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People gather outside of the new Quil Ceda Creek Casino during the grand opening ceremony on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2020 in Tulalip, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Tulalip Tribes open the new Quil Ceda Creek Casino

The 126,700-square-foot, $125 million building replaces the old “Q” that began as a bingo hall in 1983.

People gather outside of the new Quil Ceda Creek Casino during the grand opening ceremony on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2020 in Tulalip, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Dennis Shewey, of Arlington, bowls at Evergreen Lanes on Monday, Feb. 1, 2021 in Everett, Washington. Starting Monday, certain categories of Snohomish county businesses were permitted to reinstate indoor occupancy at 25% capacity under Phase 2 of Gov. Jay Inslee’s statewide reopening plan. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Reopening Day: Some businesses return with lockdown lifted

Bowling and indoor dining were back as Snohomish County moved to Phase 2 of the “Healthy Washington” recovery plan.

Dennis Shewey, of Arlington, bowls at Evergreen Lanes on Monday, Feb. 1, 2021 in Everett, Washington. Starting Monday, certain categories of Snohomish county businesses were permitted to reinstate indoor occupancy at 25% capacity under Phase 2 of Gov. Jay Inslee’s statewide reopening plan. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Ken Turpin struggles to fit a box of PPE into the front compartment of his RV-8 plane as another pilot taxies to the runway as pilots deliver supplies to Native American tribes in Washington from the Arlington Airport on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021 in Arlington, Washington. More than 35,000 pounds of necessities were flown by volunteers to Native American tribes in all corners of Washington. It’s a unique partnership between a tribal support network and about 100 local pilots, delivering resources while also training for an even worse crisis. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Small planes and generous pilots deliver food and PPE

A partnership at the Arlington airport is taking supplies to tribes while prepping for a big earthquake.

Ken Turpin struggles to fit a box of PPE into the front compartment of his RV-8 plane as another pilot taxies to the runway as pilots deliver supplies to Native American tribes in Washington from the Arlington Airport on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021 in Arlington, Washington. More than 35,000 pounds of necessities were flown by volunteers to Native American tribes in all corners of Washington. It’s a unique partnership between a tribal support network and about 100 local pilots, delivering resources while also training for an even worse crisis. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Providence Regional Medical Center Everett, where a man with the first case of coronavirus in the United States is being treated on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020, in Everett, Wash. Health officials said Tuesday that the man returned to the Seattle area in the middle of last week after traveling to the Wuhan area, where the outbreak began. The man, identified only as a Snohomish County resident is in his 30s, was not considered a threat to medical staff or the public, health officials said. (Olivia Vanni/The Herald via AP)

Providence gave special vaccine access to donors, volunteers

The Everett hospital has apologized for sending vaccination invites to more than 200 big-money donors.

Providence Regional Medical Center Everett, where a man with the first case of coronavirus in the United States is being treated on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020, in Everett, Wash. Health officials said Tuesday that the man returned to the Seattle area in the middle of last week after traveling to the Wuhan area, where the outbreak began. The man, identified only as a Snohomish County resident is in his 30s, was not considered a threat to medical staff or the public, health officials said. (Olivia Vanni/The Herald via AP)
Mayor Cassie Franklin makes her State of Everett address online from her office on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2020 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

State of Everett: It was a ‘hellish’ year but better days loom

In her annual speech, Mayor Cassie Franklin reflected on losses and triumphs and stated her priorities.

Mayor Cassie Franklin makes her State of Everett address online from her office on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2020 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Third grade teacher Lisa Thompson walks by her ten students, separated at six-foot distance, at Eagle Creek Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021 in Arlington, Washington. The students wear masks, are six feet from each other in class and after recess ends, get a mask break. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Slowly and surely, area public schools are reopening

Several districts, including Everett and Marysville, will bring students back to campuses in February.

Third grade teacher Lisa Thompson walks by her ten students, separated at six-foot distance, at Eagle Creek Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021 in Arlington, Washington. The students wear masks, are six feet from each other in class and after recess ends, get a mask break. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Crews work on the video display in the main gym, one of three gyms, in the new Stanwood High building on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2020 in Stanwood, Washington. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

A brand-new Stanwood High School opens to empty halls

Construction is complete, except for some finishing touches. Staff have started to move in.

Crews work on the video display in the main gym, one of three gyms, in the new Stanwood High building on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2020 in Stanwood, Washington. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Weatherstripping is installed Thursday afternoon at Pallet in Everett on January 21, 2020. (Kevin Clark/The Herald)

Everett-based Pallet offers a novel way to shelter homeless

The manufacturer’s small, temporary homes have helped hundreds of people get off the streets around Puget Sound.

Weatherstripping is installed Thursday afternoon at Pallet in Everett on January 21, 2020. (Kevin Clark/The Herald)
John and Rebecca Roberts have been trail angels for the Pacific Northwest Trail since 2012. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Whidbey wandering on the rugged Pacific Northwest Trail

The trail snakes down the island on its often-confounding route from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean.

John and Rebecca Roberts have been trail angels for the Pacific Northwest Trail since 2012. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
The strip-mall site (bottom) where Trent Development hopes to build 350 studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments, on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2020 in Lynnwood, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Hundreds more apartments planned around Lynnwood light rail

In a new proposal, a developer envisions 350 units, two buildings of at least seven stories, a one-acre courtyard and a dog spa.

