One writer's advice: use situations and characters that readers can empathize with to get readers to open their minds and perhaps how they see the world.

The BMW-Oracle Racing trimaran, built in Anacortes, won the America's Cup in the second race in the best of 3 series in Valencia, Spain. The BMW-Oracle boat finished more thana 5 minutes ahead of the Swiss-based Alinghi.

An Anacortes Police officer who was stopped behind 2 cars at a stop sign at 22nd St and M Ave watched as the lead car revved its engine, then back into the car behind it. Then it took off, prompting the officer to chase it down in an incident on Sunday, Feb. 7.

This is Valentine's Day weekend and unfortunately the new film Valentine's Day has been getting generally unfavorable reviews. A new kids movie, Percy Jackson & The Olympians has better reviews. Dear john is back for another week.

The Anacortes-built BMW-Oracle Racing trimaran won the first race in the America's Cup in Valencia, Spain, beating the Swiss boat Alinghi by more than 15 minutes over the 40 mile course.

An airplane that showed up on Orcas Island had officials over there scratching their heads until they learned it had been stolen from Anacortes.

Mayor Dean Maxwell highlighted the city's finances during his annual state of the city speech to a lunch meeting of the Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, saying the city is seeing "a few sprouts of green."

Ground was officially broken Wednesday for a new Anacortes ferry terminal building at the Guemes Ferry landing. The new two-story building will be built about 10 feet to the south of the current building.

Anacortes School Board President Kris Lytton said she is very grateful to Anacortes voters for approving a 4-year maintenance and operations levy for the Anacortes school system. Early results show 76 percent of the voters approved the levy request.

The BMW-Oracle boat USA and the Swiss boat Alinghi waited for enough wind today to start the America's Cup, but after nearly 4 hours today's match was called off.