Whidbey News-Times

01/20/2025

The state is mandating that Island County, along with other counties and municipalities, create a five-year plan to address low-income housing needs.

The county will have less money to support affordable housing and reduce homelessness.

01/20/2025

Oak Harbor Mayor Ronnie Wright assembled a task force this week to create a plan for the increasing number of homeless people in the city.

The mayor assembled a task force to create a plan for the city’s increasing number of homeless people

01/20/2025

Dannah McCullough, executive director of the Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce, was let go Tuesday morning, shortly after Steve Bristow, the president of the board, announced his resignation.

According to Eric Marshall, interim executive director, the two changes in leadership are unrelated.

01/15/2025

Funding for Oak Harbor’s future projects may not be attainable without the creation of a port district on North Whidbey, a type of district that hasn’t been created in Washington in nearly four decades.

Oak Harbor’s future projects may not be attainable without the creation of a port district.

01/15/2025

Island County Sheriff Rick Felici wants someone with more specific qualifications to take over the role of county fire marshal.

Sheriff Rick Felici wants someone more qualified to take over the role of county fire marshal.

01/15/2025

An attorney representing an Oak Harbor man accused of murdering his wife may be exploring an insanity or diminished capacity defense.

An Oak Harbor man accused of murdering his wife may be exploring an insanity defense.

01/15/2025

If you receive a call from a self-proclaimed law enforcement officer informing you that you must pay a fine in gift cards to avoid facing imprisonment, there is a 100% chance you are dealing with a scammer.

Island County estimates half of the scams targeting the community are reported to law enforcement.

01/15/2025

Five Whidbey firefighters have joined efforts to stop the flames that have been ravaging the greater Los Angeles area since last week.

Five Whidbey firefighters have joined efforts to stop the flames that have been ravaging Los Angeles

01/15/2025

As a crowd of English peasants enjoys food and drinks in celebration of the cidery’s first ever Wassailfest, a small army of Vikings will invade the picturesque barn in Freeland, bringing a mix of entertainment and immersive education.

After being transported to medieval England, the Greenbank Cidery is bracing for a Viking raid.

01/15/2025

The cost of a dump run will get a little more expensive in the new year.

01/15/2025

According to the Board of Natural Resources, commercial net-pen fish farming in the Salish Sea is no more.

01/14/2025

The results returned from the state auditor’s office for Oak Harbor’s 2023 finances show sweeping improvements compared to 2022.

The results returned finances show sweeping improvements compared to 2022.

01/13/2025

The City of Oak Harbor and Oak Harbor Main Street will continue their partnerships for another year.

Cheryl Grehan, who took over as executive director last month, said Main Street’s goal is to promote a vibrant, historic waterfront community via economic vitality, design, organization and promotion.

The City of Oak Harbor and Oak Harbor Main Street will continue their partnerships for another year.

01/13/2025

From a mysterious time capsule to ethereal stained glass windows and a bell made of sand and horse manure, one of Oak Harbor’s oldest places of worship boasts its own charming quirks.

From a mysterious time capsule to a bell made of sand and horse manure, the church boasts its quirks

01/13/2025

Island County signed a $3.4 million agreement with the state Department of Transportation to widen shoulders on Highway 20, from Race Road to Welcher Road, in 2020. Nearly five years later, the project hasn’t begun, but the state is now requesting more county money due to increased costs in the interim.

The county signed a $3.4 million agreement with WSDOT to widen shoulders on Highway 20.

01/13/2025

In one of his first public events since being elected, Bob Ferguson looked toward Whidbey Island.

The governor-elect paid a visit on Wednesday, traveling aboard the Olympic-class Tokitae ferry on the Mukilteo-Clinton route, listening as ferry employees shared their stories and then meeting with Whidbey leaders and elected officials at Clinton Community Hall, where they shared their concerns about the ferry system.

The incoming governor traveled to the island this week.

01/08/2025

Following a breast cancer diagnosis, a first responder, ferry quartermaster and community informant is in need of help.

A first responder, ferry quartermaster and community informant is in need of help.

01/08/2025

Oak Harbor leaders are considering a new tax on businesses to raise money to fix the aging marina and fund other projects.

Oak Harbor leaders are considering a new tax on businesses.