Claudia Yaw

Glenn Griswold of Everett decorated his truck in a skeleton motif just because he could. (Kevin Clark / The Herald )

Meet the ‘shock value’ prankster driving Everett’s skeleton truck

Glenn Griswold’s hellscape on wheels is a Halloween bit turned lifestyle. His undead passengers can pee Mountain Dew.

Glenn Griswold of Everett decorated his truck in a skeleton motif just because he could. (Kevin Clark / The Herald )
Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118

Lofty goals find high hurdles in county’s Office of Social Justice

In the wake of protests, Snohomish County created an office for police oversight, bail reform and anti-racism. How much was achieved?

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Diane Altman Jennings combs through a photo book with images from her father’s life Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, in Baring, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Pacific Crest Trail angels offered refuge for 20 years in Baring

Jerry and Andrea Dinsmore helped thousands of hikers, sometimes saving lives. She died in 2017. Jerry followed this month.

Diane Altman Jennings combs through a photo book with images from her father’s life Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, in Baring, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Trumpeter swans and Canada geese take flight from a field while others continue to graze Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, in the Silvana-area in Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Nature’s soap opera: Swans are wintering around Snohomish County

For a few more weeks, here’s where to find visiting swans. If you’re lucky, you might see a “rare bird alert.”

Trumpeter swans and Canada geese take flight from a field while others continue to graze Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, in the Silvana-area in Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Director, producer and writer Rosie Kreider and cinematographer Barry J. Briggs make their way down an isle inside Norm's Market where they filmed for their upcoming movie on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

$1,000 budget: First-time director has high hopes for local film

“The Woman” will feature scenes shot at Norm’s Market in Lake Stevens and Flat Iron Gallery in Sultan.

Director, producer and writer Rosie Kreider and cinematographer Barry J. Briggs make their way down an isle inside Norm's Market where they filmed for their upcoming movie on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Participating in Tuesday's COVID-19 briefing were Chief Recovery and Resilience Officer for Snohomish County Kara Main-Hester (top left), Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers (top right) and Snohomish County Health Officer Dr. Chris Spitters. (Snohomish Health District)

Snohomish County turns a corner on omicron, but it’s not over

Officials expect COVID-19 cases to rapidly decline in the next few weeks. Hospitalizations are also decreasing.

Participating in Tuesday's COVID-19 briefing were Chief Recovery and Resilience Officer for Snohomish County Kara Main-Hester (top left), Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers (top right) and Snohomish County Health Officer Dr. Chris Spitters. (Snohomish Health District)
Sam Dawson administers a collection swab herself Thursday afternoon at the walk-up COVID testing center on Wetmore Ave in Everett, Washington on January 13, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Attorney General sues company behind ‘sham testing centers’

The Center for COVID Control ran sites in Everett and Lynnwood. A lawsuit alleges they gave invalid results, or none at all.

Sam Dawson administers a collection swab herself Thursday afternoon at the walk-up COVID testing center on Wetmore Ave in Everett, Washington on January 13, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Cecillia Hoglund, who recently quit Providence Regional Medical Center to become a travel nurse, stands for a portrait at her family’s homestead Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, in Arlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

‘Few core staff left’: Droves of nurses take high-paying travel jobs

One nurse at Providence in Everett estimated travel nurses made up 80% of her unit. The consensus is that’s not sustainable.

Cecillia Hoglund, who recently quit Providence Regional Medical Center to become a travel nurse, stands for a portrait at her family’s homestead Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, in Arlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The COVID-19 ward at Providence Regional Medical Center Everett in May 2020. (Andy Bronson / Herald file) 20200519

Hospital lost 1% of staff to vax mandate, so why the shortage?

The requirement hardly made a dent in local nursing ranks. Blame burnout and issues brewing for years, officials say.

The COVID-19 ward at Providence Regional Medical Center Everett in May 2020. (Andy Bronson / Herald file) 20200519
Rachel Ford and Taryn Salter watch as Erik Ford and Kam Durden play pool Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, at Vessel Taphouse in Mill Creek, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Lynnwood pirate bar faces mutiny over ‘catch the virus’ show

Employees quit, bands canceled and patrons swore off the Vessel Taphouse after it advertised discounts for people sick with COVID.

