Jake Goldstein-Street

Frank Walton at his sentencing hearing for the murder of Howard Benzel at the Snohomish County Courthouse on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Everett tenant’s murder conviction tossed over jury selection bias

Frank Walton was sentenced to 18 years in the killing of his landlord, Howard Benzel. He now faces a new trial.

Frank Walton at his sentencing hearing for the murder of Howard Benzel at the Snohomish County Courthouse on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Nathan Precup, who died in the 2022 crash in Snohomish, had left his job as a flight test engineer to work on telescopes in the Arctic.

Widow sues over Cessna crash that killed 4 near Snohomish

A wing fell off the plane, causing it to crash east of Harvey Field. Aerospace engineer Nathan Precup and three others were killed.

Nathan Precup, who died in the 2022 crash in Snohomish, had left his job as a flight test engineer to work on telescopes in the Arctic.
The sign for RWB Horse Ranch, formerly owned by Robert Blessing, is seen Friday, Dec. 22, 2023, in Arlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Arlington horse ranch owner charged with 10 sex crimes against children

Police say Robert Blessing inappropriately touched or messaged at least three more girls who boarded their horses at his ranch.

The sign for RWB Horse Ranch, formerly owned by Robert Blessing, is seen Friday, Dec. 22, 2023, in Arlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
David Rzegocki

Arica Smith-Simmer (right), a parent of two children at Sky Valley Education Center, gives an account of her health issues as Jill Savery (left), Stacy Mullen-Deland (center left), and attorney Sean Gamble listen during a press conference in downtown Seattle on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018.

Photo taken on 01032018

Jury: Monsanto must pay $857M over PCBs in Monroe school

Hundreds of students, parents, teachers and staff have sued over harmful chemicals at the Sky Valley Education Center.

David Rzegocki

Arica Smith-Simmer (right), a parent of two children at Sky Valley Education Center, gives an account of her health issues as Jill Savery (left), Stacy Mullen-Deland (center left), and attorney Sean Gamble listen during a press conference in downtown Seattle on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018.

Photo taken on 01032018
A car drives by flowers placed at a memorial for two pedestrians killed at the corner of 204th Street NE and Highway 9 on Friday, Jan. 21, 2022 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

In court, Arlington teen forgives driver who struck, killed parents

Elliott Bagley was sentenced Thursday to nearly eight years for hitting and killing Tausha Schmidt and Justin Wilkerson in 2022.

A car drives by flowers placed at a memorial for two pedestrians killed at the corner of 204th Street NE and Highway 9 on Friday, Jan. 21, 2022 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Susanna Johnson delivers preliminary election results stating she is in the lead for the Snohomish County Sheriff 2023 election at 230 Ave B. in Snohomish, Washington on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

5 big takeaways from election night in Snohomish County

Edmonds and Arlington voters chose change. In Everett, not so much. And Democrats were cruising at the county level, with one exception.

Susanna Johnson delivers preliminary election results stating she is in the lead for the Snohomish County Sheriff 2023 election at 230 Ave B. in Snohomish, Washington on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Snohomish County Sheriff candidate Adam Fortney during an Everett Council of Neighborhoods forum on Monday, Oct. 16, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Days before election, sheriff admits violating campaign finance law

Snohomish County Sheriff Adam Fortney agreed to pay a $450 fine after he was accused of accepting contributions over state limits.

Snohomish County Sheriff candidate Adam Fortney during an Everett Council of Neighborhoods forum on Monday, Oct. 16, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Surveillance footage shows sheriff’s deputy Matt Lease tackling Sharron Wilson to the ground at the bus stop in Edmonds on March 21, 2020.

County to pay $75K for tackle, arrest of Black nursing assistant

Sharon Wilson was trying to catch a bus in March 2020 in Edmonds. The way a deputy arrested her caused a public uproar.

