Riley Haun

A team works to remove old toxic pilings from the water as part of larger salmon restoration plan near Ebey Waterfront Park in Marysville, Washington on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)

To protect salmon, DNR pulls toxic pilings from Steamboat Slough

The agency removed creosote from critical habitat. Now, leaders are looking to the next steps in an ambitious “watershed-wide” plan.

A team works to remove old toxic pilings from the water as part of larger salmon restoration plan near Ebey Waterfront Park in Marysville, Washington on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118

Over a week later, Snohomish boil water advisory remains

The advisory was issued proactively after a water main broke. City officials say it’s a symptom of a much larger problem.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
no caption needed. Pie chart breaking down SnoCo's C02 emissions in 2019. Source: Puget Sound Regional Emissions Analysis (Kate Erickson / The Herald)

Snohomish County greenhouse emissions up, largely due to cars

A new report released shows greenhouse gases went up 7% over five years. Leaders are planning for the long term.

no caption needed. Pie chart breaking down SnoCo's C02 emissions in 2019. Source: Puget Sound Regional Emissions Analysis (Kate Erickson / The Herald)
Firefighters works through rescue drills during the Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue’s annual Water Rescue Academy on the Skykomish River Thursday afternoon in Index, Washington on May 5, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Snohomish Regional Fire asks voters for two more commissioners

The district currently has seven commissioners, but it can keep only five. A Feb. 14 special election could change that.

Firefighters works through rescue drills during the Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue’s annual Water Rescue Academy on the Skykomish River Thursday afternoon in Index, Washington on May 5, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
A section of contaminated Wicks tidelands on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Port acquisition marks next step in toxic cleanup on Everett waterfront

Private owners donated land near the contaminated Wicks Tide Flats to the Port of Everett. Cleanup work could begin within the year.

A section of contaminated Wicks tidelands on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Inside one of the event spaces with a full bar and stage inside King Hall on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Everett’s former Club Broadway gets major facelift to host concerts, art

The Apex Art and Culture Center will host an 800-person hall for live music, as well as space planned for art, steak and more.

Inside one of the event spaces with a full bar and stage inside King Hall on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Design rendering of the planned 16-bed mental health treatment center north of Stanwood. (Washington State Health Care Authority)

Stanwood mental health center hearing draws support, skepticism

Traffic and safety were top concerns at a hearing over a proposed psychiatric facility. The hearing will continue Thursday.

Design rendering of the planned 16-bed mental health treatment center north of Stanwood. (Washington State Health Care Authority)
John Herrmann and Keith Hume, both of the Surface Water Management team at the Snohomish County Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, prepare to install a staff gauge at the mouth of Lunds Gulch Creek at Meadowdale Beach Park on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, in Edmonds, Washington. Part of the park’s redesign involved widening the waterway and returning it to a more natural state to provide better habitat for fish and other wildlife. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Meadowdale Beach updates give fish, hikers more room to roam

Beach access at the Edmonds park has been closed since 2021. The new renovations restored salmon habitat and park facilities.

John Herrmann and Keith Hume, both of the Surface Water Management team at the Snohomish County Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, prepare to install a staff gauge at the mouth of Lunds Gulch Creek at Meadowdale Beach Park on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, in Edmonds, Washington. Part of the park’s redesign involved widening the waterway and returning it to a more natural state to provide better habitat for fish and other wildlife. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Olaf Strad tributary flows through a small plot of land owned by the Snohomish County Department of Conservation and Natural Resources on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, in Arlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

For the second time, salmon get a breather in Olaf Strad Creek

The stream was built from scratch in 2021. After another successful spawning season, volunteers say there’s more work to be done

Olaf Strad tributary flows through a small plot of land owned by the Snohomish County Department of Conservation and Natural Resources on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, in Arlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
A transit rider steps onto a Community Transit bus on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Marysville aims to prosecute drug, disturbance cases in municipal court

City officials say certain crimes are rarely prosecuted. Two ordinances seek to change that in Marysville.

