Say hello to my little friend

Doug Ramsay photo

6-year-old Aaron Im of Snohomish is surprised as he finds Lucy the alligator above his head while attending a presentation by Scott Petersen, the Reptile Man, at the Snohomish Library on Wednesday, April 5. He showed a number of his live reptile friends, including a giant turtle, several snakes, and lizards along with Lucy. Petersen’s family runs The Reptile Zoo just east of Monroe on U.S. 2. It's open to the public daily except Wednesday and Sunday. You can watch feeding night on Fridays at 5 p.m.
Published April 12, 2023

Doug Ramsay photo

Visitors to Everett’s Grand Avenue Park enjoy one of the first warm and sunny days of spring on Wednesday, March 29, as the trees begin to blossom in the park and on the streets of Everett’s north side. The warm sun was brief as the good old Western Washington rain has returned for parts of this week. However, early predictions look promising for a dry Saturday morning for the annual Snohomish Easter Parade on April 8.

Published April 5, 2023

Colors fly as Snohomish hosts Holi event

Jim Scolman photo

A girl gets colored powder blown onto her from family members as part of playing with colors for the Holi event held at the Snohomish Carnegie Building on Sunday, March 19. Holi is an ancient Hindu festival to celebrate emerging into spring and to celebrate peace and kindness. The event included food, folk dancing and more. The city government anticipates making it an annual public celebration.

Published March 22, 2023

Clearing space at the Fairgrounds

Doug Ramsay photo

The bucket of a backhoe pulls down the center section on the north wall of the 400 building at the Evergreen State Fair Park last week. The well-known commercial building at the center of the fairgrounds was nearly 70 years old, having been built in the mid-1950s. It served many functions, including, as a dairy barn, small animal shows, exhibitions, craft shows and as a commercial vendor space. The building was more recently instrumental during the COVID-19 pandemic as a storage and distribution facility of PPE items. Once the building's gone, the area will remain open space for the time being as future use of the space is still being determined by fairgrounds staff and park planners.
Published March 8, 2023

Yep, it’s a whale’s skeleton

Doug Ramsay photo

Four-year-old Duncan Hopkins (left) and five-year-old Aiden Doane examine the rib cage of a gray whale which is part of the Imagine Children’s Museum’s Puget Sound Eco-System gallery. The Everett museum recently opened a three-story addition which features a woodlands adventure gallery, a package distribution simulator, an import-export gallery focusing on the region's seaports, as well as the Eco-System gallery which also features a full-size replica of a newborn gray whale calf.

Published February 22, 2023

Farmers market pop-ups this spring

Doug Ramsay photo

Terry Niblack of Sedro Woolley-based Skagit Gourmet Mushrooms describes cooking methods of a variety of mushrooms while tending to a booth at a pop-up event held by the Everett Farmers Market inside the Everett Performing Arts Center on Sunday, Feb. 12. While it is not yet time for fresh vegetable and fruits season, the market does feature many other food and craft items and it will be operating future pop-ups at the Performing Arts Center downtown on Sunday, March 12 and Sunday, April 23.

Published February 15, 2023

Ducks scramble for that bread

Doug Ramsay photo

Two-year-old Kayden Meyers tosses a few crushed crackers out for the ducks to eat while he and his family were enjoying a dry and somewhat sunny Groundhog Day at Lake Tye Park in Monroe on Thursday, Feb. 2.

Published February 8, 2023

Celebrating the Lunar New Year

Doug Ramsay photo

The Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett celebrated the Lunar New Year with an annual performance of the lion dance by the Mak Fai Dragon and Lion Dance Association of Seattle on Saturday, Jan. 21. In Chinese culture, the lion is characterized by power, wisdom and superiority, while the dance is supposed to bring good fortunes and chase away evil spirits for the new year.
Published January 25, 2023

Sprucing up McCollum Park

Doug Ramsay photo

With one of the few sunny days last week, around 15 volunteers trekked into the wooded portion of McCollum Park in south Everett on Saturday to pull out English Ivy that is threatening the native plants in the park. The cleanup was sponsored by the Snohomish County Healthy Forest Project and was also one of the county’s MLK Day of Service projects. Above, Julie Langabeer of Everett pulls out ivy. To volunteer for the Snohomish County Healthy Forest Project, see snohomishco.greencitypartnership.org

Published January 18, 2023

Trying a hand at lacrosse

Doug Ramsay photo

Snohomish High School senior Aislyn Goss, who plays on the Snohomish Lacrosse Club’s girls varsity team, gives six-year-old Evelyn Ward of Snohomish instruction on hand placement to throw the ball during the club’s free beginners clinic at the Snohomish Sports Dome on Saturday, Jan. 7. More than 60 girls from kindergarten to high school age learned about the sport at the clinic. The club is open to all girls in the Snohomish, Monroe and Lake Stevens school districts and Archbishop Murphy High School.

Published January 11, 2023

Skating around Snohomish

Jim Scolman photo

Chris, left, and Braelyn enjoy the skating at the Snohomish Valley Golf Center's ice rink in Snohomish on Wednesday, Dec. 28.

Published January 4, 2023

Greeting the new season

Jim Scolman photo

Karen Clifton and Karen Soltys, on the steps, right, pause to enjoy the caroling from the lit-up Avenue A gazebo above and watch people walking along Snohomish's candelit Riverfront Trail at the annual Winter Solstice Walk on Wednesday, Dec. 21. The solstice marks the formal start of winter, although regional snow made it feel like it was already here.

Published December 28, 2022

Repairing Blackman Lake:
The next steps to try to curb lake’s decline

Doug Ramsay photo

Doug Campbell of Snohomish uses a measuring tool to take a sample of water from near the center of Snohomish's Blackman Lake on Wednesday, Dec. 14.

SNOHOMISH — Work is being done to begin monitoring blue-green algae blooms (cyanobacteria) in Blackman Lake and recommend ways to manage the toxic flora.

