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Rep. Clyde Shavers, four years after winning by whisker, bolts to cozy early lead
Initial tallies posted 30 minutes after polls closed Tuesday night showed Rep. Clyde Shavers, a Democrat, leading Republican challenger Robert “Chili” Hicks by comfortable margins in Skagit County and across State Legislative District 10.
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La Conner Schools tech levy passing by wide margin
La Conner Schools officials expressed gratitude Tuesday night for voter support shown in early returns for the district’s four-year, $1.49 million technology and modernization levy proposal.
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Paul leads in WA 10th legislative district race
Democrat Dave Paul, who currently holds the Position 2 seat in Washington’s 10th state House district, was leading with 60.61%, or 28,230 votes, in early returns Tuesday night.
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Initiative to ban trans girls from high school sports leading
Washington voters were approving a ballot initiative Tuesday night to bar roughly 10 transgender athletes from participating in girls sports. Photo credit: Metro
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Rep. Larsen retains US House seat
Incumbent U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen led in early election returns Tuesday night against challenger Edwin Feller.
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Several races for WA Supreme Court seats too close to call
One race for the Washington Supreme Court showed a likely winner in early returns on Tuesday night, while the remaining four races remained too close to call.
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Millionaires Tax repeal failing in early returns
The statewide initiative to repeal the Millionaires Tax was failing in early returns Tuesday night.
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Election updates
10:30 p.m. A historic blue wave for the country – and Skagit County Tuesday night’s early election returns suggest a strong night for Democrats in Skagit County, with Democratic candidates leading nearly every contested…
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Elbows up in Washington state over Canada’s proposed oil tanker terminal on border
By Tom BanseWashington State Standard Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and comedian Mike Myers made the phrase “elbows up” a national rallying cry in the midst of a trade war incited by the Trump…
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Annual Young Life dessert fundraiser highlights town, tribe partnerships
By Bill ReynoldsLa Conner Community News The iconic Rainbow Bridge is the most visible example of how the La Conner and Swinomish communities are bound together. But it’s not the only one. The local…
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School district receives federal funds; enrollment above projected levels
By Bill ReynoldsLa Conner Community News La Conner Schools officials on Monday heard good fiscal news on two fronts ahead of seeking voter approval Nov. 3 of a four-year, $1.5 million technology levy. The…
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What to do if you are affected by Medicare Advantage plan changes
By Luisa LoiLa Conner Community News Faced with “extreme” high demand, the Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors and the Office of the Insurance Commissioner are providing information to help seniors choose a medical insurance…
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Skagit seniors scramble after Medicare Advantage options dwindle
By Luisa LoiLa Conner Community News Thousands of older Skagit County residents face a narrowing set of health insurance choices for 2027 as major insurers abandon Medicare Advantage plans, forcing many to find new…
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WA Supreme Court sides with county officials following recall petition
The Washington Supreme Court found petitions to recall the county’s prosecuting attorney and three commissioners to be “frivolous” in a unanimous decision issued Oct. 15, and ordered the petitioners to pay $5,348 in sanctions.
