Janice Podsada

Whiskey River, a Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band, performs at the Tulalip Resort and Casino on Sept. 21, 2025 in Tulalip, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)

Life

Tribute bands take center stage

From ABBA to ZZ Top, weekend rock stars give fans a low‑cost trip down memory lane.

Snohomish High School senior Remus Fox-Bailey inside one of the Skills classrooms on Oct. 20, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Local News

Snohomish High School students launch Washington’s first SkillsUSA varsity letter

Elizabeth Bogen and Remus Fox-Bailey’s local push to honor career and technical education sparks a statewide change.

Silas Machin, 13, uses a hand saw to make a space for a fret to be placed during class on Oct. 7, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Life

Kids at play: Lake Stevens middle-schoolers craft electric guitars

Since 2012 students in Alex Moll’s afterschool club have built 100s of custom and classic guitars.

A student sits at a table in the Teen section of the Mukitelo Library on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025 in Mukilteo, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Local News

Libraries offer a stack of free programs for kids and teens

Sno-Isle Libraries and the Everett Public Library roll out the red carpet for students and parents.

View of Liberty Bell Mountain from Washington Pass overlook where the North Cascades Highway descends into the Methow Valley. (Sue Misao)

Travel

Take the North Cascades Scenic Highway and do the Cascade Loop

This two-day road trip offers mountain, valley and orchard views of Western and Eastern Washington.

View of Liberty Bell Mountain from Washington Pass overlook where the North Cascades Highway descends into the Methow Valley. (Sue Misao)

Life

Take the North Cascades Scenic Highway and do the Cascade Loop

This two-day road trip offers mountain, valley and orchard views of Western and Eastern Washington.

Fire Station One firefighters fill their bowls and plates with dinner on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Food & Drink

Everett firefighters turn on the burner and fire up the grill

From steak bites to sauteed shrimp, the crew at Station One know their way around the kitchen: “We…

Kim Crane talks about a handful of origami items on display inside her showroom on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Local News

Crease is the word: Origami fans flock to online paper store

Kim’s Crane in Snohomish has been supplying paper crafters with paper, books and kits since 1995.

Joe Petosa Jr. talks about the different accordion musicians whose photos cover the wall inside his store. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Local News

Lynnwood’s Petosa Accordions: A key player for 103 years

Once considered outdated and uncool, the squeeze box is embraced by a new generation.

Colorful guitars for sale cover the wall inside Kennelly Keys on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Life

Find the keys to music success at Lynnwood-based chain

Put down your phone and pick up a musical instrument. It could change your life.

Crescent Roll, 1, plays with cat toy inside his enclosure at PAWS on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024 in Lynnwood, Washington. Crescent Roll came to paws as a stray and his history is unknown but he loves pets and to play. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Local News

PAWS’ Companion Animal Shelter offers dogs, cats and a new leash on life

Since 1967, the Progressive Animal Welfare Society has found homes for 150,000 dogs and cats.

Esther’s Place “chaos” coordinator Sandra Stringham at Esther’s Place clothing pantry on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Local News

‘A safe place to be.’ Women and children find comfort and compassion at Esther’s Place in Everett

By Janice Podsada

Neetha Hsu practices a command with Marley, left, and Andie Holsten practices with Oshie, right, during a puppy training class at The Everett Zoom Room in Everett, Washington on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Local News

Tricks of the trade: New Everett dog training gym is a people-pleaser

Everett Zoom Room offers training for puppies, dogs and their owners: “We don’t train dogs, we train the…

The computer science and robotics and artificial intelligence department faculty includes (left to right) faculty department head Allison Obourn; Dean Carey Schroyer; Ishaani Priyadarshini; ROBAI department head Sirine Maalej and Charlene Lugli. PHOTO: Arutyun Sargsyan / Edmonds College.

Local News

Edmonds College to offer 2 new four-year degree programs

The college is accepting applications for bachelor programs in computer science as well as robotics and artificial intelligence.

George Montemor poses for a photo in front of his office in Lynnwood, Washington on Tuesday, July 30, 2024.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Business

Despite high mortgage rates, Snohomish County home market still competitive

Snohomish County homes priced from $550K to $850K are pulling in multiple offers and selling quickly.

Henry M. Jackson High School’s robotic team, Jack in the Bot, shake hands at the 2024 Indiana Robotics Invitational.(Henry M. Jackson High School)

Business

Mill Creek robotics team — Jack in the Bot — wins big

Henry M. Jackson High School students took first place at the Indiana Robotic Invitational for the second year…

Planes on display inside Charlie Hangar at the Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum in Everett, Washington. Olivia Vanni / The Herald

Travel

‘Not just your old plane guys’ museum:’ History, aviation buffs love this Everett destination

New exhibits celebrate the wartime efforts of women in the Second World War and parachuting dogs.

Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin, Advanced Manufacturing Skills Center executive director Larry Cluphf, Boeing Director of manufacturing and safety Cameron Myers, Edmonds College President Amit Singh, U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, and Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, July 2 celebrating the opening of a new fuselage training lab at Paine Field. Credit: Arutyun Sargsyan / Edmonds College

Business

‘Magic happens’: Paine Field aerospace center dedicates new hands-on lab

Last month, Edmonds College officials cut the ribbon on a new training lab — a section of a…

Gov. Jay Inslee presents CEO Fredrik Hellstrom with the Swedish flag during a grand opening ceremony for Sweden-based Echandia on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Local News

Swedish battery maker opens first U.S. facility in Marysville

Echandia’s marine battery systems power everything from tug boats to passenger and car ferries.

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)

Local News

State grants Everett-based Helion a fusion energy license

The permit allows Helion to use radioactive materials to operate the company’s fusion generator.