The Town of La Conner’s sales tax rate increased from 8.7% to 8.8% effective April 1.
Skagit County will gain a fifth Superior Court judge starting in 2027 after state lawmakers approved the position through Senate Bill 5868, signed into law March 25, according to the Skagit Valley Herald. The new judge, to be appointed by the governor, is intended to improve timely access to court proceedings, though the county will still fall short of its estimated judicial need.
An unusually low snowpack across Washington and the broader region is raising concerns about an early and severe wildfire season. Snowpack statewide measured about 51% of normal in early April after peaking earlier than usual in mid-March, according to the state Department of Ecology. Experts say the diminished snow levels, combined with warmer and drier forecasts, could lead to earlier fire risks and reduced water supplies, with impacts already emerging for agriculture, reservoirs and regional water management.
Global oil prices dropped sharply Wednesday and global stock markets surged after the United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire, easing fears of a prolonged conflict. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped more than 1,000 points in early trading, while oil prices fell amid expectations that shipping could resume through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy supplies. The ceasefire follows weeks of volatility driven by escalating tensions and threats of further military action, which had disrupted oil flows and pushed gas prices above $4 per gallon in the U.S.
Here in Washington, gas prices remain among the highest in the nation, averaging about $5.40 per gallon on Wednesday, according to AAA. In West Skagit County, prices were slightly lower at about $5.30 per gallon.
April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office is joining other Washington agencies in conducting extra patrols looking for distracted drivers. According to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, it takes an average of five seconds to read a text message. During that time, a car traveling at city speeds can cover about 220 feet, which is the length of three-quarters of a football field.
