Snohomish County Emergency Management Director Lucia Schmit is pictured during a community meeting earlier this year. (Snohomish County Emergency Management)

Local News

‘Ready, Set, Go’ is the new ‘1, 2, 3’ for emergency evacuations

As wildfire season intensifies, Snohomish County and its neighbors have simplified the messaging in the event of a…

Gary Duffner pets goose, his son’s dog, while standing near the chicken coop on Friday, August 25, 2023, in Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Local News

‘It’s outstanding’: Duffner family celebrated for 100 years of farming in Snohomish County

Raising chickens and growing flowers, the Duffner family outside Snohomish has a long history of agricultural pride.

A kayaker launches from the Maple Grove Boat Launch into the contaminated water on Wednesday, June 28, 2023 in Camano Island, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Local News

On Camano shore contaminated by feces, locals blame lack of oversight

Years of frustration led some Camano Island residents to build their own sewage system. It’s set to start…

Cars drive through the intersection of Highway 9 and South Lake Stevens Road on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Local News

Road closures to watch out for in Lake Stevens, Marysville

In the next week, stretches of Highway 9 will close at night for striping and pavement repairs.

The sun shines on the PUD’s Arlington Microgrid on Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023, in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Local News

In summer heat, Snohomish County PUD trains for winter storms

The PUD showcased how dangerous high-voltage power lines can be — and urged caution — at a demonstration…

Several fires in the Glacier Peak Wilderness are ongoing as of Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023. The Dome Peak fire grew to more than 750 acres in recent days. (Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest)

Local News

Dome Peak wildfire swells to 770 acres east of Darrington

The remote fire grew rapidly, emitting heavy smoke, after being discovered in late July. No trail closures were…

Lynnwood Mayor Christine Frizzell, second from right, and Rep. Rick Larsen, right, cut a ribbon during a ceremony to celebrate the completion of the 196th ST SW Improvement Project near the 196th and 44th Ave West intersection in Lynnwood, Washington on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Local News

Lynnwood celebrates nearly $50 million project on 196th Street

Officials hope improvements will help turn the area into a hub for housing and businesses and solve traffic…

U.S. Congresswoman Suzan DelBene, left, speaks with Homage Safety, Training, and Vehicle Service Supervisor Lloyd White about their current transit vehicle on Monday, Aug. 14, 2023 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Local News

$250K in federal money to boost transit in east Snohomish County

Grant funding will increase trips along U.S. 2 from Snohomish to Index and Highway 522 from Monroe to…

Maltby Community Park on Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023 in Maltby, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Local News

After no one runs for 5 Snohomish County offices, what’s next?

The county reopened candidacy applications for three fire districts and two other positions. Most have takers — and…

A person drops off their ballot on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Local News

26% primary turnout echoes past ‘off-year’ elections in Snohomish County

The most recent odd-year turnout figures were 26.8%, 37.0%, 23.9% and 21.9%. Officials have ideas for how to…

Sarah Ricci, left, and Bob Ricci, right pose for a photo at Bob’s Corn and Pumpkin Farm in Snohomish, Washington on Thursday, July 27, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Local News

Fifth-generation corn, pumpkin farm near Maltby preserved through trust

Bob and Sarah Ricci created a corn maze and pumpkin patch agritourism destination. Now the farmland can’t be…

Elections assistant Keri Gompf organizes ballots to be sorted on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Local News

Sutherland trails in Snohomish County primary; Somers, Dunn lead

Snohomish County voters favored incumbents based on early primary returns Tuesday.

Willie Will and Jazz Digga perform during the Nubian Jam at Forest Park in Everett, Washington on Saturday, July 29, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Local News

‘A beautiful day’: Nubian Jam celebrates Black culture in Everett

Food, music and even Zumba lessons filled Forest Park with the 31st annual festival Saturday.

Andrei Pocol, of Seattle, lights off a rocket he bought at Boom City on July 1, 2023, in Tulalip, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Local News

Firework sales stay legal in south county, even if you can’t light them

Advocates say if sales are legal, the ban isn’t enforced. After deputies issued zero tickets July 4, the…

A helicopter drops water on one of three wildfires burning east of Darrington. (Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest - US Forest Service)

Local News

‘Unseasonably dry’: Drought strikes corner of Snohomish County

The northeastern reaches of the county are in a drought emergency. Other telltale signs of a dry year…

People walk along a newly constructed bridge at the Big Four Ice Caves hike along the Mountain Loop Highway in Snohomish County, Washington on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Travel

Bigger, better Big Four bridge connects hikers to majestic ice caves

On a warm July day, cold wind rushed down the face of Big Four Mountain and over the…

A child blows bubbles during the second annual Arlington Pride at Legion memorial Park in Arlington, Washington on Saturday, July 22, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Local News

Arlington Pride event draws hundreds, protesters also show

Organizer Caera Gramore hopes to bring Pride back next year, despite a myriad of conflicts with the city…

People walk along a newly constructed bridge at the Big Four Ice Caves hike along the Mountain Loop Highway in Snohomish County, Washington on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Local News

Bigger, better Big Four bridge connects hikers to majestic ice caves

The Great American Outdoors Act covered the cost of a new bridge at the historic site along the…

Jeremiah Campbell, left, and Crystal Blakely

Local News

Candidate pool already whittled down in Monroe School Board election

Jeremiah Campbell is running to hold the seat, while Crystal Blakely is challenging. Two candidates have dropped out…

Monroe City Hall on Monday, July 17, 2023 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Local News

Monroe embarks on $17M plan to upgrade City Hall

City departments will temporarily relocate while the municipal campus is being remodeled.