Sam Fletcher

Jun 6, 2024 | knkx.org | Sam Fletcher

A new study on the health effects of noise from EA-18G Growlers flying out of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island indicates many are at risk from aircraft noise exposure on Whidbey, and residents from surrounding counties say they feel the impacts, too. “Whidbey takes the brunt of it. We often get secondary fallout,” said Christine Kerlin, a Lopez Island resident and data collector for the environmental organization, Quiet Skies over San JuanCounty.

Apr 27, 2024 | heraldnet.com | Sam Fletcher

Whidbey Island beachcombers may find pretty rocks, colorful shells and sea glass, but Oak Harbor resident Libby Hammer sees something more in the bits and pieces that collect on the shore: skirts, hats, pants, shoes, butterflies, kites and balloons.

Feb 9, 2024 | whidbeynewstimes.com | Sam Fletcher

An Oak Harbor police officer was awarded the department’s life saving award on Monday for saving an infant’s life. On Aug. 25 last year, dispatch sent Officer Claire Herrera to respond to a medical call at an Oak Harbor residence, where 1-year-old William Belanger was unresponsive, not breathing and CPR had been initiated. Herrera arrived before emergency medical services to find Belanger seizing and unable to breathe due to an obstructed airway. Herrera didn’t hesitate.

Feb 6, 2024 | whidbeynewstimes.com | Sam Fletcher

Naval Air Station Whidbey Island will expand testing for groundwater contamination related to firefighting foam south of the Area 6 Landfill this year, as the Navy currently believes that is the highest level of contamination. Because the plume is unpredictable, officials are urging nearby Whidbey Island residents on private well systems to test their water. “We’ve had some chemical finds on base,” said Phil Nenninger, Naval Facilities Northwest Environmental Restoration supervisor.

Feb 6, 2024 | whidbeynewstimes.com | Sam Fletcher

While gonorrhea cases have fallen for the first time in a decade in the United States, syphilis is up by 9%. In Island County from 2017 to 2021, it’s up 137%. According to the Washington State Department of Health, these numbers are consistent with state trends. Washington as a whole has seen cases increase by 137% from 2018-2022. Women have seen a 57% increase from 2021 to 2022. Heterosexual couples have also seen an increase in syphilis cases.