More on this story...By ADAM WORCESTER, published December 21, 2022

Trying a hand at ice sculpting

Doug Ramsay photo

As a small crowd watches, David Ganschow of the PureDry Restoration team used a grinder to carve out a Christmas tree from a block of ice in the ice carving competition as part of the Historic Downtown Snohomish Association’s Winterfest weekend events. People from four companies had their first ever try at ice sculpting during a Saturday, Dec. 10 event on First Street in Snohomish. PureDry's team won the popular vote. Collectively, the companies raised $600 for their selected charities. Published December 14, 2022

The Grinch makes a hasty retreat

Jim Scolman photo

The Dr. Seuss book character The Grinch came to goof off at people before the start of the annual Chase The Grinch fun run up and down Centennial Trail in Snohomish the morning of Saturday, Dec. 4. We hope those weren't presents he stole. Published December 7, 2022

Santa arrives to greet his fans

Doug Ramsay photo

The holiday season was officially opened in Snohomish as Santa Claus made his yearly visit to town on Saturday, Nov. 26. Rather than visiting his fans from the gazebo on Avenue A, the jolly old man made this year's stop at the recently renovated Carnegie Building at First Street and Cedar Avenue. After an afternoon of visiting individually with the children, Santa and Snohomish Mayor Linda Redmon officially lit the Community Christmas Tree which now stands in front of the Carnegie Building. Published November 30, 2022

Pee-wees compete for the cup

Jim Scolman photo

In an age 5 - 7 championship game the morning of Saturday, Nov. 12, Stanwood Spartan #45, Ryan Combs, sprints for the corner, behind a strong block against the Lake Stevens Vikings as part of a series of North Sound Junior Football League championship games held at Snohomish High School that day. Stanwood won 34-6. Older age brackets played as the day progressed. In the Bantam championship game of 7th graders, Lake Stevens beat Snohomish 38-0. Published November 16, 2022

USO Dance returns to entertain

Doug Ramsay photo

Don Wootten of Snohomish and his wife Shelley dance to the 1940’s era big band music of Route 66 at this year’s Veterans Day Celebration and USO Dance at the Carl Gipson Center in Everett on Friday, Nov. 11. After a few years of absence due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the annual Veterans Day dance returned this year. The USO is the United Service Organizations, an entertainment and care organization to boost U.S. soldiers’ morale founded in 1941 and still exists today. Published November 16, 2022

Expanded museum open for play

Doug Ramsay photo

Children can run, jump and explore in more play areas now. Five-year-old Daisy Morado of Marysville leads her two-year-old brother Josiah through a rope bridge in the Imagine Children’s Museum’s new woodlands exhibit on Saturday, Oct. 29. Saturday was the grand opening of the museum's 33,000 square-foot expansion. The woodland exhibit features a full-size Sasquatch resting in a hammock in his tree house. It is one of 12 new galleries within the three-story expansion.
The 33,000 square foot addition practically doubled the size of the original museum by adding three new floors. The museum is located at the corner of Wall and Hoyt avenues in Everett. It began fundraising in 2018 when it recognized its popularity was leading to crowding in the museum. The expansion had a soft opening in September before last weekend's grand opening. The expansion cost $25 million. Published November 2, 2022

Pumpkins in the pool

Jim Scolman photo

Alise, age 4, and her big brother Alijah, 5, gather their prize pumpkins during the “Pumpkin Swim” at the Monroe Y on Saturday, Oct. 22. Their last names were not made available. The YMCA sponsored two sessions for kids and families for the fall event. Published October 26, 2022

Firefighters show off how they do it all

Doug Ramsay photo

Olivia Denney, 6, of Everett (left) and Owen Shelton, 7, of Lake Stevens learn how to use a fire extinguisher to put out a controlled fire as part of Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue’s annual open house at Station 31 in Monroe on Saturday, Oct. 15. A number of hands-on activities, demonstrations and close-up looks at firetrucks were part of the afternoon-long event. The station's open house, which has happened now for 20 years, is timed to coincide with National Fire Prevention Week. Published October 19, 2022

Keeping downtown Monroe clean

Jim Scolman photo

Dorian Adams, center, and Maverick, 5, both of Monroe, scramble to collect litter during last month's monthly cleanup on Saturday, Sept. 24 in downtown Monroe. Dorian's mom Rachel is at left and Maverick's mom Heather Sevier is in the background with her stroller. Sevier, commenting on the cleanup, said, ”I like to clean and it’s good to clean up our community.”

MONROE — The Monroe Chamber of Commerce began organizing a monthly clean up in downtown. The group meets rain or shine on the last Saturday of every month. They meet at Sharinabean's on Main Street at 10 a.m.

More on this story about the cleanups...By COLIN BURNS, published October 12, 2022

Panthers flood the streets

Doug Ramsay photo

Snohomish’s Avenue A was awashed in a sea of red, white and black on Friday, Oct. 7, as the Snohomish High School students and staff paraded through town in the annual Homecoming Serpentine. The annual event has become a tradition at the school as it has been held each homecoming through several generations of students.
Westbound First Street car traffic was controlled from entering the parade route, but not eastbound, leading drivers to turn up Avenue A where they encountered the parade between Second and First streets. Drivers were quickly diverted into a bank’s parking lot and
were forced to wait for the parade to pass.
Published October 12, 2022

All types shine at Snohomish’s car show

Doug Ramsay photo

A young car enthusiast checks out Fillmore, the hippie Volkswagen van character from the Disney animated movie “Cars,” at the 40th annual Snohomish Classic Car and Hot Rod Display in downtown Snohomish on Sunday, Sept. 25. Al Brasher of Snohomish recreated the Disney caricature vehicle from a 1960 VW micro-bus, which includes a fully tie-dyed inspired interior.
Published September 28, 2022

Farmers markets now in waning weeks

Doug Ramsay photo

There is always more then just fruits and vegetables for sale at the local farmers markets as Livi Aley of Marysville proves as she demonstrates hula hoops in front of her “Livijoyhoops” booth at the Everett Farmers Market on Sunday, Sept. 18. Along with the usual produce, kettle corn and flower vendors, there are many arts and crafts vendors at markets.
The Everett Farmers Market runs until Oct. 30. Snohomish's market finishes up Sept. 29. Monroe's market is to Oct. 21.
Published September 21, 2022

Monroe celebrates its community

Jim Scolman photo

Jesus on the drum, Adriana, Jesus Jr. and Dulce of the Yolihuaní Aztec Dancers perform at the Multicultural Monroe event put on by the Monroe Equity Council on Saturday, Sept. 10. The event at Sky River Park featured food, music, vendors and more.
Published September 14, 2022

Stretching to the sky

Jim Scolman photo

Chuck Betker, of Spark Hot Yoga, center, back, leads a class of about 30 students in Slow Flow Vinyasa Yoga in a beautiful sunflower field at Bob’s Corn & Pumpkin Farm on a stunning Tuesday afternoon in Snohomish. “Farm Yoga” is one of many events Bob’s is hosting for its sunflower festival ongoing through Sept. 17. Betker has been teaching for about seven years and is from Everett.
Published September 7, 2022

