Joseph Thompson

Fryelands Elementary School in Monroe. (Monroe School District)

Monroe teachers who resist in-person classes could be fired

The district is bringing first-graders back to schools Tuesday. Their usual teachers might not be there.

Fryelands Elementary School in Monroe. (Monroe School District)

Virus case count ‘explosive’: Hospitalizations, deaths rising

Snohomish County broke the new-cases record for a second straight week. Hospitals are bracing for a surge.

A woman walks up to closed doors at the Josephine Caring Community on Wednesday, March 11, 2018 in Stanwood, Wa.(Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Big COVID outbreak at Josephine Caring Community in Stanwood

Since Oct. 26, 94 people, including residents and staff, have tested positive for the coronavirus.

A woman walks up to closed doors at the Josephine Caring Community on Wednesday, March 11, 2018 in Stanwood, Wa.(Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Jim Lawless (left) and Sherman Pruitt (City of Edmonds)

Edmonds forum hijacked with racist and lewd disruption

Sherman Pruitt, a police chief candidate and person of color, was interrupted three times.

Jim Lawless (left) and Sherman Pruitt (City of Edmonds)
FILE - This May 4, 2020, file photo provided by the University of Maryland School of Medicine, shows the first patient enrolled in Pfizer's COVID-19 coronavirus vaccine clinical trial at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore.  On Monday, Nov. 9, 2020, Pfizer said an early peek at its vaccine data suggests the shots may be 90% effective at preventing COVID-19. (Courtesy of University of Maryland School of Medicine via AP, File)

‘The largest wave yet’: COVID metrics shatter previous highs

State and Snohomish County officials warn that continued spread will require renewed restrictions.

FILE - This May 4, 2020, file photo provided by the University of Maryland School of Medicine, shows the first patient enrolled in Pfizer's COVID-19 coronavirus vaccine clinical trial at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore.  On Monday, Nov. 9, 2020, Pfizer said an early peek at its vaccine data suggests the shots may be 90% effective at preventing COVID-19. (Courtesy of University of Maryland School of Medicine via AP, File)
NO CAPTION NECESSARY. 2020 presidential results by precinct in Snohomish County. 20201108

They voted for Biden and Culp, and they’re not alone

Analysis shows the former vice president’s support could be found in previously pro-Trump parts of Snohomish County.

NO CAPTION NECESSARY. 2020 presidential results by precinct in Snohomish County. 20201108
Washington State Representative candidate April Berg, right, and daughters Simone Nowak, 16, center, and Camille Nowak, 14, right, react to election results putting her ahead of Mark James on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020 in Mill Creek, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Democrats take narrow leads in swing-district state seats

But most of the Legislature’s Snohomish County incumbents were sailing to re-election.

Washington State Representative candidate April Berg, right, and daughters Simone Nowak, 16, center, and Camille Nowak, 14, right, react to election results putting her ahead of Mark James on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020 in Mill Creek, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Dr Chris Spitters (center), Interim Health Officer, makes makes his address Monday evening during a Special Meeting of the Snohomish Health District Board of Health at the Administration Builiding in Everett on March 2, 2020.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Snohomish County just broke its single-day COVID case record

And a two-week case count ending Saturday showed 126 new infections per 100,000 residents

Dr Chris Spitters (center), Interim Health Officer, makes makes his address Monday evening during a Special Meeting of the Snohomish Health District Board of Health at the Administration Builiding in Everett on March 2, 2020.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
An old sailboat stuck in the Snohomish River, set to be removed next week. (Snohomish County Surface Water Management)

Crews remove three more junk boats from the Snohomish River

One more is slated for removal. Meanwhile, a new report evaluates the river’s 15,000 old wood pilings.

An old sailboat stuck in the Snohomish River, set to be removed next week. (Snohomish County Surface Water Management)
A view of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019. The presidential primary is jolting to life without a traditional mainstay: the donor class. More specifically, their contribution checks. With as many as two dozen Democrats potentially running for the White House and no immediate front-runner, the money race in the early days of the primary is largely frozen, according to fundraisers. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

A look at local dollars flowing into the presidential race

County donors poured more than $2 million into the contest. Contributions ranged from $1 to $50,000.

