Joseph Thompson

People wait in line for amusement park tickets during opening day of the Evergreen State Fair on Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021 in Monroe, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

At limited capacity, Evergreen State Fair draws 181,000

Organizers say this year’s visitors enjoyed experiencing the fair with “a little more shoulder room.”

 

Snohomish Health District Health Officer Dr. Chris Spitters provides an update on the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic Tuesday. (Snohomish Health District)

Local hospitals continue to fill while COVID cases plateau

Meanwhile, cases are popping up at Snohomish County schools, causing many to quarantine at home.

 

New construction of apartments and condominiums across from Alderwood Mall on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021 in Lynnwood, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Census: All but 2 Snohomish County ZIP code populations grew

98258 in Lake Stevens saw the biggest gain. Snohomish County is now the fifth-most-diverse in the state.

 

Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers (left) and Snohomish Health District Health Officer Dr. Chris Spitters provide updates on the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic Tuesday. (Snohomish Health District)

We just surpassed last winter’s coronavirus infection rate

County officials, meanwhile, are considering an outdoor-event mask requirement and vaccine verification.

Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers (left) and Snohomish Health District Health Officer Dr. Chris Spitters provide updates on the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic Tuesday. (Snohomish Health District)

Essential workers to receive up to $1,250 starting Sept. 22

Over 1,900 in Snohomish County will get the bonuses for their frontline work during the pandemic.

Washington Secretary of Health Umair A. Shah wears a mask as he listens to questions at a news conference with Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. Inslee announced that Washington state is expanding its vaccine mandate to include all public, charter and private school teachers and staff, as well as those working at the state's colleges and universities. Inslee also expanded the statewide indoor mask mandate in place for non-vaccinated individuals to include those who are vaccinated. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

‘Critical time’: 101 hospitalized here, 25 on ventilators

As people gather over the holiday weekend, officials warn the health care system is in critical condition.

Washington Secretary of Health Umair A. Shah wears a mask as he listens to questions at a news conference with Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. Inslee announced that Washington state is expanding its vaccine mandate to include all public, charter and private school teachers and staff, as well as those working at the state's colleges and universities. Inslee also expanded the statewide indoor mask mandate in place for non-vaccinated individuals to include those who are vaccinated. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Providence Regional Medical Center Everett, where a man with the first case of coronavirus in the United States is being treated on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020, in Everett, Wash. Health officials said Tuesday that the man returned to the Seattle area in the middle of last week after traveling to the Wuhan area, where the outbreak began. The man, identified only as a Snohomish County resident is in his 30s, was not considered a threat to medical staff or the public, health officials said. (Olivia Vanni/The Herald via AP)

Hospitalizations and COVID cases are near last winter’s peaks

Meanwhile, Gov. Jay Inslee’s vaccine mandates apparently inspired an increase in the state vaccination rate.

Providence Regional Medical Center Everett, where a man with the first case of coronavirus in the United States is being treated on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020, in Everett, Wash. Health officials said Tuesday that the man returned to the Seattle area in the middle of last week after traveling to the Wuhan area, where the outbreak began. The man, identified only as a Snohomish County resident is in his 30s, was not considered a threat to medical staff or the public, health officials said. (Olivia Vanni/The Herald via AP)
Two derelict boats near Howarth Park in Everett, along the railroad breakwater south of the Port of Everett. (Chuck Taylor / The Herald) 20210827

6 derelict boats in Everett on track to be hauled away

One vessel set for removal is the Confusion, a 53-foot cruiser sunk at the 10th Street boat launch.

Two derelict boats near Howarth Park in Everett, along the railroad breakwater south of the Port of Everett. (Chuck Taylor / The Herald) 20210827

Edmonds councilmember drinks wine during meeting, apologizes

Adrienne Fraley-Monillas said it was an absent-minded decision to grab her wine glass from dinner.

Members of the Marysville School Board leave a meeting on Aug. 18 as anti-mask protesters heckle them. (Jeremy Milam via Facebook) 20210818

Here and elsewhere, angry unmasked parents disrupt meetings

In Marysville, they shouted obscenities at board members who must comply with a state mask mandate.

Members of the Marysville School Board leave a meeting on Aug. 18 as anti-mask protesters heckle them. (Jeremy Milam via Facebook) 20210818
A car drives past a large group of anti-vaccine mandate protestors outside of Providence Regional Medical Center Everett on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Snohomish County infections near the highs set last winter

Vaccines have tempered this latest wave, officials say, but far more people need to gets their shots.

A car drives past a large group of anti-vaccine mandate protestors outside of Providence Regional Medical Center Everett on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Matt Mosteller holding Montana Mosteller (left-right) Lindsay Mosteller holding Sequoia Mosteller and Steven Hailey were forced to sell their home to the county for a project that widens 43rd Avenue in Bothell.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Family loses newly purchased dream home to eminent domain

Lindsey and Matt Mosteller bought their Bothell-area house in January 2020. Now the county needs the land.

Matt Mosteller holding Montana Mosteller (left-right) Lindsay Mosteller holding Sequoia Mosteller and Steven Hailey were forced to sell their home to the county for a project that widens 43rd Avenue in Bothell.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Snohomish County COVID cases still surging in fifth wave

Snohomish Health District data continue to show that unvaccinated residents are driving the surge.

Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers and Snohomish Health District Health Officer Dr. Chris Spitters provide updates on the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic Aug. 17. (Snohomish Health District)

COVID-19 patients are again filling Snohomish County ICUs

Local leaders are pleading with the unvaccinated to get shots. Next best thing: wearing a mask indoors.

Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers and Snohomish Health District Health Officer Dr. Chris Spitters provide updates on the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic Aug. 17. (Snohomish Health District)

2020 Census: Snohomish County grows by more than 114,000

Data also show that the county’s Asian, Hispanic and multiracial populations are growing.

The muffler man statue along Hewitt Avenue wearing a custom face mask on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

County health officer enacts indoor mask requirement

Starting Thursday, everyone 5 and up, vaccinated or not, must wear a mask in public indoor spaces.

The muffler man statue along Hewitt Avenue wearing a custom face mask on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Dr. George Diaz is vaccinated at Providence Regional Medical Center Everett on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020. (Providence)

Fifth wave: Snohomish County COVID hospitalizations rising

Providence Regional Medical Center is treating more than 50 COVID patients. Nearly all were unvaccinated.

Dr. George Diaz is vaccinated at Providence Regional Medical Center Everett on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020. (Providence)

Spitters: It’s time for everyone to mask up indoors, again

The best way to get unvaccinated people to wear masks, he said, is to have everyone do it.

Nate Nehring (left), Nicole Ng-A-Qui (center), Richard Yust.

Nehring faces two Democrats in County Council primary

Nicole Ng-A-Qui and Richard Yust are running to unseat the Republican, who joined the council in 2017.

Nate Nehring (left), Nicole Ng-A-Qui (center), Richard Yust.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee looks down at a stack of bills to be signed into law, Wednesday, May 12, 2021, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. The measures included a bill that prohibits openly carrying guns and other weapons at the state Capitol and protests statewide. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Governor asks everyone to mask up in crowded indoor spaces

Cases are rising as the delta variant takes root. Vaccines, experts say, are the best protection.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee looks down at a stack of bills to be signed into law, Wednesday, May 12, 2021, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. The measures included a bill that prohibits openly carrying guns and other weapons at the state Capitol and protests statewide. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)