Andrea Brown

Classic cars make the loop during the newly restored Cruzin Colby Sunday afternoon in downtown Everett on May 28, 2017. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Vintage cars will rule the road at Everett’s Cruzin’ to Colby

The annual show this weekend makes downtown “the place to play on Memorial Day.”

Classic cars make the loop during the newly restored Cruzin Colby Sunday afternoon in downtown Everett on May 28, 2017. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Melissa Batson unfurls a Groundhog Day flag designed by her niece Wednesday, May 11, 2022, at her home in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Flags tell Monroe woman’s transgender journey — and more

The flagpole in her front yard is a visual for Facebook posts about who Melissa Batson is and how she got there.

Melissa Batson unfurls a Groundhog Day flag designed by her niece Wednesday, May 11, 2022, at her home in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
LOCAL - MOUNTAIN LOOP HIGHWAY
HERALD STAFF PHOTO BY JENNIFER BUCHANAN
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A car makes its way through a winding unpaved section of the Mountain Loop Highway 15 miles outside of Darrington.

14-mile scenic stretch of Mountain Loop Highway opens early

The highway between Granite Falls and Darrington reopened to traffic on Friday due to good weather.

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.
Sam Bowles records the run off the water from a chalk drawing with friend and co-artist, Rhyanna Mercer, Tuesday afternoon in Everett, Washington on May 10, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Jackson High’s global TikTok star is chalk full of ideas

Sam Bowles, 18, uses vibrant videos and social media fame to raise awareness of autism.

Sam Bowles records the run off the water from a chalk drawing with friend and co-artist, Rhyanna Mercer, Tuesday afternoon in Everett, Washington on May 10, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Rainey Forzetting makes a kratom smoothie at her home in Lake Stevens, Washington on March 29, 2022. Blueberries, 6 grams Kratom, a triple berry mix, almond butter, pomegranate and oak milk make up her daily concoction. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Sold as elixir, kratom popularity surges in ‘Wild West’ of legality

Doctors warn kratom, an opioid alternative, is addictive and ripe for abuse. Yet it’s unregulated and sold at any smokeshop.

Rainey Forzetting makes a kratom smoothie at her home in Lake Stevens, Washington on March 29, 2022. Blueberries, 6 grams Kratom, a triple berry mix, almond butter, pomegranate and oak milk make up her daily concoction. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
The signature retro VW bus is on display at the Lamb & Co. home decor store Saturday afternoon in Snohomish, Washington on January 8, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

This Snohomish store has the goods from HGTV’s ‘Unsellable House’

Take home the design and decor savvy of hometown real estate twins Lyndsay Lamb and Leslie Davis.

The signature retro VW bus is on display at the Lamb & Co. home decor store Saturday afternoon in Snohomish, Washington on January 8, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Hundreds gather to listen to a lineup of guest speakers during Snohomish County’s “Bans Off Our Bodies” rally Saturday, May 14, 2022, outside the county courthouse in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Everett rally draws 400-plus abortion rights supporters

Saturday’s rally was part of “Bans Off Our Bodies” protests in response to the impending overturn of Roe v. Wade.

Hundreds gather to listen to a lineup of guest speakers during Snohomish County’s “Bans Off Our Bodies” rally Saturday, May 14, 2022, outside the county courthouse in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
A ferryboat. (Washington State Ferries)

Mukilteo-Clinton ferry riders get their two-boat service back

The Edmonds-Kingston route could be next, depending on COVID-19 cases and crew shortages.

A ferryboat. (Washington State Ferries)
Japanese teacher Alicia Ceban takes a photo go her students Justin Mitosis, left, Christopher Araiza and Ethan Kwon with their pen pal letter they received from high school students in Japan at Mariner High School on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

They’ve got (snail) mail: Mariner High students have Japanese pen pals

For many, it’s the first time writing a letter on paper — and making a friend on the other side of the globe.

Japanese teacher Alicia Ceban takes a photo go her students Justin Mitosis, left, Christopher Araiza and Ethan Kwon with their pen pal letter they received from high school students in Japan at Mariner High School on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
People look around at the non-profit group Church of Pugճ garage sale during the semi-annual Mill Creek community garage sale Saturday, May 7, 2022, in Mill Creek, Washington. Many people braved the heavy rain to venture from sale to sale. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Shopping like it’s 2019: Yard sales are back!

The rite of bargain-hunting in Snohomish County lawns and driveways resumes in post-pandemic splendor.

