Jacqueline Allison

Elaine Kellner, 42, poses for a photo with her dog Penny at Hearth and Haven Farm in Monroe, Washington on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023. The farm lost its entire flock of 170 ducks and four geese to avian flu. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

‘It’s a killer’: Monroe farm loses entire flock to bird flu

Elaine Kellner said a mass cull crushed her business. She wants to see more support for other small farms hit with avian flu.

 

Patricia Cairus, 36, left, and Nick Cairus, 38, right, pose for a photo by one of their vans at Fast Track Hvac in Stanwood on Monday, Jan. 9, 2023. Nick Cairus and Patricia Cairus lost their housing in the recession and were homeless for a number of years. They started a successful HVAC company during the pandemic in a former newspaper printing building.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Homeless for years, Stanwood family now runs ‘busy as heck’ HVAC business

The Cairus family moved at least 11 times since 2006. Housing Hope offered stable housing and a chance to “build traction.”

 

Tara Luckie, 38, left, and her husband Scott Luckie, 37, right, brush cattle at Luckie Farms on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023 in Lake Stevens, Washington. They keep many of the Highland cattle as pets, but also raise some of them for others as meat. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Cultivating Success class helps newcomers start profitable farms

The 12-week course is starting on Jan. 10. The program was a “reality check” for aspiring farmers, one graduate said.

 

Snohomish Lavender Farm in Snohomish, WA (Allison Lamb)

Snohomish flower farmer’s ‘frog condo’ goes viral

Tiny Pacific tree frogs have found the ‘perfect little home’ in Allison Lamb’s dahlias.

Snohomish Lavender Farm in Snohomish, WA (Allison Lamb)
A 1,000-year-old Douglas fir that sits on display at Traveler’s Park lies on its side in a pile of debris Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, after being hit by a vehicle the day before in Sultan, Washington. The sign on the tree reads, “Douglas fir 1000 years old from the Sultan Basin donated by Roesler Timber Co. & Sky Valley Lions - 1976.” (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Vehicle crashes into Sultan tree monument

Sheriff’s deputies gave the driver a ride home. The 1,000-year-old Douglas fir round is mostly intact.

A 1,000-year-old Douglas fir that sits on display at Traveler’s Park lies on its side in a pile of debris Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, after being hit by a vehicle the day before in Sultan, Washington. The sign on the tree reads, “Douglas fir 1000 years old from the Sultan Basin donated by Roesler Timber Co. & Sky Valley Lions - 1976.” (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
A semi truck sprays water as it drives along a flooded Marine View Drive on Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Finally a break in SnoCo’s wild weather week

Marysville reopened Ebey’s Waterfront Park and Trail after floodwaters recede. Rest of the week expected to calm down.

A semi truck sprays water as it drives along a flooded Marine View Drive on Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Carla Fisher and Lana Lasley take a photo together with Tommy Chong during 210 Cannabis Co’s grand opening Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022, in Arlington, Washington. Fisher and Lasley waited in line solely to get a photo with Chong. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Stillaguamish Tribe opens retail cannabis shop

More than 1,500 attended a grand opening on Dec. 10. The venture comes amid a boom in tribal cannabis stores.

Carla Fisher and Lana Lasley take a photo together with Tommy Chong during 210 Cannabis Co’s grand opening Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022, in Arlington, Washington. Fisher and Lasley waited in line solely to get a photo with Chong. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Franco Montano works on putting together a wreath at his workshop on Monday, Dec. 5, 2022 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Monroe man runs taco truck by day, makes 100 wreaths by night

Franco Montano, a former factory worker, started making the holiday wreaths in 2008. He has expanded into a thriving family business.

Franco Montano works on putting together a wreath at his workshop on Monday, Dec. 5, 2022 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Conceptual rendering for a future section of Smokey Point Boulevard between 174th Place NE and 200th Street NE. (City of Arlington)

Arlington to host open houses on Smokey Point Boulevard

Open houses are scheduled for Thursday and Friday. There’s also an online survey.

Conceptual rendering for a future section of Smokey Point Boulevard between 174th Place NE and 200th Street NE. (City of Arlington)
People pick up food from the Arlington Food Bank’s Mobile Market at the Stilly Valley Center on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Arlington food bank’s mobile market ‘makes it more accessible’

Anyone can access fresh produce and more at rotating stops in north Snohomish County.

