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The Washington State Legislative District 10 is one of the few competitive districts in the state this election. The Position 1 seat has four Democrats and one Republican hoping to replace retiring longtime Rep. Norma Smith, R-Clinton. Dave Paul, D-Oak Harbor, holds the Position 2 seat, which he wrested from Rep. Dave Hayes by just over 700 votes in 2018. Sen. Barbara Bailey, R-Oak Harbor, retired last fall from the District’s Senate seat. Ron Muzzall, a farmer from Oak Harbor was appointed t...
Former La Conner Schools Superintendent Dr. Whitney Meissner received a warm send-off, symbolized by receipt of a Pendleton blanket, during a farewell ceremony at the Swinomish Pavilions Thursday afternoon. Meissner has begun a new assignment as an administrator with the Lake Washington School District after three years in La Conner. Swinomish officials, staff and students gathered beneath one of the tribal community’s semi-open “cedar hats,” where they wore masks and practiced social dista...
Rich Stewart hasn’t had the luxury of easing into his new job as interim Superintendent of La Conner Schools. Just two weeks into his role as the school district’s lead administrator, Stewart on Monday night led a video-conferenced budget study session amid the uncertain financial climate posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. School districts must submit their budgets for the ensuing fiscal year to the state in July. The La Conner School Board will adopt its 2020-21 budget at its July 27 meeting. District officials anticipate decreased revenue and...
Bill Bruch knows all about changing tides, having resided nearly half his 16 years in La Conner aboard a converted U.S. Army Corps of Engineers cargo ship and fireboat on Swinomish Channel. Now he hopes to change the political tides in Olympia. Bruch, a former La Conner Town Council member who has served on various panels here, is seeking the District 10 State House of Representatives seat held by Dave Paul, D-Oak Harbor. Bruch has more than 30 years of business experience. He chairs the Skagit...
It didn’t take Dave Paul long to make his mark in La Conner once he arrived in Olympia at 2019’s legislative session as a new state lawmaker. Within weeks, Paul, an Oak Harbor Democrat, teamed with Rep. Debra Lekanoff (D-Bow) to sponsor the Capital Budget Request that led to an allocation of $720,000 for the long-sought La Conner-Swinomish Regional Library. Paul, whose career path led him to higher education, proved a quick study when it came time to help the La Conner area write a key cha...
Local fiber artists used to work on their projects over coffee every Friday at the Pacific Northwest Quilt and Fiber Arts Museum. Now they check in from as far away as Hawaii and New Mexico. When the Museum closed on March 18, the group shifted to Zoom. “We still talk and show off what we’re making,” said Executive Director Amy Green. “It’s like a modern-day quilting bee.” Virtual Fiber Friday is just one example of how La Conner museums have engaged patrons in spite of being shuttered. Podcasts, virtual art classes, YouTube videos and social...
Genuine Skagit Valley has launched “Taste Farmstand Fresh” to support Skagit Valley farm stands and farm stores. Shop participating farm stands and sign up for virtual “kitchen inspiration” – free 15-minute Zoom presentations offered by local chefs through the end of August. The sessions allow farm stand patrons to “get a fresh take on fresh foods” by gleaning professional tips and tricks on how to prepare, cook and preserve what is in their shopping basket. Taste Farmstand Fresh’s goal is to keep momentum strong for Skagit farms stores....
At the start of month five of responding to the coronavirus pandemic in Washington state neither the news nor the prognosis is good. Skagit County has recorded 117 cases since July 4 and 223 cases since it moved into Phase 2 June 5. A two week total under 25 is the marker to proceed to Phase 3, further expanding economic activity in the County. The virus is not under control, much less being beaten back in the county, throughout Washington or nationally. Let’s focus on our little corner of the world, though the disastrous lack of a coordinated...
By: Bev Faxon When Home Rule Skagit promoted a charter form of county government in 2018 to replace the commissioner system, opponents countered, “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.” The two incumbent commissioners running for office opposed a charter. They argued that things must not be broken, because they traditionally ran unopposed. This November, both face challengers. Maybe this means something IS broken? Or maybe this is democracy: choice at the ballot box, a chance to evaluate our government. Covid-19 illustrates one government role &n...
A modified burn ban for all residential and land clearing fires in unincorporated Skagit County goes into effect 12 p.m. Friday, July 24, and continues until further notice. Skagit County will no longer issue permits for these activities and existing permits are suspended. Recreational and cooking fires, limited to 3 feet in diameter and two feet high, are allowed within enclosures and when safety precautions are followed. Recreational or cooking fires can consist only of charcoal, seasoned firewood or propane-fueled firepits and must meet the...
A major West Coast music industry leader had his first jam session in La Conner. Only it was one that gave little hint Frank Handy would later rise to a top executive position with Los Angeles-based Position Music, an independent record label and management firm that has built a multinational presence over the past two decades. Handy’s uncle, La Conner native Neil Bretvick, now a Seattle area accountant and himself a music aficionado, tells the story best. “He destroyed my vinyl copy of Jam...
