Sydney Jackson

Captain Community Resource Paramedic Nicole Picknell, left, and South County Fire Assistant Chief Shaughn Maxwell stand together at Fire Station 15 on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023, in Lynnwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

To help frequent 911 callers, South County expands paramedic program

Community paramedics based in Lynnwood find long-term solutions for chronic problems. The program will grow with nearly $1 million.

Captain Community Resource Paramedic Nicole Picknell, left, and South County Fire Assistant Chief Shaughn Maxwell stand together at Fire Station 15 on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023, in Lynnwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Garth Fell, incumbent Snohomish County Auditor, cracks a smile as the first results of the 2023 election appear on a screen at the elections office in Administrative Building West on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, in downtown Everett, Washington. Fell led by nearly 20% after initial results. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Fell leads race to remain Snohomish County auditor

Garth Fell, who ran as a nonpartisan candidate, was leading fellow election insider Cindy Gobel by almost 20% on Tuesday night.

Garth Fell, incumbent Snohomish County Auditor, cracks a smile as the first results of the 2023 election appear on a screen at the elections office in Administrative Building West on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, in downtown Everett, Washington. Fell led by nearly 20% after initial results. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
UFCW 3000 President Faye Guenther, second from left, speaks during a press confrence for the Providence nurses who gave a 10-day strike notice two days ago at the Everett Labor Temple in Everett, Washington on Monday, Nov. 6, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Providence Everett nurses plan to walk out Nov. 14

More than 1,300 nurses are set to picket for five days, saying they are fighting for safe staffing.

UFCW 3000 President Faye Guenther, second from left, speaks during a press confrence for the Providence nurses who gave a 10-day strike notice two days ago at the Everett Labor Temple in Everett, Washington on Monday, Nov. 6, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Information on safe staffing at a Town Hall with UFCW 3000 Nurses at Providence Regional Medical Center at the Everett Labor Temple in Everett, Washington on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Providence Everett nurses give 10-day strike notice

Nurse Julie Bynum said she and her colleagues don’t feel heard: “Now they’re going to be heard.”

Information on safe staffing at a Town Hall with UFCW 3000 Nurses at Providence Regional Medical Center at the Everett Labor Temple in Everett, Washington on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Providence Regional Medical Center Everett. (Olivia Vanni/The Herald)

At Providence Everett, news of a nurses strike adds to worry for patients

After Everett nurses gave the hospital a 10-day strike notice Friday, questions loom for patients like Richard Phelps.

Providence Regional Medical Center Everett. (Olivia Vanni/The Herald)
Aaron Warnock, left, and Angela Korneev, right, both registered nurses at Providence stand outside of Providence Regional Medical Center Everett on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Providence Everett staffing spurs nurses to authorize strike

Nearly 1,400 nurses approved a walkout if the hospital can’t come to terms on higher pay during understaffed shifts.

Aaron Warnock, left, and Angela Korneev, right, both registered nurses at Providence stand outside of Providence Regional Medical Center Everett on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tiffani Mondares-Riggs, left, Eliza Davis, Beth Hoiby and Sherryl Kenney

School board candidates to navigate financial woes in Marysville

Candidates say they’ll ask for more state money, as well as transparency in district spending.

Tiffani Mondares-Riggs, left, Eliza Davis, Beth Hoiby and Sherryl Kenney
Garth Fell, left, and Cindy Gobel

Election insiders face rematch for Snohomish County auditor

Incumbent Garth Fell is proud of his term. His colleague Cindy Gobel thinks she can do a better job — and she’s outspoken about it.

Garth Fell, left, and Cindy Gobel
Customers come and go at a soon-to-close Rite Aid on Evergreen Way on Friday, Oct. 19, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Amid bankruptcy, Rite Aid to close Everett, Mill Creek, Lynnwood stores

With $4 billion in debt, the struggling chain is closing 154 stores nationwide, including in Everett, Mill Creek and Lynnwood.

Customers come and go at a soon-to-close Rite Aid on Evergreen Way on Friday, Oct. 19, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Snohomish County gets ‘D+’ in overall health surveys

Self-reported health has declined since 2021, according to the annual Countywide Health and Well-Being Monitor.

