Eliza Aronson

David Irwin, left to right, Robert Endsley and Peter Landry, former Snohomish County Planning and Development Services engineers, stand along 228th Street across from the 228th Street development site on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Local News

Former Snohomish County engineers describe dysfunctional development approach

Internal documents and engineers said the planning department fostered a culture of favoritism, discrimination and disorder.

Cars drive along Colby Avenue past the Everett Historic Theater on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Local News

Banff Film Festival returns to Everett on Feb. 27

The festival will showcase a variety of films centering on the outdoor community, including Banff’s 2025 Best Film…

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Adopt A Stream Foundation hosts free screening of “FISH WARS”

The film covers Indigenous peoples’ fight for respected sovereign rights during the 1960s and 70s.

Spada Lake is seen from Culmback Dam on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023, near Sultan, Washington. The reservior supplies roughly 75% of Snohomish County with its water. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Local News

Climate change poses challenges for reservoir management

Snohomish PUD discusses how recent weather patterns narrow the margins of error for Spada Lake.

A firefighting helicopter carries a bucket of water from a nearby river to the Bolt Creek Fire on Saturday, Sep. 10, 2022, on U.S. 2 near Index, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Local News

New study shows benefits of fully funding wildfire resilience bill

The study comes on the heels of the Legislature cutting the bill’s budget by roughly half last year.

Beds at the east Everett cold weather shelter on Tuesday, Feb. 11 in Everett, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)

Local News

Get your hats and gloves out, Snohomish County

Nighttime temps will drop below freezing through the weekend, the National Weather Service said.

Kevin Stevens, a resident of Three Rivers Mobile Home Park, talks about the damage his home endured due to flooding on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026 in Sultan, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Local News

A month after the floods, residents try to return to normal

Recovery resources are available, including funds to replace damaged or lost items.

The peaks of Mount Pilchuck, left, and Liberty Mountain, right, are covered in snow on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Local News

With December’s floods, are we still in a drought?

Scientists say current conditions don’t look good for the state to rid itself of drought conditions by summer.

Washington State Department of Transportation avalanche technicians assess a slide on Hwy. 20 near Liberty Bell Mountain. (WSDOT photo)

Local News

Northwest Avalanche Center offers free Saturday course in Everett

Learn how to find avalanche forecasts and access avalanche risks at the Adopt A Stream Foundation’s Northwest Stream…

People try to navigate their cars along a flooded road near US 2 on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, in Sultan, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Local News

Temporary flood assistance center to open in Sultan

Residents affected by December’s historic flooding can access multiple agencies and resources.

Bob Danson, the general manager of the Olympic View Water and Sewer District, speaks to the Edmonds City Council in favor of an updated critical areas ordinance on Tuesday, Jan. 6 in Edmonds, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)

Local News

Edmonds adopts Critical Areas Ordinance with new aquifer area restrictions

After months of back and forth, the city council approved updates that proponents say better protect the town’s…

A view of the Eastview development looking south along 79th Avenue where mud and water runoff flowed due to rain on Oct. 16, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Local News

Eastview Village critics seek appeal to overturn county’s decision

Petitioners, including two former county employees, are concerned the 144-acre project will cause unexamined consequences for unincorporated Snohomish…

Kathy Johnson walks through vegetation growing along a CERCLA road in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest on Thursday, July 10, 2025 in Granite Falls, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Local News

Activism groups to host forest defense meeting in Bothell

The League of Women Voters of Snohomish County and the Pacific Northwest Forest Climate Alliance will discuss efforts…

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Delay on Critical Areas Ordinance update draws criticism from groups

Edmonds is considering delaying updates to a section of the ordinance that would restrict stormwater wells near its…

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Back to rain and snow in Snohomish County in time for the new year

The last few days of blue skies will give way to rain in the lowlands, with 5-8 inches…

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Christmas Eve wind advisory canceled for Snohomish County

Western parts of Snohomish County were previously projected to see wind gusts up to 50 mph on Wednesday…

An excavator moves a large bag at the site of a fuel spill on a farm on Nov. 19, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

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Lawmakers seek answers about BP’s Olympic Pipeline leak in Snohomish County

Following November’s leak, lawmakers sent 11 questions to the oil giant, asking for answers by Jan. 8.

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More than 9K Snohomish County residents without power, and more wind possible

A wind advisory says gusts of 40 to 50 mph gusts are forecast Thursday for areas in Snohomish…

Snohomish County PUD crews work to repair power lines on Wednesday, Dec. 17 along Marine Drive in Stanwood, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)

Local News

Wind storm knocks out power to thousands, closes or delays schools

Crews are working to repair downed power lines and remove trees. Flooding warnings or watches remain for several…

Water from the Snohomish River spills onto a road on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Local News

How we covered the record-breaking flood

A special edition of Eliza Aronson’s newsletter detailing her and photographer Olivia Vanni’s week of flood coverage.