Mount Vernon
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Anacortes aerial: 2006
A view of the Anacortes working waterfront, Guemes Channel in the foreground, Port of Anacortes facilities in the center. A fourth generation Skagit County native who was moved kicking and screaming from this island community in 1960. I finally reclaimed an Anacortes address in 1980, and I have been in constant celebration of my return since that time. Many of us who call Anacortes home love Fidalgo Island for its natural assets: among them are rugged beaches, pristine lakes, thousands of acres of forestland and some awesome views of the Skagit Valley and surrounding islands. Another element of my love affair with this community is its people, both natives and immigrants. They will “star” in many of my journal entries.
Hikes: Celebrating Freedom
Maybe I’m just getting old. I used to love setting off fireworks on the Fourth, watching them blow up in explosions of noise and showers of sparks. I raised my kids on bottle rockets and Roman candles. But now I’m in bed long before the celebrations end, which wasn’t until well after one a.m. this year. Sleep eluded us under the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air. And Murphy – poor Murphy, so scared of the noise he couldn’t poop when he should, and then pooped when he shouldn’t.
WWU police officer fired, county pursues assault charge following incident in January
BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A campus police officer was fired by Western Washington University for allegedly assaulting a suspect during an arrest. University Police Department Chief Katy Potts says two police officers caught someone who was trying to break into one of their private vehicles on January 20, 2024.
County funding for Bellingham transitional housing facility in limbo
WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – The county is considering shutting down a supportive housing facility in downtown Bellingham. The Whatcom County Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to table its discussion over a resolution that would end all funding to 22 North. 22 North is run by the Opportunity Council and offers support for adults experiencing homelessness. The resolution proposes repurposing the 40-unit facility into a secure detox and treatment center, which could then start to receive funding again under its new objective.
Statewide burn ban takes effect
WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A statewide burn ban is now in effect following a record-breaking heat wave. The state Department of Natural Resources announced the burn ban on all forest lands under the state’s protection Wednesday. The order prohibits outdoor burning, campfires, the use of charcoal briquettes and prescribed burns through September 30.
Explosive find in Bellingham donation bin prompts police response
BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Staff at a thrift store in Bellingham got an explosive surprise when they opened their donation bin Wednesday morning. Bellingham Police say staff at Value Village reported finding two guns, 18 flares, a load of ammunition and what appeared to be an explosive device at their donation center. They called BPD investigators, who determined that the explosive and guns were actually props.
Seattle man sentenced for purchasing drugs that killed Bellingham girlfriend
BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A man who purchased drugs that ultimately killed his girlfriend in Bellingham has been sentenced. 24-year-old Jayhaire Wilson pled guilty and was sentenced on Monday, July 8 to two years in prison, followed by another year of probation. Wilson’s girlfriend, Sana Keller, was found dead...
Gov. Inslee appoints Jennifer E. Slattery to the Whatcom County Superior Court
Today Gov. Jay Inslee announced the appointment of Jennifer E. Slattery to the Whatcom County Superior Court. She will fill a new, fifth seat created by the Legislature in 2024. Slattery has focused her 15-year career on family law and general civil litigation. For the last seven years, she operated...
La Conner Town Council approves updated strategic plan
LA CONNER — The La Conner Town Council approved an updated town Strategic Plan for 2024-2028 during its Tuesday meeting. The Strategic Plan outlines focus areas and implementation processes for the town, including facilitating increased housing diversity and affordability, and investing in fire protection and prevention. The modifications update the plan for 2025. The changes included the addition of goals to: ...
Last-minute resolution to shut down 22 North forces hard look at facility’s ‘failures’
A new Whatcom County Council resolution is calling for the defunding and closure of the 22 North housing facility in downtown Bellingham. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News) A new Whatcom County Council resolution calling for the defunding and closure of 22 North is forcing. Become a member and receive a coupon...
Playhouse brings nostalgic frenzy to stage
The Whidbey Playhouse’s stage turned into Dr. Seuss’ nonsensical mind for the season’s grand finale, mixing bright colors, tongue-twisting songs and acrobatic wonders to create the ultimate sugar rush on steroids experience. “Seussical,” directed by daughter and father duo Shelby and Matt Montoya, runs Fridays July 19...
Oak Harbor Haggen on merger sale list
Haggen grocery store in Oak Harbor is on a list of 579 stores that will be sold off if the $25 billion merger between Kroger and Albertsons goes through. Under the proposed merger, the grocery stores would be sold to New Hampshire-based C&S Wholesale Grocers. As the Seattle Times reported, the theory is that selling the stores would preserve competition, but critics claimed that the sale would put the stores at risk of closure.
Three QFC locations could be part of sale
More than 100 supermarkets in Washington will change ownership pending the approval of a merger between Albertsons and Kroger, two of the nation’s largest supermarket chains. Kroger, which owns Fred Meyer and QFC, and Albertsons, owner of Safeway and Haggen stores, released a list of the 124 locations in...
Hamilton residents look into home buyout program
HAMILTON — Residents of Hamilton, representatives from Forterra and the Skagit County Department of Emergency Management recently met to learn about the Forterra buyout program and flood safety. Dawn Haight, senior managing director of conservation real estate for Forterra, said the goal of the public meeting was to provide residents a chance to learn more about the program and provide people education on flood safety. Forterra has funding for the...
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