NEWS

(SKAGIT COUNTY)- The Skagit County Commissioners will host a public hearing on Tuesday, October 28th, at 3:30 p.m. on the proposed implementation of a 0.1% sales tax in Skagit County to be used for public safety programs and services. Washington State House Bill 2015 provides local governments with the ability to adopt a 0.1% sales tax to provide additional resources to improve public safety. The bill permits cities and counties to adopt the tax increase through approval by the local legislative body. In Skagit County, the legislative body is the Board of County Commissioners. If the tax is adopted, the increased tax     (read more)

(OLYMPIA)– County elections offices throughout Washington have mailed ballots to all voters for the Nov. 4 general election. More than 5 million voters will receive a ballot for the November general election, when voters will decide on a statewide constitutional amendment along with local offices and measures, according to a news release from Washington’s Office of the Secretary of State. Voters participating in the election must return their ballot by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Ballots can be returned by mail, placed in an official ballot drop box, or hand delivered to a county voting center. Ballots returned by mail must     (read more)

(SKAGIT COUNTY)- The Skagit County Commissioners will host a public hearing on Tuesday, October 21st, at 1 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Hearing Room and online via Zoom to consider public comment on two proposed resolutions regarding Guemes Island ferry fares. The first resolution will set the 2026 ferry fare schedule, which includes a 30% increase on fares to meet the 55% farebox recovery target in 2026. On July 27, 2023, the Skagit County Commissioners adopted Resolution #20230152, which sets the ferry fare revenue target methodology, including the formula used to calculate fares each year. The County Commissioners stated they intend to reach a 65% fare box recovery     (read more)

(OLYMPIA)– The Washington Department of Ecology has adopted changes to vehicle emission standards known as Advanced Clean Trucks and Heavy-Duty Low NOx Omnibus, which expand access to new zero-emission semi-trucks and other medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles. Ecology is keeping these policies current as the state challenges illegal federal actions attempting to overturn them and has temporarily paused enforcement as the litigation makes its way through the courts. Transportation is Washington’s largest source of carbon pollution, and heavy-duty vehicles like semi-trucks are the biggest contributor to diesel emissions, which are amongst the most harmful form of air pollution, contributing     (read more)

(GLACIER)– The final 2.7 miles of State Route 542/Mount Baker Highway, also known as the Road to Artist Point, closed for winter at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15. The highway remains open to the closure point at Heather Meadows (milepost 54). Winter recreationalists who use areas of the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest beyond the closure point are encouraged to monitor conditions throughout the season, according to a news release from the Washington State Department of Transportation. Earlier this month, WSDOT maintenance crews worked to prepare the highway for winter by repairing guardrail, clearing ditches and removing hazardous trees. The scenic highway usually closes     (read more)