Monroe

Casi Myers, the new Post Commander at VFW Post 7511, sits inside the post’s new home along Main Street on Friday, June 23, 2023, in Monroe, Washington. Myers, a native of Arlington, served in the Navy from 2004 to 2009 as an electronics technician on reconnaissance aircraft. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

First woman to serve as VFW post commander makes history in Monroe

Incoming Post Commander Casi Myers welcomes diversity at her Veterans of Foreign Wars post.

Casi Myers, the new Post Commander at VFW Post 7511, sits inside the post’s new home along Main Street on Friday, June 23, 2023, in Monroe, Washington. Myers, a native of Arlington, served in the Navy from 2004 to 2009 as an electronics technician on reconnaissance aircraft. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Szander Pouv (Photo provided by family)

After cross stolen twice from Monroe memorial, family has questions

Friends and family have rallied to help Charina Linao after her son, Szander Pouv, died in a crash in January.

Szander Pouv (Photo provided by family)
The exterior of the Monroe Correctional Complex on Friday, June 23, 2023 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

In Monroe prison’s concrete walls, oppressive heat can be ‘unbearable’

When heat moves in, prisoners are trapped in it. Tensions go up. And air conditioning for most units isn’t in the budget.

The exterior of the Monroe Correctional Complex on Friday, June 23, 2023 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Monroe High School (Monroe School District)

Monroe gets high marks in vocational excellence awards

Since 1984, the state-funded scholarship has helped hundreds of students with college and technical school.

Monroe High School (Monroe School District)
The Monroe Correctional Complex on Thursday, April 9, 2020. Inmates held a demonstration on Wednesday night after six inmates tested positive for COVID-19. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Lawsuit: Monroe prison neglected to care for back injury for 2 years

After he finally got an MRI, Jose Gomez’s back was injured again on the drive returning to the Monroe prison, a new lawsuit says.

The Monroe Correctional Complex on Thursday, April 9, 2020. Inmates held a demonstration on Wednesday night after six inmates tested positive for COVID-19. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
A crowd of SEIU Healthcare 1199NW members and supporters gather to listen to speakers addresses the group during a union picket in front of EvergreenHealth Monroe on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Monroe health care workers picket for new contract

About 170 hospital workers are bargaining two contracts with EvergreenHealth Monroe. Two sticking points have emerged.

A crowd of SEIU Healthcare 1199NW members and supporters gather to listen to speakers addresses the group during a union picket in front of EvergreenHealth Monroe on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Daniel Wehnert, left, and Angela Wehnert pose for a photo at High Rock Castle in Monroe, Wash. Annie Barker / The Everett Herald photo

Crowns, robes + thrones come with the stay at Washington state castle

At this vacation rental, you’ll find crowns on the shelf, costumes in the coat closet, dragons to behold and heated thrones.  What’s up with that?… Continue reading

Daniel Wehnert, left, and Angela Wehnert pose for a photo at High Rock Castle in Monroe, Wash. Annie Barker / The Everett Herald photo
Daniel Wehnert, left, and Angela Wehnert, right, pose for a photo at High Rock Castle in Monroe, Washington on Sunday, April 9, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Crowns, robes, thrones come with stay at Monroe castle on 19 acres

The new owners of the medieval marvel say, “We want everybody to feel like royalty here.” The regal bed and breakfast sleeps eight.

Daniel Wehnert, left, and Angela Wehnert, right, pose for a photo at High Rock Castle in Monroe, Washington on Sunday, April 9, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Hunter Mattson, center, is guided by Blake Horton, right, on a virtual welding simulation during a trade fair at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe, Washington, on Wednesday, May 3, 2023. High school kids learned about various trades at the event. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Trade fair gives Snohomish County kids glimpse of college alternatives

Showcasing the trades, the Trade Up event in Monroe drew hundreds of high school students from east Snohomish County.

Hunter Mattson, center, is guided by Blake Horton, right, on a virtual welding simulation during a trade fair at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe, Washington, on Wednesday, May 3, 2023. High school kids learned about various trades at the event. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Freylands Elementary fifth grader Vaughn Kipnis takes a turn shoveling dirt to help plant a Niobe Golden Weeping Willow along the banks of Lake Tye during an Arbor Day celebration at Lake Tye Park on Friday, April 28, 2023, in Monroe, Washington. Students from Mrs. Sager and Mrs. Slater’s classes took a field trip to help the city plant the park’s newest tree. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Monroe fifth graders dig into Arbor Day, the Tree City USA way

Two fifth grade classes from Fryelands Elementary helped plant a tree at Lake Tye.

