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Friday, August 29, 2025
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
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
Friday, August 15, 2025Skagit County Planning Commission to Review Draft Agritourism Code Changes
The Skagit County Planning Commission will host the first work session to review changes to county code regarding agritourism policies on Tuesday, August 19th, at 6:00 p.m. in the Commissioner’s Hearing Room. The proposal was drafted with input from a community advisory group convened by Skagit County Planning and Development Services (PDS) to include public input on the agritourism study. The public is welcome to join the meeting or watch via TV21 or Zoom at the link on the Planning Commission
Friday, August 15, 2025Skagit County to Host Public Hearing on County Park Fee Increases
The Skagit County Commissioners will host a public hearing on Tuesday, August 19th, at 9:00 a.m. to consider testimony on the draft Skagit County Parks and Recreation fee schedule. The public is encouraged to join the hearing either virtually via Zoom at the link on the Commissioner’s webpage or in-person in the Commissioner’s Hearing Room at 1800 Continental Place, Mount Vernon. Written comments can be sent to Brian Adams, Parks and Recreation Director, at briana@co.skagit.wa.us. The proposed fee
Friday, August 15, 2025Skagit County to Host Public Hearing on County Park Fee Increases.
The Skagit County Commissioners will host a public hearing on Tuesday, August 19th, at 9:00 a.m. to consider testimony on the draft Skagit County Parks and Recreation fee schedule. The public is encouraged to join the hearing either virtually via Zoom at the link on the Commissioner’s webpage or in-person in the Commissioner’s Hearing Room at 1800 Continental Place, Mount Vernon. Written comments can be sent to Brian Adams, Parks and Recreation Director, at briana@co.skagit.wa.us. The proposed fee
Thursday, August 14, 2025Bat Tests Positive for Rabies in Skagit County
A bat found in Skagit County has tested positive for rabies virus by Washington State Department of Health (DOH). Recently, a person found a bat in their small child’s room. The parents were unsure if the child or any of their animals had any exposure to the bat, but correctly alerted Skagit County Public Health. The bat was submitted to the Washington State Public Health Laboratory for testing and was confirmed positive on August 12, 2025. Due to risk of exposure, the family was directed to their health
Wednesday, August 13, 2025Washington state unemployment rate remains at 4.5%.
OLYMPIA – Washington’s economy increased by an estimated 10,800 jobs (seasonally adjusted) in July 2025, and the monthly unemployment rate held steady at 4.5%. “After a slow start to 2025, job growth in June and July brought the Washington employment landscape back to the overall story of continuing - but slowing – growth,” said Anneliese Vance-Sherman, chief labor economist at the Employment Security Department. “Washington businesses added 10,800 jobs in July and the unemployment rate held steady at
Tuesday, August 12, 2025Skagit County Proclaims August 2025 as National Emergency Management Awareness Month
Today, the Skagit County Commissioners signed a proclamation to designate August 2025 as National Emergency Management Awareness Month. The proclamation celebrates the dedicated professionals in our emergency management division who work tirelessly year-round to prepare and plan for disasters. Our emergency response efforts are successful due to a wide variety of local jurisdictions, such as law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services, public works, public health, and tribal partners, working
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
Friday, August 08, 2025PORT OF SKAGIT WELCOMES NEW CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
(Burlington, WA) – The Port of Skagit is pleased to welcome Audra Ramerman as the new Chief Financial Officer. Audra brings a vast amount of experience in strategic financial planning and leadership to the Port of Skagit, as well as a deep connection to the community. Audra most recently served as the Director of Finance and Administration at the Economic Development Alliance of Skagit County (EDASC) for eight years, where she successfully updated systems and processes across the organization to
Wednesday, August 06, 2025Skagit Valley College to host 20th annual Back to School Blessing event Aug. 16
MOUNT VERNON, Wash. – Skagit Valley College will once again host the community’s 20th annual Back to School Blessing event, set for Saturday, Aug. 16, from 9 a.m. to noon or until supplies last in Tollefson Plaza on the Mount Vernon campus. The event offers a welcoming and festive environment for K-12 students and their families to prepare for the upcoming school year. Sponsored by local churches and community organizations in Skagit Valley, the event will feature free backpacks, school supplies, food, and
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
Monday, August 04, 2025Birch Bay Waterslides Now Open – Come Celebrate 40 Years of Summer Fun!
Blaine, WA – July 31, 2025 – Birch Bay Waterslides is officially open for the summer and ready to make a splash as we celebrate 40 years of unforgettable memories! Join us for an epic summer celebration at one of the Pacific Northwest’s most iconic waterparks. Over the past year, the park has undergone a million-dollar reinvestment dedicated to enhancing guest safety, service, and serenity. Every waterslide in the park has been fully rebuilt from the ground up, including new supports, bolts, framing, and
