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Friday, April 25, 2025Skagit County to Host Unclaimed Remains Remembrance Ceremony
The Skagit County Coroner’s Office will host a remembrance ceremony for unclaimed remains at the Mount Vernon Cemetery Chapel, 1200 E Fir Street, Mount Vernon, on Friday, May 2nd, at 11:00 a.m. The ceremony will honor the memory of 59 individuals who have been unclaimed at the Coroner’s Office since 2019. The community is welcome to join the ceremony to recognize those being laid to rest.“While we may not have known who they were in life, we will respect and honor who they are at death,” said Skagit County
Thursday, April 24, 2025Webinar series continues for federal workers to learn about Washington benefits and reemployment
OLYMPIA – The Employment Security Department, along with state and local partners, continues its webinar series for federal workers who work and live in Washington state. The next webinar is scheduled for April 30 from 10 a.m. to noon. See registration details below.Nearly 60 participants attended the first webinar on March 20. The webinars, part of the state’s rapid response efforts for large layoffs, are intended to help federal workers who were laid off, facing a furlough or expecting a workforce
Thursday, April 24, 2025Commissioners Select New Public Works Director, County Engineer
The Skagit County Commissioners are pleased to announce the selection of Michael See as the new Public Works Director and the appointment of Tom Weller as County Engineer. Michael was most recently serving as the Acting Director of Public Works, with three previous years of experience as the Assistant Director, and Tom was the Acting County Engineer and Engineering Division Manager for Public Works. “We are thrilled to have Michael and Tom continue to lead our Public Works Department,” said Commissioner
Wednesday, April 23, 2025Commissioners Approve Option Agreement to Acquire Haller Farm for Estuary Restoration Project
On Earth Day, April 22nd, the Skagit County Board of Commissioners approved an option agreement to acquire Haller Farm, a 584-acre property at the mouth of the North Fork of the Skagit River, approximately one mile from La Conner. Haller Farm encompasses the majority of the highest ranked Skagit Chinook recovery project area identified by the 2017 Skagit Estuary Restoration Strategic Assessment (“Skagit ERSA”), a strategic approach to Chinook recovery and estuary restoration jointly developed by
Wednesday, April 23, 2025County unemployment numbers for March 2025 released
OLYMPIA – County unemployment rates and employment data for March 2025 are now available on the Employment Security Department website. Visit the labor force page to view historic and current data about 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
Wednesday, April 23, 2025Skagit Valley Family YMCA Hosting Annual Chris Mang Memorial Charity Fun Run & Walk
SKAGIT COUNTY, WA – The Skagit Valley Family YMCA and Mang/Glesne family are excited to announce the Chris Mang Memorial Charity Fun Run and Walk, taking place on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at the Skagit Valley Playfields in Mount Vernon. The celebratory 5k and 1 mile fun run and walk is open to people of all ages and abilities. Day-of registration opens at 9:00am and the run/walk starts at 10:00am. Pre-registration is $20/person and day-of registration is $25. All funds will support the Chris Mang Memorial
Friday, April 18, 2025Around the Americas 14-month education and research sailing expedition to launch May 3 from the Port of Anacortes
Anacortes, Wash. – Skagit Valley College will host a launch event for the research sailing vessel (S/V) One Ocean on May 3 at 8 a.m. in the parking lot near dock B of the Cap Sante Marina in the Port of Anacortes. One Ocean will be departing on a 14-month education and research sailing expedition. The expedition will focus on ocean research, education, and community outreach to highlight the importance of education to motivate students of all ages to become future ocean stewards. The event will feature a
Friday, April 18, 2025Skagit County to Accept Glass for Recycling at All Transfer Stations
Glass will again be accepted for recycling at Skagit County Transfer Stations starting Friday, April 18, 2025. Glass recycling had been paused for eight months because a regional glass bottle manufacturing facility in Seattle closed, which meant there was no local manufacturer to purchase our recycled glass. A second regional glass recycler in Seattle has since found new markets out of state to sell the glass so they are now able to accept glass from Skagit County. Glass from households is accepted by
Wednesday, April 16, 20252025 Stormwater Management Program Plan Draft Open for Public Comment
The draft 2025 Stormwater Management Program Plan is now open for public comment from April 16th, 2025, through May 16th, 2025. The Stormwater Management Program Plan, which is updated annually, informs the public on actions the County’s Stormwater Management Program has planned for the current calendar year. The public comment period gives members of the public an opportunity to provide feedback on current and future actions being taken by the County’s stormwater program. The draft plan can be found
Wednesday, April 16, 2025Washington state unemployment rate holds steady in March at 4.4%
