What's Up With That?

Dave "Bronco" Erickson stands next to the pink-and-purple 1991 Subaru Justy hatchback “Pork Chop Express” car that he is seeking to re-home for $500. The car has been on Whidbey Island for years, mainly as yard art. (Andrea Brown / The Herald)

For sale: Whidbey’s fabled ‘Pork Chop Express’ gets great smileage

Asking price is $500 for the 1991 Subaru Justy, a three-cylinder econobox with 65K miles and a transmission as rare as hen’s teeth.

 

Firearm discovered by TSA officers at Paine Field Thursday morning, May 11, 2023, during routine X-ray screening at the security checkpoint. (Transportation Security Administration)

3 guns caught by TSA at Paine Field this month — all loaded

Simple travel advice: Unpack before you pack to make sure there’s not a gun in your carry-on.

 

Librarian Phillip Buffington, 54, pulls up to the Everett Public Library on his fixed-gear bicycle at the conclusion of his morning commute from Capitol Hill on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Everett librarian on 60-mile bike commute: ‘Totally rational behavior’

Phillip Buffington, 54, pedals from Capitol Hill in Seattle to Everett Public Library. It sure beats driving, he says.

 

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)
Tim Lambright, also known as SpiffyThriftyMan in Instagram, inside Value Village, one of the many thrift stores he frequents on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Everett’s Spiffy Thrifty coach can help you look chic on the cheap

Tim Lambright’s hobby is helping people look first-rate in secondhand clothes, especially us in the stodgy PNW.

Tim Lambright, also known as SpiffyThriftyMan in Instagram, inside Value Village, one of the many thrift stores he frequents on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Nick’s Jr.’s peanut butter bacon burger glistens in the light on Friday, March 31, 2023, at the restaurant in Everett, Washington. The burger consists of a seasoned patty with melty Skippy Super Chunk peanut butter, two bacon slices, lettuce, tomato and mayo on a toasted sesame seed bun.(Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Get nutty: Have a peanut butter burger for the shtick and shell of it

Burgers slathered in peanut butter are hard to find but worth a shot. In Everett, those who’ve tried them keep coming back.

Nick’s Jr.’s peanut butter bacon burger glistens in the light on Friday, March 31, 2023, at the restaurant in Everett, Washington. The burger consists of a seasoned patty with melty Skippy Super Chunk peanut butter, two bacon slices, lettuce, tomato and mayo on a toasted sesame seed bun.(Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Bob Martin, 82, poses for a photo at The Stag Barbershop in Snohomish, Washington on Wednesday, March 22, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Snohomish’s rogue barber keeps clipping despite no license, $90K in fines

Bob Martin’s defiance during the pandemic made him a “poster boy” of conservative resistance.

Bob Martin, 82, poses for a photo at The Stag Barbershop in Snohomish, Washington on Wednesday, March 22, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
In this side-by-side image, the Totem Diner and Pacific Stone Company signs put on a flirty display for all to see Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Signs of love on Rucker Ave: blushing rocks, scrambled eggs, a coffee date

Messages on display on Totem Family Diner and Pacific Stone Co. signs reveal “secret crushes.” More updates expected.

In this side-by-side image, the Totem Diner and Pacific Stone Company signs put on a flirty display for all to see Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Logan Leadley, Kyle Thies and Justin Nygard work on tying sausages at Double DD Meats on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Hot, saucy Double DD Meats is Mountlake Terrace’s carnal destination

Find 3,000 hot sauces, 1,000 barbecue bastes, 500 dry rubs, 400 marinades and 50 flavors of sausage.

Logan Leadley, Kyle Thies and Justin Nygard work on tying sausages at Double DD Meats on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A new $9.99 roast beef sandwich tested at the Lynnwood Costco food court of low-priced fare is blowing up on social media. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Lynnwood’s new $10 roast beef sandwich is Costco sticker shocker

The new cold cut sub is the same price as an 18-inch pizza, six hot dogs or two rotisserie chickens from the vaunted food court.

A new $9.99 roast beef sandwich tested at the Lynnwood Costco food court of low-priced fare is blowing up on social media. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Paula Townsell, 62, drives her PEBL in Everett, Washington on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023. The yellow microcar is an eBike called PEBL with windows, windshield wiper, horn and trunk that Paula Townsell and Chris Glans use to get around Everett, shop, drink and go through the drive-thru. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Car, bike or UFO? Three-wheeled wonder PEBL lands on the streets of Everett

With a sticker price of $10,000 to $13,000, it’s a thrifty person’s Tesla or a big spender’s electric bike.

