Sydney Jackson

Radiation Therapist Madey Appleseth demonstrates how to use ultrasound technology to evaluate the depth of a mole on her arm on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. This technology is also used to evaluate on potential skin cancer on patients. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Mill Creek clinic can now cure some skin cancers without surgery

Frontier Dermatology is the first clinic in the state to offer radiation therapy for nonmelanoma cancer.

Radiation Therapist Madey Appleseth demonstrates how to use ultrasound technology to evaluate the depth of a mole on her arm on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. This technology is also used to evaluate on potential skin cancer on patients. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
An emergency overdose kit with naloxone located next to an emergency defibrillator at Mountain View student housing at Everett Community College on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

To combat fentanyl, Snohomish County trickles out cash to recovery groups

The latest dispersal, $77,800 in total, is a wafer-thin slice of the state’s $1.1 billion in opioid lawsuit settlements.

An emergency overdose kit with naloxone located next to an emergency defibrillator at Mountain View student housing at Everett Community College on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Harold Jones receives dialysis treatment at NW Kidney Dialysis Center on Thursday, April 4, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

‘Silent disease’: Many have kidney disease, but don’t know till it’s too late

The illness may affect 150,000 Snohomish County residents, a local expert warned. Regular visits to a doctor are key to prevention.

Harold Jones receives dialysis treatment at NW Kidney Dialysis Center on Thursday, April 4, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Attendees raise their hands to donate at the Compass Health fundraiser at the Tulalip Resort Casino on Saturday, March 25, 2023. (Courtesy photo)

Compass Health gala supports ‘voices who might not be heard otherwise’

Comedian Aparna Nancherla will perform at the nonprofit’s event April 27, to support kids in need of mental health care in northwest Washington.

Attendees raise their hands to donate at the Compass Health fundraiser at the Tulalip Resort Casino on Saturday, March 25, 2023. (Courtesy photo)
Two people in white protective suits move a large package out of Clare’s Place and into a storage container in the parking lot on Monday, Dec. 4, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

County leaders debate testing shelters for meth, fentanyl contamination

Some argue displacing residents from meth-contaminated housing could be a greater public health risk than the contamination itself.

Two people in white protective suits move a large package out of Clare’s Place and into a storage container in the parking lot on Monday, Dec. 4, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Sen. Patty Murray meets and greets following a discussion at Everett Fire Department’s Station 1 about the city’s opioid crisis Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Congress approves $5M for Everett’s opioid crisis, child care needs

The money will support the city’s alternative crisis response and the YMCA of Snohomish County.

Sen. Patty Murray meets and greets following a discussion at Everett Fire Department’s Station 1 about the city’s opioid crisis Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Bethany Teed, a certified peer counselor with Sunrise Services and experienced hairstylist, cuts the hair of Eli LeFevre during a resource fair at the Carnegie Resource Center on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, in downtown Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Carnegie center is a one-stop shop for housing, work, health — and hope

The resource center in downtown Everett connects people to more than 50 social service programs.

Bethany Teed, a certified peer counselor with Sunrise Services and experienced hairstylist, cuts the hair of Eli LeFevre during a resource fair at the Carnegie Resource Center on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, in downtown Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Providence Regional Medical Center Everett. (Olivia Vanni/The Herald via AP)

Judge fines Providence debt collectors for deceiving low-income patients

Optimum Outcomes must pay over $827K for withholding disclosures in nearly 83,000 bill collection notices.

Providence Regional Medical Center Everett. (Olivia Vanni/The Herald via AP)
An emergency overdose kit with naloxone located next to an emergency defibrillator at Mountain View student housing at Everett Community College on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Local students, staff have better access to naloxone under new law

At least 29 youths and teens have died from a drug overdose in Snohomish County since 2021.

An emergency overdose kit with naloxone located next to an emergency defibrillator at Mountain View student housing at Everett Community College on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Naloxone to being given away inside the glove compartment of a Mountlake Terrace police vehicle on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

To combat overdoses, Mountlake Terrace police expand naloxone access

The overdose-reversing medication saved at least three people in the city last year.

