Andrea Brown

A group of friends hang out in a banya, a Russian sauna that is typically more humid and hotter than a traditional sauna, at Banya by fgm on Monday, Oct. 16, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

At Banya, spa with 200-degree sauna in Everett, stress just melts away

A banya in Russian refers to a hot room or sauna. You can also plunge in the cold pool. Or play chess and eat piroshki.

A group of friends hang out in a banya, a Russian sauna that is typically more humid and hotter than a traditional sauna, at Banya by fgm on Monday, Oct. 16, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Outside of Angel of the Winds Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Comedian Nate Bargatze recent shows set record sales at Everett arena

2023 was the highest event income year in the 20-year history of Angel Of The Winds Arena.

Outside of Angel of the Winds Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
As a home inspector looks over a house they intend to buy, Heather and Tyler Ferrel look over paperwork about the house on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018 in Marysville, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Marysville homeowners to pay an average $818 more in property taxes

Tax bills for 2024 will shock some and delight others. Woodway, where the average home is $2.2 million, will get tax cut.

As a home inspector looks over a house they intend to buy, Heather and Tyler Ferrel look over paperwork about the house on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018 in Marysville, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Carol Perry lines bowls during league bowling at Strawberry Lanes on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020 in Marysville , Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Marysville bowler Carol Perry, who rolled a 163 at age 105, dies

“She enjoyed life and she enjoyed people,” said her daughter, Kathy Larsen. Her best game was 258, when JFK was president.

Carol Perry lines bowls during league bowling at Strawberry Lanes on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020 in Marysville , Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Picnic Point Elementary student teacher Joshua Wisnubroto goes through a worksheet with one of his students on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Pilot program in Mukilteo schools gets local teachers in local schools

Four teacher residents, all former paraeducators, are getting special education endorsements — and getting paid as student teachers.

Picnic Point Elementary student teacher Joshua Wisnubroto goes through a worksheet with one of his students on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lil, left, Snohomish Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Nancy Keith, center, and Tad, right, pose for a photo during the final annual GroundFrog Day event at the Carnegie building in Snohomish, Washington, on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Oh, croak! The GroundFrog forecast is six more weeks of winter

A coin-flip determined the “frognostication” at the annual GroundFrog Day event in Snohomish.

Lil, left, Snohomish Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Nancy Keith, center, and Tad, right, pose for a photo during the final annual GroundFrog Day event at the Carnegie building in Snohomish, Washington, on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Lynnwood

Two suspects in custody after Lynnwood armed robberies, carjacking

Both attempt to flee before crashing into pole, causing downed power lines to ignite stolen vehicle.

Lynnwood
Marysville

Marysville crews repair water main, restore service to 100 customers

The intersection of Grove Street and 47th Avenue NE will remain closed for repairs after initial break Friday evening.

Marysville
A figure known as the Lake Stevens Bigfoot sits among trees and along a stream on Lundeen Parkway in Lake Stevens, Washington on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Sasquatch of Lake Stevens is legendary as hometown hero Chris Pratt

Two mossy and mysterious figures in the woods of Lundeen Parkway turn heads and lighten up a gloomy day.

A figure known as the Lake Stevens Bigfoot sits among trees and along a stream on Lundeen Parkway in Lake Stevens, Washington on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Gun buybacks in Everett, Mukilteo offer gift cards for firearms

Amounts are $25 to $300, depending on the weapon. Everett police collected 241 firearms at the 2022 buyback.

The exterior of Hawthorne Hall in Mukilteo, Washington on Friday, July 21, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Mukilteo’s 100-year-old Hawthorne Hall to go up for sale

The City Council voted 5-2 to sell the historic building in Old Town that sits on a large waterview lot.

The exterior of Hawthorne Hall in Mukilteo, Washington on Friday, July 21, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Cecilia Garcia, 26, poses with a portion of her water bottle collection at her home in Lake Stevens, Washington on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Water cup fever: $250 for a Starbucks Stanley tumbler is a big gulp

Cecilia Garcia, a Lake Stevens collector of 200 tumblers, was among those who lined up for the shiny red Starbucks holiday cup.

Cecilia Garcia, 26, poses with a portion of her water bottle collection at her home in Lake Stevens, Washington on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Jake Hitchner, left, and Caitlin Hitchner, right, pose for a photo with their son Boston, eight-days-old, at their home in Edmonds, Washington on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Edmonds mom: ‘That’s the story of how I gave birth in the car at 12:56 am.’

The couple’s fourth son was born en route to the hospital, in the front seat. “You can’t stop a baby who wants to come out.”

Jake Hitchner, left, and Caitlin Hitchner, right, pose for a photo with their son Boston, eight-days-old, at their home in Edmonds, Washington on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Andrea Ancich frosts University of Washington themed cookies for her flight to the College Football Playoff National Championship in Texas on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

It’s a dawg’s life: Local Huskies fans howl with excitement for big game

UW fans will find camaraderie wherever they go: Bars, arenas and couches. Or a showing at the Historic Everett Theatre.

Andrea Ancich frosts University of Washington themed cookies for her flight to the College Football Playoff National Championship in Texas on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Assistant Superintendent Patty Dowd greets a family with their child’s laptop and other class materials outside Endeavour Elementary on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, two days after an overnight fire tore through the inside the school in Mukilteo, Washington. Classes will be held online until after winter break to give crews time to make repairs to the building. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Endeavour Elementary in Mukilteo to reopen Monday after fire

Learning has been remote for the 450 students since an early morning fire damaged the building last month.

Assistant Superintendent Patty Dowd greets a family with their child’s laptop and other class materials outside Endeavour Elementary on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, two days after an overnight fire tore through the inside the school in Mukilteo, Washington. Classes will be held online until after winter break to give crews time to make repairs to the building. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ivar’s Mystery Painting seen through porthole window on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023 in Mukilteo, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

What’s a fish tale worth? Ivar’s for a year

A mystery painting is on display at the Mukilteo Ivar’s. The deadline to solve it, or at least take a good guess, is Jan. 15.

Ivar’s Mystery Painting seen through porthole window on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023 in Mukilteo, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mower Sir Mows-A-Lot. (Submitted photo)

New city workers: Clearapathra in Lynnwood, Sir Mows-A-Lot in Mukilteo

The communities voted on the names of a 10-foot snow plow and a $75,000 robotic mower.

Mukilteo mower Sir Mows-A-Lot. (Submitted photo)
Santa Claus and Frosty the Snowman, photographed on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, in the Westmont neighborhood of Everett, Washington, are feeling a little deflated by the news of a gray, rainy Christmas. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Merry soggy Christmas forecast shows rain, no snow, in Everett

Check the WSDOT app for travel by road and sea. Check the NORAD app for Santa’s whereabouts.

Santa Claus and Frosty the Snowman, photographed on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, in the Westmont neighborhood of Everett, Washington, are feeling a little deflated by the news of a gray, rainy Christmas. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
FOR WEB ONLY

A look back at ‘What’s Up’ in 2023: Robots, Costco, secret crushes

A romance on Rucker heated up without help from The Love Zone — and other tall tales from the past year.

FOR WEB ONLY
Matt Folmsbee, right, helps a customer at The Kushery on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Ganja Claus: Gifts for the grandparents from the pot shop?

The use of cannabis by seniors is booming, but the benefits and dangers are not an exact science.

Matt Folmsbee, right, helps a customer at The Kushery on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)