Opening day of school is just around the corner and Anacortes School District is busy preparing to make 2010–2011 a pivotal learning and growing year for students and staff.

A man who had picked up a female hitchhiker on SR 20 near Thompson Road reported that the 21-year-old woman “freaked out” in his car.  The man dropped her off near Reservation Road and then called the police.

Chief Roy Horn, Skagit Fire District 13 (left), and Islands Chapter Executive Director Brian Geer, with the recently donated Emergency Response Vehicle which Fire District 13 retired from service due to age and condition.

After 6 months of work by a team of boatbuilders, the Old Anacortes Rowing Society (OARS) Thursday launched their new wooden 27-foot gig, the Island Star, then showed the boat off to a small crowd at the north end of Cap Sante Marina.

A new survey by the Chamber of Commerce suggests that Anacortes residents want to see more shops in town, including clothing and shoe stores and a large retail store. The survey also polled non-residents, who reported they like the shops, restaurants and the small town feel of Anacortes.

Deception Pass State Park has started offering rare public tours of Kiket Island, which is now in the newly-named Kukutali Preserve. Deception Pass Park director Jack Hartt says the tours started just last Saturday and will be available every Saturday.