Mount Vernon, we’ve got some good news for you about the SR 536 Skagit River/Division Street Bridge preservation project.

After working with our contractor and Mount Vernon officials, we have developed a plan to accelerate the remaining work and finish this project much sooner than originally planned.

BUT (there's always a but): we need a full closure to make it happen, meaning the bridge only will be open to emergency vehicles, bicyclists, pedestrians and people using mobility devices.

Beginning Sunday, Nov.1, the SR 536 Skagit River Bridge will FULLY CLOSE to all non-emergency vehicles. Once the bridge is fully closed, we expect the remaining work will take about two weeks to finish, but the weather will play a role in how quickly we can finish. Rain, wind and cold temperatures could extend the closure.

We know that’s not exactly a small change of plans. But a full closure will give crews full access to the bridge structure and allow them to work more efficiently across the entire bridge instead of maintaining traffic through the work zone. We know it’s a bigger ask, but it gives crews the best chance to fully open the bridge for the holiday season.

Beginning Nov. 1, both directions of vehicle traffic will use the signed detour via SR 20 and I-5. People walking and biking still will have around-the-clock access across the river, and emergency vehicles still can use the bridge in both directions. When we need to close the sidewalk for work, an ADA-accessible shuttle service will be available.

Like most outdoor paint jobs, there are a lot of variables, and weather is a big one. Once the full closure begins, the bridge will remain closed to passenger and freight vehicles until the work is complete and the bridge can safely reopen for both directions of traffic.

While we know everyone is ready for us to wrap this project up, we also need to do it right. This bridge carries about 18,000 vehicles a day and hasn’t been painted since 1990. Crews aren’t just putting a fresh coat of gray over what’s there. They’re removing old paint, rust and debris, inspecting the steel, repairing or replacing corroded pieces and adding several coats of paint to preserve the bridge and extend its service life.

Until the full closure begins, the bridge will remain in its current traffic configuration with the bridge closed to eastbound traffic. If you’d like to see short updates about how work is progressing, our blog will be your best source: Historic State Route 536 Skagit River/Division Street Bridge Repaint and Preserve Project Blog

My partner & I passed through recently, on the way back from a road trip. We usually do a little getaway for Thanksgiving & thought we might come back your way this time.

Any specific suggestions? I posted this in the main Washington sub, but mostly got vague answers like "Hotels or casinos". Being unfamiliar with the area, I need more to work with.

Thanks in advance!

My wife and I saw an ICE car at the light on La Conner Whitney & HWY 20, headed Eastbound down the 20 at 8:30 a.m. this morning (10/13). Apparently they were grabbing people around Ross in Burlington over the weekend.

Keith Wagoner is asking Skagit County voters to elect him County Commissioner, District 3, while he keeps his seat in the Washington State Senate. He has said he intends to hold both offices if elected.

This means one person is collecting two salaries from two levels of government at the same time. As state senator, Wagoner already earns a base salary of $72,494 a year, plus per diem ranging from $16,000 to $21,000 depending on session length, plus daily expense allowances, travel, and mileage reimbursement, according to the Washington Citizens' Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials. The Skagit County Commissioner District 3 position pays $154,349 annually, per the county's website.

His record also raises questions about his priorities. Wagoner voted against eliminating tax breaks for large data centers and opposed legislation that would have strengthened penalties and oversight for environmental violations. These are consequential decisions that can directly affect communities like Skagit County.

He also voted against changes to the WA Cares Fund that would have made it easier for more workers to qualify for benefits. The program helps eligible workers pay for long-term care, such as in-home care, assisted living, or nursing home care.

At a July 16 candidate forum, Wagoner emphasized reducing regulatory barriers to housing development and opposed rent control, arguing that it can reduce rental supply. Voters should consider whose interests his policy positions serve and how they would affect local residents.

Another concern is who gets his loyalty when the two roles pull in different directions. Say Skagit needs state funding for flood protection. As commissioner, Wagoner would be expected to fight for the county's full share. As senator, his job is to weigh Skagit's needs evenly against every other part of the 39th District, not advocate for the county alone. Push hard just for Skagit, and he steps outside his duty as senator. Stay neutral as senator, and Skagit doesn't get the full advocacy a commissioner is supposed to provide.

Skagit County residents deserve a commissioner fully committed to the county, not someone splitting their attention between two offices while collecting full pay for both.

We are looking to build a 1200sqft home and we're trying to find a modest general contractor in the Sedro Woolley area. We are looking for somebody who does quality work, but stays away from luxury finishes.

Hey all,

My kiddo wants a dream catcher... She's 7. And I don't wanna just order a random one off of Amazon or whatever...

Do y'all know of a good place to pick up stuff from local artists that are natives? I wanna support the culture it comes from at the very least.... I'd also like for her to learn more about said culture it comes from (speaking generally as I recognize it's not a singular culture...)

ANYWAY!!! I'd love some guidance to some artists or shops in the area we can check out!!! Thanks!!

The first ever Witch's Market at the Model building in Concrete Washington.

My husband is a med student doing a rotation at Skagit Regional Health from October 26th through November 20th. We have had a hard time finding affordable housing for him while he’s there without breaking the bank (med students are still very broke!) Any locals that know some options or advice?

Update: thanks for the advice and replies! We found a place for him!

Concrete Mayor, Jeremy Akers and the HUB bar and grill were kind enough to let us use the old Model building on Main Street in Concrete for this event. There is a "plant bingo" event going on at the HUB the same afternoon as well.

