NEWS
(OLYMPIA)- The Washington Department of Ecology issued $794,804.89 in penalties of $1,000 or more from Jan. 1, 2025 – June 30, 2025. $133,761.93 of that total was issued in the first quarter and $661,042.96 in the second quarter. Ecology works with thousands of businesses and individuals to help them comply with state laws. Penalties are issued in cases where non-compliance continues after Ecology has provided technical assistance or warnings, or for particularly serious violations, according to a news release from the agency. The money owed from penalties may be reduced from the issued amount due to settlement or court rulings. Funds collected go to the state’s general (read more)
(SKAGIT COUNTY)- The Planning Commission will be meeting on Tuesday, October 16, at 6 p.m. Skagit County is conducting Planning Commission meetings in a hybrid format. The Skagit County Planning Commission is hosting meetings in the Skagit County Commissioners’ Hearing Room at 1800 Continental Place in Mount Vernon. You may also participate online via Zoom or live stream on Skagit 21, according to a news release from the county. At the meeting, the Planning Commission will holding a public hearing to hear public testimony on the proposed Agritourism code amendments. The staff report, public notice, proposed amendments, SEPA documents, and all other (read more)
(SKAGIT COUNTY)- Flood Awareness Week officially kicks off on Monday, October 13th, in Skagit County and will run through Friday, October 17th, 2025. Flooding has been a serious concern to the Skagit County community since the late 1800s, with the threat of extreme flooding generally occurring in Skagit Valley between the months of October and March, according to a news release from the county. Measures have been taken throughout the years to reduce the risk of flood damage in the valley. As a part of these preventative measures, Skagit County Department of Emergency Management (DEM) and Public Works hold Flood (read more)
(SKAGIT COUNTY)– The Skagit Valley Family YMCA is hosting its annual Halloween Spooktacular event on Saturday, October 18 at the YMCA’s Hoag Road facility (1901 Hoag Road, Mount Vernon, WA 98273). The free community event will take place from 5-8pm. Attendees can participate in a variety of carnival games (such as a witch hat ring toss, spider catapults, cornhole, and more), win prizes and candy, create Halloween-themed arts and crafts, and get resources from local nonprofits and organizations like Sea Mar, Mount Vernon Police Department, and Skagit Transit. Kids will have the opportunity to take a free mini pumpkin home, according (read more)
(OLYMPIA)– Highway safety, preservation and innovation will be a focus of the Washington State Transportation Commission’s October meeting. The commission will also discuss tolling initiatives underway, according to a news release from the Washington State Department of Transportation. The public is invited to attend the meeting, which will take place from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 14, and from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 15, on Zoom. Registration for the Tuesday and Wednesday sessions is available on the commission’s website. The meeting will also be streamed live on TVW. Virtual public comment is scheduled (read more)