Snohomish County

2007 Artist Trust/WSAC Recipients Announced

Afternoon Edition: Crazy Quaid Time

Triumph Over Enron

Berendt Joins Dotzauer's Firm

King & Snohomish County Spelling Bee

DUI King: 3 More Years

More tips for hikers who don't want to be shot and killed

New Medical Pot Rules: 24 Ounces Smokable, 15 Plants

Crime lab junkie?

Alleged theft and tampering by state patrol chemist may have jeopardized thousands of drug cases.

Dining a la 405

Alleged theft and tampering by state patrol chemist may have jeopardized thousands of drug cases.

The P-I's New Target: Honey

Yes! It was about time for one of those breathless investigative pieces from the P-I. It's been months since they explained how laundry detergent is killing you and your kids. Today they turn their sights to the other silent killer in our midst: honey. The opening paragraphs throw you headlong int ... More >>

State Law Kept Runaway Sex Offender on the Streets

As I write in this week's issue, many former prisoners become homeless because they have no place to go, raising concerns both about their welfare and the public's. It turns out, though, that there was a place for one notorious sex offender to go. It's just that a bizarre state law didn't allow it.

Dining à la 405

Safe, even during the recession.

One Last Local Enron Rip-off

Safe, even during the recession.

Distort Reform

I-330 would cap monetary awards for malpractice lawsuits. I-336 would crack down on serially inept doctors. Only one might solve an actual problem.

The Minus Touch

A study of touch-screen voting in Snohomish County suggests that machines favored Dino Rossi. But there's no way to prove it.

Digital Political Hacks

State elections officials say touch-screen voting is progress. Computer scientists warn it's vulnerable to manipulation.

Politics, University of Washington, and Crime

State elections officials say touch-screen voting is progress. Computer scientists warn it's vulnerable to manipulation.

News Clips— Crime of pain?

State elections officials say touch-screen voting is progress. Computer scientists warn it's vulnerable to manipulation.

Sex, liens, and audiotape

The strange ideas and ominous connections of an ultra- conservative state senator.

Community Transit Buses vs. Sound Transit Trains: One of Them Gets Priority at Stoplights

Last week, Snohomish County's Community Transit unveiled its Swift buses, the "bus rapid transit" buses that will function a lot like Metro's RapidRide buses. They use express lanes, have fewer stops, and require users to pay off-site. However, one thing about them really stood out. Says the Everett ... More >>

Attorney's Drug-Case Disbarment Upheld

The state Supreme Court today upheld the disbarment of Mark Vanderveen, a Boy Scout and small-town cop who rose to become a deputy Seattle city attorney, assistant Snohomish County prosecutor, and pro-tem judge in Edmonds. He was stripped of his bar card in 2006 after playing a role in the drug-and- ... More >>

Today in Reefer Madness: Judge Marsha Pechman

Did you know that marijuana is a "pollution spread throughout the community?" U.S. District Court Judge Marsha Pechman does. Seattleites likely recognize her name from the Sonics relocation trial, but she presides over all sorts of things. Including, unfortunately, marijuana cases. In sentencing S ... More >>

I'm Joe Wilson, But Not THAT Joe Wilson!

​ Normally, when an aspiring public officeholder who's just launched a Facebook page gets an early rush of followers, it's a great sign (just ask Barack Obama). But not so with Snohomish County Superior Court judicial candidate Joe Wilson (pictured at left). If that name sounds familiar, it's ... More >>

I’m Not That Joe Wilson

​ Normally, when an aspiring public officeholder who's just launched a Facebook page gets an early rush of followers, it's a great sign (just ask Barack Obama). But not so with Snohomish County Superior Court judicial candidate Joe Wilson (pictured at left). If that name sounds familiar, it's ... More >>

97-Year-Old Everett Man Dies in Worst Way Possible

​Sorry, folks. There's no way to sugarcoat this: The son of a 97-year-old man is suing an Everett nursing home after his dad died of an untreated penile infection. The lawsuit from the man's son, filed Wednesday in Snohomish County Superior Court, says the father was taken to an emergency roo ... More >>

Reardon Watch: Reardon to the Rescue

Thomas James Hurst/Seattle TimesAs you can see in this photo from the Seattle Times, Aaron Readon can flex some serious muscle.​Last weekend a carload of early twenty-somethings took a 35 mph corner going between 70 and 80. The car slid off the road, hit a tree, and killed two of the men in th ... More >>

Reardon Watch: Attracting Aaron's Gaze

Don't drink and drive. Reardon is watching and we wouldn't want to disappoint. (Flickr)​This time our watching of Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon isn't going unrequited. During the holiday season he'll be keeping an eye on us--at least our driving. With champagne and egg nog flowing, ... More >>

Reardon Watch: Answering His Call

Anything to get closer, Aaron.​It's been a little quiet up at Snohomish County headquarters. What could Aaron Reardon be cooking up? Some kind of grand new initiative perhaps? In the meantime, Reardon has come through with an unbelievable opportunity. He needs people to serve by his side. "L ... More >>

Reardon Watch: Man on Top

Reardon is rising fast.​After a few slow days last week, Aaron Reardon is back on fire. Yesterday, he expanded the reach of his incredibly strong arms and his influence by being named the new Sound Transit chair. Simultaneously, he opened his tender heart to people seeking respite from the bit ... More >>

Karaoke Korrespondent: KJR Tries to Bag a Wild Minx at One Eyed Jacks

​This week, Karaoke Jeff Roman heads to a strange land: Lynnwood, which is actually not so strange to him because he spent his high school years in nearby Brier. The only thing I like better than regular karaoke is out-of-town karaoke. Of course, everything's more fun on vacation. I treat eve ... More >>

Reardon Watch: Who Wouldn't Respond When He Makes a Call to Your Conscience?

