January 7, 2021 7:11 am
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MOUNT VERNON, Wash. A 62-year-old man was charged Monday for attempted arson at a Mount Vernon gas station on New Year’s Day.
The Skagit Valley Herald reports James Paul Doggett allegedly used a lighter and a lit cigarette in an attempt to set two gas pumps on fire at a gas station on West Division Street.
Court documents say police were called to the gas station for reports that a man had stolen lighter fluid from outside the store and was removing the pump nozzles in an effort to light them.
The documents also state surveillance video caught Doggett trying to set fire to the pumps and a nearby sign.
January 6, 2021 7:02 am
KGMI
ANACORTES, Wash. A study on privatizing the Anacortes-to-Sidney, BC ferry route finds a lot of downsides to the idea.
The study done by a group of regional public and private interests finds that privatization would result in a loss of revenue for Washington State Ferries and negatively impact the region’s economy.
The Skagit Valley Herald reports that even if the Sidney route were privatized, the state would still need to replace the Elwha, which was retired last year, to ensure ferry service isn’t disrupted across all routes.
The mayor of Anacortes and local state lawmakers have come out against the idea of privatization.
December 31, 2020 7:07 am
KGMI
ANACORTES, Wash. A new shelter program for the homeless has been put into place in Anacortes.
The Anacortes Community Health Council will manage the cold weather shelter program at the Holiday Motel, which will be open every night through February.
The Anacortes Family Center is providing background checks and case management and the Salvation Army is providing food.
The Skagit Valley Herald reports the cost of the program is about $18,000,with another $3,000 allocated for RV parking in Washington Park.
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HAMILTON â The town of Hamilton will be late in adopting its 2021 budget because of staff issues and ongoing political friction among its elected officials.
Three of five council members met over Zoom for a budget workshop Tuesday with former Town Clerk Beth Easterday, who gave a summary of 2020 finances and the status of the 2021 budget.
Mayor Carla Vandiver and council member Lisa Johnson â the two involved in much of the recent conflict over local governance â were not in attendance, nor was council member Alyssa Boots.
Vandiver told the Skagit Valley Herald she has been hospitalized due to an illness. Johnson, who is mayor pro tem, was reportedly out of the state at the time of the meeting.