The strip-mall site (bottom) where Trent Development hopes to build 350 studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments, on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2020 in Lynnwood, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Roei Ganzarski, CEO of magniX, poses with a production electric engine, the magni500, at the company's new office on Seaway Boulevard on Monday, Jan. 18, 2020 in Everett, Washington. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Electric aircraft developer magniX moves HQ to Everett

The company builds electric motors, and it’s teaming with Arlington’s Eviation to launch a fully electric plane.

Roei Ganzarski, CEO of magniX, poses with a production electric engine, the magni500, at the company's new office on Seaway Boulevard on Monday, Jan. 18, 2020 in Everett, Washington. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Matt and Jill Wurst opened Audacity Brewing in December 2020 and are now managing to stay open, with the COVID-19 restrictions on businesses, at their brewery on 10th Street on Monday, Jan. 11, 2020 in Snohomish, Washington. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

It took some Audacity to open this new Snohomish brewery

The COVID-19 pandemic hit just as Matt and Jill Wurst were getting the business off the ground.

Matt and Jill Wurst opened Audacity Brewing in December 2020 and are now managing to stay open, with the COVID-19 restrictions on businesses, at their brewery on 10th Street on Monday, Jan. 11, 2020 in Snohomish, Washington. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Intensive care unit registered nurse Sara Gering at Providence Regional Medical Center on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021 in Everett, Washington. A year later, Gering and her co-workers are still enduring the physical and emotional exhaustion that comes with caring for patients with COVID-19. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

For Providence ICU nurse, 2020 was a year of isolation

Sara Gering cares for the sickest of COVID-19 patients. She couldn’t do it without her co-workers.

Intensive care unit registered nurse Sara Gering at Providence Regional Medical Center on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021 in Everett, Washington. A year later, Gering and her co-workers are still enduring the physical and emotional exhaustion that comes with caring for patients with COVID-19. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
An access road leads into plot of land located in north Darrington that could potentially be used to build a 30-acre Wood Innovation Center, which will house CLT manufacturing and modular building companies on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021 in Darrington, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Timber innovation center a chance to reinvigorate rural town

A center to produce innovative wood products could stabilize Darrington’s drained timber economy.

An access road leads into plot of land located in north Darrington that could potentially be used to build a 30-acre Wood Innovation Center, which will house CLT manufacturing and modular building companies on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021 in Darrington, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Carissa Hudson pulls a beer at Engel's Pub in Edmonds. At 86 years old, Engel's is one of the oldest bars in Snohomish County. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

When it’s finally safe, these dive bars are worth checking out

David Blend called the watering holes “an essential part of the American experience” in an ode to the haunts.

Carissa Hudson pulls a beer at Engel's Pub in Edmonds. At 86 years old, Engel's is one of the oldest bars in Snohomish County. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Peggy Jahn recovered from COVID-19, spending three weeks on a ventilator, and now walks 10,000 steps a day at her home on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021 in Marysville, Washington. Jahn was one of Snohomish County’s early cases. Admitted March 14, she spent 42 days at Providence Regional Medical Center Everett. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Once on a ventilator, she’s testament to life after COVID

Peggy Jahn spent six weeks in the hospital. These days, she’s climbing a ladder to paint the bedroom.

Peggy Jahn recovered from COVID-19, spending three weeks on a ventilator, and now walks 10,000 steps a day at her home on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021 in Marysville, Washington. Jahn was one of Snohomish County’s early cases. Admitted March 14, she spent 42 days at Providence Regional Medical Center Everett. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Sunrise View Retirement Villa and Convalescent Center Administrator Diane Lopes on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2020 in Everett, Washington. Lopes was the first Snohomish County --------- (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Leader of hard-hit Everett care home reflects on tragic year

Diane Lopes steered the Sunrise View retirement villa through the pandemic. She retired this month.

Sunrise View Retirement Villa and Convalescent Center Administrator Diane Lopes on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2020 in Everett, Washington. Lopes was the first Snohomish County --------- (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Dr. Ryan Keay, emergency department medical director at Providence Regional Medical Center Everett, was at ground zero during an unprecedented battle to save lives. Photographed on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021 in Everett, Washington. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Historic and chaotic is how Prov’s emergency leader sees 2020

Dr. Ryan Keay says “the science just wasn’t there” in the days after Everett hospital first saw COVID.

Dr. Ryan Keay, emergency department medical director at Providence Regional Medical Center Everett, was at ground zero during an unprecedented battle to save lives. Photographed on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021 in Everett, Washington. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Snohomish Delivers concierge Sarah Dylan Jensen picks up tea from Everything Tea on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2020 in Snohomish, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

A Snohomish service brings goods from the store to your door

Developed by the city, Snohomish Delivers encourages online shoppers to look local. And it’s free.

Snohomish Delivers concierge Sarah Dylan Jensen picks up tea from Everything Tea on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2020 in Snohomish, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Arthur Sepulveda, 32, has been looking for his first home since July. He put in bids for four houses and finally found one last month in Lynnwood directly from the builder. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Low mortgage rates fuel a frenzied, revved-up housing market

Home prices are soaring and bidding wars are back, and Snohomish County “Zoom towns” are hot locations.

Arthur Sepulveda, 32, has been looking for his first home since July. He put in bids for four houses and finally found one last month in Lynnwood directly from the builder. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
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