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Articles from the November 15, 2023 edition


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  • Fentanyl tainted envelope mailed to Skagit elections

    Bill Reynolds|Nov 15, 2023

    Courthouse drama is nothing new in Skagit County. But what is new is the tact taken to disrupt the counting of 2023 general election ballots at the county auditor’s office in Mount Vernon last Wednesday, Nov. 8. Ballot counting stopped for a period upon receipt in the mail of a white powdery substance by county elections workers. It was later confirmed to contain trace amounts of fentanyl, a controlled substance that can cause respiratory distress and death. The Skagit County Sheriff’s Office was alerted just before noon and immediately blo...

  • UPDATE – John Agen maintains lead for District 2 La Conner school board director

    Ken Stern|Nov 15, 2023

    After two more ballot tallies, totals indicate La Conner School District Director John Agen is likely to continue on the board, moving over from his District 1 seat to taking the District 2 position. Voters are giving Agen 53% of the vote against former District 2 Director Janie Beasley after counts on Nov. 14 and 15, after the Weekly News went to press. Beasley has gained 29 votes, to 675, reducing Agen’s lead to 95 votes. His total is 770. Another 144 school district votes were counted Monday and Tuesday. Elections office staff estimate 5...

  • A kayaker paddling in the Swinomish channel at twilight.

    A cool night to kayak

    Nancy Crowell|Nov 15, 2023

  • La Conner darkened by weekend power outages

    Bill Reynolds|Nov 15, 2023

    It’s long been said that two things in life are certain – death and taxes. Now a third certainty can be added to the list: high winds in November leading to power outages in and around La Conner. A year almost to the day after a windstorm knocked out power for local Puget Sound Energy customers, gusts exceeding 60 mph Friday night led to extended outages from southeastern Fidalgo Island across Swinomish Channel to the Skagit River at Fir Island. Some households reported a literal “on again, off again” experience with their electrical service...

  • People viewing art.

    Maple Hall lit up by Art's Alive

    Anne Basye|Nov 15, 2023

    When power failed in La Conner late Friday night and Saturday, the cell phone flashlights came out at Art's Alive. "It was art in the dark," said La Conner Arts Foundation board member Sheila Johnson – at least in the Invitational Show on Maple Hall's main floor. Upstairs, natural light flooding through the windows made the Open Show pieces easier to see on Saturday. Entrance table volunteers fielded the question "When will the lights come on?" over and over. After some false starts, the q...

  • Tainted mail, poisoned elections

    Ken Stern|Nov 15, 2023

    What is more American than the post office? The post office is older than the United States, established the year before the Declaration of Independence, in 1775 by perhaps the wisest and most practical of the Founding Fathers, Benjamin Franklin. He understood that to knit not only each community – say a town like La Conner – together but to forge a new nation, we had to be in communication – connected – with each other, from Rhode Island to Georgia. What leads this week’s page one news? The terrorist attack on the Skagit County Elections... Full story

  • Nez Perce Tribe leads Rise Up Northwest in Unity in Tulalip to save salmon

    Cory Sevin|Nov 15, 2023

    Can you imagine the Pacific Northwest without salmon? Their life cycle feeds many beings in the whole ecosystem. Salmon have been the center of spirit and community here for centuries And yet – they are at the brink of extinction in the Snake River. Research by the Nez Perce Tribe shows that: “About 40% of spring and summer Chinook populations from the Snake River are at the threshold for quasi-extinction, meaning they will likely go extinct.” And, at last count, only 110 individual coho salmon and 46 individual sockeye salmon returned to spawn... Full story

  • Focus on loving, carrying on

    Christine Wardenburg- Skinner|Nov 15, 2023

    “When the big things seem out of control … focus on what you love right under your nose” writes Charlie Mackay in his book, “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse.” And it does seem so, that the world is out of control. There are the Republicans, there is Hamas, Israel and the Palestinians, horrific, deadly chaos after years of neglect in Palestine, encroachment and abuse; military takeovers in southern Africa; German politics swinging right; New Zealand politics swing right, Putin’s aggression in Ukraine, Putin’s aggression everywhere; C... Full story

