Eliza Aronson

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)

Western Washington’s current winter drought may not last through the season

Even with last week’s snow flurries, there’s no denying this winter has been unusually sunny. The lack of lowland rain has also translated… Continue reading

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)
The amphitheater at Deception Pass during the 2021 concert series. (Photo provided by Deception Pass Park Foundation Facebook page.)

Deception Pass Foundation seeks Adopt-A-Trail volunteers

If you’re looking for a way to get outside and give back to the community, the Deception Pass Park Foundation is accepting volunteers… Continue reading

The amphitheater at Deception Pass during the 2021 concert series. (Photo provided by Deception Pass Park Foundation Facebook page.)
Fernando Espinoza salts the sidewalk along Fifth Avenue South on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Think this is cold, Snohomish County? Wait until Tuesday

Tuesday could bring dangerous wind chill during the day and an overnight low of 19 degrees

Fernando Espinoza salts the sidewalk along Fifth Avenue South on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A salmon carcass lays across willow branches in Edgecomb Creek on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Tribes: State fish passage projects knock down barriers for local efforts

Court-ordered projects have sparked collaboration for salmon habitat restoration

A salmon carcass lays across willow branches in Edgecomb Creek on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
PAWS Wildlife Naturalist Anthony Denice releases a rehabilitated male bald eagle at Lake Ballinger on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Rehabilitated bald eagle released at Ballinger Park

The eagle was found three weeks ago, most likely affected by pesticide

PAWS Wildlife Naturalist Anthony Denice releases a rehabilitated male bald eagle at Lake Ballinger on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The Snohomish River turns along the edge of the Bob Heirman Wildlife Preserve at Thomas’ Eddy on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Developers challenge Snohomish River Watershed legal rights

Opponents of the voter-approved initiative filed a complaint Tuesday in Snohomish County Superior Court.

The Snohomish River turns along the edge of the Bob Heirman Wildlife Preserve at Thomas’ Eddy on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Henry Niebruegge, 5, reaches up to catch a snowball while he plays in the snow with his dad and dog along 216th Street on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Advisory: 2 more inches of snow possible for Everett and surrounding areas

The expanded advisory from Monday evening until Tuesday morning warns of hazardous conditions for drivers.

Henry Niebruegge, 5, reaches up to catch a snowball while he plays in the snow with his dad and dog along 216th Street on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Cars drive through snow along I-5 in Snohomish County, Washington on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)

On the menu for Snohomish County residents: Snow, rain and chill

Higher elevations under winter storm watch

Cars drive through snow along I-5 in Snohomish County, Washington on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Shanti Curran, left, and Andy McKee, right, shovel Curran’s driveway after a light dusting of snow fell last year in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Snohomish County lowlands could see first snow of 2025

Much uncertainty remains, but forecasters say snow showers possible Sunday morning

Shanti Curran, left, and Andy McKee, right, shovel Curran’s driveway after a light dusting of snow fell last year in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Gordon Mawson, 5, left and Lenora Mawson, 7, right, look for ocean creatures during the Starlight Beach Walk on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024 near the Olympic Beach Visitor Station in Edmonds, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Starlight Beach Walk returns to Olympic Beach

During the day, the intertidal can be a magical and mysterious place, where critters come and go with the tides and slip in… Continue reading

Gordon Mawson, 5, left and Lenora Mawson, 7, right, look for ocean creatures during the Starlight Beach Walk on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024 near the Olympic Beach Visitor Station in Edmonds, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Dave Boehnlein greets Mrs. Pigglesworth of Midgarden Farms located at Rooted Northwest on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Agriculture co-op village approved in rural Arlington

Rooted Northwest hopes to build a small village as part of a ‘trial run’ for a farm-focused neighborhood.

Dave Boehnlein greets Mrs. Pigglesworth of Midgarden Farms located at Rooted Northwest on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Bill Derry, president of the Pilchuck Audubon Society, at the Meadowdale Playfields on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Washington environmentalists respond to Trump’s rollbacks

County and state conservation and renewable energy groups plan to continue work during the new administration.

Bill Derry, president of the Pilchuck Audubon Society, at the Meadowdale Playfields on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Two pedestrians navigate their way down a frosted over sidewalk along Pacific Avenue on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Snohomish County to remain in the deep freeze most of the week

A high pressure system is keeping Snohomish County bundled up

Two pedestrians navigate their way down a frosted over sidewalk along Pacific Avenue on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A fully intact exoskeleton of a crab can been seen on Mukilteo Beach on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025 in Mukilteo, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Crabs at Mukilteo aren’t dead. They’re just molting

Washington Fish and Wildlife officials say crabs of certain size and sex tend to molt at the same time.

A fully intact exoskeleton of a crab can been seen on Mukilteo Beach on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025 in Mukilteo, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tom Murdoch gives public comment to the Snohomish County Council about his disagreement with the proposed wetland ordinance amendments on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Snohomish County delays decision on changes to habitat ordinance

The delay comes after comments focused on proposed changes that would allow buffer reductions around critical areas.

Tom Murdoch gives public comment to the Snohomish County Council about his disagreement with the proposed wetland ordinance amendments on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118

Snohomish PUD reopens appliance upgrade program

Qualifying customers could upgrade energy-efficient washers, dryers, stoves and heat pumps.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
A ferry boat navigates through fog off of Mukilteo Beach on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025 in Mukilteo, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Snohomish County to see cold, foggy weather into next week

The good news? Except for Thursday, the National Weather Service expects little rain this week.

A ferry boat navigates through fog off of Mukilteo Beach on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025 in Mukilteo, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A view of the Eastglen Wetlands that run through the Eastglen development on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Critics question proposed amendments to habitat ordinance

County council to consider amendments that would cut buffers around wetlands and streams up to half for development flexibility.

A view of the Eastglen Wetlands that run through the Eastglen development on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Two urban growth expansions fail to pass

Two urban growth proposals failed last month as Snohomish County Council attempted to balance the need for increased housing with protecting open space.… Continue reading

Emma Hill rides a bike along Phase 0 of the Bayview Trail on Jan. 6, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)

Marysville, Lake Stevens celebrate progress of Bayview Trail

Once Bayview Trail is completed, it will connect Marysville and Lake Stevens with a paved path.

Emma Hill rides a bike along Phase 0 of the Bayview Trail on Jan. 6, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)