Guemes Island Ferry to return after Memorial Day weekend

(SKAGIT COUNTY)- The Guemes Island car ferry will not return to service for Memorial Day Weekend. At this time, the best estimate for return to service would be Friday, June 6th. There is a possibility the ferry could return sooner if all remaining work and testing goes smoothly. The passenger-only ferry, Arrow Launch, will continue operating on the normal schedule until the car ferry returns, according to a news release from Skagit County.In order to return to service by the holiday weekend, the ferry needed to be launched no later than last Sunday, May 18th, to allow for     (read more)

County Commissioners designate National Public Works Week in Skagit County

(SKAGIT COUNTY)- The Skagit County Commissioners approved a proclamation last week to designate May 18th through May 24th, 2025, as National Public Works Week in Skagit County. The proclamation celebrates the essential contributions of public works professionals in our community.National Public Works Week has been sponsored annually by the American Public Works Association since 1960 to bring attention to public works services and programs in our communities. National Public Works Week is an opportunity to amplify those projects and raise awareness of the essential work done by public works staff that build and maintain our vital community infrastructure, according to     (read more)

Skagit County protects 460 acres of farmland from development in 2024

(SKAGIT COUNTY)- In 2024, Skagit County’s Farmland Legacy Program protected five farmland properties, permanently safeguarding another 460 acres of prime agricultural soil.Protected properties were in Burlington (80 acres), Conway (66 acres), Mount Vernon (8.5 acres), and Sedro-Woolley (267 acres, 38.5 acres). The protection of Skagit County’s USDA-designated prime farmland means these properties can no longer be developed into residential buildings, and will instead provide essential soil and land for farming for generations to come, according to a news release from the county.Skagit County’s Farmland Legacy Program now protects more than 15,000 acres of prime farmland land of regional and global significance.An     (read more)

Ecology proposes new updates to help industry transition to clean semi-trucks

(OLYMPIA)– The Washington Department of Ecology is proposing updates to regulations that reduce pollution from new semi-trucks and other commercial vehicles sold in the state. When combined with increased state funding, the updates will increase flexibility and help the industry transition to zero-emission trucks, according to a news release from Ecology. These updates include changes to the Advanced Clean Trucks rule. Under the rule, manufacturers can gradually increase their zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicle sales through 2035, or they can buy credits from other automakers who exceed requirements. These vehicles range from delivery vans to full-size semi-trucks and may be electric,     (read more)

WSDOT urges early planning for Memorial Day weekend travel and ferry crowds

(OLYMPIA)- It may not be officially summer yet - but travelers should certainly plan ahead for summer-like crowds for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend.The Washington State Department of Transportation has released Memorial Day weekend travel charts showing the best (and worst) times to travel on key routes like Interstate 5, US 2, I-90 and at the I-5/Canada border crossing. Most state highway construction will pause Friday through Tuesday, May 23-27 to help ease congestion, though some temporary lane shifts, closures or adjusted bike lanes may remain in place for travel, according to a news release from WSDOT.Holiday weekends     (read more)