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Dolly Hunnicutt holds onto a metal raccoon cutout while looking through metal wildflowers at the Freeborn Metal Art booth during the first day of Sorticulture on Friday, June 9, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Sorticulture brings gardening galore, fun by the bushel at 130 booths

“Every year there’s something different to see,” one attendee said at the opening of the three-day festival in downtown Everett.

 

Black sesame tea at Mustache Milk Tea in Lynnwood, Washington on Tuesday, May 30, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Treat yourself to bubble tea this summer at one of SnoCo’s best boba shops

Every spot does the sweet, creamy drink a little differently. We found the five best shops to suit any mood.

 

Members of South County Fire practice onboarding and offboarding a hovering Huey helicopter during an interagency disaster response training exercise at Arlington Municipal Airport on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, in Arlington, Washington. The crews learned about and practiced safe entry and exit protocols with crew from Snohomish County Volunteer Search and Rescue before begin given a chance to do a live training. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Snohomish, King counties train together for region’s next disaster

Dozens of agencies worked with aviators Tuesday to coordinate a response to a simulated earthquake or tsunami.

 

Brian Henrichs, left, and Emily Howe, right, begin sifting out the bugs from their bug trap along Port Susan on Monday, May 22, 2023 in Stanwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

‘A delta for the future’: Scientists try to save salmon at Stilly’s mouth

The Stillaguamish River’s south fork once supported 20,000 salmon. In 2019, fewer than 500 fish returned to spawn.

Brian Henrichs, left, and Emily Howe, right, begin sifting out the bugs from their bug trap along Port Susan on Monday, May 22, 2023 in Stanwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
People begin marching down First Street with a giant balloon “PRIDE” during Snohomish’s inaugural Pride celebration on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in downtown Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

GALLERY: Snohomish hosts first official Pride celebration

Scenes from the parade and other events celebrating LGBTQIA culture and people in downtown Snohomish.

People begin marching down First Street with a giant balloon “PRIDE” during Snohomish’s inaugural Pride celebration on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in downtown Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
A selection of the Opponent Dogs at the Everett AquaSox stadium on Wednesday, May 24, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Hot dog!: Funko Field’s Opponent Dogs give the classic a run for its money

Fans can catch ballpark dogs honoring AquaSox opponents this season. Our food writer has the definitive ranking of the five limited-edition creations.

A selection of the Opponent Dogs at the Everett AquaSox stadium on Wednesday, May 24, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Panelists from different areas of mental health care speak at the Herald Forum about mental health care on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

At panel, mental health experts brainstorm answers to staff shortages

Workforce shortages, insurance coverage and crisis response were in focus at the Snohomish forum hosted by The Daily Herald.

Panelists from different areas of mental health care speak at the Herald Forum about mental health care on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo Police Chief Cheol Kang smiles while trying a Diamond Knot Tot on Thursday, May 18, 2023 in Mukilteo, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Police chief departing Mukilteo after 20 years, 322 Yelp reviews

When he’s not keeping the city safe, Cheol Kang moonlights as an “elite” dining reviewer. He’s also known for his haircuts.

Mukilteo Police Chief Cheol Kang smiles while trying a Diamond Knot Tot on Thursday, May 18, 2023 in Mukilteo, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A PUD vehicle drives along Lovers Road under newly-erected power poles that will eventually connect Stanwood and Camano Island on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, in Stanwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

To keep Camano lights on, PUD builds a new power line

The new line establishes a second electrical connection to Camano Island, which will help maintain power in windstorms.

A PUD vehicle drives along Lovers Road under newly-erected power poles that will eventually connect Stanwood and Camano Island on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, in Stanwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Quartermaster Donald Wischmann of VFW Post 2100 holds an 1828 French saber that Paul Davis Restoration of Greater Seattle restored before returning it to him on Friday, May 26, 2023, in Everett, Washington. Wischmann intends to display artifacts restored by Paul Davis inside the VFW. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

‘Holy smokes’: For Everett veterans, a chance to restore war memorabilia

For Memorial Day, a local VFW post partnered with a restoration company to save decades-old uniforms and medals.

