Andrea Brown

A Mukilteo firefighter waves out of a fire truck. (Photo provided by Mukilteo Fire Department)

Mukilteo levy lid lift will hike average tax bill about $180 more a year

The lift will fund six more workers, ambulances, equipment and medical supplies. Opponents call it unnecessary.

A Mukilteo firefighter waves out of a fire truck. (Photo provided by Mukilteo Fire Department)
Mona Newbauer, 62, pours caramel into a machine inside her store Sweet Mona's Chocolates on March 21, 2024 in Langley, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Sweet Mona’s Chocolates in Langley stirs up treats for all tastes

Chocolate slugs, whales, truffles and caramels are among sweets in the shop Mona Newbauer founded in 2006.

Mona Newbauer, 62, pours caramel into a machine inside her store Sweet Mona's Chocolates on March 21, 2024 in Langley, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Sounder commuter train at Everett Station Wednesday evening on October 9, 2019.   (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Hop a Sounder train from Everett, Mukilteo, Edmonds to Mariners games

The next run is Sunday as the M’s face their division foe, the Houston Astros. The train departs Everett at 10:45 a.m.

The Sounder commuter train at Everett Station Wednesday evening on October 9, 2019.   (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Animal Chaplain Shel Graves has her dog Lily pose for a photo in her home office on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Is your dog or cat grieving? There’s an animal chaplain for that

Chaplains offer spiritual care for beings of all species: “Absolutely, animals do feel grief and loss.”

Animal Chaplain Shel Graves has her dog Lily pose for a photo in her home office on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Cars line up for the Edmonds ferry in Edmonds, Washington on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Ferry line jumpers face a $145 fine — and scorn from other drivers

Law enforcement is on the lookout for line cutters. It’s a “hot-button issue that can lead to something worse.”

Cars line up for the Edmonds ferry in Edmonds, Washington on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Onions are grilled up at the Walla Walla Burger booth during opening day of the Evergreen State Fair on Aug. 25, 2022 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Save money and time with advance ticket sales for Evergreen State Fair

The fair’s 115th installment runs 11 days starting Aug. 22 in Monroe. “Bright Lights, Summer Nights” is the theme.

Onions are grilled up at the Walla Walla Burger booth during opening day of the Evergreen State Fair on Aug. 25, 2022 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Homeowner Ryan Anderson sits on the bunk beds in the ferry quarters at Ferry Cove, the latest feature in the 5-bedroom waterfront vacation rental in Clinton. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

This Whidbey rental is like walking onto a state ferry

This 5-bedroom beachfront Airbnb has rooms patterned after “The Parent Trap,” “The African Queen” and the ferry Tokitae.

Homeowner Ryan Anderson sits on the bunk beds in the ferry quarters at Ferry Cove, the latest feature in the 5-bedroom waterfront vacation rental in Clinton. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The winner of the 2023 Great Mukilteo Dog Show at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo. (Photo provided by Kandace Barnes)

All dogs are show dogs at the Great Mukilteo Dog Show on Saturday

The mayor “double dog” dares you to attend. Categories include Best Wiggles and Most Slobbery at the show at Lighthouse Park.

The winner of the 2023 Great Mukilteo Dog Show at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo. (Photo provided by Kandace Barnes)
Cane's box combo (Photo provided by Raising Cane’s)

Attention all Caniacs: Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers is headed to Lynnwood

The Southern chain with 750 restaurants is finally coming to Washington, with locations also planned in Renton and Seattle.

Cane's box combo (Photo provided by Raising Cane’s)
Vehicles pack the line for the Mukilteo-Clinton ferry as they wait to board on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

‘Keep your cool’: Wait times in the hours on Mukilteo, Edmonds ferry routes

Wednesday is the busiest day for ferry travel, with 700,000 riders expected over the week.

Vehicles pack the line for the Mukilteo-Clinton ferry as they wait to board on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Left to right, the McCaffery family including Ruby, Chellce, Tyler and Jay pose for a photo at Ruby's Espresso in Everett, Washington on Tuesday, July 2, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

New owners, dress code for ex-Hillbilly Hotties coffee stands

Longtime patrons of a Snohomish County bikini barista chain have been asking: “Why are you wearing clothes?” New management wants to be family-friendly.