This is a rebuttal to Councilman John Leaver’s July 15 letter, which contained egregious falsehoods about Bill Bruch, a Republican candidate for a Legislative District 10 House seat. Bruch never managed the Pier 7 building in his role as a professional property manager. Leaver must be referring to the Lime Dock, which years ago had a tenant who ignored the lease terms, caused damage to the building, quit paying rent and had to be evicted. Leaver’s account of the sheriff being called on Bruch is a false story likely concocted by an angry, vin...
I am responding to the July 15 letter titled “Bruch for House” which is a grenade tossed over the transom. Facts do matter. The writer claims that Senate Bill 5395, an act relating to requiring comprehensive sexual health education, was championed by Rep. Paul. Yes, Rep. Paul was one of 56 State House members who voted “yes” for 5395. Mr. Bruch was not in the House when the legislation passed. The writer claims that Rep. Paul was not concerned about the views of parents in the 10th District. Yet Section 7 of 5395 allows any parent or legal g...
Why Ron Wesen for County Commissioner? Again! First and foremost, why the heck not. He has done a great job serving Skagit Valley in every aspect of his Commissioner role. More, Ron is a genuinely good man who believes strongly in advocating for everything that Valley residents cherish in living here. As importantly, ask anyone who knows Ron, has worked with or for him or has crossed his path in any way, he is also someone who is approachable and genuinely interested in hearing whatever someone has to say. In other works, he is a likeable guy...
Once upon a time, the citizens of Skagit County could rely on a government that operated by inertia. We could be comfortable thinking that our problems were long term and would work themselves out sometime in the future. Well the “long term” has arrived. We don’t have enough water for all the thirsty crops we are now growing. We don’t have enough water to save our salmon runs and protect our orcas. We don’t have enough water to allow everyone who can afford to build a home to be able to drill a well. We don’t have enough housing for all the...
Aqiimuk’s Kitchen Food Editor, [email protected]@laconnewnews.com The varieties of salads that can be created from our garden are amazing! You might be tempted to immediately eat these peas as you pick them. This is ideal as a lunch salad, having freshly picked your peas and mint, within the hour of preparation. Ingredients Sugar snap peas, one to two cups Mint leaves, ten to twelve Lemon, one, freshly squeezed Feta Cheese, one cup Preparation Cut each snap pea into three pieces. Cut or c...
Monday, July 13 11:37 a.m.: Who hit whom? – Deputies made contact with two vehicles at the Pioneer Market involved in an accident. No damage was observed and all parties went on their way. Morris St., La Conner.Monday, July 13 11:37 a.m.: Who hit whom? – Deputies made contact with two vehicles at the Pioneer Market involved in an accident. No damage was observed and all parties went on their way. Morris St., La Conner....
Tuesday, July 14 10:50 p.m.: Up in the sky – A family was inside their van legally parked watching a comet in the sky. Bay View Edison Rd. and SR 20., Greater La Conner.Tuesday, July 14 10:50 p.m.: Up in the sky – A family was inside their van legally parked watching a comet in the sky. Bay View Edison Rd. and SR 20., Greater La Conner....
Wednesday, July 15 8:13 a.m.: Farm sounds – Caller reported quads being ridden in the blueberry fields too early in the morning. It was farm worker working in the fields. No action taken. Summers Dr. / Bradshaw Rd., Greater La Conner.Wednesday, July 15 8:13 a.m.: Farm sounds – Caller reported quads being ridden in the blueberry fields too early in the morning. It was farm worker working in the fields. No action taken. Summers Dr. / Bradshaw Rd., Greater La Conner....
Wednesday, July 15 8:06 p.m.: Logs happen – Logs were reported in channel and blocking. Swinomish PD advised the logs came from their side and would handle. A marina, N. 2nd St., La Conner....
None of the COVID-19 numbers Skagit County Public Health is reporting daily are good and neither are the trends. Skagit County reported 31 cases in the Friday-Monday period, with 21 Monday. Eighty-eight cases were confirmed July 14-20, with 134 cases July 5-19 and 261 cases since June 5, the day the County was approved to advance to Phase 2 of Gov. Jay Inslee’s Safe Start county by county economic reopening. Hospitalizations have increased by nine, to 70 since July 12, a 15% rise. Only a...
Wednesday, July 15 8:33 p.m.: Deja logs – Same as above. A marina, N. 2nd St., La Conner....
Thursday, July 16 4:08 a.m.: A boulder? – An unknown person threw a boulder at the caller’s boat causing damage. Unknown amount of damage at this point. No known suspects. S. 1st St., La Conner.Thursday, July 16 4:08 a.m.: A boulder? – An unknown person threw a boulder at the caller’s boat causing damage. Unknown amount of damage at this point. No known suspects. S. 1st St., La Conner....
Thursday, July 16 9:05 a.m.: Owner unleashed – Caller reported the neighbor’s dog killed their chickens three times, recently. A potentially dangerous dog hearing will most likely take place as the dog owner does not have a fence...
Thursday, July 16 9:53 a.m.: Tail wagging ending – Lost dog was found. Beaver Marsh Rd., Greater La Conner.Thursday, July 16 9:53 a.m.: Tail wagging ending – Lost dog was found. Beaver Marsh Rd., Greater La Conner....
