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Fresh coffee beans at Vista Clara Coffee on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

To Your Table: Snohomish coffee roaster is a piece of Seattle coffee history

Vista Clara Coffee Roasters delivers fresh beans backed by decades of expertise.

 

Titania ThunderLily, center, holds the maypole as Pagan revelers wrap red-and-white ribbon around it for a Beltane festival in May 2023, at the Aquarian Tabernacle Church in Index, Washington. Beltane celebrates the height of spring. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Pagan church finds ‘sacred space between the worlds’ on Index riverfront

At the Aquarian Tabernacle Church, rituals with ancient roots celebrate Pagan gods, the Earth and “the smell of smoke in our hair.”

 

Leri Harper at her home on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Everett woman paid sewer bill for 23 years, unaware she had septic tank

Records showed the city signed off on a sewer connection in 1973. This year, Leri Harper had to spend $20,000 to fix it.

 

Steve Hall talks about how high the water reached when the road was washed out on Wednesday, March 6, 2024 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

After culvert bursts, 23 Tulalip Reservation residents stranded

In a neighborhood along Mission Creek, residents must now go up and down ladders to get to the outside world — with no solution in sight.

Steve Hall talks about how high the water reached when the road was washed out on Wednesday, March 6, 2024 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A table setting inside the Grouchy Chef on Sunday, March 3, 2024 in Mukilteo, Washington.(Annie Barker / The Herald)

Mukilteo’s one-of-a-kind Grouchy Chef is hanging up his apron

Takayuki Masumoto, “who absolutely brooks no nonsense from his patrons,” is looking for a buyer. Name not included.

A table setting inside the Grouchy Chef on Sunday, March 3, 2024 in Mukilteo, Washington.(Annie Barker / The Herald)
Naloxone to being given away inside the glove compartment of a Mountlake Terrace police vehicle on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

To combat overdoses, Mountlake Terrace police expand naloxone access

The overdose-reversing medication saved at least three people in the city last year.

Naloxone to being given away inside the glove compartment of a Mountlake Terrace police vehicle on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Madi Humphries, 9, Rose Austin, 13, and Eirene Ritting, 8, on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

No grades, no teachers: Inside a Bothell school run by student vote

Each day at The Clearwater School, 60 students choose their own lessons. It’s one vote per person, whether you’re staff or student.

Madi Humphries, 9, Rose Austin, 13, and Eirene Ritting, 8, on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
El Chavito Dulceria owner Nicky Monroy, left, and Eddie Lopez on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Indulge your inner child’s sweet tooth at Dulceria El Chavito in Lynnwood

We asked the owners of this new Latin-American shop about their roots, owning a business and their favorite snacks.

El Chavito Dulceria owner Nicky Monroy, left, and Eddie Lopez on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lyla Anderson and others sign a petition to save the Clark Park gazebo during a “heart bomb” event hosted by Historic Everett on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

‘Too much Everett to throw away’? Gazebo’s impending end stirs emotions

A demolition date hasn’t been confirmed for the Clark Park gazebo, but city staff said it’s too expensive to save. “The decision’s been made.”

Lyla Anderson and others sign a petition to save the Clark Park gazebo during a “heart bomb” event hosted by Historic Everett on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Ryan Carlson’s goose Bubba honks at cars outside his home on Monday Feb. 5, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

What’s honkin’ on this Everett thoroughfare? Have a gander

Henrietta and Betty, a goose duet, entertain passersby in the yard between Colby Avenue and Evergreen Way.

Ryan Carlson’s goose Bubba honks at cars outside his home on Monday Feb. 5, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Jennifer Ross, a PCAP case manager, prepares for the day at her desk at Sound Pathways on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, in downtown Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

As homelessness rises, Everett programs aims to help struggling moms

UW’s Parent-Child Assistance Program is designed for mothers, like Aunalisa Dawn Evans, who struggle with addiction during and after pregnancy.

