Monroe

Marci Larsen

Monroe’s interim superintendent hired at $260K

Marci Larsen is set to lead the school district for 2022-23.

Marci Larsen
Afternoon traffic moves along the U.S. 2 trestle between Everett and Lake Stevens on Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021 in Everett, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Troopers: Sultan man accused of drugged driving in fatal U.S. 2 crash

Shawn Parrish crashed a Lexus into the back of motorcycle, killing the rider, Mark Camp, according to the state patrol.

Afternoon traffic moves along the U.S. 2 trestle between Everett and Lake Stevens on Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021 in Everett, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
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Rear-end crash on U.S. 2 near Monroe kills Snohomish man

Mark Camp was eastbound on his motorcycle when another driver allegedly hit him. Alcohol and drugs may be factors.

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Marci Larsen

Monroe chooses ex-Mukilteo schools chief as interim leader

Marci Larsen retired in 2019 after 17 years as Mukilteo superintendent. Some Monroe parents were critical of the choice.

Marci Larsen
CloZee performs during the second day of Summer Meltdown on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019 in Darrington, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

As new venue hosts Summer Meltdown, some neighbors caught by surprise

Organizers agreed to move a bright light that was shining into Antonio Norsworthy’s home. He now plans to check out the festival.

CloZee performs during the second day of Summer Meltdown on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019 in Darrington, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
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Monroe school officials ink nearly $400K resignation deal with Blasko

Some parents were ruffled by the details in the agreement with the superintendent, but relieved to have a resolution.

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Justin Blasko

Blasko to resign, get nearly $396K in severance with Monroe schools

The embattled superintendent exits weeks after a scathing report found his conduct created a toxic work environment.

Justin Blasko
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Monroe schools wants to know what public seeks in an interim leader

The board is on track to interview candidates July 28, though it’s unclear if the community can watch

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A group gathers near a blending pit, which is where cow waste and other biodegradable material begins its journey towards becoming energy in a digester Friday, June 17, 2022, in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Cow pie power! Monroe manure-to-energy project expands

Qualco has been turning cow poop into electricity since 2008. A new generator could turn on by mid-August.

A group gathers near a blending pit, which is where cow waste and other biodegradable material begins its journey towards becoming energy in a digester Friday, June 17, 2022, in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Monroe in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118

Search begins in earnest for Monroe interim superintendent

Meanwhile, Superintendent Justin Blasko is still on leave, and school officials are keeping quiet about his future.

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Monroe High School (Monroe School District)

Monroe High School student charged with anti-LGBTQ hate crime

Prosecutors allege a 16-year-old choked a classmate on campus and called him “gay.”

Monroe High School (Monroe School District)
All-Area softball player of the year is Monroe shortstop River Mahler. Mahler, a Stanford University signee, excelled at the plate and in the field while leading the Bearcats to a fifth-place finish in the 3A state tournament. Photographed on June 13, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

The Herald’s Softball Player of the Year: River Mahler

The do-it-all Stanford-bound senior shortstop broke school records and led Monroe to a 5th-place state finish.

All-Area softball player of the year is Monroe shortstop River Mahler. Mahler, a Stanford University signee, excelled at the plate and in the field while leading the Bearcats to a fifth-place finish in the 3A state tournament. Photographed on June 13, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Junelle Lewis, right, daughter Tamara Grigsby and son Jayden Hill sing “Lift Every Voice and Sing” during Monroe’s Juneteenth celebration on Saturday, June 18, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Rainy Juneteenth celebrations in Snohomish, Monroe mark progress

Community members say they hope their cities can continue to “build on what has begun.”

Junelle Lewis, right, daughter Tamara Grigsby and son Jayden Hill sing “Lift Every Voice and Sing” during Monroe’s Juneteenth celebration on Saturday, June 18, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Leafline Trails Coalition's vision for over 900 miles of trails would improve connections across King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish Counties. (Leafline Trails Coalition)

Group envisions robust links for Centennial Trail

Leafline Trail Coalition’s map has over 900 miles through King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties.

Leafline Trails Coalition's vision for over 900 miles of trails would improve connections across King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish Counties. (Leafline Trails Coalition)
Marysville

Marysville man accused of over 12 armed robberies at massage parlors

The suspect reportedly said he targeted Asian spas, “believing they would be hesitant to report the crimes.”

Marysville
Justin Blasko

Monroe schools on to ‘next steps’ for embattled superintendent

Blistering report in hand, Monroe school leaders are seeking an acting leader to fill in for Justin Blasko.

Justin Blasko
Cathy Clark tallies Vaux’s swifts as they fly into the chimney at Frank Wagner Elementary School on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Swifts descend by the thousands in Monroe — but who’s counting?

Vaux’s swifts are back in town. Armed with pencils and scrap paper, volunteers count thousands at a time.

Cathy Clark tallies Vaux’s swifts as they fly into the chimney at Frank Wagner Elementary School on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Trash bags (left) contained bulk marijuana that prosecutors said show the scale of an unlicensed marijuana operation in Monroe. (U.S. Attorney) 20220601

Monroe father, son get 5 years for marijuana, Bitcoin scheme

Kenneth Warren Rhule, 28, sold crypto to an undercover federal agent who claimed to be trafficking Ukrainian women.

Trash bags (left) contained bulk marijuana that prosecutors said show the scale of an unlicensed marijuana operation in Monroe. (U.S. Attorney) 20220601
Justin Blasko

‘(Expletive) idiot’: Scathing report paints Monroe schools supe as bully

In a response, Superintendent Justin Blasko apologized for his actions. His future with the district remains in limbo.

Justin Blasko
Monroe High School with (inset) a Facebook video screenshot from Nov. 10, 2021, which showed a white student repeatedly using racial slurs in a confrontation with a Black student.

‘It makes me angry’: Black students in Monroe report persistent racism

“Please help stop this racism,” a first-grade student told the Monroe school board Monday. Other kids reported racist slurs.

Monroe High School with (inset) a Facebook video screenshot from Nov. 10, 2021, which showed a white student repeatedly using racial slurs in a confrontation with a Black student.