John Stejer sits in front of his home and holds a photo of his mother, Betty Stejer, 88, on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, in Everett, Washington. John moved his mother to Arizona in 2022 due to the difficulty of finding Medicaid-approved housing for her. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Everett son’s struggle to get mom into assisted living: $22K, 1,500 miles

John Stejer’s mother, 86, is eligible for Medicaid. But he discovered no place in the state would take her. “I was actually in disbelief.”

 

Ashley Morrison, left, and her mother Cindi Morrison. (Photo provided by Cindi Morrison)

Everett’s ‘Youngest Old Cat Lady’ legacy continues after death

On social media, Ashley Morrison, 31, formed a worldwide community to talk about cats and mental health. Her mom wants to keep it going.

 

Penelope Protheroe, President and Founder of Angel Resource Connection puts together a huge batch of rotini with meatballs and marinara before heading out to distribute the food and other supplies on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, around Everett, Washington. ARC uses the Lake Stevens Senior Center kitchen to cook up meals for people without homes. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

She feeds Everett’s homeless; ‘no sit’ ban makes her mission harder

Everett banned handing out food and water in city-designated zones: “They just want people to disappear … be somebody else’s problem.”

 

Quartermaster Donald Wischmann of VFW Post 2100 holds an 1828 French saber that Paul Davis Restoration of Greater Seattle restored before returning it to him on Friday, May 26, 2023, in Everett, Washington. Wischmann intends to display artifacts restored by Paul Davis inside the VFW. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

‘Holy smokes’: For Everett veterans, a chance to restore war memorabilia

For Memorial Day, a local VFW post partnered with a restoration company to save decades-old uniforms and medals.

Quartermaster Donald Wischmann of VFW Post 2100 holds an 1828 French saber that Paul Davis Restoration of Greater Seattle restored before returning it to him on Friday, May 26, 2023, in Everett, Washington. Wischmann intends to display artifacts restored by Paul Davis inside the VFW. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Students arriving off the bus get in line to score some waffles during a free pancake and waffle breakfast at Lowell Elementary School on Friday, May 26, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

800 free pancakes at Everett’s Lowell Elementary feed the masses

The annual breakfast was started to connect the community and the school, as well as to get people to interact.

Students arriving off the bus get in line to score some waffles during a free pancake and waffle breakfast at Lowell Elementary School on Friday, May 26, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
A south-facing view of the proposed site for a new mental health facility on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022, near 300th Street NW and 80th Avenue NW north of Stanwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

County Council OK’s Stanwood behavioral health center

After an unsuccessful appeal to block it, the Tulalip Tribes are now on the cusp of building the 32-bed center in farmland.

A south-facing view of the proposed site for a new mental health facility on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022, near 300th Street NW and 80th Avenue NW north of Stanwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Smoke comes out of the roof of ReMyx'd, a restaurant on Smokey Point Drive, on Sunday, May 28, 2023, in Arlington, WA. (IAFF Local 3438)

Fire damages Arlington bar that received death threats

Arlington police say initial indications show the fire at ReMyx’d did not appear to be intentionally set.

Smoke comes out of the roof of ReMyx'd, a restaurant on Smokey Point Drive, on Sunday, May 28, 2023, in Arlington, WA. (IAFF Local 3438)
Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring speaks at the groundbreaking event for the I-5/SR 529 Interchange project on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

$123M project starting on Highway 529 interchange, I-5 HOV lane

A reader wondered why the highway had a lane closure despite not seeing work done. Crews were waiting on the weather.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring speaks at the groundbreaking event for the I-5/SR 529 Interchange project on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Justin Bell was convicted earlier this month of first-degree assault for a December 2017 shooting outside a Value Village in Everett. (Caleb Hutton / Herald file)

Court: Snohomish County jurors’ opaque masks didn’t taint verdict

During the pandemic, Justin Bell, 32, went on trial for a shooting. Bell claims his right to an impartial jury was violated.

Justin Bell was convicted earlier this month of first-degree assault for a December 2017 shooting outside a Value Village in Everett. (Caleb Hutton / Herald file)
Snohomish County Prosecutor Jason Cummings in an interview with The Daily Herald in Everett, Washington on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Snohomish County prosecutors declined 3,000 felony cases in 2022. Why?

