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.

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.