Environment

Snohomish School District’s Clayton Lovell plugs in the district’s electric bus after morning routes on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at the district bus depot in Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Snohomish, Everett electrifying school bus fleets, ahead of new law

State lawmakers proposed electrifying all school buses by 2035. But that may be a stretch for many school districts, like Snohomish.

 

People walk during low tide at Picnic Point Park on Sunday, March 3, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington.(Annie Barker / The Herald)

71 in Everett? In March? Summer arrives early — just before spring

Western Washingtonians can expect an unseasonably warm weekend of sunshine. Then, it’s back to regular spring programming.

 

A site of a future park near the corner of Alvord St. and Petty Ave. on Thursday, March 7, 2024 in Darrington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

After years waiting, Darrington may finally get park with river access

Residents could explore over 30 acres of land in the future Sauk Park. Nonprofit support is making the project possible.

 

A front loader clears trash away from the wall as people unload their waste at Airport Road Recycling & Transfer Station at on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Antifreeze, batteries, cooking oil: All are recyclable — for free

Snohomish County Public Works operates six recycling and waste facilities. Residents can bring in lawn mowers and propane tanks.

A front loader clears trash away from the wall as people unload their waste at Airport Road Recycling & Transfer Station at on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Mining company appeals closure, says site near Everett school not ‘unsafe’

On Wednesday, the company appealed a stop order issued last month. Its next-door neighbor, Fairmount Elementary, says there is no safe path forward.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Claudia Douglass and Lynn Lichtenberg, volunteers with the Salish Sea Stormwater Monitoring Project, use a turbidity meter to measure the clarity of stormwater runoff at the Port of Everett waterfront Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

To save salmon from pollution, volunteers sample Everett’s stormwater

Ahead of Everett treatment plant’s new permit, locals want Ecology to draft stricter requirements for flame retardants like PBDEs.

Claudia Douglass and Lynn Lichtenberg, volunteers with the Salish Sea Stormwater Monitoring Project, use a turbidity meter to measure the clarity of stormwater runoff at the Port of Everett waterfront Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
People look out onto Mountain Loop Mine from the second floor hallway of Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Mining company ordered to stop work next to school south of Everett

After operating months without the right paperwork, OMA Construction applied for permits last week. The county found it still violates code.

People look out onto Mountain Loop Mine from the second floor hallway of Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Serene in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. (U.S. Forest Service)

How will climate change affect you? New tool gives an educated guess

The Climate Vulnerability Tool outlines climate hazards in Snohomish County — and it may help direct resources.

Lake Serene in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. (U.S. Forest Service)
Jamie Thomas and daughter Nina Garcia looks for books among the tightly spaced shelves at the Everett Public Library Evergreen Branch on Monday, March 5, 2018 in Everett, Wa. Construction to increase the branch library is delayed. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Everett Reads explores themes of nature, climate change, dystopia

The annual reading event features books by award-winning and shortlisted authors Neal Shusterman and Diane Cook, who will launch the series Friday.

Jamie Thomas and daughter Nina Garcia looks for books among the tightly spaced shelves at the Everett Public Library Evergreen Branch on Monday, March 5, 2018 in Everett, Wa. Construction to increase the branch library is delayed. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
The Hope Mountain Centre for Outdoor Learning has a hotline at 1-855-GO-GRIZZ to report grizzly bear sightings. (Joe Lieb/US Fish and Wildlife Service via Associated Press)

Snohomish County partners with feds on North Cascades grizzly plan

The County Council approved an agreement under which local officials will provide input on any plan to reintroduce grizzly bears.

The Hope Mountain Centre for Outdoor Learning has a hotline at 1-855-GO-GRIZZ to report grizzly bear sightings. (Joe Lieb/US Fish and Wildlife Service via Associated Press)
The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Accused of being bad neighbor, Everett mining company applies for permit

Mountain Loop Mine has operated next door to Fairmount Elementary without proper permits for months. Teachers are fed up.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Chris Mills, left, and Fermin Lopez, right, smile and talk with a customer at Earth & Ocean on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024 in Mukilteo, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Bring the steakhouse home with this Mukilteo shop’s restaurant-quality cuts

To keep home chefs salivating, Earth and Ocean sources premium seafood, steak and more with an eye for freshness and quality.