Cheyenna Costello (left) and Sean Costello (right) embrace in a photo submitted with the lawsuit filed on October 12, 2023. Cheyenna Costello was a "vibrant, much-loved, 41-year-old mother of three." Courtesy of Sean Costello

After patient dies waiting for care in Everett, family sues Providence

Cheyenna Costello sat over four hours in a hospital lobby with severe stomach pain. Her death was preventable, her family says.

Cheyenna Costello (left) and Sean Costello (right) embrace in a photo submitted with the lawsuit filed on October 12, 2023. Cheyenna Costello was a "vibrant, much-loved, 41-year-old mother of three." Courtesy of Sean Costello
A group including Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin, Compass Health CEO Tom Sebastian, Sen. Keith Wagoner and Rep. Julio Cortes take their turn breaking ground during a ceremony celebrating phase two of Compass Health’s Broadway Campus Redevelopment project Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Construction begins on Compass Health’s $68M care facility in Everett

The next phase of the Everett campus — a 72,000-square-foot facility on Broadway — is expected to serve 1,300 people per year starting in 2025.

A group including Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin, Compass Health CEO Tom Sebastian, Sen. Keith Wagoner and Rep. Julio Cortes take their turn breaking ground during a ceremony celebrating phase two of Compass Health’s Broadway Campus Redevelopment project Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Safe Sleep Cheat Sheet shows what's safe for infants and what should be avoided. Photo provided by the Snohomish County Health Department.

Infants’ deaths from unsafe sleeping far outpace other accidents

Nineteen infants died in two years in Snohomish County, when zero died from drownings or car crashes. Officials sounded the alarm this week.

The Safe Sleep Cheat Sheet shows what's safe for infants and what should be avoided. Photo provided by the Snohomish County Health Department.
A COVID-19 and influenza vaccine on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

What to know about COVID and other vaccinations in Snohomish County

New vaccines are available in Snohomish County. Here’s how and where to get them.

A COVID-19 and influenza vaccine on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Kristy Carrington, CEO of Providence Swedish of North Puget Sound, speaks during a Healthcare Summit at Everett Community College on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Providence, Optum and Premera discuss challenges at Everett summit

Five panelists spoke on labor shortages, high costs and health care barriers Wednesday at Everett Community College.

Kristy Carrington, CEO of Providence Swedish of North Puget Sound, speaks during a Healthcare Summit at Everett Community College on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Nursing Administration Supervisor Susan Williams points at a list of current COVID patients at Providence Regional Medical Center on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Dozens of Providence patients in medical limbo for months, even years

About 100 people are stuck in Everett hospital beds without an urgent medical reason. New laws aim for a solution.

Nursing Administration Supervisor Susan Williams points at a list of current COVID patients at Providence Regional Medical Center on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers speaks to the crowd during an opening ceremony at the new PAE2 Amazon Fulfillment Center on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, in Arlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

County releases $114.5M housing, behavioral health plan

The five-year plan would fund 700 affordable housing units and more diverse behavioral health options in Snohomish County.

Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers speaks to the crowd during an opening ceremony at the new PAE2 Amazon Fulfillment Center on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, in Arlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
A person walks out of the Everett Clinic on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

The Everett Clinic changing name to parent company Optum in 2024

The parent company says the name change will not affect quality of care for patients in Snohomish County.

A person walks out of the Everett Clinic on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett resident Shon Grimes receives a flu shot from pharmacist Nisha Mathew at Bartell Drugs on Broadway on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

New Snohomish County data show COVID-19 is on the rise

Two new variants spreading, and case rates have doubled since the beginning of August.

Everett resident Shon Grimes receives a flu shot from pharmacist Nisha Mathew at Bartell Drugs on Broadway on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
A person walks out of the Everett Clinic on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Former Everett Clinic employees speak out about mass layoffs

Optum, the clinic’s parent company, laid off more than 50 people with no warning, former employees said. Optum declined an interview.

A person walks out of the Everett Clinic on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)