Julie Muhlstein

A masked passenger sits in front of an empty row of seats on an Alaska Airlines flight from Spokane to Sea-Tac Monday evening. (Julie Muhlstein) 20201026

Flying to see family, it was a risk that seemed like a must

After eight months of not seeing my 98-year-old mom, a trip to my Spokane hometown was short and sweet.

A masked passenger sits in front of an empty row of seats on an Alaska Airlines flight from Spokane to Sea-Tac Monday evening. (Julie Muhlstein) 20201026
Lynnwood's Malachi Stohr was born with spina bifida. Not yet 3, he has spent much of his life at Seattle Children's Hospital. His mom, Whitney Stohr, wants her son to be seen as the wonderful boy he is, and not only as someone with special needs, on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020 in Lynnwood, Washington.  (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Boy born with spina bifida turned his parents into advocates

At 2, Lynnwood’s Malachi Stohr-Hendrickson is a Patient Ambassador with Seattle Children’s Hospital.

Lynnwood's Malachi Stohr was born with spina bifida. Not yet 3, he has spent much of his life at Seattle Children's Hospital. His mom, Whitney Stohr, wants her son to be seen as the wonderful boy he is, and not only as someone with special needs, on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020 in Lynnwood, Washington.  (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
People in dinosaur costumes greet each other during Downtown Trick-or-Treating on Oct. 31, 2019 in Everett, Wash. Health officials have discouraged trick-or-treating this year. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Halloween cloaked in caution, trick-or-treating discouraged

As Snohomish Health District offers tips for safer fun, some still plan to hand out candy to kids.

People in dinosaur costumes greet each other during Downtown Trick-or-Treating on Oct. 31, 2019 in Everett, Wash. Health officials have discouraged trick-or-treating this year. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Kari Cedeno-Betancourt wearing a Blue Eyes Project shirt, a project started in remembrance of her daughter Payton Beck-Glessner on Friday, Oct. 16, 2020 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Mother of teen shooting victim chooses forgiveness over hate

She’s in touch with the man who pleaded guilty. In her daughter’s honor, the Blue Eyes Project helps others.

Kari Cedeno-Betancourt wearing a Blue Eyes Project shirt, a project started in remembrance of her daughter Payton Beck-Glessner on Friday, Oct. 16, 2020 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Volunteers with the Timber Framers Guild work Saturday to raise one of two Douglas fir portals at the site of the Oso Slide Memorial. The volunteers crafted the portals at the Monroe fairgrounds. (Snohomish County Parks photo)

Portals crafted by volunteers up at Oso Slide Memorial site

Members of nonprofit Timber Framers Guild built the structures, each “a piece of art.”

Volunteers with the Timber Framers Guild work Saturday to raise one of two Douglas fir portals at the site of the Oso Slide Memorial. The volunteers crafted the portals at the Monroe fairgrounds. (Snohomish County Parks photo)
Walt Gillette with his wife Saundra Cope at their home in Everett on October 2, 2020.  Walt was a lead engineer on the 787. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

787 will always be part of Everett story, lead engineer says

Walt Gillette and Saundra Cope are now Boeing retirees with focus on local arts, culture and children.

Walt Gillette with his wife Saundra Cope at their home in Everett on October 2, 2020.  Walt was a lead engineer on the 787. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Founding member Janet Bacon pours champagne for Kit Massengale in a 2019 celebration of the formation of the new Snohomish County chapter of 100+ Women Who Care. Despite the pandemic, the group is ready to choose another organization to support. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

100 women and more pool money, keep giving despite COVID-19

“When we got the first money, I cried,” says food bank organizer. Group ready to pick next recipient.

Founding member Janet Bacon pours champagne for Kit Massengale in a 2019 celebration of the formation of the new Snohomish County chapter of 100+ Women Who Care. Despite the pandemic, the group is ready to choose another organization to support. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
‘Residency makes you a doctor:’ New WSU program coming to Prov

‘Residency makes you a doctor:’ New WSU program coming to Prov

WSU’s medical college is starting an Everett-based internal medicine residency. New docs will come here.

‘Residency makes you a doctor:’ New WSU program coming to Prov
Running for a dream, Tulalip man helping people with autism

Running for a dream, Tulalip man helping people with autism

Tyler Fryberg and his former teacher finish 1,000-mile challenge to support Leah’s Dream nonprofit.

Running for a dream, Tulalip man helping people with autism
She fosters inclusion with crayons, paper of skin-tone hues

She fosters inclusion with crayons, paper of skin-tone hues

Color Me Important, a Lake Stevens woman’s effort, gives teachers supplies that represent diversity.

She fosters inclusion with crayons, paper of skin-tone hues
Cruisin’ on a Saturday afternoon ‘was pretty innocent fun’

Cruisin’ on a Saturday afternoon ‘was pretty innocent fun’

Vintage cars wowed neighbors in north Everett. Organizer hopes Cruzin’ to Colby will be back in 2021.

Cruisin’ on a Saturday afternoon ‘was pretty innocent fun’
‘I know what hunger is,’ so at age 86 she’s a food bank donor

‘I know what hunger is,’ so at age 86 she’s a food bank donor

Mill Creek workers helped deliver her big donation. Experts see a critical need for food assistance.

‘I know what hunger is,’ so at age 86 she’s a food bank donor
Set example for adults, Ruby Bridges tells new school’s kids

Set example for adults, Ruby Bridges tells new school’s kids

As a girl, she broke down a racial barrier. An elementary in the Northshore district is named in her honor.

Set example for adults, Ruby Bridges tells new school’s kids
Once ‘Hitler Youth,’ Herr Brockmann was an acclaimed teacher

Once ‘Hitler Youth,’ Herr Brockmann was an acclaimed teacher

At Everett schools for 50 years, he taught German, history and culture, and was a popular substitute.

Once ‘Hitler Youth,’ Herr Brockmann was an acclaimed teacher
‘You can’t imagine the joy,’ vet says of war’s end 75 years ago

‘You can’t imagine the joy,’ vet says of war’s end 75 years ago

Marysville’s Farlan Dubarry fought on Okinawa. Before the pandemic, he was invited to Hawaii ceremony.

‘You can’t imagine the joy,’ vet says of war’s end 75 years ago
An addict’s life and death, and his loved ones’ plea for help

An addict’s life and death, and his loved ones’ plea for help

Years behind bars did nothing to end destructive cycle of heroin use, crime and pain for Justin Murphy.

An addict’s life and death, and his loved ones’ plea for help
Working parents’ dream: Care and schooling, all in one place

Working parents’ dream: Care and schooling, all in one place

Programs by the YMCA and the Boys & Girls Clubs will include paraeducators and mental health support staff.

Working parents’ dream: Care and schooling, all in one place
Museum does more than imagine, plans four-story expansion

Museum does more than imagine, plans four-story expansion

Children are the winners as Murdock Trust’s $500,000 adds to fund drive aimed at raising $25 million.

Museum does more than imagine, plans four-story expansion
Hilton name and gift store to live on after sale of pharmacy

Hilton name and gift store to live on after sale of pharmacy

Marysville druggist sells portion of century-old business to Rite Aid, but her shop’s getting a reboot.

Hilton name and gift store to live on after sale of pharmacy
Dad watched her birth from Iraq, now she’s an online student

Dad watched her birth from Iraq, now she’s an online student

Digital link was a first for Everett’s Providence hospital. Now, technology lets kids learn from home.

Dad watched her birth from Iraq, now she’s an online student