In the News

DARRINGTON — It's a glimmer of hope for the future.

That is how most people in Darrington — many affected by the tragic March 22 landslide west of town — viewed the news Monday that federal legislation will allow the historic forest fire lookout atop nearby Green Mountain to remain. The law now goes to the president for his signature.

"What a relief," said Scott Morris, a member of the Darrington Historical Society. "I've lost track of how long we have been dealing with this."

Access to Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest is a big topic in town among people who want tourism to thrive in the region.

When Darrington Mayor Dan Rankin announced Thursday at a community meeting that legislation to save the lookout had passed the Senate, Rankin got a standing ovation.

During the week after the mudslide, Sen. Patty Murray and other federal officials met with Rankin.

"The mayor said to all of us, 'We need some good news. We need Congress to pass Green Mountain,'" Murray said. "I looked over at Congresswoman DelBene and said, 'Let's get this done.'"

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