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Gov. Jay Inslee today announced additional financial support funds for families and businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The governor was joined by Lisa Brown, Department of Commerce director, for the announcement.  "We know this pandemic is taking an economic toll," Inslee said during a press conference Friday. "On Sunday we announced $50 million in business supports, but after more ...read more

OLYMPIA -- Today is the go-live date for Washington’s Safe Medication Return Program, a pioneering effort aimed at reducing medication misuse, abuse, and poisonings. This program creates a unified, statewide, medication return program that will give Washington residents free, convenient, and environmentally responsible options for disposing of unwanted medication. Physical drop boxes are ...read more

Today, Skagit County Health Officer Dr. Howard Leibrand issued a reminder of his guidance that large events, including fairs, parades, festivals, fireworks displays and tree lightings should be cancelled through the end of 2020. This guidance was first issued on May 6, 2020and was extended through the end of the year in July. “Unfortunately, our control of the pandemic hasn’t improved and in ...read more

Do you know a young person who desires to learn a trade? Cascades Job Corps might be the right place for them! Job Corps is a residential career technical training and education program. The program helps eligible young people ages 16 through 24 complete their high school education, earn college credits, train for meaningful careers, and connect with employment, apprenticeship, military, or higher ...read more

Today, Governor Inslee announced changes to current COVID-19 guidance. The new guidance will take effect at midnight on Monday, November 16 (with a few exceptions) and be in place until at least December 14, 2020. There are many changes including:No indoor social gatherings are allowed. Outdoor social gatherings can have five or fewer people from outside an immediate household.Restaurants and ...read more

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) continues to make progress with our COVID-19 vaccine distribution planning efforts. Update on vaccine candidates and supply The department is hopeful that a safe and effective vaccine against COVID-19 will be available before the end of the year. While there was encouraging news this week from one manufacturer, it’s important to ...read more

Gov. Jay Inslee issued a travel advisory for Washington today, recommending a 14-day quarantine for interstate and international travel and asks residents to stay close to home. Inslee joined California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Oregon Gov. Kate Brown in urging visitors entering their states or returning home from travel outside these states to self-quarantine to slow the spread of the ...read more

Join the Skagit Valley Family YMCA by the end of 2020 to receive a discounted joining fee of just $20 ($80 discount for most memberships!) plus a 30% discount on our monthly membership rates. Simply use promo code YGIVETHANKS when you register for your Y membership to lock-in these discounted rates through December 2021. Your membership will help sustain our non-profit, allowing us to continue ...read more

OLYMPIA – Today the Washington State Department of Health is reporting 2,147 new cases of COVID-19, the highest daily case count since the pandemic began. Just two weeks ago, we announced 1,000 new cases in a day for the first time since mid-summer. And, each day this week we have reported over 1,000 new cases per day. This rapid escalation is extremely alarming. The fall surge, which is ...read more

October 3, 2020 — BELLINGHAM, Wash., — PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center located in Bellingham, Wash., has earned a distinguished three-star rating from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) for its patient care and outcomes in cardiothoracic surgery. The three-star rating, which denotes the highest category of quality, places PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center among the elite for ...read more

Yes, Skagit Valley College is open for Winter Quarter! While most classes will be offered online, we are also pleased to offer in-person opportunities in select Science courses and Workforce programs. Our Basic Education for Adults program will also include limited in-person classes. In addition, SVC offers many support services and resources to help you meet your goals.Classes start Monday, ...read more

OLYMPIA –The Washington State Department of Health is announcing 1,777 new COVID-19 cases today. Last week, we announced 1,000 new cases in a day for the first time since mid-summer. Last Friday, we shared a report detailing how COVID-19 spread is intensifying across the state. On Wednesday, we broke another record with 1,454 total cases in a day. Now, we’re ending the week with yet another broken ...read more

Skagit Valley College’s South Asian Student Club, in collaboration with the Black Students Union, warmly invites everyone to participate in Mindful Meditation, a weekly series of free events presented by Delhi’s well known and highly respected meditation teacher and Indian Sciences expert, R.K. Sharma.      Sessions will take place on the following Sundays at 10am via Zoom meeting ID ...read more

EDASC is hosting its annual Investor Appreciation Celebration from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Dec. 1, 2020, providing time for EDASC Investors to network, connect and hear from EDASC CEO John Sternlicht and others about important EDASC updates. Due to COVID-19 safety restrictions, the event will be hosted live via Zoom rather than in person. The no-cost event, sponsored by TRICO Companies, is limited to ...read more

Gov. Jay Inslee issued a proclamation and guidance memo today clarifying application of COVID-19 requirements for voters and for voting service operations, including county elections offices, county voting centers and student engagement HUBs throughout the state.  "The right to vote is one of the cornerstones of our democracy," Inslee said. "Even in the middle of a pandemic, it's vital that ...read more

OLYMPIA – Today the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) released the latest statewide situation report on COVID-19 transmission, which shows a general rise in the intensity of the epidemic in both western and eastern Washington.Report findings include:Transmission is increasing in western and eastern Washington. The best estimates of the reproductive number (how many new people each ...read more

Day-use visits are free on Veterans Day and the day after Thanksgiving OLYMPIA – Oct. 29, 2020 – Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will offer its two final free days of 2020 in November. On these free days, day-use visitors will not need a Discover Pass for vehicle access. The last two free days of 2020 are Wednesday, Nov. 11, and Friday, Nov. 27. Since the free days were ...read more

On Monday November 2, Skagit Transit will expand its service offering for Fixed-Route bus service in response to increasing ridership during the COVID-19 pandemic. These changes will enable Skagit Transit to provide streamlined public transportation options for those conducting essential travel. MONDAY thru SATURDAY- Fixed Route Service buses will operate on a Saturday schedule unless noted ...read more

OLYMPIA – The Department of Health is collaborating with Safeway Inc. and Albertsons Companies LLC to offer no-cost influenza (flu) vaccination for uninsured adults over the age of 18 to help prevent flu illness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Health officials are concerned that the presence of both viruses could put more people in the hospital and strain Washington’s health care ...read more

Today, Skagit County announced a partnership with the Children’s Museum of Skagit County to create a family resource center for families adversely impacted by COVID-19. The center will be funded using Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act dollars and will be housed at the Children’s Museum.“In the best of times, families need community support. It truly does take a village to ...read more