Washington DFI Takes Action Against Water Station, Founder Ryan Wear, and Affiliated Entities For Fr
Statement of charges alleges that Water Station and Ryan Wear improperly raised $129 million in fraudulent investments nationwide OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) filed a Statement of Charges against Everett, WA-based Water Station Management, its founder Ryan Wear, affiliated entities, and several of its salespersons for multiple violations of the Securities Act between 2016 and 2022. DFI alleges that Water Station and its representatives offered and sold water
Washington state unemployment rate continues to remain steady at 4.4%
OLYMPIA – Washington’s economy decreased by an estimated 5,800 jobs (seasonally adjusted) in April 2025, and the monthly unemployment rate remained at 4.4%. “Although the unemployment rate remains steady and low, the count of jobs in Washington has dropped for three consecutive months,” said Anneliese Vance-Sherman, chief labor economist at the Employment Security Department. She added, “Payroll estimates remain above the tally for last April, but only by 1,200 jobs or 0.03%.”In the past 12 months, the
Burn Ban Takes Effect June 15th in Unincorporated Skagit County
Burn Ban Takes Effect June 15th in Unincorporated Skagit County Due to current and forecasted weather conditions, a modified burn ban for all residential and land-clearing fires in unincorporated Skagit County will go into effect at 8:00 a.m. on June 15, 2025, and continue until further notice. Skagit County will no longer issue permits for burn activities, and existing permits will be suspended. Recreational and cooking fires, limited to 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet high, remain allowed when
Planning Commission Deliberations for Updates to Critical Areas Ordinance and Development Regulation
Community Members, Skagit County is conducting Planning Commission meetings in a hybrid format. A hybrid meeting of the Planning Commission will be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.The Planning Commission will hold Deliberations on Updates to the Critical Areas Ordinance and Development Regulations.The Planning Commission will be deliberating on recommendations on the Critical Areas Ordinance and Development Regulations Updates to the Board of County Commissioners. Proposal documents are available
Skagit County Commissioners Appoint Jill Boudreau to Housing Authority Of Skagit County Board
The Skagit County Board of Commissioners voted this week to appoint Jill Boudreau to the vacant Housing Authority of Skagit County (HASC) board seat. The search for a new board member comes in response to the resignation of board member Daniel Valdez, on April 7th.Boudreau currently works in the Whatcom County Executive’s Office as a senior policy and project manager and previously served as mayor for the City of Mount Vernon for 12 years before stepping down in 2023. Boudreau has a long history of being an
Caption: SVC students Oleg Otstavnoi and Kierra Fisher with SVC President Dr. Christopher Villa at t
HED: Skagit Valley College students named to 2025 All-Washington Academic Team Mount Vernon, WA — Three outstanding Skagit Valley College students were recently named to the 2025 All-Washington Academic Team in recognition of their high academic achievements and community involvement. SVC has selected students Kierra Fisher, Oleg Otstavnoi, and Erica Vela. The All-Washington Academic Team program recognizes and honors the state’s finest higher education students and they reflect the diversity of the
Skagit Valley College to host third annual career fair May 22
Job seekers are invited to attend the Skagit Valley College career fair on May 22 featuring more than 60 local employers. The event will be held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Knutzen Cardinal Center on the Mount Vernon Campus and is free and open to the public. This event will feature local employers recruiting from many industries including diesel, automotive, manufacturing, welding, marine technology, health services, and more. Current students, alumni, and community members seeking jobs and internships
TRICO Companies Welcomes Nick Bates
TRICO is proud to announce Nick Bates as our new Senior Controller. With over a decade of accounting and audit experience in the construction industry, Nick brings deep financial expertise and leadership to TRICO as we continue to build projects—and partnerships—that go beyond the building. Nick joins TRICO from CBIZ (formerly Berntson Porter & Company), where he served as Senior Audit Manager. Nick will lead our accounting team and oversee financial operations with a focus on streamlining processes,
Governor signs legislation expanding minor work hours and strengthening safety requirements
In April, Governor Ferguson signed two new laws impacting youth employment in Washington State. HB 1121 expands allowable work hours for 16- and 17-year-olds enrolled in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, while HB 1164 increases safety requirements and penalties for violations involving minor workers. Sponsored by Representative McClintock (LD-18), HB 1121 directs the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) to update its rules to allow eligible students in CTE programs to work the same number
Tariffs put pressure on small retailers and consumers
Small businesses, comprising 98% of all retailers and supporting over 13 million jobs, are facing increasing challenges due to rising tariffs. These import taxes, which are paid by U.S. companies rather than foreign governments, place significant financial strain on Main Street businesses, including retailers, restaurants, and manufacturers. For small retailers operating on tight margins, tariff-driven cost increases are difficult to absorb. Many are forced to raise prices, directly impacting consumers.
