Kayla J. Dunn

James Hessen sets himself on the the starting block before swimming during a practice with Everett YMCA’s US Masters swim team on Friday, March 17, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald).

Year after amputation, swimmer chases Paralympic dream from Everett YMCA

James Hessen learned to walk again alongside his 1-year-old daughter. Now, he aims to qualify for the 2024 Paris Paralympics.

James Hessen sets himself on the the starting block before swimming during a practice with Everett YMCA’s US Masters swim team on Friday, March 17, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald).
Kelly Moore, 39, left, and Vanessa Walsh, 55, right, make their way back on land during an underwater scuba maintenance event at the Edmonds Fishing Pier in Edmonds, Washington on Sunday, April 2, 2023.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Divers brave briny Edmonds entanglements to collect marine debris

Discarded fishing line, squid jigs and bait traps threaten underwater ecosystems. But this group of volunteers dove in to help.

Kelly Moore, 39, left, and Vanessa Walsh, 55, right, make their way back on land during an underwater scuba maintenance event at the Edmonds Fishing Pier in Edmonds, Washington on Sunday, April 2, 2023.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Hikers make their way along the Heybrook Ridge Trail on Friday, March 18, 2023, in Index, Washington. (Kayla Dunn / The Herald).

‘It took my breath away’: Lace up your hiking boots because spring is here

Heybrook Ridge Trail packs stunning views and a moss-covered forest in a 3.3 mile round-trip package.

Hikers make their way along the Heybrook Ridge Trail on Friday, March 18, 2023, in Index, Washington. (Kayla Dunn / The Herald).
Hikers make their way along the Heybrook Ridge Trail on Friday, March 18, 2023, in Index, Washington. (Kayla Dunn / The Herald).

‘It took my breath away’: Lace up your hiking boots because spring is here

Heybrook Ridge Trail packs stunning views and a moss-covered forest in a 3.3 mile round-trip package.

Hikers make their way along the Heybrook Ridge Trail on Friday, March 18, 2023, in Index, Washington. (Kayla Dunn / The Herald).
Ron Thompson, a former resident of Steelhead Haven, places a sign marking the 9-year anniversary of the Oso landslide Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at the landslide memorial site in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

‘It’s the closest I can be to them’: Nine years after the Oso mudslide

In the deadliest mudslide in U.S. history, 43 people died. Families, survivors and responders honored the victims Wednesday.

Ron Thompson, a former resident of Steelhead Haven, places a sign marking the 9-year anniversary of the Oso landslide Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at the landslide memorial site in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Public Schools chief information officer Brian Beckley, left, and state coordinator for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Ian Moore, right, pose for a photo in the server room at the Everett Public Schools Community Resource Center in Everett, Washington on Tuesday, March 21, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Schools are ‘target rich’ for cyberattacks, fed agency helps fight back

A Cascade High School grad is heading up the effort in Washington. This week, he checked in with Everett school leaders.

Everett Public Schools chief information officer Brian Beckley, left, and state coordinator for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Ian Moore, right, pose for a photo in the server room at the Everett Public Schools Community Resource Center in Everett, Washington on Tuesday, March 21, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Builders work on the Four Corners Apartments on Beverly Lane near Evergreen and 79th Place SE on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. DevCo, the real estate company building the affordable housing, is receiving a $1 million grant from the city of Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

As Washington rents go up, up, up, the air gets thin for tenants

Hal Zack’s rent has tripled, and he’s scared he’ll be homeless soon. How did we get here? And what is the state doing now?

Builders work on the Four Corners Apartments on Beverly Lane near Evergreen and 79th Place SE on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. DevCo, the real estate company building the affordable housing, is receiving a $1 million grant from the city of Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
People walk down through a row of trees planted in remembrance of those lost in the Oso Mudslide on Tuesday, March 22, 2022 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Oso mudslide 9th year memorial set for Wednesday

The public is invited to attend this year’s remembrance ceremony at the site of the slide that killed 43 people in 2014.

People walk down through a row of trees planted in remembrance of those lost in the Oso Mudslide on Tuesday, March 22, 2022 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Cheryl Harris worked as a string coach for Edmonds, Mukilteo and Northshore school districts for decades. Her focus, her husband Bill Harris said, was “creating independent kids.”  (Photo courtesy of the family of Cheryl Harris)

‘Master at what she did’: Everett violist nurtured generations of musicians

Cheryl Harris’ influence reverberated in several local symphony orchestras. She died in February at age 73.

