Monroe

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)
Dr. Robert Carsrud from the 2015 King County Voters Pamphlet. (King County Elections)

State to pay $600K over psychologist’s harassment at Monroe prison

In a federal lawsuit, Tressa Grummer alleged persistent sexual harassment as an intern by her supervisor, Robert Carsrud.

Dr. Robert Carsrud from the 2015 King County Voters Pamphlet. (King County Elections)
Elaine Kellner, 42, poses for a photo with her dog Penny at Hearth and Haven Farm in Monroe, Washington on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023. The farm lost its entire flock of 170 ducks and four geese to avian flu. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

‘It’s a killer’: Monroe farm loses entire flock to bird flu

Elaine Kellner said a mass cull crushed her business. She wants to see more support for other small farms hit with avian flu.

Elaine Kellner, 42, poses for a photo with her dog Penny at Hearth and Haven Farm in Monroe, Washington on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023. The farm lost its entire flock of 170 ducks and four geese to avian flu. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Jay Cook (left) and Tanya Van Cuylenborg of Vancouver Island were found slain in Washington in 1987.

High court reinstates guilty verdicts in 1987 murders of Canadian couple

The state Supreme Court announced a 9-0 ruling on alleged juror bias Thursday in the double murder case against William Talbott.

Jay Cook (left) and Tanya Van Cuylenborg of Vancouver Island were found slain in Washington in 1987.
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)
Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Monroe in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118

Semi uncouples on U.S. 2 near Monroe, blocking traffic for hours

The driver was entrapped. The severity of injuries was unknown.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Monroe in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Monroe High School (Monroe School District)

‘Set for the next four years’: Monroe schools levy officially passes

The levy funds 14% of the district’s budget including athletics, extracurricular activities and some transportation services.

Monroe High School (Monroe School District)
Emergency responders surround the wreckage of an airplane that crashed into a field along U.S. 2 just east of Snohomish on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022, in Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Crew of 4 identified in deadly Snohomish plane crash

The Cessna 208B crashed into a field near U.S. 2. on Friday. A detached wing was found about 200 yards from the fuselage.

Emergency responders surround the wreckage of an airplane that crashed into a field along U.S. 2 just east of Snohomish on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022, in Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Emergency responders surround the wreckage of an airplane that crashed into a field along U.S. 2 just east of Snohomish on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022, in Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

What comes next in investigation of deadly Snohomish plane crash?

A preliminary report is expected in two to three weeks. The final investigation could take up to two years.

Emergency responders surround the wreckage of an airplane that crashed into a field along U.S. 2 just east of Snohomish on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022, in Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Emergency responders surround the wreckage of an airplane that crashed into a field along U.S. 2 just east of Snohomish on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022, in Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Crew was collecting ‘baseline’ data when airplane crashed

Raisbeck Engineering, a Tukwila-based company that specializes in airplane modifications, was leasing the plane.

Emergency responders surround the wreckage of an airplane that crashed into a field along U.S. 2 just east of Snohomish on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022, in Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Emergency responders surround the wreckage of an airplane that crashed into a field along U.S. 2 just east of Snohomish on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022, in Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Two more deaths confirmed in plane crash east of Snohomish

On Saturday, local authorities determined the plane had four — not two — passengers. Few other details were available.

Emergency responders surround the wreckage of an airplane that crashed into a field along U.S. 2 just east of Snohomish on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022, in Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Monroe in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118

Police: Child, 6, injured in impaired-driving crash

The child suffered an arm injury in the Saturday night crash, police said. The alleged driver was arrested.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Monroe in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Monroe High School (Monroe School District)
Monroe High School (Monroe School District)
Robert Charles Lindsay, 45, a former police officer, appeared in Everett District Court after his arrest for investigation of repeatedly drugging a Monroe woman and, at one point, trying to rape her. (Caleb Hutton / The Herald)

Charges declined for former cop accused of drugging woman in Monroe

Monroe police arrested Robert Lindsay in 2018, for investigation of domestic violence rape and assault with sexual motivation.

Robert Charles Lindsay, 45, a former police officer, appeared in Everett District Court after his arrest for investigation of repeatedly drugging a Monroe woman and, at one point, trying to rape her. (Caleb Hutton / The Herald)
Libby Reed loosens soil with a broadfork at Orange Star Farm on Thursday, May 6, 2021 in Monroe, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Focus on Farming conference returns Nov. 10

The 17th annual event will feature speakers, 24 workshops on agriculture and a trade show.

Libby Reed loosens soil with a broadfork at Orange Star Farm on Thursday, May 6, 2021 in Monroe, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Alex Phillips, Karen Mahood and their four-week-old baby Georgia sit inside the family’s home where the production and television sales of Zippered Stockings take place on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

From Mukilteo living room, Zippered Stockings get a national audience

They hit it big on shopping channel QVC. The handmade holiday stockings with zippers and handles sell for $20 to $30.

Alex Phillips, Karen Mahood and their four-week-old baby Georgia sit inside the family’s home where the production and television sales of Zippered Stockings take place on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Lisa Laidlaw, owner and baker at House Balthazar, holds a plate of macarons in the kitchen Monday, Oct. 17, 2022, at House Balthazar in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Monroe’s tiny House Balthazar makes macaron magic

Lisa Laidlaw left her corporate job to bake French macarons with big flavors.

Lisa Laidlaw, owner and baker at House Balthazar, holds a plate of macarons in the kitchen Monday, Oct. 17, 2022, at House Balthazar in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Monroe High School (Monroe School District)

After narrow levy loss, Monroe schools make final pitch to avoid cuts

A tax measure funds 14% of the school district’s budget. If it fails in November, there will be at least $15 million in budget cuts.

Monroe High School (Monroe School District)
In this Jan. 4, 2019 photo, workers and other officials gather outside the Sky Valley Education Center school in Monroe, Wash., before going inside to collect samples for testing. The samples were tested for PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, as well as dioxins and furans. A lawsuit filed on behalf of several families and teachers claims that officials failed to adequately respond to PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, in the school. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

$275 million verdict for toxic exposures at Monroe school

A jury awarded millions to 10 students and parents who say they suffered injuries at Sky Valley Education Center.

In this Jan. 4, 2019 photo, workers and other officials gather outside the Sky Valley Education Center school in Monroe, Wash., before going inside to collect samples for testing. The samples were tested for PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, as well as dioxins and furans. A lawsuit filed on behalf of several families and teachers claims that officials failed to adequately respond to PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, in the school. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Phil Spirito and Libby Reed play a song together in their home on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Librarian by day, Monroe musician goes back on tour with ’90s band Rex

Phil Spirito has a double-life as “Phil the musician.” His indie slowcore band is getting a surprise revival with album reissues.

Phil Spirito and Libby Reed play a song together in their home on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)