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Numbers related to the COVID-19 pandemic have rarely been kind. But La Conner Schools last week realized a rare exception to that trend when the district reported to the state an enrollment of a fraction more than 597 full time equivalent (FTE) students, 12 more than was budgeted prior to the start of fall semester. State funding support is based on FTE data, so the school district will receive more state monies than anticipated. An FTE student is one who spends six hours per day with the school district, La Conner Schools Superintendent Rich...
SEATTLE — In a newly launched pilot project, civilian mental health crisis responders are riding alongside Skagit County sheriff’s deputies on 911 calls. It is the latest example of reimagining policing in the Pacific Northwest. Skagit County Sheriff’s Office Detective Anne Weed broached the idea for a partnership months before the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police ignited the national debate about reform. Weed said two existing mental health clinicians from Compass Health are now being “embedded” with regular patrol deputie...
NW News Network PULLMAN — A year ago, blueberry executives and farmers from all over the world celebrated at a scenic winery near Richland, Washington. James Dean Kindle & the East Oregon Playboys jammed out catchy Western tunes in the ballroom. But as the wine flowed and chafing dishes brimmed with beef sliders and salmon cakes, there were warning signs for U.S. blueberry farmers. Imports from Mexico, Peru, Chile and Canada are shipping in lower-cost fruit during the U.S. growing season. “Now basically, we have Mexican fruit coming in fr...
Add one more item to the list of COVID-19 impacts here. The school board was told that the long running La Conner High senior seminar class, which featured formal student presentations before community panels, is morphing into a new program that is more technology oriented for this time of distance learning. “This year, with COVID,” La Conner Middle & High School Counselor Lori Buher told board members at their Sept. 28 video-conferenced meeting, “adding the senior seminar class is prohi...
Any other year the two-time defending state champion La Conner High volleyball team would be approaching mid-season form about now. But the COVID-19 pandemic has dictated the school sports calendar since mid-March. As a result, La Conner teams these days are content taking part through November in a modified practice format sanctioned by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA), which governs school athletics and extra-curricular programs in the state. La Conner High’s v...
MOUNT VERNON — This announcement would not be possible without the amazing generosity of the Co-op’s member-owners. At the outset of COVID-19, we heard the same question from several of our member-owners: “How can we help?” In response, management made it even easier for Co-op member-owners to donate their annual patronage refunds (dividends) to Community Action’s Skagit Food Distribution Center (SFDC). We were able to donate over $10,000 to support the Distribution Center’s ongoing work to feed the hungry in our community! The SFDC is t...
For those who are interested in learning more about the Skagit Food Distribution Center and local food resiliency, the Co-op’s Member & Community Engagement Committee is hosting a Community Conversation via Zoom at 12 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22. Join Co-op members and neighbors in a conversation about food insecurity and food system development in these times of change. Attendees will hear from Cole Bitzenburg, food manager of the Skagit Food Distribution Center, about how they are serving our community and ways that people can help. Co-op G...
A new mortgage assistance program to assist low-income homeowners impacted by the COVID-19 economic downturn is available from the Skagit County government. This program is for homeowners who have lost income due to COVID-19 and are currently at 50 percent or below of area median income. The threshold is $2,617 per month for a household of two, or $3,267 per month for a household of four. Additional eligibility criteria can be found on the application. The program can assist with up to $6,000 in past due mortgage payments, excluding escrow...
Referendum 90 is the sole statewide initiative on the ballot you will be receiving next week. That gives you more time to read it and study the issue. You might be surprised this issue is on the ballot. Here is the background: The state legislature passed SB5395 “Concerning comprehensive sexual health education,” last spring in response to the state Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal’s request. Reykdal is elected statewide to supervise on public schools and to follow the law. For Senate Bill 5395 his Office’s webpage states...
Growing up as an Ike-Republican gives me a unique vantage point. Republicans used to support family values, the environment, the Constitution and the rule of our laws. The U.S. president used to be a leader, not a liar. Longtime Senator Slade Gorton, a Washington Republican, passed away recently. This marks the end of moderate Republicans in Washington State – a party Gorton would no longer recognize as the Republican Party, now under the domination of Donald Trump. This year, shortly before his death, Gorton threw his support behind...
