NEWS

(OLYMPIA)- Gardeners, landscapers, and homeowners all love compost. But no one loves the bits of plastic, paper – even glass – that sometimes get mixed in with commercially produced compost. That contamination is unsightly, potentially environmentally harmful, and can cause injuries to people and animals. A new rule proposed by the Washington Department of Ecology is designed to limit contamination in compost, ensure that as much organic material as possible is recovered and work hand-in-hand with broader state efforts to keep food waste out of landfills. This matters because when food waste enters a landfill, it becomes one of the largest     (read more)

(SKAGIT COUNTY)- Skagit County Public Works will replace two culverts in east Skagit County during the summer 2026 construction season. Concrete Sauk Valley Road will close at milepost 13 from July 27th through October 23rd, 2026, and South Skagit Highway will close at Stevens Creek from August 3rd through October 26th, 2026, to remove the existing culverts and replace them with new fish-passable structures, according to a news release from the county. No through traffic will be permitted during the closures; however, local access for residents, emergency responders, mail delivery, school transportation, and other essential services will be maintained. Skagit County has contracted     (read more)

(EVERETT)– The public is invited to provide input on the US 2 Trestle Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study alternatives evaluation. Each alternative represents a package of potential improvements on the west end (to I-5 and Everett) and east end (to SR 204, US 2 and Lake Stevens) of the US 2 Trestle, according to a news release from the Washington State Department of Transportation. In partnership with the Federal Highway Administration, WSDOT is completing a federal PEL study that requires the following steps: - Develop a “purpose and need” statement - Evaluate and screen alternatives - Identify high-level environmental impacts and potential mitigation     (read more)

(MOUNT VERNON)— Skagit Valley College’s Centennial Class of 2026 will walk across the stage for their diplomas, degrees, and certificates this week. SVC is celebrating the 99th graduating class at its three ceremonies recognizing graduates whose accomplishments reflect the college's century-long commitment to student success, educational opportunity, and community impact, according to a news release from SVC. The first ceremony for the Whidbey Island campus graduates is at Oak Harbor High School on June 17 and two ceremonies for the Mount Vernon campus graduates are in the Dave DuVall Pavilion on June 18. The ceremonies will also be livestreamed and available on     (read more)

(NEWHALEM)– The Washington State Department of Transportation fully reopened State Route 20/North Cascades Highway in both directions Sunday, June 14, after two emergency repair projects completed work. The June 14 opening matches 1974 for the latest opening of the scenic seasonal highway since records began being kept in 1972. But Sunday’s opening comes nearly three weeks before the Fourth of July, which was the goal WSDOT set for fully reopening North Cascades Highway in early May, according to a news release from WSDOT. Before Sunday, a section of SR 20 between Ross Dam Trailhead (milepost 134) and Porcupine Creek (milepost 156) remained closed after North Cascades     (read more)