Mobile representatives take a picture together at a $45,089 check signing ceremony April 8 at Mukai Farm and Garden. The check is from T-Mobile to the Friends of Mukai for the construction of a memorial sculpture at Ober Park commemorating the 1942 victims of Japanese exile and incarceration. From left to right: Geoff Dean, senior manager at T-Mobile; Rita Brogan, co-president of Friends of Mukai; Debbie Hilliker, rural market manager at T-Mobile; Nicole Tadano, board member of Friends of Mukai; Phil Wood, retail store manager at T-Mobile; Dr. Jade Keala Agua, executive director of Friends of Mukai. (Photo courtesy T-Mobile)

Kieran Seiler, a student at McMurray Middle School, is pictured with state Rep. Brianna Thomas on April 8. (Washington State Legislative Support Services photo)

Kieran Seiler, a student at McMurray Middle School, is pictured with state Rep. Brianna Thomas on April 8. (Washington State Legislative Support Services photo)