Julia-Grace Sanders

Mark Mulligan / The Herald
Sunset Falls cascades down past the existing fish ladder along the Skykomish River east of Index, February 4, 2014.
Photo taken 20140214

New hatchery on Skykomish to end practice of importing fish

A plan to capture fish from Sunset Falls near Index and release them in the river is open for public comment.

 

An access road leads into plot of land located in north Darrington that could potentially be used to build a 30-acre Wood Innovation Center, which will house CLT manufacturing and modular building companies on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021 in Darrington, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

$6 million grant is green light for Darrington timber center

The Darrington Wood Innovation Center is set to become a reality — bringing roughly 150 jobs with it.

 

Go East Corp. Landfill next The Point subdivision in Silver Lake on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

From landfill to houses — after 11-year battle with neighbors

Nearly 100 houses will be built around a former construction-waste landfill east of Silver Lake.

 

Snohomish County hopes to repurpose existing buildings at McCollum Park into a processing and distribution center and a commercial kitchen for farmers to use. County Agriculture Coordinator Linda Neunzig at McCollum Park on Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021 in Everett, Washington.  “If you and I have blueberries and we have a big order from a big institution and we only have enough if we package and deliver them together as one order, we as smaller farmers could meet that order,” Neunzig said.
Producers can also use the center to combine forces and outsource delivery, lowering cost and reducing time away from the farm. “It opens up a market,” Neunzig said.  (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

County aims to help small farmers thrive with new ag center

Eventually, it could bring a year-round indoor farmers’ market to the area.

Snohomish County hopes to repurpose existing buildings at McCollum Park into a processing and distribution center and a commercial kitchen for farmers to use. County Agriculture Coordinator Linda Neunzig at McCollum Park on Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021 in Everett, Washington.  “If you and I have blueberries and we have a big order from a big institution and we only have enough if we package and deliver them together as one order, we as smaller farmers could meet that order,” Neunzig said.
Producers can also use the center to combine forces and outsource delivery, lowering cost and reducing time away from the farm. “It opens up a market,” Neunzig said.  (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
A 5G data transmitter attached to one of the buildings at Swans Trail Farms on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021 in Snohomish, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Data-driven farming: New tech ‘changes agriculture’

In a new program funded by the CARES Act, computers are helping Snohomish County farmers grow efficiently.

A 5G data transmitter attached to one of the buildings at Swans Trail Farms on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021 in Snohomish, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

New county office covers parks, tourism, water, energy, farms

Four departments will merge into one beginning in February. The largest focuses on county parks.

An access road leads into plot of land located in north Darrington that could potentially be used to build a 30-acre Wood Innovation Center, which will house CLT manufacturing and modular building companies on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021 in Darrington, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Timber innovation center a chance to reinvigorate rural town

A center to produce innovative wood products could stabilize Darrington’s drained timber economy.

An access road leads into plot of land located in north Darrington that could potentially be used to build a 30-acre Wood Innovation Center, which will house CLT manufacturing and modular building companies on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021 in Darrington, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

President signs bill to boost mapping of landslide hazards

The bill appropriates $40 million annually for 3D mapping and disaster preparation.

A large flock of ducks fly above the recently restored wetland area of Smith Island along Union Slough on Thursday, April 11, 2019 in Everett, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Hunting season, new trail access open on island near Everett

New parking on Smith Island is now available, along with an annual waterfowl hunting season.

A large flock of ducks fly above the recently restored wetland area of Smith Island along Union Slough on Thursday, April 11, 2019 in Everett, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The Riverfront Development sits just south of the remains of the Everett landfill. New development will soon cover nearly all the 70-acre former landfill. Photo taken on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Fans blow landfill’s methane away from Everett development

The rate of gas being released has slowed substantially and will continue to diminish over time.

The Riverfront Development sits just south of the remains of the Everett landfill. New development will soon cover nearly all the 70-acre former landfill. Photo taken on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Dave Somers

County executive vetoes fee break to save environmental work

The move overrode a County Council vote nixing an annual fee increase that funds conservation.

