In the January 19, 2011 issue

Storm blows out lights

Amylynn Richards tells how a  blast of wind toppled a tree and damaged an electric substation, leaving La Conner area residents in the dark for more than seven hours on Monday. Find out what happened in today's paper.

No dredging of channel this year

Despite the lobbying the Port of Skagit and two tribes have been doing with federal officials, it is unlikely the Swinomish Channel will be dredged this year.

Port Executive Director Patsy Martin told a group of community leaders gathered by La Conner Mayor Ramon Hayes that port officials are hopeful the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will clear silt from the channel in 2012. Read what's holding up the works in today's paper.

 Photo by Mary Evitt

Jerry Kaufman, left, Port of Skagit chair, La Conner Mayor Ramon Hayes and Swinominsh Indian Tribal Community Chairman Brian Cladoosby met recently to discuss the Canoe Journey, Paddle To Swinomish 2011, which will be held in July. 

Tribe getting ready for company

About 130 family-size dugout canoes are expected to land on the beach at Swinomish on July 25.

Lately, to the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, the Town of La Conner, the Port of Skagit and Fire District 13, it seems like July is approaching at the speed of light.

Last Tuesday, at a dinner meeting arranged by La Conner Mayor Ramon Hayes and the town, several Tribal Senators, two Port Commissioners, the Town Council and representatives from the fire district pledged to help each other attend to the influx of some 10,000 to 20,000 visitors expected for the 2011 Salish Canoe Journey, Paddle to Swinomish. Read about the plans in today's paper.

 Photo by Sue Phillips

ANCIENT SUSTAINABILITY – Limahuli Garden in Ha’ena, Kauai is a great example of an ancient Hawiaan ahupua’a or village, with the working terraced taro fields and sweet potato patches. It’s original  stone building foundations were once the largest agricultural complex in Ha’ena and date back about 1,000 years.  Read Sue Phillips' story on sustainable agriculture in Hawaii in today's paper.

From the Police Blotter:

6:50 a.m.: Sinking boat – A 1979 31-foot sailboat was sinking at La Conner Marina. Deputies and firefighters responded and the fire department pumped the water out of the boat and saved it. (It had rained a lot overnight and the power was out.) The boat owner is a Camano Island resident and is assessing the damage.

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