  • Free parking

    Susan Widdop|Nov 15, 2023

    It is not unusual for tourist towns to reserve a free parking lot for its visitors. For example, Sedona, AZ and Cedar Key, FL. Not to mention Anacortes and Mount Vernon locally. I think our town council should think of free parking as a form of hospitality. Free parking will welcome guests to our town. La Conner has a huge lot (on South Third Street, below Town Hall – ed.). Make this lot free so residents, employees and guests will use it. Free parking there will relieve parking on First Street, Second Street and beyond. What motivated me to w... Full story

  • Thanks for supporting Young Life programs

    Debbie Wylie Thulen|Nov 15, 2023

    I would like to offer a huge thank you to the La Conner Swinomish Indian Community as well as the La Conner community at large for supporting the efforts of La Conner Young Life. Last week we had our annual fundraising dessert event and nearly 100 individuals attended. We had a fun evening of fun, games and sharing stories about the ways Young Life in La Conner has positively impacted both students and adults through the years. The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community has been a loyal partner in this work for over 20 years and continues to... Full story

  • CORRECTION

    Nov 15, 2023

    The Nov. 8 story “Collaboration critical in climate change actions,” did not correctly identify Heather’s Spore’s job title nor accurately cite her point that Spore, a biologist and environmental policy analyst with Swinomish, mentioned that warmer ocean temperatures are changing food web dynamics in the ocean and increased river temperatures cause salmon pre-spawn mortality and make salmon more susceptible to disease. Climate change and sea level rise is threatening tribal and non-tribal coastal communities.... Full story

  • CLARIFICATION

    Nov 15, 2023

    At the Skagit County Historical Museum fundraiser Nov. 4, the East Wing 2024 naming right in honor of William and Helen Roozen was purchased by Lisette Roozen Mast, John Roozen, Madeleine Roozen Cook, Debbie Roozen Scott, Michael Roozen and grandson Andrew Roozen.... Full story

  • Fire District 13's 2024 budget includes levy hike

    Bill Reynolds|Nov 15, 2023

    Faced with rising costs across the board – from insurance to equipment – Skagit County Fire District 13 commissioners approved a resolution Thursday authorizing a one percent levy increase for 2024. The fire district, whose coverage includes Swinomish Reservation and the rural area around La Conner, realized $528,936 from its levy collection over the past year based on a $0.62 per $1,000 assessed property value. The action, coming during its Nov. 9 hybrid meeting at the Snee Oosh Road fire station, will result in an increased dollar amount of...

  • Town staff send Center Street condo project application back to developer for revisions

    Bill Reynolds|Nov 15, 2023

    It is back to the drawing board for at least parts of the controversial 306 Center Street multi-family three-story project. Town of La Conner Planning Director Michael Davolio said several planned elements of the proposed apartment/condo building have been remanded to the project applicant for revision. “We’ve noted three or four things that aren’t consistent with the approved project and we have advised the applicant of these inconsistencies,” Davolio told the planning commission during their Nov. 6 hybrid meeting at Maple Hall. Davolio...

  • Town tax receipts up, budget for year golden

    Ken Stern|Nov 15, 2023

    Up again. Not a record, but the $65,603 in October sales tax revenue reported to the La Conner Town Council by the state Department of Revenue is the highest monthly collection in 2023 and topped only by four record setting months last year. This is the third month in a row that sales tax revenues are above $60,000, with totals increasing monthly The $528,778 collected to date is 86.8% of the total forecast for the year when the budget was set. It seems likely that the revenue target of $609,191 will be met if tourists continue coming. The...

  • Girls soccer team standing with sportsmanship trophy.

    Youth soccer team wins sportsmanship award

    Bill Reynolds|Nov 15, 2023

    They didn't win a single match this season, but Black Bird Landscaping U-11 girls' soccer players were champions, nonetheless. And not just here in town, but across the entire county. That's because the La Conner team was honored at the end of the regular season with the Skagit Valley Soccer Association's coveted Sportsmanship Award. On that score, it wasn't even close. During the season, referees assigned to youth soccer matches submitted scores for sportsmanship for each team on a 1-5 scale....

