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 By Bill Reynolds    News    December 6, 2023 

Mobile paid parking option gets town council hearing

There was a time when La Conner’s parking problem was inverted to its present situation. When downtown Mount Vernon was lined with clunky parking meters, La Conner had little need for either a paid or timed parking system on First Street. Many...

 
 By Bill Reynolds    News    December 6, 2023 
Two children by Santa on stage.

Santa stops in for Rotary Breakfast , Gilkey Square tree lighting

La Conner's favorite tourist had a unique solution for the town's vexing parking problem during his visit here last Saturday. World renowned toymaker Santa Claus parked his large sleigh and reindeer...

 
 By Ken Stern    News    December 6, 2023 

UPDATE - Skagit River flooding forecast

From Skagit County government: Flood Update: Skagit River has crested and is receding At 1:43 p.m. the County sent this news update: "The Skagit River in Concrete and Mount Vernon have both crested...

 
 By Ken Stern    News    December 6, 2023 
Finley Hancock filling out bid sheet next to her mother.

Tiny Trees Festival lit up library last Friday

None of the 21 trees at the 2023 La Conner Swinomish Library's Festival of Tiny Trees stood over two feet high, but together they brought in some $10,000 at the library's seventh holiday silent...

 

RSV tracking in Skagit County

The most current statistics available through Skagit County Public Health (for the week of Nov. 19-25) showed moderate Covid 19 and Influenza activity, but high RSV activity. The county did not define “activity.” The county recommends staff,... Full story

 
 By Bill Reynolds    News    December 6, 2023 

One-way First Street traffic championed at council

First Street parking issues were discussed in detail at the Nov. 28 Town Council meeting. But perhaps lost amid a one-hour presentation on potential future paid parking options for the downtown business district was a brief plea by Councilmember...

 
 By Bill Reynolds    News    December 6, 2023 

With flood threats managed, Town panel focuses on emergency shelter sites

Location, location, location. It’s not just the familiar real estate mantra. It’s also a key element as La Conner’s Emergency Management Commission crafts long-term disaster preparation strategies. The six-member advisory panel discussed best...

 

No post office customer recycling

The paper collection can for recycling at the La Conner post office was removed from the lobby area late last week. Post office management made this change because of customer disregard; there were too many people contaminating the collection by... Full story

 

Get free COVID-19 tests

Every U.S. household may place an order to receive four free COVID-⁠19 rapid tests delivered directly to their home. For free tests: special.usps.com/testkits or 800-232-0233. The federal government began supplying tests in September. The U.S.... Full story

 

Home child care business start-up support

The Center for Retention & Expansion of Child Care is celebrating a boost in Skagit County child care capacity after a year of working to reverse the pandemic’s impacts, which closed down 20 child care programs and cost an estimated 22% of the...

 
 By Ken Stern    News    December 6, 2023 

Town council votes on 2024 budget Dec. 12

The 2024 annual budget the La Conner Town Council will pass at its Dec. 12 meeting will be the largest in its history. It projects revenues of $7.4 million, expenditures of $8.6 million and the fund...

 

Talmon project design still not in alignment

After just one meeting, Town staff and representatives of KSA Investments are agreed on 80 per cent of the design revisions La Conner’s planning department requires for a proposed three-story apartment/condo project at 306 Center Street. But...

 
Snow geese fill a field next to a farm.

Snow geese population a problem for Skagit farmers

In late autumn on the cusp of cool winter days, snow comes early to Washington when thousands of aloft avians, snow geese, land here in a flurry of white feathers. "We call it a snow storm, they just...

 
 By Ken Stern    News    November 29, 2023

Final 2023 election results

Skagit County election office staff certified all local elections Tuesday, Nov. 28. John Agen is the new La Conner Schools director for District 2. He defeated Janie Beasleyt with 53%, 791 votes to 686 votes, 46.5% Marna Hanneman is La Conner’s...

 
Chef Dagmar Chislandi and Grant Lucas standing in kitchen.

Waterfront Café Thanksgiving meal has record turnout, donations

A few hours after completing the La Conner Turkey Trot, Jaime Stroebel-Reinstra was keeping a brisk pace as a volunteer server at the Waterfront Café's community Thanksgiving Day meal. She and...

 
 By Greg Whiting    News    November 29, 2023

Alternative energy growth will bring job growth as economy grows

In the 1880s, thousands of businesses in the U.S. depended on horse-drawn transportation. Carriage manufacturers, blacksmiths, horse breeders, stables and related enterprises were major employers. Of... Full story

 
 By Ken Stern    News    November 29, 2023
Photo of new house.

Skagit home prices high, with supply limited

At the end of October, the only four homes for sale within La Conner town limits were two Landed Gentry residences on Maple Avenue and the two BYK Construction properties on High Street, near Whatcom...

 

Staff are also 'no' on in-house short-term rentals

Mingling pays off in La Conner. The proof is in the long-term results from an October forum on short-term rentals. Residential input on short-term rentals at the Civic Garden Club building – referred as “a mingle,” by Town officials ...

 
 By Joan Cross    News    November 29, 2023
Old black and white photo of people from La Conner posing by waterfront.

Grace Hubbard helped birth a sister city

Grace Hubbard's 100th birthday celebrated last week in the Weekly News reminded me of the sister cities project we worked on together in the early 1980s. Grace has an excellent memory, which helped...

 

Town's transport district includes tax

The La Conner Town Council has paved the way for smoother rides around town. The panel during one of several public hearings at its Nov. 14 hybrid meeting at Maple Hall unanimously approved formation of a transportation benefit district to generate...

 
 By Adam Sowards    News    November 22, 2023
Gary Brown stands next to large tulip festival 2024 poster.

2024 Tulip Festival poster unveiled, plans underway

New Skagit Valley Tulip Festival Executive Director Nicole Roozen attended her first festival event last Tuesday, Nov. 16, the unveiling of the official poster and branded merchandise. The ceremony ju...

 
 By Ken Stern    News    November 22, 2023

Agen wins school board seat

John Agen has won the District 2 La Conner school board director race with 52.9% and at least 779 votes against Janie Beasley, a past school board member. The Nov. 17 count added one vote to each candidate. The last 70 or so countywide ballots will...

 
Ecology blocks with sandbags on top in front of Moore-Clark building.

Emergency management means issues beyond flooding

La Conner's new flood barriers are staged and in place up and down the waterfront. But the work of the Town's six-member Emergency Management Commission has only just begun. The Nov. 11 power outage...

 
 By Ken Stern    News    November 22, 2023

2024 Town budget before council

The $7.4 million in revenues in the Town of La Conner’s 2024 preliminary budget will be the largest ever and is matched against projected expenditures of $8.6 million. The $1.2 million deficit will be covered by the $5.9 million fund balance. The...

 

All state parks are free this Saturday

State parks are free Saturday for Autumn Day. Visitors will not need a Discover Pass to park. Discover Pass free days apply to all DNR and WDFW lands and in day-use areas at state parks. This is the last of 2023’s 12 free days. Information:... Full story

 

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