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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...
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...
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...
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
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...
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...
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 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...
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...
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...
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
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 ...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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