Overdose vigil honors deceased

Jim Scolman photo

Rayme Rogge-Springer of Everett lights a memorial candle at the conclusion of the Opioid Oversode Vigil held Wednesday, Aug. 31 at the Snohomish County Campus in Everett.
The event is called “A Night To Remember, A Time to Act.” The county’s event is held on International Overdose Awareness Day.
The opioid overdose vigil is an annual event. This year’s vigil coincides with a new recent spike in overdoses noted by the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office.
Published September 7, 2022

The Fair rolls on

Jacob Kerst photo

Kids experience the biggest drop on the rollercoaster at the 2022 Evergreen State Fair in Monroe on Friday, Aug. 26. Many visitors are enjoying all the aspects of the Fair such as racing, carnival, animals, food and more. The Fair is open through Labor Day, Sept. 5.
See more photos from the fair on the back page of the Tribune newspaper. Find a paper here!
Published August 31, 2022

Artist’s shindig held downtown

Doug Ramsay photo

Putting their artistic skills in action, Ben Danks of Everett (left) and Alexa Clark of Mill Creek contribute to the community paint-by-number mural at this year’s Fresh Paint in Everett on Sunday, Aug. 21. The annual art festival held by the Schack Art Center moved from the waterfront to Hewitt and Hoyt avenues in downtown. More than 100 artists showed off and sold their work.
Published August 24, 2022

Tough athletes tackle challenges

Jim Scolman photo

After splashing through water and mud obstacles, timed competitors in the Seattle Spartan Trifecta event Aug. 13 and 14 make a slippery rope climb up a metal slope as one of the many course obstacles at Sky Meadows Park (the old Nordstrom Farm) near Monroe.
Published August 17, 2022

You don’t need ice for hockey

Doug Ramsay photo

Liam Lugo, 10, of Everett tries to tuck the ball past goal keeper Hayden Statton, 11, of Lake Stevens as the two were participating in the Youth Hockey Partners of Everett’s “Hockey in the Park” at Everett’s Kasch Park on Saturday, Aug. 6.

Published August 10, 2022

Hyper creative: Pro graffiti artists coming to Everett to show and share their talent over four days

Jacob Kerst photo

Everett Rise is a mural created by graffiti artists Hyper, Faust and Spawk at the last Paint Jam event in Everett. The mural is painted 100% by spray paint and was a collaboration, made in stages by the three artists. It was a commission piece for the business that the wall belongs to, Screen Printing Northwest at 2526 Colby Ave.

EVERETT — On Aug. 4-7, an all-day Paint Jam event is coming to Everett, bringing with it the creation of 30 new murals throughout the city. Going All City NW 2022 has events taking place from 8 a.m. until sunset each day.
The unconventional art requires skill. Event details in story.

More on this story...By JACOB KERST, published August 3, 2022

All back together for Kla Ha Ya Days

Doug Ramsay photo

After a two-year hiatus during the pandemic, the annual Kla Ha Ya Days parade returned in Snohomish this past weekend, bringing thousands of people to First Street. The parade featured local high school bands, colorfully decorated vehicles, drill teams and the ever popular Ixtapa dancing horses and West Coast Country Heat dance team. Above, young dancers from Pacific West Performing Arts entertain the crowd.

Published July 20, 2022

A new place to play

Doug Ramsay photo

Nine-year-old Phoebe Li of Everett (right) plays with her family’s 10-month-old dalmatian Lucy as the family attends the grand opening of the off-leash dog area at the Lowell Riverfront Park in Everett on Thursday, June 30. The nearly one-acre, fenced-in land is now the largest off-leash area in the Everett Parks system. A cement pad from the former Simpson Paper Co. mill was unearthed during construction of the park was reused as a park bench.

Published July 13, 2022

Hundreds pile into Everett 3-on-3

Jim Scolman photo

Hundreds came to Everett for its inaugural 3-on-3 amateur basketball tournament held July 9 and 10 on downtown’s pavement.
The Seattle Smoke, in black jerseys, play the K&K Team from Tulalip in the “Youth, 10-11, Female” bracket July 9. The Smoke ultimately won their bracket, with 20-4 over the Storm.
The Everett 3-on-3 was built by two ex-organizers of Spokane Hoopfest, a huge shindig. Everett hopes to grow it to the same magnitude.

Published July 13, 2022

Space science camp

Jim Scolman photo

Eric, 9, and Kylerlynn, age 10, right make glow-in-the-dark snow from household chemicals Thursday, July 7 as part of the “Spacecation “ module of Camp Invention, a one-week STEM summer camp, at the Sky Valley Education Center in Monroe. The camp is run under the
National Inventors Hall of Fame, which says this is the “only nationally recognized summer program focused on creativity, innovation, real-world problem solving and the spirit of invention.”
The hands-on program is for children ages kindergarten to sixth grade. Each grade level handles differing mini-projects geared toward engineering applications, geometry and the science behind the chemical properties of matter and molecules.

Published July 13, 2022

Splish-splash

Jim Scolman photo

Alex Ratcliffe, center with the beach ball, age 3 1/2 from Lynnwood enjoys the Willis Tucker Park Splash Pad on a warm day, at last, with the many other kids and adults.
Splash pads are at Willis Tucker Park, 6706 Puget Park Drive, Snohomish, and at Forest Park, 802 W. Mukilteo Blvd. in Everett.
Published July 6, 2022

Pickleball exhibited

Doug Ramsay photo

Snohomish Senior Center member Karen Gahm of Snohomish sends the ball across the net as she was playing a game of pickleball at the Snohomish Boys and Girls Club in Snohomish on Saturday, June 25. The senior center, along with the Snohomish Pickleball Club, presented an exhibition of the sport during a day of fun activities. Pickleball, invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, is Washington State’s official sport.
Published June 29, 2022

Farmers Markets give plenty to see

Doug Ramsay photo

Tori MacMullin of Lake Stevens and her three-year-old daughter Luna, check out the green frog and yellow flower cookies at Darlene Ulsh’s fresh baked goods booth at the Snohomish Farmers Market on Thursday, June 16. After people got soaked during the two prior market days in Snohomish, the weather was much more cooperative last week. The Snohomish market runs on Thursdays from 3-7 p.m. at Cedar and Pearl streets. It moved back to this spot earlier this month.
Monroe’s market is Wednesdays from 3-7 p.m. in the Galaxy Movie Theaters parking lot. Everett’s market is held Sundays 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. downtown in the vicinity of Wetmore and Wall streets a block off of Hewitt.
Published June 22, 2022

