NEWS

(SKAGIT COUNTY)- There is a call for Applications for the Skagit County Planning Commission, according to a news release from the county. The Planning Commission works with the Planning and Development Services Department and advises the Department and the Board of County Commissioners on proposed land use plans and regulations in unincorporated Skagit County. In 2026 and 2027, the Planning Commission will focus on siting clean energy facilities, reviewing the annual docket of comprehensive plan, development code, and zoning map amendments, and updating the Critical Areas Ordinance. For more information about current Planning Commission work items, please visit: www.skagitcounty.net     (read more)

(OLYMPIA)– Labor Day weekend will bring lots of travel and congestion to state highways, waterways, at state airports and along pedestrian trails. The Washington State Department of Transportation urges travelers to plan ahead, stay alert and give themselves extra time to get to their destinations. WSDOT has Labor Day weekend travel charts to help people beat the rush as well as other tools and tips to make all types of travel easier, according to a news release from the agency. The charts highlight the best and worst times to travel on key state highways most prone to holiday congestion, including:     (read more)

(OAK HARBOR)– Island County travelers soon will see a permanent speed limit decrease along nearly 2 miles of State Route 20 through and north of Oak Harbor. The speed limit will be reduced from 50 and 55 mph to 45 mph along both directions of SR 20 near the new roundabout at West Fakkema Road between mileposts 33.69 and 35.06. The decision to reduce the speed limit was made in response to a review of new speed data after the installation of the new West Fakkema Road roundabout and in coordination with Oak Harbor Public Works officials, according to a news release from the Washington State Department of     (read more)

(OLYMPIA)— The Office of the Secretary of State on Friday certified statewide results for the Aug. 4 Primary. Along with certification of results, the Secretary of State also certified all measures and candidates that will appear on the ballot in November, according to a news release from the Office of the Secretary of State. According to vote totals certified by Chief of Staff Amanda Doyle, more than 1.8 million voters participated in the primary, representing approximately 36.77% of Washington’s 5.1 million eligible voters. “With primary results certified, dedicated election officials across the state are now hard at work preparing for another safe, secure,     (read more)

(MOUNT VERNON)- Mount Vernon residents will have to look elsewhere to get driver licensing services for the next few months. The Washington State Department of Licensing announced Tuesday, Aug. 18, that its Mount Vernon office is closed until early November due to ongoing staffing issues, according to a Facebook post from DOL. The DOL says it will train new employees to fill several empty positions throughout the area, which will take about three months. The process will help maintain staffing at all offices in the area and allow them to stay open more consistently. Until then, the DOL encourages residents     (read more)