Connor Zamora

French Creek on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Why does this Snohomish stream turn orange?

Locals have long attributed French Creek’s hue to organic discharge. But a recent study points to another culprit.

 

Chairs and lunch tables fill a hallway that is the only area they can be stored at Glenwood Elementary on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Lake Stevens pitches $314M bond for ‘tomorrow’s learner’

In November, voters will decide on a proposal to add an extra $29 per month in property taxes for the average homeowner.

 

Fire Marshall Derek Landis with his bernedoodle therapy dog Amani, 1, at the Mukilteo Fire Department on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024 in Mukilteo, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Mukilteo fire therapy dog is one step to ‘making things better’

“Firefighters have to deal with a lot of people’s worst days,” Derek Landis said. That’s where Amani comes in.

 

Paddleboarders float on the water at Lake Ballinger on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Last gasp of summer to come to Snohomish County later this week

After a wet spell, temperatures were expected to creep back up this week, including 90s in Darrington and 70s in Everett.

Paddleboarders float on the water at Lake Ballinger on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
People walk by the Adventuress docked at the Port of Everett on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

South Everett program sending kids on boat adventure could soon end

A state grant made “Everett at Sea” free for Casino Road families who couldn’t afford the expense. However, after this year, funding runs out.

People walk by the Adventuress docked at the Port of Everett on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Jack White sets up his desk at Hazelwood Elementary on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Snohomish County first-time teachers prep for first day

Three of the area’s newest recruits share how they’ve been gearing up for school.

Jack White sets up his desk at Hazelwood Elementary on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Outside of Everett City Hall and the Everett Police Department on Jan. 3. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Everett council approves buyouts amid financial woes

The buyout measure comes after voters rejected a property tax levy lid lift. Officials said at least 131 employees are eligible.

Outside of Everett City Hall and the Everett Police Department on Jan. 3. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Pierce Butcher, 15, right, a sophomore at Marysville Getchell, holds a sign in silent protest at the Marysville School District budget presentation on Nov. 28, 2023 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Hiring freeze, school sports cuts on the table in Marysville

The move by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction is the latest attempt to help the district correct its budget turmoil.

Pierce Butcher, 15, right, a sophomore at Marysville Getchell, holds a sign in silent protest at the Marysville School District budget presentation on Nov. 28, 2023 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Olivia Vanni / The Herald
School board members listen to public comment during a Marysville School Board meeting on June 3 in Marysville.

Second Marysville school board member resigns

Beth Hoiby said in a statement, “I don’t feel adequately equipped to deal with the ongoing struggles that the district is facing.”

Olivia Vanni / The Herald
School board members listen to public comment during a Marysville School Board meeting on June 3 in Marysville.
Betty Davis, left, holds on to her mother Leia, who holds onto daughter Alana, 7, as they watch books fall from shelves in the inside The Big Shaker as it shakes like a magnitude seven-plus earthquake on April 19, 2019, in Everett. The Big Shaker is an earthquake simulator in a 24-foot trailer that replicates a typical living room of sofas and shelves with books and plastic dishes that fall during the demonstration. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

‘Big Shaker’ quake simulator coming to Marysville

People can see what’s billed as the world’s largest mobile earthquake simulator 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday at Delta Plaza, 514 Delta Ave.

Betty Davis, left, holds on to her mother Leia, who holds onto daughter Alana, 7, as they watch books fall from shelves in the inside The Big Shaker as it shakes like a magnitude seven-plus earthquake on April 19, 2019, in Everett. The Big Shaker is an earthquake simulator in a 24-foot trailer that replicates a typical living room of sofas and shelves with books and plastic dishes that fall during the demonstration. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Everett

Everett will have its own Chamber of Commerce once again

City council approved $600,000 to launch new version of chamber by 2025.

Everett
Traffic moves northbound in a new HOV lane on I-5 between Everett and Marysville on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Everett to Marysville HOV lane opens to mixed reviews

Not everybody is happy with the project to ease the commute between the two cities.

Traffic moves northbound in a new HOV lane on I-5 between Everett and Marysville on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Two couples walk along Hewitt Avenue around lunchtime on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Everett City Council mulls revival of city’s chamber of commerce

Proponents say it will bolster small businesses, provide localized resources, and bring additional revenue to the city.

Two couples walk along Hewitt Avenue around lunchtime on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Kim Knor smiles after loading up into the airplane on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024 in Sultan, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

It’s a bird. It’s a plane. No, it’s Michigan’s Kim Knor, 85.

The skydiving Hall of Famer completed her 730th jump in Snohomish on Wednesday. Her friend said, “I think she’ll sleep when she’s dead.”

Kim Knor smiles after loading up into the airplane on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024 in Sultan, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
Outside of Everett City Hall and the Everett Police Department on Jan. 3.

After tax measure failure, Everett could offer buyouts

In the face of a growing budget deficit, the city may have to make increasingly dire decisions to save money.

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
Outside of Everett City Hall and the Everett Police Department on Jan. 3.
People fill the board room for public comment during a Marysville school board meeting on Feb. 5 in Marysville. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Marysville schools face ‘rare and alarming’ audit

The state auditor: “The most alarming audit of a public school’s finances in 17 years.” The district: Audit doesn’t tell the full story.

People fill the board room for public comment during a Marysville school board meeting on Feb. 5 in Marysville. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Fabiola Vazquez-Mora of Tacos el Yoyo pours a blackberry lemonade at Taste Edmonds on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Taste of Edmonds draws culinary crowds

The annual event hosts some of Edmonds’ most reputable restauranteurs, live entertainment and family-friendly festivities.

Fabiola Vazquez-Mora of Tacos el Yoyo pours a blackberry lemonade at Taste Edmonds on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Opposing signs regarding Prop 1 are posted along Colby Avenue on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Everett property tax measure appears headed for defeat

In a statement Wednesday, Mayor Cassie Franklin said the vote “will impact our community in negative ways.”

Opposing signs regarding Prop 1 are posted along Colby Avenue on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Opposing signs regarding Prop 1 are posted along Colby Avenue on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Real estate interests raise $27K to fight Everett property tax hike

Yard signs have dotted streets in recent weeks pushing back against the proposed 44% property tax increase.

Opposing signs regarding Prop 1 are posted along Colby Avenue on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville Pilchuck teachers Kayla Carter, left, and Claire Luvera, right, inside the decluttered greenhouse at Marysville Pilchuck High School on Monday, July 29, 2024 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

New life sprouts in decrepit Marysville Pilchuck greenhouse

The greenhouse deteriorated for years after the school’s agriculture program died. Two teachers are trying to rehabilitate it.

Marysville Pilchuck teachers Kayla Carter, left, and Claire Luvera, right, inside the decluttered greenhouse at Marysville Pilchuck High School on Monday, July 29, 2024 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)