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Mike Lane and son Dave Lane, right, in front of their family store Everett Vacuum with their popular sign and saying, “everything we sell sucks” on Thursday, April 7, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Suck it up — and shop it up — at Everett Vacuum

After 80 years on Broadway, the family-run store with the “Everything we sell sucks” sign moved to Hewitt Avenue.

Mike Lane and son Dave Lane, right, in front of their family store Everett Vacuum with their popular sign and saying, “everything we sell sucks” on Thursday, April 7, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A female common merganser speeds off along the Snohomish River on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, at Bob Heirman Wildlife Park at Thomas’ Eddy in Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Tulalip Tribes, Snohomish County receive grants for coastal preservation

The money will help county and tribal leaders create healthier habitat for future generations of fish — and people, too.

A female common merganser speeds off along the Snohomish River on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, at Bob Heirman Wildlife Park at Thomas’ Eddy in Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
A number of different Archie McPhee candy cane flavors are available for the holiday season Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022, at the Archie McPhee wholesale building in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Brisket, sardine, Caesar salad: Dare to eat Archie McPhee candy canes?

The famous novelty seller based in Mukilteo, with a store in Seattle, has a dozen flavors to tease your palate.

A number of different Archie McPhee candy cane flavors are available for the holiday season Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022, at the Archie McPhee wholesale building in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Lena and Brian Schultz stand in front of their home next to their mailbox for letters to Santa at their Lake Stevens home that also serves as the Living Aloha Farm Sanctuary. The couple have been receiving and responding to letters destined for the North Pole since 2019. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Santa, you’ve got mail! Lake Stevens pair has a dropbox for kids’ letters

Lena and Brian Schultz answer letters by hand at their Living Aloha Farm, a sanctuary for cows, goats, sheep and chickens.

Lena and Brian Schultz stand in front of their home next to their mailbox for letters to Santa at their Lake Stevens home that also serves as the Living Aloha Farm Sanctuary. The couple have been receiving and responding to letters destined for the North Pole since 2019. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Students Darian Vandee and Angelica Subillaga get their measurements right while working inside a tiny home they and classmates are working on for their pre-apprenticeship program Monday, Dec. 12, 2022, at the Washington Aerospace Training & Research Center in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Worker shortage, housing crisis: Edmonds tiny home project aims at both

While practicing the construction basics, pre-apprenticeship students at Edmonds College also give back to the community.

Students Darian Vandee and Angelica Subillaga get their measurements right while working inside a tiny home they and classmates are working on for their pre-apprenticeship program Monday, Dec. 12, 2022, at the Washington Aerospace Training & Research Center in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Students make their way through aisles of food and other goods while filling boxes for families during Cascade’s annual holiday food drive Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, at Cascade High School in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Annual Cascade High food drive a ‘massive, joyful holiday undertaking’

In its 61st year, the student-led food drive collected more than 40,000 canned food items and 1,300 gifts for local families.

Students make their way through aisles of food and other goods while filling boxes for families during Cascade’s annual holiday food drive Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, at Cascade High School in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Gerry Davis, supported by sisters Sara, left, and Nona Blouin, reads a statement asking for help in the search for their missing sister, Mary Ellen Johnson-Davis, during a gathering marking two years since her disappearance in Snohomish County on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022, at Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center in Seattle, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Missing woman’s family: ‘If she had white privilege, we would have answers’

Advocates gathered in Seattle to keep a light on the case of Mary Johnson-Davis, a Tulalip woman who vanished two years ago.

Gerry Davis, supported by sisters Sara, left, and Nona Blouin, reads a statement asking for help in the search for their missing sister, Mary Ellen Johnson-Davis, during a gathering marking two years since her disappearance in Snohomish County on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022, at Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center in Seattle, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Franco Montano works on putting together a wreath at his workshop on Monday, Dec. 5, 2022 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Monroe man runs taco truck by day, makes 100 wreaths by night

Franco Montano, a former factory worker, started making the holiday wreaths in 2008. He has expanded into a thriving family business.

Franco Montano works on putting together a wreath at his workshop on Monday, Dec. 5, 2022 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Santa Brett Nichols talks with twins Emily, left, and Alison Johnson, both 8, to see what gifts they want during a photo shoot Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in Monroe, Washington. Emily and Alison have taken photos with Santa Brett every year since they were three months old. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Despite brain cancer diagnosis, Christmas still on for Sultan’s Santa

Meet Brett Nichols: high school custodian and second-generation Santa, who’s now hoping for a miracle of his own.