A transit rider steps onto a Community Transit bus on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A car drives past a large mural covering the wall of the Everett Downtown Storage on Monday, Dec. 26, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Everett Station business owners gear up for a starring role

A business improvement area around the transit hub was approved by City Council this month. Not everyone is convinced, though.

A car drives past a large mural covering the wall of the Everett Downtown Storage on Monday, Dec. 26, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett police responded to a double homicide in the 2000 block of Lexington Avenue on the afternoon of June 20, 2022. (Jake Goldstein-Street / The Herald)

Everett police, firefighters will get 10% raises in 2023

Pay hikes are in new contracts reached between city and unions. Raises will cover increased cost-of-living expenses.

Everett police responded to a double homicide in the 2000 block of Lexington Avenue on the afternoon of June 20, 2022. (Jake Goldstein-Street / The Herald)
A closed sign is posted inside the front doors at the Evergreen Branch of the Everett Public Library on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Everett Public Libraries reducing its operating hours in 2023

Both branches will close Sunday and one branch will close Monday. Library staff cite budget and staffing shortfalls.

A closed sign is posted inside the front doors at the Evergreen Branch of the Everett Public Library on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Paddywack co-owner Shane Somerville with the 24-hour pet food pantry built by a local Girl Scout troop outside of her store on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

An out-paw-ring of support: Mill Creek pantry feeds pets, day or night

With help from local Girl Scouts, the Mill Creek pet food store Paddywack is meeting the need for pet supplies in a pinch.

Paddywack co-owner Shane Somerville with the 24-hour pet food pantry built by a local Girl Scout troop outside of her store on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Siblings Barbara Reed and Eric Minnig, who, co-own their parent’s old business Ken’s Camera along with their brother Bryan, stand outside the Evergreen Way location Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022, in Everett, Washington. After five decades in business, Ken’s will be closing its last two locations for good at the end of the year. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Print it or lose it: Ken’s Camera closes after decades caught on film

The local legend, processing film photos since 1971, will close its locations in Mount Vernon and Everett at the end of 2022.

Siblings Barbara Reed and Eric Minnig, who, co-own their parent’s old business Ken’s Camera along with their brother Bryan, stand outside the Evergreen Way location Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022, in Everett, Washington. After five decades in business, Ken’s will be closing its last two locations for good at the end of the year. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
A female common merganser speeds off along the Snohomish River on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, at Bob Heirman Wildlife Park at Thomas’ Eddy in Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Tulalip Tribes, Snohomish County receive grants for coastal preservation

The money will help county and tribal leaders create healthier habitat for future generations of fish — and people, too.

A female common merganser speeds off along the Snohomish River on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, at Bob Heirman Wildlife Park at Thomas’ Eddy in Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Halle Lucas-Roberts, 6, leaps onto her tube while sledding in front of her home on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Dreaming of a white Christmas? Better aim for wet instead

With rain and thawing temps predicted going into the weekend, aim for “slushy” instead.

Halle Lucas-Roberts, 6, leaps onto her tube while sledding in front of her home on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A person walks our of the Edmonds Pop Up Library carrying a book on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Flooded with ideas: Edmonds Library gets a new lease on life

The main area has been closed since June when water from a burst pipe soaked the building. Staff turned the deluge into a dream.

A person walks our of the Edmonds Pop Up Library carrying a book on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The exterior of the new Marysville Civic Center on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

New civic center manifests Marysville’s dream of a ‘one-stop shop’

The $66 million civic campus houses City Hall and most city departments. It’s been on the city’s wish list for over 70 years.

The exterior of the new Marysville Civic Center on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Shawn Frederick (City of Lake Stevens)

Lake Stevens City Council appoints new member to fill vacancy

Attorney Ryan Donoghue was picked by the council Tuesday night. He’ll fill a seat left open by Shawn Fredericks’ departure.

Shawn Frederick (City of Lake Stevens)