Managing editor Staci Baird leaves La Conner Community News
I am heartbroken to share that I’ve stepped away from my role as managing editor at La Conner Community News.
When I joined Kari Mar to start a new newspaper back in January, it was supposed to be part-time. Within weeks, the work — and the joy of it — grew into full-time hours because the community’s stories deserve that kind of attention. I don’t regret a minute.
The decision to leave makes my heart hurt because every morning for me begins the same way: with excitement to cover the Town of La Conner. I’ve grown to love the people, the places and the weather that make this community unlike anywhere I’ve lived — and I’ve lived all over the United States (and even China, briefly). La Conner has a way of getting under your skin in the best possible way.
In less than a year, we built something real together. We stood up a weekly print newspaper in 2025, put it on doorsteps and stands week after week, and created reliable rhythms — production schedules, workflows and a consistent voice. We started regular features, revived a local events calendar, showed up at meetings, and made space for accountability alongside celebration. Neighbors, readers and local photographers sent tips, Bird of the Week photos, and ideas, and the paper reflects more of the town back to itself. The lessons I’ll carry from launching a print newspaper in 2025 will stick with me: listen first; be transparent; invite people into the process; and always, always, say thank you.
Keep showing up. Keep caring. This community deserves nothing less.
Staci Baird
I am passionate about local news and my role as observer, curator and storyteller. Some of my favorite work has simply been talking with people about what matters to them — and connecting in the early days when I helped distribute the paper. I still miss my route down LaConner-Whitney, Best Road and Downy.
Thank you for welcoming me into your lives — into your businesses, your meetings, your schools, your community spaces, on the sidelines and the sidewalks. I will always yearn to come back, and maybe one day, if we’re lucky enough to retire, my partner and I will make Skagit Valley our final destination.
Until then, please keep supporting your local newspaper however you can. Keep sending tips. Keep showing up. Keep caring. This community deserves nothing less.
Staci Baird was managing editor of La Conner Community News.
