Like many of us, my husband and I were drawn to Fidalgo Island by the pristine beauty of the area and its surrounding waters.  However, unlike many fellow Trail Tales docents, we were not born here, nor were we long-time residents active in environmental programs, nor members of Beachwatchers.  

The Shell refinery on March Point sprang a leak in what's called the catalytic cracking unit that spilled granules of a chemical catalyst, a mix of chemicals including silica and alumina. The refinery reported exceeding permitted levels of two gases.

Mount Erie Elementary and Fidalgo School have both been awarded Washington Achievement Awards in Science.

Anacortes Police officers assisted a Bellingham man get his his stolen mountain bike, back. The victim had spotted it listed on Craigslist by a seller on Orcas Island, who agreed to bring it on the ferry to Anacortes.

The Anacortes Arts Festival is holding an open house during this month's First Friday Gallery Walk to spotlight the festival's permanent collection. The Gallery Walk is this Friday from 6 – 9 pm.

The Skagit County Road Department is preparing to do some chip sealing improvements on several of the roads on Guemes Island and for the next several weeks, road crews will be hauling oil rock on the Guemes Ferry.