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The shorthanded La Conner Emergency Management Commission managed some heavy lifting last week. Commissioners Doug Asbe and Jerry George at their Oct. 15 meeting took a deep dive into a risk analysis of various emergency scenarios listed in a draft community Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan due for completion by the end of the year. They were joined by Administrator Scott Thomas, who called the 75-minute session “a productive meeting” after the trio discussed challenges posed by some 20 potential disaster threats ranging from storm sur...
The Mount Vernon Library Commons library opened Tuesday. Hours are 10 a.m-6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 10 a.m-4 p.m. Saturday. Use the main entrance on the corner of Kincaid and Second streets. Park in the lot at the old library on Snoqualmie Street. Visit and use the library. Some services may be unavailable until construction is completed. The parking garage and conference center are closed....
Karl Olson gave up hunting and sports a quarter-century ago in favor of distance walking. The former La Conner resident has for an even longer time been tracking steps taken to protect the rights and improve the quality of life for members of the developmentally disabled community. All too often, said Olson, a member of La Conner High School’s class of 1988, progress has been measured in baby steps. Olson believes that despite passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act and related state and federal legislation, more can and should be d...
It is October in the western Skagit Valley and that means that tens of thousands of snow geese have migrated down from Wrangel Island in Russia for the winter. These immigrants will be flocking to farm fields, areas set aside as refuges and other lands they spot....
YOU CAN HELP La Conner Kiwanis and the La Conner High School student body are sponsoring a Halloween blood drive from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29, in the Landy James Gym. Your donation will preserve a life. Visit bloodworksnw.org, then go to its donor portal and search for La Conner. Please call if you have clinical questions, Dorothy, RN 360-431-9234, or about required registration, Lori, 360-630-0809. HEADS UP Skagit Habitat for Humanity will break ground on three new affordable homes in La Conner. Come to the corner of S. Third and Cal...
La Conner is no one-horse town. But on Saturday it was a one Brahma bull town, and proud of it. "Little Wick," a 4-year-old purebred Brahma steer, made his way that morning up the Washington Street hill, avoiding the new one-way traffic flow downtown, to take part in the opening of the much-anticipated Wick Peth exhibit at the Skagit County Historical Museum. The late Wick Peth, of a La Conner and Burlington area pioneer family, was a legendary bullfighter who brought athleticism to rodeo...
Total turn around. The $68,591 reported in sales tax revenues to the La Conner Town Council in September by the state’s Department of Revenue is the highest ever for the month, $5,315 above last year’s, and the second highest total in 2024. After below normal collection totals four of the first five months this year, sales taxes the last three months total $203,359, 42.7% of the year’s total and putting the town on course to meet this projected income for the year. Likewise, the $6,798 firetruck sales tax receipts are a record for the month...
Great staff, great results: The La Conner Weekly News won 37 WNPA best newspaper awards at the annual Better Newspaper Contest of Washington's community newspapers, a bit short of doubling last year's total of 21. More individuals, 14, won in more categories. Weekly News staff swept first, second and third place five times, including art reviews, art features and general and topical columns. Bill Reynolds led with 11 certificates, with first place for a news and an education story. He shared...
The candidates vying to represent Washington in the U.S. Senate went head-to-head Oct. 8 at a debate in Spokane, sparring over affordability, immigration, foreign affairs and fentanyl. Democratic incumbent Maria Cantwell and Republican Raul Garcia, a Yakima emergency room doctor, met at the Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center at Gonzaga University for a debate hosted by The Spokesman-Review in partnership with Gonzaga University, KSPS, the Black Lens and the Washington State Debate Coalition. It was the first debate between the two...
During the week they shifted historic South First Street one-way southbound traffic flow, La Conner’s leaders put the brakes on any free-wheeling budget plans for 2025. Town Administrator Scott Thomas shared a tight financial forecast with Town Council members at their Oct. 8 meeting, confirming projections submitted in writing by Mayor Marna Hanneman. “This is a tight budget year,” Thomas stressed. “Inflationary costs have risen dramatically. Expenses are going up. I’ve told the staff this is a year that we have to cut and choose....
The state’s Public Disclosure Commission issued a fine of $20,000 Oct. 9, half of it suspended on certain conditions, finding political action committee Let’s Go Washington violated state campaign finance laws. The PDC found that LGW failed to report subcontractors used by signature-gathering firms and failed to produce campaign records when requested by PDC. The decision and order includes: “LGW has an obligation to inquire and confirm whether its contractors have used subcontractors. Failing to ask or failing to follow up on a contr...
BREW WAS SAMPLED CLOSE TO THIS SLOUGH - Visitors young and not so young flocked to Maple Hall Saturday for the La Conner Chamber of Commerce's first Brew on the Slough since 2019. There were 12 breweries pouring, a room full of people tasting, and the CC Adams Band performing. Plus a silent auction to raise money for the Chamber....