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Gilkey Square sees rally aimed at getting the vote out
About 70 “No Kings” demonstrators lined up at Gilkey Square at noon Saturday, standing on the adjacent street corners to remind people to vote early and use the ballot box. About half an hour…
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Only a few days left to vote on the town logo
By La Conner Community News staff La Conner residents have until Oct. 25 to vote for their favorite design among three semifinalists in the town’s logo redesign competition. The competition, launched in 2025 as…
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Town, County & Sea 10/22/26
Gov. Bob Ferguson appointed a new judge to the Skagit County Superior Court for the first time in 20 years, after the state legislature passed a bill expanding the court to five judges to…
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Sites for tree planting identified
By Luisa LoiLa Conner Community News The Town of La Conner will plant 40 trees at three different locations to make up for the loss of 22 trees from the marina. These locations include…
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Planning Commission pulls the plug on inflatables
By Luisa LoiLa Conner Community News Inflatable displays in La Conner’s nonresidential zones might have to permanently relocate into the attic. Tuesday, the Planning Commission approved changes to the sign code after nearly a…
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All hands on deck needed for Pleasant Ridge schoolhouse renovation
By Luisa LoiLa Conner Community News With the elbow grease of a group of volunteers and history enthusiasts, the Pleasant Ridge schoolhouse is undergoing extensive surgery to look 135 years younger. John and Toni…
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Citing old roof and outdated laptops, La Conner schools says levy vital
By Luisa LoiLa Conner Community News Voters living in the La Conner School District will decide whether to pass a levy that school officials say would spare students and staff from the distraction of…
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New La Conner pastor, an energetic 76, pools prior career experiences for local calling
By Bill ReynoldsLa Conner Community News His new assignment at La Conner United Methodist Church is going swimmingly for the Rev. Terry Hall. That’s no surprise, as the unfailingly upbeat 76-year-old pastor starts several…
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Larsen describes immigration facility in Ferndale
Last Friday, U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Everett, toured the Homeland Security Investigations facility in Ferndale. The agency investigates human trafficking, financial crimes, drugs and cross-border smuggling, and not civil immigration violations. The offices, processing…
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Council approves lodging tax fund allotments
By Luisa LoiLa Conner Community News The La Conner Town Council approved the allocation of $310,775 in lodging tax funds, slimming down what numerous organizations had hoped to receive to support a plethora of…
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Council greenlights First Street parking ordinance
By Luisa LoiLa Conner Community News The La Conner Town Council approved an ordinance establishing parking restrictions on First Street beginning Jan.1. The ordinance prohibits drivers from keeping their vehicles parked on First Street…
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Unofficial mayor of Conway’s detention extended
By Luisa LoiLa Conner Community News A Conway gas station worker who has spent the past two months at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma will spend another month in detention due to…
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WA ballot measures spur debate over trans rights, parental access
By Luisa LoiLa Conner Community News Next month, Washingtonians will have a chance to vote on two ballot initiatives that critics warn will inflict harm on girls and LGBTQ+ youths by violating their privacy…
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Jerry Willins, career pharmacist and newspaper champion, was admired civic leader
By Bill ReynoldsLa Conner Community News When Jerry Willins spoke — whether to share sage advice, offer a witty anecdote, or share his wisdom on any number of weighty issues — people listened. Willins,…
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Skagit County disaster recovery group picks up steam
By Luisa LoiLa Conner Community News A growing group of Skagitonians is gearing up to build more resilient communities and support their neighbors when disaster strikes, and community members are welcome to join and…
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Skagit candidates outline visions at forum
By Luisa LoiLa Conner Community News Four candidates who forced competitive races for Skagit County offices used Monday night’s League of Women Voters candidates forum in Mount Vernon to discuss looming budget cuts, administrative…
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26 reasons to celebrate
La Conner Community News went to the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association’s annual awards celebration on Saturday and came home with 26 awards for journalism, photography, design and our website. Pictured, from left: Luisa Loi,…
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Brazilian jiu-jitsu champion awards La Conner coach with black belt
A quarter century of training has forged a new Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt in La Conner. Tracy Barnett, who owns La Conner Fitness and MMA with his wife April Emanuelson-Barnett, was promoted to black…
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La Conner mourns the passing of multitalented author
By Bill ReynoldsLa Conner Community News La Conner author, artisan and mental health therapist Diana Lee put her whole heart into the many and varied projects she undertook. But that heart — amazingly kind…
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Town, County and Sea 10/1/26
The State Route 536 Skagit River Bridge will be closed to traffic in both directions for two weeks as early as Nov. 1 to wrap up a yearlong repaint project just in time for…
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Council eyes parking restrictions, permits for First Street
Emergency vehicles are seen parked along La Conner’s First Street before a parade. The Town Council is working out the details of a proposal that could bring time restrictions to parts of the street,…
POLICE BLOTTER
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Police blotter: Porch ghost, prickly situation, dog attacked
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Police blotter: Fraud probe, taking the fall
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Police blotter: Fleeting graffiti, a heron reborn, disturbed sleep
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Police blotter: Red specs, a thorny situation, the deerly departed
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Police blotter: Missing boat trailer, found wallet, scam victim