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.

The City has chosen Ryan Larsen, the brother of Congressman Rick Larsen, as the new City Planning Director for Anacortes, replacing Ian Munce.

The City Council is considering a request to give up (or vacate) a right-of-way for 30th St. between Commercial Ave. and Q Ave, the area shown here.

The Chamber of Commerce wants the city to pick up some of the cost of city beautification that has been funded by the Chamber.