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.

 The newspaper is on sale all over La Conner, at the produce market, drugstore, book store, liquor store and gas station. Or feed 3 quarters into one of the red news stands and get one. Better yet, call us and subscribe. 

Weekly La Conner High Sports capsule, Jan. 19, 2010

Braves Raves

 By Amylynn Richards

WRESTLING

On Friday, Jan. 14, the co-ed wrestling team went to Puyallup for a double duel against Tacoma Baptist and Chief Leschi. The Braves bested Chief Leschi 42-24, and Tacoma Baptist beat the Braves 53-18. Coach Compton reports, “We gave up a lot of points on forfeits versus Tacoma Baptist, but against Chief Leschi we ended up even in forfeit points.”

Team highlights in the Tacoma Baptist match: Dan Biladeau won by pin in 29 seconds, Travis Silva and Cameron Wischhusen won by forfeit.   

Team highlights in Chief Leschi match: Hunter Johnson won by pin in 35 seconds; Dahlton Zavala won by pin in 2:29; Wil James won by pin in 2:54; Cameron Wischhusen won by pin in 35 seconds;  Dan Biladeau, Sid Lease, and Travis Silva won by forfeit.

Winning in exhibition matches by pin were Ben Harper in 3:06; Robert Duckworth in 21 seconds; and Ashley Norton in 58 seconds.   

GIRLS BASKETBALL

The girls took the ferry to Orcas Island on Tuesday, Jan. 11, and earned a 51-37 lead over the Vikings. Team highlights: Priscilla Ponce Venegas, 15 points and 9 rebounds for the team; Nikki Finley, 15 points; Samie Miller, 7 points; and Katie McKnight had 7 rebounds.

The Concrete Lions came on Friday, Jan. 14 for a very exciting, very close match. The Lady Braves won 56 to 52.

The final moment of the game was intense. The Braves were ahead 53-48 with only 29 seconds to go. The Lions sunk a basket, bringing the score to 53-50, and Concrete called a time out.  The atmosphere was tense as the two teams headed back to the court.

With only 9 seconds left in the game, Nikki Finley scored 2 points from the foul line, cinching the win for the Braves.

Team highlights: Priscilla Ponce-Venegas, 14 points and 19 rebounds; Nikki Finley, 9 points; Katie McKnight, 12 points; Alyssa McCormick, 8 points; and Samie Miller, 7 points, 13 rebounds and 1 assist; and Aubrey Stewart, 10 rebounds.

“This was a big game for us,” said Coach Marla Quesnell, “we know they are they are beatable.”

 The outcome of this game may very well lead to a playoff to determine seeding at the end of the season. Quesnell had praise for the entire team: “everyone contributed on Friday against Concrete by scoring, rebounding, sharing the basketball, and making mature decisions at the end of a close game.  I was proud of my young team.”

BOYS BASKETBALL

The boys played against Orcas on the Viking’s home turf on Tuesday, Jan. 11, besting the Vikings 67-19. Team highlights:  Tyler Howlett lead the way with 15 points; DJ Carr and Mike Wilbur each added 12 points; Connor Anderson had 6 rebounds and Spencer Novak dished out 5 assists.

The boys took an early lead in the varsity home game against the Concrete Lions, earning 11 points in the first five minutes of the game, when Concrete finally got their first basket. The score was 67-25 by the end of the third quarter, and the final score was Braves 78, Lions 37.

Four players scored in double figures; Kyle McKnight, 14 points; Landy James and Mike Wilbur, 12 points; and Garrett Wilbur scored 10 points and pulled down 10 rebounds.

The boy’s season record is 9-2 overall and league record is 6-0.