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Southern hospitality La Conner-style was on the menu at the La Conner Marina Friday night. A sold-out crowd enjoyed favorite dishes from farm and sea during the inaugural Skagit Tidewater Boil fundraiser for Genuine Skagit Valley, the organization established in 2013 to recognize the area's unique agricultural heritage. Literally taking a page from the Gulf Coast's famed southern crab boils, with prawns, spicy sausage, sweet corn, red potatoes and Dungeness crab dumped onto the two dozen tables...
Skagit Habitat for Humanity recently purchased the property on the corner of Caledonia and Third streets in La Conner. The Town of La Conner plans to change its comprehensive plan to allow multifamily housing, and the nonprofit will help build six new townhomes three years from now. The project would help alleviate the housing crisis. Tina Tate, CEO of Skagit Habitat, said these homes are for people who fall on the lower end of the median income continuum. "These are hardworking families. They...
Finally, a significant rainfall at autumn’s start, 0.9 inches Sept. 23. That led six days in a row of precipitation totaling 1.4 inches for 82.8% of the month’s 1.8 inch total. The other 0.3 inches fell Sept 3-4, with a quarter inch of rain the 4th. The 1.8 inches of rain is one of four years that has occurred since 2000, making it the tenth wettest September in the last 24 years and about average for this century. The September rainfall average for this century has been pushed down to 1.9 inches. This year’s rainfall is the closest to avera...
Town Emergency Management Commission chair Bill Stokes spoke glowingly last week of how fast La Conner's public works department has acquired and made ready for use a variety of flood barriers ahead of peak king tide season. "Things are moving quickly, as quick as I've seen anything move around here," Stokes, a former town council member, told commission members during their Sept. 26 hybrid meeting at Maple Hall. Within days of receiving council approval, pre-filled sandbags and Ecology Blocks...
Money talks. But last week it was Town officials who did the talking – about money, it turns out. Town Council members kicked off the 2024 budget season with a special 5 p.m. Sept. 26 hybrid meeting at Maple Hall. Public works director Brian Lease and Fire Chief/Code Enforcement Officer Aaron Reinstra presented their budgets. Council is addressing two rare anticipated line-item shortfalls: the streets and facilities funds. Delaying purchase of additional speed cushions like those in use on Talbott and Center streets could reduce the streets b...
The Skagit County Fire Marshal’s Office ended the burn ban in unincorporated Skagit County Sept. 27. Residential yard and land-clearing fires are again permitted. In unincorporated Skagit County, burn permits are required for piles exceeding four feet by four feet. Burn permit requests may be phoned to 360-416-1840. Residents living in incorporated areas, or within an urban growth area need to contact their fire department for burn restriction information. In La Conner, call 360-466-3125. Contact the Skagit County Fire Marshal’s Office wit...
The La Conner Town Council will hold a special meeting 5 p.m. Oct. 10 to hear 2024 budget presentations on the sewer/compost and general fund programs. Mayor Ramon Hayes called the meeting today, Friday, Oct. 7. The regular Oct. 10 council meeting follows at 6 p.m. Access the agendas on the Town of La Conner website through the calendar or at: https://www.townoflaconner.org/AgendaCenter/Town-Council-2/...
There has been extended debate in town over pending new construction of a multi-unit residential building in a commercial zone. The focal point for that dialogue is the "Talmon Project" at 306 Center Street. In a coincidental twist, Town of La Conner Planning Commissioners and staff were asked last week about the status of a longtime commercial building in a residential zone. The former COA restaurant at the corner of Maple Avenue and Washington Street – perhaps better known as the 'new Joe's D...
No amount of rain was going to dampen spirits at the Skagit County Fire District 13 Open House Saturday. That is because the event’s guest of honor, retired fire district commissioner and former Shelter Bay resident Larry Kibbee, has long been admired for his sunny disposition. Kibbee served six years on the fire district’s governing panel prior to moving to Bothell. He returned to the Snee Oosh Road station for the formal dedication of a new residential building that bears his name. “I would...
When the Washington State Salmon Recovery Funding Board and the Puget Sound Partnership awarded $81.5 million through 150 grants in 29 counties Sept. 18, they were sending $11,948,293 to eight organizations and institutions in Skagit County for recovering at-risk salmon species. In a news release, Gov. Jay Inslee said, "These are important projects that will help us restore our salmon populations. They also provide many other benefits. When we clean up our rivers, we not only help salmon, we...
The wheels are turning – first gradually, than rapidly – as Town of La Conner officials continue work on updating the transportation element of its comprehensive plan. “I’ve been working on this element for several months,” Director of Planning Michael Davolio told planning commissioners at their 90-minute Sept. 19 hybrid meeting at Maple Hall, “and one of the surprising things I’ve learned is that there is enough parking on South First Street to accommodate all the (residential and commercial) uses there. “But,” he cautioned, “it do...
Town leaders hope to spruce up La Conner’s appearance with the planting of new trees along Morris Street. The La Conner Chamber of Commerce and Town Parks Commission are teaming up on a grant application for placing street sensitive trees plus hanging baskets and updated banners to further beautify the town. “The trees will be placed into existing holes with a containment to keep the roots from streets and sidewalks,” parks commission chair Ollie Iverson said in his official report of the panel’s Sept. 13 hybrid meeting at Maple Hall. Iverson...
