Tesoro says a fireball that caused the deaths of 7 workers last April was caused by a chemical reaction involving hydrogen molecules that worked their way into imperfections in the steel casing of the heat exchanger where the crew was working.

Fire crews from several fire departments battled a small fire in the Whistle Lake area late Sunday night. The Islands chapter of the Red Cross provided support for fire crews. Here, Dan Whittle, Fidalgo island Disaster Action Team member, sets up a Red Cross rehab center for firefighters.

The driver of a sports car was killed Friday afternoon when the car he was driving veered across Oakes Avenue, then down an embankment.

Wooden boats from all over converged on Bowman Bay this afternoon for what Traditional Small Craft Association members call a “messabout.” A picnic lunch featuring fresh salmon from the Sea Bear company was provided by the folks from the Anacortes Community Maritime Center.

Tesoro says it expects to have the March Point refinery back in operation in the next month or two. "We now believe the refinery will be operational in early October," said Tesoro spokesman Lynn Westfall.

In spite of the sun and hopefully ripening summer crops in our gardens, August is the start of the Pacific Northwest’s second spring season.