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2020 was what it was, and here are the top 10 local stories

Published 3:06 pm Thursday, December 31, 2020

By Herald Staff

Photos from The Herald's top 10 stories of 2020. (Herald staff and submitted)
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Photos from The Herald's top 10 stories of 2020. (Herald staff and submitted)
Photos from The Herald’s top 10 stories of 2020. (Herald staff and submitted)
A group of protesters holding signs calling for Snohomish Mayor John Kartak’s resignation walk down First Street on June 5 in Snohomish. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The Boeing factory at Paine Field in Everett. (Boeing Co.)
Jusice Jackson, of Marysville, thanks supporters as they protest at corners of 2nd and D St in Snohomish on Monday, June 1, 2020 in Snohomish, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Honeycomb Salon owner Julia Barbee gives Don Zimmerman a haircut in her studio, one of 25 inside the hallway maze of numbered rooms at Sola Studios, on March 13 in Mill Creek. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Melissa Halferty in her Frida Kahlo themed craft room at home March 25 in Everett. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Bill McSherry, vice president of government operations for Boeing Commercial Airplanes, testifies Feb. 25 before the House Finance Committee at the Capitol in Olympia. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
A man dangles a donut in front of sheriff’s court marshals. (Screen grab from video courtesy of Bennett Haselton)
Brenda Humbert cuts Mike Murray’s hair while Bruce Best (right) waits his turn June 5 at the Barber Stop shop on Colby Ave. in Everett. On the left sits Brenda’s husband, Rex Humbert. (Sue Misao / The Herald)

In a year many of us weren’t sad to see end, online readers of The Daily Herald in 2020 focused most intently on the inescapable stories of our time — the COVID-19 pandemic, economic uncertainty and social turmoil. The following are the 10 most-viewed stories in 2020 at HeraldNet.com, the Daily Herald’s website.

1. 100 armed vigilantes rouse fear, soul-searching in Snohomish

Self-appointed guards saved the city from looters, the mayor said. A chorus of citizens saw something far more sinister. This story from June detailed a town divided.

2. No more pretty hair or feet: COVID-19 closes beauty salons

There would be no cosmetology in the time of the coronavirus pandemic. This March story also pointed out there would be no tattoos, either.

3. Fear of destruction brings curfews, closures and police

Peaceful protests in Snohomish County were followed by roadblocks and armed citizens standing guard. This June story detailed the anxiety many were feeling in the days after George Floyd died while in police custody in Minneapolis.

4. You’ve never seen anything like this woman’s crafting room

Everett resident and retired teacher Melissa Halferty loves all things red, vintage and Frida Kahlo. This March story offered a glimmer of normalcy in abnormal times.

5. You may qualify for an extra $1,500 in unemployment back pay

A federal program gave some of the state’s unemployed a $300 weekly bump for a while. This story, published in September, continued to be clicked on for months.

6. No charges against police-taunting teen arrested at rally

He’s seeking damages. Meanwhile, a video shows a man pulling a gun at a “Back the Blue” event. This story detailed trouble in July in downtown Everett.

7. Boeing might have to cut production — and shed Everett workers

With airline schedules slashed, the company faced a challenge comparable to the aftermath of 9/11. It was only mid-March when this story detailed how the dramatic worldwide collapse of air travel, due to the pandemic, already had Boeing preparing for the worst.

8. Could Everett become Boeing’s next jetliner headquarters?

The company is considering selling the Commercial Airplanes division offices at Longacres in Renton. This October story offered more insight into Boeing’s efforts to cut costs and stockpile cash.

9. A Boeing executive delivers good and bad news for Everett

The commercial headquarters could indeed come to Paine Field. But demand for big jets will not rebound quickly. This October story offered a sliver of silver lining in what had otherwise been a dark and cloudy year for Boeing’s Everett operations.

10. Phase 2 of reopening is here: Snohomish County gets state OK

Dining in restaurants, shopping in stores and getting a haircut! If only this story from June had been the final word on the virus. Unfortunately, in the months that followed, COVID-19 cases surged and many restrictions were reinstituted.

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