Janice Podsada

Diane Symms, right, has been the owner and CEO of Lombardi's Italian Restaurants for more than three decades. Now in her 70s, she's slowly turning the reins over to her daughter, Kerri Lonergan-Dreke.Shot on Friday, Feb. 21, 2020 in Everett, Wash. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Lombardi’s Italian Restaurant in Mill Creek to close

Lombardi’s Restaurant Group sold the Mill Creek property currently occupied by the restaurant. The Everett and Bellingham locations remain open.

 

A boat drives out of the Port of Everett Marina in front of Boxcar Park on Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Expand the Port of Everett’s boundaries? Voters must decide

The port calls it a workforce measure to boost the economy and add jobs. Opponents say it burdens property owners with another tax.

 

Port officials and future tenants shovel some earth while participating in a groundbreaking ceremony for Restaurant Row at the Port of Everett on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Here’s the scoop on sweet additions to Everett waterfront

Two new buildings at Port of Everett will house new froyo shop, breakfast cafe, fish market, taproom and wine bar.

 

A closing sign hangs above the entrance of the Big Lots at Evergreen and Madison on Monday, July 22, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Big Lots announces it will shutter Everett and Lynnwood stores

The Marysville store will remain open for now. The retailer reported declining sales in the first quarter of the year.

A closing sign hangs above the entrance of the Big Lots at Evergreen and Madison on Monday, July 22, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Safeway store at 4128 Rucker Ave., on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Mike Henneke / The Herald)

Kroger and Albertsons plan to sell these 19 Snohomish County grocers

On Tuesday, the grocery chains released a list of stores included in a deal to avoid anti-competition concerns amid a planned merger.

The Safeway store at 4128 Rucker Ave., on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Mike Henneke / The Herald)
Helion Energy CEO and co-founder David Kirtley talks to Governor Jay Inslee about Trenta, Helion's 6th fusion prototype, during a tour of their facility on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Inslee energized from visit to Everett fusion firms

Helion Energy and Zap Energy offered state officials a tour of their plants. Both are on a quest to generate carbon-free electricity from fusion.

Helion Energy CEO and co-founder David Kirtley talks to Governor Jay Inslee about Trenta, Helion's 6th fusion prototype, during a tour of their facility on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
State regulators photographed these Allways Roofing employees working on top of a house in Mount Vernon, Wash. without wearing proper fall protection. (Washington State Department of Labor & Industries)

Snohomish roofing firm racks up more safety violations, fined $345K

Allways Roofing has been cited and fined for 124 safety violations in the last 12 years. The owner said he’s been closed since January.

State regulators photographed these Allways Roofing employees working on top of a house in Mount Vernon, Wash. without wearing proper fall protection. (Washington State Department of Labor & Industries)
A selection of Pacific Popcorn flavors on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

A new Monroe popcorn company is pop, pop, popping

Launched 18 months ago, Pacific Popcorn offers six flavors from Alpine Chili White Cheddar to Portage Bay Strawberry.

A selection of Pacific Popcorn flavors on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A Bit of Taste owner Debe Franz stands in front of a long list of olive oils and balsamic vinegars inside her storefront on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, in Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Oil and vinegar mix at this Snohomish store

A Bit of Taste offers gourmet olive oil and balsamic vinegar: Just add salad or a dash atop your avocado toast.

A Bit of Taste owner Debe Franz stands in front of a long list of olive oils and balsamic vinegars inside her storefront on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, in Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Bruce Hallenbeck, 4, picks out Honeycrisp apples for his family at Swans Trail Farms on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022 in Snohomish, Washington. The farm is now closed for the season. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Study: Washington residents would pay more for homegrown goods

Local online shoppers are on the look out for the made in Washington label.

Bruce Hallenbeck, 4, picks out Honeycrisp apples for his family at Swans Trail Farms on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022 in Snohomish, Washington. The farm is now closed for the season. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Awards honor employers who promote workers with disabilities

Nominations are due July 31 for the awards from the Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues and Employment.

Stanwood High School graduate Callum Russell is one of 121 recipients of a Washington Award for Vocational Excellence scholarship. The merit-based scholarship that honors the state’s top career and technical students. Photo: Ashley Caitlin Photography; Sept. 5, 2023 in Arlington.

State-funded scholarship helps Stanwood student go to college

The Washington Award for Vocational Excellence honors the state’s top career and technical students.

Stanwood High School graduate Callum Russell is one of 121 recipients of a Washington Award for Vocational Excellence scholarship. The merit-based scholarship that honors the state’s top career and technical students. Photo: Ashley Caitlin Photography; Sept. 5, 2023 in Arlington.
Construction occurs at 16104 Cascadian Way in Bothell, Washington on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Snohomish County real estate values tick up 4.5% in assessor’s report

You’ve got mail: The Snohomish County Assessor’s Office will send property tax statements this week.

Construction occurs at 16104 Cascadian Way in Bothell, Washington on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett Herald staff gather and talk in the newsroom after layoff announcements on Wednesday, June 19, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

‘This breaks my heart’: Roughly half of Everett Herald news staff laid off

A dozen journalists learned their jobs were eliminated Wednesday, in a move new owners Carpenter Media Group said was meant to ensure long-term success of the newspaper.

Everett Herald staff gather and talk in the newsroom after layoff announcements on Wednesday, June 19, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood

New Jersey auto group purchases Lynnwood Lexus dealership land

Holman, which owns Lexus of Seattle in Lynnwood, bought property on which the dealership resides.

Lynnwood
Two couples walk along Hewitt Avenue around lunchtime on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Everett businesses say it’s time the city had its own Chamber of Commerce

The state’s seventh-largest city hasn’t had a chamber since 2011. After 13 years, businesses are rallying for its return.

Two couples walk along Hewitt Avenue around lunchtime on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Manufacturing Academy student works on a project in March 2023 at Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeships' Bates Technical College Manufacturing Academy cohort. (Photo provided by AJAC)

Free Snohomish County program offers training for manufacturing careers

Offered by Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeships, the 10-week course is open to Snohomish County-area residents age 18 and older.

Manufacturing Academy student works on a project in March 2023 at Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeships' Bates Technical College Manufacturing Academy cohort. (Photo provided by AJAC)
Rep. Rick Larsen, center, during a roundtable discussion at the Paine Field Airport Maintenance Department in Everett, Washington on Thursday, June 6, 2024. Members of the industry discussed how the FAA Reauthorization bill, signed into law last month, is expected to benefit Paine Field. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

How will the FAA Act benefit Paine Field?

The Snohomish County-owned airport hopes to resurface its main runway and extend the operation of its air traffic control tower.

Rep. Rick Larsen, center, during a roundtable discussion at the Paine Field Airport Maintenance Department in Everett, Washington on Thursday, June 6, 2024. Members of the industry discussed how the FAA Reauthorization bill, signed into law last month, is expected to benefit Paine Field. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
T&T Lynnwood New Store Rendering (CNW Group/T&T Supermarkets)

New Asian grocery store T&T Supermarket to open in Lynnwood

The Richmond, British Columbia-based chain plans to open a second U.S. location at the Lynnwood Crossroads shopping center in 2025.

T&T Lynnwood New Store Rendering (CNW Group/T&T Supermarkets)
Annie Crawley poses for a photo with her scuba gear at Brackett’s Landing near the Port of Edmonds on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Edmonds ocean activist to kids: Life is better under the sea

From clownfish to kelp, Annie Crawley has been teaching kids and adults about the ocean’s wonders for three decades.

Annie Crawley poses for a photo with her scuba gear at Brackett’s Landing near the Port of Edmonds on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)