Aina de Lapparent Alvarez

Snohomish residents Barbara Bailey, right, and Beth Jarvis sit on a gate atop a levee on Bailey’s property on Monday, May 13, 2024, at Bailey Farm in Snohomish, Washington. Bailey is concerned the expansion of nearby Harvey Field Airport will lead to levee failures during future flood events due to a reduction of space for floodwater to safely go. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Harvey Field seeks to reroute runway in floodplain, faces new pushback

Snohomish farmers and neighbors worry the project will be disruptive and worsen flooding. Ownership advised people to “read the science.”

Snohomish residents Barbara Bailey, right, and Beth Jarvis sit on a gate atop a levee on Bailey’s property on Monday, May 13, 2024, at Bailey Farm in Snohomish, Washington. Bailey is concerned the expansion of nearby Harvey Field Airport will lead to levee failures during future flood events due to a reduction of space for floodwater to safely go. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Tlingit Artist Fred Fulmer points to some of the texture work he did on his information totem pole on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at his home in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

11-foot totem pole, carved in Everett, took 35 years to make — or 650

The pole crafted by Fred Fulmer is bound for Alaska, in what will be a bittersweet sendoff Saturday in his backyard.

Tlingit Artist Fred Fulmer points to some of the texture work he did on his information totem pole on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at his home in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Andy Gibbs, co-owner of Andy’s Fish House, outside of his restaurant on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

City: Campaign can’t save big tent at Andy’s Fish House in Snohomish

A petition raised over 6,000 signatures to keep the outdoor dining cover — a lifeline during COVID. But the city said its hands are tied.

Andy Gibbs, co-owner of Andy’s Fish House, outside of his restaurant on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Ayden TheBoy-Jones, left, Kenco Hinrichs and Jalen Morrical work together on a VEX Robotics project at Tulalip Heritage High School on Wednesday, April 24, 2024 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Skills, not As, are what count at Tulalip, Everett alternative schools

In 2022, Tulalip Heritage High School changed its approach to a “Big Picture” model. Teachers now ask students what they want to learn.

Ayden TheBoy-Jones, left, Kenco Hinrichs and Jalen Morrical work together on a VEX Robotics project at Tulalip Heritage High School on Wednesday, April 24, 2024 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A memorial for Jenzele Couassi outside of the Don Hatch Youth Center on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 in Tulalip, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

After Marysville girl’s death, family grapples with ‘so much unspoken stuff’

Jenzele Couassi, 16, was always there for others. She also endured bullying. Her mother said: “We have to make it safe for our kids in America.”

A memorial for Jenzele Couassi outside of the Don Hatch Youth Center on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 in Tulalip, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lewis the cat weaves his way through a row of participants during Kitten Yoga at the Everett Animal Shelter on Saturday, April 13, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Downward cat? At kitten yoga in Everett, it’s all paw-sitive vibes

It wasn’t a stretch for furry felines to distract participants. Some cats left with new families — including a reporter.

Lewis the cat weaves his way through a row of participants during Kitten Yoga at the Everett Animal Shelter on Saturday, April 13, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
A memorial with small gifts surrounded a utility pole with a photograph of Ariel Garcia at the corner of Alpine Drive and Vesper Drive ion Wednesday, April 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Death of Everett boy, 4, spurs questions over lack of Amber Alert

Local police and court authorities were reluctant to address some key questions, when asked by a Daily Herald reporter this week.

A memorial with small gifts surrounded a utility pole with a photograph of Ariel Garcia at the corner of Alpine Drive and Vesper Drive ion Wednesday, April 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Binita Shrestha, new co-owner of Boston’s Restaurant & Sports Bar, sits in her restaurant on Monday, March 18, 2024, in Smokey Point, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

New pizzeria owner took the scenic route from Nepal to Marysville

Binita Shrestha “wanted to be everything.” At 50, she can check off Korean beauty pageant contestant and restaurant franchisee.