Go to the Secretary of State voting hub to sign in and check your registration status. You can also preview the measures and candidates via this portal. Washington state residents have nine days to the opening of early voting on Oct. 16. New voters (or address updates) have till Oct. 26 to register via online/mail methods. New voters (or updates) have till Nov. 3 to register/make updates in-person at election offices. Ballots are due 8 p.m. on Nov. 3. It is highly recommended that any ballots sent by actual mail be sent a week or two before,...
I am pro-life. I reverence the beautiful gift of life. The pre-eminent life issue is for me to reverence the unborn child. However, the Catholic Church teaches that being pro-life means more than reverencing the unborn child. While life begins at conception, it does not end there. As Pope Francis has said, “Our defense of the innocent unborn needs to be clear, firm and passionate. Equally sacred, however, are the lives of the poor, those already born, the destitute, the abandoned.” In other words, there are many other places where human lif...
I was offended by two mailers that my wife and I received from “Evergreen Progress,” a Republican sleaze machine out of Kirkland. It tried to show Angie Homola, Democratic candidate for state representative, in a most unfavorable light. It went back to 2008 to expose dirt against her. It must have cost bundles to produce this slick piece of garbage. It made no mention of the issues, or her opponent, Republican Greg Gilday. This reminded me of the hit piece put out by this same organization against Mary Margaret Haugen some years back. It was...
I am a biologist and have a different point of view on many of our issues. I write this letter as a scientist. Many have expressed disapproval of Ron Wesen, Bill Bruch and other candidates for attending the Skagit GOP rally in August, because they did not wear masks. I actually applaud and congratulate those candidates for their independent thinking and willingness to stand up for truth and honesty. This is especially difficult in the midst of the fear and panic we are exposed to daily from politicians, the media and public health bureaucrats....
Monday, September 28 11:38 a.m.: Con call – Caller reported online fraud. Calhoun Rd., Greater La Conner. 2:01 p.m.: Is it junk? – Caller requested a junk vehicle inspection. Deputies completed the inspection and hulk vehicle form. Ring Ln., La Conner. 5:26 p.m.: Fishing non-ethics – Report of a freezer that had been left at this location that smelled bad. Deputies determined people had been throwing fish guts in it. Bay View Edison Rd. / W. Edison Ln, Edison. Tuesday, September 29 2:01 p.m.: State takeover – Vehicle...
A gentle giant of a man with a heart as big as he was tall, and a warm friend to many, many people, Ron Scott passed away peacefully on September 29th at his home in La Conner, his wife Elizabeth by his side. With a keen eye for organization and for human nature, Ron enjoyed a long and successful life as an organizational development consultant at the board level of many large companies, as well as an executive coach to individuals at all levels. Ron excelled at making connections between... Full story
Cynthia Jo (Misner) Ritchie passed away peacefully on September 28, 2020 at her home of 33 years on the Swinomish Channel with her loving children and sweet little dog by her side. The proud daughter of Robert and Maude Misner, Cindy devoted her life to her family, her community, and gardening at the beach. A fourth-generation Skagit County Pioneer tracing her local roots back to Louisa Ann Conner, Cindy was born on December 14,1945 in Bellingham, WA and raised in La Conner, WA. Cindy Jo was... Full story
Frequenting the local farm stands, I was intrigued by kohlrabi. Always cautious to try a different vegetable, I decided the kohlrabi must be delicious. I was not disappointed. First, I was determined to find the right size to feed two people. I found them at Pleasant Ridge Farms, just a few offered at a time. Accompanying it, in this dish is a beautiful yellow pepper, I received as a gift from Steve Hedbom. He described it as sweet and as nicely accompanied with other vegetables. Ingredients...
Mother Nature was good to La Conner-area farmers this year. “It was a perfect summer,” said Dean Swanson of the Swanson Family Farm. A wetter spring and early summer warmth meant seeds could germinate and young plants could get established without irrigating. “The crops got a really good start,” said Ray de Vries of Ralph’s Greenhouse. Swanson grew “the best corn we’ve had all year” with no irrigation. Unless there is an early freeze, he will be picking through October 20. A “super long” be...
