Darrington

Glacier Peak, elevation 10,541 feet, in the Glacier Peak Wilderness of Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest in Snohomish County, Washington. (Caleb Hutton / The Herald) 2019

At deadly Glacier Peak, one last hurdle for new seismometers

Federal agencies consider the volcano a “very high” threat. The early warning system is severely lacking.

Glacier Peak, elevation 10,541 feet, in the Glacier Peak Wilderness of Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest in Snohomish County, Washington. (Caleb Hutton / The Herald) 2019
Nels Rasmussen on Monday, Dec. 20, 2021 in Darrington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Cease-and-desist letter doesn’t stop this ‘miracle’ pet healer

Nels Rasmussen claims he can heal pets from thousands of miles away. After state officials learned he called himself “Dr. Nels,” he rebranded.

Nels Rasmussen on Monday, Dec. 20, 2021 in Darrington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

‘Prolonged neglect’: Darrington woman charged with starving horses

After a months-long investigation, the woman is accused of neglecting her animals.

A traveler points to Bedal Campground on a map posted along the Mountain Loop Highway in June. (Sue Misao / Herald file)

Mountain Loop Highway to close for the winter

The 14-mile stretch of gravel road will shut down starting Friday. Snow has hit higher elevations.

A traveler points to Bedal Campground on a map posted along the Mountain Loop Highway in June. (Sue Misao / Herald file)
Green Haven LLC owner Vince Nguyen points out the venting through filters and fans built to contain the smell of marijuana from leaving the building, on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021 in Darrington, Washington.  (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Mountain town’s marijuana mishap was quite the stinker

When filters failed at a commercial grow, neighbors noticed. The facility says the issue is fixed.

Green Haven LLC owner Vince Nguyen points out the venting through filters and fans built to contain the smell of marijuana from leaving the building, on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021 in Darrington, Washington.  (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Weimer, Hayden offer divergent views in Darrington school race

Their views on levies differ sharply. On a mask mandate and sex education, their differences are more nuanced.

An emergency responder uses a line to navigate the steep slope along a Forest Service road where seven people were injured Saturday when a vehicle went off the road near the Boulder River trailhead west of Darrington. (Darrington Fire District)

7 hurt in crash off cliff west of Darrington; 1 airlfited

A vehicle crashed on a forest service road near Boulder River, leading to a major rescue operation.

An emergency responder uses a line to navigate the steep slope along a Forest Service road where seven people were injured Saturday when a vehicle went off the road near the Boulder River trailhead west of Darrington. (Darrington Fire District)
Marilla Sargent presents Amit Singh, Edmonds College president, a check supporting the Project Home Association at Edmonds College. (Edmonds College)

HomeStreet Bank gives $5,000 for Edmonds College students facing homelessness

HomeStreet Bank donated $5,000 to Edmonds College’s Project Home Association, which provides rental and hotel assistance to students facing homelessness. The donation marks 12 years… Continue reading

Marilla Sargent presents Amit Singh, Edmonds College president, a check supporting the Project Home Association at Edmonds College. (Edmonds College)
Elizabeth Panagos kisses her son Paxton through her mask as she drops him off for his first day of kindergarten at Mountain Way Elementary on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021 in Granite Falls, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Masks on, at a distance, students begin a new year of school

Nervous and excited students filtered back into classrooms full-time in five districts in Snohomish County.

Elizabeth Panagos kisses her son Paxton through her mask as she drops him off for his first day of kindergarten at Mountain Way Elementary on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021 in Granite Falls, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The Sauk River rushes by near a popular boat launch area close to White Chuck Mountain off the Mountain Loop Highway, just outside of Darrington. The trail was recently closed due to wildfire danger, so check conditions before you leave.(Daniella Beccaria / Herald file)

Why it’s a good idea to hike loops and connection trails

One-way hikes lessen our impact on the landscape, and, to some extent, on the other hikers on the trail.

The Sauk River rushes by near a popular boat launch area close to White Chuck Mountain off the Mountain Loop Highway, just outside of Darrington. The trail was recently closed due to wildfire danger, so check conditions before you leave.(Daniella Beccaria / Herald file)
The Pincer Creek Fire pictured on Aug. 5. (U.S. Forest Service)

Lightning starts small fires in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie forest

The biggest, near Marblemount, is 15 acres. Five other fires are in Snohomish County.

The Pincer Creek Fire pictured on Aug. 5. (U.S. Forest Service)
A Darrington woman was injured early Monday morning after a hit-and-run crash on Highway 530 just west of Darrington. The other driver allegedly ran away. (Washington State Patrol)

Darrington woman seriously injured in hit-and-run crash

The woman was driving west on Highway 530 when another driver allegedly crossed the centerline and hit her.

A Darrington woman was injured early Monday morning after a hit-and-run crash on Highway 530 just west of Darrington. The other driver allegedly ran away. (Washington State Patrol)
Nate Nehring (left), Nicole Ng-A-Qui (center), Richard Yust.

Nehring faces two Democrats in County Council primary

Nicole Ng-A-Qui and Richard Yust are running to unseat the Republican, who joined the council in 2017.

Nate Nehring (left), Nicole Ng-A-Qui (center), Richard Yust.
Jessica Ward runs a stacker at Hampton Mill on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019 in Darrington, Wash. The mill is asking for more trees from Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Hampton Lumber makes big purchase for small-town Darrington

The town’s largest employer acquired 145,000 acres of timber land from Weyerhaeuser.

Jessica Ward runs a stacker at Hampton Mill on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019 in Darrington, Wash. The mill is asking for more trees from Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Darrington woman dies after rollover crash near Concrete

The woman, 24, was driving an SUV on Concrete Sauk Valley Road, where it flipped at a curve.

LOCAL - MOUNTAIN LOOP HIGHWAY
HERALD STAFF PHOTO BY JENNIFER BUCHANAN
PHOTO SHOT 062208
A car makes its way through a winding unpaved section of the Mountain Loop Highway 15 miles outside of Darrington.

Mountain Loop Highway reopens, in time for a hot weekend

The opening comes with a warning: Fire danger will be high with the hot, dry conditions.

LOCAL - MOUNTAIN LOOP HIGHWAY
HERALD STAFF PHOTO BY JENNIFER BUCHANAN
PHOTO SHOT 062208
A car makes its way through a winding unpaved section of the Mountain Loop Highway 15 miles outside of Darrington.
Amanda Brown, a senior at Darrington High School, will be attending WSU in the fall as the first person in her family to attend college. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Amanda Brown loves science, her hometown and her chickens

This Darrington grad is a first-generation college student who will always remember her roots.

Amanda Brown, a senior at Darrington High School, will be attending WSU in the fall as the first person in her family to attend college. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens High School graduate Madelynn Coe will be attending Northeastern University and participating in a study abroad program in Greece her first semester. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Madelynn Coe spent senior year helping others learn online

The pandemic changed everything for the class of 2021. For one young woman, it was a time to give back.

Lake Stevens High School graduate Madelynn Coe will be attending Northeastern University and participating in a study abroad program in Greece her first semester. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A map of Mountain Loop Highway. (Snohomish County Public Works)

‘A big win for residents’: Part of Mountain Loop opens early

A stretch between Deer Creek and Barlow Pass reopened Wednesday. The last 12 miles of highway are still closed.

A map of Mountain Loop Highway. (Snohomish County Public Works)