Natural Resources
Management plan in place as San Juan Islands monument turns 10
March 15, 2023
A celebration of the San Juan Islands National Monument 10th anniversary by federal officials and locals is planned for March 25 at Friday Harbor Grange Hall.
Nancy DeVaux
Community Voices
An unfortunate change of plans
March 15, 2023
Commentary: Jo Ann, who with her dog, Mouse, moved from her RV to a tiny-home village, suffered a massive stroke which paralyzed her entire left side.
John Dunne
Public Health
No easy answers to Whatcom fentanyl health disaster
March 8, 2023
Fentanyl is involved in an increasing number of deadly overdoses and getting treatment for addiction to the synthetic opioid is a complex process — creating a local health disaster.
Matt Benoit
Community Voices
Southeast Alaska troll fishery has deep local ties
March 7, 2023
Commentary:
Shutting down Southeast Alaska’s troll fishery will not stave off the decline of local orca and salmon populations — but it will have devastating effects on hundreds of fishing families and businesses.
Pete Granger and Norman Pillen
Education
Bond system, wealth inequity are targets of school-funding suit
March 2, 2023
If a lawsuit brought against the state by one of Washington’s small, rural school districts prevails, it could level the playing field for rich and poor districts when it comes to funding school construction.
Kai Uyehara
Community Voices
Donut Hole win can guide transboundary strategy
March 2, 2023
Commentary: There are many good reasons for protecting the Skagit River headwaters; high on the list is the ongoing health of the larger Skagit watershed, a defining element of the region’s geography and cultural heritage.
Derek Moscato
Commerce
Era ends with sale of Lovrić’s Sea-Craft of Anacortes
February 28, 2023
A Seattle-based company is bringing a new look to a long-time shipyard and marina in Anacortes.
Richard Arlin Walker
Transportation
Where’s the ferry?
February 24, 2023
Islanders will see more crew, upgraded terminal … before new ferries.
Nancy DeVaux
Natural Resources
Returning wildlife to the wild is a one-by-one effort
February 24, 2023
From whales to baby birds, rehabilitation and release efforts play out daily for wild animals separated from their natural worlds.
Matt Benoit
Public Health
Proposed changes to state’s Death with Dignity Act spark debate
February 16, 2023
Amendments are being considered for Washington’s Death with Dignity Act, as patients continue to work through the complex process.
Kai Uyehara
Artist’s Corner
Determined Flight
February 16, 2023
One of the larger terns — the Caspian — migrates throughout the world and now resides in the Salish Sea.
Tony Angell
Culture
Who was Edmund C. Fitzhugh?
February 16, 2023
A new book by local author Candace Wellman provides a portrait of a complex man who put Bellingham Bay on the economic and political map.
Candace Wellman and Dean Kahn
Commerce
Retail — and illicit — cannabis markets endure; medical in ‘dire straits’
February 10, 2023
The illegal cannabis market still exists alongside Washington’s growing legal retail and struggling medical cannabis markets. Changes may be in store.
Matt Benoit
Climate
Surprising channel flood leaves La Conner planning for future
February 9, 2023
“Climate change is real” is a lesson from Dec. 27 flooding that damaged the La Conner downtown.
Ava Ronning
Community Voices
Ongoing racial reckoning in the post-George Floyd era
February 9, 2023
Commentary: Three years after the Summer of Racial Reckoning, a divided populace still grapples with damaging and sometimes deadly effects of racism, and with how to talk about the issues.
Vernon Damani Johnson
Natural Resources
Island waste: can’t burn or bury it, so best to manage it
February 2, 2023
Islands in San Juan County present unique challenges in waste management and have found solutions meeting each island’s needs.
Nancy DeVaux