Why are you seeking office? This is a moderate district that expects its legislative leaders to bring people together to find practical and bipartisan solutions that best serve our community. As we see our nation become increasingly polarized, I'm proud to continue to work across the aisle to serve our community and state. I am committed to building bridges that help connect diverse people, groups and communities within our District and finding points of bipartisan consensus. It's especially...
Why are you seeking office? I am running for State House LD10 Position 2 because I feel that with one party control in Olympia, we are not getting good policies. As an example, HB 1589 which my opponent voted for and coincidentally Democratic Lt. Gov. Denny Heck called "a hot mess" is one example. The Seattle Times just endorsed I-2066 stating "The legislature could have and should have done better". I think the fact that there were seven initiatives, four of which are on this year's ballot, is...
Why are you seeking office? With soaring costs, our economy isn't working for us. That's why I fought to lower property taxes for more seniors, veterans and people with disabilities; and cap medication costs. I increased retirement benefits for teachers and public employees; and funded affordable housing across our district. I'm 100% pro-choice, an environmental advocate and champion for veterans and military families. Over the past two years as your representative, I'm proud of the progress...
Why are you seeking office? If one's dishonest or outed during an election, why would anyone trust or listen to anything they say or plan to do? I believe LD-10 Position 1 deserves an individual who is honest and trustworthy to represent them. I believe as a We The People candidate, I wish to represent the citizens of LD-10, Washington state and America to the best of my abilities of bring common sense honesty with integrity to represent the community, state and country I love! How will you...
Why are you seeking office? My experience in business and governance has provided me with a broad understanding of important issues. I've lived and worked in this district my entire life, giving me an understanding of this district that few have. My moderate perspective and accountability-first attitude not only align with the values of this district but also enable me to work with legislators across the aisle to get things done. How will you increase funding for public school special e...
Why are you seeking office? I have made my career in public service. First as a bilingual teacher, then as a social worker. I ran for Island County Commissioner to address healthcare challenges in our community. Now, I am running for state senate because I know that critical environmental and healthcare policy is happening at the state level. I want to continue my efforts on forest stewardship and conservation. I will increase access to mental health and substance abuse treatment and protect...
Why are you seeking office? I believe we have a responsibility to leave our community better off for future generations. We have challenges with aging infrastructure, increased population and housing shortages. I want to work together with our community to come together for solutions on these issues. What will be the solution to zoning for agritourism? We need everyone to have a common understanding of what agritourism looks like in our Washington State Growth Management Act and County Code....
Why are you seeking office? To provide innovative solutions and restore common sense governance while upholding the rule of law. My main three points are to 1. lower taxes. 2. promote affordable housing. 3. protect farmers and their farms. I believe it is my duty as a resident of Skagit County to serve this county's people and answer the call to help them with their issues while providing them with better opportunities to thrive. Because frankly, government was designed to help people with...
Why are you seeking office? Because I believe in local government and its importance. The Skagit is a special place with extraordinary people. I want to leave this place better than I found it, because that's what future generations are entitled to expect from today's leadership. What will be the solution to zoning for agritourism? I am firmly committed to protecting and preserving the Skagit Valley's farmland for future generations. I also understand that tourism can help provide farms with a...
Why are you seeking office? I'm running for office because I think most Skagitonians believe we can and must do a better job in tackling our biggest challenges to make our lives better and our children's futures brighter. We should be driven by science and listening to one another again. I enjoy helping other people solve their problems and succeed in their own efforts. I have the energy, time and humility to focus solely on working for you if honored with election. What will be the solution to...
They're calling them signs of the times. Those are the traffic signs installed by the La Conner's Public Works Department alerting motorists that First Street downtown is now one-way southbound and Commercial Street's single block in front of Maple Hall has been converted to an eastbound only flow. The changes have taken some getting used to. Reaction on social media has been mixed. Some posters have praised the relative ease of driving on the narrow street even with parking spaces filled on...
YOU CAN HELP La Conner Kiwanis and the La Conner High School student body are sponsoring a Halloween blood drive from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29, in the Landy James Gym. Your donation will preserve a life. Visit bloodworksnw.org, then go to its donor portal and search for La Conner. Please call if you have clinical questions, Dorothy, RN 360-431-9234, or about required registration, Lori, 360-630-0809. LIBRARIES La Conner Swinomish Library. 520 Morris St., La Conner. 360-466-3352. www.laconnerswinomishlibrary.org/events. Open 10 a.m. to...
Building affordable housing in La Conner is a groundbreaking development, worthy of celebration. Skagit Habitat for Humanity will break ground at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at its Caledonia Cottages Project at Third and Caledonia streets. The public is invited. The community event will celebrate the construction of three affordable single-family homes in La Conner with the families selected through the non-profit housing organization's Homebuyer Program. "This is a huge moment not just for...