Cheryl Harris worked as a string coach for Edmonds, Mukilteo and Northshore school districts for decades. Her focus, her husband Bill Harris said, was “creating independent kids.”  (Photo courtesy of the family of Cheryl Harris)
Mark Mulligan / The Herald
Ten-year-old Chloe Charles (center) jumps into the middle of a picture being taken by thirteen-year-old Jada Summers of the girls' respective mothers, Renee Charles (left) and Debbie Summers, outside of the new Chick-Fil-A location in Lynnwood Wednesday afternoon. The families showed up early Wednesday morning to be part of the first 100 people in line at the new location. The first one hundred people who camp overnight at the new location are entitled to one Chick-Fil-A combo meal a week for the next year. The Charles and Summers families met at the opening for the Bellevue Chick-Fil-A and were enjoying the family atmosphere. Games throughout the day keep the families occupied.
Photo taken 20150506

New Chick-fil-A opening in Lynnwood, traffic expected

Locally, the opening of a Chick-fil-A has created “significant traffic impacts” in the past.

Mark Mulligan / The Herald
Ten-year-old Chloe Charles (center) jumps into the middle of a picture being taken by thirteen-year-old Jada Summers of the girls' respective mothers, Renee Charles (left) and Debbie Summers, outside of the new Chick-Fil-A location in Lynnwood Wednesday afternoon. The families showed up early Wednesday morning to be part of the first 100 people in line at the new location. The first one hundred people who camp overnight at the new location are entitled to one Chick-Fil-A combo meal a week for the next year. The Charles and Summers families met at the opening for the Bellevue Chick-Fil-A and were enjoying the family atmosphere. Games throughout the day keep the families occupied.
Photo taken 20150506
Downtown Edmonds is a dining destination, boasting fresh seafood, Caribbean-inspired sandwiches, artisan bread and more. (Taylor Goebel / The Herald)

Edmonds has ‘not kept pace’ with climate goals, but aims to correct course

Edmonds will vote on a new plan to do its part slowing climate change by 2050. It comes after more than a year of development.

Downtown Edmonds is a dining destination, boasting fresh seafood, Caribbean-inspired sandwiches, artisan bread and more. (Taylor Goebel / The Herald)
Mike Nelson, left, Mike Rosen and Diane Buckshnis.

Edmonds mayor race heats up with 3 serious contenders

Mike Nelson is seeking a second term. Mike Rosen has the backing of five former mayors. Council member Diane Buckshnis filed to run, too.

Mike Nelson, left, Mike Rosen and Diane Buckshnis.
Kendee Yamaguchi (International Trade Administration)

Former county staffer takes job with Biden administration

Appointed by President Biden, Kendee Yamaguchi will work in the U.S. Department of Commerce, overseeing trade professionals.

Kendee Yamaguchi (International Trade Administration)
Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118

Snohomish County will switch from an annual to biennial budget

The new budget system will begin in 2025 and occur outside of election years. Council member says it’s a positive step.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
A rainbow forms above Commercial Building No. 400 following an event celebrating the impending demolition of the outdated building on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023, at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Evergreen State Fair building to be demolished after 70 years

“This building holds a lot of memories for multiple generations,” but county officials say it’s time to move forward.

A rainbow forms above Commercial Building No. 400 following an event celebrating the impending demolition of the outdated building on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023, at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118

A 32.5% hike in home values, but property taxes increases will vary

Most Snohomish County property taxes are up after last year’s hike in assessed values — but not all. One city is down 25%.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Lynnwood City Council members, from left: Jim Smith, Shirley Sutton, Shannon Sessions, Josh Binda, George Hurst, Julieta Altamirano-Crosby, and Patrick Decker. (City of Lynnwood)

Councilman Binda accused by colleagues of misusing public resources

Lynnwood Council alleges Binda used a video made in City Hall to promote himself, speeches from which he’s netted nearly $15K

Lynnwood City Council members, from left: Jim Smith, Shirley Sutton, Shannon Sessions, Josh Binda, George Hurst, Julieta Altamirano-Crosby, and Patrick Decker. (City of Lynnwood)
Two guests stop to take in a large-scale painting by artist Iryna Kalyuzhna during a public event highlighting the For Ukraine: Art of Freedom exhibit at the Schack Art Center on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, in downtown Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Ukrainian art in Everett showcases grief, hope in war-torn nation

“For Ukraine: Art of Freedom” at the Schack Center aims to remind Americans of the war and raise money for maternity hospitals.

Two guests stop to take in a large-scale painting by artist Iryna Kalyuzhna during a public event highlighting the For Ukraine: Art of Freedom exhibit at the Schack Art Center on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, in downtown Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Switzerland delegate Markus Herrmann listens while 12th grade students speak with him during a special event set up for their AP Comparative Government class at Glacier Peak High School on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

European delegates talk American culture with Glacier Peak students

Representatives from 18 different EU countries made a stop in Snohomish during their US tour.

Switzerland delegate Markus Herrmann listens while 12th grade students speak with him during a special event set up for their AP Comparative Government class at Glacier Peak High School on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
April Berg, left, and John Lovick

Snohomish County legislators talk race, policy in Seattle

Rep. April Berg and Sen. John Lovick chatted about Tyre Nichols and education at an event kicking off Black History Month.

April Berg, left, and John Lovick