News

A major winter storm is on tap this weekend, but Anacortes and western Skagit County will be spared the worst of it. 

School Superintendent Chris Borgen says Anacortes schools will be hurt by cuts in the state budget proposed by the Governor. “Negatively impacted” was his term. Those cuts could mean small staff reductions. 

Governor Christine Gregoire wants to eliminate the Anacortes-to-Sidney, BC ferry as part of her budget cuts. Dropping the route would save $9.2 million and eliminate 35 jobs. 

A break in the snow is coming. But, meanwhile snow showers are expected to continue today. One backyard weather station in town has recorded 6.5 inches of snow in the past 48 hours.

The city's historic register, which is an official list of structures intrumental in the history of Anacortes, has been expanded with the addition of the first private homes to be placed on the list.

Three Northwest authors have books on this week's Northwest Bestsellers list. Seattle author Ivan Doig's The Eleventh Man tops the list, with Garth Stein's The Art of Racing in the Rain and Christopher Paolini's Brisingr also on the list. Week ending Dec. 14, 2008.

Anacortes was hit by an unusually heavy snowfall, causing power outages and slow traffic. But, the city got some welcome help from the school district. More snow is expected tonight. Schools will close tomorrow.

Snow started falling early Wednesday morning in what the weather service could be a daylong snowfall, with a total winding up as much as 5 inches. Schools are closed. Recycling pickup cancelled. Garbage pickup will be slow.

Schools closed Wednesday. No out of district transport. No after school activities. No Head Start. YMCA Early learning centers at Whitney and the High School are closed.