As seen on Instagram ...

A school photo of Gary Lee Haynie as a child, left, courtesy of his cousin Hal Thayne. Artist Natalie Murry's drawing based on Haynie's remains, right, courtesy of Snohomish County Medical Examiner's Office. Haynie was identified as The Spencer Island John, a man who's body was found north of Everett in January 1979.

‘Relief and closure’ for family of Spencer Island John Doe from 1979

Gary Lee Haynie was identified through forensic genealogy. How he ended up dead in Snohomish River mudflats remains a mystery.

A school photo of Gary Lee Haynie as a child, left, courtesy of his cousin Hal Thayne. Artist Natalie Murry's drawing based on Haynie's remains, right, courtesy of Snohomish County Medical Examiner's Office. Haynie was identified as The Spencer Island John, a man who's body was found north of Everett in January 1979.
Mae Hochstetler, left, sits with her twin children Joshua and Joy Hochstetler, both 25, at her home where she lives with Joshua on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, in Lynnwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

To solve home care aide shortage, Washington may expand who can be one

Mae Hochstetler can pay the bills because the state pays her to care for her adult son, with a pandemic pay bump.

Mae Hochstetler, left, sits with her twin children Joshua and Joy Hochstetler, both 25, at her home where she lives with Joshua on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, in Lynnwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Lexi Angel, 30, poses for a photo cosplaying as Pinkie Pie from "My Little Pony: Equestria Girls" at Catalyst Café in Everett, Washington on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023. Angel is speaking on a panel called "Body Positivity In The Cosplay Community" at this year's Emerald City Comic Con. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Annual nerd migration draws locals to Emerald City Comic Con

Geeks from across Snohomish County are in the tractor beam for the state’s big comic and pop culture convention in Seattle.

Lexi Angel, 30, poses for a photo cosplaying as Pinkie Pie from "My Little Pony: Equestria Girls" at Catalyst Café in Everett, Washington on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023. Angel is speaking on a panel called "Body Positivity In The Cosplay Community" at this year's Emerald City Comic Con. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Paula Townsell, 62, drives her PEBL in Everett, Washington on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023. The yellow microcar is an eBike called PEBL with windows, windshield wiper, horn and trunk that Paula Townsell and Chris Glans use to get around Everett, shop, drink and go through the drive-thru. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Car, bike or UFO? Three-wheeled wonder PEBL lands on the streets of Everett

With a sticker price of $10,000 to $13,000, it’s a thrifty person’s Tesla or a big spender’s electric bike.

Paula Townsell, 62, drives her PEBL in Everett, Washington on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023. The yellow microcar is an eBike called PEBL with windows, windshield wiper, horn and trunk that Paula Townsell and Chris Glans use to get around Everett, shop, drink and go through the drive-thru. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Designer Alyson Osborn with a handful of beer labels she illustrated and designed for Skookum Brewery on Monday, Jan. 9, 2023 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Craft brewers turn to Bothell artist for creative labels

Like record album covers back in the 1970s, Alyson Osborn’s designs help brewers build their brands and sell more beer.

Designer Alyson Osborn with a handful of beer labels she illustrated and designed for Skookum Brewery on Monday, Jan. 9, 2023 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Marysville mayor Jon Nehring, center, cracks a smile after cutting the ceremonial ribbon held by new Housing Hope CEO Donna Moulton, left, outgoing CEO Fred Safstrom and U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene, right, during an event at Housing Hope’s Twin Lakes Landing II on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Housing Hope opens doors to affordable housing for 60 Marysville families

The nonprofit’s largest project yet opened Wednesday. The complex will house formerly homeless and low-income families.

Marysville mayor Jon Nehring, center, cracks a smile after cutting the ceremonial ribbon held by new Housing Hope CEO Donna Moulton, left, outgoing CEO Fred Safstrom and U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene, right, during an event at Housing Hope’s Twin Lakes Landing II on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
A rainbow forms above Commercial Building No. 400 following an event celebrating the impending demolition of the outdated building on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023, at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Evergreen State Fair building to be demolished after 70 years

“This building holds a lot of memories for multiple generations,” but county officials say it’s time to move forward.

A rainbow forms above Commercial Building No. 400 following an event celebrating the impending demolition of the outdated building on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023, at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Katy Roth, RN, outside of Providence Regional Medical Center Everett where she has worked for more than 9 years on Friday, Feb. 17, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

‘I’ve never experienced the patient loads that I experience now’

Short-staffing is prompting an exodus of nurses. Health care workers in Everett are demanding solutions in Olympia.

Katy Roth, RN, outside of Providence Regional Medical Center Everett where she has worked for more than 9 years on Friday, Feb. 17, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Dave Ellingson, 25, paddles around Lake Ballinger for practice on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

From Edmonds to the Mekong: ‘Paddle Pilgrim’ chases trip of a lifetime

Former pastor Dave Ellingson sets off for Southeast Asia by plane this month. A 600-mile kayak journey benefits local charities.

Dave Ellingson, 25, paddles around Lake Ballinger for practice on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mohammad Zamir Omar, right, with his wife Ayasha Omar, left, and two of their four sons Zakariya, 8, and Yousuf, 6, at their home on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

‘Our neighbors’: Snohomish County has welcomed 2,600 Afghans, Ukrainians

Local officials have referred to the Snohomish County effort as a model, supporting refugees from war-torn nations.

