Sophia Gates

A dog looks up at its trainer for the next command during a training exercise at a weekly meeting of the Summit Assistance Dogs program at the Monroe Correctional Complex on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

At Monroe prison, dog training reshapes lives of humans, canines alike

Since 2010, prisoners have helped train service animals for the outside world. “I don’t think about much else,” one student said.

A dog looks up at its trainer for the next command during a training exercise at a weekly meeting of the Summit Assistance Dogs program at the Monroe Correctional Complex on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A person turns in their ballot at a ballot box located near the Edmonds Library in Edmonds, Washington on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Everett approves measure for property tax increase to stave off deficit

If voters approve, the levy would raise the city’s slice of property taxes 44%, as “a retaining wall” against “further erosion of city services.”

A person turns in their ballot at a ballot box located near the Edmonds Library in Edmonds, Washington on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The former Marysville City Hall building along State Avenue on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Marysville schools, city could swap old City Hall for district HQ

The school district’s $2 million in cash considerations from the deal could go to urgent building upgrades amid a budget crisis.

The former Marysville City Hall building along State Avenue on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A person turns in their ballot at a ballot box located near the Edmonds Library in Edmonds, Washington on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Deadline fast approaching for Everett property tax measure

Everett leaders are working to the last minute to nail down a new levy. Next week, the City Council will have to make a final decision.

A person turns in their ballot at a ballot box located near the Edmonds Library in Edmonds, Washington on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Downtown Everett, looking east-southeast. (Chuck Taylor / The Herald) 20191022

5 key takeaways from hearing on Everett property tax increase

Next week, City Council members will narrow down the levy rates they may put to voters on the August ballot.

Downtown Everett, looking east-southeast. (Chuck Taylor / The Herald) 20191022
Snohomish City Hall on Friday, April 12, 2024 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Snohomish may sell off old City Hall, water treatment plant, more

That’s because, as soon as 2027, Snohomish City Hall and the police and public works departments could move to a brand-new campus.

Snohomish City Hall on Friday, April 12, 2024 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Sauk-Suiattle elder mali reads a traditional Lushootseed story to a group of children and adults Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at the Darrington Public Library in Darrington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

At Whitehorse Mountain Time, locals learn Lushootseed on ancestral land

Mary Porter, a Sauk-Suiattle elder, hosts storytime on the first Wednesday and second Monday of each month at the Darrington library.

Sauk-Suiattle elder mali reads a traditional Lushootseed story to a group of children and adults Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at the Darrington Public Library in Darrington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The sanctuary of Zion Lutheran Church is seen on Monday, April 1, 2024, in Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

100 years later, bell still tolls at Snohomish church

For a century, congregants have gathered at the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church. For Marvin Lauterbach, the church is home.

The sanctuary of Zion Lutheran Church is seen on Monday, April 1, 2024, in Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Everett leaders plan to ask voters for property tax increase

City officials will spend weeks hammering out details of a ballot measure, as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The rezoned property, seen here from the Hillside Vista luxury development, is surrounded on two sides by modern neighborhoods Monday, March 25, 2024, in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Despite petition, Lake Stevens OKs rezone for new 96-home development

The change faced resistance from some residents, who worried about the effects of more density in the neighborhood.

The rezoned property, seen here from the Hillside Vista luxury development, is surrounded on two sides by modern neighborhoods Monday, March 25, 2024, in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Flowers for slain trooper Chris Gadd begin to collect outside Washington State Patrol District 7 Headquarters on Saturday, March 2, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Motorcade route to trooper’s public memorial set for Tuesday in Everett

Doors open at noon at Angel of the Winds Arena for a memorial for state trooper Chris Gadd, who was a “loving husband, devoted father, caring brother.”

Flowers for slain trooper Chris Gadd begin to collect outside Washington State Patrol District 7 Headquarters on Saturday, March 2, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Election workers receive and sort ballots during ballot processing for the U.S. Presidential Primary on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at the County Elections Office in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

What happens to your presidential primary ballot? An inside look

See how the Snohomish County Auditor’s Office adheres to a number of safeguards to make your vote count.

Election workers receive and sort ballots during ballot processing for the U.S. Presidential Primary on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at the County Elections Office in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Housing Authority is asking for city approval for it’s proposed development of 16 acres of land currently occupied by the vacant Baker Heights public housing development on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

North Everett housing project plan gets taller with 15-story buildings

The original plans for the Park District called for 12-story apartments. Another public hearing is set for March 5.

Everett Housing Authority is asking for city approval for it’s proposed development of 16 acres of land currently occupied by the vacant Baker Heights public housing development on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A cliff above the Pilchuck River shows signs of erosion Friday, Feb. 9, 2024, in Lake Stevens, Washington. Lake Connor Park sits atop the cliff. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Hill erodes in Lake Connor Park, forcing residents of 8 lots to vacate

The park has just under 1,500 members east of Lake Stevens. The riverside hill usually loses 18 inches a year. But it was more this year.

A cliff above the Pilchuck River shows signs of erosion Friday, Feb. 9, 2024, in Lake Stevens, Washington. Lake Connor Park sits atop the cliff. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Jennifer Ross, a PCAP case manager, prepares for the day at her desk at Sound Pathways on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, in downtown Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

As homelessness rises, Everett programs aims to help struggling moms

UW’s Parent-Child Assistance Program is designed for mothers, like Aunalisa Dawn Evans, who struggle with addiction during and after pregnancy.

Jennifer Ross, a PCAP case manager, prepares for the day at her desk at Sound Pathways on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, in downtown Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Jennifer Ross, a PCAP case manager for Sound Pathways, speaks with a client in the client’s home on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

‘I did get better’: Program helped Everett mother reunite her family

Jennifer Ross, a case manager with UW’s Parent Child-Assistance Program, made a big difference for Ashley Kozachenko.

Jennifer Ross, a PCAP case manager for Sound Pathways, speaks with a client in the client’s home on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Grayson Huff, left, a 4th grader at Pinewood Elementary, peaks around his sign during the Marysville School District budget presentation on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

At tense meeting, Marysville schools stare down drastic cuts to sports, more

Even with a $5 million loan, the budget is still $10.8 million short. In a budget presentation Tuesday, officials discussed next steps.

Grayson Huff, left, a 4th grader at Pinewood Elementary, peaks around his sign during the Marysville School District budget presentation on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A school bus drives by rally before a Marysville School Board meeting on Monday, Feb. 5, 2024 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Over protest, Marysville superintendent’s contract unanimously renewed

Zac Robbins inherited a district now facing a $5.9 million deficit. Dozens of parents and staff alleged a lack of transparency to fix the problem.

A school bus drives by rally before a Marysville School Board meeting on Monday, Feb. 5, 2024 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)