Eliza Aronson

Madelyn Blankenship, 2, feeds a carrot to a Highland cow named Bella at Luckie Farms on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Reindeer in Lake Stevens get visitors in the holiday spirit

Luckie Farms has new festive activities for families to enjoy. Tours cost $25 per person.

Madelyn Blankenship, 2, feeds a carrot to a Highland cow named Bella at Luckie Farms on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A new home currently under construction on Rimmer’s former property in Edmonds on Monday, Dec. 16, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Judge finds Edmonds tree mandate unconstitutional

The city’s tree retention ordinance got in the way of Nathan Rimmer’s plans to build a home.

A new home currently under construction on Rimmer’s former property in Edmonds on Monday, Dec. 16, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A person walks in the rain at the Port of Everett in Everett, Washington on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Modest atmospheric river heading toward Snohomish County

Rain is expected through this week. It could remain through Christmas.

A person walks in the rain at the Port of Everett in Everett, Washington on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Bailey Vos, a pre-sales forester, stands on a fallen tree in the Stilly Revisited timber sale  on Wednesday, May 29, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Ta'Leah Van Sistine / The Herald)

New state policy could affect timber sales in Snohomish County

A resolution passed this month means the state could sell more older forests for harvest.

Bailey Vos, a pre-sales forester, stands on a fallen tree in the Stilly Revisited timber sale  on Wednesday, May 29, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Ta'Leah Van Sistine / The Herald)
A Mitsubishi Electric heat pump is installed on the wall of Jim and Chris Hallճ home on Thursday, Sep. 7, 2023, near Langley, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Whidbey Island’s Kicking Gas expands aid to electric stoves

The local environmental justice organization started with heat pump subsidies.

A Mitsubishi Electric heat pump is installed on the wall of Jim and Chris Hallճ home on Thursday, Sep. 7, 2023, near Langley, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Water cascades down the Lower Falls near the Woody Trail at Wallace Falls State Park near Gold Bar on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2015. A nearly six mile round-trip to the park's Upper Falls offers hikers an array of vistas on a well maintained trail.

Wallace Falls closed due to bomb cyclone damage

Over 170 trees fell in last month’s storm. The park near Gold Bar is closed until further notice.

Water cascades down the Lower Falls near the Woody Trail at Wallace Falls State Park near Gold Bar on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2015. A nearly six mile round-trip to the park's Upper Falls offers hikers an array of vistas on a well maintained trail.
Glass recycling at Airport Road Recycling & Transfer Station on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Wine woes not yet affecting Snohomish County glass recycling

Ardagh Glass Packing permanently closed its Seattle factory, leaving recycling companies scrambling for a new glass buyer.

Glass recycling at Airport Road Recycling & Transfer Station on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The Evergreen Branch of the Everett Public Library is open and ready for blast off. Dillon Works, of Mukilteo, designed this eye-catching sculpture that greets people along Evergreen Way.   (Dan Bates / The Herald)

Snohomish County awards money to improve warming, cooling centers

The money for HVAC improvements will allow facilities to better serve as temporary shelters for weather-related events.

The Evergreen Branch of the Everett Public Library is open and ready for blast off. Dillon Works, of Mukilteo, designed this eye-catching sculpture that greets people along Evergreen Way.   (Dan Bates / The Herald)
Two people walk a dog along the Snohomish River on Monday, Dec. 2 in Snohomish, Washington. A regional trail, set to be constructed nearby, will connect Snohomish and Everett. (Will Geschke / The Herald)

Future trail could connect Everett to Snohomish

Construction is slated to start in 2027. Eventually, the trail could connect Everett and Monroe.

Two people walk a dog along the Snohomish River on Monday, Dec. 2 in Snohomish, Washington. A regional trail, set to be constructed nearby, will connect Snohomish and Everett. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Lynn Lichtenberg and Claudia Douglass read a chemical test strip that is used to measure pollutants in water while conducting stormwater monitoring at the Port of Everett waterfront Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Everett water pollution facility’s new permit aims to protect salmon

The new state permit incorporated additional requirements after urging from local environmental groups.

