Ta'Leah Van Sistine

A girl walks her dog along a path lined with dandelions at Willis D. Tucker Community Park on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023, in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Spraying in Willis Tucker Park resurfaces debate over herbicides

Park staff treated about 11,000 square feet with glyphosate and 2,4-D. When applied correctly, staff said they aren’t harmful.

 

A great blue heron hunts along a channel on as the tide comes in on Spencer Island on Monday, Aug. 28, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

On Spencer Island, groups aim to balance saving salmon, recreation

Tidal wetlands are crucial for Chinook salmon. But efforts to restore habitat may erase many of the island’s trails.

 

Homeowners Jim and Chris Hall stand beneath their new heat pump, at right, inside their Whidbey Island home on Thursday, Sep. 7, 2023, near Langley, Washington. The couple, who are from Alaska, have decreased their use of their wood burning stove to reduce their carbon footprint. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Whidbey Island is ‘kicking gas’ in push for all-electric homes

In eight months, the Kicking Gas campaign helped 118 Whidbey Island homes install energy-efficient heat pumps. That’s just the first step.

 

The Rucker Hill Reservoir on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

New Everett reservoirs built to weather big earthquake in $23M project

Two new reservoirs on Rucker Hill are nearly complete. The city plans to replace another off Evergreen Way in phases.

The Rucker Hill Reservoir on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / 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)

State awards $10 million to Snohomish County for floodplain projects

The funding will help decrease flood risk and preserve farmland near Monroe and Sultan.

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)
A fair-goer drops off some trash at one of the Evergreen State Fair’s many zero-waste stations during opening day Thursday, August 24, 2023, in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Evergreen State Fair aims for zero waste, with mixed results

Program leaders had hoped to reroute all of the fair’s waste from landfills. Almost a decade later, they’ve achieved 45%.

A fair-goer drops off some trash at one of the Evergreen State Fair’s many zero-waste stations during opening day Thursday, August 24, 2023, in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Mikael Jacinto (left) and Garrett Oliphant gather samples from Blackmans Lake for testing Saturday morning at Hill Park in Snohomish on February 2, 2019. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Suspected toxic algae bloom found in Blackmans Lake

The City of Snohomish said people should avoid swimming in the lake and boating through algae scum.

Mikael Jacinto (left) and Garrett Oliphant gather samples from Blackmans Lake for testing Saturday morning at Hill Park in Snohomish on February 2, 2019. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
A black-tailed deer gazes at Plummer Mountain on a remote stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail, north of Glacier Peak in August 2019. (Caleb Hutton / The Herald)

‘Everyone’s been hopping sections’: Glacier Peak wildfires disrupt PCT

North of Stevens Pass, some hikers are taking a 101-mile detour past trail closures. Others have hitched rides to Mazama — or home.

A black-tailed deer gazes at Plummer Mountain on a remote stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail, north of Glacier Peak in August 2019. (Caleb Hutton / The Herald)
Several fires in the Glacier Peak Wilderness are ongoing as of Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023. The Dome Peak fire grew to more than 750 acres in recent days. (Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest)

Wildfire smoke floods Snohomish County, Puget Sound region

Air quality dropped Saturday in Everett as winds shifted, pushing smoke from the Cascades and Canada into the lowlands.

Several fires in the Glacier Peak Wilderness are ongoing as of Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023. The Dome Peak fire grew to more than 750 acres in recent days. (Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest)
A Vaux’s swift zips through the sky above an excited crowd during the Pilchuck Audubon Society’s Swifts Night Out on Saturday, August 19, 2023, at the Wagner Performing Arts Center in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Crowds of ‘Swifties’ gather in Monroe, but few Vaux’s swifts show up

Birders at an annual Swift Night Out counted about four swifts Saturday. In the past, they’ve counted hundreds.

A Vaux’s swift zips through the sky above an excited crowd during the Pilchuck Audubon Society’s Swifts Night Out on Saturday, August 19, 2023, at the Wagner Performing Arts Center in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Construction continues for the Orange Line at McCollum Park and Ride on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Community Transit fined for stormwater violations near Mill Creek park

Construction at McCollum Park exposed contaminated soil from an old landfill. Runoff could have been polluted.

Construction continues for the Orange Line at McCollum Park and Ride on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Firefighters work the scene after extinguishing a large fire at J Ramen and Sushi on Saturday, August 19, 2023, on Hewitt Avenue in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Fire damages downtown Everett sushi, ramen restaurant

Firefighters were called to the west end of Hewitt Avenue around 12:35 p.m. Saturday.

Firefighters work the scene after extinguishing a large fire at J Ramen and Sushi on Saturday, August 19, 2023, on Hewitt Avenue in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
A skier heads down the mountain on the opening day of ski season at Stevens Pass Ski Area on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022, near Skykomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Stevens Pass ski season upgrading lift, launching app for winter

The resort plans to construct a new four-seat lift for December, replacing Kehr’s Chair.

A skier heads down the mountain on the opening day of ski season at Stevens Pass Ski Area on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022, near Skykomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Crows descend on the University of Washington Bothell campus on Jan. 21, 2016. (Ian Terry / The Herald File)

Avian reovirus suspected after crow deaths in Snohomish County

Fish and Wildlife is asking residents to report carcasses and not to feed any wild birds to prevent more infections.

Crows descend on the University of Washington Bothell campus on Jan. 21, 2016. (Ian Terry / The Herald File)