Paula Townsell, 62, drives her PEBL in Everett, Washington on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023. The yellow microcar is an eBike called PEBL with windows, windshield wiper, horn and trunk that Paula Townsell and Chris Glans use to get around Everett, shop, drink and go through the drive-thru. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
LoveZone owners Katrina Cooney and husband Kevin Cooney at their store on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Does your Valentine want candy — or a trip to the Love Zone?

The adult store has 27 years of experience selling products to spice up romance, with stores in Everett and Marysville.

LoveZone owners Katrina Cooney and husband Kevin Cooney at their store on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett Home Depot worker Jeffrey Raven Leonard, 52, holds a certificate that names him a Kentucky Colonel, an honor from the governor of Kentucky. He received the award, given to 4,000 to 5,000 people annually, for getting the word out about a hiring program for veterans at Home Depot. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

This Kentucky Colonel works at Home Depot, not a fried chicken stand

Jeffrey Raven Leonard, 52, of Everett, joins thousands of other colonels honored for good deeds by the governor of Kentucky.

Everett Home Depot worker Jeffrey Raven Leonard, 52, holds a certificate that names him a Kentucky Colonel, an honor from the governor of Kentucky. He received the award, given to 4,000 to 5,000 people annually, for getting the word out about a hiring program for veterans at Home Depot. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
CarlaRae Arneson, of Lynnwood, grabs a tea press full of fresh tea from Peanut the server robot while dining with her 12-year-old son Levi at Sushi Hana on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, in Lynnwood, Washington. CarlaRae said she and her son used to visit the previous restaurant at Sushi Hana’s location and were excited to try the new business’s food. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Peanut the robot waitress is on a roll at Lynnwood’s Sushi Hana

She’s less RoboCop and more Rosey as she patrols the restaurant, making sure everyone has a drink and good time.

CarlaRae Arneson, of Lynnwood, grabs a tea press full of fresh tea from Peanut the server robot while dining with her 12-year-old son Levi at Sushi Hana on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, in Lynnwood, Washington. CarlaRae said she and her son used to visit the previous restaurant at Sushi Hana’s location and were excited to try the new business’s food. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
A photo of “M*A*S*H” character Corporal Walter "Radar" O’Reilly has mysteriously returned to the “Speed Checked by Radar” sign on Third Street coming into Langley on Whidbey Island on Jan. 2, 2023. (Andrea Brown / The Herald)

In Langley, ‘Speed Checked by Radar’ — Cpl. ‘Radar’ O’Reilly that is

The random act of comedy on a traffic pole an is ongoing M*A*S*H-ed up mystery on Whidbey Island.

A photo of “M*A*S*H” character Corporal Walter "Radar" O’Reilly has mysteriously returned to the “Speed Checked by Radar” sign on Third Street coming into Langley on Whidbey Island on Jan. 2, 2023. (Andrea Brown / The Herald)
Gary, the blooming cactus, inside the entrance to the Mountlake Terrace Police Department on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Christmas cactus named Gary is 40-year veteran of Mountlake Terrace police

He has grown a lot over the decades. Once a year he lights up the station in pink. He needs a haircut.

Gary, the blooming cactus, inside the entrance to the Mountlake Terrace Police Department on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
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What Was Up With That? Columnist looks back at memorable people of 2022

Science fiction-like ear surgery, the Galloping Gourmet, and more — choosing the top stories of the year is like choosing a favorite child.

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Mike Lane and son Dave Lane, right, in front of their family store Everett Vacuum with their popular sign and saying, “everything we sell sucks” on Thursday, April 7, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Suck it up — and shop it up — at Everett Vacuum

After 80 years on Broadway, the family-run store with the “Everything we sell sucks” sign moved to Hewitt Avenue.

Mike Lane and son Dave Lane, right, in front of their family store Everett Vacuum with their popular sign and saying, “everything we sell sucks” on Thursday, April 7, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A number of different Archie McPhee candy cane flavors are available for the holiday season Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022, at the Archie McPhee wholesale building in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Brisket, sardine, Caesar salad: Dare to eat Archie McPhee candy canes?

The famous novelty seller based in Mukilteo, with a store in Seattle, has a dozen flavors to tease your palate.

A number of different Archie McPhee candy cane flavors are available for the holiday season Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022, at the Archie McPhee wholesale building in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Scout Skyler MacKay, 14, sits amongst only a small number of the over 600 toys he has collected for local children in foster care as part of his Eagle Scout project Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, at his family’s home in Lynnwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Teen Santa: Scout brings toys and joy to foster kids, like he was

Skyler MacKay, 14, of Lynnwood is collecting 1,000 toys for his Eagle Scout project. Toys will be given year-round.

Scout Skyler MacKay, 14, sits amongst only a small number of the over 600 toys he has collected for local children in foster care as part of his Eagle Scout project Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, at his family’s home in Lynnwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)