Ben Watanabe

In this Nov. 8, 2017 photo, Steph Gaspar, a volunteer outreach worker with The Hand Up Project, an addiction and homeless advocacy group, cleans up needles used for drug injection that were found at a homeless encampment in Everett, Wash. The number of unsheltered chronically homeless - those who have been homeless for longer than a year while struggling with a serious mental illness, substance use disorder or physical disability - more than doubled in the Everett region since 2015. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

After state law stalls, Everett bans public drug use

In a 4-3 vote Wednesday, the City Council criminalized public drug use. State law could preempt it by July.

In this Nov. 8, 2017 photo, Steph Gaspar, a volunteer outreach worker with The Hand Up Project, an addiction and homeless advocacy group, cleans up needles used for drug injection that were found at a homeless encampment in Everett, Wash. The number of unsheltered chronically homeless - those who have been homeless for longer than a year while struggling with a serious mental illness, substance use disorder or physical disability - more than doubled in the Everett region since 2015. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Ruben Trujillo, left and Sarah Bates, right, work on signs in protest of the “no sit, no lie” expansion on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Mayor given new authority to expand Everett’s ‘no sit, no lie’ zones

The City Council voted 4-3 late Wednesday to broaden the controversial ban on sitting or sleeping on public property.

Ruben Trujillo, left and Sarah Bates, right, work on signs in protest of the “no sit, no lie” expansion on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The Forest Park Swim Center in Everett, Washington on Friday, April 28, 2023. The Forest Park Swim Center has been closed and empty since March 2020. The city's prepared to study its future, either as is, with renovations or totally repurposed. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Future of long-shuttered Forest Park pool to get deep dive study

City officials want to know the costs for reopening the swim center as is, adding water park features and repurposing the space entirely.

The Forest Park Swim Center in Everett, Washington on Friday, April 28, 2023. The Forest Park Swim Center has been closed and empty since March 2020. The city's prepared to study its future, either as is, with renovations or totally repurposed. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
U.S. Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (right to left) speaks with Volunteers of America Western Washington Director of Operations Dean Johnson, CEO Brian Smith and Homage dietitians at their food distribution center on Monday, May 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

In visit, DelBene warns GOP bill could slash food assistance

“How are people supposed to get by with even less resources?” asked Northwest Harvest’s public policy and advocacy director.

U.S. Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (right to left) speaks with Volunteers of America Western Washington Director of Operations Dean Johnson, CEO Brian Smith and Homage dietitians at their food distribution center on Monday, May 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
William Gamboa runs with his dogs along Bayview Trail on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Lake Stevens, Marysville seek Bayview Trail design input

The cities are working on plans for the paved trail that would generally follow high-tension power lines west of Highway 9.

William Gamboa runs with his dogs along Bayview Trail on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County is considering buying the America's Best Value Inn in Edmonds and converting it into shelter. Photographed in Edmonds, Washington on August 15, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

County contract almost done for Edmonds motel meth cleanup

The county bought the property and another in Everett to repurpose as transitional housing for homeless people.

Snohomish County is considering buying the America's Best Value Inn in Edmonds and converting it into shelter. Photographed in Edmonds, Washington on August 15, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Cathcart Crossing project site along Highway 9 on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

County clears permit hurdle for Cathcart park and ride

The proposed park and ride southeast of Cathcart Way and Highway 9 would have 154 stalls and be near planned housing.

Cathcart Crossing project site along Highway 9 on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Election

Brier, Mountlake Terrace voters back joining South County Fire

About 80% of ballots counted Tuesday night in Brier and over 91% in Mountlake Terrace supported the annexation.

Election
Community Transit’s 209 bus departs from the Lake Stevens Transit Center at 4th St NE and Highway 9 on Thursday, April 20, 2023, in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Want ride-hailing at bus prices in Arlington? Let Community Transit know

The transit agency is in early development for microtransit services in Arlington, Darrington and Lake Stevens.

Community Transit’s 209 bus departs from the Lake Stevens Transit Center at 4th St NE and Highway 9 on Thursday, April 20, 2023, in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Shawneri Guzman, center, who was named Washington's Fire Educator of the Year and her team of Community Resource firefighter paramedics Janette Anderson, left, and Captain Nicole Picknell, right, at the Lynnwood Fire Station on Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021 in Lynnwood, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Voters to decide if Brier, Mountlake Terrace join South County Fire

Getting annexed into the fire authority is the least expensive option, per city leaders, but it would still lead to a tax increase.