Quartermaster Donald Wischmann of VFW Post 2100 holds an 1828 French saber that Paul Davis Restoration of Greater Seattle restored before returning it to him on Friday, May 26, 2023, in Everett, Washington. Wischmann intends to display artifacts restored by Paul Davis inside the VFW. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Students arriving off the bus get in line to score some waffles during a free pancake and waffle breakfast at Lowell Elementary School on Friday, May 26, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

800 free pancakes at Everett’s Lowell Elementary feed the masses

The annual breakfast was started to connect the community and the school, as well as to get people to interact.

Students arriving off the bus get in line to score some waffles during a free pancake and waffle breakfast at Lowell Elementary School on Friday, May 26, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring speaks at the groundbreaking event for the I-5/SR 529 Interchange project on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

$123M project starting on Highway 529 interchange, I-5 HOV lane

A reader wondered why the highway had a lane closure despite not seeing work done. Crews were waiting on the weather.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring speaks at the groundbreaking event for the I-5/SR 529 Interchange project on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Prosecutor Jason Cummings in an interview with The Daily Herald in Everett, Washington on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Snohomish County prosecutors declined 3,000 felony cases in 2022. Why?

A pandemic backlog and inexperienced cops begin to explain the trend, even as police raise the alarm about rising crime.

Snohomish County Prosecutor Jason Cummings in an interview with The Daily Herald in Everett, Washington on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Gary Fontes uprights a tree that fell over in front of The Fontes Manor — a miniature handmade bed and breakfast — on Friday, May 12, 2023, at his home near Silver Lake in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Everett’s mini-Frank Lloyd Wright builds neighborhood of extra tiny homes

A tiny lighthouse, a spooky mansion and more: Gary Fontes’ miniature world of architectural wonders is one-twelfth the size of real life.

Gary Fontes uprights a tree that fell over in front of The Fontes Manor — a miniature handmade bed and breakfast — on Friday, May 12, 2023, at his home near Silver Lake in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
A crowd of SEIU Healthcare 1199NW members and supporters gather to listen to speakers addresses the group during a union picket in front of EvergreenHealth Monroe on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Monroe health care workers picket for new contract

About 170 hospital workers are bargaining two contracts with EvergreenHealth Monroe. Two sticking points have emerged.

A crowd of SEIU Healthcare 1199NW members and supporters gather to listen to speakers addresses the group during a union picket in front of EvergreenHealth Monroe on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
A sign announcing a soon to open Woods Coffee in Everett Marina Village at the Port of Everett on Wednesday, May 24, 2023. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

A portside Restaurant Row is opening this summer. Here’s what’s on the menu.

Five new eateries are coming to the Port of Everett’s waterfront, offering scratch pastries, dim sum and more.

A sign announcing a soon to open Woods Coffee in Everett Marina Village at the Port of Everett on Wednesday, May 24, 2023. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Heavy traffic northbound on 1-5 in Everett, Washington on August 31, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

To beat the rush this Memorial Day weekend, go early or late

AAA projects busy airports, ferries and roads over the holiday weekend this year, though still below pre-pandemic counts.

Heavy traffic northbound on 1-5 in Everett, Washington on August 31, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
VOLLI’s Director of Food & Beverage Kevin Aiello outside of the business on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Coming soon to Marysville: indoor pickleball, games, drinks

“We’re very confident this will be not just a hit, but a smash hit,” says co-owner Allan Jones, who is in the fun industry.

VOLLI’s Director of Food & Beverage Kevin Aiello outside of the business on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Housing Hope CEO Donna Moulton raises her hand in celebration of the groundbreaking of the Housing Hope Madrona Highlands on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

$30M affordable housing project to start construction soon in Edmonds

Once built, dozens of families who are either homeless or in poverty will move in and receive social and work services.

Housing Hope CEO Donna Moulton raises her hand in celebration of the groundbreaking of the Housing Hope Madrona Highlands on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Naazneen Shafeer Vemmeerath-Kulangara smiles after receiving an AGB Scholarship at the Rotary Club of Everett Awards on Monday, May 22, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

After years of struggles, she’s college-bound with a scholarship

Morgan Gidney, a young mom whose teen years were filled with obstacles, was among dozens awarded $342,000 in Rotary scholarships in Everett.

Naazneen Shafeer Vemmeerath-Kulangara smiles after receiving an AGB Scholarship at the Rotary Club of Everett Awards on Monday, May 22, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)