Monroe

Tom Vick, longtime Evergreen Speedway photographer, in the early 2000s. (North Fork Photo)

Memorial lap at Monroe track to honor longtime photographer

Tom Vick was a goldsmith, volunteer firefighter and racetrack historian. On Saturday, family members will drive his ’94 blue Bronco.

Tom Vick, longtime Evergreen Speedway photographer, in the early 2000s. (North Fork Photo)
Original MicroHomebrew owner Tony Ochsner, left, and soon to be owner Corey DeJong, right, at their store on Monday, Aug. 7, 2023 in Kenmore, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Cheers! Last-minute buyer keeps Kenmore home brew store in business

The owner of Micro Homebrew, the only supplier in the area, couldn’t find a successor. Then a customer heard the store was closing.

Original MicroHomebrew owner Tony Ochsner, left, and soon to be owner Corey DeJong, right, at their store on Monday, Aug. 7, 2023 in Kenmore, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A fair-goer drops off some trash at one of the Evergreen State Fair’s many zero-waste stations during opening day Thursday, August 24, 2023, in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Evergreen State Fair aims for zero waste, with mixed results

Program leaders had hoped to reroute all of the fair’s waste from landfills. Almost a decade later, they’ve achieved 45%.

A fair-goer drops off some trash at one of the Evergreen State Fair’s many zero-waste stations during opening day Thursday, August 24, 2023, in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Across the bridge from the barn feature in The Ring on Tuesday, July 18, 2023 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Prisons and cursed tapes: What’s been filmed in Monroe?

The films “The Ring,” “Butterfly Effect” and “7 Minutes” shot scenes in the town.

Across the bridge from the barn feature in The Ring on Tuesday, July 18, 2023 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The All-Star Stunt Dog Show puts on a display before a large and enthusiastic crowd during opening day of the Evergreen State Fair on Thursday, August 24, 2023, in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

At Evergreen State Fair, try the deep-fried Oreos

Rides include ferris wheels and tilt-a-whirls. Vendors are selling deep fried oreos, Korean BBQ, shaved ice and other popular fairground treats.

The All-Star Stunt Dog Show puts on a display before a large and enthusiastic crowd during opening day of the Evergreen State Fair on Thursday, August 24, 2023, in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
A Vaux’s swift zips through the sky above an excited crowd during the Pilchuck Audubon Society’s Swifts Night Out on Saturday, August 19, 2023, at the Wagner Performing Arts Center in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Crowds of ‘Swifties’ gather in Monroe, but few Vaux’s swifts show up

Birders at an annual Swift Night Out counted about four swifts Saturday. In the past, they’ve counted hundreds.

A Vaux’s swift zips through the sky above an excited crowd during the Pilchuck Audubon Society’s Swifts Night Out on Saturday, August 19, 2023, at the Wagner Performing Arts Center in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Michael Durkee, 15, left, holds a tape measure for Jeff Forbes, 60, right, at the Wayside Chapel along U.S. 2 in Monroe, Washington on Saturday, June 24, 2023. Michael Durkee, 15, is leading the effort for his Eagle Scout project. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Tiny Wayside Chapel near Sultan gets a super Scout makeover

The 7-by-11 foot chapel built in 1962 is open all hours for weddings, piety and curiosity, thanks in part to a pair of Eagle Scouts.

Michael Durkee, 15, left, holds a tape measure for Jeff Forbes, 60, right, at the Wayside Chapel along U.S. 2 in Monroe, Washington on Saturday, June 24, 2023. Michael Durkee, 15, is leading the effort for his Eagle Scout project. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Two children float down the Pilchuck River on an inflatable slice of pizza on Sunday, August 13, 2023, in Snohomish, Washington. Inland temperatures look to creep into the 90s during the week. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

98 in Darrington? Heat wave coming to Snohomish County

Meteorologists expect this will be the most intense heat the region has seen so far this year.

