Local News

Police respond to a wrong way crash Thursday night on Highway 525 in Lynnwood after a police chase. (Photo provided by Washington State Department of Transportation)

Driver who killed Lynnwood woman sentenced to 27 years

Robert Rowland struck and killed Trudy Slanger, 83, while fleeing from police on April 11, 2024, after allegedly kidnapping his girlfriend and threatening to “skin her” alive.

 

Light Up Your Holidays will take place 4-7 p.m. Saturday in Stanwood, 8727 271st St. NW. (Photo by Lisa J. Bruce Photography)

Stanwood is lighting up the holidays

The city’s annual tree lighting event is scheduled for Saturday, with food, reindeer, music and Santa.

 

Brian Loomis and Michelle Moch browse for a live Christmas tree from Adopt A Stream on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Adopt A Stream kicks off annual holiday tree fundraiser

Visit the stream center on weekends through Dec. 23 to purchase a potted pine or spruce to support the foundation’s educational programs.

 

South County Fire Chair Jim Kenny leads a meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

South County Fire moves forward on potential capital facilities bond

Staff estimate the bond to be between $400 million and $450 million for new fire stations and station improvements.

South County Fire Chair Jim Kenny leads a meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
JJ Sobchuk, 14, left, and Owen Barton, 14, jump while doing a run through a set list during a group lesson at the Music Circle on Dec. 1, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Everett music school takes a unique approach

The school, The Music Circle, teaches music in groups rather than individually, and puts on regular student performances throughout the city.

JJ Sobchuk, 14, left, and Owen Barton, 14, jump while doing a run through a set list during a group lesson at the Music Circle on Dec. 1, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The Climate Commitment Act, passed by the Legislature in 2021, is designed to reduce pollution to 95% of 1990 levels by 2050. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

New Climate Commitment Act spending report released

The Department of Ecology has published a new report detailing where revenue generated from the state law has supported climate solutions and resilience projects.

The Climate Commitment Act, passed by the Legislature in 2021, is designed to reduce pollution to 95% of 1990 levels by 2050. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett

‘Nihilistic violent extremist’ from Everett arrested in Massachusetts case

A federal grand jury in Boston indicted the 23-year-old on suspicion of threats to murder a Massachusetts minor and distributing child sex abuse materials and videos of animals being crushed.

Everett
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Three companies reach settlement to resolve allegations of illegal pandemic loans

Two companies had too many employees, and one was engaged in cannabis sales, which is illegal under federal law.

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The Edmonds City Council discuss the levy during a city council meeting on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Edmonds approves 18-month utility tax increase

Some utility taxes will go from 10% to 20% in 2026, generating $3.3 million for the city as it recovers from a failed levy.

The Edmonds City Council discuss the levy during a city council meeting on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Driver rescued after truck crashes into tree and bursts into flames

The truck was traveling south on Highway 9 early Wednesday morning in Snohomish.

Robert Blessing is escorted into the courtroom at the Snohomish County Courthouse in handcuffs for his sentencing hearing for three counts of felony sex crimes on Dec. 2, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Former Arlington horse ranch owner sentenced to over 15 years in prison

On Oct. 23, Robert Blessing, 38, pleaded guilty to three counts of felony child sex crimes, one for each victim who came forward in 2023.

Robert Blessing is escorted into the courtroom at the Snohomish County Courthouse in handcuffs for his sentencing hearing for three counts of felony sex crimes on Dec. 2, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Ian Meyer listens to speakers during a World AIDS Day event at the AIDS Memorial on the Snohomish County Campus on Dec. 1, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Snohomish County walks for World AIDS Day

Holding candles, officials and residents traveled from the health department to the newly made AIDS memorial.

Ian Meyer listens to speakers during a World AIDS Day event at the AIDS Memorial on the Snohomish County Campus on Dec. 1, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Darryl Dyck file photo
Mohammed Asif, an Indian national, conspired with others to bill Medicare for COVID-19 and other respiratory tests that hadn’t been ordered or performed, according to a U.S. Department of Justice press release.

Man sentenced to 2 years in prison for $1 million health care fraud scheme

Mohammed Asif, 35, owned an Everett-based testing laboratory and billed Medicare for COVID-19 tests that patients never received.

Darryl Dyck file photo
Mohammed Asif, an Indian national, conspired with others to bill Medicare for COVID-19 and other respiratory tests that hadn’t been ordered or performed, according to a U.S. Department of Justice press release.

Rumbaugh sworn in as Marysville superintendent

She served as interim superintendent since March. Her permanent contract is through June 2028.

Marysville

Marysville’s State Ave. to close for Saturday parade

The busy road will be closed between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Saturday, according to the city. Plan for extra traffic.

Marysville
Snohomish County Fire District No. 4 and Snohomish Regional Fire and Rescue responded to a two-vehicle head-on collision on U.S. 2 on Feb. 21, 2024, in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Fire District #4)

Family of Monroe woman killed in U.S. 2 crash sues WSDOT for $50 million

The wrongful death lawsuit filed in Snohomish County Superior Court on Nov. 24 alleges the agency’s negligence led to Tu Lam’s death.

Snohomish County Fire District No. 4 and Snohomish Regional Fire and Rescue responded to a two-vehicle head-on collision on U.S. 2 on Feb. 21, 2024, in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Fire District #4)
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2 Snohomish County men charged with internet-related child sexual abuse

Over the past two months, three men were charged in federal court after defendants allegedly used the internet to contact victims or obtain child sexual abuse material.

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Human trafficking probe nets arrest of Calif. man, rescue of 17-year-old girl

The investigation by multiple agencies culminated with the arrest of a California man in Snohomish County.

An excavator moves a large bag at the site of a fuel spill on a farm on Nov. 19, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

BP’s Olympic Pipeline fully restarts after 2-week shutdown

The oil giant has recovered 2,300 gallons of oil so far at the site of the leak east of Everett.

An excavator moves a large bag at the site of a fuel spill on a farm on Nov. 19, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Judy Tuohy, the executive director of the Schack Art Center, in 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Director of Everett’s Schack Art Center announces retirement

Judy Tuohy, also a city council member, will step down from the executive director role next year after 32 years in the position.

Judy Tuohy, the executive director of the Schack Art Center, in 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)