News

Skagit County to Host 2nd Annual Clothing Swap Event

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESkagit County Solid Waste to Host 2nd Annual Clothing Swap Event  On Tuesday, October 7th, from 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. the Skagit County Solid Waste Division will host the 2nd annual Skagit County Clothing Swap. The event will take place at the Skagit County Fairgrounds, North Entrance, at 1410 Virginia St, Mount Vernon, WA 98273. The clothing swap will be in A&B Building.A clothing swap is an exchange and giveaway of donated clothing. Participants are encouraged to bring in clean

County Commissioners to Host Annual Budget Meetings

Skagit County Commissioners Budget Meetings

       PRESS RELEASESeptember 23, 2025 ContactJenn Rogers, Communications Managerjrogers@co.skagit.wa.us360-416-1300       FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESkagit County Commissioners to Host Annual Budget Meetings  The Skagit Board of County Commissioners will host a series of budget work sessions over the next two weeks with each department and elected office to discuss 2026 budget requests. These work sessions are open to the public either in-person in the Commissioner’s Hearing Room at 1800

Burlington Parks and Rec/B'Town Fall Fest SEPT 2025

  B’Town Fall Fest Brings Hometown Fun to Maiben Park    Beginnings What began in 2003 as Burlington’s Harvest Fest - best remembered for the famous Pumpkin Pitch - has grown into one of the community’s most beloved annual traditions. Now, twenty two years later, the festival has transformed into B’Town Fall Fest, a weekend-long celebration of autumn that brings together families, neighbors, and visitors for two days of free family fun. New Location This year, the festival is moving to a new location

Planning Commission Agritourism Work Session

Planning Commission to Host Work Session on Agritourism Code Amendments 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, September 16, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. The Planning Commission will continue reviewing agritourism code changes from the Community Advisory Group and Agricultural Advisory Board.  Documents for the Planning Commission work session can be viewed by visiting the project website

How Small Businesses are Winning with New Tax Law

September 16, 2025 Chamber Bulletin    KEY TAKEAWAY‌Pro-growth tax reform gives small businesses the clarity they need to invest in their workers and communities.   How Small Businesses are Winning with New Tax LawPro-growth tax reform passed in July is already having positive impacts on small businesses. Members of the U.S. Chamber Small Business Council describe how they are investing, innovating, and driving economic growth. ‌Why it matters: The One Big Beautiful Bill Act provides the

Proposed 2026 workers’ comp rate increase would help pay for rising cost of coverage

 Proposed 2026 workers’ comp rate increase would help pay for rising cost of coverageSept. 16, 2025#25-24TUMWATER − The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) is proposing a 4.9 percent rise in the average hourly rate employers and workers pay for workers’ compensation insurance in 2026.The increase would help pay for the rising cost of providing benefits when a worker is injured on the job. The proposed increase is less than what L&I projects it will need to cover 2026 claim costs. As it

Local Beer, Bites & Bands at Skagit Farm to Pint

          From barley to brewing, the Skagit Valley's agricultural story comes full circle this September at the nation's premier regional beer and food festival, the SKAGIT FARM TO PINT FEST. Skagit Valley Malting is donating its craft malt directly to participating brewers, creating a farm-to-pint experience where every sip and bite tells the story of the Pacific Northwest's fertile landscape. Local chefs are crafting bites from ingredients cultivated by over 25 Skagit farms to pair with each beer and

Oyster Run Sept. 2025

-Advertisement- Mount Vernon, WA – Motorists can expect to see an increased law enforcement presence this weekend as safety patrols ramp up during the 42nd Annual Oyster Run near Anacortes, Washington. The patrols will be active September 26-28. According to the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office, the joint enforcement effort includes agencies from Whatcom, Skagit, and Island counties, along with local police departments and the Washington State Patrol. Officers will be monitoring unsafe and high-risk driving

Washington State Park Pass Only $30 until Oct. 1

Two little girls enjoy some snacks and play with pine cones and moss at a picnic table in Deception Pass State ParkGo all in on adventure: Buy your Discover Pass before the price increases on Oct. 1Buy your Discover Pass The Discover Pass is more than just a parking pass — it gives you unlimited access to millions of acres of natural beauty, culture and history across the state. It's your key to adventure on lands managed by Washington State Parks, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the

WECU Awards $125,000 to Educational Programs in Whatcom and Skagit Counties

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact:Keith Mader, WECU360-756-7709keith.mader@wecu.com WECU Awards $125,000 to Educational Programs in Whatcom and Skagit CountiesBELLINGHAM, WA (September 9, 2025) – WECU is excited to announce the recipients of its Education First Grant Program, which provides a total of $125,000 in funding over two years. These grants will empower organizations that are making a tangible impact on the lives of individuals and families in Whatcom and Skagit Counties. The four recipients of this

Governor Ferguson, Democratic Congressional leaders urge extension of critical affordable health ca

Governor Ferguson, Democratic Congressional leaders urge extension of critical affordable health care tax creditsOn Jan. 1 at least 80,000 Washingtonians could lose health care if ACA’s Enhanced Premium Tax Credits are allowed to expire BELLEVUE – At a press event Friday, Governor Bob Ferguson joined members of Congress at Overlake Medical Center in Bellevue to warn Washingtonians about the federal government’s latest threat to health care access and affordability. Unless Congress extends them, the