Surveillance footage shows sheriff’s deputy Matt Lease tackling Sharron Wilson to the ground at the bus stop in Edmonds on March 21, 2020.
The Days Inn on Everett Mall Way, which Snohomish County is set to purchase and convert into emergency housing, is seen Monday, Aug. 8, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Amid Lynnwood nonprofit’s tumult, Hand Up Project leader charged with theft

After founder Robert Smiley was ousted amid fraud allegations, Sonny Behrends served as chief administrator of the Hand Up Project.

The Days Inn on Everett Mall Way, which Snohomish County is set to purchase and convert into emergency housing, is seen Monday, Aug. 8, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Angel of the Winds Arena stands ready and waiting Friday afternoon for Kraken fans to arrive for the preseason game against the Edmondton Oilers. (Jake Goldstein-Street / The Herald)

Werewolves? Cascades? Help name Everett’s new arena football team

The franchise released a poll with four options — three of which were wolf-themed — asking people to vote for a favorite.

Angel of the Winds Arena stands ready and waiting Friday afternoon for Kraken fans to arrive for the preseason game against the Edmondton Oilers. (Jake Goldstein-Street / The Herald)
Marysville

Police: Marysville man stabbed Walmart employee while shoplifting

Police say the man, who had warrants out for his arrest, fled after the non-fatal stabbing. The suspect denied stabbing or stealing.

Marysville
Marysville

While police pursued, woman died in crash on I-5 off-ramp in Marysville

The woman, 32, was suspected of second-degree assault when she crashed early Friday morning.

Marysville
Outside of the Boeing modification center on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

At Boeing’s Everett plant, new lawsuits allege further birth defects

Decades ago, a top company doctor warned of chemical exposure. Now workers’ children with lifelong disabilities are coming forward.

Outside of the Boeing modification center on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mike Bredstrand, who is trying to get back his job with Lake Stevens Public Works, stands in front of the department’s building on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, in Lake Stevens, Washington. Bredstrand believes his firing in July was an unwarranted act of revenge by the city. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Lake Stevens worker was fired after getting court order against boss

The city has reportedly spent nearly $60,000 on attorney and arbitration fees related to Mike Bredstrand, who wants his job back.

Mike Bredstrand, who is trying to get back his job with Lake Stevens Public Works, stands in front of the department’s building on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, in Lake Stevens, Washington. Bredstrand believes his firing in July was an unwarranted act of revenge by the city. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Mike Thomas (6) owner of the Everett Royals, shares a laugh after practice at Archbishop Murphy High School on February 2, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Everett’s new arena football team announces owners, coach

The franchise had been shrouded in mystery since the league announced it was relaunching in April.

Mike Thomas (6) owner of the Everett Royals, shares a laugh after practice at Archbishop Murphy High School on February 2, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Cole Riccardo works on setting up new underground power lines on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

A $695K salary? Overtime pay at the Snohomish County PUD has soared

Overtime has nearly tripled in six years at the utility, as it deals with staff attrition and growing electricity demand.

Cole Riccardo works on setting up new underground power lines on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Jail. (Sue Misao / Herald file)

Man, 42, dies at Snohomish County Jail, in second death in a week

The man’s death Monday follows a series of incidents at the jail — including deaths and non-fatal overdoses — in the past year.

Snohomish County Jail. (Sue Misao / Herald file)
Christian Sayre at his bail hearing at the Snohomish County Courthouse on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Former Everett bar owner’s sex crimes case to remain in Snohomish County

Christian Sayre’s defense attorney argued extensive publicity would bias jurors. On Thursday, a judge disagreed.

Christian Sayre at his bail hearing at the Snohomish County Courthouse on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Two children float down the Pilchuck River on an inflatable slice of pizza on Sunday, August 13, 2023, in Snohomish, Washington. Inland temperatures look to creep into the 90s during the week. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

98 in Darrington? Heat wave coming to Snohomish County

Meteorologists expect this will be the most intense heat the region has seen so far this year.

Two children float down the Pilchuck River on an inflatable slice of pizza on Sunday, August 13, 2023, in Snohomish, Washington. Inland temperatures look to creep into the 90s during the week. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Bothell

4 wounded in Bothell-area shooting

Two men were sent to Harborview. Another two who had fled the shooting scene were dropped off at the hospital, police said.

Bothell