Jerry Cornfield

A worker is seen spraying down the floor of the Airport Road Recycling and Transfer Station during a period of backlogged garbage earlier this year on Friday, April 29, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

A rising tide of trash forcing another closure of county facilities

Transfer stations, drop boxes to close the next two Sundays. Also, yard debris won’t be accepted starting Sept. 21.

A worker is seen spraying down the floor of the Airport Road Recycling and Transfer Station during a period of backlogged garbage earlier this year on Friday, April 29, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Jim Smith (City of Lynnwood)

No penalty, so far, for Lynnwood council member accused of racism

The council took no action on a report saying Jim Smith discriminated against a Black employee. He maintains his innocence.

Jim Smith (City of Lynnwood)
Everett

Everett Herald journalists vote overwhelmingly to unionize

Once results are certified, newsroom employees and company leadership can begin talks on an initial contract.

Everett
Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118

Snohomish County signs on for share of mega opioid settlement

Mukilteo and Lake Stevens are on board too. If all goes as planned, the first payments from a $518M deal will arrive in December.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Sam Low and Strom Peterson

Double duty: Low, Peterson aim for rare political feat, catch criticism

The Republican and Democrat both want to serve on the County Council and in the Legislature at the same time. They can. Should they?

Sam Low and Strom Peterson
Stephanie Wright (Photo courtesy of Stephanie Wright)

Opening on Snohomish County Council draws a half-dozen contenders

Six people, including three now serving in elected office, seek to fill a vacancy created by Stephanie Wright’s sudden departure.

Stephanie Wright (Photo courtesy of Stephanie Wright)
Stephanie Wright (Photo courtesy of Stephanie Wright)

Wright resigns to serve as Somers’ senior policy adviser

Wright is the third sitting county council member to land a top post in Somers’ administration. She was in her final term.

Stephanie Wright (Photo courtesy of Stephanie Wright)
Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, right, a Democrat, and Pierce County Auditor Julie Anderson, left, running as a nonpartisan, take part in a debate, Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022, in Olympia, Wash., with Melissa Santos, center, of Axios Local, moderating. Hobbs and Anderson are seeking to fill the remaining two years of the term of Republican Secretary of State Kim Wyman, who left to take a key election security job in the Biden administration. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Sparks fly as Hobbs, Anderson face off in secretary of state debate

Julie Anderson called Steve Hobbs an “inexperienced political appointee.” He’s been in the job since Inslee put him there in November.

Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, right, a Democrat, and Pierce County Auditor Julie Anderson, left, running as a nonpartisan, take part in a debate, Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022, in Olympia, Wash., with Melissa Santos, center, of Axios Local, moderating. Hobbs and Anderson are seeking to fill the remaining two years of the term of Republican Secretary of State Kim Wyman, who left to take a key election security job in the Biden administration. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
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It’s a wrap: Primary results certified as November matchups set

In Snohomish County, 3,008 ballots got rejected. Some arrived late. Others weren’t signed. Twenty were for the wrong election.

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Abortion rights protesters fill all four corners of the intersection in front of the Everett Planned Parenthood in support of abortion rights on Saturday, July 9, 2022 (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

GOP cheered abortion ruling. Democrats responded by voting.

A swell of electoral support for Democrats pushed turnout higher in primary. Republicans look to adjust for November

Abortion rights protesters fill all four corners of the intersection in front of the Everett Planned Parenthood in support of abortion rights on Saturday, July 9, 2022 (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
State Representative Robert Sutherland, left, gives a thumbs-up to passing drivers as he and a few volunteers wave flags and campaign signs along the side of State Route 9 on July 22, in Lake Stevens. Sam Low, right, talks with seniors on July 20 in Lake Stevens. (Sutherland photo by Ryan Berry / The Herald, Low photo by Kevin Clark / The Herald)

In GOP battle of Sutherland vs. Low, Democrats may tip the scale

The state lawmaker and Snohomish County council member are vying for a House seat. Democrats make up roughly 40% of the vote.

State Representative Robert Sutherland, left, gives a thumbs-up to passing drivers as he and a few volunteers wave flags and campaign signs along the side of State Route 9 on July 22, in Lake Stevens. Sam Low, right, talks with seniors on July 20 in Lake Stevens. (Sutherland photo by Ryan Berry / The Herald, Low photo by Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Vote-by-mail ballots are shown in sorting trays, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, at the King County Elections headquarters in Renton, Wash., south of Seattle. Washington state has offered voting by mail since 2011. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Data mistake briefly misreported some Snohomish County primary tallies

When uploaded to the state’s website, a precinct got tallied twice, throwing the numbers off. The error was quickly fixed.

Vote-by-mail ballots are shown in sorting trays, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, at the King County Elections headquarters in Renton, Wash., south of Seattle. Washington state has offered voting by mail since 2011. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
State Representative Robert Sutherland, left, gives a thumbs-up to passing drivers as he and a few volunteers wave flags and campaign signs along the side of State Route 9 on July 22, in Lake Stevens. Sam Low, right, talks with seniors on July 20 in Lake Stevens. (Sutherland photo by Ryan Berry / The Herald, Low photo by Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Republicans Sutherland, Low locked in tight primary battle

Meanwhile, Everett and Marysville voters were backing Democrats for two open state House seats.

State Representative Robert Sutherland, left, gives a thumbs-up to passing drivers as he and a few volunteers wave flags and campaign signs along the side of State Route 9 on July 22, in Lake Stevens. Sam Low, right, talks with seniors on July 20 in Lake Stevens. (Sutherland photo by Ryan Berry / The Herald, Low photo by Kevin Clark / The Herald)
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4 things to watch for in Tuesday’s unpredictable primary election

Republicans are dueling one another for legislative and congressional seats — and spending big against incumbents.

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Election

PACs spend $1.3 million in primary to sway Snohomish County voters

The dollar figure will rise before the election Tuesday. Read the fine print: Hit pieces aren’t directly from the candidates.

Election
From top: Jordan M. Sears, Ken Maertens and Tanya Olson. Photo of Snohomish County PUD by Sue Misao / The Herald

2 challengers for veteran member of Snohomish PUD board

Tanya Olson is seeking a fourth term. Jordan Sears, a Gold Bar council member, and Ken Maertens, engineer, want the job too.

From top: Jordan M. Sears, Ken Maertens and Tanya Olson. Photo of Snohomish County PUD by Sue Misao / The Herald
Top: Robert Sutherland (left) and Claus Joens. Bottom: Karl de Jong (left) and Sam Low.

Dynamic duel: Republicans Sutherland and Low square off in primary

The incumbent lawmaker and county councilman are a contrast of styles, with many parallels in actual policy.

Top: Robert Sutherland (left) and Claus Joens. Bottom: Karl de Jong (left) and Sam Low.
Top: Carolyn Eslick (left) and Jessica Wadhams. Bottom: Tyller Boomgaarden (left) and Kathryn Lewandowski.

Eslick faces 3 foes and new voters in bid for another House term

In the 39th District, a Democrat, a Republican and an Independent are trying to oust the two-term GOP incumbent.

Top: Carolyn Eslick (left) and Jessica Wadhams. Bottom: Tyller Boomgaarden (left) and Kathryn Lewandowski.
Everett

Everett Herald journalists launch effort to unionize

Sound Publishing plans to respond by the end of the week.

Everett
Justin Blasko

Blasko to resign, get nearly $396K in severance with Monroe schools

The embattled superintendent exits weeks after a scathing report found his conduct created a toxic work environment.

Justin Blasko