Darrington

The Darrington Pharmacy in Darrington, Washington on Friday, June 16, 2023. The pharmacy is closing on July 21, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

‘The last thing I wanted’: Darrington Pharmacy to close in July

Over 100 years old, the town’s only pharmacy will close July 21, forcing residents to drive 28 miles to Arlington for medicine.

The Darrington Pharmacy in Darrington, Washington on Friday, June 16, 2023. The pharmacy is closing on July 21, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Erika Morris, an information specialist at the Darrington Ranger district and a member of the Darrington Historical Society, sorts through photographs being archived at the Darrington Ranger Station on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 in Darrington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Panning for local history gold at Darrington Ranger Station

In assembly line fashion, historians meticulously sifted through photos, letters and records that could be headed for federal archives.

Erika Morris, an information specialist at the Darrington Ranger district and a member of the Darrington Historical Society, sorts through photographs being archived at the Darrington Ranger Station on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 in Darrington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Blake Miller, left and Trentyn Greening, right, stick their arms out to signal their left turn during a bike safety class at Darrington Elementary School on Friday, May 12, 2023 in Darrington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Darrington PE teacher seeks donations for bike education

Gavin Gladsjo is looking for $6,000 in donations for bike, helmets and lessons for kindergarten through fifth grade.

Blake Miller, left and Trentyn Greening, right, stick their arms out to signal their left turn during a bike safety class at Darrington Elementary School on Friday, May 12, 2023 in Darrington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
LOCAL - MOUNTAIN LOOP HIGHWAY
HERALD STAFF PHOTO BY JENNIFER BUCHANAN
PHOTO SHOT 062208
A car makes its way through a winding unpaved section of the Mountain Loop Highway 15 miles outside of Darrington.

Mountain Loop Highway to partially reopen Friday

The Mountain Loop Highway will remain closed on the south side between Barlow Pass and Bedal Campground.

LOCAL - MOUNTAIN LOOP HIGHWAY
HERALD STAFF PHOTO BY JENNIFER BUCHANAN
PHOTO SHOT 062208
A car makes its way through a winding unpaved section of the Mountain Loop Highway 15 miles outside of Darrington.
Community Transit’s 209 bus departs from the Lake Stevens Transit Center at 4th St NE and Highway 9 on Thursday, April 20, 2023, in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Want ride-hailing at bus prices in Arlington? Let Community Transit know

The transit agency is in early development for microtransit services in Arlington, Darrington and Lake Stevens.

Community Transit’s 209 bus departs from the Lake Stevens Transit Center at 4th St NE and Highway 9 on Thursday, April 20, 2023, in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Sebastian Sanchez, left, instructor Hannah Dreesbach, center, and Kash Willis, right, learn how to identify trees near Darrington Elementary School in Darrington, Washington on Friday, Feb. 17, 2023. Environmental and outdoor education lessons are woven throughout the in-school and after-school activities in this small community, thanks to the Glacier Peak Institute. The non-profit arose from community concerns in the wake of the Oso landslide disaster. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Darrington nonprofit puts kids in touch with timber town’s roots

Outdoor education is the Glacier Peak Institute’s mission. Even for kids living in the shadow of the Cascades, it’s often their first time camping.

Sebastian Sanchez, left, instructor Hannah Dreesbach, center, and Kash Willis, right, learn how to identify trees near Darrington Elementary School in Darrington, Washington on Friday, Feb. 17, 2023. Environmental and outdoor education lessons are woven throughout the in-school and after-school activities in this small community, thanks to the Glacier Peak Institute. The non-profit arose from community concerns in the wake of the Oso landslide disaster. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Tala Davey-Wraight, 3, is thrown in the air by her dad Oscar Davey-Wraight, one of the Summer Meltdown headliners also known as Opiuo, during Cory Wong’s set on Thursday, July 28, 2022 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

After Monroe debut, no Summer Meltdown music fest in 2023

Organizers announced Wednesday they would “take the year off in order to figure out the best path forward for Summer Meltdown in 2024.”

Tala Davey-Wraight, 3, is thrown in the air by her dad Oscar Davey-Wraight, one of the Summer Meltdown headliners also known as Opiuo, during Cory Wong’s set on Thursday, July 28, 2022 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Darrington in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118

Sauk-Suiattle Tribe alleges state unfairly charges online sales tax

Tribal members on the reservation are charged state taxes despite a federal exemption. The tribe says it’s a sovereignty issue.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Darrington in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
State Trooper Isaiah Oliver speaks to a BNSF worker at mile marker 31.7 as road closures and evacuations mount in response to the Bolt Creek Fire on Saturday, Sep. 10, 2022, on U.S. 2 near Index, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Federal aid available for groups affected by Bolt Creek fire

The Small Business Administration offers loans to businesses, nonprofit and farms harmed by disasters.