The 2023 pattern for homes sold in Skagit County holds steady: Fewer properties are available in most of the county’s nine markets than a year ago. Considerably fewer homes are selling, about 25% below 2022, month over month, and prices are about the same as 2022, kept high by the ongoing either side of $800,000 for monthly median sold home prices in Anacortes. In August, $880,000 was the median price for the 27 homes that closed there, by far the highest price of the year. The median price of the 134 homes that closed in Skagit County in A...
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 U.S. government makes COVID-19 tests available to uninsured individuals and underserved communities. Find no-cost COVID-19 testing sites at: https://aspr.hhs.gov/TestToTreat/Pages/default.aspx. Uninsured people may be eligible for no-cost COVID-19 vaccines: vaccines.gov. “Expired” tests may still be good. Check FDA’s website to see if the COVID-19 tests’ expiration...
Last time, I suggested buying Energy Star electronics to cut your energy bills. What is Energy Star and why is their work relevant? Energy Star is a voluntary program started by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 to promote energy efficiency and sustainability. Energy Star encourages manufacturers and building designers to submit their products for evaluation and (hopefully) certification that they are more energy efficient than competing products. Energy Star thus makes it easier...
A few miles away from a heavily trafficked exit off I-5, a 122 year-old bunkhouse once used by dike workers sits clinging to the edge of the north fork of the Skagit River. It seems to defy our present-day world. This is the home and workspace of painter and ceramic artist Natalie Niblack. It was a hot late August afternoon when I went to visit. Niblack's faithful dog, Lillybelle, ushered me through a screened door to her studio. A fan sent a cool breeze throughout the cabin, blending...
Sometimes, at the center of a community's history is a barber's chair, swiveling this way and that and gathering up stories. Barbers are "always a repository of the past, because so much day-to-day life is part of the barbershop experience," said Mari Densmore, archivist at the Skagit County Historical Museum. Fortunately, two Skagit County barbers collected thousands of photographs that capture decades of Skagit history. The new exhibit at the Skagit County Historical Museum is "Barber...
Skagit County will host a free tire-round up for county residents Thursday-Friday Oct. 5-6 at the Skagit County Fairgrounds. Residents must register online. There is a limit of twelve road tires per household, including car, truck, motorcycle and semi-trucks. Tractor tires will not be accepted. Drop-off is at the north entrance of the fairgrounds, 1410 Virginia Street, Mount Vernon 98273. In the 2022 collection, over 40 tons of used road tires were dropped off in one day. County staff hope to collect at least that quantity again. Proper tire...
A measure to dissolve a small library in southeastern Washington will not be on the November ballot. The decision comes after a hearing Sept. 20 in Columbia County’s Superior Court. After more than a year fraught with book challenges and the specter of the loss of Columbia County’s only library, Superior Court Commissioner Julie Karl ruled in favor of not allowing a measure to dissolve the library to make it onto the ballot. “This court is cognizant of the impact of this decision on all concerned and its reach beyond the borders of this city, c...
Normally I like to use my column to talk about all the exciting things happening in the library, but this month I want to write from my heart. The first week of October is Banned Books Week, and lately there has been a lot of talk about books and what should or should not be in libraries. As a relatively new library director and former educator, this subject has always interested me. A bookmark I recently saw had a quote by Jo Godwin that said, “A truly great library contains something in it to offend everyone.” Throughout history, lib...
La Conner Schools Finance Director David Cram is confident the district’s new fiscal game plan is headed in the right direction after declining student enrollment and loss of COVID-19 emergency funds forced severe budget cuts for the 2023-24 academic year. Now Cram is hopeful the district’s transportation department can likewise get past some bumps in the road in the form of a bus driver shortage that has plagued La Conner Schools since the start of the calendar year. “We’re definitely in need of drivers,” said Cram, whose expanded role this...
"We know we're contending with Mother Nature every year," said Michael Hughes, a partner in Hughes Farm. That knowledge does not make farming any easier, especially when the river is low and the rains don't fall. This year's drought has produced mixed effects while forcing adjustments and acceptance. Skagit County has been in a state-declared drought since July 24. The county is also experiencing its sixth driest year to date, according to the National Integrated Drought Information System....
You may not know John Roozen – but you probably know his truck. On any given day, a red F250 Power Stroke diesel truck from the late 1990s may pass you on Calhoun or McLean roads – or may be parked in a field on your route. "John has about 500,000 miles on his Ford pickup," Dave Hedlin told attendees at the Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland auction last Saturday night. "About 100,000 of them are in support of the agricultural infrastructure of Skagit County, whether that's through the Ska...
Harvey Cardwell from Oregon City, Oregon grew the winning pumpkin at the 13th Annual Skagit Valley Pumpkin Festival at Christianson's Nursery Saturday. The pumpkin weighed 1,460 pounds. It was the first time he had ever grown and weighed a pumpkin in a contest. He has grown vegetables before but this was the first year he grew pumpkins. Just how much water does a giant pumpkin need? Up to 600 gallons daily during the heat of summer said Cardwell when asked. He has two more growing at home also....
The Washington Supreme Court ruled Sept. 7 the state is not required to fully cover school construction costs, dealing a blow to districts unable to raise the local tax dollars they need for new buildings and other facility upgrades. In its unanimous decision, the court said Washington’s constitutional mandate for the state to amply fund basic education does not extend to capital project expenses. Rather, it envisions the state and local school districts will “share the responsibility.” “It is certainly true that students need buildin...