Jenelle Baumbach

A classroom with folding walls inside College Place Middle School in Lynnwood, Washington, on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2023. Noise transfers easily between rooms. If approved, a capital bond measure on the February ballot would allow the school district to rebuild both College Place Elementary and Middle. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Edmonds School Board set to approve $200M plan to rebuild 2 schools

Using bond money that voters passed earlier this year, a contractor is expected to finish construction in 2028.

A classroom with folding walls inside College Place Middle School in Lynnwood, Washington, on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2023. Noise transfers easily between rooms. If approved, a capital bond measure on the February ballot would allow the school district to rebuild both College Place Elementary and Middle. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Clark Park gazebo on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Clark Park gazebo officially to be put in storage, making way for dog park

After months of debate, neighbors hope a dog park will “transform” Clark Park. Its historic gazebo had “fallen into disrepair.”

Clark Park gazebo on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds Parks Manager Jesse Curran talks about how they are remediating grey mold from the hanging baskets on Friday, May 31, 2024, in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Spring, but no flower baskets in Edmonds, due to gray mold infection

Dozens of hanging flower baskets will be in quarantine for a few weeks. It’s a first in one longtime city worker’s memory.

Edmonds Parks Manager Jesse Curran talks about how they are remediating grey mold from the hanging baskets on Friday, May 31, 2024, in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A person turns in their ballot at a ballot box located near the Edmonds Library in Edmonds, Washington on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Snohomish County leaders pitch new 0.2% sales tax for public safety

In November, residents could vote on whether to pay an extra 2 cents on every $10 purchase, for police, courts and related services.

A person turns in their ballot at a ballot box located near the Edmonds Library in Edmonds, Washington on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Eternal Flame monument burns in the center of the Snohomish County Campus on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Live from SnoCo TV: Local access channel to be C-SPAN for Everett

A government access channel now has public funding, with plans to stream public meetings and court proceedings by 2025.

The Eternal Flame monument burns in the center of the Snohomish County Campus on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A float full of people dressed as butterflies crawls past hundreds celebrating on First Street during Snohomish’s inaugural Pride celebration on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in downtown Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Again, County Council approves Pride proclamation with no GOP support

For a fourth time, council members Nate Nehring and Sam Low both didn’t support a resolution that affirms “LGBTQIA+ rights are human rights.”

A float full of people dressed as butterflies crawls past hundreds celebrating on First Street during Snohomish’s inaugural Pride celebration on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in downtown Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Edmonds City Council members answer questions during an Edmonds City Council Town Hall on Thursday, April 18, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Edmonds favors joining South County Fire — but not ready to commit

The City Council voted 5-2 to make annexation its favored option. The city has 19 months before the current contract expires.

Edmonds City Council members answer questions during an Edmonds City Council Town Hall on Thursday, April 18, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett High seniors, from left, Avery Thompson, Lanie Thompson, Melissa Rosales-Alfaro and Saron Mulugeta sit together in front of their school on Monday, May 20, 2024, in Everett, Washington. The group have called to question their district’s policy that does not permit graduates to decorate their mortarboards or graduation clothing. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

After student campaign, Everett schools allows custom graduation caps

“It’s a really good first step,” the Everett High School ASB president said. But the students still want relaxed rules for future classes.

Everett High seniors, from left, Avery Thompson, Lanie Thompson, Melissa Rosales-Alfaro and Saron Mulugeta sit together in front of their school on Monday, May 20, 2024, in Everett, Washington. The group have called to question their district’s policy that does not permit graduates to decorate their mortarboards or graduation clothing. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The original Mountlake Terrace City Council, Patricia Neibel bottom right, with city attorney, sign incorporation ordinance in 1954. (Photo provided by the City of Mountlake Terrace)

Patricia Neibel, last inaugural MLT council member, dies at 97

The first woman on the council lived by the motto, “Why not me?” — on the council, at a sheriff’s office in Florida, or at a leper colony in Thailand.