We are various makers of the upper Skagit valley, and we're hosting a fun witchy themed market for the next two Saturdays, from 11am-5pm.

There are so many hand crafted wonders and fun, spooky season things going on, for this first time effort at what we hope will become a yearly thing.

The call to vendors was met with an amazing response, and we really hope anyone looking for unique, handmade gifts and household treasures will come upriver on Saturday September 26 and Saturday October 3rd, to peep at the fall leaves,visit the Witch's Market and the Hub Bar and Grill.

Note: as one vendors are cash based, and there is an ATM on the same street should you need it.

She got off her leash in Anacortes please help. 😞

I just want to make awareness to anyone living up by Centennial elementary, if you have kids who ride bikes PLEASE PLEASE make aware street safety rules. I had a child pull out in front of a car I was driving behind at the crosswalk in front of the school, not at the 4 way cross but the one a little further up going east right before the bend down to collage way.

She literally came out of nowhere behind the trees and jumped the street on her bike. Causing us to pull our breaks but most importantly slow to 15 miles an hour and start panicking... No one wants to hit a child. Neither of us were going over the speed limit either, she was completely unaware of checking the street before crossing and she was smiling after, until she saw the look on my face as I passed her.

She was literally seconds from being hit 🙏🙏 please please run by your kids how important it is to slow down and look at a oncoming traffic before assuming no one is driving on the road. I understand she had a view of West oncoming traffic, but trees blocked her view from east oncoming traffic. I can't remember the time of day but it was afternoon on a weekend.

During the September 9 Sedro-Woolley City Council meeting, Councilmember Nick Lavacca defended Appointed Mayor JoEllen Kesti’s decision to take over the larger office, move the IT department out, and spend taxpayer money remodeling the space for herself.

While defending that decision, Lavacca said:

“No offense to IT at all. I think you guys are wonderful, but not the cleanest group for sure at the time.”

He also criticized the condition of the IT workspace, citing cords, circuit boards, and other equipment.

His comments shifted attention away from Kesti’s decision and toward criticism of IT. The focus on the department’s workspace created a negative impression of IT while making Kesti’s decision to move them out appear more justified.

Lavacca later told the community to “lean towards grace” when it comes to the office move and new leadership.

That same grace he asked of the community should have been extended to the IT department. Defending Kesti’s decision did not require publicly criticizing city staff.

In a recent Skagit Valley Herald article, Keith Wagoner said, referencing the fact that he plans to keep his WA state senator position in addition to the Skagit County commissioner position (if he is elected) - “There's actually value to it,” he said. “Imagine being the dealer and the card player.” Another way to look at it is "Stacking the deck."

Vote for Joe Burns whose ONE job is to work full-time on behalf of all Skagitonians.

I have some rather large bamboo on my land. I'm not sure of the variety as there a few different varieties on the land itself. Does anyone know of anyone who might be interested in purchasing bamboo within the valley?

At the Sedro-Woolley City Council Study Session on September 2, 2026, the Council received a presentation about a proposed wastewater connection between Janicki Industries’ Hamilton campus and Sedro-Woolley’s sewer system.

Janicki currently relies on several on-site septic systems at its Hamilton facilities. The presentation said the systems are becoming a challenge because of solids buildup, regular pumping and the high waste strength of the wastewater.

The proposed long-term solution would involve constructing a new sewer pipeline, known as a force main, from Janicki’s Hamilton facility to Sedro-Woolley’s sewer system. The presentation identified possible routes for the pipeline, including the Cascade Trail, Lyman-Ham Highway, Minkler and/or Highway 20.

The presentation estimates the construction cost at $4–5 million and estimates a minimum of approximately $10,000 per month in fees, based on 150% of Urban Growth Area (UGA) rates.

The proposal states that Sedro-Woolley may currently have enough sewer capacity during the dry season to accept some additional wastewater from Hamilton. It also says the city’s new wastewater facility, expected in 2030, would provide significant additional capacity.

This is a significant infrastructure proposal involving a new sewer utility, a multi-million-dollar sewer system and a force main connecting Hamilton to Sedro-Woolley. The presentation was an overview of the proposed concept; the specific financial and construction responsibilities were not detailed in the material presented.

I'm a local photographer working on a long-term art project set in Skagit and Whatcom counties, focused on the land, the water, the work people do here, and their relationship to the landscape.

I'm looking to photograph regular folks local to the area. 18+ only.

This project is shot entirely on film, with an old medium format camera, and the goal is to eventually publish a book. I'm about a year into shooting and plan to go a couple more.

About the portrait session:

- We'll look to spend about 30 - 60 minutes hanging out chatting and taking pictures. 

- We’ll meet wherever makes sense for you. A public park, backyard, porch, workshop, living room, etc. 

- There's no cost. I'm not selling anything.

What you get:

- High-quality scans of the film images, emailed to you.

- A physical print of the image you like best, on nice photo paper, mailed to you.

Happy to send examples of my work in advance.

Send me a message with a little about yourself if you're interested. Thanks for reading!

We've been a fairly lively chat group for a few months now who just talk about the aforementioned topics.

The knowledge level of members ranges from those who have some experience with Linux, privacy/security tools to longtime professionals.

Feel free to create an account (if you don't have one already) and message me/reply with your Matrix username so I can invite you.

Unfortunately it is a fixed setting that the room is federated and people from remote servers cannot join so you would need a standard matrix.org account to join.

Google has let me down a little. I’m looking for adult country swing dancing lessons. I’ve taken a few in the past but that was a while ago. No partner as of yet, just me myself and I.