Shawneri Guzman, center, who was named Washington's Fire Educator of the Year and her team of Community Resource firefighter paramedics Janette Anderson, left, and Captain Nicole Picknell, right, at the Lynnwood Fire Station on Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021 in Lynnwood, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Ian Terry / The Herald

Fred Cruger, a member of the Granite Falls Historical Society, looks through old documents and photographs at the Granite Falls Historical Museum on Sunday, April 8.

Photo taken on 04082018

Snohomish County’s history buffs to gather for long-delayed awards

The League of Snohomish County Heritage Organizations will present awards for projects and publications since 2019.

Ian Terry / The Herald

Fred Cruger, a member of the Granite Falls Historical Society, looks through old documents and photographs at the Granite Falls Historical Museum on Sunday, April 8.

Photo taken on 04082018
A full shopping cart full of items is left unattended outside of the Everett Gospel Mission along a fence put in place due the current no sit no lie ordinance on Tuesday, April 18, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Everett weighs expanding ‘no sit’ ban, giving mayor more discretion

The proposed ordinance would give the mayor authority to designate “no sit, no lie zones” around service providers.

A full shopping cart full of items is left unattended outside of the Everett Gospel Mission along a fence put in place due the current no sit no lie ordinance on Tuesday, April 18, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A cyclist crosses Highway 99 at 220th Street before riding south along the highway on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, in Edmonds, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

State law prompts Edmonds to add bike lanes on Highway 99 overhaul

The Legislature’s Move Ahead Washington package requires “complete streets” for state transportation projects.

A cyclist crosses Highway 99 at 220th Street before riding south along the highway on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, in Edmonds, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
A transit rider steps onto a Community Transit bus on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Plan aims to restore ‘community’ to Community Transit bus service

Dropping commuter routes into Seattle next year will let the agency redeploy buses and drivers throughout the county.

A transit rider steps onto a Community Transit bus on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County PUD. (Sue Misao / Herald file)

PUD hosting Earth Day block party at Everett HQ

People can learn about careers, enter for giveaways and get info on energy saving programs.

Snohomish County PUD. (Sue Misao / Herald file)
CVS Pharmacy, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York. CVS will buy insurance giant Aetna in a roughly $69 billion deal that will help the drugstore chain reach deeper into customer health care and protect a key client, a person with knowledge of the matter said Sunday. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

Everett, first to sue opioid company, signs on to state settlements

Snohomish County’s largest city joined the settlements just ahead of an April 18 deadline. It could see $4 million.

CVS Pharmacy, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York. CVS will buy insurance giant Aetna in a roughly $69 billion deal that will help the drugstore chain reach deeper into customer health care and protect a key client, a person with knowledge of the matter said Sunday. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
The city of Everett is considering a bridge extending east from Everett Avenue over the bluff and railroad to property it owns for a new public works base. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Neighbors worried over noise, traffic from potential Everett Ave bridge

The city needs the crossing to reach the new site for a public works base east of East Grand Avenue and the railroad.

The city of Everett is considering a bridge extending east from Everett Avenue over the bluff and railroad to property it owns for a new public works base. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
From left to right, Kerry Levett, Rachel Solemsaas and Chemene Crawford. (Everett Community College)

EvCC narrows president search to 3 finalists

After a long search, the college’s board of trustees is interviewing Chemene Crawford, Kerry Levett and Rachel Solemsaas.

From left to right, Kerry Levett, Rachel Solemsaas and Chemene Crawford. (Everett Community College)
A car merges into the far right lane heading toward the exit to US 2 trestle on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Is late merging at U.S. 2 trestle legal? Is it bad etiquette?

Yes, it’s legal and generally recommended for efficiency, as long as it’s done safely and doesn’t hold up traffic flow.

A car merges into the far right lane heading toward the exit to US 2 trestle on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Mountlake Terrace in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118

New chamber of commerce focuses on Brier, Mountlake Terrace

The city of Mountlake Terrace contracted with Economic Alliance Snohomish County to help coordinate the program.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Mountlake Terrace in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118