Whidbey News-Times

3 weeks ago | whidbeynewstimes.com | Kira Erickson

They’ve worked hard for their accomplishments, and now the South Whidbey High School class of 2025 is ready to turn their tassels and graduate June 7. The South Whidbey Record asked ten seniors at the top of their class about their fondest memories, advice for underclassmen, post-graduation plans and more.

3 weeks ago | whidbeynewstimes.com | Jessie Stensland

It will be a quieter summer in Oak Harbor this year. The two-man crew who run the annual Hydros for Heroes event each year announced this week that they have to cancel the high-performance boat races because of some “unexpected events beyond our control,” according to a social media post. The hope is that someone else will take the helm and continue the event next year and beyond.

3 weeks ago | whidbeynewstimes.com | Jessie Stensland

A development moratorium in semi-urban areas of unincorporated Island County remains in effect, but changes are likely when commissioners consider a replacement moratorium next month. As required by law, the commissioners held a public hearing Tuesday on an emergency moratorium on development in areas zoned as mixed-use Rural Areas of Intense Development, known as RAIDs. It impacts commercial areas of Clinton, Ken’s Korner, Bayview, Greenbank, Cornet Bay and Deception Pass.

3 weeks ago | whidbeynewstimes.com | Kira Erickson

Oak Harbor’s former city administrator may have found a new job on South Whidbey. After negotiations reportedly “broke down” with the Port of South Whidbey’s top choice for a new executive director, the board of commissioners voted Thursday to extend an offer of employment to Blaine Oborn. The commissioners’ first choice, Randy Mueller, has extensive experience in other port districts in the state, including Ridgefield and Chehalis.

3 weeks ago | whidbeynewstimes.com | Kira Erickson

After spending the last few years searching for the next championship chess player on Whidbey, Freeland resident Mark Calogero may have found his protégé. Ten-year-old Clementine Penny of Clinton recently won second place in her division in a U.S. Chess Federation tournament in Port Townsend on May 31. Penny has just completed fourth grade at Island Christian Academy and has been training with Calogero since February. “She recited Latin to me once after one of our training sessions.