The Skagit County Department of Emergency Management has released the High Tide Awareness Calendar for 2026 and 2027.
Skagit County is hosting a free community meeting to share updates on projects, answer questions and listen to feedback from the public. The meeting is in-person only and will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12 at Bay View Civic Hall, located at 12615 C. Street, Mount Vernon, and will feature the county commissioners, representatives from Planning & Development Services, Public Health, Public Works, the Department of Emergency Management, the Assessor’ Office and the Sheriff’s Office. For more information, contact the Skagit County Commissioners’ Office at (360) 416-1300 or email Communications and Engagement Manager Jenn Rogers at jrogers@skagitcountywa.gov.
The farming community is invited to attend three workshops on farming succession, hosted by the Skagit County Farmland Legacy Program. “Passing Our Fields Forward: Three Winter Workshops for Successful Land Transfers,” will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. Dec. 9, Jan. 13 and Feb. 10 at Shawn O’Donnell’s at the Farmhouse in Mount Vernon. On Dec. 9, attendees will learn about identifying priorities, expectations, and shared goals before the land is passed to the next generation. The Jan. 13 session will explore the challenges and successes of farmland ownership and leasing models, including both family and non-family land transfers. On Feb. 10, speakers will examine traditional and innovative strategies that support farmland transitions and access for the next generation of farmers. A buffet dinner will be provided starting at 6 p.m. Click here to register.
GEO Group, the contractor that has been operating the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma since 2005, secured a $1.5 billion contract to continue operating the for-profit detention center until 2036. GEO expects the 10-year contract will generate revenue of about $140 million per year, according to The Bellingham Herald. The Tacoma center is one of the largest in the United States.
Vehicles longer than 22 feet are temporarily prohibited from using the Orcas Island ferry terminal after inspectors discovered cracks in two steel beams beneath the loading bridge. Washington State Ferries said repairs could take up to two weeks, with scaffolding installation beginning November 10. Smaller vehicles may continue using the terminal but must travel no faster than 5 mph and stay to the designated side of the bridge. Oversized vehicles will not be loaded for Orcas Island at Anacortes, Shaw, Lopez or Friday Harbor. Crews plan to use steel plates and bolted connections to speed repairs, while officials explore options to restore access for larger vehicles sooner.
A U.S. Army soldier who killed two people and wounded three others at the 2023 Beyond Wonderland music festival at the Gorge Amphitheatre was sentenced to 70 years in prison this week, according to The Seattle Times. James M. Kelly, 29, pleaded guilty during a court-martial at Joint Base Lewis-McChord to murdering a Seattle couple, along with charges involving domestic violence, reckless discharge of a firearm and illegal drug use. Kelly, a member of the 75th Ranger Regiment, had taken psychedelic mushrooms before opening fire at the festival campground June 17, 2023, according to the Army.
COVID-19 activity in Mount Vernon wastewater remained very high in late October, although hospital emergency visits for respiratory illnesses remained relatively stable, according to Skagit County Public Health. During the week of October 25-31, 9.4% of influenza tests, 6.2% of COVID-19 tests and 0.6% of RSV tests were positive at Skagit County hospitals. Over the past three months, the county reported five COVID-19 outbreaks, two influenza outbreaks and no RSV outbreaks. No deaths from the three illnesses were reported during that period. Respiratory illness activity remained below the regional threshold for elevated emergency department visits.