Santa Brett Nichols talks with twins Emily, left, and Alison Johnson, both 8, to see what gifts they want during a photo shoot Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in Monroe, Washington. Emily and Alison have taken photos with Santa Brett every year since they were three months old. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The final 747 is rolled out of the factory on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Final 747 rollout signals end of an era for Boeing, Everett

After a 55-year run, the last of the “Queen of the Skies” emerged from the Everett assembly plant Tuesday evening.

The final 747 is rolled out of the factory on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mother-daughter duo Judi and Emma Kate Ramsey join together to run Artisans PNW on Hewitt Avenue Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Artisans PNW in Everett offers local gifts, books and art

The Everett store that opened in May can trace its roots to an enterprising Girl Scout troop in Snohomish.

Mother-daughter duo Judi and Emma Kate Ramsey join together to run Artisans PNW on Hewitt Avenue Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Pilchuck Secret Valley Tree Farm owner Paul Dierck walks through a row of trees on Monday, Dec. 5, 2022 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Christmas trees, a Washington cash crop, get a little more spendy

Christmas tree farms generate about $688,000 each season for Snohomish County farmers. Some are still open for business.

Pilchuck Secret Valley Tree Farm owner Paul Dierck walks through a row of trees on Monday, Dec. 5, 2022 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Scout Skyler MacKay, 14, sits amongst only a small number of the over 600 toys he has collected for local children in foster care as part of his Eagle Scout project Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, at his family’s home in Lynnwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Teen Santa: Scout brings toys and joy to foster kids, like he was

Skyler MacKay, 14, of Lynnwood is collecting 1,000 toys for his Eagle Scout project. Toys will be given year-round.

Scout Skyler MacKay, 14, sits amongst only a small number of the over 600 toys he has collected for local children in foster care as part of his Eagle Scout project Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, at his family’s home in Lynnwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
PUD workers install new transformers along 132nd Street on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Electric vehicles spur big forecast jump for PUD demand

Not long ago, the Snohomish County PUD projected 50,000 electric cars registered in the county by 2040. Now it expects up to 660,000.

PUD workers install new transformers along 132nd Street on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Robert Miller blows snow out of the parking lot next to his home as snow comes down on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Snow arrives earlier than expected in Everett. May stay longer too.

It’s not just snow to worry about. Wind, winter weather advisories are in effect through Wednesday afternoon for the county.

Robert Miller blows snow out of the parking lot next to his home as snow comes down on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The crab doughnut at Market in Edmonds is a strange delight, with a sweet and dense glazed doughnut topped with bright and briny dungeness crab salad, nutty browned butter and a shower of smoky bacon bits. (Taylor Goebel / The Herald)

This idyllic dining destination is right in Snohomish County

Edmonds boasts fresh seafood, Caribbean-inspired sandwiches, artisan breads, cocktails and more.

The crab doughnut at Market in Edmonds is a strange delight, with a sweet and dense glazed doughnut topped with bright and briny dungeness crab salad, nutty browned butter and a shower of smoky bacon bits. (Taylor Goebel / The Herald)
Tom Wunderlich, associate director of aquatic advancement, guides a student in a lesson during a lifeguard academy session on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, at the Colby Avenue YMCA in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Swimming for good: Everett YMCA’s lifeguard class uplifts at-risk kids

Teens learn water safety and leadership skills during the course. The training chips away at a history of racial disparities.

Tom Wunderlich, associate director of aquatic advancement, guides a student in a lesson during a lifeguard academy session on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, at the Colby Avenue YMCA in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Conor O’Neill racks freshly baked baguettes Friday morning at The Cottage Community Bakery in Edmonds, Washington on September 30, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Grain to Table: An Edmonds bakery’s sourdough makes flour ‘go local’

In an industry dominated by conglomerates, bakers at The Cottage work under the motto, “EAT REAL BREAD” — literally.

Conor O’Neill racks freshly baked baguettes Friday morning at The Cottage Community Bakery in Edmonds, Washington on September 30, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
A young red-tailed hawk takes a moment in a nearby tree after being released from a carrier Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022, at Evergreen Cemetery in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Red-tailed hawk gets ‘second chance’ in release at Evergreen Cemetery

The hawk, found about three weeks ago, was likely hit by a car. PAWS rehabilitated the young bird.

A young red-tailed hawk takes a moment in a nearby tree after being released from a carrier Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022, at Evergreen Cemetery in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Jake Martinez-Torralba, left, smiles while and Evelyn Ward, right, does her best impression of a turkey at Central Primary School on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Piping-hot Thanksgiving takes: Snohomish elementary kids talk turkey

“The pilgrims made Thanksgiving. I know that because we read books.” Read on for more lessons from Snohomish students age 5 to 7.

Jake Martinez-Torralba, left, smiles while and Evelyn Ward, right, does her best impression of a turkey at Central Primary School on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)