Independent local news. Every week.

  • Santa visits Swinomish Christmas Party

    Santa visits Swinomish Christmas PartyPeyton Charles, 7, of Swinomish shares her Christmas wish list with Santa Sunday night. Peyton caught up with the jolly old elf during the Swinomish Community Dinner and Christmas Party at the Swinomish Casino & Lodge. PHOTO BY BILL REYNOLDS/LA CONNER COMMUNITY NEWS

    Though thousands of miles from his North Pole workshop, world renowned toymaker Santa Claus felt right at home when he visited the Swinomish Community Dinner and Christmas Party Sunday night.

  • Extreme weather resources

    Extreme weather resources

    As the weekend storm front moves in, make sure your GO bag is packed with medications, important papers, chargers, a change of clothes and comfort items. Talk with everyone in your household so you…

  • Council accepts King County help to plan for sea level rise, flooding

    NOAA-funded program will provide up to 100 hours of free technical support.

  • Town approves 2026 budget

    After approving a preliminary budget two weeks ago, the La Conner Town Council gave a final, unanimous thumbs up to the 2026 budget, which includes $6.46 million in revenues and authorizes the Town to…

  • Fire District 13 chief: Keep watch on Landing Road, Snee-Oosh Beach

    District 13 Fire Chief Wood Weiss has been participating in multiple Skagit County Department of Emergency Management Flood Watch Advisory meetings after forecasts predicted historically high water levels on the Skagit River last week.…

  • Town, County, Sound & Sea

    Town, County, Sound & Sea

    This regular roundup distills the pulse of La Conner, Skagit County, and the broader Puget Sound into one place — local decisions shaping our town, county-wide developments with ripple effects, and coastal news that…

  • Food bank secures purchase of Masonic Building

    Food bank secures purchase of Masonic Building

    During a week in which nerves were frayed and tensions high over the threat of severe flooding in and around La Conner, a bright glow of good news was emitted from up on the…

  • Farmworkers face floodwaters, fear of ICE

    Advocates say some workers were kept in the fields during last week’s record floods and warn immigration enforcement could ramp up in 2025 without stronger protections.

  • NEWS BULLETIN: Fir Island Road will reopen to all traffic at noon Thursday

    NEWS BULLETIN: Fir Island Road will reopen to all traffic at noon Thursday

    The Conway Emergency Operations Center (CEOC) reported it was able to assess the Fir Island diking system and roadway conditions earlier than expected after the Skagit River crested sooner and lower than forecast. The…

  • Dams, dikes and a dose of luck

    Dams, dikes and a dose of luck

    While the historic flood predictions have passed, La Conner remains at Evacuation Level 2 with king tides, wind storms and more warm, rainy weather to come.

  • High winds, high tides expected Tuesday

    High winds, high tides expected Tuesday

    Strong winds and an early-morning king tide pose the biggest risks for La Conner in the next 24 hours — and neither depends on the Skagit River flooding to cause local damage.

  • What to do at Level 2

    On Wednesday, Skagit County officials warned anyone living within the 100-year flood zone, which includes La Conner, to prepare for sudden evacuation. While the Swinomish Reservation is mostly outside of it, some small areas…

  • Town, County, Sound and Sea

    Town, County, Sound and Sea

    A tradition first set in ink by The Puget Sound Mail on Sept. 13, 1879. This roundup distills the pulse of La Conner, Skagit County, and the broader Puget Sound into one place —…

  • Police Blotter: A week of misdials, missteps and mild mayhem

    Police Blotter: A week of misdials, missteps and mild mayhem

    Dial M for… Misdial 3:50 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 3 A mysterious 911 hang-up at the middle school had dispatchers bracing for classroom chaos, but it turned out to be nothing more than a misdialing…

  • Town Planning Commission ‘sign’ debate continues

    The Town Planning Commission ponders whether the intent of putting an inflatable turkey in front of a place of business should be taken into consideration when determining if it should be allowed.

  • La Conner braces for record flooding

    La Conner braces for record flooding

    Coastal flooding threat eases after high tide, but officials warn a dike failure could send river water toward town and cut off key evacuation routes.

  • LIVE WEATHER UPDATES

    LIVE WEATHER UPDATES

    Additional atmospheric rivers are forecast to impact Skagit County, bringing more rain tonight through tomorrow, with another system expected through Thursday These storms may cause additional flooding, but are not expected to significantly impact…

  • Skagit County adopts new Critical Areas Ordinance, widening stream buffers

    Skagit County commissioners voted Nov. 25 to adopt an updated Critical Areas Ordinance, ending a yearlong, contentious process shaped by Swinomish tribal feedback and public comment. The new rules double riparian buffers for small…

  • Flood experts call for prevention now

    New climate models show today’s “100-year” coastal floods may become decade-level events by the 2080s.

