Ben Watanabe

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
Matthew Sims places a traffic signal for his group's traffic project presentation at Hazelwood Elementary School on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Lynnwood students pitch transportation safety solutions near school

Barbara Bromley’s fifth-grade class at Hazelwood Elementary School analyzed traffic issues near the parking lot.

Matthew Sims places a traffic signal for his group's traffic project presentation at Hazelwood Elementary School on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The Everett Police Department hosted its first Guns for Gift Cards exchange on Saturday, December 17, 2022 at the South Precinct in Everett, Washington. 241 firearms were exchanged for $25,000 in gift cards. (City of Everett)

Everett considering ARPA money for business boost, gun buyback

Another proposal gives each council member discretion on spending $75,000 of the federal aid on local pandemic recovery efforts

The Everett Police Department hosted its first Guns for Gift Cards exchange on Saturday, December 17, 2022 at the South Precinct in Everett, Washington. 241 firearms were exchanged for $25,000 in gift cards. (City of Everett)
A vehicle makes an unprotected left turn on a flashing yellow arrow at the intersection of Highway 9 and Highway 530 on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Arlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Reader: Arlington highway intersection signal change confusing

At the city’s request, the state changed the left-turn sequence. An Arlington reader said drivers are jumping the queue.

A vehicle makes an unprotected left turn on a flashing yellow arrow at the intersection of Highway 9 and Highway 530 on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Arlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Mountlake Terrace in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118

Mountlake Terrace council moves on some ARPA spending

The council approved a portion of staff proposals for federal money, including body cameras, generators and road work.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Mountlake Terrace in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
The former ferry holding lanes are repaved and getting ready for cars in Mukilteo, Washington on August 16, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Port parking at Mukilteo waterfront finally opens

The 99-stall lot on the former ferry holding lanes includes 63 spots for someone to leave a car for up to 72 hours.

The former ferry holding lanes are repaved and getting ready for cars in Mukilteo, Washington on August 16, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
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)