Lake Stevens

Lake Stevens trucker ‘Stogie’ chronicles long-haul life on TikTok

Shawn Dirksen traded the cigar industry for driving a big rig with his pit bull, Bonnie. They keep three eyes on the road.

(Lake Stevens School District)

School, but not police, punish Lake Stevens student over ‘racist’ post

Police found the girl’s social-media post about raccoon hunting was not a thinly veiled threat, but it was in “poor taste.”

(Lake Stevens School District)
Vehicles travel along Highway 9, just south of 84th St NE on Friday, March 11, 2022, near Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Rough and rumbly section of Highway 9 set for emergency repairs

The road between Arlington and Lake Stevens has cracks and potholes. An emergency repairs contract is in the works.

Vehicles travel along Highway 9, just south of 84th St NE on Friday, March 11, 2022, near Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Houses along 88th Drive SE visible from the Powerline Trail on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Lake Stevens to seize property for Powerline Trail

The city attorney said condemnation is a “necessary step.” Only nine of 57 property owners signed easement agreements.

Houses along 88th Drive SE visible from the Powerline Trail on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Gabriel Herrera works on a piece of artwork in his studio Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022, in Lake Stevens, Washington. Herrera said he is in his blue phase as an artist, which is why he uses blue pens to create his art. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Prison was art school for this Lake Stevens man

While incarcerated in Monroe for 10 years, Gabriel Herrera used a ballpoint pen to stick out.

Gabriel Herrera works on a piece of artwork in his studio Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022, in Lake Stevens, Washington. Herrera said he is in his blue phase as an artist, which is why he uses blue pens to create his art. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Kory Dyer, center, along with his parents, Kent and Tania Dyer, sit inside the dining room Friday, March 4, 2022, at Meatheads Smokehouse and Beer Works in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Smoke marks the place for beer and barbecue in Lake Stevens

Since opening last year, Meatheads Smokehouse and Beer Works has won plaudits for its brews and slow-roasted meats alike.

Kory Dyer, center, along with his parents, Kent and Tania Dyer, sit inside the dining room Friday, March 4, 2022, at Meatheads Smokehouse and Beer Works in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Eric Durpos at a Lake Stevens City Council meeting Jan. 26, 2021. (City of Lake Stevens)

Lake Stevens releases report on departed public works director

A once-redacted report shows Eric Durpos admitted to violating policy. He also accused an employee of a false police report.

Eric Durpos at a Lake Stevens City Council meeting Jan. 26, 2021. (City of Lake Stevens)
Members of PRISM close out a dance off Friday afternoon at the Stanwood-Camano YMCA in Stanwood, Washington on March 3, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Gender-identity clubs face resistance in some local schools

Some Snohomish County parents have objected to supportive groups for LGBTQ youth. For the kids, the clubs can be lifesavers.

Members of PRISM close out a dance off Friday afternoon at the Stanwood-Camano YMCA in Stanwood, Washington on March 3, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Albert the frog soars with wings made from feathers in this illustration from the children's book "Albert: A Frog and His Dream," written by Doug Warren. (Illustration by Keegan Williams)

When frogs fly: His book encourages children to dream big

Doug Warren of Lake Stevens turned his daughter’s bedtime story into a published book.

Albert the frog soars with wings made from feathers in this illustration from the children's book "Albert: A Frog and His Dream," written by Doug Warren. (Illustration by Keegan Williams)
Alejandro Meza remains stoic as a mistrial is declared in court Wednesday, March 2, 2022, at the Snohomish County Courthouse in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Mistrial declared in bus shooting due to prosecutor ‘errors’

A jury convicted Alejandro Meza of manslaughter in the killing of Gene Peterson in Everett. On Wednesday, their verdict was tossed.

Alejandro Meza remains stoic as a mistrial is declared in court Wednesday, March 2, 2022, at the Snohomish County Courthouse in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
(Lake Stevens School District)

Lake Stevens schools investigating apparent racist threat

Superintendent Ken Collins said Lake Stevens police are helping to investigate “the origins and intentions” of a social media post.

