Katie Hayes

Melinda Parke and her 8-year-old son Elijah sit outside and watch cars pass by on the freeway outside their motel at the Days Inn Friday, Feb. 11, 2022, in Everett, Washington. Melinda said watching the cars is a daily routine that helps keep Elijah, who is autistic, stay calm during the family’s time without a home. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

For homeless parents, search for housing is long and traumatic

Elijah, 8, has autism. He lives with his mother in an Everett motel. “I’m watching my son get worse and worse every day.”

Melinda Parke and her 8-year-old son Elijah sit outside and watch cars pass by on the freeway outside their motel at the Days Inn Friday, Feb. 11, 2022, in Everett, Washington. Melinda said watching the cars is a daily routine that helps keep Elijah, who is autistic, stay calm during the family’s time without a home. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Sen. Andy Billig (D-Spokane), second from right, confers with Sen. Sam Hunt, D-Olympia, right, in front of Sen. June Robinson's, D-Everett, desk on the Senate floor at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash., on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022, during debate over a measure that authorizes legislative leaders to terminate any state of emergency called by the governor after 90 days if the Legislature is not in session. The measure passed the Democratic-led Senate chamber and now heads to the House, also held by Democrats, for consideration. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

6 pending bills that support workers, promote pay transparency

These proposed state laws survived Tuesday’s deadline for approval by their chambers of origin.

Sen. Andy Billig (D-Spokane), second from right, confers with Sen. Sam Hunt, D-Olympia, right, in front of Sen. June Robinson's, D-Everett, desk on the Senate floor at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash., on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022, during debate over a measure that authorizes legislative leaders to terminate any state of emergency called by the governor after 90 days if the Legislature is not in session. The measure passed the Democratic-led Senate chamber and now heads to the House, also held by Democrats, for consideration. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118

3,500 households seek rental assistance

Volunteers of America has helped 900 households in Snohomish County since January as it processes thousands of applications.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Marysville Getchell High School (Marysville School District)

With a labor shortage, schools scrounge for substitutes

Looking for a career change? Schools in Snohomish County are emergency-certifying substitute teachers and paraeducators.

Marysville Getchell High School (Marysville School District)
AJ, 2, left, and Antonio, 3, recoil from a toy snake held by Dani Hanson-Hooten Friday morning at the Edmonds Lutheran Learning Center in Edmonds, Washington on January 28, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Washington’s child care workers are quitting for better pay

They earn notoriously low wages. A new state grant can help — to an extent.

AJ, 2, left, and Antonio, 3, recoil from a toy snake held by Dani Hanson-Hooten Friday morning at the Edmonds Lutheran Learning Center in Edmonds, Washington on January 28, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Top (L-R): Chris Collier, Megan Dunn, Mindy Woods, and (bottom L-R): Beth Doglio and Jacque Julien participated in a Snohomish County Housing Informational Panel hosted by Dunn on Tuesday. (Megan Dunn)

Hundreds seek housing in Snohomish County — but are on hold

Housing challenges were the focus of a virtual panel hosted by Snohomish County Councilmember Megan Dunn.

Top (L-R): Chris Collier, Megan Dunn, Mindy Woods, and (bottom L-R): Beth Doglio and Jacque Julien participated in a Snohomish County Housing Informational Panel hosted by Dunn on Tuesday. (Megan Dunn)
Michelle Roth is a registered nurse in the Providence Emergency Department on Sunday, January 23, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Nurses face burnout as hospital staffing shortage continues

‘It feels like there has been a mass exodus in the last two to three months.’

Michelle Roth is a registered nurse in the Providence Emergency Department on Sunday, January 23, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mara Wiltshire, left, celebrates her first place finish in Mario Cart against her son Miles Jenkins, 7, as Calvin Jenkins, 5, looking on Friday evening at their home in Everett, Washington on January 7, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Child care’s heightened burden takes parents out of workforce

One Snohomish County mom said she couldn’t return to work “because I didn’t have child care and I wouldn’t be able to afford it.”

Mara Wiltshire, left, celebrates her first place finish in Mario Cart against her son Miles Jenkins, 7, as Calvin Jenkins, 5, looking on Friday evening at their home in Everett, Washington on January 7, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
A crew member carries plywood to steathe a roof as of the Home Repair Service Program Friday morning in Brier, Washington on January 14, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Habitat for Humanity program helps Brier homeowners stay put

The nonprofit’s Home Repair Service program gave a senior couple a new roof — and hope.

A crew member carries plywood to steathe a roof as of the Home Repair Service Program Friday morning in Brier, Washington on January 14, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Doug Standish (left to right) Ezri Standish, Kayla Standish, Arya Standish, and Brander Standish outside there home in Stanwood, Washington on January 8, 2022.  The Standish family committed sweat equity as a down payment for their home and continue to work on more homes in the neighborhood. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

With down payment of ‘sweat,’ 9 Stanwood families are homeowners

A Housing Hope program helps families buy houses with “sweat equity”: “We busted our butts to get here.”

