Monroe

Ideal Option on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Drug treatment clinic in Monroe aims to reach an underserved clientele

Ideal Option opened in November. It’s the closest treatment for many rural residents of Snohomish County — and there’s room to help more.

Ideal Option on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Harold Lang

State pays out $250K to inmate for neglect of Monroe prison injury

Harold Lang hurt his leg playing basketball at the prison. He claimed poor medical care caused him to re-injure it two more times.

Harold Lang
The old Union Bank building is pictured Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Monroe seeks local input for future community center downtown

The project on Main Street has been 60 years in the making. The city has spent $2.3 million so far. What will it look like? TBD.

The old Union Bank building is pictured Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
A large number off law enforcement are gathered at a Skykomish River water access on Ben Howard Road on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Detective: Gold Bar killer who fled into river was ‘armed career criminal’

Deputies believe Kristopher Dillard, 44, shot a woman in front of her best friend at the Big Eddy boat launch.

A large number off law enforcement are gathered at a Skykomish River water access on Ben Howard Road on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
David Rzegocki

Arica Smith-Simmer (right), a parent of two children at Sky Valley Education Center, gives an account of her health issues as Jill Savery (left), Stacy Mullen-Deland (center left), and attorney Sean Gamble listen during a press conference in downtown Seattle on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018.

Photo taken on 01032018

Jury: Monsanto must pay $857M over PCBs in Monroe school

Hundreds of students, parents, teachers and staff have sued over harmful chemicals at the Sky Valley Education Center.

David Rzegocki

Arica Smith-Simmer (right), a parent of two children at Sky Valley Education Center, gives an account of her health issues as Jill Savery (left), Stacy Mullen-Deland (center left), and attorney Sean Gamble listen during a press conference in downtown Seattle on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018.

Photo taken on 01032018
The Skykomish River flows calmly westward on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023, in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Farmland, salmon habitat find delicate balance in county program

Over 12 miles of habitat have been restored via the Floodplain Solutions program — like the Roth family farm near Monroe will soon be.

The Skykomish River flows calmly westward on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023, in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The state Court of Appeals in 2018 upheld the conviction of former Monroe police Sgt. Carlos Martinez, seen here during his Aug. 13, 2013 arraignment hearing, for engaging in sexual misconduct with a minor he groomed for years. (Jennifer Buchanan / The Herald)

State ordered to pay $3M in Monroe sex abuse lawsuit

The victim of a Monroe cop’s abuse alleged that state officials failed her and ignored warning signs.

The state Court of Appeals in 2018 upheld the conviction of former Monroe police Sgt. Carlos Martinez, seen here during his Aug. 13, 2013 arraignment hearing, for engaging in sexual misconduct with a minor he groomed for years. (Jennifer Buchanan / The Herald)
A gaggle of geese graze outside of Edmonds United Methodist Church on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Over 70 geese have died of suspected bird flu in Monroe park

State officials said outbreaks of this size are common in fall. People can help by not feeding birds at Lake Tye.

A gaggle of geese graze outside of Edmonds United Methodist Church on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
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Crash into herd of cows shuts down US 2 near Monroe

A herd of cows escaped from a nearby farm and were hit by a car near Fryelands Boulevard in Monroe, according to state patrol.

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Claiming a man pointed a gun at him, Kevin Rodriguez testifies in court at the Snohomish County Courthouse on Thursday, June 10, 2021, in Everett, Washington. Rodriguez was convicted of manslaughter for killing Evodio Garcia Martinez. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Monroe manslaughter conviction tossed over jury instructions

Appellate judges ruled a Snohomish County jury should have been given the option to convict Kevin Rodriguez of a lesser charge.

