Claudia Yaw

Jason Cockburn's recovery house is across the street from U-Turn, where homeless and at-risk youth can get help. Cockburn regularly sees fentanyl dealers circle the block, looking to peddle pills to minors. "The reality is we've got people coming to prey on this situation," he told The Daily Herald. Photographed in Everett, May 3, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

As local kids get hooked on fentanyl, there’s ‘no place for them to go’

Red tape and scarce staffing are obstacles for Snohomish County teens in need of addiction care. “We may not get another chance.”

Jason Cockburn's recovery house is across the street from U-Turn, where homeless and at-risk youth can get help. Cockburn regularly sees fentanyl dealers circle the block, looking to peddle pills to minors. "The reality is we've got people coming to prey on this situation," he told The Daily Herald. Photographed in Everett, May 3, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Dr. Chris Spitters (Snohomish Health District)

Not a mandate, but a ‘call to action’ for return of masks

As hospitalizations surge, Snohomish County health officials recommend people wear masks indoors and in crowds.

Dr. Chris Spitters (Snohomish Health District)
A worker sprays down the floor near a gigantic pile of garbage Friday, April 29, 2022, at the Airport Road Recycling and Transfer Station in Everett, Washington. The garbage pile at the facility is reaching never-before-seen proportions. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Snohomish County is hoping to avoid literal dumpster fire

Our stinky trash mountain could spontaneously combust, so officials are arranging to send garbage to Oregon.

A worker sprays down the floor near a gigantic pile of garbage Friday, April 29, 2022, at the Airport Road Recycling and Transfer Station in Everett, Washington. The garbage pile at the facility is reaching never-before-seen proportions. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Artist Stuart Nakamura, who was elected to create some public art in Everett reflecting on COVID, outside of the Everett Library Evergreen Branch where his art piece will be displayed on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

His task: Create an artful monument to our pandemic resilience

Stuart Nakamura was chosen to create a steel sculpture in Everett to memorialize our collective experience.

Artist Stuart Nakamura, who was elected to create some public art in Everett reflecting on COVID, outside of the Everett Library Evergreen Branch where his art piece will be displayed on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lei Wiley-Mydske, co-owner of Stanwood Tattoo Company, stands with the Autism Acceptance Library that is installed at her shop on Friday, March 25, 2022, in Stanwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Meet the woman behind Stanwood’s autism acceptance library

In Lei Wiley-Mydske’s tattoo shop, “neurodivergent narwhals” are educators and advocates uplifting autistic voices.

Lei Wiley-Mydske, co-owner of Stanwood Tattoo Company, stands with the Autism Acceptance Library that is installed at her shop on Friday, March 25, 2022, in Stanwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Randy Tharp and his 6-year-old son hang by the railing of a dock and count ducks at Lake Goodwin Community Park on Saturday, April 9, 2022, in Stanwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

‘Whole new demon’: Fentanyl deaths soar, and recovery is harder

“I don’t think society realizes how big a problem it is,” said Randy Tharp, an ex-dealer in Snohomish County. Doctors agree.

Randy Tharp and his 6-year-old son hang by the railing of a dock and count ducks at Lake Goodwin Community Park on Saturday, April 9, 2022, in Stanwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Joseph Cordell, a long time patron of the Everett Skate Deck, demonstrates some of his skate moves in the center of the floor during the final open skate session at the Everett Skate Deck on Sunday, April 3, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

One last lap at Everett’s Skate Deck

After 61 years in business, Everett’s much-loved roller rink closed on Sunday.

Joseph Cordell, a long time patron of the Everett Skate Deck, demonstrates some of his skate moves in the center of the floor during the final open skate session at the Everett Skate Deck on Sunday, April 3, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo Historical Society volunteer Peter Anderson stands in an archive of historic objects that have been filed away at the Mukilteo Lighthouse on Thursday, March 24, 2022, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

What’s on Mukilteo’s old negatives? Historical society to find out

Hundreds of camera images are sitting in the light station. Now they can finally be processed.

Mukilteo Historical Society volunteer Peter Anderson stands in an archive of historic objects that have been filed away at the Mukilteo Lighthouse on Thursday, March 24, 2022, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Husband and wife Nataliia Ktitorova, Vitalii Ktitorov and brother-in-law Yosip Lakatosh, right, at the Refugee & Immigrant Services Northwest office on Thursday, March 24, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Ukrainian refugees have arrived in Snohomish County

Nataliia and Yosip’s families got to Everett after a treacherous journey from Ukraine, over the U.S.-Mexico border.

Husband and wife Nataliia Ktitorova, Vitalii Ktitorov and brother-in-law Yosip Lakatosh, right, at the Refugee & Immigrant Services Northwest office on Thursday, March 24, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish Health District health officer Dr. Chris Spitters at a virtual meeting held Tuesday, March 22, 2022. (Snohomish County Health District)

Finally, Snohomish County’s COVID case rate in double digits

The numbers look good, but Snohomish Health District officials say they’re keeping an eye on the BA.2 subvariant.