Doug Standish (left to right) Ezri Standish, Kayla Standish, Arya Standish, and Brander Standish outside there home in Stanwood, Washington on January 8, 2022.  The Standish family committed sweat equity as a down payment for their home and continue to work on more homes in the neighborhood. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Kelly Brookbank performs a pre-drive check on her bus Wednesday morning at the depot in Seattle on December 8, 2021. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Authorities did little to help displaced low-income tenants

The end was chaotic and confusing for tenants of the Whispering Pines complex in Lynnwood. Volunteers tried to help.

Kelly Brookbank performs a pre-drive check on her bus Wednesday morning at the depot in Seattle on December 8, 2021. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Providence Regional Medical Center Everett. (Sue Misao / The Herald) 12/14/2021

Health care workers want minimum staffing standards in 2022

Three major unions say hospital staffing shortages are burning out frontline workers.

Providence Regional Medical Center Everett. (Sue Misao / The Herald) 12/14/2021
Dancers practice Thursday night at the The Dance School in Everett on December 9, 2021. The school will perform The Nutcracker on December 18 at at the Historic Everett Theatre after a two-year hiatus.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Young Everett dancers perform ‘The Nutcracker’ on Saturday

The Dance School, a nonprofit, is back to live performances after a hiatus. Expect some stylistic twists.

Dancers practice Thursday night at the The Dance School in Everett on December 9, 2021. The school will perform The Nutcracker on December 18 at at the Historic Everett Theatre after a two-year hiatus.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mike Delaney gathers foods stuffs for clients Wednesday afternoon at the Everett Food Bank on December 1, 2021. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mike Delaney gathers foods stuffs for clients Wednesday afternoon at the Everett Food Bank on December 1, 2021. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Brian Loomis and Michelle Moch browse for a live Christmas tree from Adopt A Stream on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

These holiday trees can liven a salmon’s home as well as your own

Adopt A Stream Foundation is selling native trees. Return them after the holidays, and they’ll become critical fish habitat.

Brian Loomis and Michelle Moch browse for a live Christmas tree from Adopt A Stream on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
An excavator moves dirt at the Baker Heights project on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021 in Lake Stevens, Washington. Everett Housing Authority’s Phase 2 redevelopment of its old Baker Heights low-income housing could have high rises potentially 10 stories tall at the site. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Architects unveil new details for Baker Heights housing site

The northeast Everett housing development might be greener and taller than neighbors expected.

An excavator moves dirt at the Baker Heights project on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021 in Lake Stevens, Washington. Everett Housing Authority’s Phase 2 redevelopment of its old Baker Heights low-income housing could have high rises potentially 10 stories tall at the site. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Dennie Willard, a Navy veteran, became homeless in 2014 and began job training through HopeWorks at Renew Home and Decor. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Looking for his ‘last job,’ veteran found new work, new life

U.S. Navy veteran Dennis Willard, once homeless, now works for the nonprofit that helped him.

Dennie Willard, a Navy veteran, became homeless in 2014 and began job training through HopeWorks at Renew Home and Decor. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Hillside homes in Mukilteo are seen from the ferry line on Oct. 20. (Andrea Brown / The Herald)

83% of Mukilteo voters don’t want ‘high-density’ housing

A ballot measure’s results won’t immediately change anything, but Mayor-elect Joe Marine sees it as a mandate.

Hillside homes in Mukilteo are seen from the ferry line on Oct. 20. (Andrea Brown / The Herald)
Richie del Puerto watches as a student works to jump start a car during class at Sno-Isle Technical Skills Center on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

He learned his trade in high school; now he leads the class

Richie del Puerto, an auto technician at Sno-Isle TECH, trains the next generation for high-wage jobs.

Richie del Puerto watches as a student works to jump start a car during class at Sno-Isle Technical Skills Center on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish Mayor John Kartak, Mukilteo Mayor Jennifer Gregerson, Marysville School Board Director Vanessa Edwards, Everett City Councilmember Paul Roberts. Bottom (L-R): Snohomish Councilmember Larry Countryman, Edmonds City Councilmember Adrienne Fraley-Monillas, Bothell City Councilmember Rosemary McAuliffe.

Snohomish County voters said goodbye to these 7 incumbents

Collectively, these mayors, councilmembers and a school board director served decades in elected office.

Snohomish Mayor John Kartak, Mukilteo Mayor Jennifer Gregerson, Marysville School Board Director Vanessa Edwards, Everett City Councilmember Paul Roberts. Bottom (L-R): Snohomish Councilmember Larry Countryman, Edmonds City Councilmember Adrienne Fraley-Monillas, Bothell City Councilmember Rosemary McAuliffe.