Ben Watanabe

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A tiny homes program that opened in early July began with each unit claimed and a wait list of 60. Here Patrick Diller, head of community partnerships for Pallet, discusses the Pallet Shelter Pilot Project on June 29, 2021 in Everett. (Katie Hayes / Herald file)

Everett marks $2.7 million in federal funds for homeless housing

With the American Rescue Plan money, the city’s small housing program for unsheltered people could expand to three sites.

 

WSDOT workers open up the Smokey Point Rest Area on Tuesday, May 17, 2022 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Free coffee will be back soon at Smokey Point rest areas

Everett’s Silver Lake rest area for southbound I-5 drivers remains closed while WSDOT works on the facility.

 

Rotary Club of Everett awarded $281,500 in scholarships to 58 students from Cascade, Everett and Jackson high schools, as well as Everett Community College. (Rotary Club of Everett)

Everett students get $281,500 in Rotary scholarships

Scholarships from $500 to $25,000 went to 58 students in the Everett School District and Everett Community College.

 

Juan Luna, left, and Jeff Austin tune up bicycles to be donated Tuesday afternoon at Sharing Wheels Community Bike Shop in Everett, Washington on May 10, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Street Smarts

Afghanistan, Ukraine refugees get bikes, bus passes and rides

One nonprofit needs volunteers to repair 40 kids bikes for refugees. Another agency could use cash gift cards.

Juan Luna, left, and Jeff Austin tune up bicycles to be donated Tuesday afternoon at Sharing Wheels Community Bike Shop in Everett, Washington on May 10, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Aly Richards warms up during a skateboard workshop Thursday evening at Wiggum Hollows Park in Everett, Washington on April 28, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

At free skate clinic, Everett kids do sweet tricks and more

It’s offered through the Boys and Girls Club, and there are still slots open. So grab a skateboard and get rolling.

Aly Richards warms up during a skateboard workshop Thursday evening at Wiggum Hollows Park in Everett, Washington on April 28, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Everett

Public bathrooms downtown, cleanup program approved by Everett council

The City Council voted on how to spend $1.1 million in relief funds, including a three-year “Clean Everett” plan.

Everett
Drivers head northbound on Evergreen Way through the Everett Mall Way intersection past a 35 mph speed limit sign on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Lower speed limits move forward on dangerous stretch of Highway 99

The Everett City Council approved a resolution to slow speeds on Evergreen and Everett Mall ways.

Drivers head northbound on Evergreen Way through the Everett Mall Way intersection past a 35 mph speed limit sign on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Gas prices in the Seattle area have jumped recently, prompting some commuters to stop driving and take transit or bike and walk. (U.S. Energy Information Administration)
Street Smarts

Bus ridership grows as gas prices soar

Employers calling staff back to in-person work also is a factor behind greater mass transit usage.

Gas prices in the Seattle area have jumped recently, prompting some commuters to stop driving and take transit or bike and walk. (U.S. Energy Information Administration)
Father Tuan Nguyen holds morning mass at Immaculate Conception Church on Wednesday, May 4, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

North Everett Catholic parishes to merge into one

The Archdiocese of Seattle has decreed the merger will take effect July 1 for the churches about 1 mile apart.

Father Tuan Nguyen holds morning mass at Immaculate Conception Church on Wednesday, May 4, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Community Transit's proposed 2024 bus routes. (Community Transit)

Community Transit plan funnels bus services to light rail

“We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to remake bus service in our county,” Community Transit CEO Ric Ilgenfritz said.

Community Transit's proposed 2024 bus routes. (Community Transit)
Traffic moves along Filbert Drive next to pedestrians walking along a new section of the North Creek Regional Trail on Friday, April 29, 2022 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Street Smarts

North Creek Trail section near Bothell almost ready

Final paving is set this summer for the first phase of the 2.42-mile trail north of Centennial Park.

Traffic moves along Filbert Drive next to pedestrians walking along a new section of the North Creek Regional Trail on Friday, April 29, 2022 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Drivers head northbound on Evergreen Way through the Everett Mall Way intersection past a 35 mph speed limit sign on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

As pedestrian deaths mount, a plan to slow south Everett traffic

Evergreen and Everett Mall ways are among the most dangerous roads in the county. Lower speed limits could save lives.

Drivers head northbound on Evergreen Way through the Everett Mall Way intersection past a 35 mph speed limit sign on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The Everett City Council approved a contract for Bird electric scooters to be set up throughout the city as soon as May. (Bird) 20220428

Electric scooters set to return to Everett as soon as May

The Everett City Council approved a 12-month contract with Bird, a California company, to deploy 75 to 300 e-scooters.

The Everett City Council approved a contract for Bird electric scooters to be set up throughout the city as soon as May. (Bird) 20220428
The curb median keeps vehicles from the shoulder on the south side 20th Street SE (eastbound) in Lake Stevens, Washington on April 21, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Street Smarts

Why does a curb keep cars away from bus stop in Lake Stevens?

Built in late 2020 and early 2021, the divider stops drivers from using the eastbound lane’s shoulder.

The curb median keeps vehicles from the shoulder on the south side 20th Street SE (eastbound) in Lake Stevens, Washington on April 21, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
The SW Everett Industrial Center Station area has four route alternatives and three station alternatives. (Sound Transit)

Elected leaders narrow options for Everett light rail stations, tracks

The Sound Transit group agreed to stop studying nine station alternatives, but disagreed over some preferred locations.

The SW Everett Industrial Center Station area has four route alternatives and three station alternatives. (Sound Transit)
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Coronavirus outbreak

As COVID policies loosen, health officials urge caution

There’s promising news: Hospitalizations have remained down in the state and Snohomish County.

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Washington state senators and representatives along with Governor Inslee and FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez break ground at the Swift Orange Line on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Swift Orange line to link Edmonds, Mill Creek to Lynnwood rail

Construction kicked off Tuesday on the bus route, which will boost rapid service in south Snohomish County.

Washington state senators and representatives along with Governor Inslee and FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez break ground at the Swift Orange Line on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A man wearing a face mask walks toward the rear door of a Community Transit bus at the Everett Station on Friday, March 20, 2020 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Reader poll

Community Transit, Paine Field, ferries drop mask requirement

After a federal judge struck down the CDC’s mask mandate, agencies in Snohomish County are changing direction.

A man wearing a face mask walks toward the rear door of a Community Transit bus at the Everett Station on Friday, March 20, 2020 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The I-5, Highway 529 and the BNSF railroad bridges cross over Union Slough as the main roadways for north and southbound traffic between Everett and Marysville. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Street Smarts

I-5 HOV lane, Highway 529 interchange work to start this year

WSDOT awarded the $123.1 million project’s design-build contract to Guy F. Atkinson Construction.

The I-5, Highway 529 and the BNSF railroad bridges cross over Union Slough as the main roadways for north and southbound traffic between Everett and Marysville. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A cyclist crosses Madison Street along the Interurban Trail Thursday, April 14, 2022, in Everett, Washington. The City of Everett is considering adding bike lanes to Madison Street to connect the Interurban Trail to other bike routes in the area. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Bike lane considered for stretch of Madison Street in Everett

The city is seeking input on a plan that would eliminate on-street parking.

A cyclist crosses Madison Street along the Interurban Trail Thursday, April 14, 2022, in Everett, Washington. The City of Everett is considering adding bike lanes to Madison Street to connect the Interurban Trail to other bike routes in the area. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)