Freylands Elementary fifth grader Vaughn Kipnis takes a turn shoveling dirt to help plant a Niobe Golden Weeping Willow along the banks of Lake Tye during an Arbor Day celebration at Lake Tye Park on Friday, April 28, 2023, in Monroe, Washington. Students from Mrs. Sager and Mrs. Slater’s classes took a field trip to help the city plant the park’s newest tree. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Alex Rice, 11, swings during a game of YMCA's Miracle League Baseball at Monroe Rotary Field in Monroe, Washington on Saturday, April 22, 2023. The program is designed to allow people with diverse abilities to play baseball. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

‘Always a miracle’: Inclusive baseball league opens season in Monroe

After years off because of COVID-19, Miracle League Baseball returned Saturday with the help of a $10,000 donation.

Alex Rice, 11, swings during a game of YMCA's Miracle League Baseball at Monroe Rotary Field in Monroe, Washington on Saturday, April 22, 2023. The program is designed to allow people with diverse abilities to play baseball. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The inside of the powerhouse at the Woods Creek Hydroelectric Project is seen from the top stairwell on Thursday, April 13, 2023, in Monroe, Washington. The blaring sound of machinery makes it hard to communicate inside the space. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

An electrifying tour: Hydropower plant opens doors to the public

The Woods Creek Sustainability Center is hosting a Hydropower Appreciation Day for guests to see how hydroelectricity gets made.

The inside of the powerhouse at the Woods Creek Hydroelectric Project is seen from the top stairwell on Thursday, April 13, 2023, in Monroe, Washington. The blaring sound of machinery makes it hard to communicate inside the space. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Labels from Felix Custom Smoking seafood products. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

‘Grossly insanitary’ Monroe seafood company ordered to pay FDA costs

In 2021, federal officials found a harmful bacteria in Felix’s Custom Smoking seafood products. The owner refused to recall them.

Labels from Felix Custom Smoking seafood products. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
Szander Pouv (Photo provided via GoFundMe)

‘He still lives on through others’: Man charged in fatal Monroe crash

The crash north of Monroe left Szander Pouv, 20, dead. An 18-year-old faces vehicular homicide charges.

Szander Pouv (Photo provided via GoFundMe)
A rainbow forms above Commercial Building No. 400 following an event celebrating the impending demolition of the outdated building on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023, at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Evergreen State Fair building to be demolished after 70 years

“This building holds a lot of memories for multiple generations,” but county officials say it’s time to move forward.

A rainbow forms above Commercial Building No. 400 following an event celebrating the impending demolition of the outdated building on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023, at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds 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)

Judge: Sex abuse lawsuit against Monroe schools, state can go forward

The victim of a Monroe cop’s abuse alleges state and school officials failed to report, despite 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)
Firefighters works through rescue drills during the Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue’s annual Water Rescue Academy on the Skykomish River Thursday afternoon in Index, Washington on May 5, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Snohomish Regional Fire asks voters for two more commissioners

The district currently has seven commissioners, but it can keep only five. A Feb. 14 special election could change that.

Firefighters works through rescue drills during the Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue’s annual Water Rescue Academy on the Skykomish River Thursday afternoon in Index, Washington on May 5, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Monroe in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118

Monroe school board member chats on Facebook during closed-door meeting

Molly Barnes allegedly solicited opinions from a group of conservative parents and employees on Facebook. It’s unclear if she broke the law.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Monroe in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Tala Davey-Wraight, 3, is thrown in the air by her dad Oscar Davey-Wraight, one of the Summer Meltdown headliners also known as Opiuo, during Cory Wong’s set on Thursday, July 28, 2022 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

After Monroe debut, no Summer Meltdown music fest in 2023

Organizers announced Wednesday they would “take the year off in order to figure out the best path forward for Summer Meltdown in 2024.”

Tala Davey-Wraight, 3, is thrown in the air by her dad Oscar Davey-Wraight, one of the Summer Meltdown headliners also known as Opiuo, during Cory Wong’s set on Thursday, July 28, 2022 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Monroe superintendent Shawn Woodward during his panel interview on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Incoming superintendent says he’s ‘done homework on Monroe’

Shawn Woodward has faced issues of racism, equity and inclusion as the leader of the Mead School District near Spokane.

New Monroe superintendent Shawn Woodward during his panel interview on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)