Life

Water from the Snohomish River spills onto a road on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Reporter’s Notebook

How we covered the record-breaking flood

A special edition of Eliza Aronson’s newsletter detailing her and photographer Olivia Vanni’s week of flood coverage.

 

‘Golden Promise’ is a striking Japanese Cedar that I have and love. (Sunnyside Nursery)
The Golfing Gardener

Part 3 of the Conifer Trilogy – Stunning yellows, bright whites

Let the Trilogy of Conifers continue with the finale! Two weeks ago…

  • Dec 16, 2025
  • By Trevor Cameron C.P.H.

 

Snohomish PUD crews repair a power line that was hit by a downed tree along Cypress Way on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Breaking news

High wind warning in effect for northwest Snohomish County

Key developments:

  • “Damaging” wind gusts of up to 55 mph are expected.
  • Residents should prepare for downed trees and widespread outages.
  • Flood warning extended for Skykomish River near Gold Bar

 

Toyota 4Runner Limited decked on in “Heritage Blue” coat of enamel.

2025 Toyota 4Runner 4WD Limited Caters To On-Road Luxury

Nine Trims Allow Off-Roading To Be Priority

  • Dec 12, 2025
  • By Larry Lark
  • Cars
Toyota 4Runner Limited decked on in “Heritage Blue” coat of enamel.
Andrea Gould-Linder carries out her uncles’ cat Diva as she helps her family evacuate their home on Ebey Island on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Ferguson declares state of emergency; National Guard to be deployed

Key developments:

  • More than 400 Guard members to be deployed in the next two days.
  • Latest forecast: Stilly River predicted to reach near-record-breaking heights
  • Shelter was in the process of placing the last few dogs Wednesday.
  • Dikes around Ebey Island are expected to overtop by midday Wednesday.

Andrea Gould-Linder carries out her uncles’ cat Diva as she helps her family evacuate their home on Ebey Island on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coming Events

The Olson Bros Band, 9 to 5, Northwest Perspectives, and more

Music, arts and more coming to Snohomish County

Drivers attempt to navigate floodwater from the Skykomish River covering Mann Road on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025 in Sultan, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Weather updates: Red Cross shelter opens at fairgrounds in Monroe

Key developments:

  • After a brief lull, heavy rain expected to return Tuesday night.
  • Red Cross shelter open in Monroe.
  • Snohomish River expected to crest at the city of Snohomish at 33.31 feet on Thursday, almost 6 feet above flood stage.

Drivers attempt to navigate floodwater from the Skykomish River covering Mann Road on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025 in Sultan, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Curly Tops Cypress (Chamaecyparis pisfiera), a modern version of the old Boulevard Cypress, is one I chose years ago and still enjoy. Great blue color and interesting twisted needles add texture to boot. This is a smaller grower, maturing to perhaps 10-feet tall and 8-feet wide, but it will take some shearing if needed. (Sunnyside Nursery)
The Golfing Gardener

Part 2 of the Trilogy of Conifers – Beyond Blue

Honesty is always the best policy and since I promised a “Trilogy of Conifers” last week, on we go with even more conifer mojo. We… Continue reading

  • Dec 9, 2025
  • By Trevor Cameron C.P.H.
Curly Tops Cypress (Chamaecyparis pisfiera), a modern version of the old Boulevard Cypress, is one I chose years ago and still enjoy. Great blue color and interesting twisted needles add texture to boot. This is a smaller grower, maturing to perhaps 10-feet tall and 8-feet wide, but it will take some shearing if needed. (Sunnyside Nursery)
Inside Timothy Walsh’s Little Free Library on Sept. 3, 2025 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Big stories live in small boxes

Little Free Libraries offer free books for all ages, if you know where to look.

Inside Timothy Walsh’s Little Free Library on Sept. 3, 2025 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Cascadia visitors mingle among the art during its 10th anniversary celebration, on Sept. 12, in Edmonds, Wash. (Jon Bauer / The Herald)

A small museum with a big impact on northwest art

Cascadia Art Museum in Edmonds celebrates a decade of art and forgotten voices.