Left to right, the McCaffery family including Ruby, Chellce, Tyler and Jay pose for a photo at Ruby's Espresso in Everett, Washington on Tuesday, July 2, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
People wait for cars to pass by before crossing over US 2 to get to Eagle Falls on Wednesday, July 29, 2020 in Index, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Join the 71 million travelers the week of Fourth of July

Of these, 60 million will hit the road and 700,000 will ride a state ferry. The skies will be busy, too.

People wait for cars to pass by before crossing over US 2 to get to Eagle Falls on Wednesday, July 29, 2020 in Index, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Two new figures have appeared alongside the figure known as the Lake Stevens Bigfoot-Moss Man-Sasquatch along the Stevens Creek stream on Lundeen Parkway on Wednesday, May 29, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Secrets of Bigfoot breeding in woods of Lake Stevens revealed

The two new hulky moss figures are the handiwork of an artist named Steve, creator of the original.

Two new figures have appeared alongside the figure known as the Lake Stevens Bigfoot-Moss Man-Sasquatch along the Stevens Creek stream on Lundeen Parkway on Wednesday, May 29, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
People board the Mukilteo ferry in Mukilteo, Washington on Monday, June 3, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Damaged Mukilteo-Clinton ferry could shake up holiday travel

The 144-car Suquamish was scheduled to replace the 90-car Sealth. But repairs are ongoing.

People board the Mukilteo ferry in Mukilteo, Washington on Monday, June 3, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Drive-in movies are coming to the north Island. (Port of Everett image)

Where to catch outdoor movies this summer in Snohomish County

Bring a chair, blanket and the kids for a cinema night under the stars with your favorite movies, including “Barbie” and “Trolls.”

Drive-in movies are coming to the north Island. (Port of Everett image)
Denise McKenzie, who has been a bartenders at Kuhnle’s Tavern for many years, works behind the bar on Monday, June 17, 2024 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

After 106 years, Kuhnle’s Tavern in Marysville is closing

Come say farewell Sunday from noon to midnight at the historic bar with five beers on tap and a 50-cent pay phone.

Denise McKenzie, who has been a bartenders at Kuhnle’s Tavern for many years, works behind the bar on Monday, June 17, 2024 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A Mukilteo Speedway sign hangs at an intersection along the road on Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Long live the Speedway! Mukilteo’s main drag won’t be renamed

The public shot down the mayor’s idea to change the name: 77% voted ‘No’ in an online survey, with 95% opposed on Facebook.

A Mukilteo Speedway sign hangs at an intersection along the road on Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Mountlake Terrace maintenance crew Ty Burns begins demolishing “the bunkers” on Monday, June 10, 2024 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Eyesore no more: After decades, Mountlake Terrace bunkers bite the dust

The bunkers held a storehouse of history, much of it moldy, outdated and unwanted.

Mountlake Terrace maintenance crew Ty Burns begins demolishing “the bunkers” on Monday, June 10, 2024 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A pair of bikers ride past the new Mukilteo Bike Park on Wednesday, June 12, 2024 in Mukilteo, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Here’s the dirt on the new Mukilteo Bike Park

The park has a 6,000-square-foot pump track. Three jump lines let bikers do aerial stunts.

A pair of bikers ride past the new Mukilteo Bike Park on Wednesday, June 12, 2024 in Mukilteo, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The best time to dig for razor clams is about two hours before or after low tide. On Thursday, March 14, 2024, Mocrocks Beach in Moclips, Washington, had a -0.3 tide at 10:12 a.m. By 9 a.m. the beach swarmed with clammers thumping their digging tubes against the sand to stir the razor clams into showing where they were hiding. (Brenda Mann Harrison / Special to Sound & Summit)

Washington roadtrip to Moclips: razor clam digging with fries and grunge

We joined thousands of clammers in search of the tasty shellfish. Kurt Cobain’s memorial and Big Tom burgers were stopovers.

The best time to dig for razor clams is about two hours before or after low tide. On Thursday, March 14, 2024, Mocrocks Beach in Moclips, Washington, had a -0.3 tide at 10:12 a.m. By 9 a.m. the beach swarmed with clammers thumping their digging tubes against the sand to stir the razor clams into showing where they were hiding. (Brenda Mann Harrison / Special to Sound & Summit)