Two children float down the Pilchuck River on an inflatable slice of pizza on Sunday, August 13, 2023, in Snohomish, Washington. Inland temperatures look to creep into the 90s during the week. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Monroe in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118

Monroe biker killed in wrong-way crash on I-5 near Alger

The man was on a motorcycle, heading south in the northbound lanes in Skagit County. Another driver was injured.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Monroe in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Performers joust during the Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire at Sky Meadows Park in Snohomish, Washington, on Sunday, Aug. 06, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Near Monroe, colorful crowds at Renaissance faire’s first weekend

Folks got medieval at the Midsummer Renaissance Faire outside Monroe, where “I think the adults enjoy it more than the kids.”

Performers joust during the Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire at Sky Meadows Park in Snohomish, Washington, on Sunday, Aug. 06, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Two Knights joust at the Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire. (Richard Doyle / Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire)

Jousting, fire juggling and turkey legs: Renaissance faire arrives this weekend

The popular event is expected to draw 60,000 people to Sky Meadows Park near Monroe over three weekends.

Two Knights joust at the Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire. (Richard Doyle / Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire)
Children board a school bus in Everett on Thursday morning. (Sue Misao / The Herald) Feb. 24, 2022

Adkins, Rohla advance in race for Everett School Board Position 5

Several school board races around the county were tight. Meanwhile, an incumbent on Marysville’s board took just 8% of votes.

Children board a school bus in Everett on Thursday morning. (Sue Misao / The Herald) Feb. 24, 2022
Two Knights joust at the Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire. Richard Doyle / Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire photo

Jousting, fire juggling and turkey legs: Renaissance faire returns to Washington

It’s time to party like it’s 1578. This August, the Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire is setting up shop in Snohomish County. Knights will joust, turkey… Continue reading

Two Knights joust at the Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire. Richard Doyle / Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire photo
Jeremiah Campbell, left, and Crystal Blakely

Candidate pool already whittled down in Monroe School Board election

Jeremiah Campbell is running to hold the seat, while Crystal Blakely is challenging. Two candidates have dropped out of the race.

Jeremiah Campbell, left, and Crystal Blakely
Kole Raz, right, talks with his pit crew during practice for Summer Showdown at Evergreen Speedway on Thursday, July 20, 2023 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Defending champ Peltier, challengers gear up for Summer Showdown

The five-time main event winner is the favorite at Evergreen Speedway’s premier event, which takes place Friday and Saturday.

Kole Raz, right, talks with his pit crew during practice for Summer Showdown at Evergreen Speedway on Thursday, July 20, 2023 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Monroe High School (Monroe School District)

Monroe High School ex-psychologist sentenced for texting girls for sex

Lance Egli was given three months for communicating with a minor for immoral purposes. He had worked at the school since 2004.

Monroe High School (Monroe School District)
Junelle Lewis, left, Will Schlegel and Jacob Walker

Planning board members face off in 3-way primary for Monroe council

Planning board members Jacob Walker and Junelle Lewis, along with Will Schlegel, filed to run for Monroe City Council.

Junelle Lewis, left, Will Schlegel and Jacob Walker
Monroe City Hall on Monday, July 17, 2023 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Monroe embarks on $17M plan to upgrade City Hall

City departments will temporarily relocate while the municipal campus is being remodeled.

Monroe City Hall on Monday, July 17, 2023 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
People wait in line for amusement park tickets during opening day of the Evergreen State Fair on Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021 in Monroe, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Here’s what musical acts you can see at the Evergreen State Fair in Monroe

This summer’s lineup includes chart-topping artists, monster truck rallies and a laser show in late August and early September.

People wait in line for amusement park tickets during opening day of the Evergreen State Fair on Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021 in Monroe, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The Monroe Correctional Complex on Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022 in Monroe, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Monroe prison inquiry finds two men left in cells amid growing squalor

One didn’t leave his cell for five months. When corrections staff moved him, they had to clear away piles of garbage and scrub away “bodily fluids.”

The Monroe Correctional Complex on Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022 in Monroe, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)