Snohomish Health District health officer Dr. Chris Spitters at a virtual meeting held Tuesday, March 22, 2022. (Snohomish County Health District)
Marina and Mike Stiranka at their home with their dog Gus on Thursday, March 17, 2022, in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

‘Victims of the same lie’: War frays Edmonds couple’s family ties

Marina is from Russia. Mike is from Ukraine. Both rebuke Russian propaganda, but some loved ones back home believe it.

Marina and Mike Stiranka at their home with their dog Gus on Thursday, March 17, 2022, in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Washington Secretary of Health Umair A. Shah speaks at a news conference with Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. Inslee announced that Washington state is expanding its vaccine mandate to include all public, charter and private school teachers and staff, as well as those working at the state's colleges and universities. Inslee also expanded the statewide indoor mask mandate in place for non-vaccinated individuals to include those who are vaccinated. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

‘ForWArd’ plan details how state will ‘coexist’ with COVID

Moving away from mandates, officials say the next phase in Washington’s response is about “empowering” residents to keep safe.

Washington Secretary of Health Umair A. Shah speaks at a news conference with Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. Inslee announced that Washington state is expanding its vaccine mandate to include all public, charter and private school teachers and staff, as well as those working at the state's colleges and universities. Inslee also expanded the statewide indoor mask mandate in place for non-vaccinated individuals to include those who are vaccinated. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Centenarians Maizie and Roy Mays have been married for more than 77 years. Photo taken in Lynnwood, Washington on March 9, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Lynnwood couple, both 100, share secret of a 77-year marriage

They met when Maizie was a USO girl and Roy was a Marine. Their stories now span a century.

Centenarians Maizie and Roy Mays have been married for more than 77 years. Photo taken in Lynnwood, Washington on March 9, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Tina Taylor calls out to the birds Saturday morning at Willis Tucker Park in Snohomish on December 18, 2021.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

They’re the humble bird women of Snohomish County

Meet three locals who are passionate about our avian friends — but insist they’re not ‘true birders.’

Tina Taylor calls out to the birds Saturday morning at Willis Tucker Park in Snohomish on December 18, 2021.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
A woman walks past a downtown business with a sign requiring customers to wear masks Thursday, March 10, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

As masks come off, Snohomish County locals have mixed emotions

Some are nervous. Some are relieved. Snohomish County’s health officer and top elected official will keep their masks on.

A woman walks past a downtown business with a sign requiring customers to wear masks Thursday, March 10, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118

County Council eases restrictions on rural ‘mother-in-law’ units

Lots as small as 25,000 square feet are now allowed to build detached accessory dwelling units.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Katie-Jo Page sits in her living room with a photo of Mykyta on Sunday, March 6, 2022, in Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

‘He’s scared’: War halts Snohomish family’s Ukrainian adoption

Mykyta, 11, spent the winter here and returned to his Ukrainian orphanage to await the formalities. Then Russia invaded.

Katie-Jo Page sits in her living room with a photo of Mykyta on Sunday, March 6, 2022, in Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Clockwise from top left: Digital rendering of the future Colby Tower in Everett (Tim Corpus), 2019 housing construction in Sultan (Olivia Vanni), apartments and condominiums being constructed near Alderwood mall in 2021 (Olivia Vanni), Urban Center Apartments in Lynnwood (Kevin Clark), and Lynnwood Transit Center Light Rail Station under construction in August 2020 in Lynnwood (Olivia Vanni)

By 2044, Snohomish County population projected at 1.1 million

The county is planning how to accommodate newcomers. Here are four takeaways from newly adopted growth targets.

Clockwise from top left: Digital rendering of the future Colby Tower in Everett (Tim Corpus), 2019 housing construction in Sultan (Olivia Vanni), apartments and condominiums being constructed near Alderwood mall in 2021 (Olivia Vanni), Urban Center Apartments in Lynnwood (Kevin Clark), and Lynnwood Transit Center Light Rail Station under construction in August 2020 in Lynnwood (Olivia Vanni)
The Mukfest Pirates outside of their 1945 “DUKW“ vehicle soon to be “pirate ship” on Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022 in Mukilteo, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Mukilteo pirates seize their flagship: A ‘Ride the Ducks’ boat

Meet the town’s new ambassadors, the Mukfest Pirates. They’re a laidback krewe of part-time buccaneers.

The Mukfest Pirates outside of their 1945 “DUKW“ vehicle soon to be “pirate ship” on Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022 in Mukilteo, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Gov. Jay Inslee speaks to students at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash. on Friday, Feb. 18, 2022. (Kathy Plonka/The Spokesman-Review via AP)

Cued by CDC, Inslee moves up end of mask mandate to March 12

Washington, Oregon and California together will lift mask requirements in most, but not all, settings.

Gov. Jay Inslee speaks to students at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash. on Friday, Feb. 18, 2022. (Kathy Plonka/The Spokesman-Review via AP)