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Swinomish Senate candidates head to general election Sunday
Enrolling more tribal members, creating job opportunities, improving health care and addressing the opioid crisis are among some of the top priorities the candidates running for three seats in the Swinomish Senate plan to…
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Town declares emergency over water pressure swings
La Conner’s water distribution infrastructure is under pressure, literally and figuratively, prompting the Town Council to declare an emergency and authorize staff to speed up preventive work. At Tuesday’s Town Council meeting, Public Works…
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Commission mulls tree code changes to protect La Conner canopy
If approved, residents wishing to limb — cut off branches — or trim a tree would need to apply for a Class I administrative permit and demonstrate they have taken reasonable steps to preserve…
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Town, County, Sound and Sea
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that air quality in La Conner and the Swinomish Reservation is currently moderate, driven by elevated levels of PM2.5, or fine particulate matter. At this level, air…
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Farmworker bargaining bill underscores an uncomfortable reality: the current system isn’t working
Washington lawmakers are considering a farmworker bargaining bill that supporters say would correct historic exclusions, while opponents warn it could increase costs and disrupt agricultural operations statewide.
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District 13 chief to lead local team at Firefighter Stairclimb in Seattle
Skagit County Fire District 13 Chief Wood Weiss, firefighter/EMT Cole Mardesich, and firefighter Anne Reykdal are in training to take part in the annual Firefighter Stairclimb fundraiser for blood cancer research at Seattle’s Columbia…
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From snow geese to Seahawks, this weekend was for the birds
La Conner buzzed with activity all weekend as bright, crisp winter sunshine drew crowds into town and left parking at a premium. Sidewalks stayed busy from morning to evening, shops and restaurants hummed, and…
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Community pitches new offerings for La Conner Swinomish Library
Story time with Swinomish elders, a boxcar derby, Dungeons & Dragons, tribal history programs and more craft activities for all age groups are some of the ideas that emerged from conversations with locals on…
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Area firefighters, residents push new tender into Snee-Oosh Road station
Welcoming a new tender truck to the Fire District 13 fleet this past week was an historic event on several levels. Area firefighters and residents rallied Jan. 14 for a traditional “push-in” ceremony, during…
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Town, County, Sound and Sea
The La Conner Emergency Management Commission agreed to purchase SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet kit, Commission Chairwoman Brianna Wilson told Town Council last week. Starlink would be used for communication between the Town’s emergency team…
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La Conner students study the Treaty of Point Elliott on Treaty Day
The 1855 Point Elliott Treaty that affirms self-rule and autonomy for Northwest Washington’s Native American tribes ranks among the most important documents studied at La Conner Schools. The treaty was signed Jan. 22, 1855…
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306 Center project reaches major construction milestone
Construction at 306 Center Street marked a significant step forward today with the pouring of approximately 80 tons of concrete, advancing foundation work on the three-story apartment and condo project.
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Wilbur, Joe advance to Tribal general elections
The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community have announced the candidates who will be advancing to the Feb. 15 general election for Senate Seat 5 after this weekend’s primary. The candidates are incumbent Tandy Wilbur and…
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First Street parking getting too tight
Tuesday, the La Conner Town Council discussed an issue that isn’t new, but is seemingly getting worse: parking. According to Mayor Marna Hanneman, the Town has been receiving more grievances about the situation, particularly…
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Community discusses creative district plan, bridge to Swinomish
The effort to turn La Conner into a Certified Creative District has been gathering steam. During the Arts Commission’s meeting at the La Conner Swinomish Library on Tuesday, community members learned more about the…
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Measles outbreak confirmed in Snohomish County; Health officials warn more cases likely
The Snohomish County Health Department announced this week that three local children have tested positive for measles, marking an official outbreak under public health guidelines. The children were exposed to a contagious family visiting…
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Town, County, Sound and Sea
Skagit County Solid Waste rates increased on Jan. 1. The cost of general solid waste at the Skagit County Transfer and Recycling Station and the Sauk Transfer Station went from $137 to $141 per…
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Mayor discusses 2026 priorities, looks back
Town to focus on water, major projects and safety in the coming year.
