The proposed Forest Comprehensive plan drew criticism at a City Council hearing Tuesday night, with a strong contingent of climbers looking for relaxed regulations. More than 50 people were in the audience for the public hearing.

Mayor Dean Maxwell has presented the City Council with what he called a fiscally conservative, balanced, $38 million budget for the coming year. He said the 2010 budget represents a 16% cut from the current year's budget.

The proposed Parks and Forest Comprehensive Plans up for City Council public hearing on Tuesday evening include new restrictions on where and when trails and areas are used by motorcycles, dirt bikes, as well as hikers and climbers.

The Sea, Within, a 98" tall fused glass and steel sculpture by Lin McJunkin of Conway, is located at Commercial Ave. at 32nd St. in Anacortes. Like all art in the new Commercial Ave. public art series, it is for sale. View The Big Picture.

Someone last week pulled a mural by local artist and history buff Bill Mitchell off a wall and stole it. Mitchell made the discovery and called police.

The weather service is forecasting a cold and wet holiday weekend in northwestern Washington, starting with a cold front expected to move into western Skagit County early Saturday morning.