Cascadia visitors mingle among the art during its 10th anniversary celebration, on Sept. 12, in Edmonds, Wash. (Jon Bauer / The Herald)
Brian Loomis and Michelle Moch browse for a live Christmas tree from Adopt A Stream on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Adopt A Stream kicks off annual holiday tree fundraiser

Visit the stream center on weekends through Dec. 23 to purchase a potted pine or spruce to support the foundation’s educational programs.

Brian Loomis and Michelle Moch browse for a live Christmas tree from Adopt A Stream on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The Climate Commitment Act, passed by the Legislature in 2021, is designed to reduce pollution to 95% of 1990 levels by 2050. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

New Climate Commitment Act spending report released

The Department of Ecology has published a new report detailing where revenue generated from the state law has supported climate solutions and resilience projects.

The Climate Commitment Act, passed by the Legislature in 2021, is designed to reduce pollution to 95% of 1990 levels by 2050. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coming Events

Cirque Musica, 9 to 5, Northwest Perspectives, and more

Music, arts and more coming to Snohomish County

Our “Evergreen State” of Washington filled with native conifers like Douglas Fir, Western Hemlock and Red Cedar, among others. (Sunnyside Nursery)
The Golfing Gardener

Conifers Large and Small

With old man winter approaching shortly, December presents a perfect opportunity for a topic that I have personally been waiting to pontificate on… conifers. This… Continue reading

  • Dec 2, 2025
  • By Trevor Cameron C.P.H.
Our “Evergreen State” of Washington filled with native conifers like Douglas Fir, Western Hemlock and Red Cedar, among others. (Sunnyside Nursery)
An excavator moves a large bag at the site of a fuel spill on a farm on Nov. 19, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

BP’s Olympic Pipeline fully restarts after 2-week shutdown

The oil giant has recovered 2,300 gallons of oil so far at the site of the leak east of Everett.

An excavator moves a large bag at the site of a fuel spill on a farm on Nov. 19, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Food and Drink

Sweet and spicy, Honey Sriracha Shrimp is a no-fuss fall classic for seafood lovers

Honey Sriracha Shrimp is a deliciously sweet and spicy dish we are excited to present throughout November at “World Flavors” in The Kitchen, Quil Ceda… Continue reading

  • Nov 29, 2025
  • By Guy Potter Sous Chef at The Kitchen Quil Ceda Creek Casino
  • Food and Drink
Kicking Gas Campaign Director Derek Hoshiko stands for a portrait Thursday, Sep. 7, 2023, in Langley, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Climate justice group Kicking Gas is expanding efforts to Snohomish County

The nonprofit aims to switch residents to electrical appliances and can help cover up to 75% of installation costs.

Kicking Gas Campaign Director Derek Hoshiko stands for a portrait Thursday, Sep. 7, 2023, in Langley, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The 2025 Lexus RX 350h luxury hybrid SUV.

2025 Lexus RX 350h delivers high mpg and good value

The midsize luxury hybrid SUV has nearly best-in-class fuel economy and bang for the buck.

The 2025 Lexus RX 350h luxury hybrid SUV.
Information panels on display as a part of the national exhibit being showcased at Edmonds College on Nov. 19, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Edmonds College hosts new climate change and community resilience exhibit

Through Jan. 21, visit the school library in Lynnwood to learn about how climate change is affecting weather patterns and landscapes and how communities are adapting.

Information panels on display as a part of the national exhibit being showcased at Edmonds College on Nov. 19, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds Mayor Mike Rosen congratulates Kaleb Wolde (left to right), Avery Postal, Takumi Tanimara and Malia Nymeyer, on winning the President’s Environmental Youth Award that recognizes outstanding K-12 youth environmental stewardship projects across the nation on Nov. 20, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Edmonds students win President’s Environmental Youth Award for their Salish Sea documentary

Four former Hazelwood Elementary fourth and fifth-grade students helped create a documentary highlighting the Edmonds Underwater Park, a marine protected area located just off the city’s shore.

Edmonds Mayor Mike Rosen congratulates Kaleb Wolde (left to right), Avery Postal, Takumi Tanimara and Malia Nymeyer, on winning the President’s Environmental Youth Award that recognizes outstanding K-12 youth environmental stewardship projects across the nation on Nov. 20, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)