Kira Erickson

Seattle

Reporter at Sound Publishing

Reporter at South Whidbey Record

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Articles

Work parties to tackle invasive Scotch broom

2 days ago | whidbeynewstimes.com | Kira Erickson

A group of ambitious weeders are seeking the community’s help in eradicating an invasive species of plant on Whidbey Island. The St. Hubert Catholic Church Green Team, in partnership with the Knights of Colombus, Goosefoot Community Fund, Whidbey Climate Action and WhidbeyHealth, is sponsoring two upcoming work parties for the removal of Scotch broom. To join the fun, come to the Bayview Corner area 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Friday, April 25 or Saturday, April 26.
CADA facing major budget cuts

2 days ago | whidbeynewstimes.com | Kira Erickson

A Whidbey nonprofit organization providing vital services to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault is in danger, bracing itself to lose one-third of its funding. Citizens Against Domestic and Sexual Abuse, also known as CADA, has been impacted by recent federal funding cuts to the Victims of Crime Act, which slashes the nonprofit’s budget by $155,500.
South Whidbey Port’s housing feasibility study doesn’t get letter of support

1 week ago | whidbeynewstimes.com | Kira Erickson

The Port of South Whidbey is back to square one when it comes to a feasibility study for workforce housing. During a meeting this week, port commissioners discussed the study, which is funded by $150,000 in American Rescue Plan Act dollars from Island County.
Photo of ‘staggering’ Whidbey Island orca encounter makes waves

2 weeks ago | heraldnet.com | Kira Erickson

Before moving to Whidbey Island, Cindi Rausch’s closest whale encounter was with Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick. Since 2021, the retired high school English teacher has been following cetaceans up and down the island, fascinated by their behaviour. The self-described “orcaphile” often captures them with the 180-600 millimetre lens of her Nikon Z8 mirrorless camera. One recent photo made waves in the local whale community.
Early childhood nonprofit celebrates 40 years of service with sing-along

2 weeks ago | whidbeynewstimes.com | Kira Erickson

For the past four decades, a nonprofit organization has been helping care for Whidbey infants and toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities. Formerly known as the Toddler Learning Center, Taking Steps Together served 418 families on the island in 2024 with in-home visits. Physical, occupational and speech therapists, along with other providers, lend support to families in need. This year, Steps is celebrating its 40th anniversary.
Unearthed antique signs in Clinton add to mystery of store’s past

3 weeks ago | southwhidbeyrecord.com | Kira Erickson

While cleaning up a Clinton property recently, John Norris found his version of treasure buried in the backyard. Two 14-foot antique signs, made of porcelain and metal, with Bailey’s Corner written in white lettering faintly outlined with green across a red background.
Langley residents divided over affordable housing project

3 weeks ago | southwhidbeyrecord.com | Kira Erickson

Neighbors of Langley’s soon-to-be first affordable rental apartments in over 35 years are unsatisfied with some of the finer details of the project’s design. A total of 36 residents of Saratoga Road, First, Second and Third streets and DeBruyn and Park avenues objected to the proposed Generations Place housing development, a project of Island Roots Rousing, in a letter that has been circulating around the community, and beyond.
Giving Bag offers way to sustainably dispose of unwanted items

3 weeks ago | whidbeynewstimes.com | Kira Erickson

A Langley couple has come up with an award-winning, innovative way to keep items left behind in hotel rooms out of the landfill. Quinn Cox and Lilia Karimi are the co-founders of Giving Bag, a start-up company that partners with hotels around the world to find charitable organizations that will accept donations of gently used items from travelers.
Money-saving move next door for city council

1 month ago | southwhidbeyrecord.com | Kira Erickson

Starting in April, Langley City Council meetings are moving to a different location. Mayor Kennedy Horstman announced this week that the public meetings will take place next door in the newly reopened Langley Library, which has a new space equipped for teleconferenced meetings. “We’re hoping that the first regular city council meeting in April will be conducted in the new meeting room in the library,” Horstman said.
Soup kitchen boasts volunteers of a certain age

1 month ago | whidbeynewstimes.com | Kira Erickson

Every Tuesday and Thursday from approximately 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., volunteers gather at Island Church in Langley to serve a free community meal. Among them are some of the oldest South Whidbey residents, including four nonagenarians who pour coffee, hand out sandwiches, ladle soup and wash the dishes. Jean Matheny, 92, joined the soup kitchen in 2003 shortly after it opened. She served as its leader for nearly two decades.