La Conner Weekly News - Your independent hometown award-winning newspaper

Necessity is the mother of invention. It’s an old phrase, but one that has given birth to a new normal in the La Conner business district as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Local merchants have had to adapt, innovate, and as Mayor Ramon Hayes told...

Coronavirus cases in Skagit County topped 800 – 826 – Monday. County deaths are at 21, a 40% increase in four weeks, from a total of 15 on July 7, a figure that had held steady since May 15. These are both high and increasing numbers....

I am writing because of things written about Bill Bruch. I want to share with you what I know about Bill. I am a retired criminal attorney. I moved to Washington five years ago. A friend from the church I joined asked me to attend a Republican...

In its final issue before Tuesday’s election, the eight-page La Conner Weekly News published a cover story and four letters attacking – and even slandering – a candidate for the state legislature. With no chance of rebuttal, Bill B...

Dear Editor: Every two years democratic representatives tell us how much they support our veterans. This reminder always seems to coincide with the election cycle. Their advertisements are filled with platitudes towards veterans. These carefully...

Dear Editor: I just read the hit piece you printed in your paper on Bill Bruch, candidate for Legislative District 10 regarding his position on the mandatory sex education bill. It was clear from the article that its author had not done a thorough...

(Sent to La Conner Town Council and Mayor Ramon Hayes) I have been a long time resident (1986) of La Conner, although right now I live outside the town limits. I wish to encourage you in your plans to create a new park and residences on the property...

Dear Editor: Your editorial sounded like a disgruntled Clinton supporter searching for a way for Vice President. Joe Biden to win. The truth is our Founders (you know the ones whose statues are being torn down by “peaceful” far left protesters) cre...

“‘Stay away.’ ‘Biggest petri dish in the world.’ The view from Canada, of us, isn’t so nice.” That is the title of Danny Westneat’s column published in the Seattle Times July 26. Its essential point: Even though Canadians are friendly and ho...

Outdoor burning is banned on all forest lands within the state under Department of Natural Resources fire protection through Sept. 30. Using charcoal briquettes and prescribed burns are banned. The end date may change based upon ongoing fire...

Budget stress and Zoom meeting fatigue have Town leaders in search of remedies to mitigate local coronavirus impacts. Town Councilmembers discussed the feasibility of limited in-person meetings either at Maple Hall or Pioneer Park and Town...

Good things come to those who wait. And on at least one front the waiting game is starting to tip in favor of the Town of La Conner, despite a lingering pandemic testing everyone’s patience. Two long-awaited local public works projects, each of which...

La Conner Schools is bracing to enter a virtual new world this fall. A local blue-ribbon Back-to-School committee has recommended starting with an on-line model with the option of small groups meeting in campus buildings. This is in response to healt...

La Conner High head volleyball coach Suzanne Marble and her players will have to wait to pursue a rare state title three-peat. The two-time defending champions will not defend their state 2B net crown until next spring under a modified high school...

As an alternative to the canceled Seattle Art Fair this year, the Seattle Deconstructed Art Fair, 2020 (SDAF) brings art to the public in a blend of online and physical art displays. Margy Lavelle and Ries Niemi, from the Skagit Valley, are two of...

Conducting day-to-day affairs online is working well for local government and business leaders – with a few exceptions. The Town Council’s pledge of allegiance, for instance. When the Council meets at Maple Hall, everyone stands to salute a f...

This year has brought numerous challenges requiring new visions, including Rotary Club of La Conner’s annual auction on Aug. 20. Typically held at La Conner’s Maple Hall, this year’s virtual, online only auction’s theme is “Through the Looking G...

The Skagit County Historical Museum is tasked with preserving and presenting the wonderful history of our County. While we often think of history as something that happened many years ago, in reality what happened yesterday is history! So, our plan...

SR 11/Chuckanut Drive north of Old Samish Road is closed through Aug. 17 for replacing a 24-inch concrete culvert with a 12-foot round culvert. This “will allow fish and other aquatic species to use nearly a mile of habitat upstream for the first t...