The City Council has taken the preliminary step toward lifting a cap on the amount of retail space which is allowed near the Fidalgo Bay waterfront.

The City Council has decided against banning so-called formula businesses in downtown Anacortes. The action last night came as the Council took up proposed changes to the city’s development regulations.

The Anacortes Arts Festival will feature noted Conway sculptor Arnie Garborg in the John L. Scott Focus Gallery in Art at the Port this Friday through Sunday.

A weekly roundup prepared by the Anacortes Police Department.

The tall ships Lady Washington (left, above) and Hawaiian Chieftain are bringing maritime adventures and environmental explorations to Anacortes next weekend and will be based here for nearly two weeks.

The city Planning Director Ian Munce says that significant erosion control improvements have taken place at the Skyline property of Bob Morand. He faces fines for failure to stabilize the hillside at Morand’s property at 4801 Anaco Beach Rd.

The city has fired an Anacortes police officer for misuse of a Police Department computer. Police Chief Bonnie Bowers said the officer violated department policy, but didn’t do anything illegal. 

This week's Northwest Bestsellers list includes four Northwest authors. Back this week are: The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Garth Stein; The Other by David Guterson; and Mary Dahiem's Scots on the Rocks. The paperback reprint of J.A. Jance's Justice Denied is also on the list.

The City’s effort to block T-Mobile from building a 116 foot cell tower on church property has hit another setback.

Ian Munce was in a jovial mood as as he met with old friends and City Hall cohorts before tonight’s City Council meeting. A cake and cupcakes were offered to city hall guests.