Mohammad Zamir Omar, right, with his wife Ayasha Omar, left, and two of their four sons Zakariya, 8, and Yousuf, 6, at their home on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Cassie Franklin (left) and Nick Harper (right)

Everett council investigating mayor’s relationship with deputy mayor

Mayor Cassie Franklin promised to “fully participate” with investigation into whether any laws broken or public resources misused.

Cassie Franklin (left) and Nick Harper (right)
Steve Backus works on the details of a moon carving at his wood shop and home on Monday, Feb. 6, 2023 in Clinton, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

‘Carve or Starve!’: Whidbey’s godfather of chainsaw art rebounds from fire

New bears and gnomes now stand in the soot of their predecessors. Steve Backus credits firefighters and community support.

Steve Backus works on the details of a moon carving at his wood shop and home on Monday, Feb. 6, 2023 in Clinton, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A team works to remove old toxic pilings from the water as part of larger salmon restoration plan near Ebey Waterfront Park in Marysville, Washington on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)

To protect salmon, DNR pulls toxic pilings from Steamboat Slough

The agency removed creosote from critical habitat. Now, leaders are looking to the next steps in an ambitious “watershed-wide” plan.

A team works to remove old toxic pilings from the water as part of larger salmon restoration plan near Ebey Waterfront Park in Marysville, Washington on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Stanwood’s Chloe Santeford blows past a defender on her way to the basket in a win over Snohomish on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023, at Marysville Pilchuck High School in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Stanwood girls top Snohomish, book return trip to state

The Spartans ride their superior length to a 47-34 win in the semifinals of the 3A District 1 girls basketball tournament.

Stanwood’s Chloe Santeford blows past a defender on her way to the basket in a win over Snohomish on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023, at Marysville Pilchuck High School in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Nechirvan Zebari poses for a photo at Alida's Bakery in Everett, Washington on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023. All manakish profits from Feb. 9 to Feb. 16 will be donated to help earthquake victims in Syria and Turkey. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Everett bakery selling Middle Eastern pizzas to help earthquake victims

Alida’s Bakery will donate proceeds from manakish sales to earthquake relief efforts in Turkey and Syria.

Nechirvan Zebari poses for a photo at Alida's Bakery in Everett, Washington on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023. All manakish profits from Feb. 9 to Feb. 16 will be donated to help earthquake victims in Syria and Turkey. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Police Officer Kyle O’Hagan demonstrates riding techniques with a new electric-assisted mountain bike near the Mountlake Terrace Police Department in Mountlake Terrace, Washington, on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

E-bikes mark return of Mountlake Terrace bike unit

The city bought two new electric-assisted mountain bikes to resume bicycle patrols after nearly a decade of dormancy.

Police Officer Kyle O’Hagan demonstrates riding techniques with a new electric-assisted mountain bike near the Mountlake Terrace Police Department in Mountlake Terrace, Washington, on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
After his 40th Snohomish High School Class of 1972 reunion, Mike Carver decked out his 1967 Ford truck with signs and Panther flags to show his pride. He drove it around town and in parades, blasting music from 18 speakers and trailing bubbles. This photo is from 2018. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

‘Always a Panther’: He brought bubbles, joy to the streets of Snohomish

Mike Carver’s red ‘67 Ford truck was a tribute to town pride and his Class of 1972. He died Feb. 3 at age 69.

After his 40th Snohomish High School Class of 1972 reunion, Mike Carver decked out his 1967 Ford truck with signs and Panther flags to show his pride. He drove it around town and in parades, blasting music from 18 speakers and trailing bubbles. This photo is from 2018. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
"Rose Misconduct" Ciara Jay, wearing a star helmet, plays as the jammer and tries to pass blockers on the other team during a Strawberry City Roller Derby practice at Marysville Skate Center on Monday, Feb. 6, 2023, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Calling all ‘straw-babies’: Marysville roller derby outgrows its patch

Strawberry City Roller Derby, the only team between Mukilteo and Bellingham, is recruiting new skaters and seeking a bigger home.

"Rose Misconduct" Ciara Jay, wearing a star helmet, plays as the jammer and tries to pass blockers on the other team during a Strawberry City Roller Derby practice at Marysville Skate Center on Monday, Feb. 6, 2023, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Rowen Scout, persona Stoat, snags an ice spell from the ground during a warmup round of "heavy object" at a weekly meeting of the Amtgard LARPing group The Hollow on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023, at McCollum Park in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Knights of Mill Creek: In live-action fantasy game Amtgard, nerds rule

They dress as fantasy characters and whack folks with fake weapons in this fantasy game. Or maybe they just show off their crafting.

Rowen Scout, persona Stoat, snags an ice spell from the ground during a warmup round of "heavy object" at a weekly meeting of the Amtgard LARPing group The Hollow on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023, at McCollum Park in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Two guests stop to take in a large-scale painting by artist Iryna Kalyuzhna during a public event highlighting the For Ukraine: Art of Freedom exhibit at the Schack Art Center on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, in downtown Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Ukrainian art in Everett showcases grief, hope in war-torn nation

“For Ukraine: Art of Freedom” at the Schack Center aims to remind Americans of the war and raise money for maternity hospitals.

Two guests stop to take in a large-scale painting by artist Iryna Kalyuzhna during a public event highlighting the For Ukraine: Art of Freedom exhibit at the Schack Art Center on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, in downtown Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)