Samantha Grospe helps her son Everett Grospe, 4, pick a book during Lake Stevens Education Foundation Dolly Parton Imagination Library celebration on Sept. 21, 2018 in Lake Stevens, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

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United Way and country music legend Dolly Parton bring free books to SnoCo kids

United Way partnered with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to offer one free book per month to every child…

Sen. John McCoy, D-Tulalip, left, a member of the Tulalip Tribes of Washington, speaks Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017, as Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, right, looks on at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. After the speech, Inslee signed a bill sponsored by McCoy that seeks to improve oral health on Indian reservations in Washington state. The measure is the first bill the governor has signed this legislative session and it allows tribes to use federal funding for dental therapists. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

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State Sen. McCoy, who represented Tulalip and tribal causes, dies

John McCoy, 79, served in the state House and Senate for a combined 17 years, fighting for tribal,…

Senator Maria Cantwell (center) hosted a roundtable to discuss the fentanyl crisis Monday, June 5, 2023 in Everett, Washington. Cantwell was joined community leaders and those who have been personally impacted by the issue. (Photo provided by the office of Maria Cantwell)

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Everett leaders cite jaw-dropping stats on fentanyl crisis

Sen. Maria Cantwell gathered those affected by the opioid crisis Monday to push for a unified response to…

People gather for a color throw at Stanwood and Camano’s first-ever Pride celebration on Saturday, June 4, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

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‘We’ve at least come a little ways’: Snohomish to host first Pride event

A 10 a.m. parade on First Street will be followed by a pop-up market with 60 vendors, a…

A south-facing view of the proposed site for a new mental health facility on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022, near 300th Street NW and 80th Avenue NW north of Stanwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

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County Council OK’s Stanwood behavioral health center

After an unsuccessful appeal to block it, the Tulalip Tribes are now on the cusp of building the…

Left, Christopher Garnett, right Bob Hagglund (Photo provided)

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2 candidates emerge to face Somers for Snohomish County executive

At the last minute, Republican Bob Hagglund and Democrat Christopher Garnett registered to run against the two-term incumbent.

John McClellan (Alderwood Water and Wastewater District)

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With predecessor forced out, Alderwood water district hires new manager

Dick McKinley was put on paid administrative leave due to a string of workplace complaints. The district replaced…

Inside the Carnegie Resource Center in Everett, Washington on Wednesday, May 17, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

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County releases new 2-part, ‘holistic’ plan for opioid, fentanyl crisis

Executive Dave Somers announced a $1.4 million spending plan for the initial steps of the plan — with…

Alan Paulsen, left, with Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers and family members. (Photo courtesy of Dave Somers)

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On front lines of fentanyl crisis, Somers mourns brother’s overdose

Addiction has long-ravaged Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers’ family. His brother Alan Paulsen got sober. Then came fentanyl.

Zahra Abidi speaks at the Eid ul Adha celebation on Saturday, July 24, 2021 in Snohomish, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

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Islamic group wins permit battle south of Snohomish

Over neighbors’ objections, the Husaynia Islamic Society got approval to operate a place of worship at the site…

City council member Josh Binda listens during a city council meeting at Lynnwood City Hall in Lynnwood, Washington on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

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Lynnwood council member Binda admits to violating ethics rules

The council member used his public email and the council chambers for a speaking tour that netted him…

Tim Thomas, a ninth grader at Archbishop Murphy High School helps work on a community carving project on Friday, May 5, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

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Master carver, students chip away at Archbishop Murphy healing pole

James Madison, a Tulalip and Tlingit tribal member, is leading the project, with a goal of unveiling the…

Anne Long, left, and Stacy Miller, right, embrace while singing "We Shall Overcome" during a vigil held to support the LGBTQIA+ community in response to the recent hate-filled incidents at two regional churches on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, in Edmonds, Washington. Long, from Seattle and Miller, from Ferndale, both felt it was important to attend to “show support." (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

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‘We can’t let hate scare us’: Edmonds vigil pushes back at hateful flyers

Hundreds of cars were covered in “graphic” pamphlets with hateful messages toward LGBTQ people. The FBI was investigating.

Shawn Haggard and Khrista Bill, at left, stand with their children near the Sauk-Suiattle Reservation in Darrington, Washington on Thursday, March 23, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

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Sauk-Suiattle disenrollment saga threatens dozens in 314-member tribe

For the third time in 20 years, an entire family’s tribal status is being questioned. But those close…

City council member Josh Binda listens during a city council meeting at Lynnwood City Hall in Lynnwood, Washington on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

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Investigator proposes Binda admit to violating city ethics code

Attorney Noel Treat recommended City Council member Josh Binda should acknowledge using public resources for personal gain.

Matika Wilbur photographed Dr. Henrietta Mann, who is enrolled with the Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes. Mann is an emeritus professor at Montana State University. (Matika Wilbur)

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Local photographer Matika Wilbur releases book ‘Project 562’

The Tulalip and Swinomish tribal member set out to document Native Americans from 562 federally recognized tribes.

City council member Josh Binda listens and eats a sucker during a city council meeting at Lynnwood City Hall in Lynnwood, Washington on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

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Binda criticism mounts over unapproved trip, shirtless photo, ‘excuses’

Lynnwood’s youngest council member went to a national conference despite being told not to — in the midst…

Locals from the group Safe Lynnwood gather in front of the Ryann Building on 196th Street SW to protest the opening of a methadone clinic in the building on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023, in Lynnwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

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Lynnwood council bans new drug treatment centers for 6 months

Months after being “blindsided” by an opioid treatment center near a Boys and Girls Club, the council approved…

County Executive Dave Somers speaking at the the Economic Alliance Snohomish County Update, hosted by The Boeing Company on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Kayla J. Dunn / The Herald)

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Paine Field, housing crunch are hot-button issues at annual update

The Snohomish County Economic Alliance’s meeting brought local leaders together to discuss the county’s rapid growth and renewal.

Daniel Sullivan holds his son Ezekiel Sullivan, 2, and voices his concerns about the future of Hope Church in Everett, Washington on Wednesday, April 5, 2023. The church will potentially be converted to a low barrier homeless shelter. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Local News

Hope Church shelter plan stokes heated debate from dozens of neighbors

The county is considering buying the church at 4502 Rucker Ave. for a new homeless shelter in Everett.…