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A two-year journey brought Gov. Jay Inslee to La Conner last week. Inslee chose Swinomish Reservation as the locale from which to formally announce proposed salmon recovery proposals that have been in the formative stage since 2019. He chose Swinomish as the site to unveil his salmon initiatives for the 2022 state legislative session, in large measure as a tribute to the late Lorraine Loomis, a Swinomish IndianTribal Community leader who chaired the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission prior...
The La Conner Town Council agreed, with Councilmember John Leaver voting no, to a five year agreement with the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office at its Dec. 14 meeting. New to the contract is patrol and community policing services, with twice weekly pedestrian patrols on Morris and First Streets. Deputies will now handle dangerous dogs, parking, blocking rights of way and camping on public property. La Conner becoming a base in a precinct-type system may be three years away, Administrator Scott Thomas said. Mayor Ramon Hayes introduced the i...
Santa Claus. What adult is not complicit at some time in holding on to the magic and, in a sense, the central falsehood of our secular celebrating of Santa Claus? The most repeatedly published editorial in history is the 1897 New York Sun’s “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.” The Sun’s editorial writer speaks for parents and romantics everywhere, across all time zones and ages, exclaiming “No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will c...
I am writing because I think there may have been an error in the telling of the Rainbow Park clear-cut. In the story “Shelter Bay must pay $92,513; loses Rainbow Park clearcut appeal” (Dec. 8 Weekly News), you wrote: “Everyone in Shelter Bay had been kept informed over the last year by the board of this clear-cut case.” I do not think this is correct. There are a few who heard about what happened and attended some meetings this past year in regards to this fiasco, but I know that most of my neighbors know absolutely nothing about it, what ha...
In the first paragraph of the article titled “Tracking Rainbow Park clearcut event history” (Weekly News, Dec. 15) this statement is incorrect: “The Shelter Bay Town Hall group is considering lawsuits and recalling board members.” While some may be considering such actions, it is not the Facebook Shelter Bay Town Hall group that is doing so. I began the Town Hall group so I know the intent of the group. I assure everyone concerned that the intent is not to pursue lawsuits or to recall board members or to do anything that is biased or preferenti...
As a long time neighbor of Rainbow Park, I would like to take a moment to thank Steve Swigert for his ability to get things done. It has been years since proper maintenance was administered to the little channel-side facility and its time was due. My parents purchased neighboring lots in 1969 (the same year I was born) and had completed their vision of a home five years later. As a child of theirs I frequented the park regularly and over the years I saw the little scrubby pines grow to be big scrubby dead and dying pines. They were a nice...
The new Maple Avenue park will look a lot like the area does now, if the 358 responses to a survey the Town of La Conner sent to residents last summer shape the park’s design. Almost 95% voted for at least a portion remaining open space, with 54.6% supporting its current configuration and 39% wanting a portion in grass. Nearly half, 45%, would come without children, with 17% regularly bringing kids and 38% occasionally accompanying children. Over 80% agree to benches, tables and trees. Few want court sports. Less than 4% hope the majority of t...
Construction Update It is exciting to see the heavy machinery and work trucks coming and going every day from the construction site for the new La Conner Swinomish Library. We have encountered some challenges along the way, but we are working hard as a team to overcome them and stay on track for completion in summer 2022. There are specific opportunities to support the La Conner Swinomish Library as we continue building. Please contact Susan Macek (206-719-0379) for more information about donati...
The obscene graffiti spray-painted at the skate park on the north end of the La Conner schools campus was low-tech vandalism at its worst. But higher levels of technology have thus far been unable to help solve the troubling crime. Sgt. Jeff Willard, administrator of the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office La Conner Detachment, said on Thursday that reviews of the school district’s security camera footage have not determined who defaced the park area over the Thanksgiving break. “Right now, we don’t have a suspect,” Willard told the Weekly News, “an...
