The School Board Thursday night approved a trim $28.5 million budget that includes keeping $1.4 million in reserve. The budget anticipates anticipates a revenue shortfall of about $350,000.

The city has quietly placed around 20 bike signs to lead bicyclists from the twin bridges into Anacortes.

The School Board will hold a public hearing Thursday evening on a proposed $28 million budget for the coming school year.

Very little has changed with Wednesday afternoon’s vote update. It appears that the county has tallied an additional 2,000 vote over the initial vote count from Tuesday night. In the County Commissioner, Dist. 1 race, Republican Ron Wesen is the clear leader with 50% of the vote, with Democrat Bill Turner in second place. The two will be in the general election.

Four major books by three great authors are on on this week's Northwest Bestsellers list. Again, Garth Stein's The Art of Racing in the Rain leads off the list. Also in the top ten: Damage Control and Justice Denied by J.A. Jance, and The Other by David Guterson.

With first election returns in for Skagit County, it looks like Republican Ron Wesen, with 50 percent of the votes, and Democrat Bill Turner, with 37 percent, will face each other in the general election for the County Commissioner, District 1.