What's Up With That?

The new Mukilteo Police Department’s traffic Tesla, in Mukilteo, Washington on July 28, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Mukilteo police’s new tricked out Tesla is a real traffic stopper

The black patrol car looks like just another Tesla, until the lights and sirens come on.

The new Mukilteo Police Department’s traffic Tesla, in Mukilteo, Washington on July 28, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Alabama “'Bama” Nightmare holds her clipboard while sitting for a portrait Wednesday, July 27, 2022, in Everett, Washington. Nightmare is running to be the Democratic candidate for Precinct Committee Officer in her precinct. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

In this electoral corner, it’s Alabama “’Bama” Nightmare vs. Jack Lockhart

Precinct Committee Officers are grassroots party races at the bottom of the ballot, maybe. The storylines are no less interesting.

Alabama “'Bama” Nightmare holds her clipboard while sitting for a portrait Wednesday, July 27, 2022, in Everett, Washington. Nightmare is running to be the Democratic candidate for Precinct Committee Officer in her precinct. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Maria Rios, a ferry worker of 13 years, helps Frank and Fran Butler, both of Washington, D.C., check out as the couple purchases food on Thursday, July 21, 2022, aboard the MV Suquamish ferry between Mukilteo and Clinton, Washington. Rios said food service returned to the Suquamish about three weeks prior. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Drink up! Happy hour on the Mukilteo-Clinton ferry is back

More galleys are reopening as pandemic restrictions scale back. Get out of your car for concessions just like at the ballpark.

Maria Rios, a ferry worker of 13 years, helps Frank and Fran Butler, both of Washington, D.C., check out as the couple purchases food on Thursday, July 21, 2022, aboard the MV Suquamish ferry between Mukilteo and Clinton, Washington. Rios said food service returned to the Suquamish about three weeks prior. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
People sit in lawn chairs and watch a Looney Tunes short on Thursday, July 14, 2022, at the Blue Fox Drive-In Theatre in Oak Harbor, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Get off the couch, or bring it, for a night at Blue Fox Drive-In

Kids get in for $1 at the Whidbey Island outdoor theater, one of few still standing in the state.

People sit in lawn chairs and watch a Looney Tunes short on Thursday, July 14, 2022, at the Blue Fox Drive-In Theatre in Oak Harbor, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Compressed Cube Tensegrity Sculpture is one of the first sculptures seen from the east parking lot Thursday, May 5, 2022, at Earth Sanctuary in Clinton, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

For $7, take a walk on the spiritual side of Whidbey Island

The 72-acre nature preserve has sculptures and sacred spaces. “It is contemplative, peaceful and magical.”

Compressed Cube Tensegrity Sculpture is one of the first sculptures seen from the east parking lot Thursday, May 5, 2022, at Earth Sanctuary in Clinton, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
"Shoes are like jeans," says Dominic Ahn, 53, who took over ownership from his parents, who started the store 40 years ago. Photographed in Edmonds, Washington on June 30, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

EEEEEE! Edmonds shoe shop sells wide shoes only

The store has over 600 styles of work and play shoes for men and women with feet from D to 8E widths.

"Shoes are like jeans," says Dominic Ahn, 53, who took over ownership from his parents, who started the store 40 years ago. Photographed in Edmonds, Washington on June 30, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Andy Bronson / The Herald 

Pedaling his legs as he holds onto hand rails, Jim Freeman shows off the rare railroad caboose he calls home on Wednesday, Apr. 20, 2016 in Freeland, Wa. Freeman, 68, calls himself the Conductor of Fun.

‘End of an era’ with death of Whidbey celebrity Jim Freeman

Freeman, 74, lived in a train caboose and was the Conductor of Fun. “His sneakers will never be filled.”

Andy Bronson / The Herald 

Pedaling his legs as he holds onto hand rails, Jim Freeman shows off the rare railroad caboose he calls home on Wednesday, Apr. 20, 2016 in Freeland, Wa. Freeman, 68, calls himself the Conductor of Fun.
Burger King states “No Burgers” since a fire on May 1 in Everett, Washington on June 16, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Customers ask ‘Where’s the beef?’ after whopper of a fire

Burgers have been off the menu at the Burger King on Evergreen Way since May 1. Nearby McDonald’s closed due to a different fire.

Burger King states “No Burgers” since a fire on May 1 in Everett, Washington on June 16, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Basil Hassoun gives a speech at the "Conan Can" trash can dedication ceremony by City Hall in Langley, Washington, on June 10, 2022. (Submitted photo)

To honor Conan O’Brien’s visit, Langley names a trash can after him

The famous talk show host was on Whidbey Island for his playwright wife’s show at WICA.