Jennifer Ross, a PCAP case manager, prepares for the day at her desk at Sound Pathways on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, in downtown Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Mom and Pops Cakery owner Colleen Dunn picks out a Valentine’s Day themed cupcake for a customer on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Nuggets: Rave-worthy Sichuan and a long-awaited cake shop open in Everett

And that’s just the first course in our resurrected roundup of the most appetizing food news in Snohomish County.

Mom and Pops Cakery owner Colleen Dunn picks out a Valentine’s Day themed cupcake for a customer on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A group of friends hang out in a banya, a Russian sauna that is typically more humid and hotter than a traditional sauna, at Banya by fgm on Monday, Oct. 16, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

At Banya, spa with 200-degree sauna in Everett, stress just melts away

A banya in Russian refers to a hot room or sauna. You can also plunge in the cold pool. Or play chess and eat piroshki.

A group of friends hang out in a banya, a Russian sauna that is typically more humid and hotter than a traditional sauna, at Banya by fgm on Monday, Oct. 16, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Chris Mills, left, and Fermin Lopez, right, smile and talk with a customer at Earth & Ocean on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024 in Mukilteo, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Bring the steakhouse home with this Mukilteo shop’s restaurant-quality cuts

To keep home chefs salivating, Earth and Ocean sources premium seafood, steak and more with an eye for freshness and quality.

Chris Mills, left, and Fermin Lopez, right, smile and talk with a customer at Earth & Ocean on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024 in Mukilteo, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Grayson Huff, left, a 4th grader at Pinewood Elementary, peaks around his sign during the Marysville School District budget presentation on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

At tense meeting, Marysville schools stare down drastic cuts to sports, more

Even with a $5 million loan, the budget is still $10.8 million short. In a budget presentation Tuesday, officials discussed next steps.

Grayson Huff, left, a 4th grader at Pinewood Elementary, peaks around his sign during the Marysville School District budget presentation on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Khao poon katee at Thai on Main Street Wednesday, April 20, 2022, in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Hidden Gems: 4 spots for Valentine’s Day dinner without the wait

No reservations yet for your date? Try these lesser-known romantic locales

Khao poon katee at Thai on Main Street Wednesday, April 20, 2022, in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Mariella Brock talks with brothers Juakin and Gael Hernandez during a new free after-school program at Connect Casino Road on Monday, Jan. 29, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

At ‘Mega Club’ on Casino Road, kids get healthy dose of screen-free time

Connect Casino Road and Camp Fire offer a mix of activities for kids from elementary to high school age.

Mariella Brock talks with brothers Juakin and Gael Hernandez during a new free after-school program at Connect Casino Road on Monday, Jan. 29, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Patrick Hunstiger, a dispatcher of almost 9 years, takes a call at the Snohomish County 911 dispatch center Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

In new program, nurses help 911 callers who don’t need an ambulance

Nurse Navigation could redirect thousands of 911 calls to less-urgent care in Snohomish County — saving ambulance crews precious time.

Patrick Hunstiger, a dispatcher of almost 9 years, takes a call at the Snohomish County 911 dispatch center Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Lake Stevens School District Superintendent Ken Collins poses for a photo in Lake Stevens, Washington on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

After fleeting NFL career, Lake Stevens educator, coach found his niche

Retiring superintendent Ken Collins built a sterling reputation in 34 years in the district, with a decade coaching football at Lake Stevens High.

Lake Stevens School District Superintendent Ken Collins poses for a photo in Lake Stevens, Washington on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Bartender Kevin Taylor throws together a few drinks while working behind the bar at The Colby Club on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Everett speakeasy offers old-fashioned charm (and charming Old Fashioneds)

Step into a Prohibition-era fantasy at the Colby Club, the latest addition to downtown Everett’s growing craft cocktail scene.

Bartender Kevin Taylor throws together a few drinks while working behind the bar at The Colby Club on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)