Ben Watanabe

The exterior of a Buzz Inn restaurant in Everett, Washington on Monday, July 24, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

An ode to Buzz Inn Steakhouses, a Snohomish County institution

The local chain founded in 1981 now spans Arlington, Everett, Granite Falls, Lake Stevens, Marysville, Monroe and Snohomish.

 

The Daily Herald says farewell to Street Smarts columnist and transportation reporter Ben Watanabe.

Street Smarts columnist signs off from a dream job

Columnist and Everett local Ben Watanabe reflects on the lessons learned from over 3 years covering transportation.

 

Felipe Hernandez, left, and his son Tony Hernandez speak about the impact the Light Rail plan would have on their business and the greater local community outside of their store on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

In light rail’s path, Casino Road businesses brace for impact

Where stations go, displacement and redevelopment follow. Everett is weighing options to cushion the blow for Casino Square.

 

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Darrington in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118

2 hospitalized after motorcycle crash on Highway 530

The driver and passenger were ejected from the motorcycle Sunday afternoon west of Darrington. DUI was suspected, according to the state patrol.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Darrington in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Katie, 3, gives a hug to one of her teachers at Tomorrow's Hope Child Development Center on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Child care, mental health set for $2M in federal funding from Everett

Cost increases and shuttering child care centers prompted the city to dedicate ARPA funds to addressing the problem.

Katie, 3, gives a hug to one of her teachers at Tomorrow's Hope Child Development Center on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A car drives west on Madison Street past new bike lane curbs on Thursday, July 27, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Everett bike lanes’ white curb, paint confuse drivers on Madison

A reader asked for better warning about short curbs at Madison Street and Evergreen Way. Flexible posts are coming.

A car drives west on Madison Street past new bike lane curbs on Thursday, July 27, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The Everett United Church of Christ on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

County gives Everett $4M for replacement shelter purchase

The city will lead work to find a new site for a 40-bed shelter after the county ended its proposal to buy and convert a church.

The Everett United Church of Christ on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett

Everett passes code changes that could boost ADU construction

Since 2020, only 53 “mother-in-law” units have been approved, with another 11 under review. New rules could streamline the process.

Everett
Culvert replacement under 128th Street SE and Highway 96 near McCollum Park in Martha Lake, Washington on Friday, July 21, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Drivers must reroute so salmon have a better commute near Mill Creek

This weekend, lanes on 128th Street SE and Highway 96 will be closed west of Dumas Road and Elgin Way for culvert replacement.

Culvert replacement under 128th Street SE and Highway 96 near McCollum Park in Martha Lake, Washington on Friday, July 21, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
One of a handful of smoke, vape and fentanyl detectors currently installed in the Everett Library on Thursday, June 29, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Everett library’s sensors to detect drug use are constantly buzzing

The Everett Public Library installed the devices in bathrooms in April. There were over 100 alerts in two months.

One of a handful of smoke, vape and fentanyl detectors currently installed in the Everett Library on Thursday, June 29, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
(L-R) Judy Tuohy, Judith Martinez, Bryce Nickel

Longtime member faces two first-timers for Everett City Council

Judy Tuohy, Judith Martinez and Bryce Nickel differ on approaches to issues like homelessness, housing and public safety.

(L-R) Judy Tuohy, Judith Martinez, Bryce Nickel
A pickup truck without a mounted front plate is parked in a parking lot Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Marysville, Washington. The state of Washington requires front and rear plates with few exceptions. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Reader: Are more drivers removing license plates?

State patrol traffic stop data doesn’t show a significant increase in plate or registration infractions.

A pickup truck without a mounted front plate is parked in a parking lot Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Marysville, Washington. The state of Washington requires front and rear plates with few exceptions. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Top (L-R): Bill Wheeler Jr., Demi Chatters; Bottom (L-R): Brian Hennessy, Scott Bader

Everett at-large council race hosts crowded field for Position 6

A former council member, a past candidate, a first-time candidate and a former bikini barista stand owner make up the field.

Top (L-R): Bill Wheeler Jr., Demi Chatters; Bottom (L-R): Brian Hennessy, Scott Bader
Ashley Cabrera, 9, right, looks up while thinking through a math problem with the help of tutor Aleesya Jasmi on Thursday, June 8, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Heavy interest spurs free tutoring through summer in Everett

Connect Casino Road and House of Wisdom host two one-hour weekly sessions for K-12 students every Thursday.

Ashley Cabrera, 9, right, looks up while thinking through a math problem with the help of tutor Aleesya Jasmi on Thursday, June 8, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A cyclist from the Centennial Trail tries to navigate through traffic backed up on Dubuque Road turning onto Machias Road on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Changes ‘queued up’ for intersection at Dubuque, South Machias

Snohomish County Public Works is set to begin a study of intersection improvements near Lake Stevens.

A cyclist from the Centennial Trail tries to navigate through traffic backed up on Dubuque Road turning onto Machias Road on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Dozens of neighbors pack around Ben Breeden, Homeless Response Coordinator for the city of Everett, to express concern about a proposed homeless day shelter during a public meeting at Our Lady of Hope’s parish hall Thursday, June 29, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Neighbors hear pitch to turn Everett parish hall into daytime shelter

The former Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church building could be run as a five-day homeless service center.

Dozens of neighbors pack around Ben Breeden, Homeless Response Coordinator for the city of Everett, to express concern about a proposed homeless day shelter during a public meeting at Our Lady of Hope’s parish hall Thursday, June 29, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Inside the gun, ammo and knife show at Angel of the Winds Arena ballroom on Saturday, April 29, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Everett ammo, gun tax proposal modeled after Seattle, Tacoma

A city director said the initial recommendation is a $30 tax per firearm and 3 to 5 cents per round.

Inside the gun, ammo and knife show at Angel of the Winds Arena ballroom on Saturday, April 29, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Ian Terry / The Herald

A needle is picked up by a volunteer helping to clean Wiggums Hollow Park in Everett on Saturday, March 17.

Photo taken on 03172018

Everett adds 2 parks to list of areas banning drug offenders

Henry M. Jackson and Wiggums Hollow parks now have “stay out of drug area” designations that prohibit drug offenders.

Ian Terry / The Herald

A needle is picked up by a volunteer helping to clean Wiggums Hollow Park in Everett on Saturday, March 17.

Photo taken on 03172018
Heavy traffic northbound on 1-5 in Everett, Washington on August 31, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Leave early or late to skirt Independence Day travel throngs

Ferry terminals and roads are likely to get busy as early as Thursday afternoon. Here’s how to beat the rush.

Heavy traffic northbound on 1-5 in Everett, Washington on August 31, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Construction workers walk along the underside of the Lynnwood Link light rail tracks on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Everett light rail choices refined amid calls for in-road options

Leaked documents gave a glimpse into possible displacement. But a final decision on locations is still years out.

Construction workers walk along the underside of the Lynnwood Link light rail tracks on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)