Granite Falls

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Man accused of 2 killings found fit to stand trial in Snohomish County

Finley Hilde reportedly told police he “heard from God” before shooting Jordan Hurtado, 27, in August.

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Mining operations are underway at Cadman, Inc. sand and gravel mine on Monday, Oct. 3, 2022, in Granite Falls, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

As Granite Falls’ 425-acre mine aims to expand, neighbors have questions

Residents have no warning before blasts at the rock quarry. “You can hear it, it shakes, and they don’t notify people,” one said.

Mining operations are underway at Cadman, Inc. sand and gravel mine on Monday, Oct. 3, 2022, in Granite Falls, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Carolanne Warren directs her mother through the ruts on Mt. Pilchuck Road Wednesday afternoon in Granite Falls, Washington on September 7, 2022.   (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

To get to iconic Pilchuck lookout, hikers must brave ‘hell on wheels’

Mount Pilchuck is one of the most beloved hikes in the region. The 7-mile pothole-riddled road to get there? Not so much.

Carolanne Warren directs her mother through the ruts on Mt. Pilchuck Road Wednesday afternoon in Granite Falls, Washington on September 7, 2022.   (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Michael Adams is trying to navigate the school district's procedure for addressing complaints about racism after his son was the subject of some racist Snapchat messages sent by Granite Falls High School students in May. 

Photographed in Granite Falls, Washington on September 20, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

After threat to ‘lynch’ Granite Falls boy, father says school fell short

Michael Adams helped craft the district’s diversity policy. Then his son became a target of racism. He now wants more changes.

Michael Adams is trying to navigate the school district's procedure for addressing complaints about racism after his son was the subject of some racist Snapchat messages sent by Granite Falls High School students in May. 

Photographed in Granite Falls, Washington on September 20, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Walt Jackson, a Granite Falls veteran, has attached a rare sidecar to his Honda Shadow which allows his wife, who suffered a stroke, to take ride along. Photographed Tuesday morning in Granite Falls, Washington on August 16, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

After stroke, Granite Falls couple still finds a way to ride together

Walt Jackson built a motorcycle sidecar for his wife. It’s smooth sailing. “You can sip your coffee and enjoy your ride.”

Walt Jackson, a Granite Falls veteran, has attached a rare sidecar to his Honda Shadow which allows his wife, who suffered a stroke, to take ride along. Photographed Tuesday morning in Granite Falls, Washington on August 16, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Greg Nance walks through the woods below Mount Pilchuck while reflecting on his path to sobriety on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022, at the Mount Pilchuck Trailhead near Verlot, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

From Puget Sound to Pilchuck, marathon runner finds path to recovery

Greg Nance, 33, has run across the United States and up mountains, raising more than $110,000 for youth mental health.

Greg Nance walks through the woods below Mount Pilchuck while reflecting on his path to sobriety on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022, at the Mount Pilchuck Trailhead near Verlot, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Granite Falls

Granite Falls man, 77, identified in Mountain Loop Highway crash

Leslie Harbert died at a local hospital after a crash Aug. 25, according to authorities.

Granite Falls
Granite Falls

Man shot in Granite Falls homicide identified

Jordan Hurtado, 27, died of gunshot wounds, the Snohomish County Medical Examiner announced Thursday.

Granite Falls
Granite Falls

Granite Falls murder suspect allegedly shot someone else hours earlier

Finley Hilde, 22, of Mount Vernon, was arrested Saturday.

Granite Falls
Granite Falls

Prosecutors: ‘Yo mama’ joke led to racist assault in Granite Falls

A man took offense and went into a rage, spewing racist slurs as he beat up a teenager, charging papers say.

Granite Falls
Forest ranger Justin Sundstrom looks over a newly reported broken rail at the Ice Cave trail Saturday morning near Granite Falls, Washington on July 23, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

On Mountain Loop, crew of 5 rangers covers a mountain range of work

Ranger Justin Sundstrom spends his days patroling for illegal shooting, picking up trash — and exploring a slice of paradise.

Forest ranger Justin Sundstrom looks over a newly reported broken rail at the Ice Cave trail Saturday morning near Granite Falls, Washington on July 23, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
This marsh near Granite Falls will be called Holland Marsh. (Chuck Holland)

State board approves naming marsh after Everett college teacher

Holland Marsh near Granite Falls is named for forestry teacher, fire lookout and author of “Switchbacks” Andy Holland.

This marsh near Granite Falls will be called Holland Marsh. (Chuck Holland)
Granite Falls

Granite Falls man died after crashing into tree

Kenneth Klasse, 63, crashed June 14. He was pronounced dead a week later. Police continued to investigate.

Granite Falls
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Snohomish County gets over $1.8 million for the outdoors

Funding from the Great American Outdoors Act will help patch up roads and trails on the Mountain Loop Highway.

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Granite Falls

You can apply for a passport now at Granite Falls City Hall

The passport office will be open seven days a week. No appointments are necessary.

Granite Falls
The Mountain Loop Highway between Darrington and Granite Falls remains closed beyond Barlow Pass. (Snohomish County)

Oops, Mountain Loop Highway only partly open

A miscommunication led Snohomish County to misstate how much of the road is open.

The Mountain Loop Highway between Darrington and Granite Falls remains closed beyond Barlow Pass. (Snohomish County)
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.

14-mile scenic stretch of Mountain Loop Highway opens early

The highway between Granite Falls and Darrington reopened to traffic on Friday due to good weather.

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.
Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Granite Falls in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118

Granite Falls motorcyclist identified in deadly crash with dump truck

Richard Choptij, 53, died Wednesday when his motorcycle crashed into a dump truck on Highway 92.

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The scene of a fatal crash Wednesday where a motorcyclist collided with a dump truck near Granite Falls. (Washington State Patrol)

Motorcyclist dies in crash with dump truck near Granite Falls

The motorcyclist was following a dump truck on Highway 92 when he rear-ended it.

The scene of a fatal crash Wednesday where a motorcyclist collided with a dump truck near Granite Falls. (Washington State Patrol)
Clockwise from top left: Mill Creek Fire Station 76 (Mill Creek Fire Department); Liberty Elementary School (Marysville School District); Sultan schools Superintendent Dan Chaplik (right) and mechanic Dan Erdman in the bus barn (Olivia Vanni / The Herald); Cascade Elementary School (Marysville School District); Lakewood High School locker room (Olivia Vanni / The Herald); Granite Falls High School (Granite Falls School District).

School levies failing in Marysville, Stanwood-Camano, Lakewood

Granite Falls and Sultan were passing their levies. And in Mill Creek, voters approved joining South County Fire.

Clockwise from top left: Mill Creek Fire Station 76 (Mill Creek Fire Department); Liberty Elementary School (Marysville School District); Sultan schools Superintendent Dan Chaplik (right) and mechanic Dan Erdman in the bus barn (Olivia Vanni / The Herald); Cascade Elementary School (Marysville School District); Lakewood High School locker room (Olivia Vanni / The Herald); Granite Falls High School (Granite Falls School District).