Julia-Grace Sanders

Break on surface water fee means less money for environment

The Snohomish County Council voted to nix an annual fee increase that funds preservation work.

A small bridge crosses over creek in the proposed Middle May sale on Wednesday, July 29, 2020 in Gold Bar, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

‘There’s going to be some tears’ over 160-acre timber harvest

Despite local resistance, the Middle May tract next to Wallace Falls State Park was sold Monday.

A small bridge crosses over creek in the proposed Middle May sale on Wednesday, July 29, 2020 in Gold Bar, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Auditor: Lack of oversight led to errors in Sultan finances

For a second time, the state auditor’s office urged the city to improve its financial review process.

View of trees at 5th Avenue S and Main Street in Edmonds. (City of Edmonds)

Edmonds council: Home developers, put down those chainsaws!

A new moratorium halts the subdivision of land that has more than eight trees per 10,000 square feet.

View of trees at 5th Avenue S and Main Street in Edmonds. (City of Edmonds)

Physicians to strike, citing inadequate PPE and no breaks

Clinicians at Indigo Urgent Care facilities say they’re denied N95 masks when testing for COVID-19.

Mountain Loop Highway to close for the winter on Monday

Each year, a 14-mile gravel stretch of the loop closes due to snow and reopens in the spring.

Virtual and distanced, Holiday at the Bay is still happening

Holiday drive-in movies, a lighted boat parade and take-home craft kits are on the menu this year.

Clouds gather over Whidbey Island on Thursday morning. (Sue Misao / The Herald)

Snohomish County storm forecast calms to a rainy weekend

Expect showers and some wind, especially in coastal areas.

Clouds gather over Whidbey Island on Thursday morning. (Sue Misao / The Herald)
Workers from Konnerup Construction dig to a junction box as construction of RV campsites, and the first equestrian campsites in the county, are being built in Whitehorse County Park on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020 in Darrington, Washington.  (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Horses will be welcome at this Darrington campground in 2021

Whitehorse Community Park will have the first equestrian campsites in the county, accommodating tents or RVs.

Workers from Konnerup Construction dig to a junction box as construction of RV campsites, and the first equestrian campsites in the county, are being built in Whitehorse County Park on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020 in Darrington, Washington.  (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Sid Logan (left) and Rob Toyer

Incumbent Logan winning race to represent District 1 for PUD

Sid Logan leads former Marysville City Council member Rob Toyer with 68.6% of the vote.

Sid Logan (left) and Rob Toyer

Companies illegally dumped debris into Skykomish River for three years

The dumping impacted almost three acres of wetlands and over 2,000 linear feet of streams.

Parks and Recreation Department Director Tom Teigen. (Snohomish County)

Natural resources, conservation focus of new county agency

The county parks department may merge with agriculture, sustainability and surface water divisions.

Parks and Recreation Department Director Tom Teigen. (Snohomish County)
The Pilchuck River flows freely through the pervious site of the Pilchuck River Dam on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020 in Granite Falls, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Development has made the Pilchuck River warmer, harming fish

The river is 5.4 degrees above its historic temperature, says the State Department of Ecology.

The Pilchuck River flows freely through the pervious site of the Pilchuck River Dam on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020 in Granite Falls, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Sid Logan (left) and Rob Toyer

PUD candidates focus on rates, broadband and renewables

Incumbent Sidney Logan faces former Marysville City Council member Rob Toyer for the District 1 seat.

Sid Logan (left) and Rob Toyer
FILE - In this July 31, 2015 file photo, an orca leaps out of the water near a whale watching boat in the Salish Sea in the San Juan Islands, Wash. Habitat protections for an endangered population of orcas would be greatly expanded under a proposal to be advanced by NOAA Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)

Millions have been spent on orca recovery: Is it working?

Restoring destroyed salmon habitat is the key to regaining Southern Resident killer whale numbers.

FILE - In this July 31, 2015 file photo, an orca leaps out of the water near a whale watching boat in the Salish Sea in the San Juan Islands, Wash. Habitat protections for an endangered population of orcas would be greatly expanded under a proposal to be advanced by NOAA Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)
Ryan Leveck makes a jump as he makes his way down the slopes during the opening day of Stevens Pass on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019 in Stevens Pass, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald).

You will need a reservation to ski at Stevens Pass this year

But despite capacity restrictions, the resort expects most skiers and boarders will get a lift ticket.

Ryan Leveck makes a jump as he makes his way down the slopes during the opening day of Stevens Pass on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019 in Stevens Pass, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald).
A female beaver makes her way out of the temporary constructed den for herself and another relocated male beaver on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019 near Sultan, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Beavers: Good environmental stewards, but lousy neighbors

Tulalip Tribes biologists are relocating nuisance beavers to forest areas where they can thrive.

A female beaver makes her way out of the temporary constructed den for herself and another relocated male beaver on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019 near Sultan, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Kellie Shanahan loads Jacob McGovern's vehicle with his class tool bag at Meadowdale High School in Lynnwood on October 1, 2020.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Kellie Shanahan loads Jacob McGovern's vehicle with his class tool bag at Meadowdale High School in Lynnwood on October 1, 2020.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Hilary Franz (left) and Sue Kuehl Pederson

Wildfires, forest health are key issues in race to lead DNR

Republican Sue Kuehl Pederson is challenging incumbent Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz.

Hilary Franz (left) and Sue Kuehl Pederson
A man operates a radio-controlled car on a street near the Bay Wood property on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020 in Everett, Washington. The  Port of Everett is set to clean up the Bay Wood property, which lies along the northern end of West Marine Drive near Maulsby Mudflats where the Snohomish River and Port Gardner Bay meet. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Port of Everett’s next cleanup will bring jobs, public access

The Bay Wood property on the north end of West Marine Drive is contaminated from its sawmill days.

A man operates a radio-controlled car on a street near the Bay Wood property on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020 in Everett, Washington. The  Port of Everett is set to clean up the Bay Wood property, which lies along the northern end of West Marine Drive near Maulsby Mudflats where the Snohomish River and Port Gardner Bay meet. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)