The Washington State Department of Health closed Samish Bay to all recreational shellfish harvest Sept. 10 after detecting unsafe levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins. Additional closures affect butter and varnish clam harvesting around West Fidalgo, Cypress, Sinclair, and Guemes islands, except along Guemes’ southern shoreline from Kelly’s Point to Long Bay. Cooking or freezing does not destroy PSP toxins, which can cause numbness, vomiting and even paralysis within 30 minutes of eating contaminated shellfish. Crab meat is safe, but crab butter and entrails should be discarded. Officials urge harvesters to check the Shellfish Safety Map or calling the Marine Biotoxin Hotline at 1-800-562-5632 before digging.
Join the La Conner community to celebrate the re-opening of the iconic salmon slide at 1 p.m. Sept. 28 at La Conner Waterfront Park (a.k.a. “Fish Park”). Ice cream treats will be provided. The slide was restored thanks to the efforts of former Town Administrator and current Fire District 13 Commissioner John Doyle, Parks Commissioner Ollie Iversen, and renowned local painter Maggie Wilder. Wilder, along with 8-year-old Ika Phillips, repainted the slide, bringing it back to life with a fresh shimmer and shine.
The Town Arts Commission couldn’t officially meet on Sept. 11 due to lack of a quorum. However, chair Holly Witte and member Sarah Dalton met informally with Town officials to discuss several important arts-related issues, including the possible placement of the Tudor Rose fence, donated by resident Jean Wharton, on the grounds of the Skagit County Historical Museum. Town Administrator Scott Thomas said that since 2020 various plans have been proposed to install the fence, which is currently stored at the Town Public Works Department. Wharton has been hopeful the fence can be placed so that it is visible from Swinomish Reservation. Finding the right spot has proved challenging. The museum grounds could offer a solution, Witte said, noting that she has discussed the idea with museum director Jo Wolfe. However, placing the fence there would still require county approval. Because the hilltop site is within La Conner’s Historic Preservation District (HPD), Town Planning Director Ajah Eills said the Planning Commission would also need to approve the plan.
La Conner’s public boat launch on the Swinomish Channel is set for major improvements that could benefit boaters, fishers, and visitors alike. Skagit County has contracted with Marine Floats, LLC to replace the launch’s aging concrete boarding floats with new, steel-framed structures designed for safer, more reliable access to the water. The project, scheduled to begin after Oct. 1, will take advantage of a limited in-water construction window to minimize environmental impacts. Work is expected to be substantially complete by March 1, ahead of the next busy boating season.Washington drivers are paying the most for gas in the nation, with prices nearly 47% higher than the national average, according to AAA. The state’s average cost per gallon sits at $4.66, or $1.48 more than the national average. Prices have risen 19.9 cents in the past week, though they dipped slightly since the weekend. County averages vary widely. Skagit County’s average on Monday was $4.58, while the most expensive gas was in San Juan County at $5.61., Analysts say seasonal refinery maintenance and a California refinery shutdown are keeping supplies tight. Relief may come by late September as stations transition to winter fuel blends.
