NEWS

(BELLINGHAM)– Northbound Interstate 5 remains closed south of Bellingham, while work continues seven days a week to stabilize the slope and clear debris. There is no estimate when northbound I-5 will reopen, but the Washington State Department of Transportation and its contractor are working to open lanes as quickly as it is safe to do so. WSDOT will provide another update Tuesday, March 31, according to a news release from the agency. Northbound lanes have been closed since a slide Thursday night, March 19, sent more than 3,000 cubic yards of boulders, trees and other debris 60 to 80 feet down a slope toward I-5. An     (read more)

(SEDRO-WOOLLEY)- The team of staff from the Port of Skagit planted 190 native trees and shrubs along new trails at the SWIFT Center, according to a news release from the port. Stepping away from their regular roles last Friday morning, more than a dozen Port of Skagit staff members donned rain gear and picked up shovels as part of a planting work party to restore some of the natural habitat along the trail system that runs through and around the Port’s SWIFT Center property. The plantings were added to the new Winfield and Quarry Trails at the SWIFT Center.     (read more)

(SKAGIT 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, the Planning Commission will be working on siting for clean energy facilities, as well as other various code amendments regarding accessory dwelling units, flood damage prevention, and stormwater, according to a news release from the county. For more information about current Planning Commission work items, please visit: www.skagitcounty.net/Departments/PlanningAndPermit/communplan.htm The Planning Commission consists of nine members (three from each     (read more)

(SKAGIT COUNTY)- The Skagit County Public Works Department has scheduled a public meeting for April 2, 2026, from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. at the Marblemount Community Hall, 30155 State Route 20, Marblemount, WA. Public Works staff will present on the upcoming Marblemount Bridge rehabilitation project, and the impacts of bridge closures this summer on nearby residents. The county encourages the community to join them to stay informed and to have the opportunity to ask questions directly of Public Works staff managing the project, according to a news release from the county. Public Works has planned this public meeting because the impacts of the     (read more)

(OLYMPIA)- Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs applauded the signing of Senate Bill 5892 on Wednesday, March 25, which protects voters’ private information. Any state or local election officer who discloses private voter information, like driver’s license numbers, Social Security numbers or full birthdates, may be charged with a class C felony. The legislation also clarifies that the Office of the Secretary of State is the only agency legally allowed to respond to requests for data from Washington’s voter database, according to a news release from the Office of the Secretary of State. “My office is committed to protecting     (read more)