Ben Watanabe

Everett

Roosters still allowed, with $50 fee, in Everett

The Everett City Council approved a suite of code changes, including bans on peafowl ownership and rabbit sales.

Everett
Everett

Mayor vetoes Everett council’s bargaining policy for projects over $5M

The Everett City Council voted 4-3 to require project labor agreements. A fifth vote could override the veto.

Everett
Everett

Everett council OKs budget, considers tax increase next year

The Everett City Council didn’t change anything in the mayor’s proposed $543 million budget for next year.

Everett
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)

Lynnwood light rail could sit unused for months

The Sound Transit board is considering the sequence for four upcoming light rail projects after pandemic and strike delays.

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)
A small blue light shines on the backside of a traffic signal at the intersection of Broadway and Everett Avenue on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022, in downtown Everett, Washington. The lights are designed to help law enforcement catch drivers who blow red lights. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Those blue lights on traffic signals help nab red-light runners

The indicator turns on when the traffic signal is red, which lets law enforcement officers know.

A small blue light shines on the backside of a traffic signal at the intersection of Broadway and Everett Avenue on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022, in downtown Everett, Washington. The lights are designed to help law enforcement catch drivers who blow red lights. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Dakota, 1, left, hands a toy wrench to Khalil, 3, during pick up time at Tomorrow's Hope Child Development Center on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

ChildHope programs build skills for homeless families

The Housing Hope agency includes behavioral therapy, child and family specialists, child care and early education, and housing for young moms.

Dakota, 1, left, hands a toy wrench to Khalil, 3, during pick up time at Tomorrow's Hope Child Development Center on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
PUD workers install new transformers along 132nd Street on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Electric vehicles spur big forecast jump for PUD demand

Not long ago, the Snohomish County PUD projected 50,000 electric cars registered in the county by 2040. Now it expects up to 660,000.

PUD workers install new transformers along 132nd Street on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Traffic moves northbound on I-5 through Everett on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Grinding work still needed for I-5 through Everett

Construction crews need warmer temps for the work to remove what a reader described as “mini raised speed bumps.”

Traffic moves northbound on I-5 through Everett on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Permit tech Sheyenne Morton and residential plan reviewer Ryan Hammer help a general contractor with some permit work at the Everett Public Works permit office Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Budget dips, but Everett city union workers in line for 7.5% pay bump

The city’s general government fund could drop $1 million. City leaders say the current path is not sustainable.

Permit tech Sheyenne Morton and residential plan reviewer Ryan Hammer help a general contractor with some permit work at the Everett Public Works permit office Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Eric Wilkinson, a Community Transit driver of 17 years, departs from Seaway Transit Center in an empty 280 bus Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, in Everett, Washington. Wilkinson said he usually has about 5 passengers from Boeing on the bus to Granite Falls, but had none Friday because Boeing was closed for the holiday weekend. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Driver shortage prompts Community Transit’s trip cut proposal

Reducing service, by 78 trips total on 9 routes, could make for more reliable arrivals and departures in March.

Eric Wilkinson, a Community Transit driver of 17 years, departs from Seaway Transit Center in an empty 280 bus Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, in Everett, Washington. Wilkinson said he usually has about 5 passengers from Boeing on the bus to Granite Falls, but had none Friday because Boeing was closed for the holiday weekend. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Bird scooters lined up along the intersection of Colby Avenue and Hewitt Avenue in downtown Everett on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Bird scooters removed from Everett bridge overhang

A prankster, or pranksters, lugged the electrified rides to an area not meant for the public on the Grand Avenue Park Bridge.

Bird scooters lined up along the intersection of Colby Avenue and Hewitt Avenue in downtown Everett on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A pedestrian uses the crosswalk at 30th Street NE along 113th Avenue NE near Lake Stevens High School on Monday, Nov. 14, 2022 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

State won’t keep federal money from Lake Stevens for ADA issues

In September the state told the city it wasn’t complying with federal law. Upon review, the state is easing its stance.

A pedestrian uses the crosswalk at 30th Street NE along 113th Avenue NE near Lake Stevens High School on Monday, Nov. 14, 2022 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Vicki Clarke, left to right, Brock Howell, Megan Dunn, Liz Vogeli and George Hurst listen while Ed Engel speaks during a press conference for World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims on Monday, Nov. 21, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Advocates call for safer roads, sidewalks across Snohomish County

Several people marked World Day of Remembrance for Traffic Victims at one of the most dangerous roads in the county.

Vicki Clarke, left to right, Brock Howell, Megan Dunn, Liz Vogeli and George Hurst listen while Ed Engel speaks during a press conference for World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims on Monday, Nov. 21, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Cars drive along 76th Avenue West in front of Edmonds-Woodway High School on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Edmonds eyes speed cameras near three schools

Roads near Edmonds-Woodway High, Chase Lake Elementary and Westgate Elementary could get automated enforcement.

Cars drive along 76th Avenue West in front of Edmonds-Woodway High School on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Cars park along Madison Street on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Madison Street project in Everett will include bike lanes

Project is scheduled for next summer, and includes removal of center turn lane.

Cars park along Madison Street on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A pedestrian uses the crosswalk at 30th Street NE along 113th Avenue NE near Lake Stevens High School on Monday, Nov. 14, 2022 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

State warns ADA issues could keep federal money from Lake Stevens

City leaders wondered why the state is not including other cities with similar noncompliance issues.

A pedestrian uses the crosswalk at 30th Street NE along 113th Avenue NE near Lake Stevens High School on Monday, Nov. 14, 2022 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Light rail construction is seen just beyond a vacant property on Alderwood Mall Property on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Lynnwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Light rail deal could push proposed Lynnwood apartment north

Sound Transit is considering moving part of Alderwood Mall Boulevard a little to make room for the elevated track.

Light rail construction is seen just beyond a vacant property on Alderwood Mall Property on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Lynnwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Trevor Gjendem addresses a gathering a hospital staff members, supporters and elected officials Wednesday afternoon in Everett, Washington on August 24, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Everett, county councils express ‘disappointment’ in letter to Providence

Earlier this month a patient died in the Everett hospital’s lobby. Nurses have spoken about work conditions for months.

Trevor Gjendem addresses a gathering a hospital staff members, supporters and elected officials Wednesday afternoon in Everett, Washington on August 24, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Builders work on the roof of one of the buildings that will compile the Four Corners Apartments on Beverly Lane near Evergreen and 79th Place SE on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, in Everett, Washington. DevCo, the real estate company creating the apartments, is receiving a $1 million grant from the city of Everett. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Apartment project at former Kmart in Everett gets $1M state grant

The state Department of Commerce doled out over $40 million this year to 54 affordable housing projects across the state.

Builders work on the roof of one of the buildings that will compile the Four Corners Apartments on Beverly Lane near Evergreen and 79th Place SE on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, in Everett, Washington. DevCo, the real estate company creating the apartments, is receiving a $1 million grant from the city of Everett. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
April Berg, alongside her family, cheers as first results are read aloud during a midterm election night watch party on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, at Laters Winery in Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Democrats Cortes, Fosse fend off Republicans Kemp, James

Elsewhere in Snohomish County races for state Legislature, incumbents were sweeping.

April Berg, alongside her family, cheers as first results are read aloud during a midterm election night watch party on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, at Laters Winery in Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)