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Monday, September 15, 2025
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
Friday, September 12, 2025Governor 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
Friday, September 12, 2025Shaping 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
Thursday, September 11, 2025Recreational 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
Wednesday, September 10, 2025Skagit 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
Tuesday, September 09, 2025Skagit 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
Tuesday, September 09, 2025Skagit 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
Tuesday, September 09, 2025North 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
Friday, September 05, 2025L&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
Thursday, September 04, 2025Employment 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
Thursday, September 04, 2025SVC instructor Sunaina Virendra with the class of 2025 BAS Management cohort
HED: Skagit Valley College instructor Sunaina Virendra named as Northwest Accreditation Commission Fellow for 2025-26 Mount Vernon, WASH. — Skagit Valley College (SVC) is proud to announce that SVC instructor, Sunaina Virendra, has been selected as a fellow in the Northwest Accreditation Commission’s Higher Education Leadership and Innovation Fellowship for 2025-26. Virendra serves as department chair for the college’s applied bachelor’s programs in management and healthcare management. This prestigious
Wednesday, September 03, 2025North 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
Friday, August 29, 2025Lightning 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
Thursday, August 28, 2025Stephanie Rees of Burlington Chamber of Commerce Completes her Second Year at IOM
Stephanie Rees of the Burlington Chamber of Commercecompletedher second year at Institute for Organization Management A Leadership Training Program Produced by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce WASHINGTON, D.C.— Institute for Organization Management, the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, is pleased to announce that Stephanie Rees, President & CEO, of the Burlington Chamber of Commerce, has recently completed her second year at Institute for Organization Management, a
Thursday, August 28, 2025SBA Offers Relief to Washington Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Drought
SBA Offers Relief to Washington Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Drought Low interest disaster loans now available WASHINGTON — The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans to small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Washington to offset economic losses caused by drought beginning July 29. The disaster declaration covers the Washington counties of Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Grant, Island, King,
Tuesday, August 26, 2025CASCADE RIVER ROAD #97950 WILL WILL BE CLOSED AT MILEPOST 0.03 (Marblemount Bridge) FROM SEPTEMBER 2-16, 2025
Stellar J Corporation will be conducting the first phase of a two-year repair and maintenance project on the Marblemount Bridge over the Skagit River. The over 90-year-old bridge requires these repairs to go back to two-lane operation, remove the current weight restrictions, and extend the life of the bridge. The road will be closed to all vehicles, including emergency vehicles. For the safety of all road users and workers, we ask the public to please respect the closure and its signage. The Detour
Friday, August 22, 2025CASCADIA Now Accepting Submissions for 2026 Festival
BELLINGHAM, WA, Aug. 18, 2025—CASCADIA International Women's Film Festival is now accepting submissions on FilmFreeway for its 10th anniversary festival season, April 30 May 3, 2026. CASCADIA marks its 10th season this year, proudly showcasing exclusively women-directed films in the beautiful city of Bellingham, WA. Since its founding, CASCADIA has featured the work of more than 280 women directors from around the world, and this year will present 30 to 40 exceptional films across four inspiring days.
Thursday, August 21, 2025Peoples Bank Announces the Return of the Great Peoples Bank Pig Search
Bellingham, WA — Peoples Bank is pleased to announce the highly anticipated return of the Great Peoples Bank Pig Search, an engaging community initiative designed to bring fun and financial empowerment to residents across Washington State. Beginning August 29, 2025, the event will feature the placement of 500 piggy banks, each containing $10 in cash, hidden near the Bank’s 23 branch locations. This unique campaign, previously highlighted on KIRO 7 News, demonstrates Peoples Bank’s continuous dedication to
Wednesday, August 20, 20252025 Fidalgo Bay Day
Come join the Skagit Marine Resources Committee (MRC) and friends for a FREE, fun, family outing at our 21st annual Fidalgo Bay Day event on Saturday, September 13th, from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Samish Indian Nation’s beautiful Fidalgo Bay Resort, located at 4701 Fidalgo Bay Road in Anacortes. The event will kick off at 11:00a.m. with a warm welcome by Carolyn Moulton, Anacortes City Councilmember and Skagit MRC member, and Coast Salish Elder Rosie Cayou James, followed by a day filled with a
Tuesday, August 19, 2025County employment data for July 2025 released
OLYMPIA – County unemployment rates and employment data for July 2025 are now available on the Employment Security Department website. Visit the labor force page to view historic and current data on 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 additional
Monday, August 18, 2025Marblemount Bridge to Close for Two Weeks
The Marblemount bridge on Cascade River Road will be closed to all traffic, including emergency vehicles and pedestrians, from September 2, 2025, through September 16, 2025, due to ongoing construction efforts to rehabilitate the aging bridge infrastructure. An additional 15-day continuous bridge closure will take place during the 2026 construction season. There may be intermittent days when the bridge is closed to traffic during the span of the project as well, but only two extended closures are
Monday, August 18, 2025Skagit County to Host Open Houses on Draft 2025 Hazard Mitigation Plan
The Skagit County Department of Emergency Management (DEM) and its partners will host several open house opportunities throughout Skagit County to take public input on proposed mitigation actions to be included in the 2025 Hazard Mitigation Plan. The proposed actions are to reduce risks associated with various hazards across the county. The public is encouraged to participate to ensure the plan accurately reflects the priorities of our citizens. DEM previously opened a survey from July through mid-August
Monday, August 18, 2025DODGE VALLEY ROAD #41000 WILL WILL BE CLOSED AT MILEPOST 2.77 (Valley Road) FROM AUGUST 25, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 4, 2025
Skagit County crews will be replacing a large, failed farm and irrigation culvert across Dodge Valley Road adjacent the the intersection of Valley Road approximately 1/2 mile south of Chilberg Road. The entire intersection will be closed and unpassable. The road will be closed to all vehicles, including emergency vehicles. For the safety of all road users and workers we ask the public to please respect the closure and its signage. The Detour Route for this closure will be Chilberg Road and Best Road
Monday, August 11, 2025Talk Less. Listen Better. Engage Smarter
When customers feel seen, understood, and valued, they stay. But in a landscape full of pop-ups, noise, and one-size-fits-all email blasts, many small businesses are getting engagement wrong—or worse, leaving it to chance. True connection requires strategy, rhythm, and a bit of nerve. It’s not just about having the right tools. It’s about choosing the moments that matter, and meeting people there with something real.Craft Stories That Hit the Heart Forget transactional newsletters. If you want people to
Tuesday, August 05, 2025A Small Business Owner’s Guide to Video Marketing That Works
Video isn’t the future anymore—it’s the present, and it’s knocking loudly on the doors of small businesses everywhere. What used to be the domain of glossy corporate campaigns is now accessible with a smartphone, a few editing tools, and a clear purpose. For business owners juggling budgets, schedules, and customer demands, video might seem like one more task on a crowded list. But used wisely, it doesn’t just check a box—it builds trust, expands reach, and breathes personality into a brand that words