Everyone plays the game

Doug Ramsay photo

Isaiah Kobernik, 7, of Monroe, has a little assistance from coach Gerad Kobernik as they participate in a Miracle League game at Rotary Field in Monroe on Saturday, June 4. Miracle League baseball allows children facing physical and mental disabilities a way to play baseball. In Miracle League games, every player gets to hit, get on base and score every inning, with the help of a volunteer buddy. Operated by the Monroe YMCA, the league is open to kids of all ages and with any type of physical or mental disability from anywhere in the Puget Sound area. This year’s season concludes June 18. League organizers said that volunteer groups and organizations are encouraged to help. For more information to play or volunteer next season, contact the Monroe Y, 360-805-1879.
Published June 15, 2022

Locals march against gun violence

Jim Scolman photo

Naomi Dietrich (with megaphone) of the group SnoCo Indivisible leads Snohomish County’s March For Our Lives Rally held Saturday, June 13 in Everett. Prior to the march, people listened to speakers at the County Campus in downtown Everett.
Hundreds attended, including at least one anti-protestor who was led away by police officers.
Similar marches were held across America that day in response to recent gun violence events such as the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas late last month.
Organizers hope Congress makes current gun laws stricter.
Last week, the U.S. House approved a national “red flag” bill that temporary takes away guns from people authorities deem as dangerous or unstable. At press time it faces the Senate.
Published June 15, 2022

Spinning for a good time

Doug Ramsay photo

Sari Peterson of Portland, Oregon demonstrates how yarn is made while using an 1800s-era spinning wheel from the former Czechoslovakia region at the 10th annual Fiber Fusion Northwest event at the Evergreen Fairgrounds in Monroe on Saturday, June 4. The event focuses on natural fibers such as fleece and wool, from animal to product. All aspects of natural fiber were on display, from sheep and llamas to spinning wheels, looms and all kinds of yarns and knitting material.

Published June 8, 2022

Crowds delighted at motorcycle show

Doug Ramsay photo

Even in the rain, the show must go on, which the Seattle Cossacks Motorcycle Stunt and Drill Team did as part of the 25th annual Sky Valley Motorcycle Show in Snohomish on Sunday, May 15. For the past 84 years, the drill team has performed throughout the Northwest. The rain did not dampen the spirits of many motorcycle enthusiasts who turned out for this year’s bike display show.

Published May 18, 2022

Honoring those who served

Jim Scolman photo

Veterans stand during the opening ceremonies of the VFW Flags For Our Fallen 5K held at Lake Tye Park in Monroe Saturday, May 21.

Published May 25, 2022

Kids reel out at fishing derby

Doug Ramsay photo

Three-year-old Gia Pena of Snohomish checks her pole as she participates in this year’s Snohomish Sportsman’s Club kids fishing derby at Blackman Lake on Saturday, May 7. The fish were elusive this year as just a few were caught during the derby before the rain came and shortened the event.

Published May 11, 2022

Beautifying downtown Everett

Doug Ramsay photo

Colleen Temple of Everett fills a sidewalk planter with flowers in front of her employer Coastal Community Bank’s office on Colby Avenue on Saturday, April 30. Volunteers from throughout the county participated in the annual organized planting of flowers in downtown Everett. The weather cooperated as the rain ended and the sun began to poke out just as the event began.

Published May 4, 2022

Crowds return for Easter Parade

Jared M. Burns photo

The Snohomish Easter Parade sprang back to life after a two years’ absence with high turnout on a sunny Saturday, April 16. Above, the Snohomish High School Panther band brought school spirit. They were one of the more than 50 entries to walk down First Street for the parade, which included club organizations, dance teams, schools and scouting troops participating.
Published April 20, 2022

Kid meets kid

Doug Ramsay photo

Four-year-old Aubrey Swanson of Lake Stevens gently holds a three-month old goat at the SnoTown Brewery on Saturday, April 9. Several baby goats and their mothers from the Crazy B Homestead of Lake Stevens were guests for the afternoon. SnoTown Brewery, on Snohomish’s Second Street, plans to make young goat visits a fairly regular event.
Published April 13, 2022

Cherry blossoms bloom

Doug Ramsay photo

A man takes his dog for a stroll through Grand Avenue Park in the north end of Everett late last week as the cherry trees that line the park are in full bloom.
Published March 30, 2022

Plenty to choose from

Doug Ramsay photo

A guest looks over several of the many pieces of art on display at the Schack Art Center in Everett on Sunday, March 6. All of the art exhibited at the center will be part of this year’s H’arts Benefit Auction.
The Schack is holding a “meet the artist” event Thursday, March 10 from 5 - 8 p.m. at the center, 2921 Hoyt Ave., Everett. The 40th annual auction currently has two separate silent auctions going that are taking bids through March 11 and March 13, and there will be a live auction that starts Thursday, March 10 at noon. A catalog of the pieces being auctioned off is at www.schack.org

Published March 9, 2022

Who’s up for a game?

Doug Ramsay photo

Stuart Blondin, 9, of Snohomish quickly weaves his way through the cones as he participated in an Emerald City floorball practice at the Snohomish Sports Dome on Sunday, Feb. 27. Floorball, a sport which uses balls and hockey sticks prominent on the East Coast, is played internationally, with a number of semi-professional and professional leagues, including in the U.S. For more on floorball for the Puget Sound area, check out Emerald City Floorball on Facebook or at www.snohomishsportsdome.com.

Published March 2, 2022

Gipson Center back in the swing of things

Doug Ramsay photo

Alfred Gengnagel of Mukilteo returns the ball while playing table tennis at the Carl Gipson Center in Everett on Saturday, Feb. 12. Nearly 30 people came to play for the day’s activities. The Carl Gipson Center reopened Jan. 3 under the banner of Volunteers of America Western Washington, which manages the center and leases the building at 3025 Lombard Ave. from the city. The city dissolved its senior center program in spring 2020 as one of the numerous budget cuts it made in response to the pandemic.
Published February 16, 2022

Riding the waves

Doug Ramsay photo

Brayden Gonzalez, 12, of Snohomish tries his best at staying on his feet as he surfs the wake on the Snohomish Aquatic Center’s
FlowRider simulator Sunday, Jan. 30. Being the only indoor surf-simulator in the Seattle area, it crosses wakeboarding, snowboarding and skateboarding for an exciting and challenging experience. The center’s recreational pool is available for open swim Sundays from noon to 5:45 p.m. The Snohomish School District opened the center at 516 Maple Ave. in January 2014.
Published February 2, 2022

Going with purpose

Jim Scolman photo

Led by the Highway 2 Freedom Runner, a good-sized crowd of runners and walkers participated in the 10th anniversary Jayme Biendl Memorial 5k Walk/Run the morning of Jan. 23 in Sky River Park in Monroe. Biendl was a corrections officer in the Monroe prison who was murdered inside by a sneak attack by an inmate Jan. 29, 2011.
Published January 26, 2022

