Julie Muhlstein

Ed Bremer, KSER radio's longtime public affairs director and host of the "Sound Living" program, died last week at 68. (Photo courtesy KSER.)

A truth seeker, KSER’s Ed Bremer leaves public radio legacy

People who worked with him and those who were his subjects recall his fairness, honesty and work ethic.

Ed Bremer, KSER radio's longtime public affairs director and host of the "Sound Living" program, died last week at 68. (Photo courtesy KSER.)
Chelsie Assink and her daughter Paisley, of Bellingham, walk through lights at the front entrance to look at the Wintertide Lights at Evergreen Arboretum in Legion Park on Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020 in Everett, Washington. For the first time, the Evergreen Arboretum is lit up for the holidays. The Wintertide Lights will be up through New Year's Eve and open from dusk to 8 p.m.  (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Gardens of holiday lights bring cheer at Evergreen Arboretum

The display is up through New Year’s Eve as volunteers look ahead to Wintertide Lights for 2021.

Chelsie Assink and her daughter Paisley, of Bellingham, walk through lights at the front entrance to look at the Wintertide Lights at Evergreen Arboretum in Legion Park on Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020 in Everett, Washington. For the first time, the Evergreen Arboretum is lit up for the holidays. The Wintertide Lights will be up through New Year's Eve and open from dusk to 8 p.m.  (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
An ICE Detention Center sign hangs on the chainlink fence surrounding the nativity scene in front of the Edmonds Luther Church on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020 in Edmonds, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Nativity in a cage tells ‘overlooked part of Christmas story’

Edmonds Lutheran Church’s display came about after a group’s immersion trip to the U.S.-Mexico border.

An ICE Detention Center sign hangs on the chainlink fence surrounding the nativity scene in front of the Edmonds Luther Church on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020 in Edmonds, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Superior Court Judge Eric Lucas is retiring after 16 years on the bench. The former Mariner High School student was its first ASB president, went to Harvard Law School, and as an undergrad majored in creative writing. Photographed at Snohomish County Courthouse on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020 in Everett, Washington.  (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Judge Lucas leaving the bench, but not his healing mission

He brought racial diversity to Superior Court. In retirement, he’ll focus on therapeutic justice.

Superior Court Judge Eric Lucas is retiring after 16 years on the bench. The former Mariner High School student was its first ASB president, went to Harvard Law School, and as an undergrad majored in creative writing. Photographed at Snohomish County Courthouse on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020 in Everett, Washington.  (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Tonja Jones unloads bags of coat donations outside of the Everett Gospel Mission on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

She lost a loved one to violence but manages, yearly, to give

For the 11th year, Tonja Jones donated coats in memory of a nephew who was fatally stabbed.

Tonja Jones unloads bags of coat donations outside of the Everett Gospel Mission on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Myli Maytrichith, 12, with little brother Tyson, 4, outside of their home that is currently being rebuilt after catching fire last March on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

4 near-tragedies that were averted by these Red Cross Heroes

These, plus a prolific pandemic mask maker and a disaster site volunteer, were honored Dec. 10.

Myli Maytrichith, 12, with little brother Tyson, 4, outside of their home that is currently being rebuilt after catching fire last March on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Julie Muhlstein's mother, Jeanne Ahrens, on a Christmas past in Spokane. She died Nov. 20 at age 98. (Contributed photo)

After loss of Mom, memories live on, with much to celebrate

In this coronavirus holiday season, we’re all seeking ways to carry on — perhaps making new traditions.

Julie Muhlstein's mother, Jeanne Ahrens, on a Christmas past in Spokane. She died Nov. 20 at age 98. (Contributed photo)
Jon Wilson, who handcrafted toy blocks, unloads wrapped wooden block baskets for donation to the Sky Valley Food Bank on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020 in Monroe, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

He plays Santa with a saw and sander, making blocks to give

Christmas House won’t open this year due to COVID, but its toys will be distributed at area food banks.

Jon Wilson, who handcrafted toy blocks, unloads wrapped wooden block baskets for donation to the Sky Valley Food Bank on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020 in Monroe, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The 2021 Historic Everett calendar focuses on the city’s railroad past, present and future. (Historic Everett, Jack O’Donnell collection photo)

A nostalgic glimpse at how trains shaped Everett

“There is a romance to it,” says a Historic Everett member who researched railroads for a 2021 calendar.

The 2021 Historic Everett calendar focuses on the city’s railroad past, present and future. (Historic Everett, Jack O’Donnell collection photo)
A worker unloads two-by-fours from a forklift as construction continues on the new Compass Health project on 33rd Street on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020 in Everett, Washington. Compass Health got a $1 million grant from Sunderland Foundation, a boost to its Broadway Redevelopment Project in Everett. First phase is a five-story, 82-unit apartment building for supportive housing, second phase is a behavioral health services building to replace the 70-year-old brick building on Broadway. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

$1 million grant boosts Compass Health project on Broadway

The housing complex is the first phase of redevelopment for an agency that helps those with mental health issues.

A worker unloads two-by-fours from a forklift as construction continues on the new Compass Health project on 33rd Street on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020 in Everett, Washington. Compass Health got a $1 million grant from Sunderland Foundation, a boost to its Broadway Redevelopment Project in Everett. First phase is a five-story, 82-unit apartment building for supportive housing, second phase is a behavioral health services building to replace the 70-year-old brick building on Broadway. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Volunteers of America and Farmer Frog load food stuffs during a drive-thru distribution at Everett Mall Friday November 20, 2020. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Drive-through food pantry packs Everett Mall parking lot

“The need is just overwhelming,” VOA volunteer said as hundreds of cars lined up for groceries.

