Jessie Stensland

Editor at Whidbey News-Times

Editor at South Whidbey Record

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Articles

Marshall appointed as Oak Harbor chamber director

1 week ago | whidbeynewstimes.com | Jessie Stensland

A member of the Oak Harbor City Council is now at the head of the Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce. Councilmember Eric Marshall announced at the council meeting last week that the chamber board named him as permanent director of the chamber. He was previously appointed as the interim director after the former director was let go on the same day as the board president resigned.
New specialty license plate to support Whidbey history

2 weeks ago | whidbeynewstimes.com | Jessie Stensland

Someday, perhaps next year, car owners will be able to show their support for Coupeville’s marine heritage in a way that’s both personal and financial. Gov. Bob Ferguson signed a bill into law this week that creates 13 new special license plates in honor of specific organizations or issues. One of the designs to make the list is “Maritime Northwest,” which will support two Coupeville nonprofit organizations — the Whidbey Island Maritime Heritage Foundation and Historic Whidbey.
Camano Island landlord convicted of theft of family’s belongings on

2 weeks ago | whidbeynewstimes.com | Jessie Stensland

A landlord who threw away a family’s possessions — including guns, heirlooms and even a school-owned computer — will likely be headed to prison soon. On Monday, a jury in Island County Superior Court found 69-year-old Camano Island resident Nancy Lee Griffin guilty of theft in the first degree, theft in the second degree and two counts of theft of a firearm. The jury in the Coupeville courtroom also found aggravating circumstances existed in connection with theft in the first and second degree.
Oak Harbor Council tables B&O tax that’s meant to fund dredging, breakwater and rec center

2 weeks ago | whidbeynewstimes.com | Jessie Stensland

Oak Harbor officials’ plan to adopt a business and occupation tax to help fund marina dredging, the construction of a marina breakwater and a city recreation center fell apart during vigorous debate at a city council meeting Tuesday. In the end, the council voted 4-3 to table the tax proposal until Aug. 6 after several council members questioned the city’s financing plans and argued that the North Whidbey community should first explore the creation of a metropolitan park district.
Hark! Whidbey Ren Faire draws near

2 weeks ago | whidbeynewstimes.com | Jessie Stensland

It’s time to brush up on your medieval dialect. Forsooth, this weekend thou art invited to attend the Whidbey Ren Faire and bid good morrow to knights, bards, royalty, musicians and supernatural creatures aplenty. This year, the medieval fantasy festival is May 24-25 at the “fair village of Mysthaven,” also known as Beach View Farm on Wieldraayer Road near Oak Harbor. Patrons are encouraged, but not required, to dress accordingly.
Whidbey holds Memorial Day events

2 weeks ago | whidbeynewstimes.com | Jessie Stensland

Residents across Whidbey Island are invited to observe Memorial Day at events dedicated to the memory of those who died in service to the nation. On Saturday, May 24, Coupeville will hold its annual parade, picnic in the park, remembrance service and concert. Military veterans, squadrons, community groups, businesses and bands will march through town in the parade, which begins at 11 a.m.The route starts on North Main Street at First Avenue and travels on Front Street to Town Park.
Man charged in knee stabbing, gun wielding

2 weeks ago | whidbeynewstimes.com | Jessie Stensland

Charges have been refiled against a 42-year-old Whidbey man who was accused of stabbing his roommate in the knee and then threatening him with a gun painted to look like a toy in 2022, according to court documents. Prosecutors charged Herman R. Schoonover in Island County Superior Court May 12 with assault in the second degree and unlawful possession of a firearm in the first degree.
DNA ties man to Whidbey burglary

2 weeks ago | whidbeynewstimes.com | Jessie Stensland

DNA results tied a man to a burglary spree on North Whidbey last summer, according to court documents. Prosecutors charged the suspect, 32-year-old Robert N. Larson of Sedro-Woolley, in Island County Superior Court May 19 with residential burglary and taking a motor vehicle without permission in the second degree. A deputy with the Island County Sheriff’s Office responded to four calls of burglaries in the Jones Road area on Aug. 29. The first report involved a house that was being remodeled.
Wayward steer wanders Whidbey woods

2 weeks ago | whidbeynewstimes.com | Jessie Stensland

North Whidbey has Bruiser the elk. Now South Whidbey has Tobey the steer. The big, white bovine has been living among the trees in Trillium Woods for more than a week and a half. Several hikers in the 600-acre forested area have spotted Tobey, with one person posting a video online of the big guy standing mysteriously still in the woods. Kyle Riemer said he and his wife, Vicky, first noticed that Tobey the steer was missing from his enclosure on their farm in Trillium Woods on Friday, May 9.
Meerkerk Gardens offers bountiful color and wildlife

3 weeks ago | whidbeynewstimes.com | Jessie Stensland

Photos cannot capture the magical experience of walking through Meerkerk Garden during peak bloom season. Around each bend of the winding trails is a different riot of color, with hues contrasting in surprising ways from the flowers on some 2,000 rhododendrons and more than a few azaleas that thrive in the Greenbank sanctuary. Some of the blossom-laden bushes tower over visitors while more diminutive species welcome the curious to bend down and take a closer gander.