Rachel Ford and Taryn Salter watch as Erik Ford and Kam Durden play pool Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, at Vessel Taphouse in Mill Creek, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Registered nurse Estella Wilmarth tends to a patient in the acute care unit of Harborview Medical Center, Friday, Jan. 14, 2022, in Seattle. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is deploying 100 members of the state National Guard to hospitals across the state amid staff shortages due to an omicron-fueled spike in COVID-19 hospitalizations. Inslee announced Thursday that teams will be deployed to assist four overcrowded emergency departments at hospitals in Everett, Yakima, Wenatchee and Spokane, and that testing teams will be based at hospitals in Olympia, Richland, Seattle and Tacoma. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Past the omicron peak? Snohomish County’s COVID cases declining

Hospitalizations are still a concern, however, and infections in Eastern Washington and Idaho could have ripple effects here.

Registered nurse Estella Wilmarth tends to a patient in the acute care unit of Harborview Medical Center, Friday, Jan. 14, 2022, in Seattle. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is deploying 100 members of the state National Guard to hospitals across the state amid staff shortages due to an omicron-fueled spike in COVID-19 hospitalizations. Inslee announced Thursday that teams will be deployed to assist four overcrowded emergency departments at hospitals in Everett, Yakima, Wenatchee and Spokane, and that testing teams will be based at hospitals in Olympia, Richland, Seattle and Tacoma. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
CloZee performs during the second day of Summer Meltdown on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019 in Darrington, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

The psychedelic fest Summer Meltdown is back — and in Monroe

The music and camping event is on for July 28-31, with a new venue along the Skykomish River.

CloZee performs during the second day of Summer Meltdown on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019 in Darrington, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Providence Medical Center Everett, where The Washington National Guard has been deployed to free up staff. (Sue Misao / Herald file)

How many ICU beds open in Snohomish County? One.

The omicron surge appears to be cresting here, but hospitalizations are expected to keep rising.

Providence Medical Center Everett, where The Washington National Guard has been deployed to free up staff. (Sue Misao / Herald file)
Michael Jensen, left, and Nathan Jensen, right, pick up trash in their encampment that they being forced to clear out of by Parks Department the near Silver Lake on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Annual homeless count could shed light on pandemic’s impact

Snohomish County canceled its 2021 point-in-time count. Officials hope this year’s will bring clarity.

Michael Jensen, left, and Nathan Jensen, right, pick up trash in their encampment that they being forced to clear out of by Parks Department the near Silver Lake on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The entrance to the new free COVID vaccination site at the Everett Mall on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Free mass-vaccination site opens Tuesday at Everett Mall

Hundreds of appointments are up for grabs at the state-run site, which will offer initial doses, boosters and pediatric shots.

The entrance to the new free COVID vaccination site at the Everett Mall on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Shelly Holmgren, left, holds hands with her brother Jay Holmgren, center, while they listen to Musicial Thanatologist April Mitchell a song at Providence Everett on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Death, grief and comfort at Everett’s pandemic epicenter

Here are some voices at Providence hospital of those still staring down COVID: a harpist, a cancer patient, a chaplain and a nursing assistant.

Shelly Holmgren, left, holds hands with her brother Jay Holmgren, center, while they listen to Musicial Thanatologist April Mitchell a song at Providence Everett on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Sam Dawson administers a collection swab herself Thursday afternoon at the walk-up COVID testing center on Wetmore Ave in Everett, Washington on January 13, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Sketchy firm’s COVID-test sites shut down as questions mount

The Center for COVID Control will close an Everett site and others around the U.S. as officials take a closer look.

Sam Dawson administers a collection swab herself Thursday afternoon at the walk-up COVID testing center on Wetmore Ave in Everett, Washington on January 13, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers, Snohomish Health District Health Officer Dr. Chris Spitters, and Dr. Jay Cook, Chief Medical Officer for Providence Regional Medical Center Everett, give updates on the response to COVID-19. (Snohomish County Health District)

Prediction: 33%-50% of Snohomish County could catch omicron

“Everyone should assume that they’re going to be exposed,” Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers said.

Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers, Snohomish Health District Health Officer Dr. Chris Spitters, and Dr. Jay Cook, Chief Medical Officer for Providence Regional Medical Center Everett, give updates on the response to COVID-19. (Snohomish County Health District)
People get out of their cars along Wetmore Avenue to check how much farther until the testing site on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

County’s reported infections surpass earlier grim estimates

Meanwhile, traffic caused by an overwhelmed north Everett COVID-19 testing site has been resolved.

People get out of their cars along Wetmore Avenue to check how much farther until the testing site on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Show posters hang on the wall next to an empty stage at Lucky Dime in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Live-music flyers are taken down again as omicron surges

With bands reluctant to play and few people buying tickets, local music venues wonder: Will we be able to stay open?

Show posters hang on the wall next to an empty stage at Lucky Dime in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)