Volunteers of America and Farmer Frog load food stuffs during a drive-thru distribution at Everett Mall Friday November 20, 2020. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Richard Hanks talks about his book "Solemn, the Drums Thrill: Essays on the Fallen Heroes of Stanwood Camano: WW I to Afghanistan" outside the Stanwood Area Historical Society on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020 in Stanwood, Washington. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Names on memorial, the stories of war dead told in new book

Stanwood-Camano historian, Lincoln scholar Richard Hanks spans decades in “Solemn, the Drums Thrill.”

Richard Hanks talks about his book "Solemn, the Drums Thrill: Essays on the Fallen Heroes of Stanwood Camano: WW I to Afghanistan" outside the Stanwood Area Historical Society on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020 in Stanwood, Washington. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Art Unruh, World War II veteran, celebrates a couple days before his 98th birthday with a parade and vintage warplane flyover Sunday afternoon at the Arlington Airport on November 8, 2020. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

A high-flying thanks and happy 98th birthday to a war hero

As a gunner in B-17 “Flying Fortress,” Arlington’s Art Unruh flew 50 missions to fight Nazis in Europe.

Art Unruh, World War II veteran, celebrates a couple days before his 98th birthday with a parade and vintage warplane flyover Sunday afternoon at the Arlington Airport on November 8, 2020. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Ashlie Belt and her year-old son, Kaiden Hoffman, were among clients who were helped by Pacific Treatment Alternatives' housing program for women overcoming addiction, ESTEEM, which is losing a basic needs grant from United Way. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Stepping stone after drug treatment, home may have to close

With loss of a grant from United Way, Pacific Treatment Alternatives ESTEEM housing program at risk.

Ashlie Belt and her year-old son, Kaiden Hoffman, were among clients who were helped by Pacific Treatment Alternatives' housing program for women overcoming addiction, ESTEEM, which is losing a basic needs grant from United Way. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
The gravestone of suffragist Bessie Kline covered in "I VOTED" stickers at the Evergreen Cemetery on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

‘Here Lies a Suffragist’: Election Day thanks to the pioneers

A Lake Stevens woman spearheaded the placement of signs to honor those who fought for the right to vote.

The gravestone of suffragist Bessie Kline covered in "I VOTED" stickers at the Evergreen Cemetery on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Michelle Jeffreys shows a tattoo honoring her daughter, Marysville Pilchuck High School shooting victim Zoe Galasso, on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020 in Everett, Washington.
Jeffreys has written a book, "My Rainbow to Keep," about the 2014 tragedy and her grief journey. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Mom who lost girl in school shooting writes of hurt, healing

Michelle Jeffreys has found a peaceful new life far from where Zoe Galasso and classmates died in 2014.

Michelle Jeffreys shows a tattoo honoring her daughter, Marysville Pilchuck High School shooting victim Zoe Galasso, on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020 in Everett, Washington.
Jeffreys has written a book, "My Rainbow to Keep," about the 2014 tragedy and her grief journey. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
A masked passenger sits in front of an empty row of seats on an Alaska Airlines flight from Spokane to Sea-Tac Monday evening. (Julie Muhlstein) 20201026

Flying to see family, it was a risk that seemed like a must

After eight months of not seeing my 98-year-old mom, a trip to my Spokane hometown was short and sweet.

A masked passenger sits in front of an empty row of seats on an Alaska Airlines flight from Spokane to Sea-Tac Monday evening. (Julie Muhlstein) 20201026
Lynnwood's Malachi Stohr was born with spina bifida. Not yet 3, he has spent much of his life at Seattle Children's Hospital. His mom, Whitney Stohr, wants her son to be seen as the wonderful boy he is, and not only as someone with special needs, on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020 in Lynnwood, Washington.  (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Boy born with spina bifida turned his parents into advocates

At 2, Lynnwood’s Malachi Stohr-Hendrickson is a Patient Ambassador with Seattle Children’s Hospital.

Lynnwood's Malachi Stohr was born with spina bifida. Not yet 3, he has spent much of his life at Seattle Children's Hospital. His mom, Whitney Stohr, wants her son to be seen as the wonderful boy he is, and not only as someone with special needs, on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020 in Lynnwood, Washington.  (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
People in dinosaur costumes greet each other during Downtown Trick-or-Treating on Oct. 31, 2019 in Everett, Wash. Health officials have discouraged trick-or-treating this year. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Halloween cloaked in caution, trick-or-treating discouraged

As Snohomish Health District offers tips for safer fun, some still plan to hand out candy to kids.

People in dinosaur costumes greet each other during Downtown Trick-or-Treating on Oct. 31, 2019 in Everett, Wash. Health officials have discouraged trick-or-treating this year. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Kari Cedeno-Betancourt wearing a Blue Eyes Project shirt, a project started in remembrance of her daughter Payton Beck-Glessner on Friday, Oct. 16, 2020 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Mother of teen shooting victim chooses forgiveness over hate

She’s in touch with the man who pleaded guilty. In her daughter’s honor, the Blue Eyes Project helps others.

Kari Cedeno-Betancourt wearing a Blue Eyes Project shirt, a project started in remembrance of her daughter Payton Beck-Glessner on Friday, Oct. 16, 2020 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)