Making new friends

Doug Ramsay photo

Three-year-old Henry Schaefer of Snohomish watches as Sarah Seigneuret, aka “Somebuddy the Clown,” draws teeth and eyes on a balloon dinosaur that she made for him at the Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett on Saturday, Jan. 15. Seigneuret performed a magic show followed by making balloon art for museum visitors.
Published January 19, 2022

Pups prove their speed

Doug Ramsay photo

Noodle, a mixed-breed terrier owned by Geoffrey Reuther of Everett, charges down the aisle during the first qualifying race of Sam’s Cats and Dogs’ Great Small Dog Race series held inside their Everett store on Jan 5.
The fastest dogs in the qualifiers go on to run as a sideshow for the Everett Silvertips hockey games on the ice inside Angel of the Winds Arena. The top dogs from last week’s qualifier race are scheduled to run at the Jan. 21 Silvertips game against Kelowna. A pack of dachshunds are scheduled to run at the Feb. 19 game against Victoria. Lovable corgis are scheduled to have their race March 19 at the game against Vancouver.
The dachshunds had their qualifier race Tuesday, Jan. 11. The corgi qualifier race is anticipated for Tuesday, Feb. 8.
Published January 12, 2022

Bring out your sled

Jim Scolman photo

10-year-old Emmalyn Varra takes a turn on the informal “Miracle Field sledding hill” in Monroe on Dec. 27. Emmalyn, her 4-year-old brother Simon and 9-year-old sister Clair were on the hill the Monday afternoon after the big snow came. Monroe saw six inches of snowfall Dec. 26, according to the National Weather Service. The overall county saw similar snowfall accumulation.

Published January 5, 2022

Candlelit walk welcomes winter

Doug Ramsay photo

As part of celebrating the Winter Solstice on Dec. 21, volunteers line Snohomish’s Riverfront Trail with candle-lit luminaries, a tradition that dates for more than a decade now. Due to the dry weather, and the trail’s popularity, plenty of people took advantage to take a nice stroll.

Published December 29, 2021

Santa brightens the day

Doug Ramsay photo

Four-year-old Matilda Etgeton of Marysville gets a kick out of seeing Santa Claus as most of his face was covered by his beard and a required face mask during sensory-friendly time at the Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett on Sunday, Dec. 19. Santa was able to stop in this year to visit during a monthly period at the museum formatted for especially for children with stimulus processing sensitivities and their families. The museum’s sensory-friendly time is on the third Sunday of every month from 9 to 11 a.m. (pre-registration required.)

Published December 22, 2021

Caroling for the community

Jim Scolman photo

SNOHOMISH — Members of Zion Lutheran Church in Snohomish warm up on the church steps before heading out into the neighborhood to sing traditional Christmas carols Sunday, Dec. 19.

Published December 22, 2021

Snohomish Carnegie gets spruced up

Michael Whitney photo

SNOHOMISH — On Thursday, Dec. 2, members of the Carnegie Foundation and a city crew planted some 70 shrubs, ferns and small cedars around the perimeter of Snohomish’s Carnegie Building. Above, Renée Deierling prepares to plant ornamental fountain grass as Melody Clemans digs. About 20 volunteers participated in total.
Carnegie Foundation members are excited a cherry tree is coming back for the corner of Cedar Avenue and First Street. A small tree sourced from Harnden’s Nursery will be planted in January. It could grow to 25 feet tall, Clemans said. Until 1968, a magnificent cherry tree stood at the corner. It was removed when an annex building was grafted onto the original Carnegie. A magnolia was planted to replace it. Today, it’s just grass.

Published December 8, 2021

Ice royalty greet young fans

Doug Ramsay photo

EVERETT — The Ice Princess (left) and Ice Queen meet a young girl who was with her family at the Port of Everett’s annual “Holiday on the Bay”
event Saturday, Dec. 4 at the port’s Pacific Rim Plaza. Visitors could also touch and climb into an Everett Fire Department fire engine at
the event. The event concluded with the lighting of the port’s Holiday tree (in the background) and the arrival of Santa by boat.

Published December 8, 2021

Santa comes to visit

Doug Ramsay photo

SNOHOMISH — Lucy Campbell-Estes, 3, of Maltby smiles and waves at Santa Claus as the jolly old man made his yearly visit to downtown Snohomish on Saturday, Nov. 27. While heavy rain was forecasted for much of the day, it didn’t keep Santa’s young fans and their parents from coming to town to greet him. In fact, the rain subsided just before Old St. Nick arrived on a Fire District 4 fire engine, and held off for a while as all the young ones that came to see him were able tell him their wishlists.

Published December 1, 2021

Help volunteer to build children's bikes

Doug Ramsay 2013 file photo

Sharing Wheels Community Bike Shop seeks volunteers who can come help fix bicycles for Christmas House on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. through December at the shop. People are asked to pre-register their time to volunteer at www.sharingwheels.org
The shop entrance is in the back alley of 2531 Broadway in Everett, and the bicycles benefit Christmas House, an annual free gift giveaway in Everett for low-income families during December. In this file photo, Ed Phares of Everett attaches a pedal to a children’s bike at the shop.

Published November 3, 2021

Deer rescue

Doug Ramsay photo

Firefighters and others rescued a deer that fell into a detention pond in Snohomish on Sunday, Oct. 17. The deer was hoisted out and then released to run away free.

Published online October 19, 2021

Panther Pride takes to the streets

Doug Ramsay photo

Snohomish High School students and staff swarm down Fifth Street during the annual Homecoming Serpentine through Snohomish on Friday, Oct 8, led by the royal court and followed by the Panther fall sports teams and the school’s marching band.
The traditional Serpentine began generations ago.

Published October 13, 2021

Classics line First Street once more

Doug Ramsay photo

Chester, a two-year-old beagle, sits back and watches as Steve Martin of Brier wipes off a little road dust as he readies to show off his
1970 Chevrolet Chevelle at the 38th annual Snohomish Classic Car and Hot Rod Display in Snohomish on Sunday, Sept. 26. Despite the threat of rain throughout the day, several hundred cars were on display along First Street.