State of freight: Trump tariffs put holiday retail season at risk
The escalating U.S.–China trade conflict is threatening to upend the most important shopping events of the year, from Amazon Prime Day and Fourth of July sales to Black Friday and Cyber Monday. President Trump’s recent hike in tariffs, including a 145% duty on some Chinese imports, has retailers and manufacturers warning of delayed shipments, increased prices, and possible product shortages during peak shopping periods. China has recently signaled a willingness to reopen trade discussions, but with
Seattle City Council could make changes in ethics rules
Following the advice Wayne Barrett, Executive Director of the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission (“SEEC”), Councilmember Cathy Moore is considering proposing changes to the City’s ethics rules. According to Barrett, “Last summer we had a couple of bills where we were very much in the middle of political matters of City Hall and that’s not where I think we should be.” The potential rule change would require Councilmembers to fully disclose potential financial interests they might have in legislation
Former SPD Chief of Staff files $3M claim alleging harassment and retaliation
Jamie Tompkins, former Chief of Staff for the Seattle Police Department (SPD) and a former FOX 13 anchor, has filed a $3 million claim against the City of Seattle, alleging persistent sexual harassment and a hostile work environment. Hired by then-Chief Adrian Diaz in May 2023, Tompkins resigned in November 2024 following Diaz’s demotion and the launch of an internal investigation into their alleged romantic relationship, an allegation both deny. Tompkins asserts that from the start of her tenure,
WR joins coalition urging Congress to preserve B-SALT deduction
WR has joined a broad coalition of business organizations in urging Congress to preserve the deduction for state and local business taxes, commonly known as the B-SALT deduction. In a recent letter addressed to lawmakers, the coalition warned that limiting or eliminating this deduction would amount to a significant tax increase on businesses of all sizes across the country. The B-SALT deduction allows businesses to deduct mandatory state and local taxes as necessary operating expenses. Proposed changes to
2025 Western States ORC Conference set for Seaside, Oregon
The 6th annual Western States Organized Retail Crime (ORC) Conference will take place September 10–12, 2025, bringing together professionals from retail, law enforcement, and government to collaborate on strategies to combat organized retail crime. Held in Seaside, Oregon, the event will feature expert-led sessions, real-world case studies, and networking opportunities designed to strengthen regional partnerships and prevention efforts. Early bird pricing is available through July 15, 2025, making now a
Register now: 2025 PNWER Annual Summit in Bellevue
The 2025 Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) Annual Summit will be held July 20–24 at the Hyatt Regency in Bellevue, WA. This premier event brings together over 600 leaders from both the U.S. and Canada to collaborate on cross-border solutions in trade, infrastructure, energy, workforce development, and more. WR President & CEO Renée Sunde is among the host committee members helping shape this year’s Summit. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect directly with policymakers, legislators, and
How to Bring in the Right People to Fuel Your Sales and Marketing Growth
Every business reaches a point where internal hustle alone won't cut it. You’ve optimized what you can in-house, maybe even burned the candle down to the wick trying to stretch talent beyond their specialties. At some point, if you’re serious about scaling up sales or reaching customers with more punch, you’ll need to look outside. That’s when hiring external professionals stops being a luxury and starts becoming an essential move. Think Strategy Before Staffing You don’t start by calling a consultant.
New law will help Commerce protect people in Washington from lead
OLYMPIA, Wash. – In some parts of Washington, more than one in four housing units might have lead hazards, including lead dust in windows, doors, floors, porches, stairways and cabinets. And compared to six other western states, Washington has the highest percentage of children with elevated blood lead levels. Thanks to legislation signed Tuesday by Governor Bob Ferguson, the state will have a clearer path forward to continue keeping people in Washington safe from lead-based paint and lead dust.Ferguson
Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce Announces 2025 Summer Event Schedule
Birch Bay, WA – The Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Blaine-Birch Bay Park & Recreation District 2 and Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism, is thrilled to announce a summer full of fun, family-friendly events for residents and visitors alike. From kites to classic cars, sand sculptures to community gatherings, Birch Bay is the place to be this summer! Mark your calendars for these exciting and free events: Kid's Kite Festival @ Birch Bay State Park – June 21–22 Watch the skies fill with
Sakuma Bros. Hiring Event- May 26, 2025
Sakuma Bros. Farms and Processing 2025 Registration and Recruitment Information Sakuma Bros. Farms and Processing begins local hiring May 26th for the 2025 harvest season! Whether you're interested in working on the farm or in the processing plant, there are a variety of seasonal positions available. GENERAL HIRING INFORMATION Local registration begins May 26th for Sakuma Bros. Farms and Sakuma Bros. Processing. Farm Positions Include: • Truck Drivers • Hand Harvest Pickers • Equipment Operators •
L&I adopts contractor registration fee increases
The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) has adopted fee increases of 6.41% for the agency’s Contractor Registration Program. About the fee increaseThe Contractor Registration Program needed to increase fees to cover operating expenses. The fee increase is the maximum allowed by the state Office of Financial Management for fiscal year 2026. It is based on the average personal income growth over the past decade. The agency filed a Rulemaking Order (CR-103) on April 22. The adopted
