MOUNT VERNON — A mural illustrating the significance of immigrants in Skagit County is being painted on the outside wall of a downtown building with the help of local youths and volunteers.

MOUNT VERNON — A mural illustrating the significance of immigrants in Skagit County is being painted on the outside wall of a downtown building with the help of local youths and volunteers.

MOUNT VERNON — Al Lyons recalls stacking sandbags with about 2,000 others in 2003 when a rising Skagit River threatened downtown Mount Vernon. His business, Lyon’s Furniture, sits in the river’s flood plain, and the sandbag barrier was built a few feet behind his building.

Puja Sharma sat at a picnic table Tuesday at Skagit Riverwalk Park, recalling the day her restaurant, Taste of India, burned to the ground. “We put our heart and soul there,” Sharma said.

Puja Sharma sat at a picnic table Tuesday at Skagit Riverwalk Park, recalling the day her restaurant, Taste of India, burned to the ground. “We put our heart and soul there,” Sharma said.

Major downtown stakeholders, from business owners to avid shoppers and residents, recently came together to share what they love about their downtown and additions they would like to see as the district moves through a major revision.

The Mount Vernon Downtown Association is undergoing a change of leadership after executive director Georgiann Dustin announced her resignation late last week, and three board members decided not to run for re-election.

The Mount Vernon Downtown Association is undergoing a change of leadership after executive director Georgiann Dustin announced her resignation late last week, and three board members decided not to run for re-election.