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La Conner awarded funds ahead of FIFA games
The Skagit Tourism Bureau was awarded a $48,000 grant from the Seattle Foundation to bring fans to Skagit during the 2026 FIFA Club World Cup games. Among the communities benefiting from this donation is…
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Planning Commission ponders lighting regulations
At the heart of last Tuesday’s Planning Commission meeting was the question of how to balance public safety, wildlife needs and eye comfort when it comes to regulating lighting in the code. Planning Director…
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It’s time to mask-up against the flu
Respiratory illness indicators are rising across the North Sound region as emergency departments see an increase in respiratory visits. According to the latest Skagit County Weekly Respiratory Report, the percentage of emergency department visits…
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High tides ease for the rest of January
Minor flooding downtown earlier this week
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Is La Conner unsafe for cyclists and pedestrians?
New draft report suggests high death and injury rates, puzzling town officials
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Polar bear plungers brrrr-ing in 2026
Nicole Hagen and Mo Olason wanted the full New Year’s Day polar plunge experience. They spotted the Shelter Bay Polar Plunge event on social media, started chatting and decided to take the leap.
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Town, County, Sound and Sea
Skagit County is accepting applications for the newly formed Climate Impact Advisory Committee, a group created to advise the Board of Commissioners on climate change risks, adaptation and risk reduction. The committee’s role is…
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Push-in ceremony for new fire district tender rig set for Jan. 14
Chief Wood Weiss has plenty of pull around Skagit County Fire District 13. But he’ll need help when it comes to making a big push to officially welcome the newest addition to the district’s…
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Janicki retires; Commissioners appoint Burns to fill vacancy
After 11 years of representing District 3, Skagit County Commissioner Lisa Janicki drew the curtain on Friday to step into retirement.
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Agritourism: Loud mess or way to connect with nature?
County extends permit moratorium.
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Looking back and laughing forward at the Retirement Inn
Residents at the La Conner Retirement Inn didn’t just ring in the new year last week. They toasted 2025, swapped stories from the year gone by and offered words of wisdom to a young…
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Kids make 2026 new year wishes at library party
Monster trucks and animals top the list Kids and grown-ups rang in the new year a little early and a lot sparkly at the La Conner Swinomish Library on Wednesday. At 11:30 a.m., families…
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Businesses assess the decline in Canadian tourism
The official numbers aren’t in yet, but there’s a strong vibe that 2025 was a down year for Canadian tourism in La Conner. Nor is the town alone on that score. Many U.S. communities…
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Minor flooding in downtown La Conner Sunday
More minor flooding is expected Monday morning according to the National Weather Service.
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Rosalinda Guillen still says “we” — and keeps fighting for Skagit farmworkers
La Conner organizer Rosalinda Guillen traces her farmworker roots and decades of advocacy as immigration crackdowns intensify, spotlighting local fears over deportation and H-2A exploitation, as well as paths to citizenship.
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West Skagit farms weather floods; recovery will shape the months ahead
Skagit Valley farms avoided widespread flood damage, but growers say lingering mud and saturated fields — not high water — will determine crop losses and recovery in the months ahead.
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Coastal flooding, high winds expected in La Conner on Christmas Eve
Public Works is out about town stacking sandbags this morning to protect against possible minor coastal flooding Wednesday morning followed by damaging high winds Wednesday afternoon and evening. The National Weather Service alerts come…
POLICE BLOTTER
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Police Blotter: Pogo chaos, marina ruckus and a trash-and-dash weekend
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Masked mockers, morning gunshots and one surprisingly peaceful family
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Police Blotter: Deputies stayed busy with vanishing teens, tracked-down keys, and a few ducks who really should’ve skipped town.
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A week of spooks and scofflaws
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Police Blotter: Boat break-ins, vanishing acts and flying poop—Oh my!