Whidbey News-Times

Whidbey News-Times is a newspaper based in Oak Harbor, Washington, that publishes articles two times a week, specifically on Wednesdays and Saturdays. It focuses on general news pertaining to Whidbey Island. The paper is owned by Sound Publishing Inc., which is a part of Black Press.

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South Whidbey Parks and Rec board discusses project bids, levy

1 week ago | whidbeynewstimes.com | Kira Erickson

South Whidbey Parks and Recreation commissioners are gearing up for a busy summer. Two major projects are set to go out to bid, and a maintenance and operations levy is planned for the November ballot. During a meeting last week, the board of commissioners discussed these topics. In June, the parks and rec district’s outdoor pickleball courts will go out to bid, with plans to sign an award contract by the end of July and construction slated to begin August.
Whidbey celebrates Pride Month

1 week ago | whidbeynewstimes.com | Kira Erickson

Even in the current stormy political climate, the rainbow colors of Pride Month shine brightly. June is approaching, and there are a plethora of events and ways to celebrate LGBTQ+ pride on Whidbey. Kick off the month with a ceremony to commemorate the raising of the pride flag at Langley City Hall at noon on June 1. Join board members for South Whidbey Pride, a nonprofit that organizes many South End pride events, and Mayor Kennedy Horstman as they raise the flag together.
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 bill addresses bad behavior on ferries

1 week ago | whidbeynewstimes.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.
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.
Department of Ecology hosting open house for Freeland cleanup project

2 weeks ago | whidbeynewstimes.com | Kira Erickson

The state Department of Ecology is seeking the public’s input on an environmental cleanup project at a former Freeland gas station. Comments are being accepted on drafts of the project’s remedial investigation and feasibility study from now until 11:59 p.m. on June 20. Ecology staff plan to hold an open house on the topic 4-6 p.m. on June 3. The project’s website is apps.ecology.wa.gov/cleanupsearch/site/5610. The cleanup site, Whidbey Marine & Auto Supply, has a long history in the community.
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.
State enacts ban on feeding deer, elk

2 weeks ago | whidbeynewstimes.com | Kira Erickson

It’s now against the law to give a treat to Bruiser the elk and the countless black-tailed deer that live on Whidbey Island, according to a new rule adopted by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife this week that prohibits the feeding of certain cervids. The appearance of a case of chronic wasting disease in an Eastern Washington deer prompted the new regulation, which may seem harsh but is in place to protect deer, elk and moose from catching and spreading the disease.
Second boat coming to Coupeville ferry route this summer

2 weeks ago | whidbeynewstimes.com | Kira Erickson

Good news at last for the Coupeville-Port Townsend ferry route, just in time for Independence Day. Washington State Ferries has announced that a second boat will return to the route starting on the Fourth of July. Service will run every Friday through Monday until Oct. 13. “We don’t currently have the crewing to restore that service seven days a week, so we’re going to focus on weekends,” Deputy Assistant Secretary John Vezina said during a State Ferries public meeting this week.