OLYMPIA – Washington’s economy decreased by an estimated 5,200 jobs (seasonally adjusted) in March 2025, and the monthly unemployment rate remained at 4.4%. “The unemployment rate stayed steady, and the labor force also maintained relative stability in March. Slowing job growth took a slight turn this month,” said Anneliese Vance-Sherman, chief labor economist at the Employment Security Department. “March marks the third month in a row of declining employment, marking a trend of job losses in the early
Tuesday, April 15, 2025North Star to Host Inaugural Symposium
North Star will host a one-day symposium on Friday, June 6th, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Swinomish Casino & Lodge. North Star Connect is the inaugural symposium to bring together individuals from multiple professional sectors representing behavioral health, housing, social service providers, first responders, the criminal justice system, the business community, and other public and private community leaders to network, collaborate, and advance professional development. Registration is now
Tuesday, April 15, 2025Skagit County to Acquire Haller Farm for Estuary Restoration Project
On Earth Day, April 22nd, at 11:00 a.m., the Skagit Board of County Commissioners will consider approval of an option agreement to acquire the Haller Farm, a 584-acre property at the mouth of the Skagit River north fork, approximately one mile southeast of the Town of La Conner. Haller Farm includes the majority of the top-ranked Skagit Chinook recovery project on the Skagit River estuary. The option agreement allows the area to be restored to estuary, providing critical salmon habitat as well as
Saturday, April 12, 2025You’re Invited to Age Brilliantly Academy’s Spring 2025 Free Online Workshops
A Dozen Conversations to Empower You to Lead a More Fulfilling 100-Year Life Age Brilliantly(.org), the interactive community of adults of all ages who want to maximize opportunities to lead fulfilling 100-year lives, invites you to join conversations with other members on how to make your life more fulfilling. These complimentary one-hour programs are led by subject-matter experts. They take place on Tuesdays from April 8 through June 24, 2025 at 1-2 PM ET. “The true value of longevity isn't
Friday, April 11, 2025Skagit Valley College to host Clean Energy and Sustainability Fair to celebrate Earth Day April 22
Mount Vernon, Wash. – Skagit Valley College is hosting the Clean Energy and Sustainability Fair in celebration of Earth Day on Tuesday, April 22 and will focus on environmental conservation, clean energy jobs, environmental advocacy, and clean energy technology. The fair is free and open to the public and will be held 10 a.m.-3 p.m. in the Knutzen Cardinal Center and Tollefson Plaza at the college’s Mount Vernon campus. There will be music, crafts, and a plant sale. Highlights of the fair include
Thursday, April 10, 2025Skagit County Seeks Applicants for Housing Authority of Skagit County Board.
The Skagit Board of County Commissioners is seeking applicants to serve on the board of the Housing Authority of Skagit County (HASC). The search for a new board member comes in response to the resignation of board member Daniel Valdez, on April 7th. Mr. Valdez served two years of his original five-year term, and was named chair of the board by his peers shortly after his appointment by the County in 2023.HASC is a taxpayer-funded public agency that administers federal Housing Choice Vouchers and develops
Thursday, April 10, 2025Helping Hands volunteers awarded Washington State Volunteer Service Award
We are honored, and incredibly proud, to announce that our volunteers have been awarded the Washington State Volunteer Service Award for the northwest region. Our volunteers were sponsored for the award due to their consistent hard work and commitment to helping their community. In 2024 Helping Hands volunteers put in over 15,700 hours across six locations in Skagit County. They helped sort over 1.9 million pounds of food and helped facilitate 250,000+ visits by community members. "The volunteers who
Friday, April 04, 2025Age Brilliantly (.org) Announces Spring 2025 Online Workshops
New York, NY. April 3, 2025. Age Brilliantly(.org) is the interactive community of adults of all ages who want to maximize opportunities to lead (more) fulfilling 100-year lives. Its Academy announced the Spring 2025 line-up of online workshops that engage members in conversations focused on elevating people’s efforts now and in the future to lead more fulfilling 100-year lives. These complimentary one-hour programs take place on Tuesdays from April 8 through June 24, 2025 at 1-2 PM ET. “The true value of
Friday, April 04, 2025Skagit Valley College automotive program receives national accreditation
Mount Vernon, Wash. — The Skagit Valley College (SVC) automotive technology program has received notice of renewal of ASE Training Program accreditation by the ASE Education Foundation. SVC’s automotive technology program has been accredited at the highest level of accreditation; Master Automobile Service Technology. SVC has been accredited by the ASE Education Foundation, formally known as National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF), for more than 20 years. To achieve this coveted
