Free ferry parking for Fourth of July

Parking will be free at the Anacortes ferry terminal operated by Washington State Ferries during the Fourth of July weekend.

The free parking begins at midnight Thursday, July 2 and ends at 11:59 p.m. Monday, July 6.

Police department hires new officer

The Anacortes Police Department recently hired Evan Michael, 22, from Friday Harbor to fill one of its vacant patrol officer positions.

Michael is a Washington State University graduate and worked in campus security, said Anacortes Capt. John Small.

Michael left for academy recently and is scheduled to complete it in October. That will be followed by three months of field training.

There is still one vacant patrol position the department is working to fill. Small said they hope to have someone hired by this fall. The department had three positions open after several promotions in the department and the firing of an officer last year.

Two providers pass EMT course

Two Mount Erie Fire Department personnel were among the 15 who recently completed their Emergency Medical Technician basic course.

Alexa Bowen and Austin Portis completed the three-month course at the end of May. The course was conducted by the Skagit County EMS Commission, which sponsors two EMT basic classes per year, paid for by the county-wide emergency medical services levy.

The course included 152 hours of classroom instruction, practical application of skills, and time in a hospital and on an ambulance working with and observing patients. They passed course and state exams.