Andrea Brown

Librarian Phillip Buffington, 54, pulls up to the Everett Public Library on his fixed-gear bicycle at the conclusion of his morning commute from Capitol Hill on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Everett librarian on 60-mile bike commute: ‘Totally rational behavior’

Phillip Buffington, 54, pedals from Capitol Hill in Seattle to Everett Public Library. It sure beats driving, he says.

Librarian Phillip Buffington, 54, pulls up to the Everett Public Library on his fixed-gear bicycle at the conclusion of his morning commute from Capitol Hill on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
In this side-by-side image, the Totem Diner and Pacific Stone Company signs put on a flirty display for all to see Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Rucker Ave. bacon-shakin’ sign romance is heating up: hotel date is Friday

Camp Fire gave the Totem and Pacific Stone owners $100 tickets to its dinner and auction fundraiser.

In this side-by-side image, the Totem Diner and Pacific Stone Company signs put on a flirty display for all to see Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Dennis Michelson pushes his ballot into the drop box outside of Lynnwood City Hall on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Want to run for office? Candidate filing week is May 15 to 19

Among the many positions with contested races this year: Snohomish County sheriff, Everett City Council and Edmonds mayor.

Dennis Michelson pushes his ballot into the drop box outside of Lynnwood City Hall on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A Costco hot dog combo with diced onions. Chopped onions are back in the food court after Costco discontinued them in 2020. (Mike Henneke / The Herald)

Diced onions, a pandemic casualty, are back at Costco food court

You have to ask for onions in Lake Stevens. For some, it’s a much bigger deal than a single-use cup. It’s a reminder of a pre-pandemic world.

A Costco hot dog combo with diced onions. Chopped onions are back in the food court after Costco discontinued them in 2020. (Mike Henneke / The Herald)
Daniel Wehnert, left, and Angela Wehnert pose for a photo at High Rock Castle in Monroe, Wash. Annie Barker / The Everett Herald photo

Crowns, robes + thrones come with the stay at Washington state castle

At this vacation rental, you’ll find crowns on the shelf, costumes in the coat closet, dragons to behold and heated thrones.  What’s up with that?… Continue reading

Daniel Wehnert, left, and Angela Wehnert pose for a photo at High Rock Castle in Monroe, Wash. Annie Barker / The Everett Herald photo
A go-kart parade float was stolen Saturday night from Stollwerck Plumbing & Sewer in Mukilteo. (Submitted photo)

Grand theft toilet: Mukilteo police seek plumber’s stolen parade float

The sign at Stollwerck Plumbing reads: “Hey, Thief! We want our parade kart back. Love, The Plumbers.”

A go-kart parade float was stolen Saturday night from Stollwerck Plumbing & Sewer in Mukilteo. (Submitted photo)
Daniel Wehnert, left, and Angela Wehnert, right, pose for a photo at High Rock Castle in Monroe, Washington on Sunday, April 9, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Crowns, robes, thrones come with stay at Monroe castle on 19 acres

The new owners of the medieval marvel say, “We want everybody to feel like royalty here.” The regal bed and breakfast sleeps eight.

Daniel Wehnert, left, and Angela Wehnert, right, pose for a photo at High Rock Castle in Monroe, Washington on Sunday, April 9, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
A sign for a garage sale in Mill Creek, Washington on Saturday, May 6, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Bargains galore as yard sale season kicks off in Mill Creek and beyond

The Great Mukilteo Garage Sale is Saturday. Mega community sales continue through spring and summer.

A sign for a garage sale in Mill Creek, Washington on Saturday, May 6, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Shipfitter Wes Helseth installs windows into the pilothouse for a 100 foot tug at Nichols Brothers Boat Builders on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018 in Freeland, Washington. Another pilothouse sits in the shipyard at right. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Everett Ship Repair gets a $1.1 million federal grant for new crane

The facility was the prime contractor to fix the Cathlamet ferry that smashed into pilings in a $7.7 million crash in July.

Shipfitter Wes Helseth installs windows into the pilothouse for a 100 foot tug at Nichols Brothers Boat Builders on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018 in Freeland, Washington. Another pilothouse sits in the shipyard at right. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

There’s still time to see Skagit tulips, and maybe with less traffic

April’s late start for blooms extended the viewing spectacle into May.

Andrea Brown, left, and Janice Podsada surrounded by America Online CDs. (Photo illustration by Kate Erickson & Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

We’ve got mail! And we’re still surfing the web with AOL email addresses

After 30 years, @aol.com is still around, a vestige of the internet’s Triassic era — and it still matters to, well, some of us.

