Kayla J. Dunn

Beating the heat in their lawn chairs at Lake Roesiger County Park in July 2018, when a hot streak began, were Sonny Taulbee (left) his wife, Carissa and daughter, Ashlyn, 14.  (Dan Bates / The Herald)

Lake Roesiger property owners to pay fee to clean invasive plants

Snohomish County Council voted 4-1 on a new service charge, dividing the cost among 463 shoreline properties.

Beating the heat in their lawn chairs at Lake Roesiger County Park in July 2018, when a hot streak began, were Sonny Taulbee (left) his wife, Carissa and daughter, Ashlyn, 14.  (Dan Bates / The Herald)
Jake Martinez-Torralba, left, smiles while and Evelyn Ward, right, does her best impression of a turkey at Central Primary School on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Piping-hot Thanksgiving takes: Snohomish elementary kids talk turkey

“The pilgrims made Thanksgiving. I know that because we read books.” Read on for more lessons from Snohomish students age 5 to 7.

Jake Martinez-Torralba, left, smiles while and Evelyn Ward, right, does her best impression of a turkey at Central Primary School on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Braxton Atticus Bell is lifted onto his mother’s back and laughs after his adoption is made official during Adoption Day at the Snohomish County Courthouse on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

First in-person Adoption Day since 2019 held at Snohomish County courthouse

Thirteen children were adopted during Friday’s celebration. “This is the happiest thing we do as judges,” said Judge Millie Judge.

Braxton Atticus Bell is lifted onto his mother’s back and laughs after his adoption is made official during Adoption Day at the Snohomish County Courthouse on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118

Nearly $20 million to child care: County accepting proposals to increase child care access

The goal is to create more available space at child care facilities through construction and renovation projects.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Traffic moves along Avenue D in Snohomish next to an open space that could be used for MFTE housing Snohomish is considering adding to the new Midtown District. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Snohomish Midtown property falls short of $10 million minimum bid

The 9.4-acre plot is back off the market. Inflation and interest rates may have influenced the lower-than-desired bids.

Traffic moves along Avenue D in Snohomish next to an open space that could be used for MFTE housing Snohomish is considering adding to the new Midtown District. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118

Five takeaways from Snohomish County’s historic $1.5B budget

Spending plan gets a boost from $80 million infusion of ARPA money. Additional funds earmarked for law enforcement, courts.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118

County council vote on $1.5 billion budget set for Wednesday

Most of the proposed budget is marked for law and justice. Adjustments are up for debate this week.

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Air Force veteran Rick Holland places a yellow rose at the base of the new Gold Star Families Memorial Monument on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Unveiling of new Gold Star Families monument moved onlookers to tears

Lynnwood is home to the nation’s 2ooth Gold Star Family Memorial, featuring three unique items built into the foundation

Air Force veteran Rick Holland places a yellow rose at the base of the new Gold Star Families Memorial Monument on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
John Lovick, left, and James ‘Jeb’ Brewer.

Q&A: John Lovick and Jeb Brewer discuss priorities in the 44th

Republican Brewer wants to cut government spending while Democrat Lovick hopes to fund education, reduce homelessness.

John Lovick, left, and James ‘Jeb’ Brewer.
April Berg, left, and Ryne Rohla.

44th Legislative District: Q&A for April Berg and Ryne Rohla

Candidates competing to represent the 44th District answered nine questions about their campaigns.

April Berg, left, and Ryne Rohla.
Senior Associate Professor James Willcox goes around the class and helps students answer questions about the present continuous verb tense in an ESL class at Everett Community College on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Hundreds of Ukrainian refugees get free weekly English lessons at EvCC

Snohomish County is home to 1,905 refugees from Ukraine. Refugee and Immigrant Services Northwest is helping them to build new lives.

Senior Associate Professor James Willcox goes around the class and helps students answer questions about the present continuous verb tense in an ESL class at Everett Community College on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Brandy Donaghy, left, and Mark Harmsworth.

