Skagit County on Friday received approval from the state Department of Health to officially move to Phase 2 of the Governor’s Safe Start Reopening Washington Plan. “We are excited to move forward. It is long overdue,” said Skagit County Public Health Director Jennifer Johnson.

The School District has named Dana Geaslen as the new Executive Director of Inclusion for the district, beginning her position at the end of August.

I want to address the community understanding that COVID-19 has had an enormous impact on our community for the past few months. We have seen many Counties in our state move to phase 2 and we are eager to join them.

Ruth Barefoot, Anacortes Public Library Director, is stepping down from her role effective June 1, 2020.

In the middle of a respiratory pandemic, law enforcement agencies have used tear gas in especially dangerous ways. The chemical agent also seeps into homes, contaminates food, furniture, skin and surfaces, and can cause long-term lung damage.

The Anacortes Arts Festical has cancelled its 2020 edition, saying the decision wasn't made lightly. "We feel like we have pushed all of the deadlines for planning as far as we can."