Published September 29, 2021

A day of rumble and polished chrome

Doug Ramsay photo

A group of motorcyclists pass by a few of the early arrival bikes as they ride up First Street in Snohomish heading in for the 24th Annual Sky Valley Motorcycle Show that was held Sunday, Sept. 12. While the weather saw drizzles in the morning, it took until midday for the event to get into full swing.
Published September 15, 2021

Farmers Markets for all ages

Jim Scolman photo

The Buss family, Fispher, age 8, his sister Autumn, 6, mom Julie and little dog Naya, all of Monroe, enjoy the sights and variety of the late summer afternoon at the Monroe Farmers Market Wednesday, Sept. 1. Fispher insisted on trying the kettle corn.
Weekly farmers markets are nearing the end of their seasons. Monroe’s market finished Sept. 1, but will hold a harvest market Wednesday, Sept. 29. Snohomish’s Thursday market concludes Sept. 30. Everett’s Sunday market at Hewitt and Wetmore avenues concludes Oct. 31.
Published September 8, 2021

Public concerts Thursday nights in Everett

Doug Ramsay photo

Six-year-old Raya Kay Gentry, of Everett (left) along with her mother Marry J Gentry and her one-year-old brother Zander dance to the music of Seattle performer Lady A at this year’s season-opening performance of Music at the Marina at the Port of Everett’s south marina on Thursday, Aug. 5. This one-month outdoor concert series on Thursday evenings concludes Aug. 26.
Upcoming shows are:
Aug. 19: LeRoy Bell and His Only Friends (rock and soul); and
Aug. 26: Eldridge Gravy and The Court Supreme (funk).
The venue is open from 5 to 9 p.m. and shows start at 6:30 p.m. Shows are free. On-site parking costs $5. There are no public buses running within one mile of the Port of Everett area on Thursday evenings.
Published Aug. 11, 2021

Blueberry season in full swing

Doug Ramsay photo

Four-year-olds Hugo Bremer (left) and Adair Smith, both of Seattle, team up to pick blueberries at the Mountainview Blueberry Farm in Snohomish on Sunday, July 25. Many of the u-pick farms throughout the Snohomish Valley are presently in full swing pf operations.
Published July 28, 2021

Great day for Show and Shine

Doug Ramsay photo

A gentleman checks out the interior of Stan Pauley’s fully restored 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air decked out with 1950s memorabilia on display at the Kla-Ha-Ya Days Show and Shine car show in Snohomish on Sunday, July 18. Pauley, who lives in Woodinville, and his wife Pam have been become regulars at area car shows over the years, including participating in all of the various Snohomish shows. This year’s Show and Shine attracted hundreds of vehicles of all types and ages filling First Street as well as several of the side streets in downtown Snohomish.Published July 21, 2021

Free Friday music series at Lake Tye starts

Jim Scolman photo

Bailey and her mom Amy Brooks of Monroe dance to the country music of Megs McLean and her band Friday, July 9 at Lake Tye Park for the first of four city concerts called Music in the Park. A large crowd was brought out by the great weather. Bailey is age 5½ and said she has been dancing for a long time. Coming up, rock band BroHamm will play Friday, July 23 at 7 p.m. and ‘80s tribute band The Spazmatics plays July 30 at 7 p.m. The Stacy jones Band played July 16.Published July 14, 2021

Paddleboarding on Silver Lake

Doug Ramsay photo

Ximena Cruz, 15 of Mill Creek (left) and Mariely Salazar, 15 of Shoreline paddle across Silver Lake in south Everett late last month. The two girls were taking a lesson taught by instructor Keely Maroney (not pictured) of Hydrology Stand Up Paddle, which rents paddleboards on the lake and also holds classes. Paddleboarding lessons are available for children age 6 and up from the company.Published July 7, 2021

Keeping cool in the heat

Jim Scolman photo

Aiden, age 4, is not real sure about the falling water from the splash pads at Willis Tucker Park, 6705 Puget Park Dr. in Snohomish, on a visit June 20. The spray pads at Willis Tucker Park will operate through the summer into September from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. There are spray pads at Forest Park in Everett, too, that is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.Published June 30, 2021

Markets have all, from apricots to zucchini

Doug Ramsay photo

Troy Fisk of Bill’s Fruits bags up a small bunch of apricots for a customer Sunday, June 20 at the weekly Everett Farmers Market in downtown Everett. The stand is one of over 80 vendors at the market. While cherries and apricots from the east side of the state are presently in season, other varieties of fruit and vegetables start becoming available in the next several weeks.Published June 23, 2021

Learn to be safe while boating

Doug Ramsay photo

Having launched their boats at the Port of Everett’s 10th Street boat launch, boaters prepare for a day out on the Sound on Saturday, June 12.
Boating class: There was a free boating safety class on Thursday, June 17 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. to review an introduction to boating laws, safety equipment, navigation, and other important topics. The class was led by Martin Mooney, an instructor with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. The auxiliary and the Everett Public Library are co-sponsoring this class. You can also sign up for a Washington State Boating Safety Course online at www.boat-ed.comPublished June 16, 2021

Explore sea life at low tide

Jim Scolman photo

Megan Dishneau, dog Miley and son Cole, age 4, all from Snohomish, enjoy the negative-3.7 low tide at Everett's Edgewater Park on Friday, May 28. ”This is the first trip to the beach for Miley and we are really enjoying this low tide,” Dishneau said.
The lowest tides of the season will occur June 24 and 25 with a negative-3.9 and negative-4.0, respectively. For a full list of low tide dates, click on the Outdoor Adventure Guide in the right-hand column.Published June 9, 2021

Got any carrots there, mister?

Stephanie Kramer photo

Jayce Flickinger, 5, of Granite Falls gets a curious sniff from a miniature donkey at a parcel of land in the Snohomish River Valley a few weeks ago on a private visit. The donkeys are owned by Debi Steltz of Lords Hill Miniature Donkey Rescue. If you want to see them, she asks that you do not just go on the property but to call her at 425-367-1007.

Published May 26, 2021

Reeling for relaxation

Jim Scolman photo

Taylor Rooney, an avid fisher new to Monroe, enjoys an evening of fishing on the West bank of Lake Tye. He said:”I came out at noon and got two and now I came back to see if I could get my limit.” Rooney added, “I’m new to Monroe but I fish everywhere I go.”

Published May 19, 2021

Public gets first glimpse inside Carnegie

Doug Ramsay photo

Carnegie Foundation member Terry Lippincott points out prominent historical features that were restored on the front facade of Snohomish’s Carnegie building during public tours on Thursday, May 6 of the recently restored building. Tours went inside the building, too. The city plans to use the Carnegie for private event rentals and small public meetings.

