Index

Bodies of two men recovered after falling into Eagle Falls near Index

Two men fell into the falls and did not resurface Saturday, authorities said. After a recovery effort, two bodies were found.

 

Titania ThunderLily, center, holds the maypole as Pagan revelers wrap red-and-white ribbon around it for a Beltane festival in May 2023, at the Aquarian Tabernacle Church in Index, Washington. Beltane celebrates the height of spring. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Pagan church finds ‘sacred space between the worlds’ on Index riverfront

At the Aquarian Tabernacle Church, rituals with ancient roots celebrate Pagan gods, the Earth and “the smell of smoke in our hair.”

 

A person sits and looks out at Mt. Index in Index, Washington on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Near Mt. Index, Forterra secures key piece in conservation puzzle

The nonprofit has been acquiring land in the region for decades. Now the project is complete, with funding from the county.

 

The newly rebuilt section of Index-Galena Road is pictured on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, near Index, Washington. (Jordan Hansen / The Herald)

Index-Galena Road, Mountain Loop Highway close for season

Only 33 days after its reopening, part of Index-Galena Road was shut down due to winter weather.

The newly rebuilt section of Index-Galena Road is pictured on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, near Index, Washington. (Jordan Hansen / The Herald)
The town post office in Index, Washington on Wedesday, Nov. 29, 2023.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Index, smallest town in Snohomish County, is No. 1 in voter turnout

Index has beaten the Snohomish County ballot return rate in each of the last 10 years. Snohomish County leaders have a few theories as to why.

The town post office in Index, Washington on Wedesday, Nov. 29, 2023.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The view from the top of Index Town Wall in Spring 2021. (Caleb Hutton / The Herald)

Climbers purchase 20 acres of famed climbing walls in Index

Climbing groups bought the parcel Monday, including Lower Lump and Inner Walls, calling it “the final big piece of the puzzle.”

The view from the top of Index Town Wall in Spring 2021. (Caleb Hutton / The Herald)
The newly rebuilt section of Index-Galena Road is pictured on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, near Index, Washington. (Jordan Hansen / The Herald)

‘The best day in 17 years’: Locals revel in Index-Galena Road reopening

Closed for 17 years after a storm, a road connecting Index to the Wild Sky Wilderness has been restored.

The newly rebuilt section of Index-Galena Road is pictured on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, near Index, Washington. (Jordan Hansen / The Herald)
Michal Rynkiewicz (GoFundMe)

Firefighter, 33, identified after deadly climbing fall in Index

Michal Rynkiewicz was a volunteer firefighter for Sky Valley Fire for two months, and he had just gotten married.

Michal Rynkiewicz (GoFundMe)
The view from the top of Index Town Wall in Spring 2021. (Caleb Hutton / The Herald)

Volunteer firefighter dies in fall from Index Town Wall

The victim was rappelling at the popular site before falling 100 feet Friday evening, rescuers say.

The view from the top of Index Town Wall in Spring 2021. (Caleb Hutton / The Herald)

1 dead, 2 injured in US 2 crash near Index

The car left the road and crashed into a tree, according to police. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

Crash near Index briefly blocks U.S. 2 in both directions

By 11 a.m., traffic was alternating on U.S. 2, causing continued delays, but a bit of relief.

Espresso Chalet, seen here on Saturday, July 8, 2023, on U.S. 2, was a filming location for the 1987 film “Harry and the Hendersons” near Index, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

BigFoot, Zombies and Viggo Mortensen: What’s been filmed near Index?

The casts and crews of “Harry and the Hendersons,” “Captain Fantastic” and “Z Nation” filmed in the area.

Espresso Chalet, seen here on Saturday, July 8, 2023, on U.S. 2, was a filming location for the 1987 film “Harry and the Hendersons” near Index, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Sunset Falls cascades down past the existing fish ladder along the Skykomish River east of Index, Washington, on February 4, 2014. (Mark Mulligan / The Herald)

Body pulled from river believed to be man who fell into Sunset Falls

Last month, a Tacoma man, 40, accidentally fell into the falls near Index, his wife reported.

Sunset Falls cascades down past the existing fish ladder along the Skykomish River east of Index, Washington, on February 4, 2014. (Mark Mulligan / The Herald)
The Country Farm Salad with beet root, asparagus, radish, goat cheese and citrus vinaigrette at the Bush House Inn in Index, Washington on Monday, June 26, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Get a modern taste of Index history at North Fork Kitchen

Located in the restored Bush House Inn, this homey spot serves coq au rhum and sidewinder fries to locals and out-of-towners alike.

The Country Farm Salad with beet root, asparagus, radish, goat cheese and citrus vinaigrette at the Bush House Inn in Index, Washington on Monday, June 26, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Mark Mulligan / The Herald
Sunset Falls cascades down past the existing fish ladder along the Skykomish River east of Index, February 4, 2014.
Photo taken 20140214

Search continues for Tacoma man who fell into Sunset Falls

A 40-year-old man has not been seen since he fell into the waterfall Friday, sheriff’s office say.

Mark Mulligan / The Herald
Sunset Falls cascades down past the existing fish ladder along the Skykomish River east of Index, February 4, 2014.
Photo taken 20140214

Man missing after falling in Sunset Falls near Index

Searchers say they found a shoe and a pair of sweatpants Friday night that matched what the missing man was wearing.

The Wilderness Land Trust transferred a 354-acre property straddling the Wild Sky and Henry M. Jackson Wilderness Areas to public ownership, adding it to the designated wilderness areas. (The Wilderness Land Trust)

Wild Sky Wilderness grows 345 acres, as transfer chips at private land

The Wilderness Land Trust announced it had completed a transfer near Silvertip Peak to the U.S. Forest Service.

The Wilderness Land Trust transferred a 354-acre property straddling the Wild Sky and Henry M. Jackson Wilderness Areas to public ownership, adding it to the designated wilderness areas. (The Wilderness Land Trust)
“The Tree Frame Cabin” at the site of the Index Cabins, also known as The Pietsch Pit, in Index, Washington on Friday, March 31, 2023.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)

The Index Cabins showcase Sky Valley beauty — and millions of years of history

Nick and Nassim Pietsch’s property offers six ways to see your surroundings in a new light.

  • May 27, 2023
  • By Sara Bruestle Special to The Herald
  • LifeIndex
“The Tree Frame Cabin” at the site of the Index Cabins, also known as The Pietsch Pit, in Index, Washington on Friday, March 31, 2023.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Molly Hubbard and her five sisters at a family reunion. From left to right, Ann Kozloski, Janice Bisard, Kaija Walters Fry, Sheila Smith, Molly Hubbard and Bess Path. (Photo provided by Sheila Smith)

Family mourns ‘larger than life’ Index newlywed, 78, killed by train

Molly Hubbard fell while crossing the tracks in front of an oncoming train May 9 in Index. She’d been married six months earlier.

Molly Hubbard and her five sisters at a family reunion. From left to right, Ann Kozloski, Janice Bisard, Kaija Walters Fry, Sheila Smith, Molly Hubbard and Bess Path. (Photo provided by Sheila Smith)
Mushrooms found by members of the Snohomish County Mycological Society at Lord Hill Park on Saturday, April 8, 2023 in Snohomish, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

That’s a morel: Foraging for mushrooms, friendships in Lord Hill Park

The Snohomish County Mycological Society brings fungi lovers together and educates the public about their many uses.

Mushrooms found by members of the Snohomish County Mycological Society at Lord Hill Park on Saturday, April 8, 2023 in Snohomish, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)