- ....Breaking News.MOUNT VERNON, Wash. (AP) - The Washington Transportation Department says 67,000 vehicles a day used the stretch of Interstate 5 through Mount Vernon that is now blocked by the collapse of the Skagit River bridge. Mount Vernon is about 60 miles north of Seattle and 40 miles south of the Canada Border. The roadblock on both directions of I-5 is expected to cause a major disruption in trade and tourism between Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia. The Transportation Department has set up detours. The closest is within sight of the I-5 bridge and mostly used for local traffic between Mount Vernon and Burlington. The department also is recommending detours using Highway 20 and Highway 9 that add tens of miles to a trip. Officials are urging drivers to avoid the area if possible. .. ...

09/03/12 Ag Rankings



KENNEWICK, Wash. (AP) - Washington is ranked No. 1 in the United States for growing juice grapes, mint and pears. And state farmers are the second best producers of onions, nectarines, potatoes, sweet corn and asparagus.  The Tri-City Herald reports The Kennewick area is home to some of the nation's other crops, including hops, spearmint oil, sweet cherries and raspberries.  Some crops, such as Washington wine grapes, get their share of the limelight. But the others are also important to the region's economy but aren't as well known.  The director of the Washington State Department of Agriculture says that with about 300 crops, Washington has some of the nation's most diverse agriculture.  As a matter of fact, Dan Newhouse says aerospace and agriculture make almost an identical contribution to the state economy.


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