A pandemic backlog and inexperienced cops begin to explain the trend, even as police raise the alarm about rising crime.

Snohomish County Prosecutor Jason Cummings in an interview with The Daily Herald in Everett, Washington on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Thousands walk the streets of downtown Everett with cameras in hand for return of Cruzin’ to Colby Monday afternoon in Everett, Washington on May 28, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Everett’s Cruzin’ to Colby car show is ‘place to play on Memorial Day’

And it’s free! Last year’s event drew 50,000 people downtown to see hundreds of gleaming hot rods and cool cars.

Thousands walk the streets of downtown Everett with cameras in hand for return of Cruzin’ to Colby Monday afternoon in Everett, Washington on May 28, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Gary Fontes uprights a tree that fell over in front of The Fontes Manor — a miniature handmade bed and breakfast — on Friday, May 12, 2023, at his home near Silver Lake in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Everett’s mini-Frank Lloyd Wright builds neighborhood of extra tiny homes

A tiny lighthouse, a spooky mansion and more: Gary Fontes’ miniature world of architectural wonders is one-twelfth the size of real life.

Gary Fontes uprights a tree that fell over in front of The Fontes Manor — a miniature handmade bed and breakfast — on Friday, May 12, 2023, at his home near Silver Lake in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
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Police: Mill Creek man fatally stabbed wife amid financial woes

After quitting his job at Amazon, the man amassed about $50,000 in debt, triggering a discussion about finances, he told police.

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Will Steffener

Inslee appoints Steffener as Superior Court judge

Attorney Will Steffener will replace Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Janice Ellis, who is retiring in June.

Will Steffener
A crowd of SEIU Healthcare 1199NW members and supporters gather to listen to speakers addresses the group during a union picket in front of EvergreenHealth Monroe on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Monroe health care workers picket for new contract

About 170 hospital workers are bargaining two contracts with EvergreenHealth Monroe. Two sticking points have emerged.

A crowd of SEIU Healthcare 1199NW members and supporters gather to listen to speakers addresses the group during a union picket in front of EvergreenHealth Monroe on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Outside of the current Evergreen Recovery Centers' housing to treat opioid-dependent moms with their kids on Thursday, May 25, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

$8M in behavioral health grants to benefit children, youth, families

Snohomish County awarded one-time federal funding to five projects that will reach at least 440 new people each year.

Outside of the current Evergreen Recovery Centers' housing to treat opioid-dependent moms with their kids on Thursday, May 25, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett

Detectives: Unresponsive baby was exposed to fentanyl at Everett hotel

An 11-month-old boy lost consciousness Tuesday afternoon. Later, the infant and a twin sibling both tested positive for fentanyl.

Everett
A paddleboarder makes their way across Lake Ballinger on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

South County Fire opens free life jacket stations at 2 parks

The self-serve stations at Martha Lake County Park and Lake Ballinger Waterfront Park provide free life jackets through Labor Day.

A paddleboarder makes their way across Lake Ballinger on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
News logo for use with stories about Mill Creek in Snohomish County, WA.

Woman’s body found in Mill Creek home after domestic assault report

A man reportedly called police Thursday to turn himself in for assaulting his wife. Officers discovered a body in the home.

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FILE - A sign hangs at a Taco Bell on May 23, 2014, in Mount Lebanon, Pa. Declaring a mission to liberate "Taco Tuesday" for all, Taco Bell asked U.S. regulators Tuesday, May 16, 2023, to force Wyoming-based Taco John's to abandon its longstanding claim to the trademark. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

Hepatitis A confirmed in Taco Bell worker in Everett, Lake Stevens

The health department sent out a public alert for diners at two Taco Bells on May 22 or 23.

FILE - A sign hangs at a Taco Bell on May 23, 2014, in Mount Lebanon, Pa. Declaring a mission to liberate "Taco Tuesday" for all, Taco Bell asked U.S. regulators Tuesday, May 16, 2023, to force Wyoming-based Taco John's to abandon its longstanding claim to the trademark. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)