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By Courtney Flatt NWNews, NWPB It’s cold right now, but even fans of warm summers don’t want to endure the extreme temperatures of 2021. That’s when a deadly heat dome plagued the Northwest and overstayed its welcome. New climate research shows stronger heat domes could happen more often as the climate changes. “What surprised me is that the strongest response is occurring in the Pacific Northwest,” said Ziming Chen, a post-doctoral researcher at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the lead author of the research study. With this rese...
The 88 homes sold in Skagit County in November was a drop of 22.8% from 2022. The La Conner school district market had seven home sales close, the same as last year, bucking the statewide trend. The two homes sold in the town of La Conner, as reported last month, on Maple Avenue and Benton Street, went for $725,000 and $1.25 million, respectively. Three of the Shelter Bay home sold for under $461,000 so our market’s $565,000 median monthly sold home price was just below the county’s median price of $575,000. The 88 homes sold are the third mon...
In La Conner, there's always one thing you can bank on. Tami Mason can be counted upon to pitch in and help when a community need arises. Mason, customer service supervisor at WaFd Bank's La Conner branch, volunteers for several organizations – from the Skagit County Historical Museum and La Conner Sunrise Food Bank boards of directors to the Chamber of Commerce and La Conner Volunteer Firefighters Association. "I love giving back to others," Mason told the Weekly News on Friday, as she w...
A smattering of Channel Cove residents took new Home Trust of Skagit Director Felicia Minot up on her offer to meet and greet them at the complex's community room Dec. 16. Each of the four residents that came out between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. could have taken a box of donuts home and boxes would have remained. Minot was hired to replace Jodi Dean in November, who retired after overseeing the completion of five owner-occupied homes on the property's north edge last summer. Many of Channel...
New Year’s Day January 1, Monday Bank: Closed Buses: Regular service Library: Closed Post Office: Closed Schools: Till Jan 3 Town Hall: Closed County government: Closed Weekly News: Half day New year, new opportunities...
From an editor who takes each week’s editorial very seriously, I report that this is one of my most important editorials of the year. Each December ends with shining light on unsung heroes in the community, the critical souls who day after day and every week show up, dig in and through their steadfast efforts are contributing to the larger good, making the greater La Conner region the place we are so proud to call home. I have known for months that I would praise the staff, freelancers and volunteers who make the Weekly News the success that i...
Rain rain, go away, come again some other day. No, rain please don’t go away, stay so I can breathe another day. We live in a place with a lot of rainfall, especially at this time of year. This month we’ve been surrounded by clouds and drenched with rainfall, but every few days the sun comes out and the cloud formations are breathtaking. As a movie and television director, I had to spend over 40 years based in Los Angeles, although we were filming in wonderful places like Amsterdam, Aus...
By Tom Banse Washington State Standard The next time you go shopping for replacement tires, the state of Washington could have greater sway over what’s on the rack. That’s provided the Legislature agrees to a request from the state Department of Commerce for the authority to regulate tire efficiency. Auto owners may want to pay attention because the low rolling resistance tires that regulators want to promote typically cost more than budget tires. But over the lifetime of those tires, the average driver could save hundreds of dollars on gas...
I wrote earlier that existing technologies aren’t that far from allowing us to produce sustainable energy for as little as a tenth of the cost of conventional electric generation. Solar photovoltaic costs, in particular, are still falling fast. Solar resources cannot produce energy at their lowest possible cost everywhere, but there are other low-cost renewable energy sources. Wind, hydroelectric power, advanced waste-to-energy technologies and several devices that can convert energy into u...
La Conner Planning Director Michael Davolio has come up with a way to follow both the letter and spirit of a new state policy that limits to a single public meeting topics reviewed by a hearing examiner. He wants the planning commission to receive all pertinent information in advance of hearing examiner sessions so they can chime in before a decision is rendered. “I want to make sure the public and planning commission has an opportunity for input,” Davolio said at the 90-minute Dec. 19 hybrid meeting at Maple Hall. “I want the planning commi...
Cynthia Elliott isn't the retiring type. The proof is in her willingness – eagerness, actually – to become a La Conner Planning Commissioner, a role not for the faint of heart, just 13 months after wrapping up a 35-year career. Mayor Ramon Hayes announced his choice of Elliot during the Dec. 12 town council meeting to fill the seat vacated by Marna Hanneman, who becomes mayor Jan. 1. Hayes stressed that three "very qualified candidates" had applied and that he and Hanneman reviewed applications....
The new year is bringing a new opportunity for local public service. Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Skagit County Cemetery District No. 1, needs a commissioner. Candidates must reside within the cemetery district, according to cemetery district secretary Lori Buher. “Interested persons can check their property tax statements to determine if they do reside in our district,” Buher told the Weekly News. “This position would become effective in January 2024.” The vacancy was created when Curt Miller moved to Anacortes. Duties include meeting with pa...
