STORIES
Island on Alert: First case of COVID-19 confirmed
Word of Skagit County’s first confirmed case of novel coronavirus COVID-19 came Tuesday afternoon from Skagit County Public Health, along with a new set of protocols that aim to slow spread of the virus and will have an impact on area residents.
The news of a woman in her 40s who tested positive came several hours after Skagit County made an emergency declaration and after the Anacortes School District announced a month-long cancellation of sports and other student activities.
https://www.goskagit.com/anacortes/news/island-on-alert-skagit-countys-first-covid-19-case-confirmed/article_bf031614-6332-11ea-9af9-9fc6833ba205.html
Hospitals gear up for
'uncertain times'
With cases of COVID-19 predicted to double this week and possibly skyrocket over the next month, hospitals are gearing up for a multifaceted problem: A steep influx of patients, stressed staff with limited resources and a severe decline in revenue.
Current predictions from the Washington State Hospital Association show that cases could double by Friday.
https://www.goskagit.com/news/local_news/hospitals-gear-up-for-uncertain-times/article_868f5d92-8a03-5804-b937-d881949a1e07.html
Violence in Rural America
ORANGEBURG, S.C. — Meredith Mathis never worried about her safety in this rural town where she grew up--until one evening last October.
Then, as Mathis shopped at the Pantry convenience store, three masked men robbed her. After she handed them her wallet, one man pulled a gun.
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Written when with The Associated Press.
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-03-21-mn-13485-story.html
A Woodpecker Dilemma
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Ben Cone wanted to create some good bird habitat on his property near the North Carolina coast. It wound up costing him more than $2 million.
The quail loved it when he burned and cleared underbrush on his property. So did the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker.
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Written when with The Associated Press.
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-05-01-mn-52590-story.html
Divided and heading to the polls
Whether or not Americans like the direction the country is headed under current leadership, a majority tend to agree that the partisan divide is growing.
How that will affect the midterm elections is unknown, but it could mean that unaffiliated independents could carry the day, one way or the other.
A nonscientific survey in late September by Adams Publishing Group indicates that those who claim a party have another priority in mind — seeing their party in control.
https://www.goskagit.com/news/local_news/divided-and-heading-to-the-polls/article_2aeadad5-b8c2-5981-95c6-777450202710.html
OPINION/ COLUMNS
Resetting the rules for civil conversation
Disagreement is inevitable, but the sharing of ideas and debate is an important part of the well-being of our community and nation. It only works, though, if civil conversation is possible. Lately, the sharing of opinions often looks more like a street fight than a discussion.
Please stand up for open government
They decide.
That’s the message from state lawmakers to the public last week when they made changes to the Public Records Act at break-neck speed. They weren’t speaking for We the People. They spoke for themselves.
Now it’s time for the people to speak up. There may still be time.
Rant This Space: Where's the Love?
It’s true that journalists are a fairly cynical bunch. It’s hard to be a Pollyanna in the real world. So, it didn’t surprise me to find online what seemed to be an anti-Valentine’s movement under way on many major news sites.
Welcome to the Weekend edition
March 4, 2023
Dear readers,
As promised, this is the inaugural Weekend edition for the Skagit Valley Herald, and we hope it feels like you’re reading your Sunday paper on Saturday.
You will find that it contains the news we would normally publish in a Saturday edition, plus some extra features that, until now, had been offered on Sundays.
American's new editor takes helm
Oct. 21, 2015
Skagit Publishing has named Colette Weeks as editor and general manager of the Anacortes American.
Weeks, who has lived in Anacortes since 2004, has held top editing positions at the Skagit Valley Herald for more than a decade. In addition to her role in Anacortes, she will continue to provide content oversight for Skagit Publishing products.