State Trooper Isaiah Oliver speaks to a BNSF worker at mile marker 31.7 as road closures and evacuations mount in response to the Bolt Creek Fire on Saturday, Sep. 10, 2022, on U.S. 2 near Index, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Washington State Patrol was investigating a fatal crash involving multiple vehicles Thursday on Highway 530 near Oso. (Washington State Patrol)

Darrington man identified in fatal 4-vehicle crash on Highway 530

Ryan Gray was driving east of Arlington when he rear-ended a Jeep, according to the Washington State Patrol.

The Washington State Patrol was investigating a fatal crash involving multiple vehicles Thursday on Highway 530 near Oso. (Washington State Patrol)
An access road leads into plot of land located in north Darrington that could potentially be used to build a 30-acre Wood Innovation Center, which will house CLT manufacturing and modular building companies on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021 in Darrington, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Despite Forterra drama, Darrington timber center still a go

The Darrington Wood Innovation Center is set to manufacture cross-laminated timber for modular homes.

An access road leads into plot of land located in north Darrington that could potentially be used to build a 30-acre Wood Innovation Center, which will house CLT manufacturing and modular building companies on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021 in Darrington, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
People throw sticks for their dog along Edgewater Beach while a ferry emerges from smoke covering Possession Sound on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022 in Mukilteo, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

‘Worst I’ve ever seen it’: As smoke floods region, Darrington AQI tops 450

Wildfire smoke blanketed the region in one last hurrah Wednesday. Meteorologists predict weekend rains will bring relief.

People throw sticks for their dog along Edgewater Beach while a ferry emerges from smoke covering Possession Sound on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022 in Mukilteo, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Cars drive along a smokey Mountain Loop Highway on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022 in Granite Falls, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Wildfires flood Western Washington with smoky skies

Air quality in Darrington was ranked the worst in the state Friday. Most of the region was in a red flag warning.

Cars drive along a smokey Mountain Loop Highway on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022 in Granite Falls, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A helicopter drops water on one of three wildfires burning east of Darrington. (Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest - US Forest Service)

Wildfires grow east of Darrington, closing trails ahead of Labor Day

Several thousand acres in the Cascades — over 180 near Darrington — were burning this week as a long weekend approached.

A helicopter drops water on one of three wildfires burning east of Darrington. (Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest - US Forest Service)
Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Darrington in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118

Community meeting planned Thursday for Darrington fires

A red flag warning was in effect until midnight Wednesday, as the forecast in the coming days looks dry.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Darrington in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
The Suiattle River Fire east of Darrington. (Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest - US Forest Service)

3 wildfires near Suiattle River grow from 200 acres to 1,300-plus

The acreage burning northeast of Darrington multiplied over the weekend. Cooler weather moderated fire activity.

The Suiattle River Fire east of Darrington. (Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest - US Forest Service)
Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Darrington in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118

Air quality back to normal, but fires continue to burn near Darrington

The Boulder Lake, Lake Toketie and Suiattle River fires have been burning in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest since mid-August.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Darrington in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
PCT thru-hiker Manny pulls out a hot pizza at Washington Alpine Club’s Guye Cabin near Snoqualmie Pass on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022. (Taylor Goebel / The Herald)

The Thru-Hiker’s Diet: PCT hikers devour calories to fuel 100 marathons

On a 2,650-mile journey, what does a hiker eat? Ramen bombs. Sour Patch Kids. Tortillas stuffed with Lucky Charms.

PCT thru-hiker Manny pulls out a hot pizza at Washington Alpine Club’s Guye Cabin near Snoqualmie Pass on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022. (Taylor Goebel / The Herald)
The map shows the location of three wildfires burning in remote forested areas northeast of Darrington. (Washington State Department of Natural Resources)

Trails close as 3 wildfires burn on slopes northeast of Darrington

There was no immediate threat to populated areas. Multiple trailheads and campgrounds have been closed for public safety.

The map shows the location of three wildfires burning in remote forested areas northeast of Darrington. (Washington State Department of Natural Resources)
The summit of Mt. Pugh in late July 2022. (Caleb Hutton / The Herald)

Skagit County dentist dies in fall on Mt. Pugh near Darrington

Matthew Gifford, 56, died of blunt force injuries Aug. 13, the Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed Friday.

The summit of Mt. Pugh in late July 2022. (Caleb Hutton / The Herald)