Julia-Grace Sanders

The Downey Creek fire burning off of Suiattle River Road (Forest Road 26) on Friday, Sept. 18, 2020 in Darrington, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Trapped by 2,600-acre fire, hikers ran past flames to safety

The Downey Creek Fire east of Darrington tripled in size in September, leaving rangers scrambling to rescue hikers.

The Downey Creek fire burning off of Suiattle River Road (Forest Road 26) on Friday, Sept. 18, 2020 in Darrington, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Auditor: $300,000 unaccounted for from Monte Cristo cleanup

Auditor: $300,000 unaccounted for from Monte Cristo cleanup

The Department of Ecology didn’t have records for 15% of funds it spent to clean the old mining area.

Auditor: $300,000 unaccounted for from Monte Cristo cleanup
New Stanwood city councilmember is planning for growth

New Stanwood city councilmember is planning for growth

Lifelong Stanwood resident Darren Robb was appointed to fill Elizabeth Callaghan’s seat through 2021.

New Stanwood city councilmember is planning for growth
‘The wind in your hair’: ATVs can stay on Snohomish streets

‘The wind in your hair’: ATVs can stay on Snohomish streets

After a year-long pilot program, the city council voted to permanently open city streets to all-terrain vehicles.

‘The wind in your hair’: ATVs can stay on Snohomish streets
Wildfire smoke could linger through early next week

Wildfire smoke could linger through early next week

Fires continue to blaze in eastern Washington, sending smoke and unhealthy air to Puget Sound.

Wildfire smoke could linger through early next week
Officials say stay inside: Unhealthy air through Wednesday

Officials say stay inside: Unhealthy air through Wednesday

A new batch of wildfire smoke from the east was expected to arrive over Puget Sound.

Officials say stay inside: Unhealthy air through Wednesday
High smoke from California fires not expected to be a hazard

High smoke from California fires not expected to be a hazard

The high-altitude plume is expected to cover most of Western Washington into the weekend.

High smoke from California fires not expected to be a hazard
Contested timber sale near Gold Bar approved but delayed

Contested timber sale near Gold Bar approved but delayed

The state Board of Natural Resources is giving Snohomish County 90 days to stop the Middle May timber harvest.

Contested timber sale near Gold Bar approved but delayed
Cancelled by COVID: Life without the Evergreen State Fair

Cancelled by COVID: Life without the Evergreen State Fair

How losing the county’s largest event affects vendors, students, businesses and local governments.

Cancelled by COVID: Life without the Evergreen State Fair
People ride the chair lifts as skiers and snowboarders make their way down the mountain during the opening day of Stevens Pass on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019 in Stevens Pass, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald).

Stevens Pass announces plans to reopen slopes in December

The ski resort will require reservations, face coverings and physical distancing on the mountain.

People ride the chair lifts as skiers and snowboarders make their way down the mountain during the opening day of Stevens Pass on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019 in Stevens Pass, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald).
The wait is over: Grand Avenue Park pedestrian bridge opens

The wait is over: Grand Avenue Park pedestrian bridge opens

The bridge provides much-anticipated access to Everett’s waterfront from the Northwest Neighborhood.

The wait is over: Grand Avenue Park pedestrian bridge opens
10-year, $11M project to end Stanwood flooding begins Monday

10-year, $11M project to end Stanwood flooding begins Monday

Stormwater in the downtown area often closes roads, delays transportation and causes property damage.

10-year, $11M project to end Stanwood flooding begins Monday
The county feeds people and pays farmers with federal funds

The county feeds people and pays farmers with federal funds

The Nourishing Neighborhoods program is delivering food to residents in need and helping local farmers.

The county feeds people and pays farmers with federal funds
Would a 5,300-acre county park be a good thing for U.S. 2?

Would a 5,300-acre county park be a good thing for U.S. 2?

A Gold Bar group wants to ban state logging in the Reiter foothills, saying tourism could replace lost revenue.

Would a 5,300-acre county park be a good thing for U.S. 2?
Snohomish County PUD embraces ‘smart’ meters despite concerns

Snohomish County PUD embraces ‘smart’ meters despite concerns

A handful of customers said they were worried about privacy, peak-hour rate increases and safety.

Snohomish County PUD embraces ‘smart’ meters despite concerns
How a Facebook post led to 3 million pounds of donated food

How a Facebook post led to 3 million pounds of donated food

This grassroots nonprofit is salvaging food from farms and putting it on the plates.

How a Facebook post led to 3 million pounds of donated food
Rates and rural broadband are issues in PUD commission race

Rates and rural broadband are issues in PUD commission race

Four candidates want to represent District 1 on the Snohomish County Public Utility District board.

Rates and rural broadband are issues in PUD commission race
Keep an eye out for Everett’s marine guests: two gray whales

Keep an eye out for Everett’s marine guests: two gray whales

The two whales stopped on their way to the Bering Sea to forage between Hat Island and Jetty Island.

Keep an eye out for Everett’s marine guests: two gray whales
These take-home science kits could be a model for fall

These take-home science kits could be a model for fall

The Marysville School District delivered 400 kits to disadvantaged students. So far, kids love them.

These take-home science kits could be a model for fall
Timber technology center could bring 100 jobs to Darrington

Timber technology center could bring 100 jobs to Darrington

The Darrington Wood Innovation Center will house manufacturing companies and educational resources.

Timber technology center could bring 100 jobs to Darrington