Michael Mashburn

Hi, I’m Michael Mashburn, a longtime radio and digital journalist. I created Puget Press to spotlight the people, places, and pulse of life across Western Washington—whether it’s breaking news from the I-5 corridor, a hidden gem café in Bellingham, or the dreamiest Airbnbs in the San Juan Islands. With more than a decade in local reporting and digital media, I believe in clear, trustworthy coverage that’s grounded in community. I’m proud to run an independent news and lifestyle blog that puts the Pacific Northwest front and center.

Berlin and San Bernardino real estate

What $550K Gets You In Connecticut vs California Doesn’t Even Compare

Spend around $550,000 in Connecticut, and you’re stepping into a nearly 200-year-old home filled with character. Spend the same in Southern California, and you’re getting a smaller, updated property with land and future upside. Here’s how far the same budget stretches in two very different markets. Property 1: Berlin, Connecticut Price: $549,500Beds/Baths: 4 beds, 3…

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Port Angeles and San Francisco real estate

$1M In Port Angeles Gets You Waterfront Views — In San Francisco, It Gets You A Reality Check

Spend just under $1 million in Clallam County, and you’re looking at a sprawling, view-packed property with income potential. Spend that same amount in San Francisco, and you’re getting a compact city home with upside — but far less space. Here’s how dramatically different these two homes are at the exact same price point. Property…

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Salish Lodge & Spa

Skip The Brunch: 5 Washington Staycations Mom Will Actually Love This Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day plans don’t have to mean crowded brunch reservations and long waits. Across Washington, there are places where the pace slows down, where mornings start with coffee and a view, afternoons are spent wandering or unwinding, and the whole weekend feels like a reset. Here are five staycations that feel less like a plan……

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Stanley, Idaho real estate

Idaho’s Most Expensive Listing Is $26.2M — A 600-Acre Retreat With Trout Ponds, Mountain Views

A 600+ acre mountain retreat listed for $26.2 million is currently the most expensive home for sale in Idaho—and it sits deep in the Sawtooth Valley near Stanley. With private Salmon River frontage, stocked trout ponds, and sweeping mountain views, this isn’t just a home, it’s a full-scale outdoor lifestyle built into one property. Quick…

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Madras real estate

Oregon’s Most Expensive Listing Is $54M — And It Comes With Its Own Church

A sprawling Central Oregon ranch listed for $54 million is currently the state’s most expensive home on the market—and it’s not even close. Located in the Jefferson County city of Madras, the property stretches across tens of thousands of acres, blending luxury living with a full-scale working cattle operation. Quick Snapshot First Impression This isn’t…

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manhole cover

Oh Crap: Illegal Sewage Dumping Sparks Health Fears In North Bend

City officials in North Bend are warning residents after several cases of suspected illegal sewage dumping were found in the city’s wastewater system. Staff at the city’s wastewater treatment plant recently identified several instances where waste from septic tanks or portable toilets was allegedly dumped directly into manholes, according to city officials.  The practice is…

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