S. Whidbey school board hammers out priorities

The South Whidbey School Board spent part of a workshop session discussing the high school track and how to best resurface it. The track is becoming a health and safety concern for school district officials. Board members are reviewing potential projects that will be funded by a $6 million capital projects levy voters approved in 2013.

Second Street project in Langley underway

The Second Street project in Langley began Jan. 21. The $2.2 million project is scheduled to last 100 working days and finish in early June. Parking will be available on surrounding streets, the Langley United Methodist Church, Island Church of Whidbey and the park-and-ride lot on Cascade Avenue.

Center in Langley gets a whale of a jawbone

Nine people were needed to haul in a 100-year-old, 350-pound jaw bone from a blue whale into the Langley Whale Center located on Second Street. The bone is on a long-term loan from Monte Hughes, owner of the Mystic Sea Charters. The whale center is slated to open in early March.

Chimney fire damages Clinton home Jan. 15

A chimney fire caused an estimated $20,000 in damages to a Bailey Road home in Clinton. The fire ignited around 8:30 p.m., Jan. 15. No one was injured.

State auditor gives fire district a clean report

Officials from the Washington State Auditor’s Office reported no findings for an audit of South Whidbey Fire/EMS. Auditors made one minor recommendation, fire chief Rusty Palmer should initial monthly financial reports. The district is expected to go through another audit this summer about how it used $486,000 of federal funding that helped pay for fire suppression and a marine response boat.

Results indicate Freeland fuel leak now in check

The threat of a 2005 fuel spill to Freeland’s water supply appears to be minor. Four ground monitoring wells were installed between Main Street and Highway 525. Of those wells, tests revealed petroleum contamination in one well, which is located closest to the spill site. The Freeland Water and Sewer District’s wells supply water to 90 percent of the area’s commercial businesses and to about 400 homes.

Burglars strike Bayview senior center Jan. 15

Burglars broke into the Senior Services of Island County’s South Whidbey Center in Bayview last week. They made off with several computers, cash and miscellaneous items. The break-in occurred Jan. 15, and it’s believed the burglars entered through a back door they pried open. The number of burglaries on South Whidbey are increasing. Between June 1 and Dec. 11, 87 burglaries were reported on the South End.

Volunteers aiming to help island homeowners

Hearts and Hammers is looking to help homeowners on South Whidbey who are either physically unable or can’t afford to maintain their home. Hearts and Hammers is looking for homes for its workday scheduled for May 3. Deadline to be considered for the workday is Jan. 31. For more information, go to www.heartsandhammers.com or call 360-221-6063.

Coupeville council considers law enforcement options

The Coupeville Town Council is considering whether to contract with the Island County Sheriff’s Office to provide law enforcement services to the Central Whidbey based municipality. While officials consider the proposal, the council approved a collective bargaining agreement with the Coupeville Deputy Marshal’s Association that goes through 2017. The council will continue discussions during its regular meeting scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28, in the Island County Commissioners’ Hearing Room.

Coupeville workshop focuses on future of orcas

Saturday’s Ways of the Whales workshop is focusing on the health of the southern resident orcas. The workshop goes from 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at the Coupeville Middle and High School Performing Arts Center at 501 S. Main St. The day-long event includes a panel of experts ranging from representatives from SealLife Productions to National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration. For more information, go to www.orcanetwork.org