Claiming a man pointed a gun at him, Kevin Rodriguez testifies in court at the Snohomish County Courthouse on Thursday, June 10, 2021, in Everett, Washington. Rodriguez was convicted of manslaughter for killing Evodio Garcia Martinez. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Top left to bottom right: Nova Eckaus, 2, Dax, 5, Robin Roth, Ernest Salvator-Thaete, 2, Kannon S., 6, Sheila S., and Callum, 3. A collection of portraits from the Downtown Trick or Treat event in Monroe, Washington on Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023. Children, teens and families walked Main Street to collect candy from local businesses. Dogs sported costumes as well and decorations adorned buildings. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Trick-or-Treaters collect tasty treats in Monroe

Children, teens and families on Tuesday walked Main Street in Monroe to collect candy from local businesses.

Top left to bottom right: Nova Eckaus, 2, Dax, 5, Robin Roth, Ernest Salvator-Thaete, 2, Kannon S., 6, Sheila S., and Callum, 3. A collection of portraits from the Downtown Trick or Treat event in Monroe, Washington on Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023. Children, teens and families walked Main Street to collect candy from local businesses. Dogs sported costumes as well and decorations adorned buildings. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
From left: Melanie Lockhart, Heather Fulcher, Junelle Lewis and Jacob Walker

Monroe City Council candidates focused on growth, safety

Monroe’s population has nearly doubled since 2000. How to handle that growth, along with public safety, were among candidates’ top concerns.

From left: Melanie Lockhart, Heather Fulcher, Junelle Lewis and Jacob Walker
Top row (L-R): Tiana Armstrong, Jeremiah Campbell, Melanie Ryan. Bottom row (L-R) Chuck Whitfield, Jennifer Bumpus, Andrew Fegler

After Monroe superintendent turmoil, 1 school board race is contested

Candidates have dropped out of races leading up to the general election, leaving one of four seats with a real campaign trail.

Top row (L-R): Tiana Armstrong, Jeremiah Campbell, Melanie Ryan. Bottom row (L-R) Chuck Whitfield, Jennifer Bumpus, Andrew Fegler
Kid’s Country daycare on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Lawsuit: Children as young as 2 abused at Monroe day care

Five parents filed a lawsuit against Kid’s Country Learning Center last week, alleging staff abused their children.

Kid’s Country daycare on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Left to right, president Bill Peterson, vice president Jamie Gamez, and executive vice president Jeff Cannon pose for a photo at Morris Magnets in Monroe, Washington, on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Gift and souvenir maker Morris Magnets calls Monroe home

Morris makes 30,000 items like refrigerator magnets and key chains a day out of its factory.

Left to right, president Bill Peterson, vice president Jamie Gamez, and executive vice president Jeff Cannon pose for a photo at Morris Magnets in Monroe, Washington, on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
A salmon leaps out of the water while migrating up Wood Creek on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

As Woods Creek railroad trestle comes down, a new doorway for salmon

The trestle was a toxic, physical barrier for salmon since 1939. Now, migrating fish will benefit from its removal.

A salmon leaps out of the water while migrating up Wood Creek on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Thrill-seekers fly through the air on a ride during opening day of the Evergreen State Fair on Thursday, August 24, 2023, in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Evergreen State Fair attendance dips 9% from 2022

Slightly over 228,000 people attended the fair this year in Monroe, down from 253,000 last year and 355,000 in 2019.

Thrill-seekers fly through the air on a ride during opening day of the Evergreen State Fair on Thursday, August 24, 2023, in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Twenty-four guns were stolen in a break-in Sept. 6, 2023, at Armageddon Arms in Monroe. (Monroe Police Department)

$10K reward offered for tips in Armageddon Arms heist

Twenty-four guns were stolen earlier this month at a Monroe firearms dealer. Federal investigators are seeking the guns or suspects.

Twenty-four guns were stolen in a break-in Sept. 6, 2023, at Armageddon Arms in Monroe. (Monroe Police Department)
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Police: Man acknowledged shooting Monroe prison officer in Snohomish

Dylan Picard, 22, was driving on South Machias Road when the off-duty officer approached his car and Pickard fired one shot, he told detectives.

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Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118

Lake Stevens man arrested in Monroe prison officer’s killing

The 22-year-old man was arrested for investigation of second-degree murder. Detectives are seeking witnesses.

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