Andrea Brown, left, and Janice Podsada surrounded by America Online CDs. (Photo illustration by Kate Erickson & Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
People wander around and photograph fields of tulips, daffodils and other flowers during the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival at RoozenGaarde in Mount Vernon, Washington, on Friday April 14, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Flower power is finally here at Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

After a late bloom, stunning photos await at the monthlong festival with art, food, pickleball, millions of bulbs — and traffic.

People wander around and photograph fields of tulips, daffodils and other flowers during the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival at RoozenGaarde in Mount Vernon, Washington, on Friday April 14, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Ashley Morrison posted this photo to her Instagram account on Dec. 30, 2022. In the post's caption, Ashley discussed her struggles with mental health and said 2022 was "easily the most difficult year of my life" and she "wouldn’t have survived without my mom, and close family and friends support." (Photo provided by Cindi Morrison)

Many mourn Everett’s ‘Youngest Old Cat Lady,’ Ashley Morrison

On social media, she gained a huge following for her cat rescue. She was also transparent about her mental health struggles.

Ashley Morrison posted this photo to her Instagram account on Dec. 30, 2022. In the post's caption, Ashley discussed her struggles with mental health and said 2022 was "easily the most difficult year of my life" and she "wouldn’t have survived without my mom, and close family and friends support." (Photo provided by Cindi Morrison)
"Extreme Dwarfanators Wrestling" poster. (Submitted photo)

‘Extreme Dwarfanators Wrestling’ coming to Snohomish venue

Venue owner: “It’s like WWE Wrestling but pint-sized.” Tickets are $25. Must be 21 or older.

"Extreme Dwarfanators Wrestling" poster. (Submitted photo)
Tim Lambright, also known as SpiffyThriftyMan in Instagram, inside Value Village, one of the many thrift stores he frequents on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Everett’s Spiffy Thrifty coach can help you look chic on the cheap

Tim Lambright’s hobby is helping people look first-rate in secondhand clothes, especially us in the stodgy PNW.

Tim Lambright, also known as SpiffyThriftyMan in Instagram, inside Value Village, one of the many thrift stores he frequents on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Peter Anderson walks around the Mukilteo Lighthouse campus on Thursday, March 24, 2022, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

After outcry, switcheroo of Mukilteo lighthouse digs won’t happen

The mayor dropped a proposal to swap the sites of the Mukilteo Historical Society and Chamber of Commerce.

Peter Anderson walks around the Mukilteo Lighthouse campus on Thursday, March 24, 2022, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
In this side-by-side image, the Totem Diner and Pacific Stone Company signs put on a flirty display for all to see Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Romance heats up on Rucker readerboards, but it’s a slow burn

Camp Fire sign encourages the courtship between Totem Diner and Pacific Stone, with $100 date night tickets.

In this side-by-side image, the Totem Diner and Pacific Stone Company signs put on a flirty display for all to see Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Mukilteo in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118

EMS levy lid lift would increase property taxes in Mukilteo

People are needed to write the pro and con ballot statements for the voters’ pamphlet for the August primary election.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Mukilteo in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Nick’s Jr.’s peanut butter bacon burger glistens in the light on Friday, March 31, 2023, at the restaurant in Everett, Washington. The burger consists of a seasoned patty with melty Skippy Super Chunk peanut butter, two bacon slices, lettuce, tomato and mayo on a toasted sesame seed bun.(Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Get nutty: Have a peanut butter burger for the shtick and shell of it

Burgers slathered in peanut butter are hard to find but worth a shot. In Everett, those who’ve tried them keep coming back.

Nick’s Jr.’s peanut butter bacon burger glistens in the light on Friday, March 31, 2023, at the restaurant in Everett, Washington. The burger consists of a seasoned patty with melty Skippy Super Chunk peanut butter, two bacon slices, lettuce, tomato and mayo on a toasted sesame seed bun.(Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Jack Yoke, 5, runs through the Roozengaarde tulip fields in Mount Vernon, Wash. in 2021. Saturday kicks off the 2023 Skagit Valley Tulip Festival that blooms for a month. Olivia Vanni / The Herald

Tulip Festival brings spectacular spring blooms to Skagit Valley

Thousands will visit the annual flower fest that kicks off Saturday and runs through April. Here are some tips.

Jack Yoke, 5, runs through the Roozengaarde tulip fields in Mount Vernon, Wash. in 2021. Saturday kicks off the 2023 Skagit Valley Tulip Festival that blooms for a month. Olivia Vanni / The Herald