The Thursday afternoon ballot count didn't change the outcome of the Mayor's race. Laurie Gere outpolled Mayor Dean Maxwell 46 percent to 29 percent. Both will move on to the November general election. Mitch Everton and Brian Geer are out of the race.

Anacortes Town Crier Richard Riddell (center) beat out criers from Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Belgium and Holland, to win the World Invitational Town Crier Competition in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. He is the first American to win the event.

Restaurateur Laurie Gere took an early and commanding lead in the mayoral race with about 47 percent of the vote, with incumbent Mayor Dean Maxwell second in the four-person race with 30 percent of the vote. Gere said, "I'm so amazed...I felt I was strong, but not quite this level."

Some last minute campaigning... Mayoral candidate Laurie Gere and firefighter supporters were at 12th & Commercial Tuesday morning. Opponent Brian Geer was waving at 22nd & Commercial.

Photographer Steve Berentsen caught up with the class of 1960 for a group show at Saturday's All-Class Reunion at the AHS cafeteria. Class reunions are traditioanlly held on the Saturday of the Anacortes Arts Festival. This one drew 70-80 people look at photos and talk over old times.

Due to high fire danger and expected hot and dry weather conditions, an outdoor burning ban for the unincorporated areas of Skagit County will go into effect Monday morning at 8:00 AM.