- ....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. .. ...

09/25/12 Wenatchee Air Quality Improves



Wenatchee City residents woke up this morning to relatively fresh air bringing some relief following two weeks of smoke pollution. A shift in winds scoured much of the pollutants that caused hazardous air quality conditions. Randy Sheppard with the Wenatchee Complex Fire says the fresh air came as welcome relief for firefighters who have been camping out in tents at the Confluence Park base camp But Mary Small with the Chelan and Douglas County Health District says its still considered unhealthy for people with pre-existing heart or lung problems.
During the course of the last two weeks Small says there has been a marked increase in the number of people seeking medical attention. and while we can expect improved air quality for today, the smokey haze is expected to return as winds begin to shift and high pressure reestablishes itself over North Central Washington.

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