As expected, the county's Growth Management Act Steering Committee has decided to recommend docketing a request from Anacortes to expand the city's urban growth area.

The Boards of Commissioners of Island Hospital and two other public hospitals in Skagit and Snohomish counties  have approved a plan to look for a larger health care partner.

A planned boardwalk through the Ship Harbor Interpretive Preserve, near the state ferry landing, moved a step ahead this week with the City Council's okay to fund it with $30,000 in city money.

The City Council has approved a conditional use permit for construction of a 16-home single family subdivision called Channel Landing in land mostly zoned for Commercial Marine use. The approval came Monday night.

Businessman Mitch Everton and restaurateur Lauri Gere have decided to enter the Mayor election this year, joining City Council member Brian Geer and incumbent Mayor Dean Maxwell.

Police says that an offer had to suspend a field sobriety test on a Texas man suspected of drunk driving and hit-and-run for his own safety because the man’s balance was so poor.