NEWS
(SKAGIT COUNTY)- The Skagit County Commissioners recently concluded the annual series of budget work sessions with each department and elected office to discuss 2026 budget requests. As stated in a press release on September 22nd, Skagit County is facing a difficult budget year in 2026. If 2025 levels of service and county programs are maintained for 2026, Skagit County will face a $19M deficit in the general fund. This deficit is the result of increasing operating and salary costs, flat revenues, changes to mandated services, and uncertainty with state and federal grant support, according to a news release from the county. After reviewing (read more)
(MARYSVILLE)– Many have had to wonder over the years whether a train would be blocking the way when exiting or heading to Interstate 5 in Marysville. That may not be a question going forward, as people will have new options for bypassing the rail crossing: Brand new on- and off-ramps connecting I-5 to State Route 529 and State Avenue are opening. At about 4 a.m. Friday, Oct. 3, the Washington State Department of Transportation opened the new northbound I-5 off-ramp to SR 529, according to a news release from WSDOT. The SR 529 on-ramp to southbound I-5 and a new roundabout are scheduled to open (read more)
(SKAGIT COUNTY)- The Skagit County Board of Commissioners is now soliciting public comment on the draft Skagit County 5-Year Homeless Housing Plan. The draft has been developed by Skagit County Public Health, and a task force comprised of North Star Advisory Group members, community partners, and people with lived experience. The plan establishes priorities and actionable goals to guide funding decisions and reduce homelessness in Skagit County over the next five years (2025-2030) and is required by the Washington State Department of Commerce, according to a news release from the county. The full draft of the Skagit County 5-Year (read more)
(SKAGIT COUNTY)- Effective 8 a.m. on October 03, 2025, and until further notice, residential yard and land-clearing fires are once again permitted within areas of unincorporated Skagit County. In unincorporated Skagit County, burn permits are required for piles larger than four feet by four feet. These permits can be obtained online through the new Burn Permit Request and Permit System, according to a news release from the county. Residential yard and land-clearing fires are restricted to natural vegetation, including leaves and tree trimmings. Garbage, household trash, lumber, construction waste, or demolition debris may not be burned. Please burn responsibly. Remember, smoke, (read more)
(OLYMPIA)– The Office of the Secretary of State (OSOS) encourages all K-12 students and educators across Washington state to participate in the 2025 Student Mock Election, open now until Election Day, Nov. 4. The Student Mock Election is a non-partisan, educational event that teaches how to be an informed voter, promotes civic awareness and participation, and gives students hands-on experience with the democratic process by allowing them to cast votes on issues and candidates using grade-appropriate lessons, according to a news release from the Office of the Secretary of State. “When young people understand how elections work and see themselves as part (read more)