People pick up food from the Arlington Food Bank’s Mobile Market at the Stilly Valley Center on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Pilchuck Secret Valley Tree Farm owner Paul Dierck walks through a row of trees on Monday, Dec. 5, 2022 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Christmas trees, a Washington cash crop, get a little more spendy

Christmas tree farms generate about $688,000 each season for Snohomish County farmers. Some are still open for business.

Pilchuck Secret Valley Tree Farm owner Paul Dierck walks through a row of trees on Monday, Dec. 5, 2022 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Clyde Shavers, left, and Greg Gilday.

Shavers wins by narrow margin as Dems flip seat in 10th District

Democrat Clyde Shavers won by 211 votes against incumbent state Rep. Greg Gilday. It’s close enough for a recount.

Clyde Shavers, left, and Greg Gilday.
A sign posted on the door of Bits’n Pieces in Arlington. (Jacqueline Allison / The Herald)

‘3 Students’ max: Arlington businesses bemoan early release, rowdy teens

Since middle-school students started getting released at 1:15 p.m. Fridays, downtown businesses saw a rise in disruptive behavior.

A sign posted on the door of Bits’n Pieces in Arlington. (Jacqueline Allison / The Herald)
Luke Sayler and Claire Murphy stress out while watching the World Cup at the Irishmen Pub as the U.S. nearly gives up a last-minute goal during their 0-0 draw with England on Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Everett fans cheer U.S. in tight World Cup match against England

Fans gathered at the Irishmen pub to watch the U.S. take on England in a World Cup match. The game ended in a 0-0 draw.

Luke Sayler and Claire Murphy stress out while watching the World Cup at the Irishmen Pub as the U.S. nearly gives up a last-minute goal during their 0-0 draw with England on Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
A young red-tailed hawk takes a moment in a nearby tree after being released from a carrier Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022, at Evergreen Cemetery in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Red-tailed hawk gets ‘second chance’ in release at Evergreen Cemetery

The hawk, found about three weeks ago, was likely hit by a car. PAWS rehabilitated the young bird.

A young red-tailed hawk takes a moment in a nearby tree after being released from a carrier Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022, at Evergreen Cemetery in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
An access road leads into plot of land located in north Darrington that could potentially be used to build a 30-acre Wood Innovation Center, which will house CLT manufacturing and modular building companies on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021 in Darrington, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Despite Forterra drama, Darrington timber center still a go

The Darrington Wood Innovation Center is set to manufacture cross-laminated timber for modular homes.

An access road leads into plot of land located in north Darrington that could potentially be used to build a 30-acre Wood Innovation Center, which will house CLT manufacturing and modular building companies on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021 in Darrington, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Josh and Nicki Haine help their 4-year-old niece Eleanor get around on skates for the first time as her mother Tiffany Butler, left, follows in tow on the opening night of Arlington’s new seasonal ice rink Friday, Nov. 18, 2022, at Legion Memorial Park in downtown Arlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Holiday ice rinks in Arlington, Everett open for the season

The covered, outdoor rinks feature real ice plus holiday music and treats. Skates are included with all tickets.

Josh and Nicki Haine help their 4-year-old niece Eleanor get around on skates for the first time as her mother Tiffany Butler, left, follows in tow on the opening night of Arlington’s new seasonal ice rink Friday, Nov. 18, 2022, at Legion Memorial Park in downtown Arlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Amélie van Tass and Thommy Ten of The Clairvoyants (Courtesy photo)

The Clairvoyants to share ‘magical moments’ at Tulalip

The Austrian duo will bring mind reading and magic to the Tulalip Resort Casino on Friday.

Amélie van Tass and Thommy Ten of The Clairvoyants (Courtesy photo)
Blueberries grow in fields along the Snohomish Valley Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, in Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

4 highlights from the annual ‘Focus on Farming’ ag conference

This year’s event featured more than 25 workshops. It’s the first time the conference has been held since 2019.

Blueberries grow in fields along the Snohomish Valley Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, in Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
A Snohomish County PUD line crew works to fix power lines and restore electricity to a neighborhood along North Davies Road on Monday, Nov. 7, 2022, in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Fewer than 5K without power in Snohomish County, Camano Island

The Snohomish PUD remained confident the bulk of those customers would get power back on Thursday.

A Snohomish County PUD line crew works to fix power lines and restore electricity to a neighborhood along North Davies Road on Monday, Nov. 7, 2022, in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)