  • Town, County, Sound and Sea

    Town, County, Sound and Sea

    The Swinomish Senate announced this week the candidates who will be competing for a seat at the upcoming primary election on Jan. 17. Incumbent Greg Edwards is facing Kevin Paul, Dave Johnston and Jesse…

  • Annual Turkey Trot drew large field ahead of ‘guilt-free’ feasting

    More than 500 runners, walkers, kids and dogs packed La Conner’s Thanksgiving Turkey Trot, raising funds for school track. Toby Walls and son Sylas paced 5K; finishers got free potatoes.

  • Turkey trouble blows up at planning meeting

    Turkey trouble blows up at planning meeting

    La Conner planners deadlocked over Retro Diner’s sidewalk inflatables, unsure if they’re prohibited “signs” or allowed decorations. Motion to deny permit failed; attorney review and possible code changes next meeting.

  • District 13 leadership thanks voters for supporting levy campaign

    By a better than 2-to-1 margin, district voters approved a multi-year levy proposal increasing their fire protection and emergency response property tax rate from $.59 per $1,000 assessed valuation to $1.11 per $1,000 assessed…

  • Army honors La Conner High School coach 

    U.S. Army Sgt. Eian Adcock presented Peter Voorhees with a handsome framed certificate, championing the Braves coach for his tireless commitment to the community’s youth, during a visit to the La Conner campus earlier…

  • BESS anxiety builds in Skagit as new projects advance

    Stewards of Skagit County president Connie Krier urges emergency preparedness and scrutiny of lithium-ion battery storage, vowing a February court appeal over the Mount Vernon facility.

  • La Conner Turkey Trot set for Thanksgiving morn

    This year’s run is set for 8 a.m. Nov. 27 from the La Conner Schools campus and features a 5K fun run, 3K walk and free kids’ 40-meter dash.

  • Garden Club’s holiday wreaths keep civic spirit blooming

    Garden Club’s holiday wreaths keep civic spirit blooming

    La Conner Civic Garden Club’s annual wreath sales continue a century-old tradition of community service, funding local beautification, scholarships and historic preservation while keeping the town’s civic spirit and holiday cheer thriving.

  • Experts call for more housing, smarter growth in Skagit

    At a Skagit County housing forum, experts said solving the region’s affordability crisis requires building more homes at all price levels, updating zoning rules, and embracing compact growth to curb costs and protect farmland.

  • Shavers addresses water line costs at town hall

    At a La Conner town hall, Rep. Clyde Shavers fielded concerns about a costly neighborhood water line upgrade and outlined how proposed HB 1906 could improve transparency, rate fairness, and long-term planning.

  • Art, story and spirit shine in Tiny Trees fundraiser

    Art, story and spirit shine in Tiny Trees fundraiser

    This year’s fundraiser for the La Conner Swinomish Library is a celebration of creativity that unites both sides of the channel.

  • A master’s work hidden in Town Hall

    A master’s work hidden in Town Hall PHOTO BY NANCY K. CROWELL

    A forgotten print by Guy Anderson, one of La Conner’s most beloved artists, is rediscovered behind a file cabinet — a small-town surprise that reconnects the community to its artistic soul.

  • Swinomish, BNSF Railway reach agreement

    Following years of rulings in the tribe’s favor, the two parties end a trespass dispute with a new partnership focused on economic growth, safety and respect for tribal sovereignty.

  • Little artists, big hearts

    Little artists, big hearts

    At the Braves’ Hub, children crafted colorful ofrendas and shared stories of remembrance while exploring Mexican culture and community connection.

  • Port of Skagit outlines dredging, float replacement at La Conner Marina

    Port of Skagit outlines dredging, float replacement at La Conner Marina

    The south basin of La Conner Marina has not been dredged in years and when tides are super low these boats sometimes are sitting on the bottom. According to Harbormaster Charlie Knapp, the marina…

  • Town, County, Sound & Sea

    Town, County, Sound & Sea

    This regular roundup distills the pulse of La Conner, Skagit County, and the broader Puget Sound into one place — local decisions shaping our town, county-wide developments with ripple effects, and coastal news that…

POLICE BLOTTER