Ben Watanabe

Former Opus Bank/Cascade Bank building in downtown Everett on Thursday, March 16, 2023 in Everett, Washington. It is proposed as the new home of Economic Alliance Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Economic Alliance asks Everett for $300K to move downtown

The countywide chamber of commerce and economic development organization also would reform the Everett chamber.

Former Opus Bank/Cascade Bank building in downtown Everett on Thursday, March 16, 2023 in Everett, Washington. It is proposed as the new home of Economic Alliance Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Mountlake Terrace in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118

Mountlake Terrace leaders weighing federal ARPA fund options

Bathrooms, body cameras, generators, radios, roadwork, roof replacement, sidewalks, trails and more loom for the $4.5 million.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Mountlake Terrace in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Vehicles on Soper Hill Road wait in line to make unprotected left turns onto Highway 9 northbound and southbound during the evening commute Wednesday, March 15, 2023, in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Lake Stevens development prompts Highway 9 signal change soon

Turning left from Soper Hill Road can be a long wait now. Flashing yellow turn signals could help with more traffic.

Vehicles on Soper Hill Road wait in line to make unprotected left turns onto Highway 9 northbound and southbound during the evening commute Wednesday, March 15, 2023, in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Jeff Niten

New Mountlake Terrace city manager set for $200K salary

Jeff Niten’s start date is April 17. He’ll oversee the city’s 190 employees and work to implement city policies.

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

‘Massive amount’ of homeless RV camping closed Smokey Point rest area

Since November, 38 homeless people were identified through outreach. Six have accepted housing offers with case management.

WSDOT workers open up the Smokey Point Rest Area on Tuesday, May 17, 2022 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Cathcart Crossing project site along Highway 9 on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Hearing examiner’s order holds up Cathcart park and ride

Initial plans had the stormwater system designed under urban zoning rules, but the property has rural zoning.

Cathcart Crossing project site along Highway 9 on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A sign diverts bicyclists to a short path that leads to the shoulder of U.S. 2 headed east near the junction with Highway 204 on Monday, March 6, 2023, in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Yes, it’s legal (and risky) to bike on WA highways — with big exceptions

A reader asked about the legality of biking on the shoulder of U.S. 2 after a run-in with law enforcement.

A sign diverts bicyclists to a short path that leads to the shoulder of U.S. 2 headed east near the junction with Highway 204 on Monday, March 6, 2023, in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Mayor Cassie Franklin gives the State of Everett Update at the Edward Hansen Conference Center in Everett, Washington on Thursday, March 9, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Everett mayor’s speech mum on scandal, focuses on crime, climate, housing

Amid an investigation into possibly blurred personal and professional lines, Cassie Franklin charted a city plan in her annual address.

Mayor Cassie Franklin gives the State of Everett Update at the Edward Hansen Conference Center in Everett, Washington on Thursday, March 9, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Construction workers walk along the underside of the Lynnwood Link light rail tracks on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Biden budget has $250M for Lynnwood light rail

Potential savings could go toward other Sound Transit projects in development, including the Everett extension.

Construction workers walk along the underside of the Lynnwood Link light rail tracks on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Students load onto the 116 Community Transit bus after school on Friday, Jan. 6, 2023, in front of Edmonds-Woodway High School in Edmonds, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Community Transit drops employee COVID vaccine requirement

After a year with it in place and three years after the first known U.S. COVID case, the CEO announced the change.

Students load onto the 116 Community Transit bus after school on Friday, Jan. 6, 2023, in front of Edmonds-Woodway High School in Edmonds, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Jeff Niten

Mountlake Terrace council taps Shelton admin as city manager

The city council selected Jeff Niten as its city manager finalist out of a pool of five candidates Saturday.

Jeff Niten
Vehicles head south on Highway 9 towards the intersection at 64th Street NE on Thursday, March 2, 2023, near Walmart in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Highway 9 due for more road work between Lake Stevens, Marysville

The state has a contract for crews to go out this year and repair the road between 132nd Street NE and Highway 528.

Vehicles head south on Highway 9 towards the intersection at 64th Street NE on Thursday, March 2, 2023, near Walmart in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Traffic moves northbound on I-5 through Everett on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Work on I-5 HOV lane from Everett to Marysville starts next week

Overnight lane reductions are scheduled Monday through Thursday, with more disruptions ahead this month.

Traffic moves northbound on I-5 through Everett on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Julie Muhlstein, left, and Dan Bates, right, receive congratulations from Larry Hanson, center, as they are recognized by the Everett Museum of History for their contributions as longtime former Herald journalists at the museum’s annual fundraiser at the Henry M Jackson Conference Center in Everett, Washington on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Museum honors former Herald journalists for spotlighting history

The Everett Museum of History celebrated Dan Bates and Julie Muhlstein, whose work often highlighted local history.

Julie Muhlstein, left, and Dan Bates, right, receive congratulations from Larry Hanson, center, as they are recognized by the Everett Museum of History for their contributions as longtime former Herald journalists at the museum’s annual fundraiser at the Henry M Jackson Conference Center in Everett, Washington on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Vehicles drive alongside the tree-lined median on Colby Avenue near 16th Street on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Plan begins to replace failing street trees in Everett

The first step will be a demonstration planting Wednesday and Thursday on Colby Avenue.

Vehicles drive alongside the tree-lined median on Colby Avenue near 16th Street on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Cars move northbound along Ninth Avenue on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Edmonds seeks traffic-calming program applications

For several years, radar speed signs have been the dominant answer. Depending on data and requests, that could change.

Cars move northbound along Ninth Avenue on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Mountlake Terrace in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118

Mountlake Terrace city manager finalists announced

People can meet the five candidates to run city operations March 3. The council is interviewing them March 4.

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

Mountlake Terrace voters to weigh South County Fire annexation

The city council also passed a $1.69 million general property tax levy reduction to mitigate higher fire taxes.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Mountlake Terrace in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
The Days Inn on Everett Mall Way, which Snohomish County is set to purchase and convert into emergency housing, is seen Monday, Aug. 8, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Edmonds, Everett motels’ meth contamination adds hurdle for shelter use

Snohomish County bought the former Americas Best Value Inn and Days Inn to use as emergency shelters for homeless people.

The Days Inn on Everett Mall Way, which Snohomish County is set to purchase and convert into emergency housing, is seen Monday, Aug. 8, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The City of Everett is set to purchase two single sidewalk restrooms from Romtec, a company based in Roseburg, Ore., for $315,000. (Romtec)

Everett considers purchase of two prefab bathrooms for downtown

Two “vandalism resistant” bathrooms would cost $315,000. City leaders see it as a way to bolster one of the city’s retail cores.

The City of Everett is set to purchase two single sidewalk restrooms from Romtec, a company based in Roseburg, Ore., for $315,000. (Romtec)