Tight race for 44th District falls along party lines

After being unseated in 2018, Republican Mark Harmsworth is trying to reclaim a seat from Democratic incumbent Brandy Donaghy.

Brandy Donaghy, left, and Mark Harmsworth.
Carolyn Eslick, left, and Jessica Wadhams.

Political newcomer takes on 2-term incumbent in redrawn District 39

Carolyn Eslick, of Sultan, says public safety is No. 1 on her agenda. Her opponent Jessica Wadhams has a list of top priorities.

Carolyn Eslick, left, and Jessica Wadhams.
The Days Inn on Everett Mall Way, which Snohomish County is set to purchase and convert into emergency housing, is seen Monday, Aug. 8, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

County officially won’t require drug treatment at new hotel shelters

County Council member Nate Nehring argued residents at two new shelters should commit to treatment. The council voted no, 3-2.

The Days Inn on Everett Mall Way, which Snohomish County is set to purchase and convert into emergency housing, is seen Monday, Aug. 8, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
An unknown derelict barge grounded along the side of the Snohomish River off of Railway Avenue on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

4 more decaying boats removed from Snohomish County shores

The county’s Marine Resource Committee has now removed 175,000 pounds of toxic maritime eyesores since 2018.

An unknown derelict barge grounded along the side of the Snohomish River off of Railway Avenue on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A rendering of the proposed Carousel Ranch Community Park near Woodinville, Washington. (Snohomish County Parks, Recreation and Tourism)

Carousel Ranch, a $17 million park long in limbo, has a new blueprint

Snohomish County is moving forward with a 65-acre park north of Woodinville, using settlement cash set aside in 2005.

A rendering of the proposed Carousel Ranch Community Park near Woodinville, Washington. (Snohomish County Parks, Recreation and Tourism)
Good Flights and Greater Good Charities along with local shelter staff help unload 181 animals ranging from guinea pigs to dogs to cats off of their rescue flight from Florida on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022 in Everett, Washington. These animal were moved out hurricane impacted areas to make room for the ongoing influx of homeless and lost pets due to the storm. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Pets fleeing Hurricane Ian land at Paine Field

The 181 pets were evacuated from Florida to the Pacific Northwest. They’ll now be adopted at shelters around Puget Sound.

Good Flights and Greater Good Charities along with local shelter staff help unload 181 animals ranging from guinea pigs to dogs to cats off of their rescue flight from Florida on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022 in Everett, Washington. These animal were moved out hurricane impacted areas to make room for the ongoing influx of homeless and lost pets due to the storm. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish Health District officials gathered to accept a $250,000 check from U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene on Thursday. (Kayla Dunn / The Herald)

Telehealth funds update Snohomish Health District beyond paper, pencil

$250,000 in federal funding could cut thousands of miles of travel for tuberculosis patients and rural residents.

Snohomish Health District officials gathered to accept a $250,000 check from U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene on Thursday. (Kayla Dunn / The Herald)
Fred Safstrom, CEO of Housing Hope, is retiring. Photographed in Everett, Washington on October 5, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Housing Hope CEO reflects on 25-year career helping unsheltered people

“People used to believe homelessness was caused by bad choices.” Minds and policies are changing, Fred Safstrom said.

Fred Safstrom, CEO of Housing Hope, is retiring. Photographed in Everett, Washington on October 5, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Judge Paul Thompson, left, with Strom Peterson and his wife Maria Montalvo after being is sworn in Wednesday afternoon at the Snohomish County Administration Building in Everett, Washington on September 29, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

State Rep. Peterson appointed to Snohomish County Council

Carin Chase had by far the most supporters present Thursday, but it was Strom Peterson who won the council’s unanimous vote.

Judge Paul Thompson, left, with Strom Peterson and his wife Maria Montalvo after being is sworn in Wednesday afternoon at the Snohomish County Administration Building in Everett, Washington on September 29, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)