Leaders of four major Puget Sound hospital systems Wednesday night explained the benefits of an affiliation with Island Hospital and two other area hospitals to concerned citizens, many of whom are looking to avoid an affiliation with a religion-connected system.

Mt Vernon artist James Lapp (right) received the top Festival fine art award at the Arts at the Port, opening Friday. Juror Jake Seniuk presented Lapp with the Best of Show $3,000 award, along with two $1,000 Excellence Awards to Karen Hackenberg of Port Townsend and Natalie Niblack of Mount Vernon.

New, across-the-board ferry-fare increases of at least 2 percent will go into effect this fall as a result of action taken by Washington State Transportation Commission.

Early this Saturday morning, drivers on Interstate 5 may experience minor delays through the Mount Vernon and Burlington area, while Department of Transportion bridge inspection crews give the temporary spans a checkup.

All four mayoral candidates Tuesday evening appeared together before an overflow audience estimated at more than 200 at the Senior Center just one week before the primary election.

Now in its 6th decade, the Anacortes Arts Festival welcomes visitors and artists from throughout the region and beyond. The Festival features 250 diverse Booth Artisans who transform six blocks of historic downtown.