Shellfish Harvesting in Skagit County
With the return of warmer weather and daytime low tides, you might be venturing out to harvest shellfish from one of Skagit County’s many beaches. With the help of a diligent group of volunteer harvesters, Skagit County Public Health monitors samples of clams, oysters, and mussels for biotoxins including the toxin that causes Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP). PSP is a serious illness caused by eating shellfish containing elevated levels of a naturally occurring microscopic organism. What begins as a
Statement from Governor Bob Ferguson on 2025 legislative session
OLYMPIA — Governor Bob Ferguson offered the following statement on the conclusion of the 2025 legislative session: “I want to thank our legislators, staff and my team, for all their hard work this session as we faced a $16 billion budget shortfall. I look forward to carefully reviewing the budgets line by line over the next few weeks. When that review is complete, I will share my thoughts with the public in greater detail. “Beginning with my inaugural address, I’ve emphasized that we must use realistic
State Superintendent Chris Reykdal’s Statement on Washington State Legislature’s Final Operating Bud
OLYMPIA—April 28, 2025—Yesterday, the Legislature concluded the 2025 Legislative Session and passed their final budgets. Despite being faced with a $12 billion shortfall, legislators not only maintained maintenance-level funding in K–12 education—they made crucial investments. Our priority request to the Legislature this year was to increase funding for supports for students with disabilities and to remove the artificial cap on state funding for students with disabilities. Lawmakers did both, bringing our
Skagit Transit Long Range Transit Plan Open for Public Comment
Skagit Transit has developed a Draft Long-Range Transit Plan. This plan provides Skagit Transit with a framework for enhancing and expanding transit over the next decade to better serve existing riders and attract new riders. The plan and feedback form can be found here. Public comment on this plan is open until Wednesday, May 14th, 2025, and Skagit Transit wants to hear from you! Complete the survey available on their website, email custserv@skagittransit.org, or call (360) 757-4433 to provide feedback.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT NO. 4 SKAGIT VALLEY COLLEGE
The Skagit Valley College Board of Trustees will hold a Special Meeting on Monday, April 28, 2025 at 1:45 – 2:30 p.m., in Nelson Hall, N219, 2405 E. College Way, Mount Vernon, WA 98273. The purpose of this meeting is to meet with the NWCCU (Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities) Accreditation Team. No action will be taken.
Skagit County to Host Unclaimed Remains Remembrance Ceremony
The Skagit County Coroner’s Office will host a remembrance ceremony for unclaimed remains at the Mount Vernon Cemetery Chapel, 1200 E Fir Street, Mount Vernon, on Friday, May 2nd, at 11:00 a.m. The ceremony will honor the memory of 59 individuals who have been unclaimed at the Coroner’s Office since 2019. The community is welcome to join the ceremony to recognize those being laid to rest.“While we may not have known who they were in life, we will respect and honor who they are at death,” said Skagit County
Webinar series continues for federal workers to learn about Washington benefits and reemployment
OLYMPIA – The Employment Security Department, along with state and local partners, continues its webinar series for federal workers who work and live in Washington state. The next webinar is scheduled for April 30 from 10 a.m. to noon. See registration details below.Nearly 60 participants attended the first webinar on March 20. The webinars, part of the state’s rapid response efforts for large layoffs, are intended to help federal workers who were laid off, facing a furlough or expecting a workforce
Commissioners Select New Public Works Director, County Engineer
The Skagit County Commissioners are pleased to announce the selection of Michael See as the new Public Works Director and the appointment of Tom Weller as County Engineer. Michael was most recently serving as the Acting Director of Public Works, with three previous years of experience as the Assistant Director, and Tom was the Acting County Engineer and Engineering Division Manager for Public Works. “We are thrilled to have Michael and Tom continue to lead our Public Works Department,” said Commissioner
Commissioners Approve Option Agreement to Acquire Haller Farm for Estuary Restoration Project
On Earth Day, April 22nd, the Skagit County Board of Commissioners approved an option agreement to acquire Haller Farm, a 584-acre property at the mouth of the North Fork of the Skagit River, approximately one mile from La Conner. Haller Farm encompasses the majority of the highest ranked Skagit Chinook recovery project area identified by the 2017 Skagit Estuary Restoration Strategic Assessment (“Skagit ERSA”), a strategic approach to Chinook recovery and estuary restoration jointly developed by
County unemployment numbers for March 2025 released
OLYMPIA – County unemployment rates and employment data for March 2025 are now available on the Employment Security Department website. Visit the labor force page to view historic and current data about the unemployment rate. To learn more about monthly job gains and losses from payroll data, check out the employment estimates. Please keep in mind: Unemployment rates and employment estimates at the county level are not seasonally adjusted because the sample size is too small to accommodate the
Skagit Valley Family YMCA Hosting Annual Chris Mang Memorial Charity Fun Run & Walk
SKAGIT COUNTY, WA – The Skagit Valley Family YMCA and Mang/Glesne family are excited to announce the Chris Mang Memorial Charity Fun Run and Walk, taking place on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at the Skagit Valley Playfields in Mount Vernon. The celebratory 5k and 1 mile fun run and walk is open to people of all ages and abilities. Day-of registration opens at 9:00am and the run/walk starts at 10:00am. Pre-registration is $20/person and day-of registration is $25. All funds will support the Chris Mang Memorial