A view of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019. The presidential primary is jolting to life without a traditional mainstay: the donor class. More specifically, their contribution checks. With as many as two dozen Democrats potentially running for the White House and no immediate front-runner, the money race in the early days of the primary is largely frozen, according to fundraisers. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
The county’s coronavirus case rate is the second-highest it’s ever been. (Snohomish Health District)

County records its highest COVID case count since March

Cases keep rising as people push indoors and don’t wear masks around friends or family, data show.

The county’s coronavirus case rate is the second-highest it’s ever been. (Snohomish Health District)
Volunteer registered nurse Stephanie Hamilton recieves a swab from a driver as she works at a Covid-19 testing site in the parking lot at Everett Memorial Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020 in Everett, Washington.  (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Local leaders sound the alarm over the surge in COVID cases

Weeks into a third wave of COVID activity, case counts have already surpassed the previous spike.

Volunteer registered nurse Stephanie Hamilton recieves a swab from a driver as she works at a Covid-19 testing site in the parking lot at Everett Memorial Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020 in Everett, Washington.  (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Everertt High School (Sue Misao/ The Herald)

Schools told to pause resumption of classes as virus surges

Districts may continue in-person learning but shouldn’t bring more students back, health officials say.

Everertt High School (Sue Misao/ The Herald)
The Evergreen Branch of the Everett Public Library is open and ready for blast off. Dillon Works, of Mukilteo, designed this eye-catching sculpture that greets people along Evergreen Way.   (Dan Bates / The Herald)

Local libraries preparing to reopen at limited capacity

Everett Public Library and Sno-Isle Libraries leaders are forming plans to reopen, with no date set.

The Evergreen Branch of the Everett Public Library is open and ready for blast off. Dillon Works, of Mukilteo, designed this eye-catching sculpture that greets people along Evergreen Way.   (Dan Bates / The Herald)
Jack, a missing kangaroo, was found in a Monroe carport Tuesday. (Monroe Police Department)

Missing baby kangaroo in Monroe has been found, police say

Authorities say the animal took off Tuesday morning after being let out of a van for nature’s call.

Jack, a missing kangaroo, was found in a Monroe carport Tuesday. (Monroe Police Department)
Dean of Students Jeff Latta, center, helps a student through their online health questionnaire while Athletic Director Cassie Snell, left, checks a students temperature before the start of class at Archbishop Murphy on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Everett-area high school starts bringing some students back

Archbishop Murphy High School has welcomed freshmen and sophomores back to campus, in small numbers.

Dean of Students Jeff Latta, center, helps a student through their online health questionnaire while Athletic Director Cassie Snell, left, checks a students temperature before the start of class at Archbishop Murphy on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County COVID-19 case rate per 100,000 for 2-week rolling period (updated Mondays). (Snohomish County Health District)

Inslee loosens rules for bars, libraries and movie theaters

In Snohomish County, COVID cases are continuing to rise as leaders warn of a third wave.

Snohomish County COVID-19 case rate per 100,000 for 2-week rolling period (updated Mondays). (Snohomish County Health District)
This photo shows a sign at the headquarters for Washington state's Employment Security Department Tuesday, May 26, 2020, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. Washington state's rush to get unemployment benefits to residents who lost jobs due to the coronavirus outbreak left it vulnerable to criminals who made off with hundreds of millions of dollars in fraudulent claims. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

State still sifting through thousands of unemployment claims

The recent Lost Wages Assistance program pumped an extra $625 million to Washington’s unemployed.

This photo shows a sign at the headquarters for Washington state's Employment Security Department Tuesday, May 26, 2020, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. Washington state's rush to get unemployment benefits to residents who lost jobs due to the coronavirus outbreak left it vulnerable to criminals who made off with hundreds of millions of dollars in fraudulent claims. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Case count heat map shows Aug. 23 to Sept. 5. (Snohomish County Health District)

Snohomish County sees another uptick in COVID-19 cases

It’s too early to call it a third wave, but the numbers are cause for concern, Dr. Chris Spitters said.

Case count heat map shows Aug. 23 to Sept. 5. (Snohomish County Health District)
A police officer stands outside of Boohan Oriental Market after a shooting on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

1 dead, 2 injured after Edmonds shooting; suspect arrested

One woman was shot in the face. Police believe all four people knew each other.

A police officer stands outside of Boohan Oriental Market after a shooting on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)