(Lake Stevens School District)

Man dies from gunshot wounds on Ebey Island

Neighbors reported hearing gunshots. Deputies arrived and found a man who had been shot and later died at the scene.

Vicki Wahl knits scarves at her home in Lake Stevens, Washington on February 17, 2022. More than 170 of her scarves will be handed out during this years’ homelessness count.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald )

Lake Stevens woman knits 175 scarves, donates to homeless

Vicki Wahl, 78, makes the scarves annually, ahead of the county’s Point-in-Time count.

Vicki Wahl knits scarves at her home in Lake Stevens, Washington on February 17, 2022. More than 170 of her scarves will be handed out during this years’ homelessness count.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald )
Cars drive through the intersection of Highway 9 and South Lake Stevens Road on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

As Lake Stevens braces for Costco traffic, Highway 9 gets new roundabout

Expect traffic disruptions and weekend closures as crews build the roundabout at Highway 9 and South Lake Stevens Road.

Cars drive through the intersection of Highway 9 and South Lake Stevens Road on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens’ Jackson Balmer attempts to flip Glacier Peak’s Spencer Dhondt to his back during their match at the 4A sub-regional wrestling meet at Henry M. Jackson High School on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Lake Stevens wrestlers look to send legendary coach out in style

The retiring Brent Barnes enters his final Mat Classic with a talented and highly motivated team.

Lake Stevens’ Jackson Balmer attempts to flip Glacier Peak’s Spencer Dhondt to his back during their match at the 4A sub-regional wrestling meet at Henry M. Jackson High School on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prison photos of Arthur Longworth from 1998 through 2021. He was originally sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in 1986, when he was 21 years old. (Washington State Department of Corrections)

From a life sentence for a 1985 murder to imminent freedom

After a state Supreme Court ruling, Monroe prisoner Arthur Longworth had his sentence reduced for the killing of Cynthia Nelson, 25.

Prison photos of Arthur Longworth from 1998 through 2021. He was originally sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in 1986, when he was 21 years old. (Washington State Department of Corrections)
The Elusive Dream sank again in 2020, knocking down another boat and spilling upwards of 214 gallons of diesel fuel. (Department of Ecology)

Ecology again fines boat owner $70K for fuel spill in river

This time, the state was sterner about the spill in Steamboat Slough. They called Ron Barber’s actions negligent.

The Elusive Dream sank again in 2020, knocking down another boat and spilling upwards of 214 gallons of diesel fuel. (Department of Ecology)
Anne Abbott and James Abbott, who operated Buck's American Cafe in Everett together since 2015, were married since 1999. Anne died on Jan. 15, 2022, just weeks after a cancerous mass was discovered in her brain. (Credit: The Abbott family)

Buck’s co-owner dies: ‘Kindness defined Anne’ Abbott, 46

She ran two Everett restaurants, raised two kids and was “not one to complain.” She died of an aggressive cancer.

Anne Abbott and James Abbott, who operated Buck's American Cafe in Everett together since 2015, were married since 1999. Anne died on Jan. 15, 2022, just weeks after a cancerous mass was discovered in her brain. (Credit: The Abbott family)
Director, producer and writer Rosie Kreider and cinematographer Barry J. Briggs make their way down an isle inside Norm's Market where they filmed for their upcoming movie on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

$1,000 budget: First-time director has high hopes for local film

“The Woman” will feature scenes shot at Norm’s Market in Lake Stevens and Flat Iron Gallery in Sultan.

Director, producer and writer Rosie Kreider and cinematographer Barry J. Briggs make their way down an isle inside Norm's Market where they filmed for their upcoming movie on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Joshua Jacobson opened a video game store in Lake Stevens, Washington called Stupid Geeks as result of COVID. Jacobson needed a brick and mortar to contains his inventory.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Lake Stevens shop deals in nostalgia for all things 8-bit

Stupid Geeks owner Joshua Jacobson wants his store to be a hub for retro video game enthusiasts.

Joshua Jacobson opened a video game store in Lake Stevens, Washington called Stupid Geeks as result of COVID. Jacobson needed a brick and mortar to contains his inventory.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)