The original Mountlake Terrace City Council, Patricia Neibel bottom right, with city attorney, sign incorporation ordinance in 1954. (Photo provided by the City of Mountlake Terrace)
Suzan DelBene, left, Rick Larsen

Larsen, DelBene request over $40M for projects in Snohomish County

If approved, Congress would foot the bill for traffic fixes, public transit, LED lights and much more around the county.

Suzan DelBene, left, Rick Larsen
The Eternal Flame monument burns in the center of the Snohomish County Campus on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Elected officials to get 10% pay bump, or more, in Snohomish County

Sheriff Susanna Johnson will see the highest raise, because she was paid less than 10 of her own staff members.

The Eternal Flame monument burns in the center of the Snohomish County Campus on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The Port of Everett and Everett Marina on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Is Port of Everett’s proposed expansion a ‘stealth tax?’ Judge says no

A Snohomish resident lost a battle in court this week protesting what he believes is a misleading measure from the Port of Everett.

The Port of Everett and Everett Marina on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A child gets some assistance dancing during Narrow Tarot’s set on the opening night of Fisherman’s Village on Thursday, May 18, 2023, at Lucky Dime in downtown Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Fisherman’s Village 2024 casts a wide musical net in Everett

From Allen Stone to a local musician showcase at Zamarama Gallery, get ready for it to get loud downtown.

A child gets some assistance dancing during Narrow Tarot’s set on the opening night of Fisherman’s Village on Thursday, May 18, 2023, at Lucky Dime in downtown Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
A guitarist keeps rhythm during Lovely Color’s set on the opening night of Fisherman’s Village on Thursday, May 18, 2023, at Black Lab in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

No matter what music you’re into, Fisherman’s Village has a hook for you

From folk to psychedelic pop to hip-hop, here’s a quick guide to artists you might want to check out in downtown Everett.

A guitarist keeps rhythm during Lovely Color’s set on the opening night of Fisherman’s Village on Thursday, May 18, 2023, at Black Lab in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
A gas station at the intersection of 41st Street and Rucker Avenue advertises diesel for more than $5 a gallon and unleaded for more than $4.70 a gallon on Friday, May 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

As gas prices near $5 in Everett, who has the best deal around?

For some, it’s good to drive an electric vehicle these days. For the rest of us, we’re scouting for the cheapest pumps — and looking at north Snohomish County.

A gas station at the intersection of 41st Street and Rucker Avenue advertises diesel for more than $5 a gallon and unleaded for more than $4.70 a gallon on Friday, May 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A person turns in their ballot at a ballot box located near the Edmonds Library in Edmonds, Washington on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

As filing closes, 6 election races to watch in Snohomish County

Redistricting, party switches, repeat candidates and interparty challenges are all on the table this election season.

A person turns in their ballot at a ballot box located near the Edmonds Library in Edmonds, Washington on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Riaz Khan finally won office in 2019 on his fifth try. Now he’s running for state Legislature. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Ex-Democratic leader from Mukilteo switches parties for state House run

Riaz Khan resigned from the 21st Legislative District Democrats and registered to run as a Republican, challenging Rep. Strom Peterson.

Riaz Khan finally won office in 2019 on his fifth try. Now he’s running for state Legislature. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Construction occurs at 16104 Cascadian Way in Bothell, Washington on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

What Snohomish County ZIP codes have seen biggest jumps in home value?

Mill Creek, for one. As interest rates remain high and supplies are low, buyers could have trouble in today’s housing market.

Construction occurs at 16104 Cascadian Way in Bothell, Washington on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Repeat and hopeful politicians can file for elections this week

Do you think you have what it takes to serve in the Legislature? This week, you can sign up to run.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Amadea, a superyacht, docked at the Port of Everett on Monday, April 29, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

How did a Russian oligarch’s seized superyacht end up in Everett?

Worth more than $300 million, the Amadea could soon be up for sale. But first, it came to Everett on Monday.

Amadea, a superyacht, docked at the Port of Everett on Monday, April 29, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)