"A little bit of an unpleasant surprise" was how Mayor Dean Maxwell characterized the Governor Chris Gregoire's proposal to create a regional taxing district to support the state ferry system.

A cold and showery air mass will spread across western Washington this weekend. Snow levels will fall to 1,000 feet on Saturday and then to near sea level or just a couple hundred feet on Sunday morning.

Even as communities like Anacortes collect signatures on petitions asking for no cuts in state ferry service, the Governor released a proposal Thursday to create a regional ferry district to run the Washington State Ferries.

An incident with the Boiler House at the Shell Refinery at March Point caused the refinery to shut down on Thursday afternoon. Sirens were heard in town as non-essential personnel were evacuated.

Workers are putting finishing touches on Anthony's new restaurant at Cap Sante Marina and have set the opening for January 17 with dinner service. 

The state Department of Ecology hopes cleanup work on the Custom Plywood Mill site, near 34th St and V Ave. will start early this summer, possibly as early as June. But, a lack of state funds may slow things down.