This is Skagit County’s 2025 Flood Awareness Week, featuring public events focused on preparedness and safety. The week began Monday with a kickoff and proclamation at the County Commissioners’ Hearing Room in Mount Vernon, followed by two free virtual sessions: a community preparedness webinar Wednesday and SKYWARN storm spotter training Thursday. County officials encourage residents to learn about flood history, sign up for CodeRed alerts and review safety resources at skagitcounty.net/flood
The Seattle Mariners lead the Toronto Blue Jays 2-0 in the 2025 American League Championship Series after a decisive 10-3 win in Game 2. Following a close Game 1 victory, the Mariners now return to Seattle for Game 3 — their first home game of the series and their first ALCS appearance since 2001.
An ammonia leak late Sunday night at the Scoular facility in Burlington prompted a six-hour shelter-in-place advisory before being resolved Monday morning, officials said. Fire crews responded around 11:06 p.m. Sunday to an automated alarm at the South Anacortes Street plant, where they confirmed an ammonia leak from an industrial refrigeration unit. Residents within a half-mile radius were advised to stay indoors after an emergency alert went out roughly six hours after the initial call. No injuries were reported, and the shelter order was lifted Monday morning as South Anacortes Street reopened. City officials said Burlington Fire and HAZMAT teams are reviewing the response and communication timeline.
The Swinomish Election Board announced that petitions for nomination to the Senate will be available beginning Monday from the Election Officer. Three Senate seats are up for election: Seat 3, held by Brian Porter; Seat 4, held by Greg Edwards; and Seat 5, held by Tandy Wilbur. Potential candidates must pay a non-refundable $300 filing fee to the Tribal Accounting Department and present a receipt to the Election Officer when obtaining a petition, as outlined in the Swinomish Tribal Code.
Skagit County’s Natural Resources Division reported mostly low to moderate bacteria levels in local waterways for September, though higher readings were found in upper Thomas Creek, the South Edison Drainage and upper Nookachamps Creek. The Mount Vernon WSU AgWeatherNet station recorded warmer-than-normal temperatures averaging 70.9°F and below-average rainfall at 1.1 inches. As the rainy season begins, officials remind residents to prepare for the “first flush” — when rain washes pollutants into streams — by picking up pet waste, covering manure piles and keeping debris out of runoff areas. Updated results are available on the county’s Water Quality Map.
The Seattle Times reports that after decades of narrowing, the gender pay gap in the United States is widening again. New Census Bureau data shows women earned 80.9 cents for every dollar men earned in 2024 — down from 84 cents in 2022. It marks the second consecutive year the gap has grown, the first such reversal since the 1960s.