Tuesday, April 01, 2025Skagit County Commissioners Set Hearing on Removal of Housing Authority Board Commissioner Daniel Valdez
The Skagit County Board of Commissioners announced today it has taken action to consider removal of Housing Authority of Skagit County (HASC) Commissioner Daniel Valdez. The action comes after a review found evidence that Mr. Valdez as Chair of the Board engaged in activities which hindered other HASC Commissioners in their duties and failed to take action for appropriate accountability under state and federal law pertaining to local public housing authorities. Local public housing authorities are
Tuesday, April 01, 2025Washington State Department of Financial Institutions Encourages Focus on Financial Wellness During Financial Capability Month and Saves Week
Olympia – The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) joins federal and state agencies, non-profits, financial and credit counselors, banks, and credit unions — in celebrating Financial Capability Month this April and Saves Week April 7-11. “Financial education is extremely important for people of all ages,” DFI Director Charlie Clark said. “While money habits can be formed at very early ages, it’s important to provide financial education at all life stages to ensure people have the
Monday, March 31, 2025Skagit Valley College celebrates Black History Month
Mount Vernon, Wash. — Skagit Valley College (SVC) honored Black History Month in Feb. by hosting a series of engaging and educational events for students, staff, and faculty. These events provided meaningful opportunities for learning, reflection, and discussion about the contributions and experiences of Black individuals throughout history and in higher education. On Feb. 13, SVC partnered with Living Voices to bring interactive historical performances to campus. More than 200 attendees – including
Thursday, March 27, 2025Skagit Valley Family YMCA partnering with Help Me Grow Skagit for free Healthy Kids Day event
SKAGIT COUNTY, WA – The Skagit Valley Family YMCA, in partnership with Help Me Grow Skagit, is excited to announce its annual Healthy Kids Day event on Saturday, April 26 at the YMCA’s Hoag Road facility (1901 Hoag Road, Mount Vernon, WA 98273). The free community event will take place from 12:30-2:30pm.This year’s event is sponsored by PFLAG Skagit, the Kiwanis Club of Burlington-Edison, and Martha’s Bridal.On Healthy Kids Day, children and families can learn about the importance of learning; healthy
Thursday, March 27, 2025Birch Bay Kid’s Kite Festival Returns to Birch Bay State Park!
Birch Bay, WA – The Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce the return of the Kid’s Kite Festival at Birch Bay State Park on June 21-22, 2025. This free, family-friendly event celebrates the joy of kite flying while showcasing the natural beauty of Birch Bay’s stunning shoreline. Children will receive free kites (while supplies last) to decorate and fly in the open skies above Birch Bay. Kite enthusiasts will also find a variety of kites and spinners for sale, ensuring everyone can participate
Wednesday, March 26, 2025Granite Garage Floors Expands to Washington with First Location in the State
Cleveland, Ohio — March 3, 2025 — Granite Garage Floors, a leading home improvement provider of industrial epoxy coating systems, has awarded its first territory in Washington to new franchise owners, James and Mindy Culmore. As the first franchisees in the region, the Culmores will introduce Granite Garage Floors’ high-quality flooring solutions to homeowners throughout Greater Seattle. As locals, James and Mindy Culmore are eager to bring Granite Garage Floors’ durable industrial epoxy coating systems
Wednesday, March 26, 2025Washington state unemployment rate increases slightly in February to 4.4%
OLYMPIA – Washington’s economy decreased by an estimated 7,200 jobs (seasonally adjusted) in February 2025, and the monthly unemployment rate increased slightly to 4.4%. As noted in the January 2025 employment report, high-profile layoffs in the private and public sectors likely won’t show up until the March and April 2025 employment reports. “Job growth has been slowing over the past several months, and so far, 2025 is off to a slow start. One-month job losses were observed in both January and
Wednesday, March 26, 2025Opportunity to Highlight Your Business to Incoming Visitors
As part of our 2025 outreach, the Skagit Tourism Bureau is committed to showcasing the full breadth of our community to visitors attending sporting events throughout the Skagit Valley. We’re reaching out with an opportunity to feature your business and connect with these event attendees—at no cost to you. Through our partnership with Playeasy (a platform often described as the “TripAdvisor for sports tourism”), we promote Skagit Valley as a premier destination for sporting events. All events hosted in
RET Cares Park Clean Up for Earth Day!
Our RET team will be at Edgewater Park on Saturday, April 26th from 9am-1pm to help the community with a park clean-up for Earth Day. RET Physical Therapy in Burlington (formerly Northwest Physical Therapy) is honored to serve our community in the Skagit Valley. We are located on the corner of Burlington Blvd and West Fairhaven Ave and are equipped to help you with all of your physical therapy needs. We have skilled providers that can assist you with orthopedic injuries, sports injuries, work injuries,
