The City Council has okayed giving property tax breaks for new residential construction in the downtown business district. The new rules are designed to jump-start the creation of new residential housing above downtown businesses.

Between January 22 and February 9, voters within the Anacortes School District will be asked to approve a 4-year maintenance and operations (M&O) levy to replace the current levy which expires at the end of this year.

When police officers showed up at a rear-end traffic accident last Wednesday, they discovered that the driver of the car that was hit had run off. Turned out there were 4 arrest warrants for him.

Saying "A friend of ours needs help," local Red Cross director Brian Geer briefs around 3-dozen volunteers Saturday morning before launching a grassroots search for Keith Anderson, who's been missing since January 6.

Anacortes Cinemas has added two new films to the schedule this weekend: Fantastic Mr. Fox and The Book of Eli. Continuing are: It's Complicated, Sherlock Holmes and Avatar. Fantastic Mr. Fox has received great reviews.

Workers put the finishing touches on a new pocket beach park at the north end of O Ave. The park project by the Port of Anacortes involved removing 103 creosote pilings, an old concrete bulkhead and other rubble.