NEWS

(SKAGIT COUNTY)- The Skagit County Commissioners have adopted a 0.1% sales tax in Skagit County to be used for public safety programs and services. Washington State House Bill 2015 (HB 2015) provides local governments the ability to adopt a 0.1% sales tax to provide additional resources for improving public safety. The bill permits cities and counties to adopt the tax increase through approval by the local legislative body. In Skagit County, the legislative body is the Board of County Commissioners. The new tax will add $0.10 for every $100 spent in Skagit County, according to a news release from the county. The primary purpose of     (read more)

(MARBLEMOUNT)– Skagit County Public Works will close the Cascade River Road/Marblemount Bridge near State Route 20 (milepost 106) Thursday, Nov. 13, as part of a bridge rehabilitation project. From 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, no traffic will be allowed over the bridge. People should detour using SR 20, SR 530 and Rockport Cascade Road, according to a news release from the Washington State Department of Transportation. People traveling in the area also should expect delays and do their part to keep the road crew safe, such as driving slowly and removing distractions.     (read more)

(SEATTLE)– At 11:11 a.m. on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, all Washington State Ferries that are underway will sound their whistles. This special moment is a tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of the people who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Each vessel in operation that day will also fly the flag of one of the six military branches – Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy or Space Force – or the Merchant Marine flag. They will also fly the POW/MIA flag to honor those who were prisoners of war or declared missing in action during their service,     (read more)

(OLYMPIA)– Gov. Bob Ferguson has named Matt Ransom of Camas and Gael Tarleton of Seattle to the Washington State Transportation Commission, filling two open seats reserved for representatives west of the Cascade Mountains. Their terms began on Oct. 17 and continue until June 30, 2031, according to a news release from the Washington State Department of Transportation. Ransom serves as the executive director of the Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council and brings more than 25 years of experience in local and regional government. He has overseen projects and initiatives for the city of Vancouver and C-TRAN, the transit service provider in southwest Washington. In     (read more)

(SEDRO-WOOLLEY)- State Route 9 will remain closed between SR 20 and West State Street/Trail Road (milepost 55) in Sedro-Woolley, while repairs are made to a rail crossing signal box that was damaged in a crash Saturday, Nov. 1. The signals box, which facilitates safe operations of the railroad crossing, is owned by BNSF Railway. It was damaged beyond repair. The Washington State Department of Transportation also owns equipment that must be replaced and is coordinating this effort with BNSF. Crews also are making temporary adjustments to signal timing on SR 20 while the intersection is closed, according to a news release from WSDOT.     (read more)