NEWS

(LAKE MCMURRAY)– Both directions of State Route 9 will close for 10 days beginning Monday, Sept. 21, to repair a bridge over Lake Creek north of Lake McMurray. The Washington State Department of Transportation will make repairs to the bridge during the 10-day closure, and SR 9 will reopen Wednesday, Sept. 30, in its usual two-lane configuration. The bridge has been reduced to a single lane with a temporary traffic signal alternating northbound and southbound traffic since March 24 due to deteriorating deck conditions, according to a news release from WSDOT. Beginning at 6 a.m. Monday, Sept. 21, SR 9 will close to all traffic over the bridge     (read more)

(OLYMPIA)– The Washington Department of Ecology fined Port Townsend Paper Corporation $734,000 for improperly operating its onsite wastewater treatment system since the fall of 2025 and violating other water quality requirements, resulting in increased pollution going into Port Townsend Bay. Since 2021, Ecology has issued five water quality penalties to Port Townsend Paper for releasing tens of thousands of gallons of improper or inadequately treated wastewater into Port Townsend Bay, according to a news release from Ecology. “Unfortunately, Port Townsend Paper has struggled to meet the requirements of its water quality permit and properly operate its wastewater treatment system,” said Peter Lyon, who     (read more)

(KENNEWICK, WASH.)– Cascade Natural Gas today filed several annual cost adjustments, including its annual purchased gas cost adjustment, with the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC). If the WUTC approves all proposals the combined effect is an overall decrease in annual revenues of 0.58%, according to a news release from Cascade Natural Gas. The impact to an average residential customer using 53 therms per month will be a net decrease of $0.91 per month, or 0.94%. The filings submitted to the WUTC for consideration also include the cost recovery for participatory intervenor costs, a decoupling mechanism adjustment, a conservation adjustment, an unprotected excess deferred     (read more)

(OAK HARBOR)— Skagit Valley College has selected James Monroe as the new administrator for its Whidbey Island Campus in Oak Harbor, bringing more than 20 years of leadership, operations, training, and team development experience to the role, according to a news release from SVC. An Oak Harbor resident and U.S. Navy veteran, Monroe will provide leadership for the Whidbey Island Campus, with a focus on student success, campus operations, community engagement, and strengthening partnerships throughout Whidbey Island. “What excites me most about joining Skagit Valley College is the opportunity to continue serving the students and communities of Whidbey Island,” Monroe     (read more)

(SKAGIT COUNTY)- On Friday, September 11, 2026, the Skagit County Commissioners approved the appointment of Alex Lathum to the vacant county coroner position. The previous county coroner, Hayley Thompson, announced her resignation early this year. Coroner Thompson’s elected term ends on December 31, 2026. With the decision to resign before the end of her elected term, a nomination process was conducted by the Skagit County Democrats to replace Coroner Thompson, according to a news release from the county. The replacement of a vacant county elected position is outlined in RCW 36.16.110, and Washington Constitution Article II, Section 15, which states the County Commissioners are     (read more)