His is a voice that inspires you to say "yes!"​This week, Aaron Reardon turned his attention from light rail and buses to the people back home. Or more specifically, Snohomish County residents without a home. On Wednesday Reardon put out a call for help for the county's annual census of the h ... More >>

Phil Harris, 'Deadliest Catch' Captain, Dies at 53

Harris: "Ya gotta be Twisted."​"I always thought about moving down where it's a little warmer," Capt. Phil Harris liked to say of his home in Snohomish County, "but I've been all over the country, and when it's nice out, this is the most beautiful place on Earth." From which yesterday the rowd ... More >>

Man Says Shooting Death of Girlfriend Was Accidental, Part of Foreplay

Combine at your own risk.​Just in case you were wondering if you should incorporate firearms into your foreplay, a couple from Granite Falls have gone to the trouble of demonstrating definitively that guns and sex do not mix. The Snohomish County Sherrif's office has arrested a 25-year-old ma ... More >>

Stabbing Suspect Found Hiding in Smelliest Part of Porta-Potty

Attention criminals: nothing about this says "clean getaway."​Let's say you've just committed a crime. Where's the first place you'd hide? OK. Now where's the last place? If you said the "hold" of a porta-potty, congratulations, you've just come to the exact opposite conclusion as one Snohomi ... More >>

Your Post-Fourth of July Injury Round-Up

​This weekend Americans celebrated the anniversary of their independence by blowing up small pieces of their country. And, in some cases, themselves. Washington was no different. Although our state suffered no tragedies as dire as the one in Palmyra, Pennsylvania -- 11 injured, including a cri ... More >>

Everett's Dickability: Top 6 Available Northern 'Burb Properties For A New Dick's

​Look, we're heart-broken the new Dick's Drive-In isn't coming to West Seattle. But to show we're not sore losers (even if Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon totally abused the power of his office to get northsiders to vote in the chain's poll), we've decided to help the Spady family fin ... More >>

Voracious News & Notes: Cupcakes, Artisan BLTs, Hot Menu Trends, and Dick's

​Look, we're heart-broken the new Dick's Drive-In isn't coming to West Seattle. But to show we're not sore losers (even if Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon totally abused the power of his office to get northsiders to vote in the chain's poll), we've decided to help the Spady family fin ... More >>

Bottomfeeder: Mad Cows

Taking the four-patty challenge at Burger Madness.

Attention Burglary Victims: King County Sheriff's Office Has Your Cigars

​OK, readers. Raise your hand if you live in Shoreline, north King County, or south Snohomish County. Now keep them raised if your house has been burglarized anytime in the last few years. Finally, raise your hand extra high if you own a completely sweet White House-themed humidor packed with ... More >>

Attention Burglary Victims: King County Sheriff's Office Has Your Cigars (PICS)

​OK, readers. Raise your hands if you live in Shoreline, north King County, or south Snohomish County. Now keep them raised if your house has been burglarized anytime in the last few years. Finally, raise your hand extra high if you own a completely sweet White House-themed humidor packed wit ... More >>

Snohomish County Schools Revert to Organ-Based Fear Tactics in Fight Against Drugs, Tobacco and Alcohol

​Despite ad campaigns that have shown dope users' brains as eggs frying in pans or smokers as tar-dripping monsters, drugs, alcohol and smoking remain unwaveringly cool among many in the adolescent community. Enter Snohomish County schools to put some old fashioned fear into the hearts of youn ... More >>

Nudists Duel With Gun Aficionados Over Proposed Sultan Basin Gun Range

​There's a proposal by the Snohomish County Council to build a shooting range on Sultan Basin Road. A bunch of folks (including the councilmembers) support it, and a bunch of folks, including environmentalists and site neighbors, think it's a dreadful idea. But perhaps the most interesting gro ... More >>

Sexpresso Operator's Disappearance a Mystery

His son suspects his dad's wife--or is it ex-wife?--had him killed.

Starving Cat Found Alive Inside Diane and Michael Cowling's Pet Death House

​Snohomish County investigators thought they'd picked out all the animals when they combed though Diane and Michael Cowling's abandoned home in Granite Falls and found 31 dead dogs and cats amid a thick layer of feces and filth. But somehow they missed one.

Cliff Mass, Weather God, Is REALLY Excited About Today's Snowstorm

​Infallible weather prophet Cliff Mass is a tizzy on his forecast blog right now. He sees ominous signs in the sky...

Raided Out of Snohomish County, Medical-Marijuana Providers Look to Seattle

​This past Saturday, under the early evening light of the "Supermoon," a team of Lynnwood police officers gathered in front of BZB Medical Group, a medical-marijuana co-op nestled in a shopping center on 168th Street Southwest and demanded to be let in. Inside was co-owner Sophia Howell, who s ... More >>

Diane Cowling, Convicted Animal "House of Horrors" Hoarder, Found Dead in Jail Cell

​Diane Cowling was only a few weeks away from being sentenced (likely to one year in jail) for hoarding dozens of cats and dogs inside her Granite Falls home, which turned into what police described as a "house of horrors" when 30 of the animals died of starvation. Cowling won't be sentenced a ... More >>

Sometimes Being Green Smells Like Rotting Garbage

​Have you ever wondered how the incredibly stinky food waste that you turn over to the authorities each week for composting magically loses its terrible odor as it embarks on its journey to mulchhood? The answer is that it doesn't, at least not right away. The people of Marysville and north E ... More >>

Aaron Reardon's Alleged Affair

And the claim that it was funded by taxpayers.