  • Lance Lopez

    Lance Lopez new La Conner boys' basketball coach

    Bill Reynolds|Nov 15, 2023

    Strategic planning and chaos aren't mutually exclusive. That is the approach taken this coming high school basketball season by new La Conner Braves hoops coach Lance Lopez. Lopez, who has served on coaching staffs in various sports at Mount Vernon, Sedro-Woolley and his alma mater Burlington-Edison – larger schools – will employ "borderline chaos" to control tempo and take advantage of a versatile, athletic boys' roster this winter. "I'm very familiar with the group we have here," Lopez tol...

  • La Conner volleyball team falls short defending state title

    Bill Reynolds|Nov 15, 2023

    All good things must come to an end. Such was the case last week for a youthful and overachieving La Conner High School volleyball team that scored late season wins over two 3A schools and stormed back from a two-set deficit to league rival Coupeville at bi-district trials to secure a spot in the state 2B net tourney. This season’s stay in Yakima, however, was short-lived for the Lady Braves who, with just two seniors, were eliminated the first day and unable to defend the state crown La Conner had worn since 2018. La Conner fell in four s...

  • Plant bulbs now for spring color

    Jessamyn Tuttle|Nov 15, 2023

    Bulbs are an important part of the spring garden. Their flowers provide color and interest when it is most appreciated, as well as food for early pollinators. Early bloomers such as snowdrops, winter aconite, miniature iris, crocus and muscari are typically the first bulbs to bloom in Western Washington. One of the earliest daffodils, “Rijnveld”s Early Sensation,” produces a full-size flower a month before other daffodils. Other varieties of the Narcissus family include “King Alfred and “Dutch Master,” or the tiny yellow “Tete a Tete.” “Jack... Full story

  • Last weekend for 'Wizard' at Lincoln

    Nov 15, 2023

    “The Wizard of Oz,” the Theater Arts Guild’s wonderfully performed production has its final shows this weekend, Thursday-Sunday. This stage adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s beloved tale features the iconic musical score from the MGM film. Enjoy young Dorothy Gale’s travels and travials from Kansas over the rainbow to the magical Land of Oz. Times and tickets information: lincolntheatre.org/....

  • Rexville Grange Art Show through Sunday

    Nov 15, 2023

    The 2023 Rexville Grange Holiday Show is your chance to find fine arts and crafts for gifts. It continues Nov. 18-19 at the Rexville Grange, 19299 Rexville Grange Road. Information: rexvillegrangeartshow.com...

  • Jingle Belles Ladies Night Out is Friday

    Nov 15, 2023

    The La Conner Chamber of Commerce organized Jingle Belles Ladies Night of Shopping in La Conner is Friday, 4-8 p.m. Pick up your SWAG bag at the Chamber office, 210 Morris Street. The Christmas tree on Gilkey Square will be lit for the evening. Details: lovelaconner.com....

  • Water running out of a pipeline down the exterior of the Museum of Northwest Art

    Sprung a leak

    Nancy Crowell|Nov 15, 2023

  • Three loaves of cranberry bread and a spoonful of cranberries.

    Cranberry Bread

    Patricia Aqiimuk Paul|Nov 15, 2023

    A tasty treat to bake and share during the holiday season. These instructions make two small loaves or one regular loaf. Ingredients 1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened 1 cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 large eggs 1 1/2 cups flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 3/4 cups whole milk or low fat 12 ounces fresh cranberries Walnuts or pecans, ¼ cup, chopped Additional butter and flour for the pans, 1 teaspoon each Preparation Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour two mini-...

  • Skagit County water outlook complicated, challenging

    Adam Sowards|Nov 15, 2023

    Although these days some area fields are muddy with standing water in furrows, Skagit County remains in drought conditions. Future water supply is a critical question. Nick Bond, the state climatologist, visited Skagit County last Wednesday to speak on “Water Supplies in NW Washington State in Future Decades.” Compared with many places, Skagit’s outlook is not dire, yet emerging trends demand attention and adaptive measures. Bond’s key points included likely wetter winters and drier summers, issues stemming from timing for supplying water to ag...

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