Binita Shrestha, new co-owner of Boston’s Restaurant & Sports Bar, sits in her restaurant on Monday, March 18, 2024, in Smokey Point, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Royalwood Estates Mobile Home Park residents Patsy Gilbert, left, and Elna Olson, right, give a brief tour of the mobile home park on Monday, March 11, 2024 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

‘Nowhere else to cut’: Seniors face 14% rent increases, in homes they own

After a bill to limit rent increases failed, Snohomish County residents like Susan Lockyer are feeling pinched by outside investors.

Royalwood Estates Mobile Home Park residents Patsy Gilbert, left, and Elna Olson, right, give a brief tour of the mobile home park on Monday, March 11, 2024 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union

“We obviously are kind of on the high of that win,” store bargaining delegate Zach Gabelein said.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Carvings with words of tribute are displayed at the Oso Landslide Memorial on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024, in Arlington, WA. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

New memorial means ‘everything’ to survivors, 10 years after Oso slide

At the 2-acre site, bronze and steel sculptures rise against the backdrop of the slide, making use of shadows and light — tragedy and hope.

Carvings with words of tribute are displayed at the Oso Landslide Memorial on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024, in Arlington, WA. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Dozens of yarn pompoms hang from a number of trees as part of Color Storm at Evergreen Arboretum and Gardens on Thursday, March 14, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Guerrilla yarn bombing puts new spin on Everett Arboretum

For the month of March, the Everett Arboretum hung artwork of 30 fiber artists across 3½ acres.

Dozens of yarn pompoms hang from a number of trees as part of Color Storm at Evergreen Arboretum and Gardens on Thursday, March 14, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Bothell Council member Rami Al-Kabra poses for a portrait at Cedar Grove Park on Friday, March 8, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Bothell council member leads a push for ‘uncommitted’ vote in primary

Rami Al-Kabra, a Palestinian-American, hopes to pressure President Joe Biden to broker a ceasefire in Gaza.

Bothell Council member Rami Al-Kabra poses for a portrait at Cedar Grove Park on Friday, March 8, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Leri Harper at her home on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Everett woman paid sewer bill for 23 years, unaware she had septic tank

Records showed the city signed off on a sewer connection in 1973. This year, Leri Harper had to spend $20,000 to fix it.

Leri Harper at her home on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Madi Humphries, 9, Rose Austin, 13, and Eirene Ritting, 8, on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

No grades, no teachers: Inside a Bothell school run by student vote

Each day at The Clearwater School, 60 students choose their own lessons. It’s one vote per person, whether you’re staff or student.

Madi Humphries, 9, Rose Austin, 13, and Eirene Ritting, 8, on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Kathy Purviance-Snow poses for a photo in her computer lab at Snohomish High School on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, in Snohomish, WA. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

To ban or embrace ChatGPT? Local teachers fight AI with AI — or don’t

“It has fundamentally changed my teaching in really stressful and exciting ways,” an EvCC teacher said. At all levels of education, ChatGPT poses a tricky question.

Kathy Purviance-Snow poses for a photo in her computer lab at Snohomish High School on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, in Snohomish, WA. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

‘We cannot keep up’: Mill Creek Starbucks workers file for unionization

The cafe’s crew joins the ranks of the 624 stores nationwide, including two other locations in Snohomish County.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Ken Florczak, president of the five-member board at Sherwood Village Mobile Home community on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

How Mill Creek mobile home residents bought the land under their feet

At Sherwood Village, residents are now homeowners. They pay a bit more each month to keep developers from buying their property.

Ken Florczak, president of the five-member board at Sherwood Village Mobile Home community on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Johnson De Vor opens a ventilation latch at the top of the van on Monday, Feb. 5, 2024 in Granite Falls, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Van scam swindled disabled Granite Falls woman out of $16K, she says

Mary Stevens, 54, said she trusted her contractor — until he missed deadlines, leading her to miss life events and doctor visits.

Johnson De Vor opens a ventilation latch at the top of the van on Monday, Feb. 5, 2024 in Granite Falls, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)