Basil Hassoun gives a speech at the "Conan Can" trash can dedication ceremony by City Hall in Langley, Washington, on June 10, 2022. (Submitted photo)
Transportation Security Officer Jerry Drews speaks with a person in the security line Friday, May 27, 2022, at Paine Field in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Transportation Security Officer Jerry Drews speaks with a person in the security line Friday, May 27, 2022, at Paine Field in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Gene Woodard, 68, and Ray Wittmier, 67, are riding coast-to-coast on a 50-day trek.

No e-bikes for retired guys on a 50-day bucket-list ride

The men are raising money for St. Baldrick’s cancer research. “Our hearts are our motors, our legs are our pistons.”

Gene Woodard, 68, and Ray Wittmier, 67, are riding coast-to-coast on a 50-day trek.
Melissa Batson unfurls a Groundhog Day flag designed by her niece Wednesday, May 11, 2022, at her home in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Flags tell Monroe woman’s transgender journey — and more

The flagpole in her front yard is a visual for Facebook posts about who Melissa Batson is and how she got there.

Melissa Batson unfurls a Groundhog Day flag designed by her niece Wednesday, May 11, 2022, at her home in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Sam Bowles records the run off the water from a chalk drawing with friend and co-artist, Rhyanna Mercer, Tuesday afternoon in Everett, Washington on May 10, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Jackson High’s global TikTok star is chalk full of ideas

Sam Bowles, 18, uses vibrant videos and social media fame to raise awareness of autism.

Sam Bowles records the run off the water from a chalk drawing with friend and co-artist, Rhyanna Mercer, Tuesday afternoon in Everett, Washington on May 10, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Japanese teacher Alicia Ceban takes a photo go her students Justin Mitosis, left, Christopher Araiza and Ethan Kwon with their pen pal letter they received from high school students in Japan at Mariner High School on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

They’ve got (snail) mail: Mariner High students have Japanese pen pals

For many, it’s the first time writing a letter on paper — and making a friend on the other side of the globe.

Japanese teacher Alicia Ceban takes a photo go her students Justin Mitosis, left, Christopher Araiza and Ethan Kwon with their pen pal letter they received from high school students in Japan at Mariner High School on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Electric Ford Mustangs are lined up for viewing Saturday afternoon during Drive Electric Earth Day in the Everett, Washington on April 23, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Electric car owners enjoy kicking the dinosaur fuel habit

The number of Washington drivers plugging in is growing, but the upfront cost of electric vehicles is high.

Electric Ford Mustangs are lined up for viewing Saturday afternoon during Drive Electric Earth Day in the Everett, Washington on April 23, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Sean Sanderson trims excess fat off a New York cut of Wagyu at EC Wilson Meats on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

$100 a steak at Costco? Japanese Wagyu cows sure are pricey

The highly marbled steaks melt like butter and are rich in flavor. And now the masses can enjoy them.

Sean Sanderson trims excess fat off a New York cut of Wagyu at EC Wilson Meats on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Gus Mansour sings during a rehearsal for the upcoming  annual Elvis Challenge Wednesday afternoon in Everett, Washington on April 13, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Who’s the best Elvis? They’ll croon for ‘The King’ crown

Get all shook up at “Kentucky Rain Band’s Elvis Challenge” on Friday at the Historic Everett Theatre.

Gus Mansour sings during a rehearsal for the upcoming  annual Elvis Challenge Wednesday afternoon in Everett, Washington on April 13, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
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)

‘Everything we sell sucks’: The dirt on Everett’s most accurate ad

The sign at the vacuum-cleaner store on Broadway gets attention and laughs. And every so often, it goes viral.

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)
Alex Lewis, of Wanderer Barbering Co., cuts the hair of Anna Kincaid in the mobile hair studio that Lewis created last year on Saturday, March 26, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Driving with scissors: This barber shop is on wheels

Stylist Alex Lewis of Everett started Wanderer Barbering Co. in a van to bring cuts to clients.

Alex Lewis, of Wanderer Barbering Co., cuts the hair of Anna Kincaid in the mobile hair studio that Lewis created last year on Saturday, March 26, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Aya Zebari, 2, the granddaughter of reporter Andrea Brown, plays in the living room of her grandparents’ recently renovated home Thursday, March 17, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Surprise! Life in a 100-year-old house is never dull

When you buy an old house, you wait for the next thing to go wrong. And you don’t have to wait long.

Aya Zebari, 2, the granddaughter of reporter Andrea Brown, plays in the living room of her grandparents’ recently renovated home Thursday, March 17, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)