Week of August 25

We'd like to hear from our readers about the issue of the fire district disputes. Should there be a Fire Authority? Discuss it on our board--anonymously or first name. etc.--you can enter here.


Back to school time

This week the schools have been gearing up, while parents and kids get back into the fall routine. Classes for all La Conner students in first through 12th grade start at 8:15 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 1; kindergartners will start classes on Tuesday, Sept. 7. Wednesday, Sept. 1 is a short school day; students have a minimum day, and school will be out at 11:45 a.m. for all students. The regular dismissal time is 2:35 p.m. each day.

Critter Haven - At John LeSourd's Pleasant Ridge home, a backyard pond and nesting boxes for water fowl provide a safe, comfortable home for wildlife including ducks and turtles. Many area residents are turning their yards, large and small, into backyard habitats.

[Photo by Sue Phillips]

Wildlife right at home in local yards - Sue Phillips

The birds and bees, as well as the other wildlife of the Skagit Valley, are very lucky to live here. John LeSourd of Pleasant Ridge built a pond in his backyard for birds and ducks. "I did it for pleasure and for the wildlife in the area," he said. LeSourd is among a growing number of La Conner area residents striving to make their backyards into homes for wildlife. With the loss of habitat due to increased development, the need for a safe haven for our wildlife is becoming more important every day.

Summer Sun - A summer morning illuminates this century-old barn off Beaver Marsh near La Conner. The historic barn is being restored.

[Photo by Fred Owens]

Cool summer tough on heat-loving crops - Fred Owens

Heavy rain in May caused an estimated 20 percent loss in the area's biggest cash crop--potatoes. And a cool start to summer slowed down other crops, including corn and pickling cucumbers, according to Don McMoran, Washington State University Extension agent. On the potato front, "It's going to hurt a little bit," said John Thulen of Pioneer Potatoes. Skagit Valley spuds were valued at $60 million in 2008, the latest year with available statistics.

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August 18 2010

August 11, 2010

Dusk on the Swinomish Channel, looking away from the setting sun.

 [Photo by Don Coyote]

Town & Fire District bury hatchet for now -- Sandy Stokes

The Town of La Conner acquiesced to the demands of Fire District 13 on Tuesday during a joint meeting of the elected governing boards of the two agencies. The Fire District is changing the operating agreement concerning the La Conner Fire Department, which is co-owned by both agencies.

MOTH TRAPPER -- Ron Lake sets traps all over Skagit County during his annual hunt for gypsy moths.  [Photo by Fred Owens]

Hunt for the dreaded Moth-zilla -- Fred Owens

Ron Lake has been trying to trap gypsy moths for four years. How many has he caught?
"None, so far" he said. "and that's a good thing."
Lake, who works for the Washington Department of Agriculture, is part of a team that sets 22,000cardboard traps around the state. Gypsy moth larvae, fuzzy little caterpillars, are voracious and strip leaves off plants, killing them. The state works hard to keep them away because they are a major threat to agriculture.

FEMA Flood Map meeting on Thursday, Aug. 12

La Conner, Skagit County and federal officials will be at Maple Hall at 6 p.m. tomorrow to answer questions about the newest versions of the Flood Insurance Rate Maps.
Most of La Conner is in a floodplain, and most residents pay into the federal flood insurance program -- annual premiums are usually much higher than homeowners insurance. The maps essentially determine who has to pay. FEMA will take public comments on the maps through September and then they will become final.

ANTIQUE AUTO -- Members of the Horseless Carriage Club of America were driving through La Conner last week in cars more than 100 years old. Scott and Nancy Taylor of Sequim were here for a buggy ride. [Photo by Kane Stokes]

This week's issue, with these stories and many more, is on sale in stores and newsracks in La Conner, WA. Or it can be mailed to any address in the United States.

Don't miss a single issue!

To subscribe or for ad rates, please call us at (360) 466-3315

Week of August 4th

Golf carts street legal in La Conner - Alexander Kramer

Residents can now drive golf carts in La Conner, provided they register with the town first. On Tuesday, July 20, the La Conner Town Council unanimously passed Ordinance 1050, which authorizes the use of golf carts within the town. This was spurred on by a state law that in June allowed municipalities to create golf cart zonez on roads in their control with speed limits 25 miles per hour or lower. Town Code Enforcement Officer Bill Stokes wrote the ordinance that was presented to the Town Council last week, after he spent a month researching and talking with other cities with golf cart zones.

On Kiket Island - Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire was on hand for the dedication of the state's newest park, which is co-owned by the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community. Here Gregoire stans with Mike Cladoosby, and his son, Tribal Chairman Brian Cladoosby.