Published May 12, 2021

Growing for the food bank

Jim Scolman photo

The Julia V. Morris Centennial Garden, next to the Sky Valley Food Bank at 233 Sky River Parkway in Monroe, helps grow fresh fruit and vegetables for the food bank. Above, garden volunteer Lori Heffner plants cabbage starts from her home greenhouse last month. Julia Morris founded the food bank 45 years ago. The garden was planted in 1999 and named in Morris’ memory. Volunteers tend the garden as a community effort. To connect with them on Facebook, find the group “Friends of JVM Food Bank Garden.”

Published May 5, 2021

Scrambling toward the endzone

Doug Ramsay photo

Isaac Palmer, 12, of Marysville, (right) spins and dodges a defender to keep from having one of his flags pulled as he carries the football down field while playing in a Snohomish County Boys & Girls Club flag football league game at Snohomish High School on Saturday, April 24. The “Chiefs” from the Snohomish club went on to beat the “Cowboys” team from the Lake Stevens Boys & Girls Club. Flag football is one of a number of team sports organized by Snohomish County Boys & Girls Club, with games played at Snohomish High School, Park Place Middle School in Monroe and in Lake Stevens.

Published April 28, 2021, information corrected

Fire Explorers shows teens how pros work

Doug Ramsay photo

Snohomish Fire District 4 explorer Kortney Crane of Marysville uses the proper technique of holding a fire hose as Fire District 4 firefighter-paramedic Claire Woofenden (left) gives instructions during a weekly practice session by Explorer Post 444 at the district’s training center in Snohomish on Wednesday, March 24. The explorer program educates people ages 14 to 20 in fire and emergency medical operations as well as community leadership and volunteer values. Numerous explorers from this post have become career firefighters, paramedics and emergency dispatchers. While there are no openings for new members at the moment, the post’s adviser said they are taking applications from Snohomish County teens interested in pursuing a fire service career.
To sign up, visit www.snohomishfire.org or call 360-568-2143.

Published March 31, 2021

All ages get behind the wheel

Doug Ramsay photo

Young drivers feed a need for speed as they drive gas-powered go-karts at Traxx Indoor Raceway, off of Chennault Beach Road in Mukilteo, on Saturday, March 20. Traxx opens its building side doors during warm, sunny days to expand into an indoor/outdoor track. Drop-in races last for approximately 10 minutes, usually yielding about 15 laps of fury. The business also takes reservations to avoid waiting in line.

Published March 24, 2021

Enjoying signs of spring

Doug Ramsay photo

The cherry trees are beginning to blossom as a couple enjoy a warm, sunny day and takes a stroll along the Port of Everett’s south marina last Saturday, March 13. Outdoor walks and hikes have become popular as other activities and venues continue to be closed due to Covid-19 restrictions. While we have enjoyed a stretch of enjoyable weather this past few weeks, the rain is predicted to return for the last half of this week.

Published March 17, 2021

High-flying adventure

Doug Ramsay photo

Summer Rous, 7, of Bainbridge Island carefully steps as she crosses one of the many off the ground obstacles in the High Trek Adventures rope course located at the Paine Field Community Park in south Everett on Saturday, March 6. The rope course has elements that are from 15 feet to 50 feet off the ground. The adventure site also has zip lines, outdoor laser tag, mini golf and axe throwing.
The park’s website at hightrekeverett.com has more details, including COVID procedures that are being enforced.

Published March 10, 2021

What do you want at Averill Field?

Doug Ramsay photo

A child nicknamed “Hay Hay,” along with her father Jim Wojnarowski, both of Everett, go for a spin while playing at the Tillicum Kiwanis Playground at Averill Field in Snohomish on Saturday, Feb 27. The young girl and her parents were exploring Snohomish for the afternoon when she spotted the playground and the family stopped for a little playtime. The Tillicum Kiwanis Playground is in the footprint of the Averill Field redevelopment plan, and the play equipment will be “retired” when a new park space replaces it later this decade.


SNOHOMISH — The green space at Third Street and Pine Avenue is destined to become a city park, and the next step is to identify what people want to be in it. This is your chance.

More on this story... By MICHAEL WHITNEY, published March 3, 2021

Getting some grind

Doug Ramsay photo

George Dubuque of Seattle (left) grinds one of the rails at the skate park in Monroe’s Lake Tye Park during the afternoon of Saturday, Feb. 20. While much of the rest of the country remains in the deep freeze of winter, the Pacific Northwest will enjoy relatively warmer temperatures and have the chance to venture out during those rare rainless times to parks and trails, where proper social distancing can be achieved. While the rain came back again this week, a dry weekend is forecasted for our area.

Published Feb. 24, 2021

"The Big Snow"

Jim Scolman photo

Lisaeth, Anyelhn, Eric, Noe, Iker and Mariel (in no particular order), all of Monroe, enjoy sledding on the slope just below Miracle Field in Monroe on Saturday, Feb. 13. Snow rolled into the region Friday evening and blanketed the area with between six to 11 inches of snow depending where you live. Power outages were reported in numerous areas, including the Woods Creek area of Monroe and parts of Sultan near Mann Road. An overnight low of 26 degrees for Saturday, Feb. 13 measured at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport broke a record for temperature. The Washington State Patrol reported it handled 196 collisions in Snohomish County over the weekend.

Published Feb. 17, 2021

Gyms, restaurants reopen
to limited service

Doug Ramsay photo

LaRae McCurry (left) and Lacey Ramon, of the Snohomish Fitness Center, wipe down and sanitize the workout equipment at the gym in downtown Snohomish last Friday. As of Monday, in seven counties including Snohomish County, restaurants could allow indoor dining again and gyms can allow people to come in at limited capacities. The region has met the ability to move up in the state’s new regional approach for restrictions. Things stay open unless infections increase again.

Published Feb. 3, 2021

Ever tried glassblowing?

Doug Ramsay photo

From left to right, glass artist Julie Conway and team member Dan Friday work to shape a piece of glass art while Ben Ostrom and Manolo Aguilera (far right) work to slowly spin the glass globe at the Schack Art Center in Everett on Saturday, Jan. 16. The glass globe is embedded with silver leaf and will be part of a multi-piece chandelier Conway has designed.
The Schack Art Center, 2921 Hoyt Ave. in Everett, has classes in working with hot glass, kilns and flamework. The private studios also can be reserved for hot glass and kiln work. To find out more, visit www.schack.org and click on “Classes” to navigate the schedule, or call 425-259-5050. Visitors can watch glassblowing live; learn more on that at the website by using the drop-down menu titled “Visit.”
Published Jan. 20, 2021

Getting time outdoors

Doug Ramsay photo

With a day-long break in the rain, Snohomish area residents got out to enjoy the dry but cold weather last Saturday on the River Trail through Snohomish. While the rain continued to hold off through the better part of Sunday. it has returned for much of the present work week. This upcoming weekend however is predicted to be dry and possibly sunny again.

