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Do you know the origins of Memorial Highway’s name in Mount Vernon? It honors the 50 Skagit County men who died in World War I. To commemorate them, the road was originally lined with 50 elm trees. Most of the trees planted for them in 1933 had been cut down by the State Highway Department in 1952. The two that shaded the popular drive-in The Net were removed last summer when it was discovered they were diseased. Three years ago, the Skagit County Master Gardener Foundation started a project t...
Being a fast-talking politician isn’t usually thought of as an admirable trait. But it was an essential survival skill at a League of Women Voters Candidates Forum at Skagit PUD in Mount Vernon Oct. 22. Area legislative and judicial candidates were limited to a total of five minutes each in offering an introduction, responses to three questions, and a closing statement. The briskly-paced format was necessary to cover eight Nov. 6 ballot races plus allow time for U.S. Rep Rick Larsen (D-Arlington) and Brian Luke (I-Lynnwood) to speak at the e...
Alan and Ben Mesman’s farm offer more than meets the eye. Their families live on two parcels totaling 190 acres stretching from Dodge Valley Road along Chilberg Road to Pleasant Ridge. But that is only half of almost 400 acres of land they own or rent, contiguous, nearby and on the flats of eastern Fidalgo Island. They are milking about 100 cows, a variety of breeds and cross breeds including Holstein, Jersey, Milking Shorthorn and Normande. But that is only half the herd: There are 10 to 15 b...
It was just a half-day at La Conner Elementary School on Friday. But students there that morning were taught lessons to last a lifetime. Their special tutors, who joined with classroom teachers to present fire safety tips and lessons, were members of the La Conner Volunteer Fire Department and South Snohomish County firefighter Todd Wigal, whose wife, Katie, is on the La Conner Elementary faculty. Students viewed a fire safety video, were shown firefighting gear, toured a fire engine and...
August 6, 1938 - October 2, 2018 Ron Ellis, a long-time resident of La Conner and the Eagles Nest community, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 80. He had been in declining health and was on his way to a doctor’s appointment when life left him. May his soul rest in peace. Ron was born in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Denbigh and Ethel Ellis. He resided in the Chicago area suburb of Hinsdale when, at the age of four, the family moved to Southern California, eventually settling in Laguna Beach near Los Angeles. Ron totally loved the beach e... Full story
On behalf of the LaConner High School Leadership Class and Associated Student Body, I would like to sincerely thank the LaConner community for its support in making Homecoming 2018 a huge success. A special thank you to the LaConner Fire Department (telephone pole decorating and bonfire support), the Braves Booster Club (tailgate dinner and food for students decorating hallways), and Swinomish Golf Links (provided the golf carts for the halftime royalty parade and recognition). Thanks to the support of the community, the LaConner School...
Per my last email and our conversation yesterday [Oct. 25, editor], I apologize, as I had my facts incorrect about tribes not having to report on the PDC. I just find it curious as to how the Home Rule Skagit group which has had a year to organize can afford such a fancy website, direct mail, advertising, etc. and have spent just over $8,000? I think it is important that your readers understand that the No On Charter campaign is made up of Skagit County community loving supporters, is very bi-partisan and has only had about two months to...
Editor: This year we have the responsibility of selecting a new court of appeals judge for the four northwest counties, including Skagit. I’m voting for Cecily Hazelrigg-Hernandez. Cecily is a distinguished trial lawyer practicing in Skagit County. She has been endorsed by Judges David Svaren, Brian Stiles, retired Judge Susan Cook and retiring Judge Mary Kay Becker – to name just a few who trust Cecily to be a clear-headed and impartial judge. It’s an important position – please don’t overlook it! Bobbi Krebs-McMullen Great...
One of the most salient issues regarding the county charter debate is population growth. Skagit County is nearly 100,000 people greater than 100 years ago, and we are growing by over four percent a year. That percentage can be expected to increase as well. Dealing with ever-growing population is always complicated, but ignoring the challenge is not the solution. The No Charter mailer refers to the charter as a “big city” solution that will result in increased size, costs and complexity resulting in less responsiveness to the people. But the...
The good news: your voting this month, or next, helps power Washington to near a top 10 rank of electoral participation in the country. We are 12th, below Virginia and Florida. Good but not great. Turn your neighbors out to help us do better La Conner is consistently a top Skagit County precinct in Skagit County. Yea for our corner of the world. The difficult news: We all face hard choices. If your slate is all the best candidates and all the initiatives turn out the way you want them to, consider that you will wake up Wednesday with your...
From oyster farming in Australia to wild horse racing in Mongolia and from pursing microscopic viruses in San Francisco to creating biochar in Hawaii, the Friday Harbor Film Festival’s 47 feature length and short documentaries offered enlightenment, entertainment and inspiration for everyone last weekend. The 1,200 people who filled five theaters over three days certainly found films that challenged them. Showings started 10 a.m. Friday. “Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World” first of two screenings was 1 p.m. It presented the shaping influ...
The 34th annual Art’s Alive opens in Maple Hall with the Artists reception Nov. 9 at 5 p.m. Live music, appetizers and desserts from local restaurants, wine by donation and the 14 invited artists kick off the weekend. Art will be exhibited throughout town Saturday and Sunday in a wide range of media. The invitational artists occupy the main floor of Maple Hall. The open show on the second floor, has 60 local artists. Maple Hall gallery hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. S...