[Photo by Amylynn Richards]

Private ceremony marks dedication of Kiket Island - Amylynn Richards

Swinomish tribal officials treated about 200 guests including Governor Christine Gregoire to a seafood lunch on Kiket Island for Friday's dedication of the state's newest park. After two years of negotiations, which nearly fell through, the State Parks Commission's $14 million purchase of the 84-acre property has the land now co-owned by the state and the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community. Now the island is part of Deception Pass State Park and is open for limited public access, with a permit issued by the tribe.

View from Kiket - Deception Pass Bridge, wearing a veil of fog, as seem from the beach on Kiket Island, the state's newest park purchase.

[Photo by Amylynn Richards]

Town and Fire District meet - Sandy Stokes

After months of tensions escalating with each letter going between the two agencies, the La Conner Town Council and Fire District 13 Commissioners will sit down to talk face-to-face next Tuesday. The two entities have been haggling over their operating agreement for the La Conner Fire Station, which is co-owned by the town and fire district, which surrounds the town. Fire District Chief Roy Horn said the Aug. 10 meeting will be held at the district's Snee-Oosh Road fire station. Initially, the town announced it as a 6 p.m. meeting.

Read the Town Council and District 13 letters in full here.



 New Pavilion at Swinomish - Alexander Kramer

Construction has begun on a welcoming pavilion and park for next year's Canoe Journey Landing, which will be at Swinomish. On the waterfront across from La Conner's Gilkey Square. the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community is building a facility on 37 acres to accommodate 7,500 people and about 100 canoes from tribes throughout Washington and British Columbia. "The park and pavilion are a long-term goal," says Aurelia Washington, coordinator of Canoe Journey, Paddle to Swinomish 2011, to be held July 25 to 31. "Of course, we want to get as much done before next July for the Canoe Journey," she said. Construction on the pavilion is expected to start this November.

 Avid Walkers - La Conner residents Nina and Dick Dorsten stand in front of their Morris Street home where the garden is bright with summer blooms. The Dorsten's greet everyone in town on their daily walks, hand-in-hand.

[Photo by Marci Plank]

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Paper is on sale in stores and newsracks in La Conner, WA. Or it can be mailed to any address in the United States.

Don't miss a single issue!

To subscribe or for ad rates, please call us at (360) 466-3315.

Week of July 28th

See the letters between District 13 and La Conner here.


 Heart defibrillators recalled - Sandy Stokes

The defibrillators used by rescue workers in Skagit County to resuscitate heart attack victims have been recalled. The recall affects about 80 automatic external defibrillators purchased by the Skagit County Emergency Medical Services for every fire department and first responder in the county. In the recall notice, Cardiac Science and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have said there is a possibility that the defibrillators, which are used to shock an irregularly beating heart into a normal rhythm, could fail during a resuscitation attempt.

Rural Decor - John Christianson, who owns the nursery down the road from this roundabout at Best and McLean roads, made the traffic circle attractive, as well as functional.

[Photo by Sue Phillips]

A hero--in a roundabout way - Sue Phillips

The landscaping at the roundabout at Best and McLean roads is anything but drab. During this year's Tulip Festival, the planting beds at the roundabout were ablaze with the most incredible display of tulips, luring some motorists out of their way just to drive past them. Now, a rust-colored display of vintage farm equipment is the centerpiece of a landscape featuring flowering shrubs and annuals and a young tree that will be magnificent in coming years.

Wedding photo - Thomas Nelson Ovenell married Hattie Elizabeth Callahan in La Conner on June 2, 1890.


106th Pioneer Picnic in Pioneer Park - Dan Royal

The Skagit County Pioneer Association will gather for the 106th time next week for its annual picnic and meeting to be held at Pioneer Park. The picnic, scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 5, at Pioneer Oark will feature live music, a car show, historic photos of Skagit County and the families who are being honored this year, according to association president Sue Kelder of Mount Vernon. Everyone is invited to attend, and there is n charge, but anyone who would like to join the Pioneer Association can register and pay $2 for an annual membership and receive a colorful badge, ribbon and information.

 Braves Cheerleaders - The La Conner High School Cheer Squad for the coming school year won lots of awards at the NCA CheerLeadership Camp held in Ellensburg last week. In their camp photo, next year's cheerleaders standing in the back row, from left, are Kaylee Dykes, Maggie Benetti, Hailey York, Jillian Bruce, Ashley Norton. In the center row, from left, are Hilary Edwards, Gracie Garcia, Kristin Dorr, Amanda Handstad, Carly Crawford, Aiyana Guzman and Dianne Quintasket. Back-to-back in front are Katherine Jensen, left, and Isabel Sible.

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Paper is on sale in stores and newsracks in La Conner, WA. Or it can be mailed to any address in the United States.

Don't miss a single issue!

To subscribe or for ad rates, please call us at (360) 466-3315.