Lynn Lichtenberg and Claudia Douglass read a chemical test strip that is used to measure pollutants in water while conducting stormwater monitoring at the Port of Everett waterfront Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The line for a lift grows steadily as more people arrive throughout the day on the opening day of ski season at Stevens Pass Ski Area on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022, near Skykomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Stevens Pass gears up to open slopes a week early

With three feet of snow, the ski resort is set to open on Friday. The opening was previously scheduled for Dec. 6.

The line for a lift grows steadily as more people arrive throughout the day on the opening day of ski season at Stevens Pass Ski Area on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022, near Skykomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Brandon Hughes, a utility worker from Okanogan County, works on repairing a power line on Friday, Nov. 22 east of Lake Stevens, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)

99% of Snohomish PUD customers have power back

The PUD expects all customers to have their power restored by Tuesday night.

Brandon Hughes, a utility worker from Okanogan County, works on repairing a power line on Friday, Nov. 22 east of Lake Stevens, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
A view of the Shinglebolt Slough restoration project area on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024 in Sultan, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Skykomish River project aims to create salmon habitat, reduce flooding

The county project at Shinglebolt Slough hopes to collaborate with local property owners to restore former channels.

A view of the Shinglebolt Slough restoration project area on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024 in Sultan, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Brandon Hughes, a utility worker from Okanogan County, works on repairing a power line on Friday, Nov. 22 east of Lake Stevens, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)

Thousands still without power in Snohomish County after bomb cyclone

Libraries are providing access to electricity as crews from across Washington work to fix power lines.

Brandon Hughes, a utility worker from Okanogan County, works on repairing a power line on Friday, Nov. 22 east of Lake Stevens, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
A hydrogen-powered motor is displayed during an event at ZeroAvia’s new Everett facility on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, near Paine Field in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Local lawmakers urge changes to proposed federal hydrogen energy rules

Snohomish County’s congressional delegation believes the current policy is counterproductive to clean energy goals.

A hydrogen-powered motor is displayed during an event at ZeroAvia’s new Everett facility on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, near Paine Field in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
One of the parking lots at Stevens Pass Thursday afternoon on December 30, 2021.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Stevens Pass expected to open Dec. 6

But that depends on the weather. Last year, the ski resort had to delay opening due to a lack of snow.

One of the parking lots at Stevens Pass Thursday afternoon on December 30, 2021.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
A person walks toward their bus as it pull into the Lynnwood Transit Center on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

See where state money is funding environmental work in Snohomish County

A new dashboard shows where dollars are going to overburdened communities across the state.

A person walks toward their bus as it pull into the Lynnwood Transit Center on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A house is completely surrounded by floodwater along Pioneer Highway on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023 in Stanwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

New gate is latest piece in Stanwood’s flood protection puzzle

The floodgate will drastically decrease reaction time when the Stillaguamish River jumps its banks.

A house is completely surrounded by floodwater along Pioneer Highway on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023 in Stanwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Large logs flow quickly down the Snohomish River as the river reaches minor flood stage a hair over 25 feet following an overnight storm Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Rainy, gusty week to come in Snohomish County

The Snohomish River could reach the “action” flooding stage, but forecasters don’t expect any flooding here.

Large logs flow quickly down the Snohomish River as the river reaches minor flood stage a hair over 25 feet following an overnight storm Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Glacier Peak, elevation 10,541 feet, in the Glacier Peak Wilderness of Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest in Snohomish County, Washington. (Caleb Hutton / The Herald) 2019

2 years later, Glacier Peak seismometers delayed again

The U.S. Forest Service planned to install them in 2023. Now, officials are eyeing 2026.

Glacier Peak, elevation 10,541 feet, in the Glacier Peak Wilderness of Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest in Snohomish County, Washington. (Caleb Hutton / The Herald) 2019