The undefeated La Conner High School girls’ basketball team romped past NW2B rivals Friday Harbor and Darrington last week, posting lopsided wins. But it was last night’s much anticipated meeting with 3A Stanwood that was being eyed as a true barometer of just good La Conner is as the team braces for the midway part of its season. They already owns triumphs over larger school programs Lynden, Nooksack Valley and Anacortes. The clash with Stanwood, originally set for Monday, was another example of recent schedule changes necessitated by shortage...
The La Conner High boys’ basketball team lost more than a non-league game when it dropped a 40-31 verdict Dec. 11 at home to Puget Sound Adventist Academy. Through no fault of their own, the Braves (3-3) also lost the opportunity to face NW2B foes Friday Harbor and Darrington last week. Because an opposing player apparently tested positive for COVID-19 after the Kirkland team’s visit here, pandemic protocols forced the Braves to postpone their Dec. 13 home date with Friday Harbor and a trip the next night to Darrington. The tipoff with Fri...
La Conner High School volleyball foes were not just way out of their league this past season. They were hardly in the same state. Undefeated La Conner, which captured its third consecutive state volleyball crown last month, has continued to score points in the post-season – its players garnering a slew of All-League honors and the Lady Braves being recognized as the 2B State Team of the Month. The accolades did not stop there. Players and head coach Suzanne Marble dominate the Washington State Volleyball Coaches Association 2B All-State...
The La Conner School Board reviewed the top two submissions in a school district contest to adopt a new Braves logo and were updated on the progress of the district’s auto tech course taught by the transportation department’s Randy Swift during their monthly hybrid public meeting on campus Dec. 13. They agreed to the high school’s students voting on which of the two proposed logos to send to the Swinomish Tribal Senate for possible approval. They also gave two thumbs-up to the hands-on automotive technology curriculum. Development of a new l...
Lorraine Loomis made her name as a tireless advocate for Northwest salmon. Now, four months after her passing, new legislation designed to enhance salmon recovery and protect and restore key habitat areas, bears the name of the late Swinomish Tribal Community leader and Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission chair. Gov. Jay Inslee announced major salmon strategy proposals, including the Lorraine Loomis Act, during a visit to Swinomish Dec. 14. Inslee delivered remarks while under cover of one of the large Swinomish cedar hat pavilions, addressin...
Like everyone growing up in La Conner, Tristen Nelson knew each holiday season kicked off with the famed Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade televised from New York City. Unlike most here, however, she would one day be part of the storied event. That day was this past Thanksgiving when Nelson, associate director of marketing with the Funko pop culture collectibles company, helped introduce the giant Baby Yoda balloon to the rest of the country. “I’m not being biased – okay, maybe a little &ndas...
Monday, December 13 6:31 p.m.: Slow and fast – Report of a grey Ford F150 driving at inconsistent speeds towards La Conner. La Conner Whitney Rd / Ring Ln., Greater La Conner. Tuesday, December 14 12:57 p.m.: Hit and ran – Un-occupied vehicle hit and run accident. Suspect vehicle was a white passenger car. Morris St., La Conner. Wednesday, December 15 6:30 p.m.: Lost, not found – Caller reported losing her debit card in the area of the post office. Deputies walked the area of the post office and were unable to locate. S. 1st...
This recipe begins on the stovetop, browning the meat with onion and seasonings. When browned, the rest of the ingredients are added. The three hours of total roast time allowed Kevin and me to attend the La Connerjunior varsity basketball game where our grandson, Finnegan, is a team player. After the game, we arrived home to a home cooked hot meal. Ingredients Beef stew, 1 lb Onion, ½ medium Potatoes, 3 medium Canned tomatoes, 15 ounces Water Pepper, to taste Garlic granules, ½...
For the first time since 2019 La Conner will have a code enforcement officer. The town council added $113,000 to the 2022 annual budget it passed at its Dec. 14 meeting – $88,000 for staff, $25,000 for a vehicle. Another $338,547 continues the contract with the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office. That 2.2% increase from 2021 is the first year of a five year agreement, with the contract total negotiated annually. The $437,852 in law enforcement is a 32.2% increase over 2021 and 8.0% of the $5.49 million in expenditures. Last year no funds w...
