NEWS

(SKAGIT COUNTY)- The Planning Commission works with the Planning and Development Services Department and advises the Department and the Board of County Commissioners on proposed land use plans and regulations in unincorporated Skagit County. In 2026, the Planning Commission will be working on siting for clean energy facilities, as well as other various code amendments regarding accessory dwelling units, flood damage prevention, and stormwater, according to a news release from the county. For more information about current Planning Commission work items, please visit: www.skagitcounty.net/Departments/PlanningAndPermit/communplan.htm The Planning Commission consists of nine members (three from each     (read more)

(SKAGIT COUNTY)- The Skagit County Public Works Department has scheduled a public meeting for April 2, 2026, from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. at the Marblemount Community Hall, 30155 State Route 20, Marblemount, WA. Public Works staff will present on the upcoming Marblemount Bridge rehabilitation project, and the impacts of bridge closures this summer on nearby residents. The county encourages the community to join them to stay informed and to have the opportunity to ask questions directly of Public Works staff managing the project, according to a news release from the county. Public Works has planned this public meeting because the impacts of the     (read more)

(OLYMPIA)- Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs applauded the signing of Senate Bill 5892 on Wednesday, March 25, which protects voters’ private information. Any state or local election officer who discloses private voter information, like driver’s license numbers, Social Security numbers or full birthdates, may be charged with a class C felony. The legislation also clarifies that the Office of the Secretary of State is the only agency legally allowed to respond to requests for data from Washington’s voter database, according to a news release from the Office of the Secretary of State. “My office is committed to protecting     (read more)

(SKYKOMISH)– From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24 and Wednesday, March 25, Washington State Department of Transportation bridge maintenance crews will alternate traffic on US 2/Stevens Pass Highway over the South Fork Skykomish River bridge (milepost 49) for routine inspections. People should expect to slow down near the work zone and anticipate delays, according to a news release from WSDOT. Real-time traffic information is available on the WSDOT mobile app and the real-time travel map.     (read more)

(BELLINGHAM)– Emergency work is expected to begin Saturday, March 21, on northbound Interstate 5 after slides sent thousands of cubic yards of boulders, trees and other debris down a slope and across nearby lanes of the freeway. Though work is beginning to clear debris and stabilize the slope, there is no estimate when northbound I-5 will reopen. Northbound lanes have remained closed at North Lake Samish Road (milepost 246) through State Route 11/Old Fairhaven Parkway (milepost 250) since the slides Thursday night, March 19, according to a news release from the Washington State Department of Transportation. Crews will work seven days per week. Due to     (read more)