Chris Mills, left, and Fermin Lopez, right, smile and talk with a customer at Earth & Ocean on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024 in Mukilteo, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mt. Pilchuck covered in snow is barely visible through the clouds as the sun breaks through illuminating raindrops as they fall off of the Mountain Loop Highway on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024 in Granite Falls, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Warm winter melts meager snowpack in Cascades, with far-reaching effects

Snowfall in the Cascade Range has been low — and what has fallen has been melting fast. That could spell trouble down the road.

Mt. Pilchuck covered in snow is barely visible through the clouds as the sun breaks through illuminating raindrops as they fall off of the Mountain Loop Highway on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024 in Granite Falls, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
People look for ocean creatures during the Starlight Beach Walk on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024 near the Olympic Beach Visitor Station in Edmonds, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Sea-stargazers explore low tide nightlife on Edmonds’ Olympic Beach

Over 100 visitors searched for anemones and chitons Tuesday. Volunteers said the event sparks “enthusiasm for the natural world.”

People look for ocean creatures during the Starlight Beach Walk on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024 near the Olympic Beach Visitor Station in Edmonds, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Gov. Jay Inslee asks a question during a presentation and overview of Cascade Industrial Center on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

‘It’s just starting’: Inslee champions climate initiatives in Marysville

The Climate Commitment Act funds electric vehicle charging stations and other projects. Inslee is defending against an effort to repeal it.

Gov. Jay Inslee asks a question during a presentation and overview of Cascade Industrial Center on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
People fish from the pier, hold hands on the beach and steer a swamped canoe in the water as the sun sets on another day at Kayak Point on Monday, June 12, 2023, in Stanwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Snohomish County announces date for Kayak Point reopening

Visitors will have access to the park’s new boat launch July 1, but not the fishing pier. Kayak Point will close again Oct. 15.

People fish from the pier, hold hands on the beach and steer a swamped canoe in the water as the sun sets on another day at Kayak Point on Monday, June 12, 2023, in Stanwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Items are sorted for recycling inside the Waste Management Cascade Recycling Center in Woodinville, Washington on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

10 cents per bottle: Recycling companies have mixed views on proposal

A new bill cosponsored by Rep. Strom Peterson, D-Edmonds, could give Washingtonians refunds for glass and plastic, to boost recycling.

Items are sorted for recycling inside the Waste Management Cascade Recycling Center in Woodinville, Washington on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Laura Han (center), of Lynnwood, and Derek Arterburn (right), of Everett, use the glow of a flashlight to look for marine life during a beach walk after dark in Edmonds Feb. 7 2017. (Ian Terry / The Herald file)

Volunteers to lead starlight walk at Olympic Beach in Edmonds

Guides will identify species at low tide Feb. 6. Visitors can expect to see anemones, sea stars and crabs.

Laura Han (center), of Lynnwood, and Derek Arterburn (right), of Everett, use the glow of a flashlight to look for marine life during a beach walk after dark in Edmonds Feb. 7 2017. (Ian Terry / The Herald file)
Heather White smiles while students raise their hands to answer a question on Monday, Jan. 22, 2024 in Camano Island, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

In child care desert, Camano’s pioneering forest school faces shutdown

Island County Public Works abruptly banned a school from a nature preserve, its cofounders said. Parents are outraged and aghast.

Heather White smiles while students raise their hands to answer a question on Monday, Jan. 22, 2024 in Camano Island, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Signs announcing construction at Kayak Point Regional County Park in Stanwood, Washington on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Snohomish County hopes to reopen popular Kayak Point by summer

So far, contractors have built a new boat launch and parking area. Construction of a new fishing pier is set for summer.

Signs announcing construction at Kayak Point Regional County Park in Stanwood, Washington on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)