Skagit Transit is increasing bus service on both Route 513 and 615. Route 513 starting Jan. 2, 2024 Route 615 will run between Mount Vernon, La Conner and the March’s Point park and ride lot every two hours. Route 513 will run between Burlington and the March’s Point park and ride lot every hour. Skagit Transit is committed to providing reliable and superior service to the communities it serves. Questions: 360-757-4433....
Marlys Ann Rodgers, 88, died peacefully on Dec. 16, 2023 at Dimensions Living in Appleton,Wis. To read the entire obituary, please go to www.clinehansonfuneralhome.com...
In recent months La Conner has leaned heavily on Langley as a model for community livability issues, from tiny homes and affordable housing to parking. Last Friday it was La Conner's turn to school Langley – on the basketball court. The high school girls' team drubbed South Whidbey 73-34 that afternoon at Landy James Gym while at the same time the high school boys routed the 1A Falcons 60-23 in Langley. "It was a good game on the road while on the holiday break," first-year Braves coach Lance L...
Throughout their shared histories, La Conner and Concrete high schools have been fierce foes vying for league, district and state sports titles. But when they next meet it will be a friendly rivalry in the truest sense of the term. La Conner teams and fans have been invited to participate in celebrations Jan. 5 honoring the “70-plus anniversary” of the opening of the Concrete High School gymnasium to coincide with that night’s girls’ and boys’ basketball games. La Conner was the visiting team in the first-ever boys’ high school junior vars...
The Grinch was on his best behavior at the Swinomish community dinner last Wednesday. The reclusive green grump, best known as the Dr. Seuss character intent on ruining Christmas for the cheery citizens of Whoville, showed his softer side during an appearance alongside beloved toymaker Santa Claus. The Grinch entertained dozens of children before and after they shared with Santa their Christmas gift wish lists. The spirit of goodwill was present throughout the gymnasium. A mountain of door...
Dec. 9 was a wretched, cold day with sideways rain and bone-chilling wind. The annual La Conner lighted boat parade, put on by the Swinomish Yacht Club, was scheduled for 6 p.m. and all day long people were speculating whether it would happen due to the inclement weather. I was not looking forward to my assignment to get some photos for the Weekly News. I have shot this parade for years and tried just about every possible angle and I always return to the Rainbow Bridge. Despite the weather,...
Thank you to everyone who came out for the Tiny Trees Auction on Dec. 1 and to those of you who came to the library during the week to preview the trees. This year we had trees, gift baskets and art. The library was very festive and this year the trees were more beautiful than ever. Thank you to all who purchased items; the library received approximately $10,000 which will be used for library programs and resources. Thanks to our volunteers, tree decorators and to the committee for all the work that went into making this a successful event!...
OLYMPIA —Begin the new year with Washington State Parks on a First Day Hike Jan. 1. Over 20 of the more than 40 state parks participating are in northwest Washington with both staff-led and self-guided hikes, snowshoe excursions, dog walks, bike and trail rides, paddle adventures and more. The northwest parks range from Larrabee, Rockport and Deception Pass to Fort Casey, Fort Ebey and South Whidbey on Whidbey Island to Camano Island State Park First Day Hikes is led nationally by America’s State Parks, encouraging people to get outside. Las...
You can substitute cooked turkey. This recipe is prepared in stages. It takes a while. It uses ingredients you probably keep on hand. I had a gluten free powdered turkey gravy mix. You can use the gravy mix that you find at the local grocery store. Ingredients Cooked cubed chicken, 2 cups Celery, two stalks Onion, chopped, 3/4 cup Olive oil, 1 tablespoon Carrots, 4 to 5 medium Potatoes, 5 medium Gravy mix, one packet Frozen peas, one cup Butter, 2 tablespoons Pie crust, single layer Preparation...
There’s uncertainty about whether a happy, healthy 2024 is in the cards. But the numbers seem to indicate it is a strong possibility. Those who dish up black-eyed peas and cabbage or some other good luck fare on New Year’s Eve might do just as well to focus on the distinct numerical sequence of this Dec. 31 as a clue to what 2024 portends. This New Year’s Eve is 12/31/23. Or, more significantly, 123123. The experts in such matters see this as a good sign, noting that 123 and 123123 are sequences referred to as “angel numbers,” reflective of spe...
Sunday, December 17 11:50 a.m. Deer lost — Car vs. deer in front of the Rexville Grocery. Deer was deceased and driver continued on. Best Rd., Greater La Conner. 11:51 a.m. Hunting season — Reporter called in a person with a gun walking near the road. Deputy found this to be a hunter and no problem. La Conner Whitney Rd., Greater La Conner. 3:13 p.m. Hit and run — Hit and run MVA where the car took out a fence and a street sign before being stuck in the mud. Driver got free and sped off before a plate was obtained. Moore St., Conway. 5:41 p.m....
