South Whidbey Record

Since 1921, the South Whidbey Record has been dedicated to delivering top-notch community journalism to its readers. The publication focuses on the southern part of Whidbey Island, starting with Clinton, the gateway where Washington State ferries arrive after crossing Puget Sound from the mainland and Seattle. The Record’s audience includes various communities, such as the lively town of Clinton, known for its beaches and rural landscapes; the charming village of Langley, a hub for visual and performing arts that attracts visitors year-round; the small but thriving town of Freeland, which is currently seeing significant growth in business and services; and the quaint hamlet of Greenbank, located near Central Whidbey, home to the public Greenbank Farm and the renowned 54-acre Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens. Committed to excellence in community journalism, the South Whidbey Record upholds a high level of reporting, analysis, opinions, and photography. Each edition showcases the diverse interests of its readers, covering topics such as land use, road improvements, education, crime, local government, community happenings, sports, boating, recreation, arts, entertainment, and the unique individuals and places that define South Whidbey.

Local

English

Newspaper

Outlet metrics

Domain Authority

Ranking

Global

#1716004

United States

#462251

News and Media

#11900

Traffic sources

Monthly visitors

Articles

New bill addresses bad behavior on ferries

1 week ago | southwhidbeyrecord.com | Kira Erickson

Thanks to new state legislation, ferry workers are better protected from misbehaving passengers. Gov. Bob Ferguson recently signed into law Senate Bill 5716, which carries harsher penalties for those who assault transit workers. Previously, ferry workers were not included in the list. The new law expands the locations where a person can be guilty of “unlawful transit conduct” to include the state ferry system.
Mother Mentors to lose 26% of annual budget

3 weeks ago | southwhidbeyrecord.com | Kira Erickson

In a time when its services are increasingly needed by the community, Mother Mentors of Whidbey Island is facing an unexpected $60,000 gap in funding. The nonprofit organization provides in-home mentorship for parents, two pantries of free items for families and Playscape locations in Langley and Oak Harbor where infants and young children can have fun. According to Executive Director Jane Bothel, Mother Mentors has received state funding from the Opportunity Council for the past 13 years.
Whidbey’s dyed-in-the-wool sheep farmer

3 weeks ago | southwhidbeyrecord.com | Kira Erickson

When someone asked Katie Whitlock where she’d rather be if not behind her computer doing statistical research, she responded, “In a field with sheep.”A few years later, she was able to leave her day job behind in Seattle and began building her flock after moving to South Whidbey with her family. Five years later, about 50 sheep call the Windy Indigo farmstead in Clinton their home. “Might have gone a little overboard there,” Whitlock said with a laugh.
Oak Harbor test drive turns criminal

3 weeks ago | southwhidbeyrecord.com | Jessie Stensland

A 43-year-old Oak Harbor woman is facing a criminal charge after taking a vehicle on a test drive from an Oak Harbor dealership and then not returning it last week, according to court documents. Tiffany A. Cleaver appeared in Island County Superior Court May 9. Judge Carolyn Cliff found probable cause existed to believe she may have committed the crime of possession of a stolen vehicle.
‘Shimmy Mob’ belly dances across Whidbey for awareness

3 weeks ago | southwhidbeyrecord.com | Kira Erickson

Every year on the second Saturday of May, belly dancers around the world unite as part of the Shimmy Mob, an international movement that aims to raise awareness and show support for survivors of domestic violence. Whidbey has its own Shimmy Mob teams, including one that is based in Langley but includes people from all parts of the island. Outfitted in hot pink T-shirts, the jangling troupe of women danced for six hours at seven different locations, moving from Clinton to Oak Harbor.
Oak Harbor waterfront redevelopment meeting set for May 15

3 weeks ago | southwhidbeyrecord.com | Jessie Stensland

The Oak Harbor community will get a peek at potential redevelopment ideas for a large section of the city during a virtual open house meeting set for Thursday, May 15. The city is in the midst of a redevelopment planning project for the downtown area as well as the larger “Waterfront District,” which encompasses about 600 acres within a triangle formed by Highway 20, Midway Boulevard and the Oak Harbor waterfront.
Eight candidates emerge for hospital board during filing week

3 weeks ago | southwhidbeyrecord.com | Jessie Stensland

The normally muted contest for seats on the WhidbeyHealth public hospital board became lively as at least eight candidates emerged during candidate filing week. Other races on South Whidbey appear to be a little less exciting, with new candidates but no challenged seats on the Langley City Council. One challenger emerged for a school board seat. There will be no challenged seats on Parks and Recreation board or the Port of South Whidbey board unless write-in candidates pop up.
Musical heart of the church is ready to retirement

4 weeks ago | southwhidbeyrecord.com | Kira Erickson

Just about every Sunday for the past five decades, the sanctuary of the Langley United Methodist Church has rumbled to life with the sound of Kathy Fox working the organ. After half a century of tickling the ivory keys, the South Whidbey resident is ready to retire from her steady gig as the church’s longtime organist and pianist. The story goes that an arm was twisted 50 years ago when Fox, then mainly a pianist, was asked by former minister Fred Hertzog in 1975 to be the church organist.
Orchestra takes on music from the silver screen

4 weeks ago | southwhidbeyrecord.com | Kira Erickson

Admirers of science fiction and fantasy movies whose favorite part is the music are in for a treat. The Saratoga Orchestra will be playing a selection of iconic and immediately recognizable film scores May 17 in Oak Harbor and May 18 in Langley. Whether it’s “Harry Potter,” “Lord of the Rings” or “Star Wars,” just about every major franchise is represented in this unique two-night concert, which is titled “Reel Music from Stage to Screen.”And Studio Ghibli fans, listen up.
Candidate filing weeks begins on Whidbey

1 month ago | southwhidbeyrecord.com | Jessie Stensland

The first day of candidate filing week yielded some significant developments, including a tragedy. A third position on the WhidbeyHealth public hospital board became open for candidates after Hospital Commissioner Kate Rose passed away on April 24. That means three of the five positions on the board will be on the ballot during the November general election. Both Ron Wallin and Gregory Richardson, who have position 3 and 4, respectively, said they will not seek reelection to the six-year terms.