Joseph Thompson

Snohomish County Sheriff Adam Fortney, left and Husaynia Islamic Society of Seattle vice president Masood Zaidi, right, chat at the Eid ul Adha celebration on Saturday, July 24, 2021 in Snohomish, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Snohomish Islamic society’s interfaith celebration draws many

Sheriff Adam Fortney was one of the many who attended the meet-and-greet at the new mosque.

Snohomish County Sheriff Adam Fortney, left and Husaynia Islamic Society of Seattle vice president Masood Zaidi, right, chat at the Eid ul Adha celebration on Saturday, July 24, 2021 in Snohomish, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Officials urge vaccinations as Delta variant takes root

Dr. Chris Spitters recommends everyone, even the vaccinated, mask up in public indoor spaces.

$1,250 pandemic bonuses approved for some county employees

Snohomish County workers deemed essential will see the bump in paychecks starting in late September.

Two boats abandoned bob in the waters Howarth Park in in Everett on July 14, 2021. They have been inspected by Department of Ecology teams to check for oil spills and await removal. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Abandoned boats washed up at Howarth Park slated for removal

The Everett Police Department is taking steps to haul off two vessels stuck in the sand.

Two boats abandoned bob in the waters Howarth Park in in Everett on July 14, 2021. They have been inspected by Department of Ecology teams to check for oil spills and await removal. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Jeff Irtter (left) and Tom Glasenapp work it dismantle a tent of the covid vaccination station Wednesday morning at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe on June 30th, 2021. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Snohomish County winds down emergency response to COVID-19

Local leaders are shifting to long-term recovery, though the pandemic isn’t over, they say.

Jeff Irtter (left) and Tom Glasenapp work it dismantle a tent of the covid vaccination station Wednesday morning at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe on June 30th, 2021. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Vaccine lottery promotional (Washington State Governor's Office)

Someone is about to win $1 million in state’s vaccine lottery

Check your phone: The final drawing is done and calls to winners are going out on Wednesday.

Vaccine lottery promotional (Washington State Governor's Office)
After cutting a section for Snohomish County Superior Court Judge George Appel, Joshua Dugan cuts off a piece of ribbon for Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney Adam Cornell after the ceremony to mark the completion of the Snohomish County Courthouse remodel and addition project on Thursday, July 8, 2021 in Everett, Washington. The project started in 2017.  (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

The renovated county courthouse: Under budget and now open

The project came in $1.8 million under budget and includes a new five-story wing.

After cutting a section for Snohomish County Superior Court Judge George Appel, Joshua Dugan cuts off a piece of ribbon for Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney Adam Cornell after the ceremony to mark the completion of the Snohomish County Courthouse remodel and addition project on Thursday, July 8, 2021 in Everett, Washington. The project started in 2017.  (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
A U-Haul truck exploded in the parking lot Tuesday afternoon of the Edmonds Center for the Arts  on July 6, 2021.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

U-Haul van explodes near downtown Edmonds; no injuries

Investigators are unsure whether propane tanks inside the van caused the explosion.

A U-Haul truck exploded in the parking lot Tuesday afternoon of the Edmonds Center for the Arts  on July 6, 2021.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Brian Styron works on a drink at Diamond Knot Brewery & Alehouse on Friday, July 2, 2021 in Mukilteo, Wa. Across Snohomish County, restaurants, bars and other businesses are back at full capacity, following the drop of COVID-19 restrictions earlier this week. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Snohomish County businesses welcome state’s reopening

“It means the world being back at 100%,” Diamond Knot manager Korey MacKenzie said.

Brian Styron works on a drink at Diamond Knot Brewery & Alehouse on Friday, July 2, 2021 in Mukilteo, Wa. Across Snohomish County, restaurants, bars and other businesses are back at full capacity, following the drop of COVID-19 restrictions earlier this week. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Kwabi Amoah-Foreson of Tacoma thanks Washington Governor Jay Inslee during the "Welcome Back, Washington" celebration at Wright Park in Tacoma, Wash., on Wednesday, June 30, 2021. (Tony Overman/The News Tribune via AP)

Governor and others celebrate end of pandemic restrictions

Going forward, the biggest concern is improving vaccination rates in areas that lag.

Kwabi Amoah-Foreson of Tacoma thanks Washington Governor Jay Inslee during the "Welcome Back, Washington" celebration at Wright Park in Tacoma, Wash., on Wednesday, June 30, 2021. (Tony Overman/The News Tribune via AP)
Gov. Jay Inslee waves during his Thursday morning press conference on extending protections for renters. (TVW)

Governor extends some protections for Washington renters

Under a new order, landlords can only evict tenants who refuse to seek help through a relief program.

Gov. Jay Inslee waves during his Thursday morning press conference on extending protections for renters. (TVW)

County Council OKs $1,250 payments to essential county staff

In a 3-2 vote, the council also approved hazard pay for grocery store workers.

This condo on Norton Ave. in Everett was sold Friday, June 18. (Sue Misao / The Herald)

Snohomish County home values soar in latest assessment

Lack of affordable housing put the squeeze on buyers and drove up home prices across Snohomish County.

This condo on Norton Ave. in Everett was sold Friday, June 18. (Sue Misao / The Herald)
Supporters march Wednesday afternoon across from Providence Medical Center in Everett on May 5, 2021. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Everett nurses threaten to strike as contract talks stall

Union leaders say Providence’s latest offer includes low wages and cuts to benefits and paid leave.

Supporters march Wednesday afternoon across from Providence Medical Center in Everett on May 5, 2021. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

5 Everett residents win vaccine lottery prizes in first week

The next drawing is Tuesday. Meanwhile, vaccine clinics are planned at various sites in Snohomish County.

One-time payments of $1,250 proposed for some county workers

Another proposal by County Executive Somers would boost hourly pay by $4 for grocery store workers.

Vaccine lottery promotional (Washington State Governor's Office)

Vaccine lottery’s first $250,000 winner to be picked Tuesday

And marijuana retailers can now offer a free joint to customers who get shots at on-site clinics.

Vaccine lottery promotional (Washington State Governor's Office)
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee waves as he arrives to speak Thursday, June 3, 2021, during a news conference in Olympia, Wash. Inslee announced that Washington will be the latest state to offer prizes to encourage people to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Incentives will include a series of giveaways during the month of June including lottery prizes totaling $2 million, college tuition assistance, airline tickets, and game systems. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

As vax rates ease, here come the prizes — including $1 million

Incentives range from big cash drawings to sports tickets and tuition. Drawings start next week.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee waves as he arrives to speak Thursday, June 3, 2021, during a news conference in Olympia, Wash. Inslee announced that Washington will be the latest state to offer prizes to encourage people to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Incentives will include a series of giveaways during the month of June including lottery prizes totaling $2 million, college tuition assistance, airline tickets, and game systems. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Washington no longer on pace to beat June 30 vaccine goal

Reaching 70% of adults with at least one shot would trigger the state to drop most COVID-19 restrictions.

Vaccination rates in the county vary greatly by location

In some ZIP codes, the rate is as low as 38%. In more-urban areas, it’s as high as 69%.