Dave Somers
Lidar imagery enables geologists to accurately identify landslides, such as the area around the Highway 530 Oso landslide. In this area, lidar data show prehistoric landslides in beige along the North Fork Stillaguamish River. The darker-shaded, outlined area is the extent of the March 2014 Oso landslide. (Daniel Coe/Washington State Department of Natural Resources)

New program may help pinpoint landslides before they happen

A bill pushing more funding toward 3D mapping and disaster preparation is on the president’s desk.

Lidar imagery enables geologists to accurately identify landslides, such as the area around the Highway 530 Oso landslide. In this area, lidar data show prehistoric landslides in beige along the North Fork Stillaguamish River. The darker-shaded, outlined area is the extent of the March 2014 Oso landslide. (Daniel Coe/Washington State Department of Natural Resources)
Kevin Klein was unloading his recycling at the Sultan Drop Box and his wedding ring fell off into the huge recycling bin. After looking for it himself, the staff took the extraordinary step to have the recycling bin transported to the Cathcart facility where they were able to sift through the debris, retrieve the ring and return it. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

He lost his wedding ring in a two-ton bin of recyclables

Kevin Klein gave up hope in finding his simple gold band, but this dumpster dive had a happy ending.

Kevin Klein was unloading his recycling at the Sultan Drop Box and his wedding ring fell off into the huge recycling bin. After looking for it himself, the staff took the extraordinary step to have the recycling bin transported to the Cathcart facility where they were able to sift through the debris, retrieve the ring and return it. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Front loaders push trash forward into one of the compactors at the Airport Road Recycling & Transfer Station on Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

How has the pandemic changed life? Look in your garbage

Snohomish County trash and recycling collectors say the COVID-19 pandemic has affected what we throw away.

Front loaders push trash forward into one of the compactors at the Airport Road Recycling & Transfer Station on Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Sid Logan

Logan is PUD board president again, but it wasn’t unanimous

Another member of the utility’s three-person board says it’s her turn to lead. The others say she isn’t ready.

Sid Logan

No 2021 rate increase for Public Utility District customers

For the fourth year, power and water costs will remain stable for Snohomish County PUD customers.

Karly Studley gathers trash and debris during the construction of a new trail Friday afternoon in Darrington on November 27, 2020. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Even in the Cascade foothills, getting outside isn’t a given

The Glacier Peak Institute gets kids the gear and transportation necessary to access outdoor rec.

Karly Studley gathers trash and debris during the construction of a new trail Friday afternoon in Darrington on November 27, 2020. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
The anaerobic digester's flare, where excess gas is combusted, casts a shadow over the top of the digester on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020 in Monroe, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

From poop to power: Manure from 2,300 cows may run 600 homes

A farm in Monroe turns waste into electricity. A new partnership will double the anaerobic digester’s output.

The anaerobic digester's flare, where excess gas is combusted, casts a shadow over the top of the digester on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020 in Monroe, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Signs reminding people to stay six feet apart hang on a ski and snowboard rack on opening day at Steven's Pass on Friday, Dec. 4, 2020 in Skykomish, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Shredding in the age of COVID: A report from Stevens Pass

Our reporter hit the slopes to find out how the resort’s virus precautions work in practice.

Signs reminding people to stay six feet apart hang on a ski and snowboard rack on opening day at Steven's Pass on Friday, Dec. 4, 2020 in Skykomish, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Jarrell Banks helps his daughter Londyn, 4, learn how to stop on her snowboard during her first time snowboarding on opening day at Steven's Pass on Friday, Dec. 4, 2020. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Pent-up and masked-up, skiers hit the Stevens Pass slopes

Pass holders opened the season on Friday. The general public is welcome on Tuesday — reservations only.

Jarrell Banks helps his daughter Londyn, 4, learn how to stop on her snowboard during her first time snowboarding on opening day at Steven's Pass on Friday, Dec. 4, 2020. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)