NEWS

(SKAGIT COUNTY)- The Skagit County Coroner has received a request from Genetics Uncovered to attempt to identify unclaimed remains from a 1991 case through DNA evaluation. The Coroner’s Office submits all unidentified cases to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs), which can help connect long-term missing persons cases with unclaimed remains. Organizations such as Genetics Uncovered help to provide funding for DNA evaluation of unclaimed remains in NamUs in the hopes of connecting those remains with family members, according to a news release from the county. The first step to identify skeletal remains begins with a consultation     (read more)

(SKAGIT COUNTY)- Skagit County home sales reversed direction in the third quarter but the prices of those sales inched higher, according to a local real estate report. The number of Skagit County homes sold in the three months ending Sept. 30 fell 14.5% to 379 in comparison to last year’s third quarter, according to Adrik Brashear, a broker with Northwest Washington’s The Muljat Group. The decline followed increases of 28.9% and 10.1% in the first two quarters of this year, he added. Among communities, Sedro-Woolley was the exception with an increase of 15.3% in homes sold, according to a news release. The median     (read more)

(OLYMPIA)- Washington State is working to fix its mental health worker shortage by starting a new scholarship program. The Behavioral Health Conditional Scholarship (BHCS) offers up to $51,000 for students pursuing a graduate degree in mental health. This fall, the first BHCS cohort is beginning their journey to becoming licensed mental health professionals. The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) launched BHCS in spring 2025 as part of the state’s broader effort to address to both mental health and workforce needs. The scholarship was created through House Bill 1946, which funded a state program to support more people entering mental health careers,     (read more)

(OLYMPIA)- October is Flood Awareness Month, marking the shift away from warm and dry weather to the start of fall precipitation. Rain is especially needed now to help alleviate Washington’s current drought and wildfire conditions. As our seasonal weather patterns shift, some places in Washington could experience flooding. The Washington Department of Ecology, wants to share how flooding typically occurs, what people can do to find their flood risks and the potential benefits of flood insurance, according to a news release from the agency. Ecology is the lead state agency responsible for helping cities and counties identify and     (read more)

(SKAGIT COUNTY)- The Skagit County Commissioners recently concluded the annual series of budget work sessions with each department and elected office to discuss 2026 budget requests. As stated in a press release on September 22nd, Skagit County is facing a difficult budget year in 2026. If 2025 levels of service and county programs are maintained for 2026, Skagit County will face a $19M deficit in the general fund. This deficit is the result of increasing operating and salary costs, flat revenues, changes to mandated services, and uncertainty with state and federal grant support, according to a news release from the county. After reviewing     (read more)