The La Conner Planning Commission will host a community mingle Aug. 19 to gather feedback on Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and non-motorized transportation access. The session begins at 6 p.m. at Maple Hall and includes a Zoom option. Participants can mark specific areas for improvement on enlarged town maps. Input from the event will help shape updates to the town’s six-year transportation improvement plan.
Skagit County election officials reported 11,063 ballots counted in the primary election as of Tuesday night, reflecting a 15.42% turnout. An estimated 3,000 ballots remain, with the next count scheduled for 5 p.m. Wednesday. In the Port of Skagit District 2 race, appointed incumbent Melanie Mankamyer currently leads with 52.6% of the votes. Mary LaFleur held a narrow lead for the Port of Anacortes Commission Position 1 with 41.2% of the vote. In Mount Vernon’s at-large city council race, Demi Daman led with 64.6% of the vote. Results may shift once remaining ballots are processed. The two candidates with the most votes when the election is certified on Aug. 19 will advance to the Nov. 4 general election.
Skagit County is pressing pause on a long-anticipated decision after the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community requested mediation over the proposed Critical Areas Ordinance. The Board of County Commissioners canceled its Aug. 4 meeting, which was expected to include potential action on adopting the ordinance. The move follows the Tribe’s request for mediation through the Washington State Department of Commerce. Per state law, the county must now delay further action for at least 60 days. The county has tentatively rescheduled the meeting for 10:15 a.m. Oct. 28, when the board may consider next steps. More information about the mediation and timeline will be shared as it becomes available, county officials said.
Skagit County commissioners approved $285,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding to explore the creation of a regional public safety campus that would consolidate emergency services and bolster training capabilities across disciplines. The money will fund a facility needs assessment and feasibility study to be conducted by MAKERS architecture and urban design. The envisioned campus could serve as a central hub for Skagit 911, the Department of Emergency Management, and a co-located Emergency Operations Center. Plans also call for advanced training infrastructure, including a firearms range, emergency vehicle operations course, multi-story live fire building, hazmat and rescue zones, classroom space, and dispatch facilities built to modern standards.The study is expected to be completed within the next year.
Essential Shipyard Industries has acquired Latitude Marine Services in La Conner, rebranding the facility as “ESI South.” The deal gives ESI a second full-service shipyard, adding to its existing Anacortes operation and boosting its capacity for vessel repair, marine upgrades and emergency services. ESI South’s location — on McGlinn Island — offers round-the-clock haul-outs with a 100-ton travel lift, allowing the company to remove boats from the water 24/7. The La Conner facility also enhances ESI’s technical capabilities with offerings that include ceramic waxes, lithium phosphate batteries, YANMAR repowers, and electronics installations. T
Updated with Aug. 6, 2025 7:45 p.m.