The purposeful lives of old Christmas trees

Doug Ramsay photo

SNOHOMISH COUNTY — Recycling Christmas trees, often collected by Boy Scout troops, has become more than simply grinding them down to use as bark for flower beds or wood chips for parks and trails.

More on this story... By JAKE BERG, published January 6, 2020

Ice skating... in Snohomish?

Doug Ramsay photo

Adelyn Burtner, 8, of Bothell (left) holds on to her three-year-old brother Emerson’s hand as the two attempted to stay on their feet while skating on the synthetic ice-skating rink at the Snohomish Valley Golf Center south of Snohomish on Dec. 6.
The synthetic plastic surface is warm to the touch and does not melt, but acts just like ice when used by ice skates. The skating rink is located in a heated tent and is open daily for 50-minute sessions at the center, with rental skates available. The golf center plans to operate the skating rink through the end of January.

Published Dec. 23, 2020

Bikes for all is Scout’s big project

Doug Ramsay photo

Henry Amend of Snohomish wheels out a new bicycle to be given a final safety check and then handed to a young recipient at the Sharing Wheels nonprofit in Everett on Saturday, Dec. 12.

SNOHOMISH — A 16-year-old mountain biker and future Eagle Scout from Snohomish raised more than $3,000 to help provide 27 bikes for children of low-income families just in time for Christmas.

More on this story... By JAKE BERG, published Dec. 16, 2020

Homegrown Santa

Photo by Lucas Wuolle, age 10

Steven Schroeder has been making visits in the Echo Lake and Lost Lake neighborhoods to excite kids. For many years, Schroeder participated with a group called Bikers Against Child Abuse.
He tries to ride and wave to people as much as possible.
“The response from kids and adults alike is truly incredible,” he said.

Published December 15, 2020

Santa always finds a way...

Doug Ramsay photo

Being 1,749 years old, Ol’ Saint Nicholas has to take as many precautions as necessary to avoid the coronavirus. However, to keep the tradition of visiting with the children during his annual visit to Snohomish this past weekend, the jolly old gent sat himself behind glass in the storefront window of Randolph Cellars on First Street and used walkie-talkies to hear from children who came to see him. Avery Heath, 6, of Snohomish, tells Santa her wish list over a pink radio while Santa listened on Saturday, Nov. 28.

Published December 2, 2020

After turkey, time to think about trees

Doug Ramsay photo

Aryna, 9, of Everett, brings up the rear as she helps her father Cody carry the family’s freshly cut Christmas tree back to their vehicle at Stocker Farms in Snohomish on Saturday, Nov. 21. While the annual U-cut Christmas tree season normally starts on the day after Thanksgiving, a few of the area farms opened for limited cutting this past weekend. All of the area farms will be open starting this Friday.

Published Nov. 25, 2020

Up goes the tree

Jim Scolman photo

Crews from the City of Everett give Santa a hand with the seasonal decorations in downtown Everett on the morning of Saturday, Nov. 21, including the traditional tree hoisted above the intersection of Hewitt and Colby avenues.

Published November 25, 2020

Snohomish’s Carnegie building is practically complete

Doug Ramsay photo

Snohomish city project manager Brennan Collins (yellow coat) talks with a member of the construction crew in front of the Carnegie building at First Street and Cedar Avenue while work continues during one of the few dry days last week.

SNOHOMISH — The Carnegie building in the historic Snohomish Downtown is almost fully restored. The City Council plans to discuss the Carnegie operations plan at the council meeting on Dec. 1. City administrator Steve Schuller said no dates or official plans have been set but the city has been thinking about holding a “rotating” open house.

More on this story...By JAKE BERG, published Nov. 18, 2020

Market offered great gifts

Doug Ramsay photo

Mia Baus, 3, of Snohomish, points out a glass holiday orn-ament that she thinks would be a great gift for a relative as she and her mother and grandmother were shopping at the Flore garden and gift booth at the second annual Snohomish Holiday Market on Saturday, Nov. 14.

Published November 18, 2020

Youth games test firefighter skills

Doug Ramsay photo

Snohomish Fire District 4 explorer Tyler McCleod, 16, of Snohomish quickly removes the cap to a hydrant so as to connect the hose to it while competing in an annual Fire Explorer Muster at the Fire District 4’s training facility on Saturday, Nov. 7. Typically, fire explorers throughout the state meet in late spring for a friendly competition, however with COVID-19 restrictions in place, the annual “Muster” moved to November, with several smaller events held at the same time. Each event was connected via a live-stream feed. Saturday’s event in Snohomish had explorers from the Snohomish Fire Dist. 4 post and the Camano Island Fire post. Fire explorer posts are sponsored by fire departments and open to males and females ages 14 to 21. Monroe has one, too.

Published November 11, 2020

Riders working out their horses

Doug Ramsay photo

Violet Semritc, 3, of Monroe, (right) is watched by Cailyn Espinosa, of Snohomish as the two ride in a warm-up area at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe on Sunday, Nov. 1. Semritc had finished a competing run in the Snohomish County Western Games Association’s monthly competition, while Espinosa was warming up for her run. The games association does pattern racing competitions during the winter, and the riders range in age from 1-year-old on up to over 70.

Published November 4, 2020

Trunk or Treat brings out little ones

Jim Scolman photo

Left to right, in costume, Audrey, Zoe and Aero of Everett enjoy the First Baptist Church Kids Community Trunk or Treat event Saturday, Oct. 24 in Everett. Aged 6, 3, and 2, they gathered Halloween goodies from about 13 “trunks”, enjoyed the other costumes and the beautiful fall day, together with mom Talia and dad Wayne.

Published October 28, 2020

Snohomish River Run

Jim Scolman photo

Pictured above are the first of the racers to cross the finish line on Saturday, Oct. 17 at the Snohomish River Run 5K and 10k. To comply with COVID-19 guidelines, start times were staggered into five minute intervals with a max of 10 runners each start.

Published October 21, 2020

Snohomish farms offer variety of U-picks

Doug Ramsay photo

Two-year-old Jakey, of Snohomish, reaches for a low hanging apple that was just within his reach as he and his family were picking at the Bailey Family Farm’s apple orchard on Wednesday, Oct. 7. While the annual Festival of Pumpkins in in full swing in the Snohomish Valley, other delectable fruits and vegetables are also available for harvesting at this time. Although apples are beginning to be picked out for the season, they as well as sweet corn and a variety of vegetables are available for u-picking at a number of valley farms through October.

Published October 14, 2020