Police Blotter, May 23 - 29, 2020

Anacortes Police 7 minutes read
An Anacortes man fell for an online email scam, then after sending off some money, thought about it and managed to stop payment.

Coronavirus Surprise: IRS Allows Midyear Insurance And FSA Changes

Art Shotwell 7 minutes read
Last month, the Internal Revenue Service announced it would let employees add, drop or change some of their benefits for the remainder of 2020. The catch: Your employer has to allow the changes. KHN explains how it could work.

Skagit County Board of Health approves, submits Phase 2 Variance Application

Art Shotwell 2 minutes read
The Skagit County Board of Health and the Skagit County Board of Commissioners Friday voted to submit an official application to move forward to Phase 2 under Governor Inslee’s Safe Start plan. 

Nursing Homes Fought Federal Emergency Plan Requirements for Years. Now, They’re Coronavirus Hot Spots

Art Shotwell 23 minutes read
The long-term care industry resisted a federal mandate to plan for disasters including pandemics. About 43% of nursing homes have been caught violating the requirement, including facilities that have now had deadly COVID-19 outbreaks.

Hate Unmasked In America

Art Shotwell 5 minutes read
As a journalist, she wrote during the winter about the hostility shown toward Asian Americans for wearing masks. In May, she got cursed at for not wearing a mask herself.

Mayor Gere’s COVID-19 Briefing - May 27, 2020

Art Shotwell 23 minutes read
I am incredibly proud of how our business owners, health care providers, and the employees of the City have adapted to this new reality.