Did you miss your news last week? Here’s a selection of the week’s top news items from across Snohomish County as they appeared in The Herald. For the full stories, go to www.heraldnet.com.

Sunday, Jan. 30

To Iraqis, the thrill of voting is worth the trip. Minutes after voting in the first free election in Iraq during his lifetime, Hussain al-Sadi was still marveling at what he had done. “This is indescribable,” the Mukilteo man said by phone just after noon Saturday from outside the polling place in Irvine, Calif. “This is what I’ve been waiting for the past 40 years. It’s a great time to be free.” Al-Sadi was one of several dozen Snohomish County residents who flew or drove to Southern California to vote for a transitional national assembly that will draft Iraq’s constitution.

David Olson

Monday, Jan. 31

State to let students try WASL early. Some high school freshmen could begin taking 10th-grade WASL exams next year on a voluntary basis. The class of 2008, this year’s freshmen, will need to pass the Washington Assessment of Student Learning’s reading, math and writing exams to graduate.

Eric Stevick

Tuesday, Feb. 1

Bilked by Enron. Enron Corp. sucked at least $1.6 billion in illegal profits from 11 states during the 1997-2003 West Coast energy crisis, federal energy officials announced Monday. Enron could be forced to refund the money, but Snohomish County PUD officials were buoyed by the news for another reason. They hope the announcement will finally force the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to toss out Enron’s claim that the PUD owes it more than $120 million.

Lukas Velush

Wednesday, Feb. 2

Sierra Pacific will buy industrial park property. The Port of Everett agreed to sell its Riverside Industrial Park for $24 million Tuesday to a California firm planning to build a modern sawmill. Sierra Pacific Industries agreed to buy 106.8 acres of the property for $11.2 million and to pay $256,400 on an option to buy the remaining 54 acres later for $12.8 million. In addition, it will use the wood waste to create electricity.

Mike Benbow

Thursday, Feb. 3

Boeing output to rise. The Boeing Co. plans to ramp up jet production by as much as 35 percent over the next two years, the company’s top executive said Wednesday. But it also will decide this year whether to shut down two Everett assembly lines, chief executive Harry Stonecipher said. Boeing delivered 285 jets in 2004 and has announced plans to deliver 320 this year.

Bryan Corliss

Friday, Feb. 4

PUD adds to its case vs. Enron. The Snohomish County PUD continued its attack on Enron Corp. on Thursday, producing more damning phone transcripts as further proof that the energy trader intentionally drove up electricity prices during the 2000-01 West Coast energy crisis. The latest transcripts indicate that not just a few rogue traders, but company employees up to CEO Jeffrey Skilling, participated in or knew about the schemes.

Lukas Velush

Saturday, Feb. 5

Judge rules out a revote. A judge ruled on Friday that even if Republicans win their court challenge of Democratic Gov. Christine Gregoire’s election, he cannot legally order a revote. Judge John Bridges also dismissed all 39 counties and each of the county auditors as defendants in the case. That means the Snohomish County Auditor’s Office will not have to answer pages of questions from the Republican Party.

Herald staff and wire