Naloxone to being given away inside the glove compartment of a Mountlake Terrace police vehicle on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Providence Hospital in Everett at sunset Monday night on December 11, 2017. Officials Providence St. Joseph Health Ascension Health reportedly are discussing a merger that would create a chain of hospitals, including Providence Regional Medical Center Everett, plus clinics and medical care centers in 26 states spanning both coasts. (Kevin Clark / The Daily Herald)

Following lawsuit, Providence commits to improved care for Deaf patients

Three patients from Snohomish County sued Providence in 2022 for alleged Americans with Disabilities Act violations.

Providence Hospital in Everett at sunset Monday night on December 11, 2017. Officials Providence St. Joseph Health Ascension Health reportedly are discussing a merger that would create a chain of hospitals, including Providence Regional Medical Center Everett, plus clinics and medical care centers in 26 states spanning both coasts. (Kevin Clark / The Daily Herald)
Everett

Snohomish County pharmacy tech accused of stealing 2,500 opioid pills

Rachel Langdon stole oxycodone while working at a Snohomish County pharmacy, according to state Department of Health allegations.

Everett
A Snohomish County no trespassing sign hangs on a fence surrounding the Days Inn on Monday, Feb. 12, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Meth cleanup at Edmonds motel-shelter made matters worse, report says

Contamination has persisted at two motels Snohomish County bought to turn into shelters in 2022. In January, the county cut ties with two cleanup agencies.

A Snohomish County no trespassing sign hangs on a fence surrounding the Days Inn on Monday, Feb. 12, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Sen. Patty Murray attends a meeting at the Everett Fire Department’s Station 1 on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Sen. Murray seeks aid for Snohomish County’s fentanyl, child care crises

The U.S. senator visited Everett to talk with local leaders on Thursday, making stops at the YMCA and a roundtable with the mayor.

Sen. Patty Murray attends a meeting at the Everett Fire Department’s Station 1 on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Storage containers and a dumpster sit in the parking lot outside of Claire’s Place on Monday, Dec. 4, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Nonprofit knew of Clare’s Place contamination for months before evacuation

Residents fled the Everett shelter in October due to dangerous levels of meth in the building. Its operator knew of contamination since April.

Storage containers and a dumpster sit in the parking lot outside of Claire’s Place on Monday, Dec. 4, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
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)

Nehring proposes routine drug contamination testing for county shelters

After three shelters showed unsafe drug contamination — making them unusable — a proposal is headed to a public hearing Feb. 20.

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)
Ideal Option on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Drug treatment clinic in Monroe aims to reach an underserved clientele

Ideal Option opened in November. It’s the closest treatment for many rural residents of Snohomish County — and there’s room to help more.

Ideal Option on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Patrick Hunstiger, a dispatcher of almost 9 years, takes a call at the Snohomish County 911 dispatch center Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

In new program, nurses help 911 callers who don’t need an ambulance

Nurse Navigation could redirect thousands of 911 calls to less-urgent care in Snohomish County — saving ambulance crews precious time.

Patrick Hunstiger, a dispatcher of almost 9 years, takes a call at the Snohomish County 911 dispatch center Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Community Health Center of Snohomish County’s new student health clinic that will open in Mountlake Terrace High School on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Clinic to offer free care for Mountlake Terrace High students

The county’s second school-based clinic will provide primary care, dental and mental health services.

Community Health Center of Snohomish County’s new student health clinic that will open in Mountlake Terrace High School on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Human Services Opioid Outreach Specialist Amy Wheat talks about Narcan at the Everett Public Library Evergreen Branch in Everett, Washington on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)

After grim record in overdose deaths, county seeks change in Olympia

Nearly 300 people died of drug overdoses last year in Snohomish County. Opioid lawsuit money and law changes may help, officials say.

Snohomish County Human Services Opioid Outreach Specialist Amy Wheat talks about Narcan at the Everett Public Library Evergreen Branch in Everett, Washington on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)