People look around at the non-profit group Church of Pugճ garage sale during the semi-annual Mill Creek community garage sale Saturday, May 7, 2022, in Mill Creek, Washington. Many people braved the heavy rain to venture from sale to sale. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Maria Moore and her younger brother, T.J. Maria was 9 when she died in 2015. T.J., 14, has been collecting M&M’s items since and donated the collection to raise money for Seattle Children’s. (Submitted photo)

Candy collectible sale to honor girl who died of cancer at 9

Money raised Saturday at BobaKhan Toys in Everett goes to Seattle Children’s cancer research.

Maria Moore and her younger brother, T.J. Maria was 9 when she died in 2015. T.J., 14, has been collecting M&M’s items since and donated the collection to raise money for Seattle Children’s. (Submitted photo)
Electric Ford Mustangs are lined up for viewing Saturday afternoon during Drive Electric Earth Day in the Everett, Washington on April 23, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Electric car owners enjoy kicking the dinosaur fuel habit

The number of Washington drivers plugging in is growing, but the upfront cost of electric vehicles is high.

Electric Ford Mustangs are lined up for viewing Saturday afternoon during Drive Electric Earth Day in the Everett, Washington on April 23, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
The Mukilteo waterfront on Friday, April 29, 2022 in Mukilteo, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Got ideas? 26-acre Mukilteo waterfront beckons improvement

There’s an open house on Thursday. See what’s on the drawing board so far from 11 landowners.

The Mukilteo waterfront on Friday, April 29, 2022 in Mukilteo, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Sean Sanderson trims excess fat off a New York cut of Wagyu at EC Wilson Meats on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

$100 a steak at Costco? Japanese Wagyu cows sure are pricey

The highly marbled steaks melt like butter and are rich in flavor. And now the masses can enjoy them.

Sean Sanderson trims excess fat off a New York cut of Wagyu at EC Wilson Meats on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Dianne Easley, left, and Pam Thomas take care of customers at the Providence Regional Medical Center gift shop Thursday, April 21, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Get some retail therapy at a Providence hospital gift shop

The Providence Regional Medical Center gift shops reopened after being closed two years due to COVID-19.

Dianne Easley, left, and Pam Thomas take care of customers at the Providence Regional Medical Center gift shop Thursday, April 21, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Gus Mansour sings during a rehearsal for the upcoming  annual Elvis Challenge Wednesday afternoon in Everett, Washington on April 13, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Who’s the best Elvis? They’ll croon for ‘The King’ crown

Get all shook up at “Kentucky Rain Band’s Elvis Challenge” on Friday at the Historic Everett Theatre.

Gus Mansour sings during a rehearsal for the upcoming  annual Elvis Challenge Wednesday afternoon in Everett, Washington on April 13, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mike Lane and son Dave Lane, right, in front of their family store Everett Vacuum with their popular sign and saying, “everything we sell sucks” on Thursday, April 7, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

‘Everything we sell sucks’: The dirt on Everett’s most accurate ad

The sign at the vacuum-cleaner store on Broadway gets attention and laughs. And every so often, it goes viral.

Mike Lane and son Dave Lane, right, in front of their family store Everett Vacuum with their popular sign and saying, “everything we sell sucks” on Thursday, April 7, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Real Estate consultants and twin sisters Leslie Davis and Lyndsay Lamb staging in the newly renovated downstairs family room in the Thaut House, as seen on "Unsellable Houses." (HGTV)

Snohomish sisters shine in new season of ‘Unsellable Houses’

The 13 new episodes show that with elbow grease and ingenuity, nothing is unsellable in this wild market.

Real Estate consultants and twin sisters Leslie Davis and Lyndsay Lamb staging in the newly renovated downstairs family room in the Thaut House, as seen on "Unsellable Houses." (HGTV)
A drawing by PUD employee Lincoln Manahan and his daughter Kea submitted with the idea for a squirrel mascot. This won’t be the final art for the squirrel marketing.

Zip and Zap? Volt and Watt? Help name PUD’s squirrel mascots

The public utility is taking a vote on names. Squirrels trampled Bigfoot in a vote for the mascot species.

A drawing by PUD employee Lincoln Manahan and his daughter Kea submitted with the idea for a squirrel mascot. This won’t be the final art for the squirrel marketing.
Children of all ages bounce around at Flying Squirrel Trampoline Park Saturday, March 19, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Bounce, baby, bounce! Everett’s Flying Squirrel is spring-loaded

The new indoor trampoline center at a former Toys R Us site is filled with ways to burn off energy.

Children of all ages bounce around at Flying Squirrel Trampoline Park Saturday, March 19, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)