A crew put the town's 28 foot Christmas tree in place Thursday morning in front of the Chamber of Commerce office on Commercial Ave. at 9th St. The official tree-lighting is set for 6pm Friday evening, when Santa is set to arrive.

Island Hospital Foundation volunteer Betty Anne Ely helps decorate the Foundation's tree, the Tree of Hope, as preparations are underway for this weekend's Celebration of Trees at the Transit Shed, at the foot of Commercial Ave.

The man convicted of murder in the disappearance of dog trainer Mark Stover has been sentenced to the maximum prison term of 26-1/2 years.

Growth of vegetation in Heart Lake has grown to “nuisance levels” according to a new report for the city Parks Department. And, the city wants to get rid of the vegetation.

A 15-year-old girl suspected of an alcohol overdose was taken to the Island Hospital ER and was picked up by Child Protective Services about 12 hours later after family members refused pick her up.

Our sub-freezing temperatures are expected to continue through Thanksgiving Day, then it will start to warm up here. Meanwhile, enjoy the photo of Anacortes with an inch or so of snow on the ground from earlier this week.