Shaping the Future of Tourism in Skagit Valley: Join the Conversation

    Skagit Tourism Bureau and State of Washington Tourism are convening local stakeholders to collaborate on a vision, plan and strategies for a thriving, sustainable regional tourism economy. Community events begin October 1st!   Learn more and register today: https://industry.stateofwatourism.com/rts-skagit-valley/    Program Dates:  Oct. 1 – Future of Tourism Visioning Workshop (La Conner) The Visioning Workshop provides a platform to help communities identify their sense of place and

Recreational Shellfish Harvest Closures Issued in Skagit County Due to Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning

PRESS RELEASE September 10, 2025 Contact Environmental Health eh@co.skagit.wa.us 360-416-1500FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASERecreational Shellfish Harvest Closures Issued in Skagit County Due to Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) Toxins   Due to recent samples of shellfish containing elevated levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) toxins (in exceedance of 80 micrograms PSP/100 grams of shellfish tissue), the Washington State Department of Health (WA DOH) has closed recreational harvest for all

Skagit County Creates Temporary Technical Advisory Group to Evaluate Guemes Ferry Replacement Option

PRESS RELEASE September 10, 2025 Contact Jenn Rogers, Communications Manager jrogers@co.skagit.wa.us 360-416-1300FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESkagit County Creates Temporary Technical Advisory Group to Evaluate Guemes Ferry Replacement Options   The Skagit Board of County Commissioners (Board) is convening a temporary technical advisory group (TAG) to evaluate and recommend options for replacement of the Guemes Island ferry. Since 2013, Skagit County has been studying options for replacement of the Guemes

Skagit County Commissioners to Host Senior Services Budget Meetings

PRESS RELEASE September 9, 2025 Contact Jenn Rogers, Communications Manager jrogers@co.skagit.wa.us 360-416-1300FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESkagit County Commissioners to Host Senior Services Budget Meetings   The Skagit Board of County Commissioners hosted a proclamation today to recognize September as National Senior Center Month. The Board was heartened to see the Skagit County community attending the proclamation signing to show their support of our seniors and the importance of senior center

Skagit County Commissioners Remain Committed to Senior Services and Meals on Wheels

PRESS RELEASE September 7, 2025 Contact Jenn Rogers, Communications Manager jrogers@co.skagit.wa.us 360-416-1300FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESkagit County Commissioners Remain Committed to Senior Services and Meals on Wheels   The Board of Skagit County Commissioners has issued the following statement regarding senior centers and Meals on Wheels services in Skagit County. “Skagit County is proud to operate senior centers across our community, which provide Meals on Wheels and important programming

North Cascades National Park Perry Fire Monday Update

North Cascades National Park Service Complex News Release  Contact: NOCA Public Affairs Office   Perry Fire Monday Update  SEDRO WOOLLEY, Wash. – Fire behavior moderated over the weekend due to cooler temperatures with light rains across the area, slowing the spread of fire. The Perry Fire is estimated at 1,557 acres with moderate backing and flanking. Over the weekend the Type-1 Whiskeytown Wildland Fire Module installed hoses and sprinklers in Little Beaver boat-in Camp area. Aerial support was

L&I announces rulemaking plans for child labor requirements

  Wage and Hour NewsL&I announces rulemaking plans for child labor requirements The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) Wednesday filed a preproposal for rulemaking regarding non-agricultural and agricultural child labor requirements. This rulemaking is in response to three bills that passed during the 2025 legislative session:Substitute House Bill 1121 (SHB 1121): Allows minors enrolled in career and technical education programs to work the same number of hours during the

Employment Security celebrates two decades of National Workforce Development month

OLYMPIA – The Employment Security Department is proud to pay tribute to a month-long celebration of the significant effect workforce development programs have in Washington. September marks the 20th anniversary of National Workforce Development Month. Workforce development programs play a key role in:Building our economy.Creating a pipeline to quality jobs.Supporting underserved communities. The National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP) created Workforce Development Month in

North Star to Host Housing Forum

    September 3, 2025 info@northstarskagit.org  North Star to Host Housing Forum   North Star will host a “Building our Future: From Housing Crisis to Thriving Community” forum on Tuesday, September 9th, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Mount Vernon Library Commons. The event will feature keynote speaker, Gregg Colburn, University of Washington College of Built Environments Professor and published researcher on topics related to housing and homelessness. The community is invited to attend and

Lightning storms ignite fires in North Cascades National Park Service Complex

SEDRO WOOLLEY, Wash. – Lightning struck several areas across North Cascades National Park Service Complex over the last several days with smoke and a handful of fires observed immediately following the lightning storms. Crews are working to suppress three fires in the park complex, including Thunder (approx. 1.5 acres), Perry (approx. 50 acres), and Big Beaver (approx. ¼ acre) Fires. Trails and camps in the Little Beaver area of Ross Lake are closed due to proximity to the active fire. Additional closures