NEWS

(PORTLAND, Ore.)– On May 14, fire restrictions will go into effect for all Bureau of Land Management administered lands throughout Oregon and Washington. The BLM and U.S. Wildland Fire Service leaders encourage all visitors to be aware of active restrictions and closures as warmer, drier weather sets in around the Pacific Northwest. These fire restrictions help reduce the risk of human-caused fires. Starting May 14, the use of fireworks, exploding targets or metallic targets, steel component ammunition (core or jacket), tracer or incendiary devices, and sky lanterns, according to a news release from BLM. "We are increasingly concerned that 2026 could rival     (read more)

(ROCKPORT)– SR 530 traffic will alternate with flaggers on the Skagit River bridge (milepost 67) from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, near Rockport for maintenance. This lane closure will allow Washington State Department of Transportation bridge maintenance crews to safely perform inspections. People traveling in the area should expect delays, according to a news release from WSDOT. People can receive real-time roadway information via the WSDOT mobile app or the real-time travel map.     (read more)

(OLYMPIA)— A new report from the Washington Department of Ecology shows that the Clean Fuel Standard exceeded its carbon emissions reduction target for the second year in a row and generated tens of millions of dollars for clean fuel innovation and affordable clean transportation options in local communities. In 2024, the program eliminated 3 million metric tons of greenhouse gases for less than a tenth of a cent per gallon of gasoline—more than triple the reduction required under state law and the equivalent of taking about 10% of Washington’s gas-powered cars off the road for an entire year. Clean fuel producers     (read more)

(SKAGIT COUNTY)- Skagit County Coroner Hayley Thompson has announced she will resign from her position as County Coroner before the end of her elected term. Coroner Thompson was appointed to the seat initially on May 16, 2016, and was then elected to the position in November 2016. Thompson was reelected in 2018 and 2022, according to a news release from the county. Thompson has additionally served as the President of the Washington Association of Coroners from 2021 to 2026 and is currently the President-Elect of the International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners. She has served as the Legislative Chair for the Washington Association of Coroners     (read more)

(SKAGIT COUNTY)- The next scheduled maintenance period for the Guemes Island Ferry will be May 4 – May 17, 2026. The Skagit Board of County Commissioners signed Resolution R20260059 on March 23, 2026, awarding the bid to Stabbert Marine & Industrial for $175,014. The final car ferry run will depart Anacortes at 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 3rd and return from Guemes approximately 8 minutes later. Passenger-only service will begin at 6:30 a.m. on Monday, May 4th and will run on the ferry’s regular non-peak sailing schedule, according to a news release from the county. The U.S. Coast Guard requires the County to replace four small     (read more)